Free Surviving Passion by Maia Underwood Page A

with a genuine smile.
    “Selena. Nice to meet you. Umm … could you maybe tell me where Blaire is?”
    “I think she was over by the garden down that way,” the woman gestured, still smiling brightly. “Hey, I can help with provisions if you need any supplies. Blaire and I kind of share the job, but she handles the food more than anything else. Tell me if you need anything.”
    “Okay, thanks,” Selena said appreciatively as Gina went on her way.
    “You take care now,” she said warmly over her shoulder.
    After a couple minutes of wandering down the path, Selena finally found the garden. It was much bigger than she’d expected. She surveyed it with blunt appraisal, considering all the work that must have gone into it. She recognized Ben working on a row of shrubs that bore some kind of citrus fruit.
    “Excuse me,” she said when he was close enough to hear. “Hi. Is Blaire around here somewhere?”
    “Hey. Umm,” he craned his neck to look for her. “Right over there,” he pointed.
    “Thanks,” Selena said, turning to go.
    “How was the tree-climbing?” Ben asked with something that actually looked like a smile.
    Selena reddened before throwing out a viable answer. “More interesting than usual.”
    “I’ll bet,” he said with a humorous glint in his eyes. “So you work with leather?”
    It sounded more like a statement than a question.
    “Yes. Learned from my dad, mostly,” she answered, starting to feel self-conscious.
    “Good. We could use more useful people around here. So you were on your own out there when Dan found you?”
    She nodded, “For a very long time, yes.”
    “Rough,” he said rubbing his chin. “It’s wonderful that you can speak English.”
    Selena laughed, “Yeah, I uh … I read. It helps. A lot.”
    “But this is great. Now you can get some real practice in,” he joked.
    “Yeah. It’s been hard … but good,” she smiled despite herself, not minding his teasing.
    “Well I’ll let you go practice on someone else, I’ll probably just make things worse,” he said turning back to his work.
    “Bye,” she said with a bemused smile. Maybe he looks so bored all the time because he’s smart, she pondered.
    Selena spotted Blaire finally and strode over to her with a little wave of greeting.
    “Well good morning! Wait, no, good afternoon. You slept through all of yesterday!”
    Selena blinked.
    “I’m just messin’ with ya,” Blaire cackled.
    Selena had to smile again. It had been years since anyone had joked with her. .
    “Well I’m guessing you want a bite to eat. I can show you around when you’re through. Give you the tour.”
    Selena nodded. Blaire led her to the kitchen, which was impressive. Selena imagined it must have been ideal back when it had power and plumbing.
             “I know what you’re thinking and you’re right,” Blaire said. “There was probably more technology in this kitchen than anywhere else on these grounds.”
             “It looks that way,” Selena confirmed.
             “Well, we still use the refrigerator but usually that’s just when we have snow to pack it. Only you have to be ready when it starts melting. Never mind all that. The best part is the dishes and the counter space.”
             Selena sat at the bar that overlooked the kitchen. It felt surreal. For a moment she was reminded of her earliest years before the Crash. She recalled having a favorite cup as a child. It was red, made of plastic and had two handles for her chubby little toddler hands to clutch easily. A sudden sadness leaped up her throat and her eyes misted at the ache she felt for a life she barely remembered. Embarrassed, she blinked and returned her thoughts to the present as Blaire bustled about getting food together.
             “It’s too bad you just missed lunch. We eat together for the most part. Woulda’ been a nice time to introduce you to everyone. Maybe at dinner then. Last night doesn’t