“It’s too hot,” I said, followed by another yawn.
Boggs leaned his head to each side, cracking his neck. I hated the sound. I took notice of the bandage that covered where I had bitten him, and frowned.
“How’s your neck?” I asked.
“It feels better, Zo. Really. Please at least sip at your soup?”
I nodded and picked the mug back up. I blew on it for awhile then sipped at the broth. It felt soothing going down my throat.
“It’s good” I said. “Just like when I was a kid.”
“My mom used to cook it for me too. Especially on cold days.”
“Boggs?”
“Hmm?” he articulated while swallowing a mouthful of soup.
“Would it be rude to take our mattress upstairs tonight?”
“I think it’d be ok. I’ll have Gus help me later.”
“I heard my name?” asked Gus quizzically as he entered the room.
“Zoe wants us to take the mattresses back upstairs for the night.”
Gus was nursing his own mug of soup, and handed me a large glass. I took it in my free hand and looked inside.
“Milk?”
“Susan packed it up for you and Abbey,” said Gus.
My heart melted toward the other woman just a tiny bit.
“That was really nice of her,” I said.
I set my soup down on the coffee table and drank the instant milk greedily. It was cold from the well water and made me feel better almost instantly.
Gus sat down on the loveseat kiddy corner to us.
“Nathan and I were talking. We think we should hunker down here for a few days. Refine our plans for moving. Rest up. What do you two think?” asked Gus.
My heart soared.
“I like the idea,” I said.
“It would be nice to rest for a few days,” added Boggs. “I just worry about whatever that shit was in the yard the other day. Whoever did that is still out there.”
Gus sighed. “That’s my worry too.”
Abbey and Kelsey filed into the room, with Nathan and Susan behind them. I could hear Emilie still fiddling around in the kitchen.
“We can take shifts,” suggested Nathan. “At least three of us awake at a time.”
“Sounds smart,” said Susan. “That way we won’t be short of places to sleep, either.”
“Do you all mind if I sleep first?” I asked. “I’m not sure I can stay awake.”
“We all insist, Zoe,” answered Gus. “Boggs, you go ahead and go with her. Kelsey, Abbey, you two can take our room. Em won’t mind staying up, or she can sleep on the couch.”
“Gee, thanks Gussie,” answered the redhead, who had silently joined us. I knew by her tone that she was just teasing him.
“Aww, c’mon Red, we’ll have fun,” Gus joked back.
“Oh, I’ll show you fun when we take our turn going to bed and I make you sleep on the floor.” Emilie swatted Gus playfully as she sat down beside him. He stayed in character as a gentleman and didn’t reply or play into her teasing in front of the rest of us.
I looked over at Kelsey, who had settled in beside her sister on the floor by the fireplace. Abbey’s blood-splattered braids were now undone, her hair clean and falling down her back.
“Abbey, you look nice,” I commented. “Your hair’s so pretty down.”
“Thanks, Zoe,” she said. I could tell she was blushing. She must have decided on a cold shower after all. “I found shampoo in the linen cabinet. It smells like strawberries.”
I felt bad for the girl. She seemed so sad.
“Abbey, how old are you?” I asked.
“Eleven. My birthday was in October.”
“Happy birthday,” I said. “What kind of books do you like to read?”
“Mostly fantasy and stuff. Sci-fi.”
“Cool,” I answered.
“Ok, let’s get you all set up for bed,” interrupted Gus.
“Zoe, why don’t you go take a hot bath while the boys carry the mattresses upstairs? I’ll help Em with cleaning up from dinner,” suggested Susan. I found myself wondering why she was suddenly being so sweet to me. Maybe it was having Nathan around.
“Sounds great,” I said. “If you don’t mind Em?”
“Of course not, Zoe. You go ahead. Take Boggs with you. We’ll get Kelsey and Abbey settled and have your bed ready for when you’re done,” said Emilie.
Boggs and I walked the stairway together, with me in the lead. We turned into the familiar bathroom and Boggs shut the door behind us. He had brought a candle up with us, and lit it while I began to draw a bath.
“It’s so cold in here,” I said quietly.
“I think the temperature’s dropping again. We might end up stuck here for awhile.”
“Do you think we’ll ever make it to the island?” I asked.
“Let’s not worry about that for tonight, Zo. Let’s just clean up and sleep.”
I sighed.
“Take your clothes off,” instructed Boggs. “Let’s get soaking.”
“You’re coming in with me?” I asked.
“Ya, if that’s ok?”
I nodded. “Sure. That’d be nice, Boggs.”
I watched as he pulled his shirt up over his head. I took notice that his chest was looking more muscular than just a few weeks back. Between that and the cross tattooed on his chest, something deep within me stirred. Once his head was freed of his shirt, he caught me staring at him. He smiled warmly, a look of longing on his face. He unzipped his jeans and slipped them down his legs. Stepping out of them, he was left standing in his boxers. My heart skipped a beat.
“Zoe, stop gawking and get undressed.”
I nodded and slipped my sweat pants down, my eyes still not leaving the sight of the gorgeous man before me. I slipped the worn flannel shirt off, and pulled my t-shirt over my head. I watched as Boggs took off his underwear and stepped into the warm water. It was obvious that at least part of him was excited to see me undress. Finally breaking my eyes away from him, I turned around and slipped my panties and bra off. I looked in the mirror, focusing on my hair. I untied the braid that fell over my right shoulder and let my loose hair fall down just past my shoulders. I could feel Boggs’ gaze on my backside.
“Zoe, come in with me?” his voice was laced with a hint of pleading.
I turned, naked, to face him. The light that was streaming through the small bathroom window was now gone, leaving the bathroom bathed in candle light that cast moving patterns across Boggs and the walls. The effect of the light reflecting off of the bathwater was mesmerizing. I slowly stepped toward the bathtub, keeping my gaze focused on Boggs. His eyes were wide, a look of shock forming on his face.
“Boggs? What’s wrong?” I asked, worry already growing deep within me.
“Zoe…your hip…” his voice trailed off. His hands were on the sides of the bathtub, as if he were ready to jump out and come to me.
I twisted slightly and looked down at the hip I had injured on the day that the dead had first risen. It had healed weeks ago, but green streaks remained as a reminder of the cruel fate I was to bear. The green streaks had darkened since I had last looked at it, and were spreading upward toward my belly. They fanned out in an intricate pattern as if reaching toward the baby growing within me. I startled, my breath catching in my chest. I looked up at Boggs, feeling helpless.
“Boggs? What’s happening to me?”
He was already standing beside the bathtub, dripping water all over the floor. He knelt before me, inspecting the lines marring my complexion. I was beginning to tremble. The green streaks looked as if they were death itself trying to claim the life of my child.
Boggs placed a warm hand on my cold skin. His touch instantly helped calm me.
“I’m not sure, Zo. Does it feel different?”
“Just achy, but it always does after I’ve been near the dead.”
He shifted so that he was on both knees and wrapped himself around me tightly, resting hi
s head low on my belly.
“Zoe, you’re freezing,” he mumbled into my skin. “We’ll have Gus look you over later, but right now let’s just warm up.” He pulled his head back and looked up at me. “Ok?”
I nodded. “Ok.”
Boggs stood and held me close. He kissed my forehead before stepping into the warm water, and then helped me balance while I stepped in after him. The warm water on my feet was so relaxing that I sagged against Boggs. He turned me around so that I was facing away from him and then slowly lowered me into the water. I slumped between his legs and let my body relax one muscle at a time as I settled in against his chest. The warmth, quiet, and comfort brought my thoughts to earlier in the day. Despite the horrors of fighting the horde of living dead and the terror of coming face to face with one of them earlier in the day, I had been left craving more of the peaceful sensation that I had experienced while face to face with evil.
“You falling asleep?” whispered Boggs.
I shook my head back and forth. “No.”
“Your breathing slowed. You seemed so relaxed.”
I turned around enough to look up into his eyes.
“Boggs, it was amazing.”
“What was, Zo?”
“That Runner. It showed me somehow. Our baby. I can’t describe it very well. It was something I felt, not something I saw. Total peace. Warmth.”
Boggs stroked my hair back from my face.
“You really think it knew about the baby?” he asked.
I nodded. “I wish I could explain how I know, but it wasn't going to hurt me. Because of the baby.”
Boggs reached his hand around me and placed his hand low on my belly. He looked deep in thought, his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed slightly. I reached up and ran a wet hand through his loose curls, causing his face to relax.
“Let’s get cleaned up and get to bed,” I whispered.
The water had cooled and before long our hair was washed, our bodies scrubbed, and our teeth brushed using the old fashioned finger-and-toothpaste method. Wrapped in towels, we left the bathroom and crossed the hallway to our bedroom.
True to their word, Susan and Emilie had made our bed for us. It was a modest display of mismatched sheets and blankets that had been turned down to the foot of the bed. It looked so inviting. A candle had been lit and set on the table beside the bed, filling the room with a glow that mimicked warmth. In truth the room was ice cold. My damp hair wasn't helping matters. Boggs walked up behind me and gently unwrapped the towel from around my body, leaving me nude. His fingers gently traced the green lines that were spreading upward from my hip. With his other hand he moved my hair away from my neck and kissed me gently there. I could feel his arousal behind me, pressing into me hot and hard.
“Boggs, are you sure?” I whispered, turning to face him. “Are you sure you want to be this close to me?”
He hushed me by kissing me firmly on the mouth, his tongue parting my lips. My heartbeat sped up and I surrendered into his arms. I felt him lift me, and I was suddenly on my back on the bed. He climbed on top of me, his face near my own.
“Zoe,” he whispered, his voice deep. “I never want to not be close to you. Ever. You’re my life, my love.”
His words were so tender they brought tears to my eyes, which I fought back.
“Zo, look at me.”
I did as instructed, locking eyes with him. His face was well sculpted, his jaw strong, his eyes piercingly blue. The candle light made his complexion appear soft and unflawed. I reached a hand up and felt his exaggerated five o’clock shadow. He closed his eyes and turned his face into my palm, as if trying to breathe me in. I saw a single tear fall from his left eye.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled his face down to mine, kissing him deeply.
“I’m so sorry this is all happening,” I said.
“I’m just glad we have each other, Zoe,” he moaned.
In the next moment he rolled over and pulled me on top of him. As if the most natural thing in the world, his erection found its way deep inside of me. My lover thrust his pelvis up to meet me as I ground myself down against him. I found his hands and held them for balance while I arched my back. I looked down and saw that my nipples were erect both from the joy of our union, and also from the cold in the room. The sight of my own arousal drove me wild and I felt my body betray me with a ripple of pleasure that came far too soon. Feeling spent and on the fine edge of exhaustion, I slumped down onto Boggs while he still needed to find his own release. I found myself abruptly tossed onto my back again, and suddenly being made love to with enthusiasm of which I was unaccustomed to. I sensed that he was making love to me as if it may be the last time we’d ever be together. Boggs was loud as he thrust into me with desperation, his moans reaching a crescendo as he found his own indescribable joy. He rolled onto his side, and covered us both with the blankets that were at the end of the bed. Both gasping for breath, we lay side by side holding each other as we drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 11
Our night back at the cabin had led to new snow. We had taken a vote on staying or trying to leave in the Suburban, which would have meant leaving the step van behind. In the end all but Susan and Nathan had voted to stay until the weather cleared. Life continued without upset as days turned to nights and repeated over and over as we all did our best to not get in each other’s hair. Our plans to have two people awake at all times had faded as the threat of danger seemed to wane. Abbey and Kelsey had taken over the single bed in Susan’s room and she and Nathan had decided to make a love nest in the attic space using two bean bags that Nathan had brought from the other house for Abbey. At this point the attic was just barely colder than the rest of the cabin. Nights were long and we spent most of the time playing cards and talking, and getting to know each other better. Abbey was slowly coming out of her shell. She had a charming sense of humor with a magical laugh. I found myself drawn to the little girl. I also noticed that Emilie often had a pained look on her face when around Abbey, likely because she reminded her of her own younger brother.
Our food supplies were depleting and we were all starting to worry. We had begun hunting again, but game was scarce. A squirrel or rabbit was a special treat and vegetables and fruit were now nonexistent. Fish from the lake was our main source of protein and even those were dwindling. For this time of year, snowfall was much less than we’d have expected here in the mountains. It should have been feet deep by now, not merely inches. Some of us were starting to wonder if the unusual weather and the rising of the dead might be connected somehow. Gus was still our resident time-keeper and said it was near the middle of December. Emilie and I had started working on plans to celebrate Christmas but never settled on any solid ideas. We had fun dreaming, though. A huge turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Pecan pie. My appetite had started to return with a vengeance, and not being able to do anything about it was torture. I had taken notice that all of us were looking leaner.
By now Gus had examined me. He said there was little he could do without an ultrasound machine, and even then he’d be at a loss as to how to operate one. He said the green streaks on my hip may be darkening and spreading outward in response to pregnancy hormones. He was worried about my weight loss. He and Emilie did their best to reassure me that everything was likely fine, and that we just had to trust nature. I wasn't so sure, since nature was doing a terrible job of things lately.
We had been back at the cabin for close to two weeks. Nights had grown longer than days and sleeping late was always tempting. I’m not sure what caused me to climb out of bed so early in the morning. By the time my feet hit the cold floor in our bedroom, I knew something was wrong. The air was heavy. It was only seconds before I began choking on the smoke that was collecting at the peak of our sloped ceiling. We were in the habit of leaving the doors to our rooms open at night in case we needed the others in an emergency. It seemed safest, and had become comfortable.
�
�Boggs!” I choked out as loudly as I could manage. “Boggs!”
The urgency in my voice immediately woke him. He sat bolt upright.
“Emilie! Gus! Fire!” I screamed. “Susan! Oh my God! Kelsey!” I shouted. I flew the rest of the way out of bed, nearly tripping on the blankets.
“Zoe!” shouted Boggs as he tumbled out of bed. “Stay near me!”
“Emilie!” I heard Gus yell from across the hall.
The next moments were filled with chaos and confusion as we all began to gather in the smoke-filled hallway. The smell of soot was becoming sickening. I could feel heat coming from the floor below our feet.
“It’s downstairs,” said Boggs between coughing fits.
Emilie was grabbing onto Boggs, who clung to me. Susan and Nathan were scrambling down from the attic space, skipping many of the rungs on the ladder.
“We have to get out, now,” said Gus in his usual tone of authority. “It’s no good trying to go down the stairs. Get into Susan’s bedroom, quick!”
Voices became mixed in a panic as we all fumbled through the heavy smoke toward Susan’s old room. It became so incredibly difficult to breathe.
“On the ground!” said Boggs. “The air will be clearer on the ground!”
I felt my best friend and lover pull on my arm until I was on my knees. “Zoe, go with Susan and Emilie. I’ll be right behind you,” he said to me. “Stay low!”
I heard glass breaking from downstairs. It sounded as if the fire was alive and ravenous. The smell of burning fabric and plastic stung my nose and my lungs now felt as if they too were burning.
“Boggs, we need to get the guns,” choked out Gus. “Nathan! Get the girls to the window!”
One of the girls pulled me forward. I wasn’t sure which one. Our crawl to Susan’s old room was a flurry of confusion in the dark. I reached back several times hoping to feel Boggs or Gus, but didn’t. The sound of metal bending under the pressure of the heat downstairs deafened me for a moment.
“We have to get out,” cried Susan. “We have to get out!”
“The window,” said Emilie, choking on the toxic smoke, barely able to speak.
The Grace Series (Book 2): Tainted Grace Page 11
