Edge of Time: A Time Travel Adventure Novel by David Darling

Author:David Darling
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2024-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Clement stood in the doorway, watching Brad kneeling in the dirt and pulling weeds. The soil was good, but they had to stay on top. He had taken a quick break from the afternoon labors. His back burned from the uncomfortable position, and the hot summer sun baked him through the thin brown cotton shirt. The wide-brimmed hat blocked the heat, and without it, he would have been burned to a crisp. Clement had woven the pond reeds into headgear for them both.

The primary field north of the cabin had transformed over four and a half months. It took three weeks of work to get an acre ready for planting. The seeds were carefully nurtured and watered when needed. Sprouts grew in the fertile soil, with the weather cooperating, and men fretted over each shoot as if their lives depended on it—it did.

The late July sun was powerful, and they watered the crops daily. Barrels helped collect rainwater from the cabin and barn roof to supplement the well. Clement had seen that water source run dry many times.

They completed the intensive work in the morning before the temperature rose, leaving the light, menial tasks for the afternoon. Although, weeding and watering seemed anything but light work. Backbreaking, painful, and repetitive, but not easy.

Two of the three clay jars from the neighbor’s home contained seeds Clement guessed were turnips he grew for his pigs. The third jar was a mystery, but he planted them anyway. They grew fairly quickly and were already three feet tall, with a pointed green leaf. Clement guessed they were beans, and so far, but Brad thought squash. It looked like Brad may be correct. Not that he would admit that to the city boy. The door slammed behind Clement as he crossed the field.

He carried a pitcher of water and two tin cups. Brad straightened with a little difficulty after gaining his feet.

“At your age, you need to drink plenty of water.” Clement handed Brad the pitcher.

“I think we are easily the same age now, physically anyway.”

Brad wiped the sweat from his brow and rubbed his hand through his white beard.

Clement still shaved every few days. He couldn’t get used to having whiskers. They both could easily have been eighty years old. His back and knees certainly felt the age.

The well water was cold and refreshing.

“How are the squash plants coming along?”

“Beans. And they’re doing good.” Clement knelt and checked the soil. “We’ll need to water the turnips again tonight. They are thirsty in this heat.”

When he heard a thump, Clement quickly stood. Brad had dropped the water pitcher and tin cup and gasped for breath. A shaking hand pointed toward the barn as the water soaked into the soil, forgotten.

“Jesus Christ …” Brad trailed off as they watched in disbelief. Clement echoed the sentiments as he tried to process the image.

Translucent visions of horses flickered in and out of existence one hundred yards away as they slowly proceeded across the lawn, crossing the barn. Many things don’t have an explanation, like UFOs and ghosts, to name a few.

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