Page 104 of Homestead

He makes up his mind. Straightens his back and then lifts himself to his feet, extending his hand to help me up too. “Thank you, Chloe. I don’t know why what happened the other night hit me so hard. I’ve dealt with really rough stuff in the past and it didn’t faze me. But this did. I can’t seem to shake it. And this feels like a lifeline to me.”

I squeeze his hand before I let it go. “Then take it, Mack. Take it.”

* * *

Mack and I get back to the Carlsons’ farm before lunch, and shortly afterward I squeeze into the pickup’s cab with Cal, Rachel, and Mack so I can show them where to drop off Mack for a straight shot across the border and into The Wild.

In the pickup, we’re safe enough to get to the edge of the border and save Mack some walking in dangerous territory.

Cal and Rachel aren’t happy. In fact, they’re both visibly upset about Mack’s decision and are afraid it won’t be good for him.

But he’s made up his mind. He’s doing it. And so they drive him as far as they can to keep him safe.

It’s already been decided that two of the local farmhands—men without families or homes or roots here—are going to ride back to Kentucky with Cal, Rachel, and the cows to provide extra protection on the road. Those guys can return on their own time if they want, but it’s likely they’ll just stay in the communities there. Evidently there are more people there, so they’ll have a better chance of finding women and making homes for themselves.

So Mack isn’t needed to protect the cows on the way home. Cal and Rachel can take them, and Mack can return when he’s ready.

The logistics all work out fine, but Cal and Rachel still don’t like it.

I don’t blame them, but I figure Mack gets to decide what’s best for him.

The ride out toward the border is quiet and doesn’t take very long. When we get close, I look up at Mack. “Okay. If you pick up that trail at the old parking lot, it should be a clear route to get there. Just turn right at the fork where that old gas station was, and then take the dirt driveway past the creek crossing.”

“Okay. I got it.”

“And the key is under a loose rock at the bottom of that rock wall about ten feet from where it ends at the driveway.”

Mack nods. “Got it.”

I’ve told him all this before, but I’m suddenly nervous for him. “There should be plenty of food. And if you head east on the trail from the house, you’ll run into a lake where you can fish. And take either the truck or the ATV when you’re ready to come home. The keys are under the seats.”

“Thank you, Chloe. I got it. I’m going to be fine.”

I nod and swallow over any further impulse to babble.

“What do you want us to tell Anna?” Rachel asks softly.

Mack flinches very briefly. “Tell her… Tell her I’m fine.”

Cal puts the truck into park where I indicate. Mack will only have to cross the road and get through the old parking lot to pick up the overgrown trail through The Wild.

We all look in both directions for guards or vehicles or any other human beings.

There’s nothing but the crumbling road, a lot of long grass and weeds, and the thick darkness of the forest in front of us.

Mack gets out, heaving on his big pack and keeping his rifle at the ready. Cal and Rachel get out too.

Rachel says something and then hugs Mack. She looks like she’s about to cry, but she doesn’t. After an awkward moment during which Cal must have mumbled something, Mack hugs him too. Then he gives me a wave and a faint hint of his old smile.

He turns away and walks across the road as Cal stands, gun poised, still looking for any sign of the gangs who regularly patrol this area.

Mack keeps walking, making it to the parking lot that Grandpa and I stumbled on months ago.

Ages ago.

After another minute, Mack’s large, upright figure passes out of sight, disappearing into The Wild.

* * *

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