Page 61 of Into the Mist

“That’s excellent,” Stella said. “So, Jenny, keep a listen to the CB, but don’t broadcast much. Don’t tell people your position or give them other details. Don’t even talk to anyone except us.”

“What’s going on?” Mercury asked her.

“I don’t know yet. All I know is that Timberline will be safe as long as it’s secluded.” She turned to Jenny. “We’re not going to be completely forthcoming with info when we first get to Madras. We won’t tell them about the CB, or about Timberline, until we know we can trust them.”

“Sounds smart,” said Jenny. “I’ll get the CB set up in the boutique we’re using as a supply room. That’s pretty central. We should be able to hear if you call.”

“Other than an emergency, don’t call us,” said Stella. “And if you do, make up a location away from here.”

“Got it.” Jenny nodded.

“Do we have backpacks?” Gemma asked.

“Backpacks?” Mercury echoed.

“Yeah, I’m assuming we’re gonna be super cautious about everything, which means we won’t be driving into Madras with our truck and all our supplies—including that CB radio—but we’re gonna need some of our stuff, clothes and toothbrushes and such. So, we’ll need backpacks.”

“Excellent idea, kid,” said Stella. “And something I hadn’t even thought about.”

“There were new backpacks in the boutique. We moved them, along with clothes and that other stuff to the little store at the end of the hall today,” said Jenny. “I can go grab five of them for y’all.”

“That would be great, Jenny,” said Mercury.

“Hey, I’m not going with you, but I still wanna help.” She got up and gave Mercury a quick hug before heading for the door.

“I’ll miss her,” Mercury said softly.

“You’ll see her again.” Stella paused, then grinned. “I like good news like that way better than knowing stuff like poor Sim dying.”

“That sucked,” said Mercury.

“He’s happier now,” Imani murmured as she stared into the crackling fire. “He’s with his family.”

“Hey,” Mercury took Jenny’s place beside Imani and put her arm around her friend. “Stay with us, ’kay?”

Imani nodded slowly. “I’m doing my best.”

CHAPTER

19

STELLA WOKE THEMa little before dawn. The five women dressed quietly and made their way to the kitchen, where Stella had prepared a big breakfast—which they ate in the rubble of the Cascade Dining Room so they wouldn’t wake the wounded, sleeping comfortably in the hearth-warmed foyer/infirmary. As they were cleaning up the dishes, Dr. Hilary joined them in the kitchen.

“I still wish you were staying,” she said after she hugged each of them.

“You’re a good leader,” Stella told her. “The people here will be safe as long as they listen to you.”

“And if they don’t?”

“You shouldn’t force anyone to stay,” Stella said. “Let anyone who wants to—or who causes problems—leave. Do it with goodwill and send them off with supplies, but in return make it clear that Timberline must remain a secret.”

The sharp-eyed doctor nodded somberly. “I understand. If anyone leaves, I’ll willingly help them but also get their word that they’ll keep us a secret. And you have the route written down? It’s not difficult at all. Take a left onto highway 26 out of Timberline Highway.”

Stella nodded. “And follow it down to Madras. I didn’t need to write it down because Jenny found an actualpaper mapof Oregon in the boutique. It’s already tucked away in the glove box of the truck with Sim’s CB that Jenny and Tyler installed.”

“Jenny is brilliant.” Mercury hooked her arm through Jenny’s and grinned, though her eyes were suspiciously bright.

“If you cry I will lose it. I mean it,” said Jenny.