Refuge from the World
Kim McMahill
(The Beartooth Chronicles, #1)
Publication date: March 19th
2024
Genres: Dystopian, New Adult, Young Adult
Ashley McPhee
arrived in Beartooth with her mom, Sara, when she was three years old. Ever since Ash can
remember, life has been simple and peaceful. She enjoyed a carefree childhood, tending
honey bees with her mom and spending time with her best friend, Caleb Solomon. But, life
in their idyllic mountaintop community is changing.
After learning of the government’s plan to use a geoengineering process to cool the
planet, Ash and Caleb realize they need to step up and take an active role in the
community. Along with fear for how the process might impact their food supply, Ash
learns her mom’s health is failing.
Sara doesn’t want Ash to face an uncertain future alone and nudges her and Caleb into
marriage. Even though they have known each other most of their lives, Ash and Caleb’s
relationship has changed drastically in a short period of time. They embrace the
challenges of learning about each other, dealing with tragedy and grief, protecting their
community from deadly predators and ruthless neighbors, and experiencing epic
adventures, while trying to find solutions to a rapidly changing environment and
deteriorating world.
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EXCERPT:
Ash fell into step next to Caleb without talking. They had known each other for so long
that they could be together without saying a word, and it didn’t feel awkward. When they
reached the lake, they sat down on one of the large boulders scattered around the shore
and stared out at the water.
“The lake level goes down a little more each year,” Caleb said.
“I’ve noticed. It used to be up to that cluster of rocks over there when we would go
fishing when we were younger.”
“Rain isn’t enough to keep it full. The last time I remember seeing snow up here was
when I was seven, and it didn’t stick around. Seems kind of ironic that so much of the
planet is flooded, yet many worry about having enough fresh water to drink and to
irrigate crops.”
“Why did we stop fishing?” Ash asked.
“I didn’t stop fishing. I still go fishing at least once a week. When you started taking a
more active role in the beekeeping and tree nursery, you were available less and less. I go
first thing in the morning, and that’s when you and your mom do most of your work.”
“I miss going fishing with you. I’ll see if Mom cares if we change around the schedule a
bit unless you don’t want me tagging along like I did when I was younger.”
“I miss it too. I would love for you to tag along even though you always out-fished
me.”
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. Ash laid her head on his shoulder and
stared out at the lake. They sat like this sometimes, not as much as they used to, and she
missed this too. She loved the feel of his arm around her and the warmth of his body next
to hers, but never read too much into the gesture. Today, especially, she was in no hurry
to break the connection.
“Are you going to the community meeting tonight?” he asked, finally breaking the
silence.
“Yes. I keep getting these unsettling feelings, and I hope to find out if it’s just my
imagination or if there is something I should be worried about. First, I find out you’ve been
tasked with building weapons, then I had an odd conversation with your dad, found out
we’re having an off-cycle community meeting, and all of a sudden Mom is all over me
about marrying Tyler Hewitt.”
“What!” Caleb shouted as he scooted away and turned his body to face her. “You’re
not seriously considering marrying that old man, are you?”
“No, but apparently, they’ve talked about it. I pointed out to Mom that he’s eleven
years younger than she, but eighteen years older than me. In Tyler’s defense, I can only
think of a couple of other eligible women between his age and mine.”
“He has no defense. For him to even be thinking about it, is wrong. When he moved
here, you were what? Three? Four? Why now?”
“I think Mom is worried about getting old and leaving me alone. I don’t think she’s
been feeling well, but I don’t know if it’s anything serious.”
Caleb stood up and paced. Ash watched him, confused by his reaction.
“I don’t plan to marry Tyler or anyone else not of my choosing. But, I’m not sure why
you would care anyway since you’ve got eyes on Evelyn.”
“Where’d you hear that?”
“Apparently, her mother has been telling people that you two have been spending
time together.”
“That’s not true. She tagged along when I was delivering deer meat the other day to
the storehouse, but that was it. I most certainly didn’t ask her to come with me, and all she
did was ask me questions about Dillon. Besides, she’s just a girl.”
Ash chuckled. “If people are happy to pawn me off on a man eighteen years older, a
mere four years between you and Evelyn is nothing.”
She watched as Caleb retreated to the water’s edge. He picked up a flat stone and
skipped it across its glassy surface. Ash walked to his side and stood next to him.
“We’d better get back. The meeting starts in a couple of hours, and I should help Mom
with dinner,” Ash said as she turned to leave.
Caleb grabbed her arm and pulled her back until she was facing him. “Let’s hear what
they have to say tonight. If there is some reason why everyone needs to get married,
you’re marrying me.”
“And, what if there is no need?” she asked softly.
“Well, maybe we should anyway.”
Author Bio:
Kim McMahill started out writing nonfiction, but her passion for adventure, stories of
survival against the odds, and speculating about the future of humanity and our planet,
soon turned her attention towards fiction. She has published eleven novels, over eighty
travel and human-interest articles, and contributed to a travel story anthology. Growing
up in a beautiful mountain west community, traveling the world, and enjoying a twenty-
year career with the National Park Service, has given her the opportunity to live in
amazing places, experience incredible adventures, and witness many changes in our
world, all of which have helped shape her stories.
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