Beartooth, Wyoming has survived the first round of stratospheric aerosol injections intended to cool the planet, but predators have found their way to the community for the first time, and their closest neighbor is now ruled by an extremist faction.

Outside of Beartooth, Ash and Caleb Solomon encounter a group of geologists seeking refuge from the violence, division, hate, and corruption plaguing the nation. And, the Continuity in Crisis Bill suspending elections during times of crisis has passed, effectively ending democracy in America, pushing the country toward civil war.

Despite the many challenges within and outside their isolated, mountain community, abandoning Beartooth is no longer an option. Most of its residents believe their location above the abyss will protect them from predators, dangerous neighbors, and a country in crisis, but Ash and Caleb have seen and heard too much to ever feel safe again.

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Available June 18, 2024

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Excerpt

Over three months had passed since the United States and the European Union released sulfur particles into the stratosphere intending to cool the planet. On average, global temperatures had dropped roughly four degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature changes varied from location to location, and the disruption to global weather patterns was still playing out around the world.

So far, the small, isolated, mountaintop community of Beartooth, Wyoming had survived the first round of global stratospheric aerosol injections or SAI. With only two months to prepare, the residents pulled together, made changes, and rode out the drop in temperatures relatively unscathed. Other communities around the world had not been so lucky.

Despite varied results, there was little doubt that the U.S. and E.U. would conduct another round of SAI before year’s end since the results would wane over time. It would take decades of repeated aerosol injections to achieve permanent change.

Ashley Solomon, Ash to friends and family, felt the pressure more than most in her community when it came to preparing for the cooler temperatures. She and her mom, Sara, had maintained the apiary ever since they moved to Beartooth when Ash was just three.

They ensured the community had ample pollinators for crops, honey, and a source of wax to make candles and soap. On the day the U.S. released the first round of aerosols, March 11th, her mom died, leaving Ash responsible for the survival of the bees.

She wasn’t sure if she could have endured the loss of her mother if it weren’t for her recent marriage to Caleb Solomon. She had known him ever since she and her mom moved to Beartooth. He had been her best friend growing up, now he was her husband and partner in life.

“I’m heading out to check the hives if you want to come along,” Ash said as she finished lacing up her worn-out sneakers.

“Sure, just let me finish this last arrow, and I’ll be right there,” Caleb replied.

Ash walked into the bedroom. Caleb’s worktable, where he made bows, arrows, and leather goods, was located in the corner. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her chin on his shoulder.

“So, how many arrows does this make?”

“I’ve got thirty short ones for the kids and fifty each of two different lengths for adults. Ideally, each shooter should have customized lengths, but since I’m building arrows for the entire community, that isn’t feasible,” he replied.

Shortly before they got married, the Community Leadership Board, or CLB, asked Caleb to make twenty bows and as many arrows as he could, and teach the residents to shoot. They thought it would be wise to increase the number of community hunters since Caleb had done most of it ever since one of the founders of Beartooth died over ten years ago, and to have some means to defend themselves against possible human and animal intruders.

“Along with teaching people to shoot, maybe you need to teach them how to make their own bows and arrows. As the community continues to grow, no one can expect you to do it all. We’ve got quite a bit on our plates,” Ash said.

They had been married less than six months, but so much had happened in that short time. The good times and the bad had only brought them closer together. They made a trip into the wild and barely escaped with their lives. Ash’s mom died, the first SAI threatened the bees’ survival and the community’s food supply, and she learned that Beartooth wasn’t as safe and idyllic as she always imagined it to be. Not all citizens could be completely trusted.

“Take your time. I’ll go out back and water the tree seedlings, grape cuttings, and potato seed starts. Just come get me when you’re ready to go.”

Ash went outside behind the cabin to the area where she and her mom had spent so many years building new frames for the beehives and maintaining a community plant nursery. She missed her mom every day, especially when she visited the hives or came out here to work.

Their garden was located on the opposite side of the cabin. Ash, along with all the other residents of Beartooth, had planted their gardens, though a little later than usual due to SAI. Normally, by mid-June her crops would be well-established, but this year’s delay in planting set everything back. Despite the delay, the delicate shoots of lettuce, spinach, and other quick-growing plants poking through the dirt offered hope that food would be available to them.

As Ash checked the garden and the potted plants in the plant nursery, she was relieved to see all the new growth. It was the first garden she had ever planted without her mom’s help, and it was thriving.

“Ready,” Caleb said as he walked up with his quiver slung over his shoulder and his longbow in his hand.

Ash looked up and smiled at him but doubted she had been able to hide her melancholy reflections.

He set his bow down and took her in his arms. “I hate seeing you look so sad every time you come back here or go to the hives. It hasn’t been long since we lost your mom, but the pain will eventually fade. It will get easier, I promise.”

“I know. I miss her so much, but I also feel a lot of pressure. Crops and gardens used to roll through the seasons from planting heat-tolerant and sun-loving plants in the spring and then phasing into more cool-season plants as the length of the days shortened to ensure we had fresh produce year-round. Mom knew what to plant and when, but now everyone will be looking to me. Mom was a trained entomologist and horticulturist. I’ve just learned by working with her since going to college is not an option for our generation. With the aerosol injections throwing our tried-and-true planting methods and timing all out of whack, I’m in new territory here.”

Ash stepped out of his arms and donned her floppy hat while Caleb picked up his bow. They left the shade of the work area and headed toward the hives.

“Everyone is in the same boat. Dad and Dillon are scrambling to figure out what will now grow on the farm, the Fergusons are concerned about fruit production, the Thorns are worried about feed for the ranch animals if grazing is impacted next winter, and everyone has their own garden to worry about. We all know it will be different now. Even if your mom was still here, it would be new territory for her too. No one will expect you to know all the answers. But we’re a resilient community, and I have no doubt we’ll figure it out.”

“I wish I had as much confidence in me as you do.”

“You should. You’re great at everything you try. In the last six months you’ve conquered archery and bow hunting, horseback riding, self-defense, and you’re the best partner and wife a man could possibly hope for,” he said, as he took her hand.

After a few minutes, they passed the Solomon family farm on their way to the hives. They waved to Caleb’s dad, Owen, and his brother, Dillon, who were out in the field inspecting the crops. They were too far away to call out to, so they kept walking.

Ash loved Caleb’s family. They had rallied around her and helped her through a very difficult time. Ash was an only child. Her dad died when she was so young that she had no memories of him. Owen helped fill that role from the time she and her mom moved to Beartooth. Dillon and Caleb’s sister, Miranda, were the siblings she never had and always wanted, and his mom, Olivia, tried her best to fill the void left by her mom’s passing.

“It sure does feel good to see green fields,” Caleb said.

“Yes, and I don’t think the bees experienced much of an over-winter die-off, so they’ll be out in force pollinating your dad’s crops and the blossoms on the Ferguson’s fruit trees shortly,” Ash replied.

Ash enjoyed working with the bees and was happy they had survived the winter as well as they had.  Bees had been part of her life ever since she could remember. Losing them would feel like losing family.

 

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