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The van turned down a dirt road, jostling slightly as it drove over cattle guard just like what they had back home. Pulling forward, Jill drove up to the house, put the van in park, and got out.
“All righty, everyone up and at ‘em,” Houghton invited, yanking open the rolling door on the side of the van before opening the hatch and taking out their luggage.
Lena waited patiently and then nudged Gideon’s arm.
“What?”
“I can’t get out until you do.”
“Did you not see my leg?”
“I see a very stubborn man who is looking for a handout…”
“What’s your deal? What part of you is busted up and needing time to heal?” he smarted off – and Lena didn’t hesitate.
“My soul,” she whispered painfully. “Now, can you move, or shall I try pole-vaulting over your cast and hope for the best?”
He looked at her – and lumbered carefully, finally extracting himself from the van, before actually muttering a quiet apology under his breath. Houghton carried in Gideon’s bag as Lena hefted up her own.
Jill escorted her through the house, plucking a hat and a set of gloves from a large woven basket by the back door. Lena followed without question as she listened to the woman walking in the dim lighting.
“Follow the pathways as much as possible. When it gets too snowy out, we’ll string rope between the buildings or call your cell phone telling you to stay in. Each cabin has a small mini fridge, a generator, and a wood stove. I recommend saving the wood for when the winter storms get really bad.”
Lena was listening distractedly as she looked around at everything. The buildings almost formed a U-shape that faced the mountains in the distance and she caught a glimpse of Gideon being escorted to his cabin – which was indeed far from hers.
“Here we are,” Jill said happily, opening the door to the small enclosure, and Lena just stared.
The cabin was beautiful.
From the outside, it looked like a little wooden shed with windows. But on the inside, it was enchanting. Tiny fairy lights created a soft glow on the inside where somebody tacked them along the ceiling. There was a small kitchenette, a table with two chairs, a loveseat, a tiny television, and a ladder that went up to a loft area. Cubbies were stuffed on the wall with tote baskets that could hold things, and a hook on the wall held two very thick winter coats. There was a small oval woodstove that looked like something out of the sixties, and it was all just so wonderful.
“Oh Jill – this is lovely.”
“I’m glad, now because of the size? We’ve had to get creative using every inch of space imaginable. We don’t have dressers in here, so feel free to use the baskets as your storage. There are supplies in the closet in the back by the bathroom. If you need to wash your laundry, it’s at the main house, and there is a mudroom on either side of the house that has a washer and a dryer waiting.”
“I love this…” she breathed happily, feeling tears choke her as she realized that this was indeed the second chance she had been hoping and praying for.
“Take a moment, unpack your things, and I would give yourself a month before you call anyone. I know the urge is there to call your sister, but I assure you Deacon will update her once he lands. There is quite a communication route between everyone that can feel either comforting or invasive. So don’t worry about her not knowing what is going on. You just focus on yourself and take this time to find out what you want, who you are, and heal from the inside out.”
Lena couldn’t help it – she threw her arms around Jill, hugging her tightly.
“Oh, thank you so much…” she whispered tearfully, feeling overwhelmed.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that yet when so much is going to happen over the next few weeks. Thank me when you are ready – and only then.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll know. Until then, let’s focus on friendship, trust, and understanding between all of us, no matter what, okay?” Jill said, holding her hands and looking at her carefully before repeating herself. “Friendship, trust, and understanding are vital in everything we do.”
She nodded, unsure what to say… and trusting her.
4
ORTEGA
“Hey… hey, Ortega? Are you awake?”
Jake opened his bleary eyes and stared in a drugged stupor at the walls around him – only to see an unfamiliar face there holding a medical chart.
