Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Reinforcing the Farm
On the way back, Evelyn Ford left the food and quilts she’d scavenged from the ten people’s villa for the refugees they passed.
They arrived back at the farm at 8:30 PM the following day. Fairgate was as lifeless as ever.
Evelyn Ford took Lola and Red Bird out of her space. "This trip was so rushed, I can’t believe I forgot about them."
Ronan Kendrick snickered.
"I’m sorry, you two. I’ll make it up to you when I get the chance."
Lola chattered away, accusing Evelyn of tossing them in her space and ignoring them for days. Feeling guilty, Evelyn quickly produced some small treats as an apology.
Back at the farm entrance, the main gate was shut tight. The snow outside had been swept clean. ’Officer Graham and the others must have cleared it, worried the path would be difficult when we got back.’
Evelyn Ford blew her whistle. Two wolf-dogs began to bark furiously, and ten minutes later, everyone came out.
"Is that Evelyn and Ronan?"
"Mr. Graham, it’s us."
Officer Graham quickly opened the main gate, letting the car drive onto the farm. Evelyn glanced over and was surprised to see Ian Yates in the crowd. He was wearing an overcoat so long it nearly dragged on the ground; Evelyn had initially mistaken him for someone squatting there.
"My god, did you drive all night to get back?"
Evelyn Ford gave a wry smile. "We’ve been on the road since early yesterday morning. A landslide held us up for a long time."
Back in front of the cabin, Evelyn opened the car door and hopped out. "I didn’t bring much back this time, just some books and farm tools. Quincy, put the books in the screening room. If anyone wants to read, they can come to you."
Quincy nodded. "You got it."
"How’s Tarr City?" Taylor Vance asked.
"Let’s go. Everyone head to the screening room, and I’ll explain everything."
Quincy had already gone ahead to get the fireplace going, while Miles Vaughn took Nathan Xavier and Drako to unload the supplies.
"The situation in Tarr City isn’t great. Starting tomorrow, I want everyone to reinforce the farm’s perimeter again. Once we harvest the current crop from the greenhouses, we’ll halt cultivation for a while. Also, we need to build a protective cover over the pond. A tarp won’t be enough; we need to use wooden planks."
Taylor Vance’s expression grew serious. "Is Tarr City planning to expel residents again?"
Evelyn shook her head. "I’m not sure, but all the buildings there have protective shields over their windows. The base has all kinds of experts. Maybe they’re predicting a stronger cold wave, or maybe some other crisis. It’s impossible to say for sure right now."
Evelyn decided not to mention the insect plague or the population reduction. There were too many people on the farm. Even if she was sure they wouldn’t betray her, some people were tight-lipped while others spoke without thinking. To avoid potential trouble, she wouldn’t go into excessive detail.
"Then we’d better get to reinforcing everything right away. I’m worried more refugees will start heading this way."
"This little ice age has been going on for three or four years now," Evelyn continued. "Some experts estimate the extreme cold will last for several more. It’s difficult to grow crops, and bigger crises are on the horizon. Let’s raise the fences."
Besides natural disasters, the greater crisis was always man-made. Everyone knew that, even if Evelyn didn’t say it aloud.
After giving her instructions, Evelyn intended to head back to her cabin. Ian Yates suddenly fell in step behind her. Ronan Kendrick glanced back at him, but the boy remained silent.
"Do you need something?"
"You said I had to leave when you got back. Can I... can I leave tomorrow instead?"
Evelyn stared at him for a long moment. "Have you decided where you’re going?"
Ian Yates shook his head. "I don’t know. But it’s a big world. I’m sure I can find a place for myself somewhere."
Evelyn nodded. "On your own two feet? In this cold? I’ll be amazed if you can even make it three kilometers."
Ian Yates pursed his lips. "I’ve spent the last few days making a sled. I can make it thirty kilometers on that."
Evelyn snorted. "We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Go back and get some rest. You’ve got snot running down your face."
Ian raised his hand to wipe his nose, only to find it was perfectly clean.
Evelyn burst out laughing. ’He’s so gullible.’
Annoyed, Ian immediately turned and ran. But since his coat was too long, he tripped on the hem and tumbled into the snow, landing flat on his back with his arms and legs flailing.
Evelyn laughed even harder.
"No wonder Mr. Graham said you got stuck hanging upside down when you tried to climb the fence. You really are a klutz."
In all his twelve years, Ian had never been so embarrassed.
He struggled back to his feet, hiked up his coat, shot Evelyn a glare, and ran off without a backward glance. Thankfully, he didn’t trip this time.
Ronan Kendrick took Evelyn’s hand and looked at her with a serious expression.
"That kid is too clumsy. Don’t look at him."
Evelyn suppressed a laugh. "Then can I look at you instead?"
Ronan lowered his gaze, his eyelashes fluttering. "Mm," he hummed. "Okay."
Ronan finally didn’t have to wear his colored contacts anymore. Now she could clearly see their natural color. Evelyn had never seen such beautiful eyes; for a moment, she was completely captivated.
"Let’s go home." Ronan swept her into his arms. The ears hidden beneath his winter hat were burning hot. ’If he had a tail,’ Evelyn thought, ’it would definitely be wagging back and forth right now.’
"Ronan, I really want to see your real hair."
"But you said the dye was permanent."
Evelyn smiled. "I can mix up a solution to wash it out."
Ronan turned his head to look at her. "Do you like my natural color?"
"Mhm, I do."
A corner of Ronan’s mouth lifted. "Does that mean you like me a lot now, too?"
"Yes, I like you a lot." Evelyn wasn’t the type to be coy. If she liked someone, she believed in letting them know, in saying it out loud.
’What’s the point of having a mouth, otherwise?’
"Mm. Thank you." After saying that, he actually went into the bathroom to take a shower.
Evelyn didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Ronan, you’re really something else."
’Who responds to a confession by saying a dead-serious "thank you"?’
Evelyn walked to the bathroom door and knocked. "You’re welcome," she called out with mock seriousness. "It’s only natural."
---
Early the next morning, work began on reinforcing the farm’s fences. Evelyn went to check on the livestock area. The number of argali and Red Deer had increased again, and the rabbits in their hutch were already too numerous to count.
To ensure the safety of all the animals, the sheds in the livestock area also had to be reinforced. The two pigs had grown quite a bit and looked to be over a hundred pounds now. They had to be protected at all costs, along with the Mammoth and the herd of horses.
Evelyn had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into every brick and every blade of grass on the farm. She wouldn’t allow anything to go wrong.
At noon, Ian Yates was packing his things to leave. Seeing him back in his old, tattered clothes was surprisingly jarring for Evelyn.
"Thank you all for taking me in. I still have to go find my grandmother’s and Howard Quinn’s bodies. I have no way to repay your kindness, so please let me kowtow to you all."
Evelyn was speechless.
"Do you even know which way is north? Do you have any idea which direction they went? Are you so sure you’ll be able to find your grandmother’s and Howard Quinn’s bodies?"
Ian was left stunned by Evelyn’s barrage of questions.
"They must have followed the main road."
"I wouldn’t be so sure. What if they took a smaller path?"
"Then I’ll search the smaller paths," he said, still stubborn.
Evelyn nodded. "Alright then. Have a safe trip."
Ian stared, dumbfounded. "I thought... you were going to ask me to stay."
