The Color of Jade (Jade Series Book 1) (23 page)

I looked out past the brightness of the fire and scanned the black night for the glow of her eyes. I couldn’t see anything but that didn’t mean she wasn’t out there. I tried to fight sleep but I couldn’t any longer and I let my eyes close.

***

I woke to a pale grey sky with an ache in my chest. The low burn of the fire grew as I put more wood on the orange coals and the faint smell of damp ash grew into the smoky scent of campfire and pine. Frost skimmed across the surface of the ground and I shivered as my frosty breath puffed into the morning air. Gage slept and I wondered how late he stayed up. I cuddled up next to him and buried my frozen nose into his warm chest as I let sleep keep him until he woke with the dawn.

“We still have a long way to go,” Gage said, as we got ready to leave and pointed to a mountain in the distance. “I think the lake is on the other side of that ridge.”

“We might not make it back tonight,” I said, my voice hoarse. I tried to clear my voice but it remained tight.

“Yeah, we will if we hurry. Come on, let’s go.”

We moved slowly down the snake-like trail as we descended the mountainside over rocks and fallen trees bent in awkward angles and overgrown with vegetation. By mid-morning, the trail became easier and we made better time. Relief replaced my worry as the snow and mud disappeared with the tall pines, replaced by tender shoots of green grass and open meadows with an patches of cottonwood trees. The air felt warmer and by noon, we stripped off our jackets and shoved them in the pack.

The day crawled endlessly and the lack of food buzzed through me in jittery weakness as I tripped and grabbed onto a branch to steady myself. We stumbled upon a rather large bolder shaded by a thick green canopy of leaves. It took the last of my energy to situate myself on top of it as we stopped for a break and I rested back against the coolness of the rock.

I stole a glance at Gage as he wiped sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. His skin glistened with warm moisture and looked flushed, yet, still ready to move on. He glanced at me as he removed the pack from his back and pulled the canteen from the side pocket. He took a drink, and then handed it to me and I finished it off.

“Your turn to carry the pack,” he said.

“Okay,” I said, as I tried to hide the lack of enthusiasm in my voice. I was beyond tired and only half noticed he helped me don the pack and strapped the bow to it as well. He turned his back to me and leaned against my temporary seat as my legs straddled him. The pack didn't weigh much as the only thing in it was a tin cup, the blanket and our jackets but I felt top heavy as I leaned against him, hoping to steal the last bit of respite before we continued on.

“I'll carry you,” he said, as he looped his hands under my knees. “Hold on.”

“Oh,” I said surprised, “You don't have to, I can walk.”

“Just get on, the trail is flat through here,” he said, as he nodded out into the distance, and then pulled me off the rock onto his back. “I'll carry you to that stream out there, we'll rest longer there.”

I locked my arms around the front of his chest and gave him a kiss on the cheek then closed my eyes as I rested my head against him. The rocking motion almost put me to sleep and I knew I should protest, but I really didn't want to.

It didn't take too long as we came to the stream that led to a small pond in the middle of a meadow. He rested the gun against a tree then set me down and I let the pack fall from my shoulders. Clear water bubbled as Gage filled the canteen. The sunshine soaked into my skin as I let myself fall into the long grass. My weary body felt weighted with lead. I closed my eyes as sleep tempted me.

A shadow crossed over me. I shielded my eyes and opened them as Gage, silhouetted by the sun, stood over me. He knelt down and straddled me as he pinned my hands above my head, and kissed me, then rolled over, exhausted, onto his back.

“We can’t stay long,” he said, as he turned his head to look at me.

“I know… But I am so hungry.” I rolled over onto my stomach close to him and wearily glanced across the meadow. “Dandelions!” I said, with a newfound burst of energy. They were everywhere! I crawled to the nearest young plant then dug into the soft ground around the base and pulled it up, root and all.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting lunch!”

“We’re going to eat dandelions?” Gage asked, as he looked at me doubtful. He didn’t sound too convinced that he wanted to eat them.

“Yep! If you like salad… You will like these.” I gathered a handful and Gage came over to help me. “We just need to rinse them off in the stream and then we can eat them with what’s leftover of the rabbit.”

“Are you sure?”

“The young ones taste the best... Trey and I used to do this all the time by the lake as kids when we were hungry but didn’t want to come home.” I looked at him and smiled as he looked at me with peculiar optimism.

“Okay… Well,” he said, still not convinced, “we’re going to have to pick a lot of them… I could probably eat this whole meadow, I’m so hungry.”

With an arm full of green’s I knelt next to the spring. The cool water pooled in my hands as I rinsed each plant. Traces of dirt washed away until each leaf looked clean. I caught sight of Gage as he stepped across a trail of rocks over to the other side of the stream. He winked at me and a smile lit across his face as he plucked a ripe raspberry from a bush littered with specks of red. I smiled back. He found a wild raspberry bush and returned with a handful. The sweetness of the juicy berries was a welcomed treat as he popped one into my mouth.

Between the dandelions, the rabbit and the berries, I actually felt satisfied with new energy that spurred me on and gave me the strength I needed to climb the trail. Finally, as we conquered what seemed like the undefeatable ridgeline, we stood pleased, relieved to look down into the valley. The clear, crystal blue waters of the lake in the distance looked smooth and still through the trees. Green hills rolled behind it and I knew beyond them was home.

The golden sun descended under the leafy umbrella of the trees as we finally reached the lake. Spikes of shimmering rays stole through the web of green covered branches, casting long shadows as if refusing to descend into the horizon. We walked along the trail until we came to my favorite spot in the cove and rested in the cool grass under a shade tree.

“We should wait here until dark in case the house is being watched,” Gage suggested.

“Okay,” I said, slightly discouraged. As much as I loved the lake, I wanted to go home.

“We’ll get there… Better to get there unnoticed.”

The last mile of trail that I’ve walked so many times before, seemed to go on forever before we reached the stream that ran behind my home.

We made it to the edge of the property as darkness swept over. I heard the familiar squeak of the windmill as the blades turned in the evening breeze and I smiled at the sound. I was home. Hidden in the tall grass, we waited and watched the house. It was dark, no grey plume of smoke from the chimney, no dim glow of a candle, nothing. I whistled for Gus and he came. The old dog’s body wriggled with excitement and I let him lick my face.

“I think if anyone was close by, Gus would know.”

“Let’s go,” he said, and we quietly walked up to the house in the darkness.

I tried the back door, only to find it locked so I went to the basement window. It slid open easily. I climbed in and stepped on the washer with Gage not far behind.

The house was quiet as I felt my way up the basement stairs and into the kitchen. The moonlight shone through the sheer front room curtains, which gave a little light. The almost dead flame in the wood-burning stove glowed dimly as the coals struggled to stay lit. Gage put wood on the fire and after a minute, the timber popped and took light as the flame grew.

Candles were in their usual spot in the center of the kitchen table and I struck a match to light them as he walked to the front window and closed the heavy drapes. The flicker of the candle provided just enough light to see. I carried one with me and held it up, the clock on the wall read nine fifteen.

I climbed the stairs to the bedrooms and stood shocked as I passed my image in the hallway mirror. I stared closer at my dirty reflection. My hand went up slowly and touched my cheek along the fresh pink skin. I ran my fingers under my eye and touched the faded bruise, then into my tousled hair, pulled back into a droopy ponytail. That wouldn’t have bothered me before but it did now for some reason.

Gage walked up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders then grazed my cheek softly with his fingers. “This will heal, Jade... It’s looking much better.” My eyes shifted to his reflection as he watched me. He turned me around to face him. “Don’t look in the mirror right now. We both look a mess.”

“I need a bath.”

“Want me to start some water on the stove?”

“Let’s see if we have hot water first,” I said, as we left the mirror behind and walked down the hall to the bathroom.

I turned on the faucet and cool water trickled out over my fingers then gradually grew warm. My smile grew with Gage’s grin. I couldn’t say how relieved I was. It wasn’t often we had hot water and we usually went without it, but when Kane turned it on it was usually for a reason.

“Kane must have turned it on before he left.”

“I guess.”

“Well, wherever they are, I’m taking their hot water,” I smiled at Gage, “but I’ll save some for you.”

“Thanks.”

I grabbed something clean and went back to the bathroom. The candle flickered and caused everything in the dark room to take on a warm golden hue. Long moving shadows danced against the walls as I set the dim lighting at the side of the tub. Steam filled the room and clouded the mirror as water filled the bath. My worn clothes piled on the floor as I slid my weary body into the hot water grateful to be home. I breathed in the steam and closed my eyes, as I was suddenly thankful that Kane had manipulated the water heater so we could have hot water at times and I was especially thankful he picked tonight to heat it.

I felt myself dose off, and then jumped slightly to a knock on the door. “Don’t fall asleep in the tub,” Gage said, his voice muffled by the door.

I gave a half-hearted laugh and smiled weakly as I closed my eyes again. “Mmm… Uh huh.”

“Don’t make me come in after you.”

“Okay…” I giggled at the thought.

After washing, my tired muscles barely possessed the strength to pull me from the bath. With effort, I ran the towel over me. My bones ached as I slowly dressed into a fresh tee shirt and sweats.

“If I never sleep in Levis again, it’ll be too soon,” I said, as I walked into my room running a brush through my wet hair. He sat on my window seat, turned to look at me and smiled.

“I thought you were going to fall asleep in there.”

“I almost did… Here’s pair of sweats and a tee shirt of my dad’s.” I gave him the candle so he could see.

Completely worn, I looked out the window wondering where Kane and Trey were. With nothing outside that I could see, I turned and looked into the darkness of my room as I waited for Gage to return. He wasn’t gone long and sat back down at the window as I stood.

His warm body smelled clean and fresh and I absorbed his scent as I rested my hands on his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. I leaned into him and gave him a long lingering kiss then took his hand and pulled him over to the bed. We settled into the soft cool sheets and I pulled up my covers as he curled himself around me.

“Go to sleep.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek.  “Thank you for bringing me home.”

his eyes were heavy and he looked as exhausted as I felt.

“You’re welcome.”

“Good night,” I said, barely above a whisper. My eyes drifted closed and fell asleep as my head hit the pillow.

***

I woke, drenched with sweat and made a forlorn attempt with stiff muscles to remove the covers. The heaviness of them caused me to shake. The throb in my head pounded with the beat of my heart. I wiped sweat off my forehead. I coughed and a sudden pain pierced through my chest as I worked to breathe.

“Gage,” I said, my voice barely a raspy whisper as I nudged him. Surprisingly, he woke rather quickly and turned towards me. My eyes burned as I turned slowly to see him. He took one look at me and felt my forehead.

“You are burning up!”

He jumped out of bed and whipped the covers back as an uncontrolled shiver pained my hot skin with a brush of cool air that whisked past. He left the room, returned with a cool washcloth and put it on my forehead. He said something about “keep the covers off” as I closed my eyes and fell back to sleep.

***

Gage wasn’t around when I woke up.  The monotonous tick from the tension-wound clock pulled my attention to my bedside table. The dismal glow of a dim candle faintly lit the far corner of my room where it sat next to the clock. I made a half-conscious effort to scan my shadow-laden room. I wished I hadn’t, as the room started to spin and I clutched the headboard as I sat at the side of the bed. Ugh, I had a headache and my chest hurt with each breath.  “Gage,” I tried to say, but my voice wouldn't work.  I tried to clear my throat but doing so triggered a painful coughing spell and I forced down a swallow as if laced with sandpaper.

The mirror sat directly in front of me on my dresser and even in the contrasting shadows, reflected my ghastly appearance. Besides the faded bruise under my eye, I had dark circles and my face was a ghostly white. I mustered up what little energy I had, then stood and walked over to the dresser to get a closer look. My knees shook as if I had just ran five miles and I leaned on my dresser for support.

My hand trembled as I reached out for my brush and slowly ran it through my hair. The pull of the brush hurt my head with each stroke. My body radiated with heat and my overly sensitive skin hurt to touch it.

I steadied myself as I made my way out into the hallway and to the top of the stairs. I used the railing as I slid down the wall and sat at the top of the stairs, resting my head against it. My heart worked faster as it thudded in my chest and it took more effort to breathe.

I heard someone in the kitchen but it wasn’t Gage. A woman’s voice and I didn't need to see her to know she was Marge. She hummed softly and I leaned against the wall as I slid down a few stairs to see her surrounded by the soft glow of candles as she cleaned. What was she doing here?  I looked around and couldn’t see anyone else. She glanced over at me, surprised.

“Oh, Jade, what are you doing out of bed, my dear?” She asked, as she walked over to me and felt my forehead, her hand icy compared to my hot skin.

“Where’s Gage?”

“I barely sent him home. He needed a change of clothes. I told him that if he was going to stay here then he needed more than one pair. He sat at your bedside for hours, waiting for you to wake up. He’s going to feel bad he wasn’t here,” Marge said, with a forlorn smile, “he’ll be back. Kane ran him home. They said they would be back soon.”

“Home? With Kane? Is it safe out there? Where’s Trey?” I asked, as my mind whirled with a million questions.

“Slow down, you'll make yourself dizzy,” Marge said, with a smile. “Trey's out back finishing up for the night. I should tell him you’re awake. Kane needed to get a few things ready to go,” she paused, as she watched me closely, “they were worried about you. We all were. You’ve been very sick with pneumonia.”

“Go back where? How long was I asleep?” I asked, as I started to cough. I winced from the pain and clutched my chest with little relief.

“I guess you and Gage got home last night and you slept all day… a lot has happened since you’ve been gone,” Marge said, as she adjusted the wick of the kerosene lantern to let out more light. She placed her hand flat against my forehead then slipped it down over my cheek.

“How did you get here, Marge?”

“Gage came and woke me up about one in the morning last night… He said you were burning up and wasn’t making any sense. He was so worried about you. He was looking for some medicine that might bring your fever down. I went for Dr. Walstrom and we met Gage here. The doctor said you had pneumonia and gave us some antibiotics, we were lucky he had some… Do you think you could eat something? I have some beef stew on the stove.”

“I would love some,” I managed a weak smile as she handed me a piece of buttered bread. Steam rose from the bowl as she set it in front of me. I stirred it slowly.

“Do you want milk… it’s fresh from the cow, I hope you like it that way. You could use the extra fat.” I gave her a funny look as she commented on my appearance while I soaked in her attention. “We need to get you well again... Back to yourself.” Marge gave me a sympathetic smile and a handful of pills as she said, “antibiotics and something for the fever.”

“Yeah, and thank you.” I took the glass and popped the pills in my mouth. It was thick, creamy and rich in flavor, a nice change from the tea.

“Where's Emery?”

“Still at Beverly's, she’s safer there,” Marge said. The back door swung open and hit into the wall. I glanced over as Trey walked in.

“Hey Trey.”

“Hey what.” His grin showed the surprise and relief on his face as he walked into the kitchen. He pulled a chair out from the table and sat next to me. “I’m glad to see you up looking better.”

“I look terrible, Trey.”

“You should have seen yourself this morning,” he said, as he smiled. I loved Trey’s honesty.

“If you are trying to make me feel better, you’re not,” I replied to his teasing nature. I couldn’t hold my scowl and a smile broke free. “It’s good to be home again.”

“It’s good to have you back.” His look grew more serious. “I was worried about you. You can’t go around getting sick like that,” he paused for a second then smiled, “who would I go fishing with?”

“I wasn’t
that
sick.”

With two more bowls of stew in hand, Marge came to the table and handed one to Trey. She brought them some milk and bread and we sat quietly while we ate.

“What happened to your hands?” I asked about the gashes on Trey’s hands. The faded yellow bruise just under his eye also caught my attention. “And you have a black eye!”

“No I don’t!  It’s nothing… Almost gone,” Trey hesitated, as he shoved stew in his mouth. My tired eyes pleaded for an explanation and a more serious look grew on his face. “We’ve pushed them to the south end of town.”

“Really? And the Militia?”

“Morrison and anyone involved in the Militia… The boundaries are grey, but for the most part anything north of Main… Morrison and his Militia aren’t crossing anymore.”

“You fought with them! Trey you could have been killed!”

“Nah, Chale and Elias had my back. Ruthless I tell ya.”

“How are you keeping them back?”

“We’ve got patrols now that drive around town, men who aren’t holding the front line along Main Street. If they see anything, they alert Mike. It’s still not safe out there. We wanted to get them south of the tracks, then run them out completely.”

”Wow.”