Stan and Goa. When Shiloah had suggested sorting through her things and giving some away, Stan and Goa had both been adamant she keep as much as she wanted.
“We’re moving into a large house. There’ll be plenty of room. If you want to give some things away later, that’s good, but there’s no need to downsize when we’re upsizing,” Goa had explained somewhat muddily.
Stan thought Orna had been relieved when they’d spoken. He suspected she’d kept mementoes of her late husbands, and he certainly didn’t want her to think such things would not be welcomed in her new home.
Goa had driven the big truck with their furniture, Shiloah sitting beside him. This truck would be returned to New Thimphu after it was unpacked. Stan had followed them, driving a runabout farm truck that they’d be keeping to use on the farm and around Green Ridge, and with him was one of the young men who’d drive the big van away after helping them unload.
The hot tub and some farming equipment they’d ordered would be arriving in a few weeks, but they had all they needed for now.
They stopped first at Chevaunne’s farm, and the family ran out to greet them, hugging Shiloah, and shaking hands with the men before taking them all inside. It was the first time any of them had ever been to their house from the outside road. Always before, they’d come from the community, underground, via the tunnels.
“It’s really interesting to see how the land above connects with the city below. Rather like putting together all the pieces of a three-dimensional jigsaw,” Stan said.
“That’s a really good image,” said Chevaunne. “I learned it all simultaneously because I was kidnapped to this house. But I see what you mean. It’s exactly like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Which tunnel leads to whose house.”
“Do you feel safe here? Really safe?” Orna asked Chevaunne.
“Yes, I do. These people are not like the horrible people where you used to live. They’re kind and polite. Helpful. They understand we ‘keep to ourselves,’ as they call it, and they respect that. No one has ever been rude to me, and they know I live here with all three men, although they also believe I’m married to only Jim. It’s really good that you and Shiloah are here. We’ll be able to do some girl stuff together. George and Wang’s store is an awesome place to visit. And there’s a lovely little café on the main street of Green Ridge. They do a truly delicious stuffed baked potato. Whenever one of my friends visits, we always have lunch there.”
Jim and Paul rode with them to their house—which Stan still thought of as Ugyen’s house—and helped them unload the big van and the truck. For a few hours, Stan’s mind was fully occupied with lifting, loading, and shifting box after box, tables, chairs, bookshelves, and more boxes. Finally, they were done, and they all sat out on the stoop drinking coffee and eating the sandwiches Shiloah and Orna had made them.
Then the helpers climbed into the empty big truck so the driver could drop Paul and Jim back home before returning the truck to the community. Stan, Goa, and the women waved them good-bye as they pulled out onto the long driveway to return to the road. Then Stan turned and rested his gaze on Shiloah. She was so lovely standing there in jeans and a tee, a dirty mark across one cheekbone, her hair bundled into a messy ponytail. Her chocolate eyes sparkled with excitement, and her lush body made him yearn for bedtime. But first he needed to help Orna unpack some of her things so she felt more at home. This was her home, too, now. She was a valued member of their family.
* * * *
The men were always so loving and giving in bed, ensuring she came and came with wondrous orgasms. But this night, the first in their house, Shiloah wanted to be the one who did the giving. She knew they were tired from stress, worry, and the hard physical labor of moving. She was stunned by the amount
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