by Angela White
“Sure. We’ll sneak back in when it’s quiet and not have to listen to Shawn’s rant.”
Marc leaned down and kissed her.
His hand slid around to rest on her stomach and Angela felt the tears rise. It wasn’t fair. She had Marc and leadership, and now the baby, but in the end, she would only have one of those things and she knew it.
Trying hard to fight the depression, Angela cuddled in Marc’s big arms and stopped fighting the drowse.
Marc felt her sag and shifted so that she was under his arm. He covered her up again and sat there holding her as the night slowly passed. In his fantasies, this was most of what they did. Sex with her was as amazing as he’d thought it would be, but when it all came down, Marc knew these stolen moments were what would hold them through.
He ran a hand over her soft curls. “We’ll find a way,” he whispered.
Inside, his voice was warning that might not be possible, but Marc didn’t listen. Even if they lost the war and had to run, at least they would be together.
All around Lookout Mountain, couples were coming to the same realizations of what was important to them.
4
Evening mess started out quiet.
Shawn, unofficial leader until Angela’s return, walked through the eating people with a sense of pride. It had been hectic, but he’d done it. Marc and Angie had been gone since noon. It was now six o’clock and the camp was still here and alive. He’d done well.
“Just took these messages,” Kevin stated, coming up to hand Shawn a small stack of notes. He quickly headed back to the radio, not looking toward the mess yet. Cynthia was there, along with the new group of male fans who were hoping for a shot with her. Kevin wasn’t going to be drawn into that mix. He hadn’t made a choice yet.
Shawn was busy reading.
We’ll be back later. Hold it together.
“Ah, man,” he groaned. More hours of listening to the men brag and the women nag. Great.
The next note was longer and so was the third. They were instructions for two people here. Shawn followed Kevin to the radio first.
“Hey, boss says–”
“I know!” Kevin snapped. “I took it, recall it?”
Shawn snorted and went the other way. Kevin’s tone had been joking, but Shawn knew the stress was finally getting to him. The more Cynthia ignored him, the worse it would get.
Shawn rotated, intending to head for the mess, and drew up in surprise. Kendle was next to him with her hand out.
“I believe that’s mine.”
Shawn handed it over with a friendly glance. “Welcome to Safe Haven.”
“I’ve been here for almost a week,” she pointed out, not bothering to open the envelope. She’d already pulled the words from his mind.
“Yeah, but now you’re one of us,” Shawn said, motioning toward the note. “She put you to work. You checked out. You can stay.”
Kendle walked away without responding. The chances of her staying here and trying to build a life, while watching Marc and Angela, was zero. She was doing her part for her country, but after that, who knew? Maybe she’d find her way back to Pitcairn. A few of the residents there might have survived and once she burnt down Kraft Manor, she might even be able to sleep.
Shawn got in line at the mess, hoping the coffee was fresh, He noticed silence from the corner. The rest of the fighters were eating and chatting, but that far corner held three people and a tense silence that drew Shawn.
“Is there a problem here?” Shawn asked, joining them.
Kenn and Tonya were on one side, with Adrian on the other. All three of them were scowling so hard that Shawn could see steam coming from their noses.
“That’s your call,” Adrian stated, dropping his spoon into the soup. “But I’d keep an eye on the table next to us. There’s been a lot of bs over there.”
Shawn found that crowded table and sent a nasty glower over the team of rookies. He spoke to Adrian, but didn’t look away from the now listening men and women. “What type of bs?”
“It seems there’s a bet on how many soldiers they’ll kill.” Adrian informed the temporary leader. “Maybe they’ve forgotten those men are American survivors who are being forced to fight for the government.”
Shawn agreed with both sides, as did the mess of fighters now listening. He waited for more, aware that Adrian had just set him up to hand out a punishment.
“Guess how they’re proving it?” Kenn spoke up, angry enough to start a brawl.
Shawn suddenly didn’t want to know.
“They plan to chop off thumbs and count them after it’s all over.”
Disgust and disapproval filled the area, and heads at that table went down.
Shawn knew exactly what to do, thanks to Marc’s mentioning this yesterday. “If Brady hears that, he’ll rip you apart with his bare hands.”
Concern came and Shawn could have let it go. Instead, he drilled in his point, like Angela would have. “I’m going to tell him. I won’t ruin his night with it when he hits the gates, but before you wake up in the morning, he’ll know.”
“And then so will Angie,” Tonya commented. “Bet you guys just lost your runs.”
The table was properly scolded now, pale, heads down, cheeks red. It was a good correction moment for Shawn, who had never thought to see himself in this position.
Shawn went to refill his mug as the table of rookies slowly cleared out, with each of them going in different directions.
Conversations resumed, most of them about what had just happened. Shawn was relieved that the fighters seemed satisfied with how he had handled the trouble. Maybe this leadership stuff wasn’t quite as bad as he’d thought.
Shawn swept the distance, where the faint lights from the Indian camps around them twinkled like a thousand fireflies. It was beautiful.
“Does he look smug to you?” Greg asked Billy. They were at one of the smaller tables, opposite Adrian’s corner. The center table was empty.
“Later,” Billy directed. “Check out the hounds.”
Greg casually glanced over to see Cynthia was surrounded again. The single men in camp were hounding her constantly, trying to take Kevin’s place. Cynthia appeared annoyed but not angry. The six men of various levels sitting with her were arguing and getting louder. In another minute or so, Shawn would have to intervene.
“Will it be any of those?” Billy asked, returning to his food.
“Doubt it,” Greg answered, and let out a belch. “Who do you have odds on?”
Billy scanned the mess and settled on the man coming under the awning. “That one.”
Greg saw who it was and chuckled. “He’s on my list. I also thought about…”
Greg used Eagle code to send the name.
Billy hadn’t considered that and spent a moment running it through. “Interesting. Are we betting?”
“Sure,” Greg agreed. “What are you willing to lose to me?”
The wording drew Billy’s fun side out and he lowered his voice. “If you’re right, I’ll trade you my next watch duty over the showers.”
“That’s good,” Greg admired. All the males liked the post. They had too much honor to peep through steamy windows, but the sight of women in towels running for the tents was always welcome.
“And if you’re wrong?” Billy prompted.
Greg made sure his prize was of equal value. “I’ll take your next shift over Bingo time.”
“Done!” Billy laughed, surprised at the good feel here despite their leader being out of camp. He’d thought Adrian might have to take charge.
“You son of a…!”
Shawn went flying by their table an instant later to break up the fight.
Greg sighed. “Should we help?”
Billy shrugged. “I think he’s got it covered.”
The sound of punching, wrestling, and debris scattering rang through the mess as the two senior Eagles calmly finished their meal.
It took Shawn a few minutes to get
the males sent on chores and to their tents, and he stormed through the mess, glowering at the Hounds. Most of the guards had rushed in to help, but Shawn had still taken several swings and he wasn’t feeling like life was quite as beautiful anymore.
As he stomped by their table, Billy and Greg exchanged small grins and began cleaning up their garbage. Everyone wanted the job until it belonged to them.
5
The campfire group was still gathering in the evening and it was no different now, despite so many of their people not being here. A dozen fighters were on buckets and stools close to the center flames, with another dozen standing or sitting on the cold ground around them. The fire popped occasionally and low laughter occasionally rang out, lending to the impression that things were calm. Everyone knew it was an illusion, but the need for one last night of peace was prevalent. Even the camps of soldiers were enjoying their last hours.
The only ones who weren’t relaxing were teams who’d been sent out early, and the Mexicans, who Angela had ordered to patrol their southern perimeter so they could get to their own land quickly if the government sent troops there. It had also been to keep them away from Safe Haven, to please Marc.
As the night wound down, couples began leaving the fire for an hour of intimacy before sleep and their noises rolled across the camps, bringing jealousy and amusement.
Shawn felt neither of those things. He had a black eye from breaking up the fight in the mess. He also had a pounding headache from dealing with the female fighters who had a constant stream of questions, like “Um, if I need to pee, can I just go in my blind?” and “They were green and we wear black. That’s how I can tell who the enemy is right?”
Shawn had realized he was being razzed after Crista had leaned over and whispered, “I think my compass is broken. The needle only points north.”
Shawn shook his head at Li Sing, who’d stayed behind to cook for the fighters. Shawn couldn’t take any more coffee. He needed a couple Tums.
“Shawn to the QZ.”
Shawn groaned, but went that way without dragging his feet. He observed Daryl trailing Charlie and Tracy from the campfire and found himself thinking that after the teenager and his chosen female participated in this war, there wouldn’t be a need to guard them anymore. Charlie was about to become a man.
“We have a group coming up, say they’re answering a call from the alpha,” the gate guard informed him.
Shawn viewed the five fighters with interest. All of the Eagles had been told to expect more descendants for the fight, but only a few had come or been found.
All five of the men carried kits and were loaded with weapons. Shawn counted ten handguns, seven knives, and even two crossbows, something Safe Haven didn’t have many of. These men had come prepared to battle.
“Let them in,” Shawn chose. “QZ for now. Tell Angela as soon as she gets back. Someone get a tent up for them.”
“The alpha is not here?” one of the men questioned. He was taller, darker and meaner looking than the others. “We will go to her.”
“She took a break,” Shawn informed them coolly. “You’ll wait here for her.”
All of the new men bristled at the tone, but their leader wisely didn’t argue. “We will wait where you tell us. We will keep our gear.”
Shawn motioned to where a QZ tent was already being erected. “Stay in the taped-off area. She’ll be back later tonight.”
Vario led his group to the large tent.
Shawn liked it when the fighters casually took over the setup, freeing the Safe Haven people. Those guards stepped back and observed their newest companions.
Unlike the Safe Haven descendants, these men used their gifts openly. It was fascinating to watch them communicate and get the canvas erected without knowing how. It was clear they’d never dealt with such large tents, but the men had it up correctly only a few minutes after starting. Shawn thought they’d taken the images from the minds of those watching.
“They did,” Adrian stated. He’d joined Shawn as the show began and stayed quiet, reading their new members.
“Are they okay?” Shawn asked, forgetting whom he was talking to.
“That’s not my call anymore,” Adrian answered. “But I’d tell you if I thought letting them in was a mistake.”
Shawn took that as a good sign. He turned to ask Adrian when he was going to explain everything and found the man gone. He spotted him ducking into the only other QZ tent up and was satisfied that Adrian planned to stay close to the new people just in case.
Shawn headed for the last of his rounds through the tents and flushed as he passed the first one and heard what was taking place inside.
He hurriedly moved on, but it seemed like every canvas he strolled by had a couple inside reminding themselves of why they were a couple. For the guards, it was torture.
Shawn stomped through, seeing Tracy’s flap was open and the couple was in separate bedrolls. The same was true of Kyle and Jennifer, though that flap was only half way open. Shawn didn’t care enough over the minor violation to react and made it to the showers without hearing any other couples.
He stepped into the dark camper to relieve himself and drew up short at the sight of Dog and Star. The canines were sniffing and growling, set to mate.
The wolf looked up guiltily. Sorry. I broke.
Shawn stormed back out, slamming the door. “It’s everywhere!”
Chapter Six
Past Emotions
September 2nd
Labor Day Morning
1
Kendle glared at the large woman in front of her, arms crossed over her chest. “I’m not a cook.”
Linny glared, holding out the basket of freshly harvested green beans. “We work for everyone, not ourselves. You wanna eat, do it.”
Kendle snatched the basket and stomped to the benches, where a small group of women and men were cutting and cleaning the harvest. She didn’t mind helping, but the people here were treating her as if she had tried to come between Marc and his all-perfect Angela.
“Wasn’t even that good of a kiss,” she muttered. The memory of it flashed in her mind and she immediately stiffened. It was easy enough to shake off as the talking and laughter floated around her, but at night that was a harder act to maintain. She’d gotten used to sleeping by Marc, seeing him, smelling him, hearing him. No one else was like that to her, no matter how much she tried to develop an interest. If she could find someone to tolerate, then these people would understand she wasn’t going to come between their leaders and she would be accepted, could settle in. Until that happened, her time here would be filled with careful steps and long nights.
Kendle listened to the wind blow. She caught a chill and shivered. She hadn’t felt the bite of a sharp wind in a long time. All those months on the island had conditioned her to warm breezes and loving sunlight. Here, it was bitter wind with a sharp edge and only a few hours of sun. The layer of grit was ugly, a haze that never left.
Kendle found herself wishing for Luke. He’d know how to make her feel better.
“Hey, Kendle. You doing okay?”
Kendle gave a grunt and nod to Missy as she walked by. Missy, almost as old and respected as Hilda, was her adjustment partner. They were sharing a tent, eating together, and doing chores on the same shift. Kendle hated it. Having a babysitter sucked. The only thing worse would be having no one to talk to at all.
Angela stopped behind Kendle, hating the woman despite her promise to try being friends.
Angela slid onto the bench across from the castaway with a polite tone. “How’s the harvesting work going?”
“Fine.” Kendle glared. “What do you need?”
Quick study, Angela thought. Long-winded requests and small talk weren’t big right now with the Eagles. “I have some jobs. No food involved.”
“Like what?” Kendle quipped, mood snarky. “Test for landmines?”
“We haven’t put those down yet,” Angela shot right back with a straight face.<
br />
Kendle recognized the joke, but didn’t respond. She’d felt how dangerous Angela could be, but she also felt how loved her rival was. She had to be careful.
“Not really,” Angela informed the woman. “I hate liars. So do the Eagles. If you want a life here, the truth matters.”
Kendle had heard it already, but she wasn’t about to argue with the leader of such a massive operation. When she’d heard a woman ran things, she’d been sure the female was cover for a group of men, but Angela really was in charge. Resisting, especially among this tension, wasn’t wise.
“Kendle Roberts!” Angela snapped the brunette out of her thoughts. “If I want you pissed off or happy or out of here, I’ll make it happen. When I tell you I need the truth, no matter what it is, give it to me.”
Kendle withered under the tone. She had no way to challenge, only heartache and a fierce need to…
Angela understood more than she wanted to as Kendle’s ugly thoughts flooded with the past. Some of it matched with what Marc had said, but some of it didn’t. Kendle had lied to him about what happened after she landed. If she won the battle for her life and then survived her illness, the final truth would still have to be conquered.
“You said you have work, remember?” Kendle reminded coolly, sure the leader was reading her thoughts. She hated how it felt here, how unprotected her secrets were.
“In time, you’ll be able to close those doors,” Angela stated softly. “Safe Haven heals those–”
“Save it!” Kendle barked.
Angela calmly counted to ten and went on as if she wasn’t annoyed. “One of the jobs I have will fill that need a bit, but you have to do the others, in order, first.”
“I’ve got no control,” Kendle denied. “It’s why he said I had to stay here.”
Angela locked eyes with Kendle, forcing away the guilt as she said, “If you do these things faithfully for me, I promise to find a cure or kill you when it’s all over.”
“Swear it!” Kendle’s eyes blazed. “He wouldn’t! I wanted to die, but he wouldn’t give me that either!”
