Olivia sucked in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It was a food drive just a few weeks ago… and we had all this stuff we never used. I… I… I never thought we’d…” She paused and looked around to Gabby, hoping for her support. “I donated it to the church… for the needy.”
She cringed in anticipation.
Grayson squeezed her hands gently and nodded his head three times. “Well, news brief. We are now the needy.”
16
Jake finished pouring gas into Ruby, praying under his breath that he was right… that the old mothballs and Seafoam had worked, and that the gas would run in his truck. Gabby stood beside him, for moral support and encouragement.
The guys had discussed the risk and decided to take a trip to Jake and Gabby’s house to gather any food and supplies that were there. With Olivia’s big screw-up, they just may need it later… not that it would compensate for what she’d given away. They didn’t keep a whole lot, but anything he and Gabby had at the house would help soothe things between Grayson and his wife.
They were also on a mission to find help for Grayson’s toothache, and Tullymore did have a doctor that lived next door to Tucker.
Jake screwed the gas lid on. “Let’s give her a try.”
Gabby stood on her tiptoes and pecked his cheek. “She’s gonna work. Ruby wouldn’t let you down. So, please be careful. Turn around if it’s not safe, but if you get there, the long-term food buckets are just under the house behind the double doors, and don’t forget the two rectangular plastic totes in the back of the closet that say, ‘farm clothes’ on them.”
At the house, she had two rubber totes full of clothes and shoes, using Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags. These bags were great for getting a lot of clothes into a small container, when used with a vacuum to suck all the air out.
Nearly a year ago, she’d spent a day shopping at the thrift stores and finding several sets of seasonal clothes on the cheap. For the low price, she’d paid—less than five bucks per outfit—she could pack them away and not have to feel guilty about not wearing it for a long time; maybe never. She’d always known she could borrow her twin sister’s things if ever they had to live at the farm for an extended time, but having a long memory for the feuding over clothes they’d done growing up, she’d prepared the tote to hopefully avoid a repeat of that.
Her tote contained everything from blue jeans to yoga pants, as well as shorts, shirts, and all manners of underthings. There were also comfort items and winter wear, such as sweatpants, sweatshirts, a coat, gloves, hats, and scarves. As was the way with most women she knew, she had no idea what her size would be if ever she should need them, so she chose stretchy, comfortable, and sometimes baggy things that would work whether she’d gained or lost some weight.
Under all the clothes were two pairs of sneakers, a pair of flip-flops, and several vacuum-packed bags of feminine products, to include tampons, lotion, and a multi-pack of Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating chap stick—acai berry—her guilty pleasure.
She’d also packed Jake a tote, buying surplus army pants and shirts, as well as regular clothes and undergarments. It had sweat suits and winter gear, including two sets of expensive Under Armor compression shirts and pants for extra warmth in extreme cold. The only thing Jake wouldn’t have would be extra shoes and boots, so she’d reminded him earlier to look through their closet and grab some from the messy pile he kept there.
Jake hugged her tight. “I won’t forget anything,” he promised.
He climbed in, checked that everyone was ready, and turned the key, holding his breath. Gabby stood at his open window, her fingers crossed.
Ruby started right up, her engine spinning like a top.
A grin spread over both Jake and Gabby’s face.
Tina and Tarra jumped into the back of the truck, each with a pistol holstered to their side and a long gun in their hand. They laid the guns down near the cab and claimed their spots on two of the four hay bales that Grayson had thrown back there for seats. They might be itchy, but they’d be a lot more comfortable than just sitting on the narrow metal sides of the truck bed.
The two women were excited to just get away from the farm and be going somewhere, and checking out the condition of the roads and the world. For now, just the chance to ride down a road and see what the world looked like felt like leaving on a vacation. They both still hoped to come up with a plan to make the long trip home to their own husbands soon.
Grayson opened the passenger door, and weaseled his way into the truck, with Olivia nearly attached to him, still begging his forgiveness for giving away their food. “It’s fine, honey,” he lied. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I hope Doc can help your tooth.” She gave him one last guilty look, tears sparkling in her eyes, and gently kissed him goodbye. She quickly walked away, as Grayson flinched at the pain that even that light touch brought on.
She’d kissed his swollen cheek… again.
Grayson gave his sister-in-law a thumbs up. “Gabby, take care of your sister and Graysie while we’re gone. You and Graysie keep your guns on you, and try to make Puck stay in bed.”
Gabby returned his thumbs up, accepting her responsibility.
The truck rolled down the driveway and Grayson looked out his side-view mirror at his wife walking through the screen door.
It slammed loudly behind Olivia.
Stubborn woman.
He was still a bit angry, but nevertheless worried about leaving her here with only Gabby, Graysie and Puck. She’d refused to carry a gun on her side, claiming it wasn’t safe since it made her so uncomfortable. She was worried she’d shoot herself in the leg… or worse.
He wished either Tina or Tarra would stay behind, but Jake felt they needed them worse than the girls did. Other than the hoodrats that had chased Puck up the tree, and the meth-head in the neighbor’s barn that came after Graysie and then disappeared into thin air, they hadn’t seen hide nor hair of another human in these parts since the power had gone out.
They were far enough in the country that it would probably be weeks, if not longer, before the golden horde—crowds of unprepared people—came looking this far out for food and water.
At least they had Ozzie, he thought, as he focused on the road at the end of the driveway. Jake pulled to a stop, and out of habit, looked both ways before pulling out toward Tullymore.
A blur of black and white tore down the drive behind them and caught Grayson’s eye in the side-view mirror just before they turned out onto the road. Grayson threw out his arm, hitting Jake on the chest. “Stop!”
Graysie had come outside and accidentally let Ozzie out. They’d been trying to sneak off without him knowing. “Sorry, Daddy!” she yelled from the porch.
Jake skid to a sudden stop, nearly toppling Tina and Tarra in the back, and a moment later, Ozzie flew through the air, leaping over the tailgate in two bounds, and landed in the back with the women. His tongue lolled out the side of his mouth giving him a slightly goofy look, and he whined excitedly.
The dog eagerly stepped up to the back glass and stood on his hind legs staring in, giving his master a happy look through the glass. His wet nose left a long smear on the window.
Grayson sighed. It was going to break Ozzie’s heart to be left behind.
He stepped out of the truck, and called Ozzie down. He rubbed the silly dog’s head. “Sorry, boy,” he mumbled before standing up and pointing at the house. “You stay,” he firmly commanded. “Take care of your mama.”