The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  He quickly made arrangements to take the boy to the camper for a change.

  While he was gone, Samantha helped keep track of the other boys, occupying them with trying to pick out cloud shapes through the grit. When all of them were ready, they went to the mess for lunch.

  “Get them settled at Adrian’s table,” Peggy instructed. “It’s reserved right now.”

  Samantha helped them all to the two middle tables that had been pushed together. When Peggy joined them, she had a stack of covered trays that she quickly sat on the edge. “Take one down, pass it around...”

  That started a chorus of ‘pass the trays’ that lasted until everyone had one and Samantha found herself smiling more than she had since the war. It was funny, how their happiness was rubbing off, but she was no longer displeased with the duty she’d been given.

  Once everyone had a tray, there were contented sounds from the kids and sighs of relief from the adults who surrounded them. It was a rare moment to have them all still and quiet.

  “Did you have children? Before?”

  Sam hadn’t expected the conversation attempts. “No.”

  Peggy helped Bobbie’s younger brother put ketchup on his fries. “You’re doing well.”

  Samantha stared, caught off guard. “Thanks.”

  “I guess you know I’m Becky’s mom.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  Samantha gave the woman a hard gesture. “Go on, get it off your chest.”

  The older woman gently wiped the boy’s fingers. “There’s nothin’ to say yet, other than I doubt how serious he is.”

  Samantha’s anger sharpened. “Why would you sink your own daughter?”

  Peggy kept her voice low. “Her age mostly, but like I said, he’s not serious.”

  Sam swallowed her questions as Neil and the little boy, both freshly changed, returned.

  Neil wondered what had been said as he sat down. Tension hung over the table despite the happy kids, and he couldn’t stop himself from searching Samantha’s expression for clues. Had Peggy told her about his fling with Becky?

  Does it matter? he asked himself. Do I care?

  Come October, he would be dating the teenager openly. That was what he wanted. Right? Surely a few odd moments with the battle-scarred woman on his right hadn’t changed everything?

  Sitting at the table behind Neil and the kids, Marc watched Kyle’s truck roll in with relief and a hint of jealousy that quickly became concern when he saw Angela’s bloody face, torn clothes, and wild hair.

  He started to go that way, but stopped when Adrian appeared at the tape. She looked like she’d been attacked. Would Adrian now tell her she couldn’t be an Eagle or would he ignore her injuries and treat her like one of his men?

  Adrian only nodded at something she said and he didn’t follow her as she walked too carefully to the rear for her gear. Adrian was going to let her get hurt as much as it took for her to catch up.

  Anger seethed in Marc, an impotent rage that had him gritting his teeth in an attempt at control. He wasn’t sure why he had thought she would ever be happy with just getting here. He’d known the young girl who swung out over the ravine on a tire rope too frayed for any of the neighborhood kids to be comfortable using. After the war, he’d followed her trail across bridges that shouldn’t have held. She was reckless. She needed to be protected. Making her an Eagle was likely to get her killed. Didn’t Safe Haven’s oh-so-careful leader care about that even a little?

  Angela could feel Marc’s emotions boiling and understood why, but short of her dropping out, there was little that would ease his pain. Not being afraid anymore was a part of this new life, the second chance that Adrian that was offering them all. Even with her many sentries, she still didn’t feel safe. She had would-be jailers on both sides of the caution tape and only Adrian was keeping them at bay, trying to give her time to grow into this destiny. Without it, he knew she wouldn’t survive, but more importantly, this camp wouldn’t either. If the slavers managed to grab her and her son, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to save Charlie and she had little doubt that destroying Safe Haven would be the first order Cesar gave.

  Angela glanced longingly toward the training tent, already sure she would want another workout after she talked to the man studying her from dusk’s orange shadows. Inside that tent, she could be one of the guys for small moments at a time.

  Three of Kyle’s team ducked into the long canvas and she wondered how that conversation would go.

  “Not one.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Nope. She never even cursed. Just hit the dirt and got up. Musta run it a dozen times before she got it right and we did our sets.”

  “Bet that was a mess.”

  “Not really. By the time Kyle gave us the go, she pretty much had it down. Went slower than usual, but that was it. She put in a great workout.”

  Kenn left the training tent, unable to listen to the words of the returning Eagles. That isn’t the Angela I know!

  His timid mouse could never have run the rookie course, let alone well enough to be a part of a team doing sets. There was only one way she had done it and using her gifts to become an Eagle was something even Adrian couldn’t justify. He would have to–

  Kenn stopped at the sight of her near the bumper of Kyle’s truck, taking in her bloody, dusty appearance. She tucked the schedule Adrian had handed her into a pocket and failed to hide a wince at the movement. She had run it on her own. His Angie was a rookie in Adrian’s army.

  “Are you okay?”

  Marc had been waiting and Angela stopped, hoping he would let it go, but sure he wouldn’t. “I have no feeling in my legs, otherwise I’m good.”

  “It’s not funny!” Marc snapped. He couldn’t shut his mouth after that. “You’re hurting yourself for nothing. These men will never accept a female Eagle.”

  Silence fell around them and she raised a brow, aware of how many people could hear. “You think so?”

  “Yes. You should quit now, before something bad happens.”

  Tired and sore, Angela let her sarcasm fly. “Sure Brady. I’ll go sit quietly in your tent like a good girl until you need me.” She turned toward the shower campers. “Stop pushing, Marc.”

  “Maybe I should stop everything.”

  Angela swung around. “What’s that mean?”

  Marc shrugged, heart thumping. What was he doing? “My job is done. Get you here, run if we had to. That’s clearly no longer on the table and there’s nothing keeping me here.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Just a child I can’t claim and a woman who doesn’t need me.”

  Angela sucked in air. Where was all this coming from? “We’ve only been here a couple weeks. I told you it would take time.”

  “Time I didn’t know would be spent doing shit-work while you go off and put yourself in danger whenever you feel like it!”

  “I can’t just be yours. I need more.”

  “I need to be certain you’re safe!”

  “And I need to do this!”

  Their voices had grown steadily louder, drawing even more attention.

  Kyle shifted closer to Adrian, ignoring the ugly scene.

  “How did it go?”

  Kyle ran a fast sweep before regarding his boss. “Even better than you hoped for. You get her message?”

  “Loud and clear. We’ve expanded the perimeter and doubled the guards. The dogs are running too, along with the wolf.”

  Kyle handed him a folder. “It’s all there. You’ll feel like you’re watching it.

  “Did she give you any details?”

  “Thinks it’s the twin Brady didn’t kill. Figured he swam across the Cheyenne.”

  “We’ll stay alert.” Adrian raised an eager brow. “And?”

  “No need to put her with another level. We’ll take her–publicly when you’re ready.”

  “That is not my problem!”

  Both men swi
veled to survey the arguing couple, as did everyone in hearing distance. It wasn’t the kind, patient voice they had come to expect from her.

  Angela realized she was shouting and made an attempt to lower her voice. “I’m trying to find a balance here, Marc, I am, but you have to stop now. You’re right, I…I don’t need your protection anymore, just your support.”

  Marc spun away before he could say anything uglier than what he had already let out.

  Angela sighed unhappily. Kenn didn’t want her to be an Eagle because then she might have real power here. Marc couldn’t stand the thought of sharing her with all these people any more than he liked the idea of her getting hurt. The men didn’t want her because she was female. It felt like the only ones who did want this, were her and Adrian.

  Angela went to the showers, wincing at the pain each step was causing. Adrian was the only one who understood.

  Before Angela had done more than wet her filthy hair, the camper door opened and her hand automatically went for the .357 on the soap shelf. She saw Hilda step in, Peggy right behind, and let herself pick the weapon up.

  She rested it on the top of the stall door where they could view it and leaned her weight against the damp wood for support. She was sore all over. “I’ll be out in five.”

  Both women had stopped at the sight of the gun. “It’ll take that long to get all the dirt from your hair,” Peggy stated evenly. She had no idea if the naked woman scrutinizing her so intently would be willing, but for the future, she would try.

  “What do you guys want?”

  “To help.”

  Angela’s mind flew over the possible meanings. “With my grooming?”

  Peggy smiled tolerantly. “With the Eagles.”

  That had her attention and Angela lowered the weapon to the shelf. She didn’t mind the women here so far, but she didn’t really like them either.

  “We have the power to–”

  “Sway men’s minds, the right men,” Angela finished, not worried about these two knowing her secrets. They were also Adrian’s, just in different ways than her.

  She increased the hot water, smothered a moan. “What do you want?”

  Hilda wasn’t used to a female with the courage of a man, but Peggy stepped forward. “We help him anyway, but to further the women of this new world, we would give anything.”

  “But we can’t, we’re too old and the younger ones here…”

  Hilda’s words trailed off and Angie realized they were regarding her as a champion for women’s rights. She hadn’t considered that the camp’s timid women might want liberation. She’d assumed that she and Adrian would be tricking or forcing it upon them with careful manipulations.

  “For the last time, what do you want?”

  “For you to succeed.”

  “You want more for the girls?” Angela guessed, surprised at the rare glimpse of female fire from these two. They were as determined as she was.

  “Yes!” Peggy hissed, eyes flashing. “Need it or not, Becky should have the same life you now do!”

  “If she wants it,” Angela cautioned, but Peggy waved it off. “A mother knows.”

  “So, you’re here to what? Offer support laced with threats?”

  “Advice.”

  “I’m doing something wrong?”

  “It’s more a matter of…overlooked.” Peggy lowered her voice, realizing she wouldn’t be able to ask for a favor yet. This one was so much like the men that it would require a bond first. Just being another woman wouldn’t be enough. “You can do things. The men will fear it and keep you out.”

  “Unless they can do it, too,” Hilda added softly.

  “Share?” Angela gasped. Are they crazy?

  No, the witch answered. I’ve never felt such seriousness in them.

  “Yes. He would have an army like you,” Peggy stated. “Share with his men and ensure Adrian’s dream through their support. Do that and all our daughters will have the chance to really live.”

  9

  “So, what do we do?” Daryl asked.

  Kyle’s team had taken over the sauna room, burning off the soreness of the day, and their rapidly bouncing conversation had only been about one thing.

  “It was legit. I checked the books. We were scheduled for it.”

  “Kenn didn’t have to make her go first. He wanted her to bleed and she did.”

  “He’ll get her hurt, maybe even killed. You know how hard he is on Ray.”

  “Yeah, but that’s another one who’s tough enough to be one of us. I thought he’d be gone by now.”

  “Both of them will be if we don’t do something.”

  Their choices were limited because of who the offender was. Kenn knew how to stay legal, but there was no end to the damage he could do. His methods were often brutal when Adrian wasn’t around, as if he was allowing his true nature free.

  “Not much we can do until she’s stronger. We’ll have to watch out for her.”

  “We can bring in most of the Eagles, I think, if she keeps this pace. Let them help us.”

  “You can also teach her, share your strength.” Adrian was lounging in the corner. None of them had heard him come in. “When she can hold her own, his power over her is gone and then my plans can move forward.”

  Kyle spoke for both teams. “We’ve all set up some personal moments with her, but we’d like to give her more than that, Boss. We’d make her dangerous, especially to him.”

  Adrian didn’t tell them he already knew or that he, too, would be training quietly with her. “Whatever it takes, gentlemen. Make this happen and there will never be another team higher in my army or in my heart.”

  10

  It had been a long day for the kids and their chaperones. They’d played football with the Eagles and made Indian bands with the seniors in the craft tent. There had been a quick trip into the animal area for petting a variety of domestic and wild creatures, and even a simple self-defense lesson from Doug.

  Samantha had worried for the kids when she spotted the giant in the middle of the hay-ring, but as with Adrian, the orphans had mobbed the red-vested giant until he was forced to surrender. It was something, to witness these grown men being so careful, and also another clear sign of Adrian’s influence. She doubted many of them would have been so open before the war.

  To top off their field trip, the kids were now enjoying a movie outside with the camp, after dark. When the younger viewers went back to their area, a more adult movie would be played, but for now, there were snorts and chuckles over Toy Story.

  Samantha had been thinking about her day through most of the cartoon. The shift had been up at evening mess, but she’d chosen to stay with the group and hadn’t been surprised when Neil did too. They were the only ones who had. She’d heard the trooper say it was his off day and understood he liked kids. Now, that wasn’t such a difference anymore. It hadn’t been bad at all. Maybe she could learn to like them, too, if she spent more time with them.

  Like kids? Spend more time? her mind questioned harshly. Are you kidding? When Cesar comes, these kids will be worse off than right after the war.

  Samantha cringed, thinking it would be her fault, and realized Neil was studying her with a raised brow.

  “You okay?”

  She shrugged, leaning in. “How about that lesson?”

  Neil’s heart thumped. He’d been hoping she would forget. “Sure.”

  “When and where?”

  His voice was more uneasy than she’d heard all day.

  “Tomorrow night, in the training tent, after the Eagles are finished.”

  Sam smiled her thanks and tried to enjoy the end of the movie. If she could get stronger, maybe she could help Adrian get rid of Cesar.

  And Rick, her mind reminded. That wolf in sheep’s clothing would have to be killed too, and she hid the shame of feeling pain from the thought. Right or wrong, theirs was a bond that hadn’t been severed yet.

  Rick leaned against the truck holding the projector
, not appearing to be aware of Samantha, but he was. Of her and Neil!

  Rick burned with a dangerous hatred. She’s mine!

  He could do little about it right now. Cesar hadn’t made contact and there was no sign of the Mexicans anywhere. If he was now on his own, and Rick wasn’t sure since the weather could have covered the noises of a battle, then he would have to be even more careful, but it didn’t change his goals.

  Rick saw Samantha say something and receive a charming grin from the trooper in response. One thing was certain, when it all happened, that pig would go down in the first body count.

  Angela glanced around the large crowd, feeling a wave of danger. She found Kenn in the rear of the spread-out people, but not glaring at her for a change. He was staring at the sloppy man lounging against the semi. Though only a few feet apart, Rick hadn’t noticed her Marine’s attention.

  Rick’s profile was pointed toward the huge screen and Angela tried to enjoy the show as well, surprised to now feel a bit comforted that Kenn was on duty here. She didn’t like Rick at all, didn’t trust him. She’d come to the conclusion that he was trouble, but with his thoughts so closed to her, she wasn’t sure if it was serious enough to directly talk to Adrian about. It was a small relief to know her evil Marine was watching the man too.

  And that was about the only relief she had at the moment. Besides the fights with Marc and Kenn, Charlie was also avoiding her, spending his nights with Matt. Now, there was this new pressure from the camp’s women. Angela sighed, letting her mind return to the bigger problem. Kenn. She had to keep training with him as an Eagle. What other horrors did he have planned?

  Smiling at the screen when those around her laughed, Angela concentrated, trying to pick up the Marine’s thoughts. He was so dark some days that she couldn’t find the door to get in.

  A minute later, she let go of the connection, stretching her legs out in front of her. The only light inside Kenn right now was bright with rage, blinding. There was no way in without being noticed when someone was that ready to fight.

  11