The Color of Jade (Jade Series Book 1) (6 page)

“What?”

I pulled away from him as I realized the gravity of the situation.

“I’m sorry… Mom said she talked to dad,” he said, changing the subject. “He said he’d call tonight. He’s still trying to make it home.”

My dad, Richard Kennington, also worked one week a month for the railroad, besides the work he did on the farm. He traveled across the country which meant he was gone anywhere from five to seven days depending on the run he made. He called later that evening just outside of Washington D.C. and as soon as I heard his voice, I started to cry all over again.

“Dad!”

“I know… I’ll be home as soon as I can but the government has stopped all travel,” my dad said, weariness heavy in his voice. “I don’t have much time… Listen to Kane.  Take care of each other.”

“Dad… I’m scared.”

“I know sweetie, you have to be strong, Jade. Be brave.”

“Okay.”

***

We haven’t heard from my dad since that night back in September. As the weeks turned into months, my hope faded. I worried I would never see my dad again. From the view of a fifteen-year-old girls’ bedroom window, comprehension of the worldwide devastation, that so many died, it didn’t seem possible. I didn’t want to believe my parents were among them but the reality was that they were. The four of us had to accept the fact that together, we were on our own.

The early morning sun filtered through my parents' bedroom window.  I rose slowly, rubbing my eyes. My restless sleep slowed my mind but then I quickly remembered about today and jumped out of bed.

“Come on, Emery.”

“Okay,” she said, sleepily.

Kane and Trey were already in the kitchen. I didn’t waste any time to get outside. My hands methodically took over and moved through the soil. The four of us worked hard together, preparing the ground for seeds.

I stretched to relieve my back from its bent position and turned to the sky for the bright sun to warm my face. Birds chirped, welcoming spring as they perched on the faded white picket fence that bordered the garden. Raspberry and blackberry bushes grew on both sides and grape vines lined the back. Tiny buds formed on the woody vines and on the various fruit trees out in the orchard left of the garden. The earthy smell of dirt and the fragrant flowery scent of blossoms lingered on the breeze.

A knot appeared suddenly, deep in my throat. Contentment swept over me. I blinked tears away and wiped my cheek as one snuck by. It felt good to feel the outside again. The fear in Emery’s face left her, replaced by her contagious, newfound cheeriness. I hadn’t noticed earlier, but she grew an inch or two. It lifted my spirits to see her happy. Kane and Trey joked and teased like my brothers again, the weight of the stress they carried, temporarily extinguished.

The constant hum of the motor relaxed me and I watched Kane run the tiller, turning the hard ground into soft, workable, rich soil.  With his strong build and darker complexion, he looked more like my dad every day. I looked over at Trey as he worked the soil and formed rows for Emery and I to plant. He looked older to me now too, and almost caught Kane in height. The motor stopped and realized I wasn’t alone with my thoughts. I stood as Kane came over and curled his arm around my shoulder.

“I’m sorry I missed your birthday… I hope this makes up for it.”

“It does… thank you.”

“Should we let the horses out of that stuffy old barn?” Trey suggested. His boots sank slightly in the freshly overturned soil as he walked towards us.

Emery didn't wait for Kane to respond. She ran to the barn and got there first, letting each horse out of their stall. The horses pranced out into the pasture, their tails flared out and heads high, racing up the fence line to stretch their legs. The wind whipped through their manes as they bucked and kicked at each other in play. They reared up, challenging each other for dominance. The old grey mare took her usual position as herd leader and eventually, they settled down and grazed on yellow grass.

“Did you have a good day?” Trey asked, we sat on the top rung of the fence and watched the horses.

“Yeah, did you?”

“Yep.”

“Thank you for talking to Kane,” I said, nudging him gently in the side.

“I didn’t do anything,” he said, and looked down into his hands, then out across the meadows, to a distant spot in the trees.

“Yeah you did, I heard you… remember.”

“Well, what are big brothers for anyways.” A crooked grin curled at the corner of his lip. “I am older.”

“Only by two minutes… I’m still the same age as you, Trey.” He laughed as I gave him a shove, pushing him off the fence.

“Oh yeah, well you will never be as tall as me,” he said as he looked up at me, “unless you cheat.”

My chin dropped and I gave him a scowl, he laughed.

“Let's go measure our height on the mirror,” I quickly said. His big smile vanished and replaced instantly with a glare, rolling his eyes.

“Oh, come on, Jade. No… aren't we past that yet? It's beyond obvious you will never catch me.”

Ever since I could remember, every year on our birthday my mom would mark our height with permanent marker on the mirror in the hall. About the time we turned eleven I almost caught him in height and we stayed that way for the next two years but once we turned thirteen, Trey shot up while I seemed to stop growing.

“Please,” I begged. Trey turned and pressed his back up against the fence where I still sat and I smiled as he conceded. “Thank you.”

I reached my arms around his neck. His hands looped under my knees and he carried me towards the house on his back. “Only because you said please.”

***

I stretched my back, standing to take a break. A week outside, miniscule compared to how much time I spent inside, yet all I needed to bring me a new surge of energy. I turned my face to the sky and closed my eyes. A smile lit on my cheeks with the warmth of the bright sun that glowed through the backs of pink, translucent eyelids. The garden didn’t feel like work to me.

I heard little squeaks and opened my eyes to see Emery walk towards me. One of the new kittens cuddled securely in her arms, nuzzled in the crook of her neck.

“Kane wants you,” she said, without looking up.

“Why?”

“I don’t know,” she paused, long enough to open the gate to the orchard as she headed for the swing. “He’s in the barn.”

I found Kane where Emery said and overheard him talking. It didn't take me more than a couple seconds to realize he talked to Chale, Raύl’s son, the oldest and a younger version of his dad with his thick black hair and golden-brown skin.

“Someone cut the fence again last night. More of the herd is missing,” Chale said, his hands shoved into his front pockets.

“We’re just going to have to bring them in every night, and a twenty-four hour watch from now on.” Irritation grew on Kane’s face as he tugged his leather gloves off his hands and shoved them into his back pocket.  “We can’t lose any more. Did the fence get fixed?”

“Elias helped me with that this morning. He’s riding the fence line now looking for holes.”

I stood next to the two and watched Chale run his hand through his dark hair as they talked.

“Hey Chale, did Isabella come up?”

“She stayed in Mexico, Jade.”

“Oh, Kane did you need something?” I was saddened to hear Isabella wasn’t here but my disappointment was short lived after what Kane said next.

“Yeah, will you run something to Marge’s for me?” Kane asked, as he tightened the cinch on Fire’s saddle.

“Really?”

“Yeah, you go and come right back. I have some saddlebags packed with things she needs,” Kane paused for a moment as if he might reconsider. “Maybe I should send Trey with you.”

“No... I’ll be fine,” I quickly remarked, shocked he wanted to send me by myself but wasn’t going to question him. I wouldn’t want him to change his mind. I needed to get his thinking back on track that I could be trusted. “I’ll be fine. What stuff?”

“Wheat, eggs, some things people need that we have enough of, and tell her I’ve killed another cow and will bring it, along with milk sometime next week.”

“Well if it isn’t my little Jadeite.”

I whirled around on my heels and a big grin surfaced across my face as I watched Hector walk into the barn, his voice echoed through the loft. His weathered face, wrinkled but no worse than last year. His soft brown puppy-dog eyes smiled as he neared and pulled me into a hug.

“Why do you call me that?”

“My little Jadeite? Because you are so strong for such a little thing... Jadeite is hardy, the strongest kind of jade and very rare. And you girl, are one of a kind. You know… Long ago in Mexico…” I stifled a laugh as his stories began. “Warriors used Jadeite to make swords and armor. It was legend jade had healing powers. Men were protected and battles were fought and won by the Jadeite sword, so choose wisely Kane, mighty warrior, the weapon you use.”

I loved to listen to the way he and his brothers talked, rich and full of his heritage. His strong Hispanic accent lingered in my mind as the words he spoke rolled smoothly off his tongue. I busted up laughing as Kane rolled his eyes at his silly remarks while Chale added, “you are talking in riddles again old man.”

“Yes! Yes I am.” Hector’s infectious hearty laugh brought smiles to the three of us and we couldn’t help but laugh with him. That was something Kane didn’t do much of anymore, laugh, and I was glad to see it, even if it was short lived through stress filled eyes.

“Are you sure you were supposed to be born in this century?” Kane asked, I giggled at Hector.

“Only so I could keep track of you kids… And to sleep in a warm comfortable bed.”

“Get going, Jade,” Kane said, reminding me of my task, “and here’s my list of things I need if Marge can get it.”

“Oh yeah… See you later, Hector,” I paused for a moment. Happy to see friendly, familiar faces. “Say hi to Elias for me, Chale.”

“I will,” Chale called out as I led Fire out of the barn.

***

Marge’s, the small country store converted to a trading station, sat on a two-lane highway that ran along the mountain range. I lived about two miles up the road. With maybe twelve houses scattered along both sides of that stretch of road, ours was somewhere in the middle. My Uncle Raymond’s house and the old farmhouse were the last homes out of town, and then there was nothing but our fields until you reached the highway. However, I never traveled by the road, I always took the trail that ran along the river behind our house when I went to Marge’s.

Marge stood at the counter and walked around it towards me as she greeted me with a friendly smile. Months passed since I saw her last and I couldn’t contain my smile. I set the cream-colored canvas saddlebags by the door, ran around the counter and gave her a hug.

“Marge...”

“Jade! How are you? I’ve missed you… Kane mentioned you might come by,” she said and hugged me as if she wouldn’t let go, then held me at arm’s length. “Let me get a good look at you… you’ve grown so much!”

She gasped and then pulled me into a hug again. Her round body, soft and squishy, warm and comforting.

“I’m good, Marge. I’ve missed you too,” I laughed and gave her a quirky smile.

“Your hair is getting so long, and I've missed those beautiful green eyes. You look so grown up.”

I giggled at her sweetness, then handed her Kane’s list. She reminded me so much of what I remembered of my grandmother. “Everything looks different.”

“There isn’t much to look at,” Marge said as she helped me bring the canvas bags, full of wheat, ground flour and eggs in through the door and set them on the counter. I walked through the store and looked around at the randomly stocked shelves. Most of the shelves, empty. “But, it’s a start.”

“What kind of things do people need?” I hollered at her from the back of the store as I walked down the barren aisles.

“Mostly food, there’s a lot of hungry people out there.  I could use some of your mom’s herbs.”

“Okay,” I said, a pang of sadness tugged at my heart at the mention of my mom. The bell above the entry rang. The door pushed open and Marge said hello. Footsteps scuffed against the tile floor as they passed down the next aisle over. I walked back to the counter and helped Marge unpack the canvas bags. She gave me a warm smile.

“It’s Em’s birthday soon, will you keep your eye out for something nice for her?”

“Of course I will… anything for that little Emery.” Marge’s smile grew fondly. “How is she doing?”

“She’s okay.”

My natural waves fell back off my shoulder as I glanced down the aisle at someone who caught my eye. Surprise struck me and I gasped as butterflies fluttered suddenly in my stomach, forcing me to look twice. I definitely didn’t expect to see him here and I froze from the inside out as the boy from school walked towards me. I’ve wondered about him all this time and now that I saw him, I couldn’t move.

His hair, dark and stylishly roughed with a slight curl at the ends, faintly wisped against his ears. My eyes traced every inch of his broadened shoulders and chest, outlined by his grey tee shirt, cut down to his faded blue jeans. His stride, doused with confidence, not in an arrogant way, but in a way that strengthened his already tantalizing impression. Chills rippled over my skin. The fact that I spent a lot of my time lately, deep in thought about him, left me feeling vulnerable. I felt he saw my every thought I had about him.

I realized I twisted my hair nervously and stopped as he walked up to the front of the store. The closer he got the faster my heart beat, until it raced like I had just ran the five-K, and the sudden change from my heart freezing in my chest to the rapid palpitations left me dizzy. My sweaty palms gripped the counter that held me upright. My reaction irritated me. Since when did boys ever make me nervous? But then again, he was hardly a “boy” and a
certain one
at that. Our eyes met and he smiled as he walked past.

“Hi,” he said. His husky voice added to my undoing.

Barely aware, intrigued and mesmerized by his attentive smile, I couldn’t bring myself to look away and a wistful smile appeared, warming my cheeks. Heat burned through my ears and I took a deep breath to calm myself. I only hoped I didn’t look as nervous as I felt.

“Hi,” I replied, he passed by, close enough to feel him next to me. I turned my head away as he walked over to the stand next to the door and stopped to look at something behind me.

My insides unraveled. I looked up at Marge, only to see she had one eyebrow raised under her glasses. “What?” I asked, suddenly on the defense.