When All Else Fails (A Push of a Button Novella)

Chapter Eight

VIV STOOD AT the kitchen sink and stared out across the empty fields. Out here in the countryside, time seemed to pass much slower than it did elsewhere. It would only be a matter of time before Dane found her again. The tracking device might be gone, but for a brief time, it had been on while they were here, and he'd seen it. He wouldn't have stopped looking at the map for some signal of where she was.

Too bad Mr. H hadn't been in the catacombs where they'd fled after she teleported them. If he had been, this place wouldn't be at risk. They needed to leave as soon as she was strong enough to travel. Any day now. This time, when they left, Dane wouldn't be able to track them using tech. He'd have to do it the old-fashioned way. She lifted a hand to the four tiny raised scars behind her left ear. They would have to travel the old-fashioned way too now. She sighed. Getting used to a life without a button was strange. Once they left, she'd have to hide the fact that she didn't have one. She and Seb wouldn't be able to travel into the cities together. The police would know she didn't have the button the minute they scanned her.

She wrinkled her nose. Those buttons were more of a power play than almost anything else on this planet. Traveling without hers was an instant red flag to everyone else who wasn't in the same boat. She'd be shunned and looked at with suspicion. But she would be alive, and the Father would watch over her. Even if she had barely enough to survive like so many of the people living in the non-Button housing, she would have what she needed. She would be content with it and find a way to praise the Father for it anyway.

She turned her attention back to the soapy water in the sink and the dishes that needed washing. The door banged open, and she jumped, her gaze flying to it. Seb raised a brow at her and clomped in from outside to set a basket of eggs on the table. Out here, they did everything the good old-fashioned way, and she wouldn't mind staying this way forever. Sadly, it wasn't possible. The Father was tugging them both onward. Where to, only He knew, but it wasn't here. Not for now.

She sighed and returned to her job. "How's it going out there?"

"Well enough. We've gotten most of the beans picked in time to can and pass out at Meeting this week." He trudged over and gave her a sideways hug.

She laughed and crinkled her nose at him. "You stink."

"It's unseasonably warm out there for late summer." He grinned back at her. "Not all of us get to smell like soap and sunshine."

"If you need a break, I'm more than happy to help pick beans and hoe the rows."

"Absolutely not." He squeezed her closer and then let her go, heading back to the table to sort the eggs for cleaning. "You need to save your strength. Mr. H and I have talked about it, and it's probably best we leave by end of the week. The Father's been gracious in giving us a reprieve, but it's time to move on. Who knows why Dane's held off on coming here, but we all need to be gone when he shows up. Make sure there's not a trace. Someone will come to take care of the animals and the gardens once a day, and they'll make sure it looks like Mr. H is away."

She nodded and returned to washing dishes, staring down into the suds. "I wish we didn't have to put him in danger, but I'm glad we ended up here, even if it was only for a little while. It was good for you. For me too."

He stayed quiet, something he did more and more these days. She caught him staring into the distance, lost in thought and running his fingers over his button, something he'd never done before. She didn't know what had brought about the change since he didn't speak about it with her or Mr. H, but the peace and contentment that radiated off him told her what she needed to know. He and the Father had come to an understanding, and every day, he grew in his faith. But this place had done all it could for them. He was right. It was time to go. She smoothed her damp hands over her apron with a sigh and turned to him. "I think we should leave sooner, Seb. I'll be fine to travel now. A week was enough. I'm not a hundred percent yet, but there's no reason to stay. It's time to go."

He eyed her with a frown. "Maybe. How long has it been on your mind?"

"Just since mid-week." She dried her hands with the apron and joined him at the table, pressing her palm to his cheek with a smile. "I know you want to protect me, but I've been seeking the Father's will on the matter, and the more I ask for guidance, the more convinced I am it's time to move on."

He laid took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to her palm, a fond smile on his lips now. "I'll think about it. Let's both just pray about it tonight separately. We won't talk about it further today. Tomorrow morning, we'll pray about it together, and as soon as He gives a solid answer, we'll decide what to do. Fair enough?"

She chewed at her bottom lip and nodded. "No word from anyone in Mr. H's circles?"

"Not yet. Dane's got people keeping an eye on the city. Security is tighter than usual on the perimeters. But no one's seen anyone near the farm yet, and they're looking. We'll know if anyone's coming. I promise."

"I know." She rested her forehead against his chest, her lips curving upward. "He's provided and protected so far, and He will even if Dane shows up on the doorstep tonight."

Seb's arms wrapped around her like a vice. "And while I agree, I would still prefer that Dane never manages to get anywhere near you again."

She laughed. "Well, that's in the Father's hands, not ours. I reacted to the situation out of fear and a sense of betrayal the first time, and that didn't go very well. I'm not going to make that mistake twice, so I'll take things as He chooses to deal them knowing He'll provide a way out of every temptation and trial I face."

"Even if the way out is death..."

She pulled away and tilted her face up to look him in the eye. "Sebastian Auclaire! Don't say such morbid things."

"It's not morbid," he protested, a twinkle in his eye. "It's true. We're all going to die someday, and death is just the vehicle to an eternity with Him. So, even if the worst happens here on this mortal plane, we've only escaped one final time, right?"

Well, Skies above, she couldn't argue with that. She patted his cheek with a shake of her head. "I suppose so. Now, how about we finish sorting these eggs so the table's free for lunch?"

The question lingered though despite her dismissal of it. What if the way out was death? Or, worse yet, what if she had to make a choice between her friends and freedom?

His face lit up with a bright grin. "What did you cook?"

She pushed away the dark thoughts for some other time and smiled back at him. "A quiche with a side of mashed potatoes and falafel."

"I'm sure it'll be delicious." He went back to sorting the eggs with his long slender fingers.

She joined him with a smile that wouldn't stop creeping over her lips. She'd miss this place and all the memories it held. Maybe someday, when this was all over, she and Sebastian could return and reminisce about the idyllic hours spent here. Even if they didn't, the memories would remain, and they'd be a comfort on the days when things weren't quite so easy and care-free.