Page 69 of Night of the Living Manny
“Do you know where to look?”
“I do.” She took his hand. “The sibs will come looking soon. I can come wash the car down once we talk to them.”
He squeezed her hand hard. “You’re amazing. You really are.”
“I just want Daddy home. I lost Momma already. I’m tired of being amazing. I want to be a brat.”
“I promise you can have at least one tantrum a day.” Brenden sighed. “We need to tell them.”
She nodded, and they went inside hand in hand. Moose lost his shit, running around them in circles before jumping up on him, front paws on his shoulders, that slobbery tongue all over his face.
Peter stood up. “You’re back! Everyone okay?”
“Your dad went with the people he called, kiddo.” Wow, listen to him, all even and serious. It wasn’t a lie. Liam hadn’t gone willingly, but he wasn’t gonna say that. “They’re going to get the antidote worked out at a real lab.”
Peter frowned at him, then looked at Susanna. “For reals?”
“Uh-huh. It’s totally a thing.”
“So he comes back after he gives them the formula?” Peter was less than convinced.
“That’s the plan.” He hoped.
Britt peeked out from behind Peter. “I want Daddy.”
“I know, honey.” He pushed Moose down. “We’ll see him soon.” He prayed hard when he said it. “Until then, we’ll just hold down the fort together—the four of us.”
“Five with Moosey,” Brittany said.
“I should take him out.” That was a habit, something normal he could do.
“Can I come with you?” Britt took his hand.
“Sure.” He grinned down at her, trying for normality. “Let’s get his leash on.” Brenden was leaving Moose harnessed all the time right now, for his safety as well as theirs.
“Okay.”
The peace here was less than tenuous. It wouldn’t take a thing to shatter it.
They took Moose outside, and Brenden was glad to see Moose sniff around and find nothing.
“I’m scared, Brenden,” Britt whispered.
“So am I, baby girl.” He used Liam’s nickname for her. “I am. But we can do this, and your dad said you were the best kids ever.”
“Yeah, he’s our daddy. He has to think that.”
“Of course he does. I agree with him, though.” He watched Moose stretch to the end of his leash. The big guy wanted to explore so bad, but hikes were out. “Have you been playing ball with Moose? He needs to exercise some more inside.”
“Uh-huh. And we’ve been playing on the bed.”
“Good deal. You’re good to him.” He needed her to think about Moose, not Liam.
“Sure I am. He’s a good boy.”
“He is. He’s like all of us, though. He’s not used to being cooped up. We ran two miles every day.” Brenden itched to run too, just to work off nervous energy.
“Uh-huh. There’s no place to play here. No friends. Just be quiet and still.”
