A few minutes later, Travis joined her. He slid an arm around her and gave her a light hug. Despite her resolve to be a hard-ass, she rested her head on his shoulder for a few seconds. He reminded her so much of her eldest son at times, and it was nice to feel comforted.
“What’s the status?” Travis asked.
“One dead. Six permanent new members. And one guy with a bag of grenades passing through,” Nerit replied. “The salvage team managed to get into that gun store in Emorton without bringing the entire town down on them. So we should be set for at least six more months as long as we don’t get hit too hard. More boxed and canned food. Two generators. Fuel. And beauty supplies.”
Travis smirked. “Let me guess: Lenore?”
“Lenore asked and I said it was okay if it wouldn’t endanger anyone.”
Travis swept his hand over his dark curls. “It won’t hurt to get a decent haircut, I suppose.”
“Bob died,” Nerit said after a long pause.
“I know.” Travis’s shoulders slumped. “I spoke with that new guy, Dale. They were in a rescue station outside of Waco that got overrun. Two vans full of people got away, but someone in the lead van must have been bit. It went off the road and then they were swarmed.”
“That area is badly infested thanks to Hackleburg.” Nerit rubbed her cold fingers together and settled her gaze on Travis’s somber face. “I have a suggestion. We should take a break during the bad weather to get our bearings. We’ve been in overdrive, and I think people are worn out and cranky.”
“I agree. We need to take stock and plan.”
Nerit admired Travis. He was not a natural-born leader, but he was doing his best. “Having people’s attention focused on specific goals may help shake them out of their malaise.”
“Better than having a horde of zombies show up on our doorstep to get the old blood pumping,” Travis joked.
“Well, this old blood is going in before the sleet gets here,” Nerit said, patting his shoulder. She was relieved when her leg moved without much of a limp.
“See you later, Nerit,” Travis said, giving her a fond smile.
“God willing,” Nerit answered.
It wasn’t until she was in her room, listening to her old dog snore in the corner, that she realized Travis had been holding her up, giving her hip a rest until she could move again. Collapsing into a chair, a book in hand, she chuckled.
Maybe Travis was a better leader than she had given him credit for.
Cracking her romance novel open, she began to read.
3.
Dangerous Times
Katie stared down at the baby clothes strewn across her bed and felt her heart beat a little faster. Her hand settled against her slightly swollen belly as her gaze slid to Jenni’s anxious face.
“I did good, didn’t I?”
“Amazing.” Katie gently touched a blue Onesies outfit and her heart beat even faster.
“I got blue, pink, and yellow. That way, we have it covered whether it’s Jenni or Travis Jr.” Jenni set a little pink bonnet on top of her head, beaming.
“Jenni, huh?”
“It’s only natural for the baby to be named after her auntie.” Jenni posed cutely. “Why wouldn’t she be named after my fabulousness?”
Katie plucked the bonnet off Jenni’s head and traced the delicate lace with one finger. “Oh, God.” She sat on the edge of the bed and tried to calm her abruptly unsteady hands.
“Hey, you okay?” Jenni crawled over the bed to Katie’s side.
“I think so. I felt overwhelmed there for a second.” Katie forced herself to take another deep breath, embarrassed by the tears brimming in her eyes. “Maybe it’s hormones.”
“You’re okay with having a baby, right?”
Katie was surprised by the question. “Of course! Travis and I wanted this.” Jenni kept silent. She was obviously waiting for Katie to go on. “We’re trying to build a life together. Besides, someone has to be the first to have a baby in this new world.” It was good to hear her own words, to be reminded that this was her choice.
“Despite the zombies?” Jenni said in a soft, worried voice.
It was an awful testament to the devastation of the zombie plague, but there weren’t infants or pregnant women in the fort. Katie bristled slightly. “Yes. I don’t see them going away anytime soon, do you?”
“No…” Jenni sighed sadly.
“So what are we supposed to do? Stop trying to build a future because the dead decided we taste really damn good?”
“Hey, you don’t have to defend yourself to me!”
Katie rose, clutching the bonnet in one hand. “Are you sure?” She hated the swell of anger filling her. She was happy about the baby. It made her feel closer to Travis than she had ever expected. Before the dead began to attack the living, she had never seen herself as a mother. Her old life had not allowed much room for it. But this life, full of so much grief and terror, was also full of hope. The fort was secure now. It was a place of safety and community.
“My baby died. My baby was eaten,” Jenni said in a dull voice, staring at her hands. “I just don’t want anything to happen to yours.”
Katie swallowed hard. Jenni’s words reflected her own fears. “I don’t want anything to happen to anyone I love. Every time you go out there, I live in terror that you won’t come back. But I can’t ask you to stop doing what you need to do to help our fort survive. And I can’t stop my life because of those fucking zombies.”
Jenni finally directed her gaze at Katie’s face. “My old life feels so far away. The first day, it seemed like the world was suddenly empty. But it feels fuller now. Like … like … it’s coming back to life.”
Katie wrapped her arms around Jenni. “That’s because we didn’t stop living.”
Jenni snuggled into Katie’s embrace. “I know. Hell, I think I kinda went apeshit crazy trying to feel alive those first few months.”
At the memory of some of Jenni’s more insane shenanigans, Katie had to smile. “Oh, yeah. Definitely.”
“Fuck zombies.”
“Fuck ’em,” Katie agreed.
Jenni smiled and squeezed her. “I’ll teach the baby to be loca. And it will do fine, kickin’ zombie ass.”
Kissing Jenni’s cheek, Katie felt love for her friend fill her completely. It was almost overwhelming. “I know you’ll always be looking out for me and the baby.”
“You mean Baby Jenni.”
Katie rolled her eyes.
Jenni flopped onto the bed laughing, scattering the baby clothes.
CHAPTER FOUR
1.
A Little Taste of the Old World
Ken was in a fabulous mood. The air was filled with a combination of the harsh scents of bleach and hair dye and the fruity fragrances of shampoo and conditioner. His dark hair now had blond tips and his fingernails were carefully manicured. He felt more like himself than he had in ages.
The conference room that had been reluctantly turned over to him for his beauty salon was buzzing. Music played softly from a big, ancient boom box in the corner. Next to him, Lenore twisted Yolanda’s hair into a tight French braid that wound around her head while Yolanda flipped through a year-old copy of a fashion magazine. They were both sassing Felix, who was trying to ignore them as he read a book. Felix was good-looking but, Ken had discovered after flirting with him, painfully straight. Ken had been down in the dumps about being single, but now that his beauty salon was up and running, he felt better. He was much happier doing hair than working on the construction site, and he knew he was helping raise people’s spirits.
Now, nothing could dampen his mood, not even the sleet pinging against the curtained windows. If only Curtis would sit still so Ken could give him a decent haircut, all would be well.
“I think you took too much off the side,” Curtis complained.
“No, I didn’t. Sit still!”
He was having a horrible time trimming Curtis’s hair. The boy kept fidgeting. Curt
is had wanted Lenore to do his hair, but she was halfway through a ten-hour marathon, sewing in Yolanda’s new extensions. Finally the young police officer had agreed to let Ken work on him. Ken had considered poking at the guy’s homophobia, but decided against it. He was working hard to make friends and find acceptance in the fort. Riling Curtis wouldn’t do him any favors.
Curtis squirmed around in his chair. “You’re taking too much—”
Ken grabbed Curtis’s head firmly between his hands and aimed his gaze straight forward. “Stop moving.”
Yolanda flipped through the magazine for the fourth time. “When are you going to get the stuff so I can get rid of these damn press-on nails? I need some decent nails, Lenore. I’ve glued these onto my nails so many times, they’re wearing thin.”
“Maybe next time. I can’t grab beauty stuff unless the coast is clear or I’ll get in trouble. Don’t need no Vigilante tossing my fat ass over the wall.” Lenore’s nimble fingers kept braiding as she spoke. Ken marveled at her patience and stamina.
“Your ass is fine,” Felix drawled from behind his book. There was a pause as everyone looked at him. Aware of their attention, he peered over the well-worn pages. “I meant that it’s not fat. Not that it’s—”
“You saying my ass ain’t fine?” Lenore shot him a cross look, her fingers still braiding.
“I didn’t mean that!” Felix sighed heavily.
“So it is fine?” Yolanda arched both her eyebrows, gazing at his reflection in the mirror in front of her.
Ken giggled.
“Don’t answer them, Felix. They got you trapped,” Curtis advised. “They’re just being wicked.”
“You have no idea how wicked I can get.” Yolanda winked.
Ken was amazed at how red Curtis’s scalp turned under the golden strands of hair. “You made him blush, Yolanda!”
“That isn’t hard. Curtis is our sweetie, aren’t you?”
Curtis blushed even more.
“He’s always making sure everyone minds themselves and he is always supersweet and gets me coffee when I’m on duty in the communication center.” Yolanda smiled affectionately at the young man.
“It’s no big thing,” he answered awkwardly.
“Maybe he’s sweet on you,” Ken teased.
“Nah, he’s sweet on Monica,” Yolanda answered.
Curtis darted out of the chair so fast, Ken almost stuck him with his scissors. “Hey!”
“I … um … I can’t pay nothing and can’t tip you. I feel bad about that—”
Ken was done trying to be diplomatic. His wicked streak grabbed his tongue and he said coyly, “Just gimme a kiss and we’re even.”
Blinking hard, Curtis stammered, retreating to the doorway. “I think … I’ll…”
“I’m just teasing, Curtis!” Ken burst out laughing. “I wasn’t done. Sit your ass back down.”
Curtis ran his fingers over his hair, fussing with it a little. “It’ll do. See you later.” He dashed out of the room so fast, he nearly shoved Peggy back through the doorway. Mumbling an apology, he darted past her and vanished.
Peggy screwed up her face, frowning. “What is up with that boy?”
“I just teased him a little about Monica,” Yolanda confessed.
“Oh, Lord. You didn’t!” Peggy looked aghast.
“Oh, so there is dish here. Spill it!” Ken cleaned around the chair, sweeping up the bits of hair he had trimmed.
“I caught him consoling Monica in the communication center.” Peggy paused for dramatic effect. “They were naked.”
Ken almost dropped his broom. “No!”
“Oh, yeah. They were buck-ass naked and going at it. Well, actually, Curtis’s pants were around his ankles, but they were doing the naked tango just fine.” Peggy smirked as she took a seat in front of Ken.
“I will never sit in that chair again,” Yolanda declared. “Curtis’s naked pasty ass is too much for me to deal with.”
Lenore murmured in agreement. Felix sighed loudly.
“Were you next?” Peggy asked, turning to Felix.
“I have nothing better to do, so you might as well go first.” Felix cracked his book back open with dramatic flair that impressed even Ken.
“I just need a little trim and some fresh bangs.” Peggy showed Ken her abundance of split ends.
“Okay, I suggest taking two inches off the bottom, skip the bangs, and do a little bit of layering in the front instead, and let me put a lighter color in.”
“Honey, I ain’t got a man to impress no more. Just chop it so it’s easy to deal with.”
Ken frowned at the back of Peggy’s head. He wanted to make her stunning. The thought of a mere trim was too terrible to bear. He was sick of her perpetual ponytail.
“Hey, you got an opening for me? I need a serious shave and some of this hair whacked off.” The voice was big and booming, yet strangely comforting and warm.
Everyone in the room looked toward the door. A stranger stood there, tall and muscular, with a shaggy beard and a magnificent head of dark curls. Ken thought he looked like a big ol’ cuddly bear. He wanted the big man to cuddle him right up. He felt his jaw drop, but didn’t care.
“Twinkle-toes is gonna trim my hair, but you can take a seat,” Peggy answered.
“I’ll check back in, then. I gotta go find some guy named Juan,” the big man said.
“I can make time for you,” Ken managed to squeak out.
“When you’re done with me,” Peggy ordered, giving Ken a dark look.
He ignored her and took a step toward the newcomer. “I’m Ken and I’m more than willing to help you fulfill your grooming needs.”
“If that ain’t a come-on, I don’t know what is,” Lenore snorted.
“Um-hmm,” Yolanda agreed.
Ken flipped them both off.
The big guy chuckled. “It’s all good. I’ll just come back. Name’s Dale. I’m glad to meet all of you.”
“I’m Ken. The rest of these bitches are Peggy, Lenore, and Yolanda, and that’s Felix.”
“I’ll be back, Ken. Thanks.” The big guy flashed a wide grin, then left.
“You could have let him go first!” Ken wailed, whirling on Peggy.
“Oh, no way am I supporting your sinning ways. You practically threw yourself at that poor man.” Peggy folded her arms, giving him a disdainful look.
“Ugh! I hate you.” Ken pouted. “I’m chopping off your hair and dyeing it, you old bat!”
“Fine! But make it snappy!” Peggy smiled slowly. “Besides, he was kinda cute. Maybe I should look a little more presentable.”
“I’m going to shave your head,” Ken growled.
Peggy rolled her eyes. “You’d like to, but you won’t. ’Cause then I could tell everyone you ruined my hair.”
“Ugh! You’re evil!” Ken frowned, snatching up his scissors. Soon he was consumed in his task, but still thinking of the big, brawny guy with the great voice.
Hopefully, he would come back soon. Smiling, Ken snipped away as ice continued to ping against the window.
2.
Making Demands
Travis sighed the second he saw Steven Mann walking briskly down the hotel hallway toward him. This wasn’t going to be pleasant. The sleet was coming down hard, but for an instant he contemplated ducking into it to escape the tall man heading for him. The thought of being pelted by sleet was enough to keep him inside. He was trapped.
“We need to talk,” Steven began. The imposing man resembled a cowboy, from his Wrangler jeans to the Stetson on his blond head, but his keen blue eyes held the shrewd gaze of a successful businessman. Steven had conceded the mayoral election to Travis, but he was very vocal in his opposition to some of the fort’s policies.
“Make it fast. I’ve got a lot to do,” Travis answered, heading down the hall with Steven at his side.
“It’s about the situation with Monica and Blanche. I’m not pleased with how it was handled by Bill.”
“Blanche lie
d to Monica. It’s that simple.”
“It’s been very difficult for Blanche to adapt. She’s trying to fit in and she’s just not doing too well.”
Travis stopped and regarded Steven with raised eyebrows. “You’re joking, right?”
Steven crossed his arms defensively over his chest. “What do you mean?”
“Blanche does not try to fit in at all. She yells at everyone all the time and is a right, royal bitch. She lied to Monica and accused her of stealing. She also shoved my pregnant wife. So do not tell me that Blanche is trying.”
Brow puckering, Steven averted his eyes, obviously weighing his next words. “Okay. So maybe she’s not trying, but this has been difficult for her. She was raised dirt poor, but her mama always treated her like a princess. When she married me, I made sure she got everything she deserved.”
“Steven, why are you telling me all this? What do you want?”
Steven met Travis’s gaze directly and said firmly, “Blanche hates it here. She wants the Hummer back and anything you guys took from our estate. She wants to go home.”
“If you want to leave, we can give you a car, a few days of food, and a gun, but then you are on your own.” Travis hated what he was saying, but this was the law of the new world. As mayor of the fort, it was his responsibility to keep its inhabitants as safe and healthy as possible. “As for the Hummer, it is now an important part of our defense.”
“You have to return what you took.” Steven’s voice was hard and clipped.
“Steven, we salvaged your place months ago. All the food and whatever else we took went into the fort’s stores. There’s no way to know exactly what came from your place, and as for the food, it’s probably been eaten by now.” Travis set his hands on his hips and gazed steadily at Steven.
“Then give us sufficient rations to make up for what you took and return our vehicle.”
“Why are you so insistent on the Hummer?”
“It’s our property, Travis. I don’t see room for argument here.”
“Chances are, we give you the Hummer, you take off, and we’ll find you two moaning outside our walls in a few days.”
As The World Dies Trilogy Box Set [Books 1-3] Page 69
