“Are the people there more like you?” Will asked gesturing toward Kate. His finger slowly moved through the air stopping when it landed on Ethan. “Or more like him?”
Kate couldn’t help but smile. “Nothing like either of us.”
“Okay, well where do I sign up?” Will said slapping his leg.
“Are you sure about this, Kate?” Ethan asked without any care to the fact that Will was sitting right there next to them.
Kate rubbed her shoulder. “I’m not sure about anything, but we can’t just leave him out here.”
“We can and we probably should,” Ethan said.
“You guys have a lot of trouble in the town?” Will asked looking back and forth between Kate and Ethan.
Ethan snorted. “Yes.”
“No, not really,” Kate answered at the same time. She rolled her eyes at Ethan. “There was something, but things are good now. If you plan on disrupting things, don’t bother coming with us. We have prison cells and a strict no tolerance policy.”
“I was an author. I still write. Hell,” Will said gesturing at the hunting knife at his hip, “I didn’t even know how to use this thing until I was forced to. I’m not going to cause you or your town any trouble.”
“Then you’re welcome to come along,” Kate said lowering herself to the floor. The moans and groans weren’t letting up, and it seemed as though they were going to be hanging around for a while.
Kate leaned her head back and tried not to stare at Will in the darkness. A divorced man, who was a writer, and a very part-time dad. She wanted to believe he was a good man, but after what happened with Simon, she couldn’t help but be hesitant.
It wasn’t like she could just leave him to fend for himself. Eventually, he’d run out of food… or luck, and Kate didn’t want to have his blood on her hands.
She didn’t want her town to be the kind that would turn people away. How could she do better with what Simon had created if she didn’t make improvements?
“I’m going to get some rest,” Will said, lying down on the floor. He rested his head on his curled-up arm and closed his eyes.
Even in the darkness, Kate noticed Ethan gesturing out of the corner of her eye. She scrunched up her nose, but she crawled over to him.
“For the record, I think this is a really bad idea,” Ethan whispered.
“Now that Robby and Percy are gone, don’t you think we could use a new bad guy?” Kate asked, smirking to herself.
“Funny.” Ethan clenched his fist and released it. “And by funny, I mean so not funny.”
Kate clicked her tongue. “What choice do we have? Besides, if he wanted to do something to us, he could have by now. He just wants to find help like everyone else.”
“Guess we’ve become the recruiting team,” Ethan grumbled.
“Maybe,” Kate muttered. She bumped her elbow into his side. “Could be worse though.”
Ethan chuckled. “Could be a lot worse.”
Kate drew in a long breath. She placed her hand on Ethan’s knee and looked into his eyes.
“It’s going to be okay. I think he’s one of the good ones, and if he’s not, I’ll stab him in the thigh myself.”
Will released a soft laugh. “I am a good guy. You won’t regret it. I’ll do everything possible to avoid getting stabbed in the thigh.”
Ethan placed his hand over Kate’s. She smiled at him before resting her head on his shoulder. He didn’t have to say it, she already knew he couldn’t wait to get back inside the fence. And oddly, neither could she.
Chapter 9
When the fence came into view, Ethan pulled Kate into his arms for a quick squeeze. She smiled at him, but it faded slightly when she caught Will watching them.
“I’ll get Tommy and Wayne up to speed,” Ethan said looking over his shoulder.
There wasn’t a single Unholy in sight. They’d had to fight off a handful after they’d climbed out of the treehouse, but for the most part, the walk back to the town had been uneventful.
It had taken all day to get back, which had been a painful walk for Kate. The blister on her foot was killing her. She was trying to hide the fact that she was limping.
Kate thought she might have to stop by and see the doctor to see if there was anything he could do to help alleviate the pain. Or maybe he could give her a few pain pills to make it through the next couple days. Although, he probably reserved those for real emergencies.
Kate had only seen the doctor once, and she hadn’t been sure if he was actually a real doctor. Maybe she’d be better off putting a bandage over the blister and staying off her feet for a while. It wasn’t like she wanted to walk that far again any time soon after the long trek they’d just endured.
When they stepped inside the fence, Ethan gave Will a look before he took off to go find Tommy and Wayne. His dislike for Will was so immense Kate could feel it in the air.
“Sorry about him,” Kate said feeling as though she should apologize for Ethan’s silent rudeness.
“Don’t give it a second thought. I understand.”
She stopped and looked at Will for what felt like the first time. The daylight showed just how extremely good-looking he was, and the brightness in his eyes was almost hypnotizing. His shoulder were broad as was the smile on his face.
“What?” Will said raising the brow of one eye while the other narrowed.
“Nothing,” Kate said shaking her head. “I just don’t know exactly what to do with you. I guess I should show you around.”
“I’d like that a lot,” Will said shoving his hands into his pockets.
Kate smiled, but the blister on her heel throbbed when she took a step toward the main road. “I’m not sure I can walk much further.”
“Oh.” Will looked down at Kate’s foot. “Well, I could….”
“Come to my office, and I can give you the rundown on the place there.”
“Lead the way,” Will said gesturing at the road. Kate could feel his eyes on her. “Can I do anything to help?”
Kate glanced at him briefly. “I’m sure I can find something for you do around here.”
“I meant about your leg.”
“Oh.” Kate looked down at her foot and then back up at Will. “No, but thanks for the offer. It’s a blister… from all the walking. I just need to sit down.”
They headed through the town and everyone they walked by looked Will up and down while trying not to appear overly suspicious of the new guy. Will looked the town up and down in much the same way.
“This was here the whole time?” Will asked, shaking his head. He looked upset that he hadn’t come sooner, but what he hadn’t known was just how lucky he was that he hadn’t.
“It was, but it’s a fair distance from your place.”
“I came here nearly weekly and never thought to see what happened.” Will sighed. “I guess I just assumed the whole town was probably overrun with those things.”
Kate raised her brow. “I’m not from here, but it probably was. They cleared out this area and put up the fence.”
“Where were you before you came here?”
“Big city,” Kate said jerking her thumb in the general direction of where she was from. “It was terrible there for quite a while. Hid out in my home for a long time, just like you did.”
“Then you came here?” Will asked.
Kate nodded. He didn’t need to know anything beyond that. He’d probably find out soon enough about the previous leader. It wasn’t something Kate was ready to talk about freely with a stranger especially when she didn’t even talk about it to non-strangers.
She pointed out various buildings as they made their way to her office. Kate could tell that Will was wondering if he’d made the right choice.
When the door to her office closed, Will let out a long breath. “That was a lot of eyes on me.”
“You’ll know everyone by name in no time,” Kate said sitting down, trying not to laugh at herself. She still didn’t know the names o
f most of the people in town. She’d just never put in the effort to learn them because she’d always thought she’d be gone.
Kate took off her shoe and noticed blood had soaked through her sock.
“Dammit.”
“That doesn’t look good,” Will said sitting down across from Kate. “Want me to take a look?”
Kate narrowed her eyes. “It’s just a blister. I’ll survive.”
She slowly peeled off her sock, and it felt as though several layers of her skin went along with it. Kate winced and bit her cheek to counter the pain she was feeling in her foot.
“Shit,” Will said leaning forward. “Where do you keep the bandages?”
Kate shook her foot. Not because it was helping, but because she didn’t know what else to do.
“In the cabinet behind you.”
Will popped up, pulled open the cabinet drawer and started digging around. He held up one of the large square bandages when he found it.
“Here, let me,” Will said kneeling down in front of her. He grabbed her foot without waiting for her response. “The bandage should help. It’ll at least cushion it a bit.”
“You’re an author and a doctor?” Kate asked.
Will smiled as he stood and walked back over to the chair. “I wasn’t always an author. Probably one of the many reasons my wife divorced me. I quit my job as a nurse.”
“A male nurse? Don’t tell Ethan.”
“I hadn’t planned on it.”
“I’m going to need that by the way,” Kate said gesturing toward Will’s hip. “Part of our deal and all.”
Will narrowed his eyes and shook his head. His eyes widened when he realized she was talking about his hunting knife. He stood up and removed the sheath.
Kate held out her hand, and he placed it into her palm. “If I leave, I’d like it back.”
“Of course,” Kate said.
“If those things get in here, and I die, I’m going to be so pissed you took that from me.”
“Noted.” Kate cocked her head to the side. “Maybe if you’re good, you’ll get it back.”
Will leaned toward Kate. “Don’t tell Ethan that.”
“I hadn’t planned on it.”
They both smiled.
“Shit,” Kate said pushing herself to her feet. “I should show you to the cafeteria and then help you find a place to stay for the night.”
They’d spent most of the day walking, and night would fall soon Will had to be hungry after the long hike.
The door burst open, and Kate stepped back. She pressed her hand to her heart and let out a sharp breath.
“You okay?” Ethan asked, his eyes darted to Will.
“I’m fine. You startled me,” Kate said pressing her lips together. “Is everything okay out there?”
“Yeah,” Ethan said narrowing his eyes. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
Kate shook her head. She didn’t have the desire to get into why the way he’d burst into the office the way he had might give her the impression that something was wrong. “Never mind. Hey,” Kate said smiling sweetly, “would you mind doing me a favor?”
“Anything,” Ethan said grinning eagerly.
“Could you show Will the cafeteria and set him up with a room in the hotel?” Kate asked watching the smile wash off his face. “Think the room next to mine is usually open. Not sure if the door locks.”
“Hotel?” Will asked, his voice soaked with disappointment. It was quite a downgrade from his home. “What about all the other buildings?”
“It’s a work in progress. Most of the homes that had been available are taken, others need work. For now, I’m sorry, but a hotel room is the best I can do,” Kate said.
Will looked out the window toward the darkening sky. “It’ll be fine, thanks.”
“I’m going to try to make my way to my room,” Kate said wincing when she took a step.
“Maybe I should help you back first,” Ethan said reaching his hand to help her.
Kate held up her palm. “I’m fine. Showing Will around will be a huge help, thanks.”
“Of course,” Ethan said. “Can I bring you something to eat?”
“That would be really great,” Kate said hobbling toward the door. She let out a yawn as she pressed her palm against her cheek. Kate was beyond exhausted. All the walking. The lack of sleep. She couldn’t wait to get to her room and flop down on the bed.
It was dark when the knocking at the door woke Kate. She rubbed the back of her neck as she crossed the floor to peek out of the peephole.
Ethan was standing there shifting his weight back and forth. She opened the door, and he walked past her and into the room.
He dropped down several packages of food before easing himself into the chair near the window.
“Did I wake you?” Ethan asked as Kate combed her fingers through her snarled hair.
“It’s fine,” Kate smiled as she ripped open the cereal bar packaging. “Is Will all settled in?”
“Think so. Found him a room on the first floor.” Ethan stretched his arms over his head. “Still not sure why you wanted him here.”
Kat finished chewing the rather large bite she’d taken. “It’s not that I wanted him here, but who am I to say he’s not welcome here? He just wants the same thing as the rest of us.”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because of the whole Simon thing, but I just don’t trust him.” Ethan clenched and unclenched his hands.
“I don’t trust him either.”
“You don’t trust any one.”
Kate turned away to light the candle on the table. “I trust you.”
“I appreciate that,” Ethan said cocking his head to the side. “But I’m not sure I believe you.”
Kate smiled. “The most I can trust a person, well, you’ve got that.”
Ethan looked down at his hands but smiled as if she’d given him a compliment. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked into her eyes.
“I think you’re pretty great too. That’s what you’re trying to say right? If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead in Robby’s basement,” Ethan said.
“You would be undead roaming around with a pack of The Unholy.” Kate crossed her arms. “You wouldn’t have even been there if it hadn’t been for me. I acted too fast, barely gave Percy’s idea any thought,” she said sitting down on the creaky bed.
Ethan got up out of the chair and sat down next to her, leaving very little space between them. Her heart pulsed.
“I’m terrible at this,” Kate said lowering her head. “Why did I think that was a good idea?”
“Because a garden is a great idea and something we should work toward… there is no way you could have known that was Simon’s family out for revenge.” Ethan shook his head. “I’ve been here since nearly the beginning, and I had no idea. Simon had his secrets.”
“I should have done more….”
Ethan took Kate’s hand into his and looked at her fingers in the darkness. “You’re doing just fine.”
The silence between them stretched out for too long. Kate could feel her heart beating in her chest.
She cleared her throat. “What did Tommy and Wayne have to say?”
“Not much. Glad we’re back. They wanted to go out looking for us but had no idea which way to go.”
“Yeah. Yet another reason it was a stupid, stupid idea.” Kate pounded her fist on her thigh. “Glad they didn’t make an attempt.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Ethan said wrapping his arm around Kate’s shoulder. Her body stiffened, and Ethan must have noticed. He patted her shoulder and pulled his arm back. “I would have done the same, hell, they all probably would have. None of us know what the shit we’re doing.”
Ethan leaned closer to Kate, setting his lips next to her ear. A shiver wiggled up her spine.
“And we’re still doing a better job than Simon did,” Ethan whispered. Kate could tell he was smiling.
She turned slightly, and Ethan didn’t pull
away. His eyes were down, focused on the side of her neck.
“Kate, I… uh…,” Ethan stammered. His lips parted as his shoulders slowly rose up before gently falling back down.
She felt his breath on her skin. The electricity between them was so strong she was sure she could reach out and touch it.
“I should probably….” Kate’s words faded into nothing when Ethan placed the side of his face to hers.
The tip of his nose slowly drew a line up her cheek, stopping when their lips were almost touching. Her body was tense, every nerve ending sparkled with anticipation.
She opened her mouth to say his name. He should go. She needed her rest. Her foot was killing her. There was so much to do around town. Whatever this was shouldn’t happen.
Kate didn’t want to open her heart. She couldn’t. But when Ethan’s lips lightly touched hers, every thought burst like tiny little bubbles. The only thing that existed in Kate’s world was Ethan.
Chapter 10
Ethan’s hand slid around to the back of Kate’s neck when she pressed her lips hard against his. Even though there was something deep inside her trying to stop her, she ignored it.
His lips were soft, and the stubble on his face lightly scratched against her skin. Even though she wasn’t, she felt safe wrapped in his arms.
Kate’s body ignited when Ethan rolled his tongue against hers. Every inch of her body heated and pulsed with electricity.
He shifted his weight, and with little effort, he eased her down onto the bed. Ethan pulled back and looked into her eyes.
Kate bit her lip.
“From the moment I saw you,” Ethan whispered shaking his head slowly as he averted his eyes. “All I’ve wanted—”
There was a knock at the door.
Kate’s eyebrows pressed together as she looked past Ethan. She placed her hand on his chest, and he rolled off her onto his back letting out a low groan of frustration.
“Sorry,” she said working to steady her breathing.
“It’s okay,” he said, but she could hear the disappointment.
“It could be important.”
Falling Darkness Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - Books 1-3 Page 23