The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  “Bastard!” Kendle swore, burying her head against his chest. “God, I miss him.”

  Adrian sensed she wasn’t referring to Marc and led her into his tent. They had a lot to discuss.

  5

  “Our vehicle won’t start,” Shawn informed them when he came from back in from loading their gear. “Damn ash clogged it up.”

  Shawn took off his scarf, missing the ski mask he’d left in camp for some unknown reason. “I’m gonna go scout another set, once I make this.”

  Shawn held up a bag of coffee grounds that he had found in the trunk of a rusting car down the block.

  The lodge filled with cheering. Samantha’s bean plant had been stripped and used, and was already a memory. Li Sing had been making the coffee with chicory.

  Ten minutes later, the smell of boiling grounds had brought an eager morning chat between the seven people here. Coffee had that effect on people, even if it was cowboy style.

  “Should take us about three hours, unless we can find a road Angie didn’t destroy.”

  Angela gave the expected smile and let her fighters blow off the steam they had left. She’d given Cynthia notes on doing the same for the camp. So far, she hadn’t sensed any trouble there since the quake.

  Jennifer took her mug to the big glass windows, sipping carefully. She hadn’t cared for coffee before the war. It was another welcome change to discover that it now hit the spot perfectly.

  “Hot, dark, and bitter,” she muttered.

  Kyle heard the comment and began rooting through the cabinets. “Come on. I know you’re here.”

  The others stared in confusion as he tore through the last drawer to come up with a small yellow box. “Yes!”

  Kyle took the box to Jennifer and held it out in the palm of his hand. “How about hot, dark, and sweet? Like you.”

  Jennifer grinned, taking the sugar. “Silly.”

  “That’s me,” Kyle boasted. He took her place at the window while she doctored the mug.

  “Anyone else?” Jennifer offered.

  “Me,” Becky answered.

  Everyone else passed and Marc took the moment to scan Angela’s thoughts. The darkness hadn’t lifted. He was still worried despite bonding with the witch.

  Bonding? his demon gasped. I can’t walk and you call that gift bonding?

  Marc snickered, drawing Angela’s attention.

  “Something amuses him,” she quipped, hoping he would leave it alone until they returned to Safe Haven.

  Marc thought fast. “Cynthia and Samantha might be a bit miffed by us sitting here having a latte like it’s a commercial.”

  Angela snickered with the rest of them at the wording. She allowed her lighter side to surface for a rare moment. “You’re too cute for a coffee commercial.”

  “That is so true,” Becky chimed in. She didn’t like the speculative glances she was getting from Seth. “How about a swimming spot for the Olympics?”

  Marc’s cheeks started to redden. “I don’t think–”

  “Why not the beautiful cowboy in all those cologne shots?” Jennifer added, loving Kyle’s mock growl as much as Becky had when Seth tickled her for her comment.

  Marc’s face was steadily getting darker and Angela shrugged. “I’d need an audition before I pick. Make sure our new ride will fit a casting couch.”

  All three couples broke into laughter as Marc went scarlet and dove at her, gently tickling.

  It was a simple, sweet moment for the pairs, who didn’t get many of those. Shawn tried not to begrudge them as he joined in the teasing. He left sooner than he’d planned though, and wasn’t surprised when Dog met him outside the lodge.

  Shawn opened the passenger door to let Dog into their ride. “I’m gonna pop it in neutral and let us roll. Maybe the bumps will clear it out a bit and then she’ll fire up.”

  Dog leapt into the seat eagerly. His thoughts were still on the strangely attractive female he’d seen. For a brief moment, he thought again about tracking her down.

  Dog glanced at the door of the lodge, whining. He loved Marc… But I’m not content anymore, Dog understood suddenly. It’s almost time for me to go.

  6

  The trip back was silent and somber for most of them. Shawn’s idea had worked, saving time, but to reach Safe Haven’s location, they had to drive through part of Angela’s battlefield. It was gruesome. After days in the elements, the bodies were gory.

  Kyle saw Jennifer shut her lids and immediately understood, thanks to the witch. He slid a quick arm over and tugged her into his lap.

  His fast reaction distracted Jennifer as she huddled there tensely, aware of half the passengers frowning at him.

  You needed something else to think about, Kyle sent, adjusting so she would be more comfortable. Did it work?

  Jennifer snickered, nodding, and allowed him to settle her under an arm and over a knee, so that he could rock her. “I have a question for you.”

  Jennifer didn’t sense anything bad coming and yawned, face still turned into his chest. “Sure. What’s up?”

  “Do you think you’re ready to try the camper again?”

  Now Jennifer was completely distracted and the others were able to pick up most of the conversation and approve the technique, especially Angela, who had sent her witch out to warn all of the males that her team would need to be cared for after it was over. Men were always better at adjusting than women were. She hoped their no-nonsense attitudes about war would help her girls understand that serving the greater good in these ways wasn’t an unpardonable sin.

  “Will you be there?”

  “Only if you want me to be.” Kyle glanced down, suddenly glad to be doing this in front of witnesses. “We won. You’re safe now, and you certainly don’t need me protecting you anymore.”

  All of those things are true, Jennifer realized happily. Other than the deaths of those she loved, life could restart for her now.

  “Conner told me he healed you,” Kyle commented casually. “If you get cleared first by the doctor, I’ll even try to give us a son.”

  “Are you bribing me?” Jennifer demanded, lanced with pain. She could still feel him in her arms!

  “Yes,” Kyle admitted shamelessly. “I’d rather wait on another baby and let you heal, but if that’s what you need to be happy, I’ll try my hardest to make it happen.”

  Jennifer blushed at the eager tone, giggling. “Stop it.”

  “Whatever you need, Jenny. I mean that.”

  “I know you do. Yes.”

  Kyle gaped. “Yes?”

  She nodded, without meeting his eye. “I want a son. Give me my baby back, if you can.”

  She dissolved in sobs, emotions finally spewing.

  Kyle gathered her into his arms, murmuring nonsensical endearments as he rocked her. Once the poison was out, she would feel better.

  Jennifer’s breath gasped out, “I meant it! Don’t you b-back out on me.”

  Kyle laughed, cuddling her tighter. “Not on my life! I’d give you anything. You know that.”

  Jennifer allowed the tears to flow and eventually fell asleep that way, with drops still glistening on her dark lashes.

  Chapter Thirty

  Homecoming

  1

  Angela had instructed Cynthia to take the camp to the carpet warehouse because of the size. It was a vast complex of rooms that she hoped might still be filled with items of use. Before they reached the monstrous building, they had to cross the railroad tracks. Before they could get to them, they had to travel through the dozens of small groups that were lined up around their people.

  The Indians made up the farthest rings and Marc was glad to see that Grendin, Natoli, and Atolius had survived the battles. He would tell them about Red Stone, though they already knew. It was the proper way, so that the Indian’s body could be retrieved by his mourning people.

  After the Indians, came a surprise to some of those in the truck. The remaining soldiers, now moving away from the road as Eagles r
ushed toward the convoy, appeared to have been disarmed and were under guard. Angela had vowed not to leave a single enemy alive. Less than one hundred had survived, and only because she hadn’t been willing to kill any more of her own people just to have a perfect tally. It was intimidating.

  As the small convoy rolled by, shouts of support and cheering began to echo. The wave of sound drew waiting people from their tents and the sides of the road quickly filled with Eagles, Indians, soldiers, and descendants.

  Angela tried not to cry. My people!

  They love you.

  Marc stiffening next to her told Angela that he’d heard Adrian’s message. She chose to ignore it, but was surprised when Marc waved a hand at her to continue before falling into a discussion with Shawn on their remaining fuel.

  I’ll be there soon.

  Angela ducked her head to give herself the illusion of privacy. You should go north. Nothing good waits for you here.

  I’m coming in.

  There were survivors in Canada. You heard his thoughts. You could start over.

  Not without you.

  She sighed again. Then come home and face what you’ve done.

  Thank you.

  Don’t thank me! she sent sharply. I traded your life for the sheep and then for Marc, and I’d do it all over again!

  That’s what I’m grateful for, Adrian confessed, relishing the feel of her, even the part that now loathed him. You’ve reacted exactly as I needed you to and the result is coming into view. Enjoy their love. You’re worthy of it.

  Angela felt him shut the door between them and was relieved that he hadn’t said more. She had begun to suspect that Adrian had manipulated her into what she’d done at the bunker, but hadn’t allowed herself to actually spend time thinking about it. Now, she added up the clues as they came to her, not enraged like he probably expected her to be. How could she be, when the goal had been reached? Did it matter that she hadn’t known her destiny until the grand plan was being drawn up? Did it matter that she wouldn’t be here to control the new future she’d started? Only time would tell.

  The convoy, now larger from an Eagle escort, rolled across the railroad tracks to find another group under guard. The Mexicans were waiting to speak to her about their leader. The sentries here were thicker than on the soldiers. Most of the Mexican army had gone south after fighting with Marc. Only Sebastian and his main men had shown up for round two and there were roughly fifty of them left. They glowered at the happy reception with hatred. Their leader hadn’t made it back. They wanted to know why.

  The new groups of descendants were also staying close to the Mexicans, and Marc was sure that had kept Eagle guards alert. If the descendants thought the heavily-armed men were a problem, than they probably were.

  “Don’t get out until I clear it,” Marc tossed over his shoulder and then went back to his talk with Shawn. Fuel was important.

  Angela hadn’t planned on it. The rebellious thoughts of the Mexican’s were already forcing another choice that she didn’t want to have to make.

  “I can handle it,” Jennifer stated from the backseat. She was also monitoring thoughts and didn’t like what she was finding.

  “No,” Angela denied. “It’s covered.”

  “You’re the boss. Do you need me right now?”

  “Not with your daughter yelling that way. You are off duty until morning.”

  “Nice,” Kyle commented. “Me too, boss?”

  Angela winced, glad Marc’s back was to her. “For a bit.”

  Marc hadn’t missed her reaction, but he had other pressing concerns as Charlie stormed from the flag-decorated warehouse with a thunderous face and clenched fists.

  Angela’s mental sigh was awful to hear. Leave him alone. I’ve earned this and much worse.

  Marc scowled, but didn’t interfere as the truck stopped and Charlie began screaming.

  The accusations were spat with a teenager’s lack of caution and tact. Everyone listened in shock as he accused her of sending Tracy off to be beaten and raped so that she could talk the bunker into letting her keep Adrian. He then went on to connect that to her hurting Marc and then getting Crista killed.

  Angela withstood it without any reaction, but she took each arrow deep into her heart and held it tight, knowing it would fester. She was a monster.

  Charlie had gotten most of the rage out and he stared at his mom in confused betrayal. “Why?!”

  Angela swept the witnesses, seeing they too needed those answers. She’d planned on it. Angela was glad to know that the rest of her designs were coming to fruition as well, but it still hurt her deeply to see such wariness in their expressions.

  “Tomorrow morning, there will be three trials held in Safe Haven. One is for Conner Mitchel, who is accused of stalking and sexual deviance. The second is for myself. It’s a leadership vote.

  Stunned, Marc turned to her and Angela quickly finished her last orders. “The third is for Adrian. He’ll be here soon. Get three cells ready and get us locked up.”

  For almost a full minute, no one moved. It was easy to see that her voluntary surrender was likely enough, but her plans required that she play this role to the end and she would.

  The Mexicans suddenly began to cheer as the words were passed to them.

  Angela glanced at Marc. Take me into custody.

  Marc almost couldn’t do it. In the end, it was the witch and her whispers of the grand plan that allowed him to take her arm and motion for Shawn to get her other side. Angela was lethal and he still had to train his men. Like those who’d come before him, Marc was going to use every moment as a tool.

  Marc led her through the silently gaping crowd and into the warehouse. He’d already used his grid ability to find the brig.

  “Thank you.”

  Charlie spun around to find Tracy standing by the flap of their tent. She’d chosen to have some time alone and no one had argued once the doctor had cleared her. It didn’t seem to bother her that the freshly dug graves were about to be filled in right next to them. Charlie did mind, but not enough to bring it up. They wouldn’t be here long anyway.

  “For what?”

  “No one ever stood up for me like that,” Tracy told him. “She doesn’t deserve it and you’re going to apologize and then make it right, but I’ll never forget it, I promise.”

  Charlie was completely confused. He followed Tracy inside their tent, sputtering reasons for the rant.

  2

  Forgotten during the show, the rest of the passengers exited. They made their way through the congratulations and into the warehouse behind Marc and Angie. Seth and Becky went toward the mess, using her mental grid to find it. Peggy and Doug exclaimed happily as she and Seth joined them.

  Angela heard and frowned at the changes in Peggy. Her public tune had changed drastically after Samantha had called her out.

  Angela swept each area they went through, noting the work that had been done to make it safe. She nodded approvingly at Ray and Dale, who were busy collecting carpeting they would need in the caves as they settled for the winter.

  Both Eagles started to rush over and then realized she was being escorted, like a prisoner. They stayed back and watched in confusion.

  Marc took her to a center room, glad of the location when he realized there might be many people who wanted her out of the way. Now would be a great time to accomplish that goal.

  “That’s the reason I told them to put the cells in the center,” Angela informed him. “I’m reaching in my pocket.”

  She would act like what she was–a suspect awaiting her judgment. She lit a stale smoke that had come from Donner, then handed her jacket to Marc and stepped into the cell.

  “Get her out of there!”

  They all looked at the angry woman storming into the room.

  “Right now!” Cynthia ordered. She motioned to the men with her.

  Daryl had Angela out of the cell and back into her jacket before she could protest.

  “She’l
l be held in a real room,” the reporter directed. “One with a bed, food, a bathroom, and her man. See to it.”

  Cynthia’s tone was a set order that pleased Angela. She was obeyed without question.

  Angela could feel Marc’s relief. He hadn’t been sure how long he would be okay with her crammed into a small cage.

  Behind them, Conner was being brought into the cage room, though he wasn’t shouting the way Angela had foreseen in the beginning of things. She’d put him with the wounded intentionally, hoping it would bring him a new awareness of life and death. With that, he might be able to recover.

  Angela sank down into clean sheets a few minutes later, smelling fresh-baked bread. They were giving her a hero’s welcome, doing it in ways the sheep couldn’t argue with.

  “I don’t deserve this,” she said quietly. “And I love you for it.”

  Angela was asleep in the bed a few minutes later, with Marc curled around her. They were home.

  3

  “Welcome back.”

  Kenn returned the greeting in relief. He hadn’t been sure of his reception after the glowers they’d received while they drove through the camps. Kenn had been glad when Adrian insisted he and Kendle come back together. Adrian wasn’t far behind though.

  Kenn looked to Daryl. “Where’s the boss?”

  Daryl frowned, happiness fading. “She placed herself under arrest, along with Conner. Told us to do the same to Adrian when he gets here.”

  Kenn scanned the crowd that was no longer as hostile to him now that he’d been greeted by a top level Eagle. “You won’t get him there.”

  Daryl wasn’t sure he wanted to.

  Kenn looked around again and saw very little support. Those who would help him were flashing gestures, but it wasn’t enough to control a mob. Kenn noted the armed men standing in small groups, the tense air waiting for a spark, and shook his head. “He won’t make it out of the truck.”

  Kenn spun back toward his vehicle. “If this is now how we handle justice here, tell Tonya she’ll have to come to me.”

  “Get back here!”

  Charlie’s voice was one Kenn hadn’t expected to hear. He waited for the teenager to reach him before snarling, “What?!”