Into his shocked silence, I said, “Your father doesn’t want to leave. But this is only a temporary reprieve. Promise me you will get yourself, your families, and your pigheaded father out of there tonight.”
“The girls are happy to put them up,” Right Neds said.
“Pocket of Rubies is ready to take you in,” I said. “They’re good people.”
“I know,” he said. “I know. We’ll be packed and out of here in an hour, I promise. And Matilda . . . I’m so sorry about House Gray.”
“Just get somewhere safe and we’re gold.”
“Our homes?”
“Take a few pictures. You won’t ever be back.”
“All right,” he said quietly. Then, stronger: “We’ll be fine. May the earth rise to your feet.”
“And the wind to your back,” I replied, finishing the old House Brown blessing.
I broke the feed and pressed my cold fingers over my eyes, swallowing back the mix of fear and anger and sorrow. They had lost their land. Just like I was going to lose mine.
I stood there long enough, Abraham had time to walk through the room, quietly inventorying all of our equipment, all of our secrets.
There was nothing standing in the way of House Gray shutting us down. Like Neds had said, Abraham was galvanized—the ears, eyes, and mouth of his House. Whatever he knew, his boss, Oscar, must have known.
I pushed away my fears. I had a situation to handle and there was no time for crying. I set the main system back out of emergency status. “I’ll need a few minutes to pack my bag.”
Left Ned swore.
“Tilly,” Right Ned said.
“I want you to stay here with Grandma.”
“No.”
I glared at both of him.
“Wherever he’s taking you”—Left Ned stabbed a finger in Abraham’s direction—“we’re going.”
“You could bring your grandmother.” Abraham patted the short-wave radio receiver fondly and strolled over to the telegraph station, bending to study the straight key’s setup.
“This is her land and home,” I said. “Going in city would be too much of a shock. As long as the land is safe, she stays here.”
“The land will be safe when you claim a House,” Abraham said.
“I’ll hold you to that,” I said.
“I’m not staying with her,” Left Ned said again.
“Fine. I’ll call Boston Sue. Go get your gear.”
Neds gave Abraham one last hard look, then walked up the stairs, leaving the door open at the top.
“Listen,” I said after Neds were out of earshot. “That was very kind of you, to put your House on the line for the Fesslers. I understand what kind of a risk that is. Thank you.”
“It was the right thing to do.” His gaze wandered over the room, and a longing softened his eyes before he looked back at me.
It was almost like he missed all this rebel-underground living.
“Not bad for out in the scrub, right?” I said.
