Page 21 of Burning Escape

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Remember what Hannah said? ‘Handsome is as handsome does.’ And if it weren’t for the whole community doing our part, we’d all suffer. So yes, to answer your question, us girls and the women do most of the cooking every day for the community supper. But we do the earlier meals in our own homes, and my dad and brothers help with those.”

Rebecca continued to diligently work while Tori fumbled to shell the peas. Four more teens stood along the counter of the kitchen area and kneaded bread, which Gabby told her was for tomorrow. Today’s loaves were fresh from the oven and cooling off, releasing a yeasty fragrance.

It certainly smelled better than a squished protein bar or working out in the sweaty gym. So maybe there was something to say for all this domesticity. Still, despite the mouthwatering scents reminding her how hungry she was, she was ready to be back at base camp.

“So, how did you meet Orion?” Gabby didn’t break her shelling rhythm. Rebecca glanced up, a hint of curiosity in her gaze.

But oh, how innocent they both seemed. Had Tori ever been like that?

“Well, we met…” Could she use the wordsaloon? Would they even know what that was? “We met at a restaurant. Someone backed into me, and Orion caught me before I could fall. And then later, he asked me to dance.”

Gabby sighed. “How romantic.”

The girl wasn’t wrong. Tori relived the moment more than she would ever admit. Dancing with Orion, she’d somehow felt free and protected at the same time, as if knowing he watched over her meant she could go farther, do more, and not worry. Too bad the real world didn’t work that way all the time.

Before Gabby could ask more questions, a group of guys entered the dining hall. Without being asked, younger boys took benches off the long tables and set them on the floor.

“Guess that’s our cue.” Gabby grinned and pulled Rebecca away. They carried stacks of plates to the tables and, with some of the little girls, began setting places. Gabby immediately started up a conversation with one of the teen boys as she worked.

“That’s good for now.” Constance took the bowl full of fresh green peas from Tori. “You can move to one of the tables and wait for the meal. Do you need help?”

Tori shook her head. She hobbled out of the kitchen area into the dining hall. She found an out-of-the-way spot and sat while the rest of the dining hall quickly filled. Everyone pitched in to set food out and ready the space. The chatter and laughter filled the room. They looked so happy. So peaceful.

Tori, on the other hand, was so out of place. Her family dinners had usually been something her older sisters had thrown together and gobbled down as they dragged her from one sport or after-school activity to another while their father worked.

Jeremiah stared at her from another table. Tori shivered. What was it about that guy that set her on edge? He sat with three other men but didn’t talk much.

Finally, Orion walked in and found her. “You okay?” he asked. And she was grateful for a familiar face.

Her whole body relaxed. “I’m good.”

He sat next to her, and another young couple soon settled across the long table from them. Amos stood at the head of the table, and the room hushed immediately. Everyone bowed their head as he prayed. And as soon as he sat, the room buzzed again with conversation. Tori tried to ignore Jeremiah and his creepy vibes.

The food was a great distraction. Orion passed her a dish of butter, and she slathered it onto the still-warm bread. Tori took a sip of soup just as the woman across the table, with a blue bandanna in her hair, smiled and asked, “Do you two have children?”

Tori almost spit out the soup. Instead, she swallowed it in one gulp, which only burned her tongue and set off a coughing fit.

Orion dropped his spoon. “Uh…no children for us…yet. Haven’t been married long.” He handed Tori a glass of water. “Are you all right, hon?”

She nodded and took a long draw from the glass, trying to stop her throat from seizing.Please, someone change the subject.

“Well, don’t worry. When your time comes and the good Lord blesses you with children, you’ll have your hands full in the best of ways.” The woman beamed at the man next to her.

He nodded. “We have a quiver full, that’s for sure. We outgrew our little cabin and had to build a new one last year.”

“How many kids do you have?” Orion asked.

“Six. And one more on the way.” The woman rubbed her swollen belly. “Those cabins you’re staying in are called honeymoon cabins for a reason. They’re for the newly married and young married couples. You’re in the right place.”

“They’re cozy for more than one reason. You’ll conserve heat and learn how to work together, for sure.” The man slurped his soup.

His wife nodded. “That small bedroom is nice for cuddling on the cold summer nights since we don’t heat the cabins this time of year.”

Orion stilled. “They’re not heated?”

“Not when we can help it. We want to conserve the wood for the winter when we really need it.” The woman took a dainty sip and continued. “There should be plenty of blankets and quilts, but”—she leaned forward and kept her voice low—“we find body warmth is best.”

Her husband chuckled.

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