“It’s a full day’s ride on horseback. Slower going with a wagon. When there’s enough fuel and as long as the roads are clear, it’s under an hour by car.”
“Let me talk to her.” That seemed reasonable, doable. Wagons, cars. Rachel wondered what the expiration date on the offer was, but didn’t want to ask.
––––––––
Days passed, and Rachel never brought up the compound. She couldn’t find a good moment. Rachel and Cyrene ate dinner backdropped by the worst thunderstorm in quite some time. Rachel thought it must have been the worst in the past two years at least. It was sheeting rain, and as the windows buzzed behind their heavy curtains the candles flickered at the violent drafts causing Rachel to jump.
Cyrene eyed her friend carefully, but as her lips parted for a pep talk, her ears cau
