Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(95)

"You ready, Eden?" Calder asked, looking at me and seeming to ask me if I was ready for more than just the hike out of here. Was I ready for a new life? A different life? Perhaps a very long and scary journey to get there?
"Yes," I answered simply.
Calder gazed at me, and then nodded.
"Drink as much water as possible," Calder instructed. "We don't have anything to carry it in and it might be hours before we can find any more. I gave Xander a little water before I heard your call, so he should be okay, especially since he won't be the one exerting himself." His lips set in a grim line.
I leaned over the side of the spring, and put my mouth under the trickling waterfall, and then Calder did the same.
It was time to leave.
We went out through a very small opening between two large, towering rocks on the far side of our spring. Before we left, I made a point of moving the brush in front of the opening where we entered so it was covered completely and didn't look out of place. I didn't want anyone to find this place . . . not just because they'd know where we escaped from, but also because, to me, this place was sacred. I didn't want anyone else tromping through it, at least not before we had a new sacred ground, our own little piece of Elysium on earth.
As we hiked up and climbed over and between rocks, we grew quiet, listening for the sounds of other people. The only sound I heard was Calder's huffing breaths as he carried Xander on his back, straight uphill. I didn't want to think too much about who Hector would have sent after me, or that feeling of dread would come over me again as I pictured his crazed eyes. Instead, I daydreamed about what Calder's and my little slice of peace would look like once we got to where we were going. I had such a small frame of reference, so I mostly used the feelings I remembered from being with my own family before they died, and even the things I loved about the main lodge.
I'd want a bedroom with a huge window like the one at the back of the lodge that looked out on a beautiful view. Not the desert, for we'd be far away, but maybe a body of water, or trees, or a forest of some sort. I'd have a big kitchen and I'd cook dinner for Calder every night. I hadn't been taught how to cook, but I'd watched Hailey in the kitchen, taking note in my mind about how she made bread that rose perfectly and melted in your mouth. I knew all the basics, not because anyone had taught me, but because I'd paid attention. Yes, my kitchen would be the heart of our home.
And there would be babies. I wanted ten babies and I wanted each of them to look like Calder.
Calder glanced back at me, over Xander, and did a double take at my expression. Did I look dreamy-eyed? I couldn't help the blush that rose up my cheeks and I widened my eyes at him. Here I was, planning out his whole life for him in detail as we climbed away from danger. Surely, that wasn't the appropriate focus right now. But I couldn't help dreaming. I had been denied dreaming for so long, too afraid of letting the details come into focus, too afraid they'd be ripped from me. But now, with each step, each foothold, my dreams came just that much closer to coming true. The world felt almost wide open to me right now. I wanted to raise my arms and laugh up at the sky. Calder looked back at me again and when he caught my eye this time, he grinned and I grinned back. There was finally a glimpse of hope. I could see he felt it, too.
When we reached higher ground we both stood together catching our breath for a few minutes.
"Do you need to rest for a while?" I asked.
"No," he said and started walking again.
I looked around, getting my bearings. We were about a half-mile away from the main lodge now. I could see the glowing lights of the windows. It looked like every light in the place was on. I shivered slightly and leaned toward Calder. He put his arm not supporting Xander around me and pulled me into him, looking off in the same direction, lost in his own thoughts. Over his other shoulder, Xander snored.
"That way," Calder pointed. "It'll eventually bring us to the main road, but it looks like there's plenty of rock cover in case we see or hear a car coming." Calder gave me a quick squeeze and we started off again, walking as fast as we could.
"If we keep up this speed," Calder murmured, "we can make it to the city before daylight. That's the goal, okay?" He looked back at me walking behind him and I nodded.
We walked for hours, our path the one that provided the most cover, even if it meant walking in a sort of zigzag pattern now and again. Cover was more important than time, although time was important, too. We saw cars go by on the road twice, but had plenty of warning ahead of time because of the black desert night, and the noise of the engine. Each time we ducked safely behind rocks as the cars drove by slowly.