Isolation , Jones, Nathan [top 20 books to read TXT] 📗

close. “Hey, you're still on board with our choice to stay, right?”

Ellie twisted to give him a surprised look. “Why do you ask that?”

He was slow to answer. “It's just that it seems like you've been struggling lately. Especially since you got Nick's letter about how things are going for him in Houston.”

Oh. Sure, it had been a bit difficult to hear her ex-husband talk about the luxurious apartment he'd been relocated to, with power and hot water and even working phones and limited internet. Not to mention plentiful food. Looking at him back in a modern life, mostly indistinguishable from what they'd enjoyed before Zolos, then leaving her miserable hovel to cook on an outdoor stove after a day of hard work, looking forward to sleeping in an uncomfortable bed on a tarp floor that was almost impossible to keep the dirt off of, well . . .

It could be a bit demoralizing.

Ellie had done her best to keep her spirits up, but Hal must've seen some of what she was feeling. And he might've been feeling some of it too, since he'd also read the letter. “It did sound pretty utopian, didn't it?” she murmured.

Hal snorted. “I'm sure he did his best to put it in the best light so we wouldn't worry about him, Gen, Billy, and everyone else who headed down there.” He sobered. “But it still highlighted that we've chosen a hard way to live. Harder than I expected it to be, going into it. It feels kind of like deciding to go camping, and then after a few days of enjoying being out in nature you realize how much it sucks to sleep on the hard ground in the freezing cold and eat unsatisfying, usually unheated food. You start looking longingly at all the comforts of home.”

She did her best to hold back a frown. “Are you asking me if I regret staying here, or telling me that you do?”

He shook his head firmly. “As long as I'm with you, that's all I need,” he stated, kissing her forehead. Then he hesitated. “But it hurts a bit to see the toll this life is having on you. I want you and the kids to be happy more than anything.”

Ellie felt a surge of affection, and burrowed deeper into his embrace. “I am,” she said. “Yes, we have to work hard and there's a chance bad weather might destroy all our efforts. But being here, working to create something wonderful with friends and family, with such a tight-knit community, is the best thing I've ever been part of. It feels more . . . I don't know, real, than sitting in some room trying to convince miserable employees to work harder and be more content with their situation.”

Hal blinked. “I think that's the first time you've ever said anything negative about your consulting work.”

“It probably is, since part of my leadership training is focusing on the positive,” she said with a rueful laugh. “Don't get me wrong, I loved my work and I felt like I thrived in that environment. But it definitely had its downsides, and its bad times. Like anything, I guess.”

“Yeah.” They got back to staring out at the scenery in the fading light, while Hal rocked her gently. After a few minutes, when she'd almost dismissed the conversation as done, he added, “It's pretty amazing to see how Stanberry's picked itself up from this disaster and is moving forward stronger than ever.”

“Not just the town, but us,” Ellie said gently. “It's been amazing to see you thrive in this environment. And the kids . . . they're so brave and resilient.”

“I know. They've got a great example in you.” He rocked her for a few more seconds. “I love you, El.”

She shifted around so she could kiss him, long and deep. “I love you too,” she whispered. She hesitated, then added seriously, “What do you think, is this life too difficult to bring a baby into?”

Hal was so shocked she felt him visibly jump in surprise, staring at her with wide eyes in the fading light. “Are you-” he stuttered. “Do you mean . . . ?”

Ellie felt a moment of chagrin, and laughed sheepishly. “No, no, I didn't mean to suggest that.” She paused, then added teasingly, “Although Winn would probably be fine with watching the kids for a few more minutes, if we wanted to . . .” She nodded towards their dugout.

He also laughed, relaxing slightly. “Well when you put it like that.” He leaned down to kiss her, letting it linger and heat up before pulling back. “I know you're strong enough for this life, El,” he said solemnly. “And I know we can flourish here. If you think we're ready for a child, there's nothing I want more.”

“Well, there's no rush. Just so we know it's something we both want, and we can start planning and preparing for it.” Ellie stood up and offered him her hand, voice turning mischievous. “Come on, let's sneak into our house and make the most of the few minutes we still have to ourselves.”

She bit back a shriek of surprised laughter as he stood and swept her up in his arms, starting down the hill. “You're leaving the blanket,” she told him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“We'll come back for it,” he replied, not showing too much strain with her weight in spite of the exhausting day he'd had.

Ellie rested her head on his shoulder contentedly, looking back at the hill and the idyllic scenery around it.

Sure, this was a hard life. But a good one.

The End

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