Page 111 of Cavern of Silence
Once we're outside, I spread the blanket out several feet away and put the wood in the pit then light it.
Paola plays with Atzel and Alma, and I make tortillas, beans, and warm up the ham.
After everything is cooked, I feed the girls. They don't eat a lot, but I can't say I blame them.
I glance at what is left of the barn. The oldest boy is in it with Ryker, and the two others are in the field, trying to round up the animals.
"Alma, can you watch Paola and Atzel for a few minutes? I want to take breakfast to the boys."
"Can we go with you?"
No, sweetie. Your dead father is in the barn.
"I think it's best if you stay here in case your mama and sister come outside, but I'll be quick, okay?"
She stares at the barn and tears well. She puts on a brave face. "All right."
I make two plates full of tortilla wraps and carry them to what's left of the barn. Ryker and the boy are attending to the wounded animals. The horse that had the metal piece stuck in its back is dead. Another one has a bandage wrapped around its leg and backside.
Ryker turns when I walk in. "Be careful, Julieta. There's a lot of damage here."
I set the plates down on the ledge. "The girls and I made breakfast."
"Dany, tell your brothers to come back for food and collect the eggs from the chicken coop," Ryker orders.
Dany obeys and yells at his brothers then grabs a bucket before entering the coop.
Ryker gazes across the field at the girls. "How are they doing?"
I shrug. "I'm not sure."
"And Cristina?"
"She and the oldest daughter, Grissel, haven't come out yet. I was going to check on them next."
Ryker puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. "I wonder how many miles that split is?"
I stare at the length of it, still amazed at its size. "We must be on a fault line. It looks deep, too."
"I think it's a good twelve to fifteen feet."
"Wow."
For several minutes, we survey the property.
My eye catches the girls sitting on the blanket with Atzel. "What a tragedy."
Ryker sighs. "Yeah. I'm assuming Tinker's place is affected, and I hope he and everyone else are okay, but we can't leave this family like this. Not today."
I turn into him. "I agree."
He lets out a breath. "Let me try to fix whatever I can out here. Keep Cristina and the rest of the children away from this area and close to the house."
"All right."
He holds my cheeks and pauses. He finally admits, "I keep thinking about how it could have been you who fell off the loft."
"But I didn't."
