Page 49 of Bailey

"Positive." I heard the guys on the porch and jumped up to finish preparing lunch on the table. "Don't say anything," I whispered to Matty as the screen door opened. I turned my back and busied myself at the stove so that I didn't have to see the anger in their eyes when they looked at me. I don't think I could handle pretending there wasn't anything wrong if I did. They greeted Matty as they sat around the table without paying me attention.

I blindly stirred the stew I was heating up and jumped when someone touched my back. I turned my head to see Boone standing by my side. He lifted my chin to meet his worried eyes. "It's going to be ok, Honey Bee. Our feelings for you haven't changed." My eyes filled with tears again, and he swore softly as he wrapped me up in his arms and hugged me.

"You have something you need to fucking say?" Pike asked.

I tensed, thinking he was talking to me, until Boone answered him. "Right now? No. Later? You bet your fucking ass I do, asshole."

"I'm looking forward to it," Pike replied sarcastically.

"So, I didn't want to say anything until you were all together," Matty said, changing the subject, "but we caught the guy that brought all the zombies to your place a couple of weeks ago."

"What?!" I said, stepping out of Boone's arms.

"Yeah. He was trying to steal some of Henry's cows. He admitted to letting the zombies loose here as well," Matty replied.

"That's great news," Boone said as he sat down.

I felt a part of me relax as I served the stew. Nothing suspicious had happened in the last two weeks, but I was so paranoid I kept feeling like I was being watched. It was a relief to know that they caught the person responsible, and I wouldn't have to worry about some sudden attack by unknown enemies. When I served Pike, he looped his finger through my belt loops before I could walk away. I met his eyes nervously and, for the first time, saw past the anger within them to see the hurt underneath. Silently, he let all the pretenses fall away and made himself vulnerable so that I could see the depths of his pain. Somehow, I had hurt him, and that broke my heart. I watched as he masked those emotions again and winked at me. Somehow, I felt better. I knew that whatever our problems were, he wanted to talk about them eventually and wouldn't walk away from me.

Was I being unreasonable? These men came into my life and turned all my beliefs on their heads. Is it such a stretch that they might be able to do the same with my disinterest in kids? I was feeling confused, so when I heard Matty mention to the guys that Henry's offer for help planting still stood now that the danger was gone, I jumped on it.

"I think that's a good idea," I said. Surprise registered in my men's eyes. "I could use the time to think."

"What do you need to think about?" Ethan asked cautiously.

At the same time, Pike said, "Absolutely not. We have things we need to discuss sooner rather than later."

"I don't want you here," I said more harshly than intended. "I need some time to myself," I said softer. I could see the hurt in their eyes, but I knew that time alone was vital. I had some things I needed to figure out, and I couldn't do that with them hovering around me all the time.

"If that's what you want, then that's what we'll do," Gray said quietly. The others didn't comment as an awkward silence fell on the kitchen as everyone ate their stew. When they finished their lunches, they went to pack some clothes to bring with them.

"We're riding with Matty, so the truck is there for you to use if you need it," Caleb said as he hugged me tightly and left the house.

Ethan and Gray both hugged me as well and then followed Caleb out the door.

Pike hugged me next, and he hugged me so tight I was having difficulty breathing. "Please don't leave us, Baby. I'm sorry."

"I just need to think about some things, Pike," I assured him. "I'm not going anywhere." He gave me a hard kiss and then left without another word.

Boone was next, and he pulled me into his arms like he'd done a thousand times before. "Don't make any decisions without us, Honey Bee. And remember that we fucking love you." He kissed my forehead and left, leaving me with Matty.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Matty asked.

"No. I really do need some space to think," I told him as we walked out together.

"If you're sure...," Matty replied.

"Witch, come on, girl," Ethan called from Matty's truck. Witch bounded down the steps but stopped between us. She whined as she looked between them and me. She could sense something was up. With another whine, she turned and returned up the steps to sit at my side, leaning her body into my leg. Ethan looked slightly put off at her choice but gave me a small smile anyway.

"Us girls have to stick together," I called. His chuckle reached me as they drove away. We watched them until they reached the curve in the road and disappeared. "Come on, girl," I told Witch, patting my leg. We went inside, and I looked around my now-empty house. I insisted they leave and give me space, but I couldn't help feeling lonely without their presence.

Chapter twenty-two

Scott

Iwatchedfromthetrees as the men entered the truck. I almost didn't come today, but my luck was holding steady. I recognized Matty immediately and knew that I would be visiting him next. I was disappointed when I returned a couple of days after my special delivery and saw that they had survived. After that, the other farmer nearby had added extra security patrols to the road, which was an added complication. But Lady Luck continued to bless me with a random stranger. It had taken little to convince him to steal a cow and get himself captured. I knew once the guards had been pulled back to the farm, it had worked out for me better than I had expected.

I watched Bailey go back inside with the dog. The dog posed a problem, but nothing a bullet couldn't fix. This was my time. I had waited ten years to get to this point, and it took every ounce of self-control to stay hidden in the forest. I needed to ensure that her men wouldn't return and interrupt us. I'd give it thirty minutes, and then I would teach that little bitch a long overdue lesson. I couldn't wait to give her everything she had coming to her finally.

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