“Got it,” says Dean.
“We can negotiate on the beer, though, right?” I ask with my most endearing smile. “I really did have a day.”
“No,” say both Avan and Dean.
“Well, that’s harsh.”
Reema appears in the doorway. “Why doesn’t Sophie have a sleepover with Hazel tonight? Let you concentrate on this one.”
“That would be great. Thank you,” says Dean.
He bundles me up in his leather jacket and we say good night to one and all. There’ll be time for meeting the three new members of our community later. When he isn’t having a meltdown over my head wound. Sophie and Hazel are busy oohing and aahing at the baby. To be fair, the baby is only a week old and super cute.
Which reminds me. “I pet a baby goat today. It was so soft and cute.”
He gives me a look.
“What?” I ask. “Are you still in your feelings about me getting shot?”
“I am, funnily enough.”
The new people are gathered at a table eating minestrone with Natalia and Naomi. It’s going to be a while before they feel safe and sound. Given what they went through today, this makes sense.
“Good night, Nurse Sophie and Nurse Hazel,” I say to the girls.
Nurse Sophie waggles a finger at me. “You should be resting in bed.”
“She’s such a hard-ass,” I say to Dean, when we’re outside in the still night air. “When are you on watch tonight?”
“Just watching you.”
“I am okay. Really.”
He does not seem convinced. And his arm is around my back, holding my elbow like I need steadying or something. Which I don’t think I do, but whatever. When I tip my head back to see the stars, however, the world turns in dizzy circles. Maybe he’s right about me needing a certain amount of monitoring. But like only a little.
As soon as we get home, I head for the bathroom and brush my teeth. No amount of mints made them feel clean after puking.
“Darling, are you going to tell me how you managed to take a bullet to the head?” he asks, watching me from the doorway.
“You haven’t called me darling before. There’s a testy edge to the endearment I don’t trust.”
“Is there?”
“You love me,” I say, pointing my finger at him. “Say it, Dean. I think you need the reminder.”
“I remember just fine. How did you get shot?”
“It only grazed me. Just like oh so vaguely winged me as it went on its way, you know?”
He gives me a look and waits not so patiently.
“Right. How it happened.” I pour a cup of drinking water to rinse my mouth and toothbrush. “We went to the farms and that was all good. That’s where the baby animals were. I am going to need your help building, um, chicken and goat houses too, or whatever they’re called, by the way. Wouldn’t it be great to have fresh eggs and milk? And then Naomi and I decided to do some shopping in a cool small town to the north. I found days-of-the-week underwear, isn’t that fantastic?”
“Keep going,” he says.
“The town was meant to be outside of where Porter usually sends his people.” I hand him the leather jacket and toe off my socks and boots. And I almost tip over at one point, making him step forward to steady me. Oops. Next go the crusty tee and jeans. Dried bloodstains ahoy. The top can go into the compost or something. No way am I getting those marks out. My bra and underwear stay on for now. “But there were some there.”
“Did they see you?”
