Chapter 242
"Missing my girl," Charles Clark rubbed his hands together, his gaze drifting toward the village entrance.
Emily Johnson shot him a glance. "Keep it down, especially you." She lowered her voice. "Don't let last year's lipstick incident happen again."
Charles immediately deflated. That imported lipstick had cost him his would-be bride.
The train station buzzed with noise. The group carried bags of all sizes, their hearts already back in Stone Village.
"Sis, going to the market?" Amy Bright sidled up. "New Year's coming—I want to buy some candies and nuts..."
Emily hoisted her bamboo basket. Two small heads peeked through the door crack. "Don't worry, Mom! We'll guard the house!"
The tractor sputtered black smoke as the crowd squeezed into its bed, chatting and laughing.
Suddenly, the vehicle lurched to a halt.
"What happened?" someone cried.
The driver jumped down, circling the machine in frustration. Sweat beaded along his temples.
"Emily, your little Michael knows engines. How about you?"
Every eye turned to her. Emily swallowed hard and climbed down.
The stench of motor oil hit her. She crouched, pretending expertise as she inspected the machinery.
"I'll try," she wiped her hands. "Someone in my family works at the factory. Picked up a thing or two."
When the engine roared to life, the whole group cheered.
"Emily's full of surprises!"
"Did you see how fast she calculated the meat rations yesterday?"
The town swarmed with people. Emily mentally checked her shopping list: raisins, canned goods, chocolate... Her basket filled quickly.
"Amy, keep watch." She winked mysteriously.
In a shadowy alley, figures huddled in whispers. Emily produced some ration coupons and exchanged them for scarce goods.
A long queue snaked from the Supply & Market entrance. Amy stood on tiptoe. "Sis, is that—"
"Shh." Emily pressed a finger to her lips. "Talk later."
As the sun dipped low, the tractor's shadow stretched long across the road. The scent of roasted nuts mingled with the rhythmic snores from the wagon bed.