Page 104 of Heart of the Sun

“It’s essential,” Merrick answered. “Or what we are fortunate enough to have won’t last and none of us will benefit. Rules will keep us from sinking into anarchy.”

I stifled a yawn.

“In any event,” Merrick said, “there is plenty of time to get to know each other. You’ll want to tour the gardens and meet all the others. But for now, Leon, why don’t you show Emily to her room. Layne—”

Before Merrick could finish that sentence, we heard the front door open, and the guard speak to someone in the foyer. Then Freddie Halston was rushing into the room. Layne stood with a cry and ran toward him, both of them meeting in an embrace. “You’re here. Oh, thank God. You’re here,” he said.

I looked away, my heart simultaneously rejoicing for them and grieving the loss of the person I wanted to embrace.

“I was getting so desperate. Then I ran into Leon and he got me here.I wanted to go back to LA with Leon, but he said he had contacts—”

“Shh,” she said, putting her fingers to his lips. “We’re together now. We’re both okay.”

He let out a gusty exhale. “Thank you, Leon,” Freddie said as he and Layne parted. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

I stood. “Hi, Freddie.”

“Nova!” His eyes widened when he saw me. “Oh my gosh. How—”

“There’s lots of time to talk tomorrow. I think we could all use a good night’s sleep,” Leon said as he rose from his seat.

I agreed. As much as I wanted to see more of this beautiful place and meet all the residents who sounded so lovely, and hear what Freddie had been through too, my eyes were so heavy. A few minutes more and I wouldn’t be able to keep them open. We all said good-night and Leon grabbed my backpack for me and led me upstairs to a bedroom. I barely took the time to look around. All I cared about was that it had a place to sleep.

I locked the door behind Leon and then tumbled onto the mattress. And yet, despite my exhaustion, I lay staring at the ceiling, sadness rolling over me in waves.

I’d made it to my new home—a beautiful, safe home the likes of which the whole world was looking for right now—and yet, I felt utterly lost.

chapterforty-three

Tuck

Day Twenty-Two

A legacy is everlasting.Those words echoed in my head as I walked the property, taking stock of the damage and also what had been spared. Mr. Swanson hadn’t had a chance to surveille every inch of his property, too busy in the last few weeks with fighting off invaders, and then basic survival. But if they were going to rebuild, they needed to know exactly what work lay in front of them, and what should be prioritized.

I stood at the top of the hill and gazed down at the land that had once been Honey Hill Farm. Somewhat miraculously, the old barn remained, but the house had been demolished and most of the land had been cleared long ago, including those lush trees. The development company that had bought the property from my father eight years before hadn’t expanded its new neighborhood quite this far yet. Whether that was because of funding issues,permit problems, or any number of holdups, I had no idea. But I was grateful. Who knew if the unnamed executives who’d swooped up this land were still alive, but if they were, I was doubtful they’d even remember every inch of property in their portfolio. They had no connection to this patch of earth, not really, but I did and the Swansons did as well. I supposed, when you got right down to it, to claim it would be stealing. But it was hard to see it that way, and in any case, the world was different now.

I used my hand to shade my eyes, peering out at what now looked like wasteland. But I could envision what it could be because I’d seen it in its glory once before, and it continued to live inside me despite my own best effort.

I’d suggest to Mr. Swanson that they continue the new rows of trees onto this property. It would be smart to plant as much as possible and use every inch of the rich soil that still remained.

Feeding people was the priority now. Helping as many survive as possible.

A legacy is everlasting.That echo again.

And I’d come to understand what she’d meant. My grandfather had arrived on this very land with nothing and built a thriving life from scratch. And I’d thought this farm was my legacy, the house and the land and the business. But maybe a legacy didn’t have to be a tangible thing. Maybe my legacy was my grandfather himself. He’d worked his fingers to the bone to create something from nothing. He’d held dreams and hopes and a vision that he strived toward every day. He’d had perseverance and a work ethic that surpassed most. He’d cared deeply about the earth, and about his family and the community.

Follow in his footsteps, my mom had said regarding my grandfather.But also, forge your own. If anyone is capable, it’s you, my smart boy.

Oh, Mom. I miss you. I wish you were here.

But she was, wasn’t she? Part of her anyway. Just walking through this property,even as destroyed as many parts were, I saw her everywhere, her words flowing back to me like she’d never left.

And I could embrace her advice and learn from my grandfather. Or I could head out into an uncertain world, looking for strangers to give me the redemption I sought.

Perhaps my redemption was right here at home.

If I had the courage to stay.

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