“Who put you in charge?” the man asked.
Simon’s face went dark and he glared at the man. “Would you rather I invite your friends back?” He glanced over the man’s shoulder at his wife. “Or is it her that wants them back?” The man’s face reddened and he shook his head. “No? No arguments?”
The man shook his head and Lana chuckled. “Good job, sweetie.” She clung to him as he turned and started back down the path. “I still think you should have killed them where they stood.”
Simon nodded. “There’s still time.”
19
“And that’s why I’d like to borrow your daughter.” Roger sat down gently, his face hopeful.
Trevor looked at Donna and wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m confused” was all he could think to say. “Why Brandy?”
“She still looks like one of…them.” Roger squirmed. “I know that sounds stupid, but I’m hoping that she can connect with him.” He looked to Donna, worriedly. “The last fella we found ended up killing himself. I don’t want to lose another.”
Trevor sat back and stared to the end of the camper where Brandy was supposed to be taking a nap. “I guess I just don’t understand what she could do.”
Roger sighed and rubbed at his eyes. “I have no idea either. I guess I’m just hoping that he’s a father or grandfather. Maybe they could make a connection and he’d find a reason to keep going.”
“I think we should ask her,” Donna stated quietly. She looked to Trevor. “She has such a big heart. I’m sure if she understood the situation she—”
“I’ll do it.” All eyes turned to stare at the little girl. She had entered quietly and now stood behind Roger, her face hopeful. “If there’s a chance I can help somebody who’s hurting, I’ll do it.”
Trevor shook his head. “Sweetheart, this may be bigger than you can handle.”
She walked past Roger and wrapped her arms around Trevor’s neck. “If nothing else, I can spend a little time with him.” She leaned back and gave him a soft smile. “Either he likes me or he doesn’t.”
Trevor looked at Roger, his eyes hard. “We don’t know anything about this guy.”
“So we make sure that we’re there with them,” Roger came to his feet and pleaded. “I wouldn’t ask, but I have no idea what else to do. The man’s a mess.”
“He lost his wife,” Brandy replied softly. “He’s lonely, daddy. He needs someone to talk to.”
Trevor stared into her wide eyes and caved. “You have me wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?”
She giggled and touched Trevor’s chin. “Yep.” She slipped away from him and reached for Roger’s hand. “Where is he now?”
Roger took her hand and gave her a sad smile. “You’re a strong kid, you know that? Not many people would be willing to help a stranger.”
She glanced at Trevor. “Only the special ones, right, daddy?”
Trevor had to swallow the lump in his throat as the four of them exited the camper and worked their way through the construction zone of the compound.
Brandy swung Roger’s arm as they walked. “Daddy let me pick out our new house.” She smiled at him. “We’re only staying here until the water is on there, then I get to paint my room.” She pulled him closer and whispered, “Somebody painted it all pink and it’s yuck.”
Roger raised a brow at her. “You don’t like pink?”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Pink is for girly girls.”
“Oh.” He nodded knowingly. “I should have guessed.” He led her down the hall and found the room that Buck had taken Eddie. “Well, he’s inside here…and he’s really sad.”
“I know.” She seemed to grow taller as she stood up straight. “I was sad too, a long time ago.” She opened the door a crack and peeked inside. Roger started to follow but she turned and held a finger in his face. “You can wait out here.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “If I need you, I’ll yell.” She glanced to Trevor and winked.
The three of them stood nervously in the hallway as she shut the door.
Brandy stepped into the room and looked around. “This is plain; I like it.”
Eddie turned slowly and looked at her. “Are you lost, little girl?”
Buck sat up from his chair and blinked at her, disbelievingly. She pointed to him and hooked her finger towards the door. “I got this.”
Buck looked at her then back to Eddie. “I, uh…”
“Go on.” She pushed him toward the door. “I’ll call you if I need you.”
Buck was ushered out the door and stood in the hallway, staring at the others. “She’s bossy, ain’t she?”
Donna chuckled, “You have no idea.”
Brandy walked across the room and faced Eddie. “I’m Brandy. With a ‘y’.”
He stared at her little hand then slowly extended his own. “I’m Eddie. With an ‘ie’.” He couldn’t fight the smile that formed as she shook his hand. “I guess you’re supposed to be in here?”
She nodded. “My daddy and uncle Roger think you’re sad.” She stared into his eyes and nodded slowly. “I think you are, too.”
Eddie looked away and sighed. “My wife passed away.”
“I know.” She propped her elbows on the small desk and rested her head on her hands. “I lost my mom and dad, too.”
Eddie looked at her with confusion. “I thought you said your dad—”
“He’s not my real dad.” She looked up and smiled. “But in a lot of ways, he’s better.”
Eddie’s brows hiked. “How so?”
She stood up again and grinned. “Because silly. He chose me. He didn’t have to, but he did.”
Eddie leaned back in the chair and propped his arm on the back. “You don’t say.”
“Yep. Then he found me a new mom.” She wrinkled her nose again. “I’m not sure about her yet, but she makes daddy happy.”
“Don’t you miss your mom and dad? Your real ones?”
She nodded. “Oh yeah.” She turned and hopped onto the narrow mattress. “But…daddy says they’re in a better place now. I think he means
