He crawled out of the first tent and glanced at Connor, who was cleaning out dusty saddlebags. “Do you think we will be able to find Tim?”
Connor raised a dark eyebrow at him. “Never go into a mission doubting your ability. Doubt only sets you up to fail. Define the goal, know the enemy, make a plan, and accept the risks. That’s all you need to do. Keep it simple and stay focused.”
The motivating rhetoric rolled off Connor’s tongue in the exact way Revel needed to hear it. Still, his doubt remained. “We’ve set our goal and accepted the risks, but we don’t know what enemy we might face.”
Connor shrugged. “Cold. Dangerous terrain. Sleepless nights, injury, starvation, death. Same as any mission, except…”
“Except what?”
Connor gazed into the darkness beyond the open barn door. “Take your crossbow.”
Revel planned to take it in case they were away from the villages long enough they needed to hunt for food. The hardness in Connor’s stare was about more than feeding the group. Did he think someone else from the outside world had made it to the Land? “Bailey says the only other person who came with them was Tim. I believe her.”
“So do I.”
“Then who would we need to fight?” As the question left his lips, he thought of the rogue family of thieves rumored to live near the mountains who occasionally highjacked traders and stole from farms on the outskirts of the villages. “Felix and his sons are dead. Everett and Levi saw to that long ago.”
“We don’t know that Felix only had two sons.”
Revel had never encountered the thieves in his years of travel, nor had they ever shown their faces at the inn, as far as he knew. Maybe the three men who had died in their crime in Good Springs had been the last of their family. “There hasn’t been an attack in the Land since Felix died.”
Determination fortified Connor’s voice. “And I plan to keep it that way.” Whatever had clouded his gaze was gone as quickly as it had come. He turned his attention back to Revel. “Don’t mention Felix’s family to the girls. You’re right in that we have no reason to expect to defend ourselves against anyone on this mission. It will probably just be us against the mountains,” his cool confidence returned, “and honestly, I don’t believe the hype.”
“Hype?”
“The stories of something deadly lurking out there.” He shook out another saddlebag. “We’ll be fine.”
“I’m not afraid for myself. It’s the girls I’m worried about.”
“We’ll keep Sophia close. You don’t have to worry about Bailey. That woman can take care of herself.” Connor chuckled once and looked back at Revel for a response. “Okay?”
He used Connor’s jargon, and it felt awkward on his lips. “Okay.”
“And if she does need help, I want you there to protect her.”
He tried not to imagine all the bad things that might happen to Bailey, but his mind raced. What if she got hurt or died? What if she found out he was responsible for the nightmare that began that night on the beach?
He had to stay focused like Connor said.
He crawled into the second tent and inspected it. A dark stain marked the floor. Even though it would be covered by bedrolls, he didn’t want Bailey to see it. He backed out of the tent. “Both tents are in good shape, but this one’s floor is discolored. We’ll make sure the girls get the other tent.”
Connor set down the bag he was cleaning and turned toward Revel with a curious expression. “I had a feeling something was going on.”
“With the tent?”
“No. With you and Bailey.”
He shook his head for a quick denial. “There’s nothing going on. Not like that. Trust me.”
Connor didn’t look convinced. “Oh, I trust you. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t be going on this mission.” He went back to cleaning out the saddlebags. “Make sure you don’t get distracted by a woman.”
Bailey wasn’t just a woman. She was smart and sassy and could beat most men in a fistfight. Yet, the sadness behind her eyes seemed to plead for connection. His admiration for her had grown during their conversations over the past few weeks, and he felt an urge to be near her whenever they were apart. Still, he could keep himself focused. “I won’t get distracted.”
“If anything questionable happens on this trip, John will get blamed and the security team will be ruined.”
“Nothing is going to happen. I promise.”
Connor sent him one last look. “Good. Your primary job on this mission is to protect her.”
“I will.”
“Then it’s settled.”
If Connor said a matter was settled, he meant it. That was one of the qualities Revel had learned from Connor since joining the security team. Their word mattered to each other. Nothing had mattered much to him before meeting Connor, and he would do anything to earn the team leader’s respect.
He also cared about Bailey and wanted her to have the best tent as they traveled across the Land.
Across the Land… that meant they would stop at Falls Creek. He’d been so concerned with helping Bailey and hoping they found her friend in time, he hadn’t thought about what waited for him between Good Springs and the mountains.
He placed his lantern on the workbench and glanced at Connor before he started dismantling the tents. “Will we stop at the inn?”
“If you want to be on the team, you have to get used to putting other people’s needs before your own.” Connor tossed the last bag onto the pile then helped Revel with the tents. “The inn’s location is strategic for the communications system we’re about to implement. If we want to keep the people of the Land safe, we have to be able to quickly spread word to all the villages whenever we need to.”
Everything inside Revel was committed to Connor’s vision for the Land’s safety. He’d proven that on the beach the night Bailey and her men came ashore. In the process he’d made a deadly mistake which only Connor knew about. “I’ll do whatever I have to for the team.” He steadied his voice, hoping to seem more easygoing than he felt. “Even if it means staying a night at the inn.”
Connor gave Revel’s shoulder a thud as he walked past. “If Levi and Everett come too, Eva will put all of us guys out in the bunkhouse. So, you won’t have to worry about sleeping in the inn.”
“Sounds good to me.” He slipped the tent poles out of their pockets and checked each one for fractures. The equipment was in excellent condition, just like everything under Connor’s control. Revel folded the canvas and rolled the poles inside it. “What’s next?”
Connor laid the packed tents beside the saddlebags. “I’m going out to Levi’s and Everett’s houses to tell them what’s up. They will want in on the action too.” He stepped toward the door. “Are you with me?”
Revel didn’t hesitate. “Always.”
Chapter Three
Footsteps creaked the floorboards in the ceiling above Bailey, rousing her from sleep. Darkness still blackened the bedroom, so she pulled the quilt over her ears and closed her eyes again. The footsteps continued upstairs. Why did everyone in the Land always get up so early?
Movement in the guest room next door rattled her sluggish thoughts. Revel’s morning routine seemed louder than usual. It wasn’t even first light yet.
First light…
Tim!
She shot out from under the quilt, her bare feet thankful for the rag rug on the floor beside the oak-framed bed. The chill in the room pricked her skin as she changed from a hand-me-down nightgown to her jeans and hooded sweatshirt.
After a visit to the washroom, she slipped her toothbrush into her waiting backpack. When she bent forward, her hair hung in front of her eyes. She’d learned how to cut her hair herself during the war but hadn’t thought about it since coming to the Land. To keep it out of her vision, she tucked the strands behind her ears. It stayed in place. Her hair hadn’t been long enough to do that in years. The first thing she would do when she got back from this trip was cut her hair.
While making the bed in the dark, she opened the window’s lace curtains to give the sky a quick check. Stars filled the clear, pre-dawn sky. She had never seen so many stars in her life until coming to the Land, yet the constellations appeared misshapen compared to everywhere else in the world because of the atmospheric anomalies here. Knowing Tim was alive and under those same stars filled her heart with hope.
She wanted to turn on the two-way radio in case he was trying to call her even though they had agreed to talk at noon. The digital clock on the radio read 05:03. Only seven hours to go.
A gentle knock vibrated the bedroom door. She nestled the radio safely into a side pocket, then slung the backpack’s straps over her shoulders on her way to answer the door. The sweet aroma of pancakes cooking wafted into the room.
Revel stood outside her door, holding a leather satchel by its thick handle. The faint glow of lantern light coming from the living room softened his serious expression. His morning voice was an octave lower than it would be the rest of the day. “Are you ready?”
“I was born ready,” she replied through a yawn.
A half grin warmed his eyes. “That was almost convincing.” He pointed his thumb down the hallway. “John made breakfast. It will be our last hot meal for a while.”
She almost added until we get to the Inn at Falls Creek, but refrained. Revel hadn’t wanted to talk about the inn when they were alone in the parlor yesterday and it was too early in the morning to talk about something heavy like his family problems.
Eat breakfast. Ride a horse all day. Talk to Tim on the radio. That was all she needed to think about today. And that was plenty.
She followed Revel down the hall, through the living room, and into the wide, country kitchen where John had prepared an assortment of breakfast foods. Stacks of pancakes, an iron skillet filled with cheesy scrambled eggs, and a platter of steaming venison sausage waited in the center of the long kitchen table.
Revel said good morning to Lydia and Sophia as he set his satchel beneath the coat hooks by the door. Both women answered his greeting with a nervous edge to their voices.
John carried a coffee pot to the table. “Good morning, Bailey.”
“Morning.” She slid her backpack off her shoulders and set it beside Revel’s satchel and another leather bag. Probably Connor’s.
Lydia stood at the stove, cooking oatmeal with her sleepy toddler riding on her hip. Baby Andrew’s chubby fingers clung to Lydia’s sleeve, comfortably hanging onto his mother while she worked. The dimples in his knuckles caught Bailey’s eye. Tiny but so precious.
At first glance it looked cumbersome to have a kid. It seemed they always wanted to be held when the mother was at her busiest, but watching Lydia with Andrew stirred regret deep in Bailey’s soul. Here she’d always felt pity for tired young moms, when in truth they had something she didn’t.
And never would.
Revel pulled out the dining chair Bailey usually sat in and waited for her to sit before he did. She was starting to like his old-world gentlemanly manners. It was nice to be treated well. But every time he did something for her, she felt like she should repay him.
“Thanks,” she said, as she sat and immediately placed the breadbasket in front of his plate.
Footsteps thundered down the stairs. Seconds later, Connor strode into the kitchen, his black hair damp and streaked with comb lines. Andrew perked up the instant he saw his dad. Connor kissed Lydia and held out his hands to take Andrew. Though the couple’s morning routine appeared casual, a crease formed between Lydia’s eyebrows. She ladled oatmeal into a shallow bowl and set it on the table near Andrew’s highchair. Then she stood still, chewing on her bottom lip. “What was I going to do?”
Connor lifted his chin at Bailey, and Lydia’s eyes widened. “Oh, yes. That’s right.” She held up a finger to Bailey. “I’ll be right back.”
A moment later she returned from the living room with a folded pair of jeans. She handed them to Bailey. “Not quite like new, but the stitching should hold a long while.”
Bailey unfolded the denim pants and held them up by the belt loops. Lydia had sewn the severed leg back on with intricate stitching, weaving the fabric together in a way Bailey didn’t known was possible. It had probably taken Lydia half the night to complete.
Bailey looked up at Lydia’s tired eyes. “You did this for me?”
Delicate curves appeared at the corners of Lydia’s mouth as she smiled. “I couldn’t let you travel without a change of clothes. Or a coat.” She pointed to a burgundy wool coat hanging on a hook by the kitchen door. “That coat is for you.”
Gratitude flooded Bailey’s heart. She stood and hugged Lydia, surprising them both. “Thank you so much.”
Lydia chuckled lightly. “Oh my. Well, you are certainly welcome.” The tip of her nose turned pink. “Your new clothes will be ready from the seamstress when you return.” Her voice wavered. “Just stay warm until then.”
“I will.” Bailey wasn’t ready for sad goodbyes. Not on an empty stomach. She sat and turned her attention to John who was waiting to say the blessing.
During the quiet breakfast Bailey ate slowly, relishing the delicious food and the warmth of the kitchen and the company. Though she’d only lived here a few weeks, these people meant more to her than she’d expected. Not quite family yet, but the potential gave her hope for her new life in the Land.
Connor gulped his breakfast in rushed military fashion. Lydia bit her lip as she helped Andrew aim his oatmeal-covered spoon into his oatmeal-covered mouth. Sophia swirled her fork in the raspberry syrup around her pancakes but barely ate. Revel hunkered over his plate and didn’t look up until he downed his last bite.
Connor leaned back in his chair and gazed lovingly at Lydia and Andrew for a long moment. After he drank the last of his coffee, he stood. “It’s time to get the horses ready.”
Bailey had never ridden a horse, much less saddled one. John had given her plenty of riding tips while they’d packed food last night. Still, she never fully learned something new without doing it.
She shoved her last forkful of pancake into her mouth then chased it with half a glass of milk as she carried her plate to the sink. After stacking her plate with the other dirty dishes, she glanced back at John and Lydia. “Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.”
John raised his coffee cup in acknowledgement. Lydia gave a solemn nod as if it had been Bailey’s last meal. Little Andrew babbled happily with oatmeal dripping from his chin.
Though distant, the three of them were Bailey’s blood relatives. All at once, the weight of parting with family pressed her heart. If that was to be her last meal, she was glad she’d spent it at the Colburn table.
Revel and Connor stood by the kitchen door, putting on their coats. When Connor opened the door, a brisk wind caught Bailey by surprise. She slipped her arms into the coat Lydia had given her, and its soft lining caressed her skin. Her hands instinctively slid into the coat’s pockets. Something was in there. She withdrew a pair of brown leather gloves and held them up to show Lydia. “You forgot these in the pockets.”
Lydia shook her head. “They are for you.”
“Thank you.” She’d said those words more times in the past twenty-four hours than she had in her whole life.
The chilly breeze blew her hair across her forehead as she followed Connor and Revel outside. Sophia was a few paces behind her but quickly caught up. The sky had brightened enough to see the silhouettes of the trees and the barn. The ocean wasn’t visible from the Colburn property, but its briny air mixed with the pine and gray leaf tree scents. She would never forget the distinct smell.
Connor propped both of the barn doors open with bricks, and Revel lit a lantern on a worktable at the front of the building. He carried the lantern back to the horse stalls with Connor.
Bailey stayed by the open doors, unsure of what to do. She glanced at Sophia. “Do you have your own horse?”
Sophia stepped close to
her, smiling as if the conversation starter was a relief. “No. Connor and Revel do. Lydia has two.” She smoothed her puffy bun with trembling fingertips. “The rest belong to Mr. Colburn.”
Revel walked a brown horse from the stalls. He stopped the animal in front of Bailey. “This is Gee. John said for you to ride her.” He held out the horse’s rope to Bailey. “Gee is strong and good for long trips.”
Bailey accepted the rope and offered a hand for Gee to sniff as she would a dog. How should she introduce herself to a horse? “Um, hello, Gee.”
Revel smiled at her as if she were cute and young. At the moment she didn’t feel like either of those things. He watched for an extra moment then motioned for Sophia to follow him to the stalls. “Lydia said you can ride Dapple.”
While they walked to the back stalls discussing a spotted gray mare, Bailey stood alone by the horse she was about to ride for days on end. “Honestly, Gee, I have no idea what I’m doing, so I apologize in advance.”
The horse’s ears twitched. Bailey wanted to pet her but wasn’t sure where to touch. The brown fur along her neck looked velvety smooth. Wait, was it fur on a horse or hair? That didn’t matter right now. She pulled off her glove and gave Gee a slow stroke down her neck. The horse lowered her head toward Bailey.
“Oh, you like that.” Bailey rubbed her again, and Gee seemed to enjoy it. “You’re a gentle girl, aren’t you, Gee.”
Revel and Sophia both led horses to the front of the barn. Sophia’s gray mare had a splattering of white spots on its back half, while Revel’s horse was almost the same brown as Gee, but it had white legs and a white stripe down its face.
Connor followed them, leading his midnight-black stallion and another brown horse which was for Tim. “Catch,” Connor said as he tossed a brush to Bailey.
She caught it by its wooden handle. “What’s this for?”
Revel took the brush and demonstrated on Gee. “Use it to curry the horse, like this. It gets all the caked dirt off. Don’t use it on her face. Start here,” he passed the brush over Gee’s shoulder, “and then brushed her back and cinch areas. If you leave any dirt on her back or girth, the saddle and cinch will give her sores.”
Uncharted Destiny (The Uncharted Series Book 7) Page 3