The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  “Kenn wanted to check it out,” Peggy offered, sitting next to her daughter.

  They also looked like they’d managed to work some things out.

  “So we get the usual lecture about staying close, blah, blah, blah,” Crista popped up, trying to ignore Jeff’s eyes on her. “But we kinda freaked out when we saw the rabbits.”

  Angela opened her mouth to question, already missing a piece.

  “It’s his fault,” Becky stated.

  “That’s true,” Cynthia supported. “All he said was get the nets out and be ready.”

  “And we were.” Tracy flushed. “Sort of.”

  “It might have been okay if Tonya hadn’t thrown her gun.”

  “Well, I thought shooting was a bad idea right then!” Tonya defended, hand coming up. “It’s not like I could make out what he was screaming.”

  Cynthia glared at the redhead. “None of us could, genius. It was just incoherent babble at that point.”

  “Stop.” Angela couldn’t take any more. She turned to Samantha. “Start from the beginning.”

  Sam drew in a calming breath. “The light was a small brush fire. We got close and found a bunch of rabbits.”

  “Swamp bunnies,” Becky added wistfully.

  Frowning, Samantha continued. “The fire was flushing them our way, and Kenn had us get the nets out.”

  “Only he forgot to tell us what to do when the entire herd ran our way,” Crista stated.

  “Hopped,” Peggy corrected.

  “They panicked,” Sam said, trying to remain calm. “Nets dropped, women ran, rabbits bit and scratched. It was lovely.”

  Angela ran a quick look over them. “Bit and scratched? You guys look fine.”

  Sam glared toward Leslie. “You tell her this part.”

  Leslie cringed. “I, uh...screamed,” she stated with an embarrassed grimace. “Loudly. And the herd turned, ran toward Kenn.”

  “Hopped,” Cynthia corrected.

  “Right, hopped toward Kenn. He shot a bunch of them, but man, were there a lot of rabbits.” Leslie flushed darker. “And so I suggested that we throw our nets.”

  “We realized it was a mistake when he started screaming.” Sam swallowed the laughter as best she could. Kenn under the netting with all those rabbits was the funniest thing she’d ever seen.

  “Samantha yelled to cut him loose... So we all rushed over with our new knives,” Leslie informed her.

  Angela groaned. The tables around them weren’t even trying to contain their laughter. The sound of it was rolling across the camp. “What then?”

  Sam wasn’t capable of continuing. She had her head buried against her arm. They’d gotten a teammate hurt. Laughing was wrong.

  Cynthia took over the sitrep. “He screamed some more, then we got him up and made sure he was okay. He said he was going to move the truck so that we could try again, and growled at us to gather the bodies of the rabbits and then take the live ones left in the nets and put them in the truck.”

  “So we did,” Tracy said quietly, seeing Cynthia wasn’t going to get much more out before dropping her own head. “Man, was he pissed when he got in. Those rabbits were all over him.”

  “He ran out of there so fast!” Becky exclaimed.

  “Hopped,” Sam corrected, without raising her head.

  “He did hop, didn’t he? They were really latched onto him that time.” Crista shrugged. “Anyway, he was screaming again, and we didn’t know what to do. We couldn’t shoot them off of him. And then Tonya stepped right up like she had it covered. When she threw her gun, we all just thought Hey! That’ll work!

  “So they all did too,” Sam grunted from under her arm.

  The mini mess was an explosion of laughter, men on the floor all around them.

  Angela was struggling not to join them. “And after that?”

  “Samantha and Cynthia got us to stop throwing things, and we started using our boots on the ones that were still biting him.” Tracy didn’t look up. “We’re not sure who got him in the head. We were just kickin’ away...”

  Peggy was the only one capable of speech, and she finished the sitrep with a straight face. “We only dumped him twice on the load-up. All in all, I think it went pretty well.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  All that Buzzing

  June 22nd

  The Arkansas State Line

  1

  Marc studied Angela from the tent flap, unnoticed by her or the group of Eagles that she was currently putting through their paces in the first aid class. Even healed, Angela’s shoulder wound was about the ugliest thing he’d ever seen on a female. It was clear that the students also viewed it that way, but it obviously didn’t matter to her. She had a duty to these people, and nothing would stop her from honoring it. Marc had chosen to help her…and Adrian.

  There’s a flash of the bitterness, Marc thought. He hadn’t thought he had anything in common with Kenn, but over the last months, Marc had learned more about himself than he’d ever thought he would. That possessive streak was news, but it had been there all along, and now, he had a place to put it. Every time the flashes came, he planned to think of how it felt to walk into that rest stop and see her body.

  Marc shuddered, unable to stop the reaction. Yeah, that’s where it belongs. Better to carry the heart-crushing sense of loss than to become Kenn and push her straight into Adrian’s waiting arms.

  Angela noticed his mood change and raised a brow. Do you need me?

  Marc shook his head and sent, All my life.

  The blush rose over her cheeks, gaining Eagle attention. To their credit, none of them cracked a joke, though it was clear from the smiles that the guards wanted to say a lot.

  Angela was steady as she continued teaching, and Marc ducked out of the tent to take up a spot in the nearby shade. She had a number of guards in this zone, but Marc liked to stay close. These men were good, he knew that, but he wanted to be able to sleep at night, and he often lingered nearby even when off duty. He tried to give her space during those times, understanding it was his fears that needed to be sated. The Eagles mostly approved, though he’d gotten a few glares from people who sensed his edge of possessiveness, but it wasn’t for anyone’s benefit but Angie’s. The things she’s capable of!

  Marc lit a smoke, scanning the area. Her gifts were growing, daily it seemed, and the camp was noticing. She was the first one to alert them of new arrivals now, usually settled in the chair as they pulled in. She was predicting and confirming Sam’s weather reports, something the camp didn’t know of yet, and she was giving answers–before they were asked.

  Marc had talked to Adrian about it this morning, but the leader had only said she knew what she was doing. After everything that had happened, Marc had his doubts that Adrian would have stopped her anyway, even if it meant trouble with the camp. He was getting too much of what he needed to interfere.

  Marc frowned slightly. It was almost as if she was in charge.

  “I am, I think, on some things.”

  Angie was standing behind him, smoking and staring. Behind her, the rookies were leaving the class with knowing, slightly jealous glances.

  Marc glared, showing sharp white teeth and a willingness to fight for her. The single males hurried on.

  “Is this still a problem?”

  Marc knew how to handle it now. She wasn’t the only one who could use distraction. “Only if you keep digging into my brain, princess. I might have to bail you out of the well.”

  Angela snorted, relaxing at his joke. “I won’t go so deep that I can’t get out.”

  Sparks flared and Marc’s body woke instantly. “What if you like it there?” He leaned closer. “Sometimes, I’m a fun guy.”

  Angela regarded him in surprise. “Are you flirting with me?”

  Marc had her in his arms an instant later. “I think you could say that.”

  Angela was aware of his tactics. He hadn’t given her time to be scared. “There’s only one issue with tha
t, braveheart.”

  “What’s that, princess?”

  Her eyes flared at the second use of the hated nickname…then narrowed, and Marc braced.

  Angela smiled, slowly sliding her arms around his neck.

  Marc felt her strength, the muscles flexing under that pale, scarred skin. She was definitely recovering.

  “I’m not satisfied.”

  Heat flared and his grip on her waist tightened. “We can’t have that, baby.” His mouth lowered, hands tangling in her thick hair.

  “Angie, to the mess.”

  They both jumped, and then shared a snicker.

  “Timing,” Marc groaned, as she keyed the mike.

  “Copy.”

  “Later?” Marc asked, leering at her.

  Angela ducked in for a copy of his fast peck and then fled. “You know it.”

  Left me with a smile, Marc thought, unable to glance away as she strolled through the camp.

  Angela reluctantly pulled away from their connection and forced her mind to the schedule-making lesson Kenn was set to give her. It wouldn’t be a fun class, but Kenn wasn’t full of hate now, and it was easier to handle being around him. He had finally accepted that her gifts would never be under his control. They could make peace at some point, the real kind, she hoped, but there was still a dark spot on him that she was leery of.

  “You ready?” Kenn sounded surprisingly amused under his bruises and bandages.

  “Whenever you are.”

  Kenn shrugged gently. “Just waiting to see how many radios I’m replacing.”

  Angela scoffed at his joke about the pulses she sometimes sent. “I’ll try to take it easy on you.”

  It was one of the things he used to say right before he hit her. They both winced.

  When Angela would have stated the intention behind it, Kenn swallowed the guilt. “I know you didn’t.”

  Angela let out the tense breath she’d drawn in. “Thank you for knowing that.”

  Kenn was able to be grateful now. “Thank you for letting me keep my place.”

  Angela didn’t deny that it was her choice, only gestured toward the schedules. “Like anyone other than Adrian could teach me that shit.”

  Kenn gave a snicker, and the tension in the mess eased.

  People went back to eating and chatting, and the lesson went by quickly. Things were improving throughout the camp and people were now in tune with the emotions of those leading them. When there was a disruption of the peace, they knew it almost instantly because when it was good, it was really good, and any variation of that was noticeable. The golden bubble of light around the camp was so strong whenever the six of them were near it, that it was almost impenetrable.

  2

  “That’s a cute pair,” Kenn commented sarcastically a bit later, referring to Doug and Peggy sitting together again.

  “They look happy,” Marc observed.

  Angela closed her journal to observe. The lesson was over, plans were set for the trip into Little Rock, and a few of Adrian’s leaders were enjoying Li Sing’s cookies and tea.

  “Not in about one minute. Here comes the rest of the family,” Kenn remarked.

  Seth and Becky stepped into the food line, staying close to each other and ignoring the disapproving comments. They also appeared happy, and the center table tensed when the couple finished in line.

  Becky spotted her mom first, freezing. She hadn’t known.

  Seth nudged her forward and then spotted the problem. He stopped, expecting Becky to fly off the handle.

  “That’s sure different. She hasn’t shown interest in anyone since my dad died when I was five. Let’s go sit with them.”

  Seth gaped. Becky had been adamant about making Peggy come to her. The trip out with Kenn must have gone well. Seth hadn’t wanted to let her go, might not have if he’d known it was Kenn in charge, but Sam and Cynthia being along had helped. He hadn’t known her mother was going, too. “Okay.”

  They stopped by the table, Seth aware of a mess full of witnesses expecting an argument.

  Peggy stopped mid-sentence, picking up Becky’s curiosity, but no anger. She cleared her throat. “Would you like to sit with us?”

  “That depends.”

  “On?”

  Becky looked at Seth pointedly.

  Peggy flushed a bit, mouth tightening. “Him, too.”

  Becky and Seth sat down across from them, and the mess went back to quiet murmurs as they witnessed a truce being made. It wasn’t spoken, but the moment was clear in the hope that it gave to those observing.

  Peggy took in the strawberry hair drawn back in a tight bun, the bags under those pale eyes, sunken cheeks that made the freckles stand out, and realized she was needed. Not sure yet how to help her much too thin daughter, or even if it would be welcome, Peggy kept her mouth shut. She didn’t look at Seth.

  Around the mess, came thumps and groans of men and women learning to defend themselves, to survive, and even the clicking of the cicadas was drowned out by it. The hungry bugs were finally starting to die off, but the other insects were increasing. The ears of all of their livestock were coated in salve, as were those of the working dogs, but it wasn’t enough to keep away the biting flies. Adrian was working with the vet to find a stronger chemical to use, but so far, they hadn’t discovered anything that worked. It was as though the flies didn’t notice the fumes and grease anymore. They just chewed through it to reach the blood.

  “So, when did you guys become a couple?”

  Becky’s words made Peggy grin and Doug flush.

  “We’re not a couple, lass,” Doug protested, and missed Peggy’s hurt expression. “We’re friends.”

  Becky started to tell him that she was teasing, and then Peggy stood up. She marched swiftly away from the mess with stiff shoulders.

  Doug was aware that he’d done something wrong but didn’t know what. He stood up to go after her.

  “I wouldn’t do that yet,” Becky advised.

  “Why not? I hurt her somehow. Need to find out what I did.”

  “You denied the relationship,” Seth pointed out, “Women don’t like that.”

  “Damn it!” Doug complained. “I didn’t know she wanted it made public.”

  “So there is something going on with you and my mom!” Becky accused. “Sit down, Mr. Patrick. We need to discuss this.”

  Doug snorted and followed Peggy. “Sound just like your mom.”

  His grumbling made Becky giggle. “That’s so sweet! He really likes her.”

  The mess heard the sound of her amusement and knew it for what it was. Little Becky was recovering, rejoining Safe Haven life. By now, it was clear that she’d suffered something during the final slaver battle, and many of the senior Eagles thought Seth’s days of being treated badly might be over now. It was clear that he’d helped her. Becky leaving camp to go on the run with Kenn had also sent ripples through the herd and forced them to accept that she had earned the right to make her own choices.

  “Are you okay with them being together?”

  Becky leaned against Seth’s arm in happiness that dared anyone to protest the innocent contact. “Yes. I hope they find what we have.”

  Seth smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head. “Me, too.”

  The camp was slowly beginning to understand that Seth had hidden his feelings for Becky, that he’d cared for her long before Rick had come into the picture. Neil and others were casually spreading that information and making their opinions known on it. The time had come to forgive and forget.

  3

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Aye.”

  There it was again, that slight revelation that she was his kind. It hit him just as hard as the first time, and Doug tried to control it.

  Lust wasn’t something Peggy could give into. If he wanted her, it had to be the legal way. “I’m not a whore.”

  Doug recoiled. “Never thought that!”

  “Just so we have it straight,�
�� she intoned coolly.

  Doug picked up on her meaning and snorted. “I don’t have anything to do with them. They want Eagles.”

  Peggy was sympathetic, but only shrugged. “I’m sure one of them would be happy to comfort you. Eagle or not, you’re in the chain of command.”

  Doug didn’t know what to say. Should he tell her of the way the camp women often snubbed him because of his limp, or the how he felt so inferior around them that he couldn’t even form sentences, let alone pick-up lines? That he still didn’t understand why she was interested in him?

  His shoulders slumped. “What do you want from me, Ms. Kelly?”

  Peggy smothered her disappointment. “Not a damn thing, Douglas. Not a damn thing.”

  He watched her stomp off, confused and sorry for whatever it was that he hadn’t given her.

  “Would you care for a word of advice?”

  If it had been anyone but the doctor, Doug would have told them to get lost. “I guess I need some.”

  John looked up at the big man, full of good health and vigor. “Claim her legally and settle down. Shack up in bliss and forget about the past. It’s gone.”

  John left him standing there, speechless. Claim Ms. Peggy? Shack up with her? Was John crazy? She didn’t…

  Doug replayed their moments and saw what he’d been missing. That was what she’d meant when she’d said she wasn’t a whore. If he wanted her, it had to be legal, in front of everyone.

  Can I do that? Is that what I want?

  Not sure, Doug went in the opposite direction. Maybe he’d go find Marc and get his nose broken again. That would be easier to deal with.

  4

  Matt struggled to pull his head out of the toilet, but the two boys shoving him down were stronger, and he sucked in a breath as his head went under.

  Tim yanked him up and then shoved the gagging boy down at his feet. “Don’t ever rat someone out again!”

  Eric laughed as Matt began to throw up and the two bullies left, locking the door.

  Glad they hadn’t punched him this time, Matt continued to vomit, but the self-pity he usually felt after a moment like this, was absent. In its place was a knot of hatred that couldn’t be untied.