“What did they do to humiliate you?”
He lowered his head and scoffed. “They freed my people.” He looked up at her and she saw the sadness in his eyes. “I told you…I wasn’t a good guy before.”
“You had them captured?”
“More like slaves.” He winced at the words. “I ruled them with fear.”
“Like the Quee.”
Simon shook his head slowly. “I’m not proud of who I was.”
Lana turned slowly and wrapped her arms around his middle. “And who are you now, Simon?”
He sighed heavily as he peered into her eyes. “I’m still trying to figure that out.”
She chuckled. “You never give a straight answer, do you?”
“I might if I had one.” He stepped back and pulled her away from the window. “I don’t know who this ‘kinder, gentler’ version of me is yet.” He stepped closer to her and brushed a kiss across the tip of her nose. “All I know is, I’m starting to really like it.”
She cupped his face and kissed him. When she pulled back she scrunched her nose at him. “You need a shave.”
He laughed and wiped his hand across his chin. “And a shower.”
“Let’s do some shopping for you.” She pulled him towards the stairs. “We’ll get you a change of clothes and scrub you down and you’ll be a brand new man all over again.”
Simon pulled back against her and pulled her to him. “I love you.”
She stared at him for a moment, her eyes wide. “You don’t really know me….”
“I know you better than you think.” He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “I could wake up every day for the rest of my life and as long as I could look into those eyes, I’d be happy.”
She felt the corners of her mouth pull into a smile and she tugged him back towards the stairs. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up, doped up, and we both can get some much needed rest.”
“Big day tomorrow?” he asked as she led him down to the main floor.
“Of course.” She pulled the door open and stepped out into the fading light. “Tomorrow we search for a new house.” She spun and narrowed her eyes at him. “One that is ours and not some old hideout you shared with a bunch of smelly brutes.”
Simon laughed as she led him across the street. “Clean clothes and a sponge bath.”
She giggled as he pushed open the door of the neighboring house. “Chicken soup for the soul!”
19
Buck rolled over and grimaced at the sound of power tools. “What time is it? he groaned.
“Too early,” Skeeter moaned as she rolled over. “Stay in bed with me.”
Buck sat on the edge of the mattress and wiped a hand over his face. “I have things to do today.”
Skeeter sat up and ran a hand up his back, settling at his neck. “Are you going back to bury that old man?”
Buck nodded slowly. “Hatcher didn’t think it necessary, but…” He shook his head, trying to jumpstart his brain. “It just seems right.”
“I understand.” She sat up and wrapped herself around his back. “Want me to come along and help?”
Buck shook his head. “It’s not that warm yet, but I’d bet the smell won’t be nice.” He turned slightly and kissed her cheek. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Be careful out there.”
He nodded slowly. “I think the cure is doing its job. At least, judging by Nick, I’d say it is.”
“Still.” She pulled him close. “I like snuggling with you too much.”
“Oh, is that all?” He laughed as he began to dress. “I’m just a snuggle buddy?”
She punched him in the arm. “Just come home safe.”
Buck slipped his boots on and stood, stretching. “I will.” He peered through the blinds at the men already at work in the courtyard, the sun barely over the horizon. “I never was an early bird. I just don’t understand people who are.”
“Then wait a while. Come back to bed and go later.”
Buck sighed and gave her a knowing look. “It just doesn’t feel right leaving him there like that. He may have been infected, but he was a person. He had kids. A wife.”
“I know, sweetie.” She sat on the edge of the bed and he couldn’t help but stare at her naked form. “And I think you’re a better person for wanting to do this.” She stood and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I will.” He kissed the tip of her nose and leaned back to stare at her. Even with bedhead, she was still beautiful to him. “Maybe I’ll bring you back a surprise.”
“Ooh. That would be nice.” She fell back onto the bed and pulled the blanket over her. “Don’t stay out too late.”
“I’ll hurry.” He grabbed a ball cap and pulled it over his unruly curls. “Love you.”
“Love you more,” she muttered as he pulled the door closed.
Buck went through the motions of eating then checking out a truck and digging tools. His mind was on Nick, laid out on his bed, clutching the photo of his wife. If he’d been responsible for her death, could he blame him for what he did?
Buck started the truck and pulled away from the retirement home, his mind still on the task at hand. Should he say some words after he buried the couple? Should he bury them together? Should he make some kind of marker?
He drove across town, his attention distracted by what he had planned. He slowed at each intersection, checking briefly that the roads were clear. Before he realized it, he’d arrived at the house.
He pulled the truck into the driveway and stepped out. Grabbing a shovel and pickaxe from the bed, he walked through the house, carefully avoiding the covered body parts on the floor.
He opened the sliding glass door and was relieved that there was a slight breeze. Laying the
