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“Pollutants?” Zoe signed with a frown.
“From the property on the other side of the ridge. It was converted to commercial crops. The chemicals they’re using saturate the soil.”
Tilting her head, Zoe signed with a smile, “How do you know?”
“I snuck over there and took samples. Dad wanted to strangle me. I knew the new pollutants weren’t coming from our land and I needed to see if it was making its’ way to the groundwater supply. Not yet, thankfully.” She pointed to the pond. “I’m already picking up readings from our soil out this way and trace amounts in the pond.”
Even though she’d read Mandy’s report, it was clear that she was passionate about the subject. She encouraged her to continue.
“I wanted to show how steadily these forms of pollution spread. Because we have the ridge as a barrier, our contamination is slower. The property on the other side is much worse. He gets more runoff from the commercial grower and it’s visible on several acres.” She punched her fist into her other hand. “There’s no such thing as isolation in nature. Everything gets cross-contaminated eventually.”
Zoe and Mandy dismounted several times to inspect areas where Mandy collected her samples along the property boundary.
“If we grew food, we’d get trace amounts of those chemicals in the yield even if we didn’t use them. I demonstrated that by using produce I purchased from local growers at the farmer’s market.”
“This isincredible, Mandy. Well done.” She signed, “I assume you have additional projects planned for high school?”
“How to repair or reverse the effects. I’m determined.” Standing, she dusted off her hands. “You have to see the best view in town.”
The trail they followed meandered through a shallow wood and then climbed gradually to the top of a ridge.
Zoe signed, “The town in one direction, the mountains in the other. What a beautiful place you found, Nate.”
“I’m glad you think so,” he told her. She could see his pride.
They explored the ridge and headed back down to the pond. Mandy’s horse slipped on a bit of shale and Zoe reached out to grab her leather belt. The smaller mare regained her footing and they rode down the rest of the way.
At the bottom, Mandy signed, “Thanks, Zoe. That could have been a bad tumble!”
Zoe had a hard time hiding the way she trembled. The thought of Mandy being thrown and sustaining a head injury like the one that took her hearing made her stomach cramp.
As if he could read her thoughts, Nate leaned over to stroke his hand down her back and she met his eyes with a small smile.
“Are you alright?” She nodded and exhaled slowly. “Your affection for my daughter adds yet another layer to how amazing you are, Zoe.”
A few minutes later, they emerged into a clearing to what Mandy explained was the second of three ponds they had. It was the biggest one and located at the furthest edge of his property in relation to the road leading into town. The sunlight sparkled off the surface.
It felt miles from anywhere.
Zoe smiled as she looked around and signed distractedly, “It’s peaceful here. I think it’s my favorite spot.”
Mandy tapped Zoe’s knee. “It’s Dad’s favorite place, too. We have picnics here sometimes. You should come with us next time.”
“I’d like that.”
Dismounting, they let the horses drink before loosely tying them. Mandy motioned to her dad to wait with the horses and he nodded. She led Zoe around to the opposite side of the pond.
They settled cross-legged on a flat rock near the water’s edge.
“This is a really good place, Zoe. It’s calm here and there’s no other people for at least a mile in any direction.” She took Zoe’s hands. “Dad isn’t close. It’s just us.”
Zoe nodded.
“Say your name out loud for me.” Instantly nervous, she shook her head. “You can do it, Zoe. You were able to hear for more of your life than you’ve been deaf. You can trust me. I promise.”
Speakingterrifiedher. As if Mandy understood, she squeezed her hands. Staring at her own lap, Zoe inhaled deeply several times.
If she was going to speak to anyone, she wanted it to be Nate and Mandy. The little girl wouldn’t judge her and she believed she’d tell her if she sounded strange.
