With a sigh of satisfaction, he wiped the sweat from his brow. He’d done enough for the moment, and it was time for a well-earned break. He walked toward the porch and leaned the rake against the railing before sitting down on the top step. His chest ached where he’d been shot, but he ignored it as part of the healing process.
Rummaging in the cooler he’d packed earlier, he removed a bottle of water and a packet of peanuts. As he chewed on a handful of the nuts, he surveyed his handiwork. All in all, it was a solid morning’s work. He’d tidied the flowerbeds, raked up the dead vegetation, and trimmed the trees. He’d also readied a patch of earth for planting, and the seeds lay waiting on the kitchen table. His mouth watered at the thought of fresh peas, green beans, spinach, tomatoes, and lettuce. Anything that didn’t carry the metallic aftertaste of a can.
“Wow, someone’s been busy,” a familiar voice called.
He looked up into the beaming face of Amanda. “Hi, Amanda.”
She waved at him from the front gate before pointing at the garden. “It’s looking good, I see.”
Alex shrugged. “All in a day’s work.”
“Fancy a walk? I’m on my way to the infirmary,” Amanda asked.
“I’d love to, but I still need to bag those leaves,” Alex answered. “One stiff breeze, and all my efforts will be undone.”
“I understand,” Amanda said with a rueful smile. “Maybe another time?”
“Definitely.”
At that moment, Amy rode up on her bike, followed by Jenny while George the puppy trailed in their wake. They stopped next to Amanda and exchanged cheerful greetings.
“Hey, Amanda. Did you come to visit?” Amy asked, leaning her bicycle against the fence.
“Not today,” Amanda replied. “I’m on my way to work.”
“That’s too bad,” Amy said, reaching for the gate.
Alex raised a hand. “Wait, don’t…”
She unlatched the gate, and George pushed through the opening with a gleeful bark. Before Alex could stop him, he spotted the pile of dead leaves and plowed into it headfirst. An explosion of rich fall colors followed, and within seconds, hours of hard work was lost.
Alex sighed, his shoulders drooping as he finished his sentence. “…open the gate.”
Amy stared at him with wide eyes. “Oh, dear. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think.”
“George, no,” Jenny cried over the fence, wagging her finger. “Bad dog!”
George ignored both Jenny and Amy, chasing dead leaves around the yard with all the exuberance contained within his quivering body. He barked at everything and anything, his tail lashing the air like a whip.
Alex rose to his feet with a shake of his head. “I think I’ll take you up on that walk, after all, Amanda.”
“Glad to hear it,” Amanda said, trying to hide her grin behind a raised hand.
“I’m sorry, Alex. I’ll clean it up, I promise,” Amy said, cringing as she watched George cavort in the garden.
“You’d better,” Alex said, walking down the driveway. “It took me the whole morning to rake up those leaves. The plastic bags are on the porch.”
“I’ll help,” Jenny said, dropping her bike to the ground. She darted past Alex and chased after George, a futile exercise as the puppy evaded her efforts with ease.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Alex said with a somber expression. “And don’t forget to pick up his poop, either.”
“His poop?” Jenny asked, wrinkling her nose.
“You’re kidding, right?” Amy called after his retreating back.
“You heard me,” Alex shouted back as he joined Amanda on the sidewalk. He extended his arm with exaggerated courtesy. “Shall we, Miss Hooper?”
Amanda smothered a giggle as she looped her arm through his. They walked down the street for a spell before she said, “That was kind of mean.”
“Mean? Try doing yard work in this heat with three gunshot wounds in your chest,” Alex said.
Amanda snorted. “Now, you’re exaggerating.”
“Only a little,” Alex admitted. “Besides, it will keep them out of trouble.”
“Mm, trouble seems to follow you Donahue’s around like a shadow,” Amanda said. “Seriously, though. How are you feeling?”
“Much better. It still hurts at times, but each day is better than the last,” Alex said, giving his chest an experimental stretch.
“Will you be able to work again soon?” Amanda said.
“I’m counting on it,” Alex said. “Sitting on the porch all day isn’t exactly my idea of fun.”
“And neither is picking up dog poop,” Amanda said with a laugh.
Alex shuddered. “Definitely not, but why do you ask about my working again soon?”
“No reason, except that I know they could use you. Dylan complains about the state of the vehicles all the time. Trucks are breaking down left, right, and center, and I know everyone is worried about the coming of spring.”
“Spring? It’s not coming, it’s already here,” Alex said, waving a hand around.
“I know, and that’s what frightens me. Any day now, the zombies will come back,” Amanda said, her voice low.
“Don’t worry about it too much. We’re safe here,” Alex said, not liking the bleak look in her eyes.
“Are we?” Amanda asked. “We’ve had it easy this winter, except for King’s attack, and it’s been nice not being scared all the time.”
“You scared? You don’t have it in you to be scared,” Alex said, bumping her shoulder.
She punched him on the arm. “Shows you how little you know about me.”
“A lack I intend to remedy,” Alex replied. “If you’ll let me.”
Amanda flashed him an amused look. “Are you asking me out, Alex Donahue?”
“Maybe. If you could get your boss to give you time off,” Alex quipped.
“We’ll see about that,” Amanda answered. “But you’d better pull out all the stops. I aim to be impressed.”
“Not a problem,” Alex said. “I know how to romance a girl.”
Amanda laughed. “I’m sure you do. You must’ve been
