AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Reed considers this. “They definitely don’t get here by car or truck, and I think there’s too much tree coverage for a helicopter.”
“Boat, then,” I say. “The river is close enough. They must be using a boat to transport the guns.”
“It’s possible,” he agrees. “It makes the most sense.”
We certainly haven’t seen any sign of either helicopters or planes. It makes me wonder if the authorities have given up looking for us. The thought is terrifying. What will happen to us if we have to spend a winter out here? How will we survive? I know the men are strong and capable, and I’m thankful every day that we all made it through the crash, but even the local bears will hibernate over winter because of the lack of food. We’ve already started smoking and storing meat, just in case, but we’re barely getting enough calories in us to keep us going each day as it is. I can’t imagine there being even less.
I think of the river again.
“If the gunrunners did get here by boat, it must mean that if we follow the river far enough, we might come across some kind of civilization.”
“You think we should try to walk to safety?” Cade asks.
I hesitate, considering my response. “Right now, we have food and shelter, and, if we tried to walk upstream, we’ll be leaving that behind, but perhaps we’ll get to the point where it’ll be worth the risk.”
Cade’s lips thin. “When winter comes, you mean?”
I nod. “Yes.”
Reed looks between us. “Trying to walk out of here could be suicide. We have no idea where we’re going, or if we’d even be walking in the right direction. How do we know if the gunrunners travel up or downstream? It’s better to stay where we have food and shelter and wait for a rescue.”
“Or wait for men with guns to turn up and shoot us all in the head,” Cade throws in.
Reed turns to him. “We have no way of knowing that will happen. Besides, we have guns now. Maybe we can just step up our lookout, watch for anyone who might be coming. We’ve got it good here. I don’t want to change that.”
I jump in. “We might not have any choice when winter arrives.”
He holds my gaze. “We’ll deal with that then.”
Darius takes my side. “We can’t wait until winter arrives. If we do that, trying to walk will definitely kill us. If we’re going to try this, then we need to do it while food is still plentiful and it’s warm enough to sleep outside.”
“No!” Reed’s shout makes me jump. “We are not leaving the cabin. I’m the head of this family and my word is final. No one is going anywhere.”
With that, he storms from the room.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Laney
THE STORM PASSES WITHOUTtoo much damage, and none of us broach the subject of walking to safety to Reed again.
I can tell the guys have it on their mind, though. Cade knuckles down with his traps, catching as much as he can, and Darius is increasing the amount of meat he has drying for jerky.
I find myself spending more time on the porch, sitting and looking out over the forest. A low-lying mist hangs over the trees this morning, the green triangle tops of the spruces appearing through the white.
I’m not so much looking out for rescue helicopters or planes—my hope for those died some time ago—but instead am watching out for any signs the gunrunners might be on their way.
At least things are good between me and Reed, and me and the boys. They each take every opportunity to be with me. I feel like I always have one of them touching me, and not always in a sexual way, either. They put their arms around my waist and shoulders, kiss the top of my head or the back of my neck, and hold my hand. They playfight about who gets to pull me onto their lap, or whose shoulder I rest my head on.
I’ve never felt so wanted or cherished or adored.
It’s during the night that I’m closest to Reed, when we’re snuggled up together, and hidden by both darkness and the blankets. That’sourtime. It’s during the day, out trapping with Cade or down by the river with Darius, that I spend time with them.
Darius comes and joins me on the porch.
“You haven’t played your violin since we’ve been here,” I say to him.
He shakes his head. “No. It doesn’t feel right. I promised myself that the next time I played would be when we’re back in civilization.”
