Page 90 of Lost Song

It’s well over by the time I get down the ridge and to the road. Micah is collecting their weapons, and Burgundy is checking the condition of the truck.

“It’s dented but still drives,” she calls through the driver’s window as she reverses out of the ditch and then straightens it up on the road. “I’ll drive it back.”

“Good deal.” Micah puts a hand on my back as he watches his sister shift the vehicle into drive. “We’ll be right behind you.”

We stand and watch her drive away for a minute andthen head toward where we’re left the ATV we used for this trip.

Logan has increased the number of his outlooks posted throughout the region between the Holy Compound and his territory, which is how we got an early warning of this group’s approach. They haven’t tried anything for months now, and hopefully this defeat will make them back off again.

Micah grins at me as I take my seat in the ATV.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothin’. I just never stop bein’ amazed by you. That was some impressive shootin’.”

I smile back at him, washed with warm pleasure. I never knew what it felt like for a man to genuinely appreciate me—all of me, completely—until Micah. “Thank you. I do my best.”

“Your best is better than anyone else.” His expression changes as he puts the vehicle into drive, starting down the road in the same direction Burgundy took. “You think she’s okay?”

“Yeah. She’s okay. She only gets that way about the Holy Rollers, and it’s understandable. They had her for months, and that kind of thing isn’t easy to shake. It’s only been six months since she came home. Give her some time.”

“You’re right.” He relaxes again. “I’m just glad to have her back.”

“I’m glad she’s back too.” I never had a real best friendbefore, but I would call Burgundy that for me now, especially now that Lilah has been so busy with Matthew, her new baby boy.

“And I’m glad I have you. I never really believed life could be this good.”

I lean over to kiss the side of his jaw, his short beard tickling my lips. “Same here.”

We spendthe night at Logan’s headquarters so we can hang out with our friends for the evening. Then we gather our stuff, plus Molly, and return to our camper.

The weather is getting colder this late in the year, but the sun is out so we can bathe in the creek. We’ve already agreed that, when winter comes on strong, we’ll stay at Logan’s instead of toughing it out here. Last winter was colder than any winter I’ve ever experienced in this region, and I’m afraid it will keep getting worse since the climate was thrown into such upheaval after Impact.

It will be safer for all three of us if we’re not isolated in an old camper during a harsh winter.

But it’s not time to retreat yet. We build a fire in the firepit, roast pork chops and carrots, and then Micah plays the guitar while we sing.

Just for pleasure. Because we both love it.

Our voices blend really well together, and the music fills the growing shadows of the woods around us. Mollylies at my feet, occasionally lifting her head to listen when I hit a particularly high note. And Micah’s dark blue eyes are soft and warm on my face.

He loves me so much. It’s impossible not tofeelit. Right now and every moment of my days.

I think back to what he said earlier, and the truth of it washes over me.

The world fell apart when the asteroid hit, and far too many people are actively trying to make it worse.

But we didn’t lose everything.

Maybe we just got lucky, but now I’m thinking it’s more than that. A truth I didn’t believe in before.

Somehow, in some way, what’s good will always endure.