Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(72)
When the door was opened by one of the council member's sons the next afternoon, I emerged into the sunlight, squinting and drawing back from the bright glare around me.
"Hector says you should go straight to the fields once you're washed up."
I took a minute to adjust my eyes and then simply walked away from the boy without replying.
I sat by the side of the river, removing the bandages Mother Willa had applied, tending to my still-raw wounds. I washed the grime from my hair and body, and then reapplied the bandages I had left drying on the river's edge in the sun.
By the time I started for the fields, the sun was high in the sky and beat down on me. It felt good. Being clean and in the sunshine made me feel human again.
As I passed by one of the cabins, a hand reached out and grabbed me and pulled me back behind it. I stumbled, swearing softly, and then looked up into Xander's intense expression.
"You scared the living hell out of me."
"Sorry. We only have a few minutes. I don't want anyone to see us talking."
"Why not? We're friends. It wouldn't be strange to see us talking."
Xander paused. "You're probably right. I just think it's better if we don't call attention to that fact. It'll make it more likely that people aren't watching me. They're already watching you and there's no going back from that."
"I think it's better if we act totally normal. More attention will be drawn to you if we don't."
Xander looked impatient. "Okay, fine."
I nodded. "Okay, so let's walk. No hiding behind cabins."
Xander glanced down at my legs and then we both started walking toward the fields.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine. Sore, but fine."
"Kneeling in the fields isn't going to be easy."
"I'll live. What's our next move?"
Xander ran his hand through his hair, and looked around. "Kristi was able to come up with five hundred dollars in cash to loan us. She doesn't have a lot of money, she just works at the ranger station part-time, so that's the best she could do."
"That's incredible. Okay. So we have over six hundred dollars then. How far will that get us?"
"Not far. Kristi offered up the extra room in her apartment to us, but she's moving soon, going off to a four-year college, and so she'll be gone if we don't leave within a couple months or so. She said she might have some suggestions about places we can stay if it takes longer."
I nodded. "So you think it will take a couple months for us to be ready to leave?"
"Yes, but no longer than that. Things are only going to get worse for you, and for Eden. Plus, wedding preparations have already started with the workers. Eden's eighteen in what, three months?"
I let out a harsh exhale. "A little less."
Xander was quiet for a minute. "Okay, so you take what you can without getting caught. Jewelry, money, whatever we might be able to sell. The longer we have to find a job, the better, because we're going to have to use our cash to eat until then." He glanced at me. "And no going near Eden. We can't risk it."
I let out a breath and nodded. "We need to tell Eden, too."
"I did. I'm hoping she might have a way to get into Hector's room and see what she can find in there of value."
I clenched my jaw, looking straight ahead. "I don't want her anywhere near Hector's room."
Xander shook his head, looking over at me and frowning. "It's for our survival, Calder."
I shook my head. "No. I'd as soon find a way into his room than to send Eden."
"Fine. We'll figure out the details. Like I said, I've already talked to Eden. I told her to be cautious. She'll be ready to meet us at the spring as soon as I give the signal."
I raised an eyebrow. "What's the signal?"
He raised his hands to his mouth and did a nighthawk call very softly.
I laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation. "That's not bad. Only how will we be able to tell if it's you or an actual nighthawk?"
Xander winked. "I know. It's virtually indistinguishable. A man's got to practice something to keep his mind occupied when he's walking alone for hours a day."
"You're a man of many talents. Seriously, how will we know it's you?"
Xander went serious. "I'll do it three times in a row, pause, and then twice."
I nodded. "Okay." I looked behind me and around. "I better go."
"Yeah."
I paused. "Xander, do you think you can help me with something? I need to see Eden one last time before I don't see her for months."