Since it was a small town, I’m sure people would find out eventually, but it would buy us some time.
With the first steps down from the truck, I try to remember how old I really am because I feel eighty. Regaining some movement in my legs as I gently wake the children, I’m almost back to my normal self, until I see my sister.
Then the tears I had been holding in for the past twenty-four hours manage to slip out and make their way down my cheeks.
Jessica runs down the steps and throws herself into my arms. It’s only been a month since we last saw each other, but it feels like years after what we’ve been through so far.
Pulling myself from her embrace, I say, “Kids, this is your Aunt Jessica. Roxanne and Drew are your cousins.” I gesture to the two redheaded kids standing on the back porch, unsure of what is going on.
“Jessica, may I present my children, Carson, Joy, Nicole, and Trevor.”
“It’s so nice to meet you for the first time. Why don’t we go into the house and see if I have some fresh cookies and milk for a snack,” Jessica says, knowing the way to a child’s trust is to give them a sweet.
Four heads nod politely.
“Roxanne, can you take Joy and Nicole with you to see if the cookies can come out of the oven?”
“Sure, Mom. Follow me, girls.” Seeing the approval on their mom’s face, they hurry inside, afraid the invitation will be withdrawn if they linger.
“Well, I guess that means we get to pour the milk and get the chairs ready. Wanna join me, guys?” Drew offers to Carson, unsure if Trevor should be included or not.
“Come on, big guy.” Carson picks Trevor up with ease and carries him up the porch steps to where their new cousin holds the door open.
With her arm still slung over my shoulder, Jessica turns toward me. “How ya holding up?”
“I’ll make it. What’s the news saying?”
“Other than a quick report yesterday afternoon, there hasn’t been anything. It’s like the whole city just vanished off the map.”
“Anything but. The lines to leave the city were worse this morning. Mostly because people stayed home last night, then realized the city wouldn’t be safe if this thing is real.”
“Is it though?” Jessica asks as we walk up the porch steps.
“Cooper never showed up, so I won’t know what he was talking about until he’s here to explain what he meant about actors posing as zombies. I hope it’s some big hoax and we’ll all talk about how crazy people got.”
“The country tends to ignore things that happen in the big city, and only when it starts to look serious do we batten down the hatches.” Jessica pokes her head into the kitchen as she walks past to make sure the children are all behaving.
“I’m so glad you let us come and stay for a few days. I had no way to keep the kids entertained cooped up in that house. We were all so worried, and cabin fever would have gotten to us way before any zombies could eat us.” I settle into an arm chair. Slipping my shoes off, I curl my feet underneath me.
“So, you’re pretty sure this is related to his job?” Jessica questions as she sits across from me.
“I don’t see how it couldn’t be. He’s always working on classified projects, and now that he’s the second in command, the chances go up a lot.” I always knew this was a possibility, but I try not to dwell on it.
“You’re more than welcome here until he catches up with you. Heck, I don’t care if you just move in with me, but the kids might have a few problems with it considering they just met. They’re just emotional because of the divorce. When things calm down and they see the world hasn’t ended, then they can make up for lost time with their cousins.”
Jessica smiles, knowing it’s not going to be that easy for her kids to bounce back. “Thanks for trying to make it seem better. They’re both old enough now. They understand when Dad shows up to visit with a girl who’s barely legal that he isn’t thinking about them anymore.”
“Remember what I said last time I was here, that not all men are like that. Who knows? Maybe this zombie thing will bring all the good guys from the city out here to visit the country girls and they’ll want to find a wife.” I wink suggestively at my sister, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Whatever, crazy lady. There are plenty of guys around, they’re just taken or have been married several times.”
“Exactly my point. If they were great guys, they would still be married so they’re not on the available list.”
For the first time in the past few days, I feel I can relax and be myself. There’s no one chasing us, and the zombies are just a figment of my imagination.
The screams, though, are real as they erupt from the kitchen when an oven mitt gets too close to the coils and catches fire.
Snack time is officially over as we send the children outside to see the barn kittens.
“Roxanne, Carson!” I call them both over as the others make straight for the barn. “We may be perfectly safe out here, but if you see anyone around, or if anything doesn’t seem right to you, bring everyone straight inside.”
“No problem, Aunt Trish. We can watch out for everyone.”
“I’ll make sure Trevor doesn’t leave my sight, Mom.”
“Thanks, kids. We’ll call you when dinner is almost ready so you can wash up and set the table.” Jessica shoos them out of the house.
“I hate the fact that Carson is having to take on so much responsibility lately. He’s trying to be the man of the house, but he’s still only a baby.” I take the chicken from Jessica to start rinsing it in the sink.
“Hey, we have to let them grow up, sis. It’s much better to allow them to have some responsibility now so when they’re adults, it won’t be such a shock to them. Maybe that’s why so many men aren’t great husbands or fathers; they just weren’t ready when the grown-up stuff hit them,” Jessica wisely advises as she pulls out a fry pan and other ingredients to place onto the counter.
“I guess. I just feel like I’m letting them down. I should be the one doing all this stuff, like the oven mitt. If I’d been in here instead of sitting and relaxing, that wouldn’t have happened.” Shaking my head at my ineptitude, I begin to dice the chicken.
“Now, I know you’ve gone crazy. You’re not always going to be there. They have to learn how to handle problems and what to do in an emergency. We were both here in case they needed us, but they didn’t.” Jessica comes around the counter to stand beside me, shaking her finger in my face.
“Don’t let others tell you how to raise your kids. They got the chance to deal with a potentially dangerous situation and they had the fire out before we could even get in here. Don’t be so hard on yourself either. You kept it together during a very crazy situation.”
“You’re right. I just feel so lost without Cooper. He’s always there when we do the drills, and everyone did a great job. I just miss my partner, and when he didn’t show up like he was supposed to, well, I’m terrified that he won’t make it to join us.” The large knife in my hand continues to dice while my heart is far away from what I’m actually doing.
“We’re going to eat dinner, then put the kids in the living room to watch a movie while we sit on the porch with a glass of wine. I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan to face the zombie apocalypse sober.” Jessica tries to say it with a straight face, but we both burst out laughing.
“You’re right. Drunk zombie fighting hasn’t been done on TV yet. We can create a new show. I think it’s the perfect plan for the evening.” Just what I need to keep my mind off of Cooper and our future.
The children had crashed watching a movie after hours of fun with water balloons and a water hose, leaving us moms a few hours to relax before we crashed as well.
As the screen door slams, we shoot up from the chairs we’d fallen asleep in.
“Who’s there?” Jessica calls out, grabbing the riffle from over the mantle.
I move slowly behind her as she makes her way toward the door as t
he person on the other side tries the door knob.
“You open it while I cover them,” Jessica whispers to me, keeping the gun aimed chest high at the door.
I yank the door open and the person on the other side falls through to land on the floor.
“Don’t shoot!” I yell. “It’s Cooper.”
“Glad to see me, babe?” he asks as blood drips from a cut on his forehead.
“What happened?” I demand as I survey his bruised and battered body.
“It looks like you’ve been through a war,” Jessica says helpfully as she lowers the gun. “Why don’t we get you into the kitchen and I’ll get some coffee started.”
“I need a shower first. I’ve got to get the blood off of me,” Cooper whispers.
“Trish, take him into my room. I’ve got some of Billie’s clothes left he can use.”
We both help him up as he groans from the pain all over his body.
Twenty minutes later, the three of us gather in the kitchen so he can tell us what’s going on.
“You’ll never believe the things I’ve seen in the past twenty-four hours.”
If his body is any indication, things weren’t going to be safe for our family for quite a while. Now that he’s here and alive, I can face anything, even a zombie horde, with him by my side.
Emma
The sun is just setting as I pull into the mountains, thankful that my drive is almost over. I tried to dial Nana’s number again, but got the same message, “All servers are busy. Please try again later.”
Knowing cell service is spotty in the mountains anyway, I don’t worry about it because I’ve been driving for hours now. I keep expecting Pierce to wake up, but the little guy is still asleep. Hopefully, that doesn’t mean a long night for the two of us.
The roads narrow as I pull off the highway to travel the last few miles into the country. I turn the lights on as the trees grow thicker, and the daylight fades into darkness.
Nana and Pop live a few miles from town, but only a short drive from the highway. I let out a relieved sigh as I spot the sign over the drive announcing their farm, The Home Place.
Even though I slow down as I go over the cattle guard, Pierce lets out a cry, announcing his consciousness. “Hang on, baby. We’re almost there.”
The tree-lined drive winds on until it suddenly opens up to their home with a small view of the lake that can only be seen in the daylight.
The porch light flips on as Pop comes out to investigate. The farm dogs surround the car so I roll down the window. “Hey, Pop. It’s Emma and baby Pierce,” I announce, because out here in the mountains, most landowners have a tendency to shoot first and ask questions later. It’s not terribly late in the evening, but spring tends to come late in the mountains so dark covers things around five in the evening.
“Nana, its Brad’s Emma. She’s done brought the baby.” Pop walks out between the dogs. “Girlie, it sure is good to see you. We got a message this afternoon from Brad, but didn’t know if you’d make it out before morning.”
I turn the car off and open the door, knowing that the dogs won’t hurt me as long as Pop is standing here in such a friendly manner.
“When he called me, I packed and got out of the city. I tried to call, but the phones haven’t been working since this afternoon.” I groan as the blood rushes to my legs after two hours of sitting still.
Pierce lets out another wail.
“Who’s pinching that sweet baby boy?” Nana walks past both of us and opens the van door to get Pierce. “You knew Nana was nearby, didn’t you?” She unbuckles and cradles him as she has many grandchildren before him.
“I’ve got him. Emma, you bring his bag in and then you can help Pop unload your stuff into the shed.” Nana doesn’t even look back to see if we follow her instructions.
Shrugging it off, I move to do as she said, because nobody leaves Nana hanging for long. I sling the diaper bag over my shoulder and collect my purse and phone from the front seat.
“Looks like you were prepared for trouble,” Pop comments, looking at the empty holsters strapped to my legs.
“I took them out and put them in my purse while I drove so I didn’t hurt myself. I’m still not used to carrying weapons around.”
“That might be changing if the rumors turn out to be true.”
“Now, Pop, you stop that. There’s no need to scare Emma or talk that way in front of the sweet baby.” Nana frowns until she turns back to face Pierce. “This boy needs a new diaper and some love from his Nana.” She takes the diaper bag from me and disappears down the hall, toward the spare bedroom.
“I’m never going to see my baby again, am I?” I grin over at Pop, who simply shakes his head and goes back outside to start unloading my vehicle.
The sorting doesn’t take long, and Pop carries the few things inside that we need immediately, but I don’t want to unload things into the shed because this might be a false alarm, and I can go back to the city after a long weekend.
“Why don’t you just drive into the barn? It will keep any unwelcomes out until you decide what you want to do about things,” Pop suggests kindly, seeing the tired lines on my face.
“That would be wonderful. I didn’t realize how relieved I would be to get here. Your farm just seems to exude safety. I also haven’t slept in over five weeks since Brad went back overseas.”
“A new baby will do that to you. Why don’t we get some supper in you, and then you can take you a little nap while we get reacquainted with the little man.” Pop finishes locking the barn up after I drive my van inside.
“It’s an offer I can’t refuse.” I smile wearily.
My eyes open to sunlight peeking through the window and I jerk upright.
Where is Pierce? Frantically looking around, I spot the crib in the corner and a contented baby looking over at me. Whew.
“You worried me, little man. I can’t believe I slept through the night and didn’t hear you. I must have been exhausted.”
The only answer I get is the contented thumb sucking of my beautiful new baby. Since he seems to be happy, I’m going to grab a quick shower.
I dig through the box of my clothes we had brought in last night, but stop when I hear voices out in the hallway.
“That poor child, doing everything by herself with a new baby just wore her out. We won’t wake her until we have to.”
Nana’s voice fades as she and someone else move down the hall.
Unable to resist a look, I crack the door open and catch the back of another woman walking toward the kitchen with Nana.
“They said you were sleeping.” An accusing voice startles me. I look down and see one of Brad’s nephews standing in the room across the way.
“I was asleep, but now I’m going to take a shower. Is that okay with you?” I ask the boy, crossing my arms over my chest. How old is he, four? Five?
“Don’t bother me none if you want to waste your time in the shower. Me, I’ve got more important things to do. You do what you’ve got to.” His little face seems so serious.
“Levi,” I call out as I remember his name.
“Yeah?” he responds with all the attitude inherited from his older brother, Owen.
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking out loud.”
“Hmph. Well, don’t go around saying my name if you don’t need nothing. Can’t have you crying wolf.” With that parting comment, Levi leaves me to shower.
Assuming that more of the family had arrived last night, I hurry through my shower, wishing I could take my time. I’d already rudely slept through the evening and needed to pull my weight with breakfast. I don’t want them to feel like I’m being a mooch.
I shouldn’t have worried, though, because by the time I get done and change Pierce, the table is set and all the adults are gathered around the kitchen, waiting for any last instructions from Nana.
“Let’s sit down before it gets cold,” Nana announces, and the rush for everyone to take their seats begins.
“Ah, there she is with the baby.” Nana doesn’t even ask if she can have him as she scoops Pierce from my arms and starts talking to him.
“Go ahead and say the blessing, Pop. I’m gonna hold onto this little bundle for a while.”
I can’t say I complained too much. I haven’t eaten a hot meal since Brad left. The adults pass the baby around the table through the meal so that no one person is missing out on their meal.
I’d seen some of this while Brad and I had been dating, but didn’t realize the amount of help it really provided to have a large family, and this isn’t even half of them. I might have to rethink living in the city after this experience.
After breakfast, the rest of the local family start arriving and making their way into the large family room that can hold at least thirty adults comfortably.
“If you’re a youngin’ under the age of thirteen, you need to make yourself scarce while the adults talk,” Pop commands as the family continues to gather.
“Aw, Pop. I’m big enough to help kill some zombies. I can shoot rabbits or a coon from just as far back as the adults,” Owen whines.
“Now, none of that, son. If things get bad we’ll need your gun skills, but for now, you can go play with your cousins and enjoy a day free from school.” Allen, Owen’s father, admonished him.
Within minutes, the children are playing outside, oblivious to the issues that are being discussed. I’d grabbed the diaper bag so that I wouldn’t have to leave the conversation.
“I’ll take him back from you now.” I stand in front of Nancy, Allen’s wife, extending my arms to take Pierce from her. “He needs to eat, and this is the perfect time.”
“Just give me the bottle and I’ll feed him,” Nancy pleads.
“I didn’t feed him all night and really need to do it the other way.” I motion at my boobs, hoping the other adults won’t overhear.
Against Zombies Box Set, Vol. 1 | Books 1-4 Page 4