Page 50 of Into the Mist

All six women jumped.

“Here! Cover them.” Mercury grabbed a dishtowel and tossed it to Stella, who draped it over the row of veggies.

“Yeah, we’re back here!” Imani called.

Tyler jogged to them. “Oh good. Um, some guy just drove up.”

“Is he injured?” asked the doc.

“Nah, I don’t think so. Jenny and I were outside getting more boards for the windows and we saw him. We yelled for him to park on the side of the road ’cause the parking lot is pretty dicey, and he’s driving the front part of one of those big eighteen-wheelers. Hewaved and yelled okay, and then backed out. He didn’t seem hurt, but I thought I should get you guys.”

“Yes, absolutely. We’re coming,” said Dr. Hilary.

“Awesome!”

When he just stood there, Stella said, “Tyler, could you bring the breakfast dishes back here to the sinks so we can get them cleaned up?”

“Oh, sure! I’ll do anything for someone who can cook like you.” He flashed a besotted grin at Stella before he scampered away.

“Ah, youth,” said Stella. “He’s lucky I’m not a decade younger. My line is drawn at thirty years young, though.”

“Well, it is the apocalypse…” Mercury waggled her brows suggestively.

“Interesting thought,” murmured Stella as she turned back to the counter with the shrouded vegetables. With a flourish she pulled off the dishcloth.

Every vegetable had sprouted.

Hilary gasped. With a hand that trembled, she reached out and stroked the green that spiked the top of the carrot.

“’Kay, don’t be freaked,” said Mercury. “We can all do it—and we feel just fine.”

Hilary turned, eyes washed in tears, to Mercury. “Freaked? I am astounded! Delighted! Amazed!” The doctor laughed joyously. “This is miraculous!”

“It is,” said Stella solemnly. “It is also how we are going to survive.”

CHAPTER

15

“YOU DO NOTknow how glad I am to see living people!” A bulldog of a man jogged up the broken parking lot to where Mercury, Stella, and Hilary waited to greet him. His hand was out before he even reached the women. “Ladies, it is so damn good to see you. Name’s Jebediah Simpson, but most folks just call me Sim.”

Dr. Hilary stepped forward and took his hand firmly in hers. “I’m Dr. Hilary. The ladies behind me are Mercury and Stella. I believe I recognize you. Aren’t you a regular at the Sunday brunch buffet?”

Sim’s cheeks became two cherry dots as he grinned. “Yes, indeedy! Whenever I’m not on the road, that is. I do like a good Sunday brunch.” He nodded to Mercury and Stella. “Nice to meet you.” Then he looked behind them and whistled. “The mountain sure made a mess of Timberline.”

“Part of it’s still habitable,” said Hilary.

“Yeah, and you’re welcome to come in,” said Mercury. “We can feed you, and we’d like to hear anything you can tell us about what it’s like out there.” She made a vague gesture meant to take in the rest of the country.

“I do ’preciate that. Can’t stop long, though. I need to get to my family’s cabin. It’s about twenty miles north of here off Route 35. My husband and our five kids went there for spring break. I was supposed to join them yesterday, but…” He shrugged.

“The apocalypse got in the way?” Mercury said.

“Seems like it. Here’s hoping the fam is fine. Can’t reach ’em on the radio in my rig, but that could just be because there’s no electricity. Hope that’s all it is.” He wiped a hand across his face. “Hey, is Bob around?”

The women turned and began walking back to the lodge with Sim falling in beside them. Hilary shook her head sadly. “Bob died yesterday. We’ll miss him.”

“Well, shit. What about Ken? He’s been here ’bout as long as Bob.”