"Now you want to let everyone in," Doug muttered as he walked away.
"Mike would you go get some blankets, mattresses too. It might be better if everyone slept in here tonight."
"Yeah, I think you're right."
"Jack, would you help me bring in some extra logs?"
"Sure."
"You two," he said to Kathleen and Danielle. "Stay in this room and stay together."
"Whatever," Kathleen angrily threw herself into the recliner.
"Come with me."
He took hold of Sera's hand and led her from the living room. He almost went down to the bedroom but quickly changed his mind. No matter what was going on, he knew if he got her in there, he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off her. He led her into the kitchen and sat her at the island while he helped Jack gather wood.
"What are you going to tell them?" she asked.
"I don't know," he admitted. "We'll decide that when David gets here."
"There's a blizzard outside, Liam. I don't think David is going to get here."
"He will," Jack said. He stepped back into the kitchen with a bundle of wood balanced carefully in his arms. "Can I ask you a question?"
Liam straightened to look at them. "Sure," she said.
"Why are you doing this? You don't have to stay, you don't have to be a part of this, and you would probably be safer if you left."
"Safer from who?"
"From Beth, from..." his voice trailed off, but his eyes flicked toward Liam. Liam's hands clenched upon the logs as he stepped back into the kitchen. "From us. We don't exactly live a normal, safe life."
"I want to be here, and I am safe."
There was a scrutinizing look on Jack's face as he studied her and then Liam. "Yeah, I guess you are."
"I know I am."
"Liam," Doug said as he appeared in the doorway. "David's on the phone. I left it on the stairs, that's the only place I can get any reception."
"Okay. Here, take these." He handed the logs over to him. "And take her into the living room. Make sure she's safe."
He followed them to the foyer and watched as Sera followed Doug into the living room. He almost went after her to bring her back, he hated having her out of sight, but he needed to talk to David, alone. He grabbed the phone off the stairs and sat down. "Hello."
"Hey." David's voice was distorted by static. "Sounds like you got a mess up there."
"You could say that. How much did Doug tell you?"
"Enough. I can't believe you told your girlfriend."
"Don't start, David."
"I'm not. How did Beth find you guys?" David inquired.
"Same way she always finds us I guess, but this time she left a mess for us to clean up."
Another wave of static swept through. "Yeah, what do you want to do?"
"I don't know yet. Tell them the truth?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"I don't know, maybe," he admitted.
There was silence as static crinkled over the line. "There's more, isn't there?"
"Yes, we need you here."
"In a fucking blizzard?"
"Yes, if you can. Things are... I don't know what they are, not with me, not anymore."
David took a deep breath. "This doesn't sound like you, Liam."
"It's not." He hated to admit it, but it was true.
"All right, I'll see what I can do. Guess I'm leaving school sooner than I planned. How do I get there?"
"I don't know, hold on. Kathleen!" he yelled.
"What?" she snapped.
"I need you for a second."
He listened to her rustling around in the living room before she stomped up to him. "What?"
"I need you to give a friend of mine directions to get here."
"No way, I've had enough of your friends."
"Kathleen, this is important. If you want any explanations, then you're going to have to wait until he gets here."
Resentment was written all over her face as she snatched the phone out of his hand. "This is what you do," she spat. She rattled off directions from the main highway and threw the phone back at Liam.
She turned and stormed away. Liam picked up the phone again. "Got that?"
"Yeah, I managed to copy the rapid fire. Sweet personality. You want to tell that girl?"
"Maybe, I don't know. How long do you think it will take you to get here?"
"I can probably get a flight out tonight, but I don't know what airports are open in that area. Or how I'm going to get there from the airport. I don't know, hopefully tomorrow, maybe the next day."
"Just see what you can do. We won't do anything until you're here."
"All right. One more thing."
"Yeah?"
"Do you love her?"
"More than anything."
David sighed. "All right, I'll see you soon. Bye."
"Bye."
Liam hung up the phone and sat for a few minutes as he tried to sort out his mangled emotions.
Chapter Sixteen
Sera woke slowly the next morning. The blanket was pulled firmly over her head, and she snuggled in deeper seeking warmth. It was then she realized Liam was no longer with her, and that’s why she was cold. She sat up quickly.
Recently rebuilt, the fire’s bright flames leapt high as it crackled, and the smell of wood permeated the air. Kathleen was passed out on one of the couches, and Danielle was curled up in the recliner. Mike had abandoned his spot on the other couch, and Jack was gone from his mattress on the floor. Doug remained on his mattress next to the couch, his mouth open as he snored.
Muffled voices from the kitchen drifted to her. She wrapped the blanket around her as she stood and made her way toward them. Their voices drifted to her, but she couldn't make out any of the words. When she entered the doorway, they stopped talking and turned to look at her. She glanced curiously at them as she made her way to the coffee pot and began to gather the ingredients.
"What's going on?" she asked as she turned to face them. Liam stood and made his way around the island to her. She
