Kissing, tender now, we savor being together. We stay like this for a long while, neither of us wanting to separate. I’m so safe and fulfilled, lying next to him.
This depth of emotion is startling. It takes my breath away. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way about someone. Or maybe I’ve never felt this way. I didn’t expect this so soon, yet here it is.
I’m in love with Aiden.
*
AIDEN
Zach is so special to me. We lie in bed for a long while, and I can’t look away from him. The soft afternoon light illuminates his gentle face and loving eyes. With the walls I’ve built around me crumbling, the intensity of my feelings for him almost makes me want to cry. It’s a little scary, to be honest.
“This place is so peaceful. I could see living here.”
Zach’s words resonate in my mind. And why not? Have I not done enough to deserve peace and happiness? Maybe I should forget the damn vials and find a place to spend the rest of my life. The rest of my life with Zach, maybe? The idea doesn’t seem so farfetched. In fact, I’m finding it hard to imagine a life without him.
But then, reality comes crashing in on me. Iknowwhat I must do. This box has to be delivered. No matter the risk. The idea of asking Zach to keep taking these risks fills me with dread. But I’ve been down this road before. I made a promise to him. I have to let him make his own choice.
True to his word, Curtis returns to the house around three hours after he left. And believe me, Zach and I took full advantage of all three hours. We’re making up for lost time, after all.
Curtis carries a box filled with vegetables, meats, and other foods. “I thought I’d make us a nice meal for dinner.” He sets the box on the counter and starts taking items out, inspecting each one as he does.
“Where did you get all this?” Zach asks.
“Various places. With the greenhouse, I always have some fresh veggies. The meat is salt-cured. I got both that and the cheese from my larder. Plus, fresh cream from the cows.”
We all chip in to help cook. We make a lasagna filled with zucchini, ground meats, homemade noodles, and cheese. Curtis bakes it in his country-style wood oven.
The food is delicious. I even have a third helping. When we’re done, Curtis makes more of his famous hot chocolate. We all sit around the dining room table with full bellies, sipping from our mugs.
“You know, you boys are welcome to stay here as long as you want.” Curtis looks at us over his mug.
“That’s a generous offer,” I say. “I imagine we’ll stay a few more days. But I’ve got some unfinished business I have to—”
Curtis puts a hand up. “It’s okay. I can tell that whatever you’re doing is very important. And I’m guessing the less I know, the better.”
“That’s true. On both counts.”
“But know that once you two are done doing whatever you need to do, you’re welcome back here. Even if it’s just to visit.”
Zach and I trade glances, smiling. “Curtis, I promise you, we’ll be back.”
*
We spend the next few days resting and recovering from our travels. Each day, Zach feels stronger. It’s remarkably easy for us to fall into a happy routine. We wake up at dawn every morning and help Curtis around the farm. We feed the animals, tend to the crops, and milk the cows. When evening comes, we gather and make a wonderful meal together. At night, Zach and I explore all the different ways to make each other happy.
In some sense, the days at the farm remind me of our time in Cedar Grove, where everything was cheerful. But Cedar Grove had a fake veneer to it, as if walking around in a dream you knew you’d wake up from. The farm is much more grounded. More sustainable. This is a life I can see for myself.
But despite that happiness, with every day we stay here, the thoughts of my burden become heavier. Soon, I’ll have to level with Zach. Make sure he understands the threats we are up against. Let him decide with complete information. The thought of that fills me with dread. What if Zach decides the risks are too great? I’m not sure how I’d react if he chose to stay. Then again, if he stays with me, I’ll be a bundle of nerves as we head deeper into danger. I can’t put this discussion with him off forever. But maybe just for another day.
On the fourth night since Zach woke up, we’ve finished a delicious dinner, and we’re all sitting around the dining table. Curtis’s usually cheerful face turns stony.
“Boys, I have something important to tell you. Earlier today, I visited a trusted friend, and she asked me if I had seen any strangers around.”
I freeze. If Curtis told somebody about us, we’d need to leave immediately. With us being hunted, staying isn’t a risk I’m willing to take.
Curtis picks up on my nerves. “Now, don’t you worry! I didn’t say a thing about you two. Margret is somebody I meet from time to time to trade with and get news from around the area.”
I settle back, but I’m still on edge. Zach rests his hand on my arm to calm me.
