“You’ll still be at the fair, though, won’t you?”
“I think I’ll be sitting this year out. I just don’t have the energy.”
“Oh.” A long pause. “Well, we won’t keep you.” Jenny wasn’t sure if she was imagining the confusion in the woman’s voice. What was different? Did Ruth say something odd?
Jenny glanced at Simon, who was frowning.
“I’ll let Carrie know about your phone,” the woman said.
“Thanks, Donna.” Ruth wrapped her arms around her middle. “Bones, come now.”
Bones walked into the house, slowly, with his head down. The neighbors’ footsteps were moving away. Ruth was still watching, a faint smile on her face. She gave a small wave. Two truck doors slammed shut, the engine started. Ruth stepped back and closed the door.
“Why was that chick acting weird?” Simon said.
“They left. That was what you wanted.” Ruth didn’t look so scared now. She seemed frustrated, which worried Jenny more. She might upset Simon. Jenny rested her hand on his leg.
“It was after you talked about baking.”
“She might have been surprised because I bake every day. It didn’t mean anything.”
Jenny squeezed Simon’s leg gently so he would look at her. “It’s good,” she said. “Now she’ll believe that Ruth is really sick.”
“Hope you’re right. Because I’m going to be pissed if they come back.” Simon got to his feet and gestured for Ruth to come with him.
Jenny stood and watched as Bones followed Simon and Ruthto the kitchen. After the hatch was open, Simon held on to Bones’s collar. “The dog stays.”
“He’s old,” Ruth said. “He needs to be with us.”
Even from her spot by the window, Jenny could see the distress in Ruth’s face, but Bones didn’t seem to notice. He was looking up at Simon with his tongue out and tail wagging.
“He’ll be fine. Now get going.”
She turned and went downstairs. After the hatch was closed, Simon walked back into the living room, with Bones padding after him, collar jingling.
“Keep the dog outside with you, okay?”
She nodded. “How much longer are you going to be?”
His face twisted with frustration. “I’m hoping we can leave tonight, but I broke one of the tools, and the old guy had parts everywhere. I just have to stay at it.”
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“I’ll eat after. I want to get on the road before anyone else shows up.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her. She leaned into it, wanted to stay close like that forever, but after a few moments he drew away, gave her a final peck, and scratched Bones around the neck.
“You look after my girl, okay?” Bones thumped his tail on the floor. When Simon reached the back door, he paused by their gear. “I’m going to put all this in the truck now.”
“I can help.”
“I’ve got it, babe.” He swung the backpacks onto his shoulders. “Go keep watch.”
She nodded and called Bones to her. Outside, she rocked in the chair and stared at the area of the driveway where she’d first seen the rising dust.
It was good that Simon was loading up the truck. They’d be leaving soon.
CHAPTER 32JENNY
Jenny’s back hurt from the wood chair, and pink stripes slashed across her legs where the sun had found her through the railing. She’d finished the book and spent the last hours watching the animals and tracking the sun through the sky. It hovered above the mountains now, washing everything in a warm evening light. The farm was so quiet. The horses took slow steps as they grazed, and a few cows were sleeping in the field. Even the chickens were clucking softly.
