Page 84 of Hollow Valley
Then I realized that wasn’t true at all.I mean, stubbornness and spite had at least a little bit to do with it.But I also remembered Stella spending long hours in the forest foraging for us, and Serg reading cookbooks and survival books to find the best way to feed us.Ripley and I would hunt, but Boden and Max were fishing and gardening.
And that was all before counting my time in the communities of Emberwood and the S.S.Barbarabelle.
“I survived this long because I wasn’t on my own,” I replied thickly.“I was… I was only truly alone for a few weeks, and you saw how well I did.And even then I wasn’talone, because I had Ripley and Vince with me the entire time.”
“The good news is that you’re still not alone.”He gave me a reassuring smile.“How about this?You give it a few more days on bedrest, and we can try taking the stairs?You could see Vince, and if you’re feeling up to it, I could even give you a tour of my house next door.”
I swallowed back my sadness and forced a smile.“That sounds wonderful.”
51
Remy
As soon as Jordy opened the door to the garage and Vince caught sight of me, the mule let out an ear-splitting bray of excitement.His tale wagged back and forth as he trotted over to me.
“Easy there, big fella,” Jordy warned him gently.
Vince started nuzzling me, still braying and snorting.He nearly knocked me over in his happiness, but Jordy’s hand was on my waist, steadying me.It still hurt like hell, his big head pressing against my broken bones and bruises, but I grimaced and kept it to myself.
“I missed you, too, Vince.”I pressed my forehead against his and stroked his thick fur with my good hand.“Sorry I haven’t been able to visit you sooner.”
Vince was well-groomed, and he’d put on some weight since I saw him last.So had I, because we were both so underweight when we reached Xwechtáal over a month ago.The garage worked nicely as a stable, with plenty of straw on the floor and a bucket of fresh water.There was even a window, so Vince got sunlight as well as a view of a maple tree and Jordy’s house next door.
The other mule came over more slowly to meet me.He was a bit smaller than Vince, with a coat of dark gray, but he was happy to accept pets and oats from me.
“Buck’s actually enjoyed having a roommate around,” Jordy said, giving his mule a hearty scratch.“I think he gets a little lonely in the winter since we don’t go out as much.”
“Vince seems very happy here,” I said.
“He’s happy you’re here,” Jordy clarified.“But I’ve been doing what I can to take care of him.”
“Well, we both really appreciate it.”I looked over at Jordy, meeting his gaze to convey the depth of my gratitude.“I don’t know how we’ll be able to repay you for everything you’ve done.”
“Not everything can be repaid, and not everything needs to be.”He smiled at me, then turned his attention back to the mule.“Sometimes health and happiness is enough.”
Vince let out an appreciative snort and nuzzled me again.But this time he accidentally pushed a little too hard, and I inhaled sharply through my teeth.
“Are you okay?”Jordy asked, and his hands moved to my hip and my good arm to support me without hurting me.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, still wincing from the pain.
“That’s probably enough visiting with Vince for today,” Jordy said.“We’ll go over to my house, and you can have a rest and some tea.”
I gave Vince one last pat and promised I’d see him again soon, and then Jordy helped me out the door.
It was February, and the temps were still below freezing.With my left arm in a sling, I couldn’t handle much in terms of layers.I wore one of Jordy’s thick flannel shirts with one arm in the sleeve and the other sleeve hanging empty.The pants were an old pair of fleece pajamas, and I’d managed to get my feet into my boots.
Not that I had really dressed myselfbymyself.I couldn’t even brush my hair.Jordy had put it in a long braid for me, so it wouldn’t get in the way.
It was such a strange thing how quickly I’d gotten used to his hands on me.Not in a sexual way or anything.Generally I didn’t like being physically close to any person outside my family.Jordy didn’t feel like family.But he felt safe, steady, and strong as he helped me.
The pathway between the garage and the house wasn’t very long, but the cold was harsh enough that I was trying to jog.Jordy wouldn’t let me, though.He kept an arm secure around my lower waist, refusing to let me hurry myself into an injury.He stood tall and coiled himself around me, using his body to shield me from the wind.
From the outside, Jordy’s house looked like a rustic one-story cabin, and technically, from the inside it looked that way.That is, assuming, anyone could see past the piles of clutter.Mostly books, stacked up against the walls.Piled on tables.Used as tables and furniture themselves.
It was basically all one room with a small kitchen tucked into the back beside a table covered in herbs and all kinds of utensils.The shelves on the kitchen were overflowing with mismatched pots and pans, as wells jars and satchels.
On the other side of the house was a sitting area in front of the fireplace – one comfy chair, and an end table made of books – and then a large bed in the other corner, once again surrounded by books.