Lone Pine Bride (The Brides of Lone Pine #1)(38)

“God wanted to keep you on earth,” Hannah said, not sure what else to say. They were alive but twenty seven had died. There had to be a reason and the earthquake wasn’t God’s fault. It was part of His earth and the fault was with people who made houses from wrong materials.

But adobe, she knew, was a long lasting material for building a house though surely people round here, if they had experienced earthquakes before, should have realised it wasn’t a good material for the area. Was that why Seth built with wood? Maybe she would ask him later but for now they must see to the comfort of their guests. Their guests? Seth’s guests because this was his house, something which made Hannah feel a bit bleak.

But there was a home for her in Lower Pine though maybe the other Seth’s house had fallen down also. If it had she would help him rebuild, just like she would help anyone else who needed it.

“Was anyone hurt badly in Lower Pine?” Monica asked.

Hannah frowned in concentration. She didn’t want to tell her because it was so sad but what else could she do? “Some broken limbs in Lone and Middle Pine,” she replied.

“They will heal,” Monica said.

“Twenty seven people died in Lone Pine.”

“Twenty seven!” Monica’s tone was distraught.

“Yes.”

“Were any children killed?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure how many.”

Monica rubbed a plate with more vigour than necessary. “That is dreadful.”

“”Yes, it is. Nearly all the houses were flattened and also in Middle Pine where Seth and I helped, but not the houses in Lower Pine because they’re made of wood. People were going to the Reverend’s house to be treated and the church seemed to be alright.”

“And we lived. Why did they die and not us?”

“I’m not sure,” Hannah said. “I just don’t have any answers to life and death.”

“We have a lot for which to be thankful. I don’t think I’ll tell the children.”

“No. They shouldn’t know. They’ve taken everything very well and the thought of building a new house helps, I think. Maybe they’ll react later.”

“I think you’re probably right. We’ll have to get clothes or at least material to make them,” Monica said. “Did the post office survive?”

“I don’t know,” Hannah replied. “The two stores in Lower Pine were alright. But I have two trunks with a few dresses there. I could let you have a couple though you’d have to take up the hems because I’m taller than you. Seth says there’s another way to get there.”

“I grabbed what money we had,” Monica said. “They might have some supplies in Independence depending on how the earthquake affected them. Or else we can go south to Olancha. They have a post office. We can discuss it in the morning. Lucille could come down and sleep with us and you and Seth could sleep there.”

“They need a proper bedroom,” Hannah said. “We’ll be fine. Seth has taken bedding to the barn and he says it’s comfortable. It will be an induction to California.”

“Is there anything you would like to talk about?” Monica asked.

“Pardon?” Hannah looked bemused.

“About your marriage.”

“Seth and I have to get to know each other a bit.”

“Yes, of course. If you want to ask any questions I’ll be happy to discuss things with you.”

“Thank you. Is Wilfred in any pain at all? Seth might have something to relieve it.”

“He says his leg is comfortable now.”

And maybe she would have been nervous, Hannah thought later on her way to the barn, but not with Seth because he was just a friend. She looked up at the sky before going in and the stars were as bright as the previous evening. So much had happened since then and what was still to come? Were other people trapped and should they be sleeping when that was a possibility?

Except that Seth had said there were not a lot of houses within his vicinity and also said that the Reverend told him people were going around checking on farms. But nobody had checked on Wilfred and Monica’s one with almost disastrous results.

She went into the barn and he was kneeling on the straw making a bed up, with another one a few feet away. Turning as she walked in, he stood.

“I’ve brought everything I think we’ll need,” he said. “There’s a washroom through that door over there.” He pointed. “I’m sorry I have no clothes for you. We could get your luggage tomorrow or we could go to Independence or Olancha. I brought some pajamas for you which I purchased recently for myself. They’re brand new. The legs will be too long but you can roll them up.”

“I could sleep in my dress,” Hannah said.

“You’ll feel fresher with something clean. I was going to wash your dress because it’s got rather grubby from all the work you’ve been doing today. If I hang it up during the night it should dry by the morning.”

“It is a bit grubby,” she said, looking down. “I can wash it. You don’t have to feel obliged to do so.”

“No. You go in the washroom and change and I’ll wash it when you’re ready. Maybe we won’t wash your petticoat though we could do it and dry it separately, also your undergarments. Just leave it all in a pile on the floor.”