it.
Lord help him, so would he.
Chapter Five
Hawk's sister liked to talk.
Jeni already knew that, of course. The night before, Luna had dominated her conversation with Bethany, asking a million questions, mostly about what life was like outside of Sector Six. She was irrepressible, so full of life, and so young .
Jeni could barely remember ever being that young.
Luna moved down another row of the large, fenced plot that served as their herb garden and beckoned for Jeni to follow. Besides the typical herbs used in cooking, like basil or thyme, they grew an impressive array of plants and flowers she'd only seen in illustrations and pictures.
“We have plenty of aloe, of course—that's good for burns and scrapes,” Luna said. “Marigolds, goldenseal, fenugreek, comfrey…”
Jeni marked each one off the mental list she'd memorized. With them, they could possibly treat a number of common ailments or complaints, though they'd have to be careful. Dosages had to be monitored closely, just like the medications manufactured in Sector Five. Too much could mean organ damage, even death.
“We have a few willow trees around the farm, mostly down near the creek on the eastern side,” Luna went on, “but Alya prefers feverfew when it's in season.” She stopped beside an elderberry bush and idly traced its leaves. “How long have you known Hawk?”
Jeni had expected the interrogation, but not from his baby sister. It took her a moment to answer. “A few months.”
“But you just got serious.” It wasn't a question.
Jeni answered anyway, just to have something to say. “Yes.”
Luna smiled. “It's nice. I don't think anyone's seen him like this since—” She cut off abruptly and turned away. “Purple coneflower—that's echinacea. You can make a tincture out of the roots. Bethany swears by it. Says it'll knock out a cold quicker than anything.”
The conversation was clearly over. Jeni swallowed the urge to question the girl further, but she couldn't entirely quell her curiosity. No one had seen Hawk like this since…what?
Since who?
Luna pointed to a row of tall hedges at the edge of the garden. “And those are barberry bushes. The fruit's kind of sour, but it makes good jelly. Careful of the thorns, though.”
Barberry. It snagged against a memory, and Jeni closed her eyes. She could picture the pages she'd read, and she focused on one, from an old, dusty book Dallas had kept in storage, one filled with hand-drawn sketches and information. “You don't worry about wheat rust?”
“The strains of wheat we grow here are resistant to fungal infection,” Alya said from behind them. When they turned, she was studying Jeni again—the same measured assessment from the previous day. “Did you grow up on a farm?”
It took every ounce of self-discipline she had not to squirm. “I'm from the city. But I've been helping out with the gardening projects in Four.”
“Ah.” Alya didn't look away from her. “Luna, love, they need help getting the babies settled down for lunch. Could you run in and give them a hand?”
“Sure.” Luna spared Jeni a quick wave before weaving her way through the beds toward the house.
Just like that, she was alone with Alya and her withering scrutiny. The urge to laugh at the ridiculousness of her own nerves almost overwhelmed her, but Jeni pasted a polite smile on her face instead.
Alya tilted her head. “I was listening to the last little bit. You're looking for medicinal herbs?”
“Dallas thinks it would be a good precautionary measure in case of supply shortages.” The truth, such as it was, since he'd readily agreed with her when she'd brought it up.
“I see.” Alya turned and waved a hand. “Walk with me. I'll show you around.”
She headed around the side of the house, past a large, cabin-like structure closer than the other barns and sheds. It was huge, with several chimneys dotting the roof at regular intervals. “That's the smokehouse. We mostly cure
Lord help him, so would he.
Chapter Five
Hawk's sister liked to talk.
Jeni already knew that, of course. The night before, Luna had dominated her conversation with Bethany, asking a million questions, mostly about what life was like outside of Sector Six. She was irrepressible, so full of life, and so young .
Jeni could barely remember ever being that young.
Luna moved down another row of the large, fenced plot that served as their herb garden and beckoned for Jeni to follow. Besides the typical herbs used in cooking, like basil or thyme, they grew an impressive array of plants and flowers she'd only seen in illustrations and pictures.
“We have plenty of aloe, of course—that's good for burns and scrapes,” Luna said. “Marigolds, goldenseal, fenugreek, comfrey…”
Jeni marked each one off the mental list she'd memorized. With them, they could possibly treat a number of common ailments or complaints, though they'd have to be careful. Dosages had to be monitored closely, just like the medications manufactured in Sector Five. Too much could mean organ damage, even death.
“We have a few willow trees around the farm, mostly down near the creek on the eastern side,” Luna went on, “but Alya prefers feverfew when it's in season.” She stopped beside an elderberry bush and idly traced its leaves. “How long have you known Hawk?”
Jeni had expected the interrogation, but not from his baby sister. It took her a moment to answer. “A few months.”
“But you just got serious.” It wasn't a question.
Jeni answered anyway, just to have something to say. “Yes.”
Luna smiled. “It's nice. I don't think anyone's seen him like this since—” She cut off abruptly and turned away. “Purple coneflower—that's echinacea. You can make a tincture out of the roots. Bethany swears by it. Says it'll knock out a cold quicker than anything.”
The conversation was clearly over. Jeni swallowed the urge to question the girl further, but she couldn't entirely quell her curiosity. No one had seen Hawk like this since…what?
Since who?
Luna pointed to a row of tall hedges at the edge of the garden. “And those are barberry bushes. The fruit's kind of sour, but it makes good jelly. Careful of the thorns, though.”
Barberry. It snagged against a memory, and Jeni closed her eyes. She could picture the pages she'd read, and she focused on one, from an old, dusty book Dallas had kept in storage, one filled with hand-drawn sketches and information. “You don't worry about wheat rust?”
“The strains of wheat we grow here are resistant to fungal infection,” Alya said from behind them. When they turned, she was studying Jeni again—the same measured assessment from the previous day. “Did you grow up on a farm?”
It took every ounce of self-discipline she had not to squirm. “I'm from the city. But I've been helping out with the gardening projects in Four.”
“Ah.” Alya didn't look away from her. “Luna, love, they need help getting the babies settled down for lunch. Could you run in and give them a hand?”
“Sure.” Luna spared Jeni a quick wave before weaving her way through the beds toward the house.
Just like that, she was alone with Alya and her withering scrutiny. The urge to laugh at the ridiculousness of her own nerves almost overwhelmed her, but Jeni pasted a polite smile on her face instead.
Alya tilted her head. “I was listening to the last little bit. You're looking for medicinal herbs?”
“Dallas thinks it would be a good precautionary measure in case of supply shortages.” The truth, such as it was, since he'd readily agreed with her when she'd brought it up.
“I see.” Alya turned and waved a hand. “Walk with me. I'll show you around.”
She headed around the side of the house, past a large, cabin-like structure closer than the other barns and sheds. It was huge, with several chimneys dotting the roof at regular intervals. “That's the smokehouse. We mostly cure
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