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Chapter 7: Hosanna
The next afternoon they pulled up with the provisions from the other cottage and he showed her around the property. Just three miles from the other house it was roughly the same size but with a few more updates, namely solar panels, a small wind turbine and gas powered generator for backup.
"Just imagine," she teased him, "If I'd gotten over here before you found me-"
"I'd a still found you." he maintained.
There was a thick layer of dust on everything and where there wasn't dust there was evidence that Daryl had been there. "Well, you're right, it's nicer than the other cottage. I mean I know you were worried about the wood stove attracting people during the day, but what about using the electricity at night?"
"Cover the windows just the same. Ain't no thing." he shrugged and started to chew on his thumbnail again. He nervously watched her walk around the main living area and into the kitchen and back again. She stood there thinking with her hands on her hips.
"The barn is cleared out?" she worried.
"The barn, the shed, and the garage." he nodded. "And look," he ushered her over to the window and pointed out to the back yard in front of the shed. "Looks like a good spot for a garden."
She looked up at him and smiled. "Oh pookie." She nudged his shoulder with her own. He blushed and scratched the crown of his head. "We'll take it!" she beamed. She was startled for a moment at how domestic this situation between them had become. In the old world there would've been a realtor involved and this would've been her dream acreage. And now it was simply theirs.
They finished unloading the truck and Carol kept herself busy for the rest of the evening wiping the walls and furniture down. Daryl covered the windows as promised and made sure it was light tight for the evening. They fired up the DC converter and the house flickered on with power. Later they'd realize that the heating unit was on as they walked around barefoot on the warm tile floor of the home. Whomever had built this home was a genius to have installed such energy efficient technology. Carol realized they were even luckier to have found it.
Maybe this time of peace would last.