Darkness United

by KC Luck

  Not sure what else to do, Sam went through the living room, which was again impeccable with a woodstove, a rocking chair beside it, plus a short brown couch with a colorful knit blanket tossed over the back. If Sam had to guess, a little old woman lived there. She was almost to the front door to go out and talk to Laura when she saw a door

  ajar off of the living room. A bit of a breeze came from there and Sam frowned. The faintest of smells came with it and suddenly Sam knew what had happened to the house’s occupant. Oh no, she thought and unable to help herself, went to the door and peeked in. The smell was a little stronger, but not overwhelming. The open windows helped significantly. Glancing around, Sam saw a small lump on the bed. Swallowing hard, Sam moved forward and then paused feeling a tug of sadness at her heart when she saw a gray-haired woman was wrapped in a pretty quilt. She looked peaceful and Sam knew the woman had not been gone long.

  A day? Maybe two? Looking around, Sam first noticed the cane against the wall beside the bed and then the empty prescription bottle on the nightstand, with a note under a glass of water.

  LAURA HEARD SAM STOMPING her feet on the backstep and hurried by candlelight to the door to meet her. She was drenched. Standing in the near dark, every inch of her was soaked through by the pounding downpour. “Oh Sam,”

  Laura said and reached to pull the woman inside.

  Sam held up her dirty hands. “Wait,” she said. “My boots and pants are covered in mud. I need to strip these off first.”

  Laura looked down and took in the sight of Sam's feet and legs. They were caked with brown from the garden. Sam spent the last two hours honoring the wishes of the house's owner. The eighty-eight-year-old woman, Mary March, who left a note at her bedside after taking enough of her prescription medication to pass away in her sleep, wanted to be buried in her flower garden. The amazing woman explained she would have dug the hole herself, but by the time she realized things truly were not going to improve, she was too weak. No one came for her and the old

  Volkswagen Beetle in the carport would not start. Mary stated she made her peace with her Maker and so was fine with dying. She just hated the idea of being left to rot. The word “rot” had been so shocking to see in the neat script, Laura d smiled. She was pretty sure she would have very much liked Mary March in a different time and place.

  Not wanting to leave the woman’s body wrapped in the quilt even a moment longer, Sam had set right to work digging in the mud. Then, she came and carried Mary out.

  Any hint of daylight was long gone and the temperature dropped considerably. Thankfully, the little house’s wood stove had wood and tinder beside it, which Laura lit making the house toasty. Laura also cooked up a can of the stew Sam brought with them from the pantry back at the farm.

  Even though she had looked through the kitchen for a pan to use, Laura did not feel like she was intruding. Mary’s note was most welcoming and even a little apologetic all the food was gone.

  Laura reached for Sam again. “Please, at least step in enough to get out of the rain,” she insisted. Sam moved forward and Laura’s hand grazed her shoulder. The woman was ice cold and Laura felt her shiver. “That’s it,” Laura insisted with no room for argument in her voice. “Straight to the woodstove.”

  “But Laura, the mud—” Sam started. Laura shook her head and pointed across the kitchen toward the living room.

  “I’ll wipe it up in the morning,” she said. “Now go.” Sam was smart enough to obey and Laura trailed behind her as she moved to the rocking chair by the fire. Sam sat with a sigh and closed her eyes while she leaned back to rest for a moment. Laura dropped to her knees in front of her and immediately pulled at the laces of Sam’s boots.

  Sam’s eyes flew open. “Laura, no,” she said. “It’s too dirty.” Laura ignored her and finished pulling off the first boot setting it at the edge of the bricks under the

  woodstove. Without saying a word, she went to work on the other one. After a moment, it was off.

  “Now for your pants,” she stated and reached for Sam’s belt. As soon as her hands grasped the buckle, a wave of heat washed over her. Although she and Sam were naked dozens of times since they first discovered each other in the barn months ago, Laura had yet to undress her lover. The thought of it made her breathing come quicker.

  Sam covered Laura’s hands with her own.

  “I got this,” she murmured.

  Laura shook her head.

  Biting her lip, she pulled at the belt. “No, Sam,” she said.

  “I want to do this.” Sam leaned back and let Laura continue.

  Soon the belt came undone, and Laura was working the button. Once it was free, she pulled down the woman’s zipper and every nerve in her body tingled with arousal.

  Right at this moment, she wanted Sam and she knew exactly how she was going to take her. With a yank, Laura pulled the jeans down and then off. Only a pair of damp briefs covered the nakedness Laura craved. She ran her hands up the inside of Sam’s thighs and heard her suck in a breath.

  “Laura,” she whispered. “What are you doing?” Letting her movements speak for her, Laura slipped her fingers over the waistband of the underwear and lowered them. With her heart pounding, Laura moved her lips to kiss the skin just above the hair between Sam's legs. Sam flinched with surprise but then steadied. “Oh God,” she moaned, and Laura was even more turned on. She flicked her tongue down and let her mouth slide between Sam's thighs. In response, her lover bucked her hips up, and it was just enough to give Laura the access she needed to taste her.

  Frantic movements grew between them as Laura pressed her mouth tighter against Sam, feeling her clit harden under her tongue. Sam responded by putting her hands in Laura’s hair and repeating her name. Suddenly, Sam’s movements

  grew serious, and Laura knew from experience it meant the woman was close to orgasm. Continuing to please her, Laura never felt more powerful. She never tasted Sam before and the sensation was exquisite. She was in complete control of what happened next. With a small smile, Laura paused. Sam shuddered at the delay. “Please, Laura,”

  she begged and Laura responded by sucking hard on her clit. In that instant, Sam came. It rocked her entire body, and Laura knew she would never get enough of Sam Quinn.

  CHAPTER 17

  hankful to be out of the wind and pounding rain still Tcoming down from the evening before, Anna parked her bicycle just inside the doors of the high school turned hospital. Shaking out her coat, she hung it on the hooks in the hall and then made her way toward the classroom she used for examinations. Today, Dr. Ambrose was on shift with her and she looked forward to seeing him. They worked well together and he was a great doctor.

  Rounding the corner, Anna paused her steps when she saw an unusually large number of people sitting in the chairs outside the exam rooms. In fact, men and women stood, because the chairs were full. When they saw her, many faces lit up with relief. At that moment, Dr. Ambrose stepped out of his room escorting a coughing patient.

  Anna's eyes widened when she noticed he wore a surgical mask.

  Clearly, something was very wrong. When he noticed her, their eyes met and she saw something flicker in them. Then, it was gone but not before Anna felt a cold ball of anxiety form in her stomach. She saw a hint of fear.

  Anna hurried forward and Dr. Ambrose stepped to meet her. “Can I see you a moment in my room?” he asked, his voice muffled. Anna nodded and, after giving the waiting people a reassuring smile, moved to follow him. He closed the door and pulled down the mask. Only then did Anna noticed Dr. Ambrose was pale and sweat had formed on his brow.

  “Are you all right?” she asked and pulled a chair around.

  “Sit down.”

  Dr. Ambrose dropped into the chair. “Actually, no,” he answered. “I am not.” Suddenly, he was racked with a bout of coughing and made a quick grab for tissues to cover his mouth. When it subsided, he looked at Anna again. “Anna, I think I have the flu,” he explained. “And I'm not the only one. Mos
t of the people waiting outside may have it, too.”

  The ball in Anna's stomach suddenly bloomed dread all through her. If a strain of seasonal flu was making its rounds through Astoria, it could be a severe and scary complication.

  “Then you need to leave right now,” Anna said. “I can handle things from here.”

  Dr. Ambrose nodded. “You’re right,” he said, standing up.

  “Thank you, Anna. Please wear a mask and use whatever hand sanitizer is left.”

  Anna nodded. “I will,” she said and touched his sleeve.

  “Go get well. Lots of rest and fluids.”

  Dr. Ambrose smiled. “Exactly,” he said and opened the door. “And ask people to stay away from each other. Remain in their homes.”

  Anna considered what he said. Probably cancel the next Saturday Farmers Market, she thought as she watched the doctor walk away coughing as he went. Even though concern ran through her, Anna put a smile on her face and turned to the first in line waiting for her. She did not recognize the young woman who had a child on her lap. “Hi, my name is Anna. Will you follow me?” The woman returned the smile with a grateful one of her own.

  “Thank you,” the woman said, and together they went into the exam room.

  Anna motioned for them to sit. “I don’t know if I’ve seen you around town before,” Anna said.

  The woman nodded. “We just arrived last week.”

  Anna paused, thinking of the old woman and her grandson she helped a few days ago.

  Perhaps she had more than a common cold, Anna thought. “Did you come in with a woman named Edith?” she

  asked.

  “Yes,” the woman confirmed. “She’s with our group. And we are so grateful to be here.”

  Anna smiled, but her mind raced with scenarios. Clearly, this group was exposed to the flu somehow. The best Anna could hope to do was keep them away from everyone else.

  “Okay,” Anna said. “So, where are you are and the rest living?”

  The woman’s answer sent a stab of concern through Anna’s heart. “In the tent city with all the new folks,” she said. “It’s not ideal, but everyone is working together and the police chief said she will find us better conditions.”

  Anna worked hard to swallow back her fear. “How many people do you guess are living there?” Anna asked trying to sound normal.

  The woman shrugged. “A few hundred probably. But more are coming every day,” she answered. Anna did not move as she ran through the statistical risk of a flu virus in such a large, close-knit population. I need to talk to Taylor and Jackie, she thought. And soon.

  A SPRAY OF HEAVY MIST from the rolling waves around the ship caught Grace off guard as she walked across the rocking deck of the Wind Dancer. Ducking her head out of instinct, she took in the flapping sails, as well as the confident, but urgent demeanor of the crew as they worked them. She wondered how hard the wind would have to blow before they pulled them down to avoid the risk of losing one of the smaller masts. She really knew nothing about the art of sailing. I’m out of my element, she thought with some frustration. Which is all the more reason to explain to Meg I am relieving her of her obligation. The night before was a long one. Aside from the rolling of the ship as the storm

  raged around it, but the mixture of memories from the day before haunted her. Being in the water facing death, Meg’s rescue, and ... Meg’s kiss. All of it on top of learning Taylor Barnes was helping run Astoria. Things could not be more upside down in Grace’s opinion. But I can control this.

  Starting with Meg.

  As another massive wave pushed the ship to the right, Grace grit her teeth and used sheer willpower to keep her stomach under control. The absolutely last thing she would do was vomit where anyone could see her. More than one of the army soldiers vomited already with the tossing of the ship. None of them were used to motion like this. She had to maintain her military bearing, and Grace was working hard to keep her composure. As if hearing her thoughts, the red-haired captain was suddenly moving toward her against the rain and spray yelling to her over the roar of the wind.

  “For crying out loud, Major, get your ass back in quarters,” she snapped. “And don't you dare puke on my deck!”

  Grace felt herself color at the harsh words. Grace came out into the storm to be the one giving orders. Not to get scolded like a child, she thought and strode with determination across the moving deck.

  “I assure you, I will not mess your deck, Captain,” she snapped back once they were face to face. “I am here to advise you that the services of the Wind Dancer, as well as you and your crew, will no longer be required. Once the weather settles, I will take my squad to shore and you may go.”

  Meg paused, narrowing her eyes. “Seriously?” she finally asked. “Why the change?”

  Grace lifted her chin. “I would have thought you would be pleased with this. I know you brought me here against your will.”

  Again, Meg did not answer immediately, and Grace saw a war of emotions in the woman’s eyes. “I guess that’s it

  then,” she said. “Dismissed like I was nothing but some pawn in your government’s master plan.”

  Grace felt her anger flare. They might be in the middle of a massive storm, but she would be damned if she would be talked to like that. Opening her mouth to put Meg in her place, the ship suddenly listed hard to the left. She started to stumble, and then Meg’s arms were around her. Strong, safe arms, Grace thought in a flash. The ones which saved me. Immediately, a rush of heat ran through her as their faces were within an inch of each other.

  Looking into each other's eyes, Grace was sure the woman was about to kiss her again. She realized there was nothing she wanted more. What is happening to me? Grace thought in almost a panic. I don’t want her. I can’t want her.

  Willing herself to turn away, she started to twist in Meg’s grasp, but then her body seemed intent in disobeying her wishes and Grace leaned in. She needed to feel Meg’s lips on hers.

  At that moment, the ship shifted again and the spell was broken. Meg stepped back and grinned. “Not this time, Major,” she said with a knowing chuckle. It took all of Grace’s resolve to not slap the woman’s arrogant face. Not becoming of an officer, she reminded herself and without another word, turned on her heel to go back to her room.

  Over the whistling wind, she would swear she could still hear Meg chuckling.

  WRAPPED IN A BLANKET and still aglow from a night of lovemaking, Laura padded to the kitchen to find something to heat water in. The morning was chilly even though Sam started a new fire in the stove, and a hot drink would feel good. As she entered, she noticed an envelope on the kitchen table they overlooked in the dark last night. Walking

  to the table, she picked it up and read the front. It was addressed to a Billy March, who apparently lived in Oregon City. She must have hoped things eventually would return to normal enough for this to be mailed, Laura thought with a tug of sadness. The woman clearly set down her last goodbyes when she knew no help was coming for her.

  “Everything okay in there?” Laura heard Sam call from the front room. Laura carried the envelope back to Sam.

  “I found this,” she explained. “On the table.”

  Sam raised an eyebrow and took it to read the address.

  She furrowed her brow. “Oregon City is not that far. Maybe a couple hours by car,” she said and looked up into Laura’s eyes. “Why didn’t they try to come to get her?” It was a good question and Laura felt a touch of anger that anyone would have let Mary die alone. Even though they never met, Laura felt a connection to the woman. Perhaps because it all reminds me of Alice? she thought and knew in her heart if Alice had not come south with Lexi and the others, that might be her fate too. As if thinking the same thing, Sam nodded as she still studied the front of the envelope.

  “What?” Laura asked, and Sam tapped her finger on the address.

  “I want to deliver this,” she said, and Laura blinked with surprise. Even if Oregon City
was close by car, it was still over a hundred miles. Plus, the fact it was on the far side of Portland was a concern. Anything could be happening there.

  “Sam, are you sure?” Laura started but then paused.

  Sam was normally happy-go-lucky, and there were few times when Sam looked determined. That was one of those times. Laura put her hand on the woman’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “All right,” she continued. “It will be special to take her last letter to her family.”

  At that, Sam covered her hand with her own and gave her a grin.

  “Definitely,” she said. “It’s like this was all fated to be somehow.”

  Laura laughed. She was not so sure how much she believed that, but life proved to be incredibly lucky for her.

  While the world changed for the worst for a lot of people, for Laura, things only became better. She had new friends, and of course, she had Sam.

  Laura leaned in and kissed Sam. “I’ll go find us something for tea,” she said before turning to go back to the kitchen.

  CHAPTER 18

  very time Taylor tried to explain about her past Erelationship with Grace Hamilton, Jackie cut her off. She knew she was being petty and difficult, but a part of her was simply not ready to hear Taylor had once loved someone else. Of course, she did not know how deep the feelings between the two women ever went, primarily because she refused to talk about it. For that moment, she operated under the assumption it was just a sexual fling and therefore even less worth discussing. There were more pressing things, particularly since Anna Scott stood in her living room saying they might have a scary problem developing.

  When she found her friend waiting for her when she came home for lunch, Jackie immediately realized something was wrong. Anna's usually cheerful face was lined with worry. “Anna, what is it?” she asked, taking off her raincoat and waving Anna to the couch. “Sit down. Taylor will be home in a minute. Are Lexi and Joe okay?”