Chapter 20

“That goes back to what you said the other day,doesn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said most of the people here are survivalists.”

“Yes I did,and that explains a lot of things around here.”

Agnes brought their food,and they were quiet while they dealt with it.Two or three people stopped by while they were eating,mostly to welcome Jake to the valley.

Jake finally pushed his empty plate away.“I’m stuffed.”

“No room for dessert,then.”

“None at all.”

“There’s some good-looking pie in that case behind the counter.”

“I just said I’m full.”

“We can take it home with us.”

“Okay.”

“What kind of pie do you want?”Josh said.

“What do they have?”

Josh stood for a moment,then walked over to the counter.When he came back to their booth,he said,“Peach cobbler,and apple.”

“Apple for me.”

“Great.Give me a minute.”Josh walked back to the counter,got Bert’s attention,and ordered two slices of pie to go.

When they were in the car,Jake said,“Where to,now?”