Page 89 of Eco-Activist's Mountain Men
"You got it, Brains."
"Alright, let’s consult Luke. He’s the oracle on all things access-related."
"Great. Where’s he at?"
Toby chuckles. "Chainsaw shed. Where else? Sharpening his precious babies."
We head over, and sure enough, Luke’s bent over a workbench, honing the teeth of a chain while Jack leans nearby, discussing which stand of pines to tackle next. Both look up at Toby’s trademark greeting.
"Hey losers, how’s it hanging?"
"Hi, bro," Jack replies evenly.
"Hi, Toby," Luke rumbles, voice calm, low.
"Listen, guys. Luna here’s tired of only owning one pair of panties. Apparently, she thinks she deserves another pair." Toby winks at me. "She wants to head into town for a shopping spree, maybe grab us some fresh food while she’s at it. What are the chances?"
Both men glance at Luke, who tilts his head, thinking it through in silence, weighing every angle like he always does.
"Actually," he says finally, "it could be done…"
My heart gives a little skip. Perfect. I can slip into a pharmacy, pick up a pregnancy test—two, just to be sure—tucked in with tampons or pads. None of the guys will ask questions. Men never want details when it comes to female hygiene.
"…That is, if she doesn’t mind taking the quad," Luke finishes.
"What, the Honda FourTrax?" Toby asks.
"Yeah, that’s the one. Single-lane track’ll thread through the downed trees fine. Might take the little trailer with one of the smaller saws, just in case."
"Great," I say quickly, trying not to sound too eager. "Let’s do it. Will you drive me, Toby?"
"You betcha."
He offers his hand. I slap it in a high five, and just like that, the first part of my problem is solved.
Or at least… Part One.
"Town" Turns out to be the self-same, one-horse, nowheresville dump that I'd hitched a ride into from Portland, what seems like months ago now, but was actually just a couple of weeks back. Known as Martha, apparently it's named after a pony that savedher owner's life by cantering for three days with the unconscious man on her back, all the way from his gold claim into town, then dropped dead of thirst, right outside the general store. It made such an impression on the couple of hundred souls living there that they voted to change their town's name in honor of the animal, right then and there, which they duly did.
We park up the Honda on the high street and climb off, stretching. The quad bike is nowhere near as comfortable as a normal car or truck over longer distances, and I feel a little wobbly on my feet.
"Whoa, girl. You alright?" Toby reaches out a steadying hand, his voice concerned. Again, I give my best reassuring smile.
"Sure, yeah, just tired after the long ride, is all." And also because my brain's been looping one single thought for the last hour: what if it's positive?
"Okay, well, if you're sure?" I nod. "So what's the plan?" he asks.
"Is there a pharmacy?"
"Bless you, no."
My spirits sink.
"But there's a general store, and that's got a kind of pharmacy area. If you're after tampons and stuff, I'm sure they have them."
"Oh. Okay." But will they have pregnancy test kits? Maybe… maybe not. Only one way to find out, because otherwise I'll have to make do with the vinegar test from YouTube, and I have zero faith in that. "What about clothes?"
"General store." Toby grins.
