by Paige Weaver
“This is a bad idea. A fucking bad idea,” Gavin grumbled, tightening the strap on his saddle.
I slipped my shotgun into its scabbard. “I found Keely. That’s what I came for. But we’d be crazy not to check out that town. It’s on the way home. We can trade for supplies and get some news.”
“Get killed is more like it,” Gavin muttered, glaring at me as he stuffed a stuffed frog in his saddlebag. Something he had found for Ryder and Maddie’s daughter, Emma.
I ignored him and glanced over at Cat. She stood next to Keely, watching me and chewing on her bottom lip. She never did that before but I guessed her nerves were rattled. Can’t say that I blamed her. Last night had shaken me to the core.
“If I get killed saving your ass, tell Maddie I love her,” Gavin said, interrupting my thoughts. He tied the leather string on his saddlebag then paused, cocking his head to the side and thinking. “Better yet, tell Maddie I love her like a sister. I don’t want Ryder messing up that pretty boy face of yours.”
I grinned. “Tell him yourself. I’m not suicidal.”
Gavin grinned too. We were in our element, about to face unknown danger. It got our blood pumping and our spirits up. Made us feel alive in this hellhole of a world we lived in.
“Okay, ladies. Who’s riding with me?” Gavin asked, clapping his hands together and turning to look at Cat and Keely.
Keely wrote something in her little book.
“‘I’m riding with my brother,’” Gavin read, squinting to read the note she held up. He looked over at me and smiled. “That note just made my day. I get the little cat.”
I bristled as he motioned to Cat. “Come on, Kitty Cat. You’re up.”
I kept my mouth shut as Cat walked over to him. I didn’t know what would be worse – watching Cat ride with him or my sister. But when Gavin put his hands around Cat’s waist to help her into the saddle, I knew that she might ride with him but I was the only one that was going to touch her.
I shoved my horse’s reins at Tate and stalked toward them. They both looked at me, Cat with astonishment in her green eyes and Gavin with laughter in his.
“I’ve got this,” I muttered, giving Gavin a malicious look.
“I bet you do,” he quipped, holding up his hands and taking a step back from Cat.
I wanted to tell him what he could go do to himself, but I resisted. Cat was looking at me with a come-get-me look. I wanted to grab her and lock us in that big master bedroom upstairs. Show her what this cowboy was capable of doing with a little time and a heck of a lot of energy on his hands.
She turned to me as I put my feet on either side of her, ready to help her up.
“Be careful,” she whispered in my ear as I leaned toward her. “I’m a little sore.”
I blushed like a schoolboy. Lust shot through me. Not caring if we had an audience, I buried my hand in her hair and put my mouth against her ear.
“I want you sore every single day, sweetheart. Sore and wanting more.”
This time it was her turn to blush. I quirked my mouth up in a half grin and lifted her into the saddle. She grabbed the saddle horn and looked down at me with need. I gave her leg a squeeze, letting her know I felt the same – God, did I feel the same. But I had a more urgent need at the moment I had to take care of.
I had to get her home.
~~~~
By dusk we were tired, hungry, and cold. The wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped. It was slow going, with one of us walking and the rest of us riding, but we made it to the outskirts of the town, Hilltop, by nightfall.
“Such a goddamn stupid idea,” Gavin muttered as we kneeled behind a clump of thorny bushes, checking out the town.
Hilltop wasn’t a big city. From what we could see, it looked like every small town in Texas. A few turn-of-the-century buildings took center stage. The road leading into the little community was littered with abandoned cars and trash. Black plastic bags of garbage sat among old tarps and turned over shopping carts. Dusty vehicles made a maze out of the street. A few had smashed in fronts and crushed sides. Others had their hoods up, some with wires dangling out. My gaze shot to one car as a black crow burst out of its engine, squalling as it flew away.
“Like I said, bad idea,” Gavin said, keeping his crossbow ready. We had left Tate and the girls hidden a few yards back behind a clump of trees. Gavin and I had crept closer to check out the town. Hilltop had a reputation. It was a militia stronghold and was rumored to have medical supplies, running water, electricity, and a shitload of supplies.
We had first heard about it a while back. When the EMP hit, lawlessness reigned. In answer to the lack of police or military force, militias formed everywhere. Most defended our country from terrorists and tried to keep people civil. Others decided to make themselves rulers and carve out their own little strongholds.
I wasn’t sure where Hilltop fell, but I was curious about it. I had a feeling it was a goldmine and I couldn’t live with myself if I past it without trying to get something useful.
“They built a damn wall, Cash. That means ‘stay the fuck away,’” Gavin whispered beside me, nodding at the metal shipping containers that had been shoved together, blocking the road and any outsiders from entering the town limits.
“But there’s a door. That says ‘knock and come in,’” I said, nodding at the patched metal door in the center.
Gavin snorted. “Your sense of humor is screwed up.”
“Comes from spending too much time with you,” I muttered, moving away from the bushes.
Gavin gave the wall one more look then followed me. We headed toward the clump of oak trees we had left the girls behind with Tate and the horses. Gavin gave a short whistle as we approached but our boots slashing through the tall, thick grass was announcement enough.
“What did you find?” Cat asked as soon as we appeared.
“A wall,” Gavin answered curtly, bypassing Keely to go to his horse.
I went straight to Cat. “You still have that knife?” I asked, studying her bright green eyes in the growing darkness.
She nodded, her pink nose and chattering teeth letting me know that even with my coat on, she was freezing.
“Stay close to me but don’t be afraid to use it if you have to,” I told her, feeling uneasy that I was about to put her in danger.
“Where will you be?” she asked, her eyes full of fear.
I gave her a reassuring smile. “Right beside you, sweetheart, don’t worry.”
The tension left her body. I was happy she trusted me. I damn well liked to know it.
I turned to Tate. His long, shaggy hair was hanging in his eyes as he looked at me.
“You stay on your sister’s tail. I’m not sure what we’re going find in there, but I want her covered by both of us,” I instructed, knowing the kid would watch over Cat like a hawk.
“Yes, sir.” Tate nodded and rested his hand on the gun butt sticking out of the front waistband of his jeans.
I turned my attention to my sister. She was wearing Gavin’s jacket and looked as cold as Cat. Her pale skin was even whiter and her light-colored blonde hair was sticking out from under her hat in soft waves.
“Gavin, stick to her like glue,” I said, nodding at Keely. “She moves, you move.”
“Understood, but you didn’t have to say it. I’ve got her,” he said, for once stone-cold serious.
I nodded then turned to my horse.
Time to see what was behind those walls.
Chapter Thirty–Seven
Cat
When I was younger, my mother once told me that she hated small towns. She didn’t understand their simple ways or the incessant need of the inhabitants to know everyone’s business. The bane of her existence was having to visit my dad’s ranch the few times he insisted she did during their short marriage. I didn’t like to think that I took after my mother but she had instilled in me an inherent dislike of nosy people and cute little hometowns. As we walked toward Hilltop, I fe
lt it now like never before.
The large metal wall surrounding the town stood feet above my head. I stared up at it with a combination of awe and fear as Gavin knocked on the makeshift door. No one answered so he tried the handle. It gave with no problem and squeaked loudly when he pushed it open.
On the outside of the wall, trash and debris littered the ground. On the inside, it was spotless. The streets were clear, not one blade of grass out of place or one piece of paper floating around. The buildings were in one piece, not destroyed or burned to the ground. No one greeted us but once inside a very tall, older gentleman and two younger ones headed our way.
The older one smiled and gave a short wave as he walked toward us. He was gangly with long arms and an equally long torso. His face was scraggy and his neck skinny. He reminded me of a giant, but hopefully he was a gentle one.
The younger men walking beside him held rifles and didn’t look too excited to see us. They were shorter and had the element of distrust about them. The first thought that popped into my head when I saw them was that they were modern day gunslingers. Not the kind that saved the day. No, these were the bad kind. The ones that tried to kill the good guys.
Cash eased me behind him with a hand to my waist, leading his horse at the same time. I wasn’t going to argue. He could protect me. I didn’t feel safe in this perfect, little town or under the scrutiny of the men heading our way.
I glanced over my shoulder, making sure Tate and Keely were staying close. They were, Gavin staying by Keely and Tate watching the men carefully.
“Hello folks!” the older man called out to us, holding up his hand in greeting. He started down the sidewalk at a brisk pace, his long, bony legs moving stiffly.
Cash positioned himself in front of me, almost blocking my view of the man. I glanced around and saw a few people peeking out of store windows and hiding behind cracked doors, but other than the three men on the street, the place felt empty. An eerie ghost town.
The older man was breathing hard by the time he reached us. His white hair was flapping in the wind and his cheeks were red from the cold despite the turned-up collar of his black jacket.
He went straight to Cash and held out a knotty, bony hand. “My name’s David. I’m the reverend here. Welcome to Hilltop.”
Cash took his hand and shook it, tipping his hat in greeting. “Hello.”
The older man’s faded blue eyes skimmed over Cash then glanced at the rest of us.
“Y’all look like you’ve traveled a mighty fine way. May I ask your names?” he asked with a wide, friendly smile, his eyes dancing with excitement.
Cash didn’t answer but Gavin stepped forward. “My name’s Gavin and this is Cash, Keely, Tate, and Cat.”
David’s smile grew wider as he looked at each of us. “Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!” he said, rolling forward on his toes then back on his heels. “Hallelujah! We love visitors here!”
The other two men standing guard on either side of him cradled their guns and remained silent. Neither of them smiled or showed the slightest bit of welcome. I didn’t think they were as happy as David to have guests, but at least they weren’t shooting us.
Yet.
David seemed to suddenly realize they were there, which seemed ludicrous considering the firepower they held.
“Oh, forgive my manners! This is Timothy and Zack. Boys, put those guns away,” he said, waving at the rifles. “These kids aren’t trouble.”
Timothy and Zack didn’t move but David didn’t say anything else. He turned back to us with a huge grin and happiness dancing in his eyes. I jumped when he suddenly clapped his hands together.
“Dear Lord! You must be hungry and cold! Come! Come! We have a hotel,” he said, turning and motioning for us to follow him.
A thrill of excitement went though me. They have a hotel? Thoughts of fluffy white towels and soft, clean sheets filled my mind. I knew it was silly to hope for them but a girl could dream, couldn’t she?
Cash didn’t move, despite the invitation. “We don’t have any money to pay for rooms,” he said, deflating my dream.
“No need to pay, son,” David said, holding his hands at his sides, palms out. “You look like you need a rest. Consider it help.”
Cash stared hard at him, assessing David’s trustworthiness. “Nothing’s free,” he said in a calculated voice.
David smiled gently. “True. But it’s just help, son. That’s all.”
Cash studied David one more second then gave a short nod. I could almost hear the collective sigh coming from all of us.
David smiled at Cash once more then turned. “Follow me, friends!”
Gavin led his horse past us, following David as he started across the street. Keely and Tate followed, both glancing around with uneasiness. We had learned not to trust anyone and even though David looked like someone’s grandfather, the two men beside him looked like killers.
Cash had a calm expression on his face but his shoulders were set in a rigid line. He was on guard and ready to jump into action at the drop of a hat or pull of a trigger.
He angled his head, hiding his face from the strangers under his hat. “Stay close to me,” he whispered to me, his breath washing over me. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
I nodded. I wanted a hotel room worse than anyone, but I wasn’t desperate enough to ignore the bad feeling that wouldn’t leave me.
The horse’s hooves clomped on the concrete as we headed across the street to follow everyone. David turned to look at us, smiling widely. His eyes glanced over us and the horses, touching briefly on the gun scabbards on the saddles.
“Forgive me!” he exclaimed, suddenly spinning around. “Zack - takes those horses to the stable.” He pointed at the horses, authority in his voice but a smile on his face.
The man named Zack headed for us, his face solemn, the rifle in his hand looking big and deadly. Cash gripped the reins a little tighter when Zack held out his hand for them.
David smiled warmly. “Not to worry, my friend. They will be fine. More than fine. Zack will take good care of them. He’ll make sure they are well fed and when you’re ready to leave, they will be refreshed and waiting for you. Right, Zack?”
The man is too happy, I thought, frowning at him. Who the fuck has that much to smile about? Has he looked around him lately?
Zack didn’t comment or smile at David’s words. He just held his hand out for the reins, a look of arrogance on his face as he stared at Cash.
Cash wasn’t going to make it easy. He dropped the reins on the ground, leaving them there for Zack to pick up. I knew that no way in hell would Cash hand them to the man.
He continued to stare at Zack as he unstrapped the two bags on the saddle horn and handed them to me. Next he unleashed the saddle and let it slid off the horse.
Zack glared stonily at Cash and picked up the reins. With a warning look that spoke of retribution, he led Cash’s horse over to get Gavin’s.
I could tell Cash wasn’t too happy. That tic appeared in his jaw again, right below his unshaven cheek. He worked his jaw a couple of times then picked up the saddle without a word and started walking again.
With the horses going in the opposite direction and us going in the other, David led us to a large brick building. A rusted water tower sat on top with the words Hilltop Hotel proudly displayed in faded green letters.
The other henchman, Timothy, followed a few steps behind us. I felt like we were being walked to the gallows. It wasn’t too hard to imagine. We had a reverend leading the way and a guard watching us. I just wondered how long before they put a rope around our necks and pulled the lever.
I frowned as David skipped excitedly up onto the curb, a hop to his step and a wide grin on his face.
“They must not get visitors here often,” I muttered out of the side of my mouth to Cash. “Who gets that excited anymore?”
Cash’s voice was low and husky, for my ears only. “I might have when I saw you, Cat.”
I l
ifted my eyes up to his, surprised. He always could shock the hell out of me.
“And did you want to skip when you saw me?” I asked, feeling warm suddenly.
His eyes smoldered as he looked down at me. “Not skip, but I damn sure wanted to kiss you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Cash shifted the saddle in his arms and glanced at the door we were about to walk into.
“Because I’m scared to death of you, Cat.”
“Why?” I asked, tilting my head to the side. “Am I that much of a badass?”
He didn’t laugh. With a burning look in his eyes, he put a hand to the small of my back and leaned down, putting his mouth close to my ear.
“You have the ability to knock me to my knees, Cat. You always have and you always will. That’s why you scare me, sweetheart.”
I gazed up at him, stunned, but he straightened as if he had never said anything. With slight pressure on my back, he urged me to follow the others as they walked into the hotel.
My hands shook and my body pulsated with awareness. I could feel Cash behind me, sense his heat as he stayed close to me. I wanted him again. In a bathroom. On a chair. I just wanted him and that big cock of his in me.
I tried to concentrate on our surroundings as we walked into the hotel. It was hard with Cash so close beside me, his hand still on my back, but somehow I managed. The hotel was dark, shadows dancing everywhere inside. We crowded into the entranceway, unsure what we were about to face.
“Now, where is Ms. Mary?” David muttered to himself. He reached toward the wall and flipped a switch. The small chandelier hanging above us flared to life.
I gasped, so unused to electricity that I couldn’t stop myself. David laughed, a deep, booming sound, when he saw our astonished looks.
“We rigged up a system years ago,” he explained. “We have electricity, heaters, fans—”
“And friendliness,” a round, pudgy woman said as she turned the corner into the entranceway. “What have we here, Reverend David?”
“Ms. Mary these are our new friends. Gavin, Cash, Cat, Keely, and Tate,” David said, pointing to each of us. “They will need rooms tonight.”