“Calhoun, um, we’re supposed to be guarding this area. You need to move along. ”
“Dear God, woman! Do you understand the gravity of what I am doing?
No, you do not! I am trying to make this fort safe from the messed up clones. ” Calhoun pointed down at the corpse in the road. “Dear God, they don’t even have the decency to cover their junk. Heathens!”
Folding her arms over her breasts, Katie stared at Calhoun, one eyebrow arched.
“Fine! I will return later!” Calhoun whipped around, his long coat slapping their legs. His long scrawny legs carried him down the stairs past Travis, who was just starting up to the sentry post. The cold wind ruffled his hair over his furrowed brow as he climbed up the wood steps.
Katie winced. “I’m busted. ” She fumbled with the crossbow, making sure it was locked into place.
“Oh, yeah. Without a doubt. He has that look, too. ”
Katie slowly turned to see Travis stepping onto the platform. He looked amused and annoyed all at the same time. He folded his arms slowly over his chest and cocked his head.
“Aren’t you supposed to be helping Peggy with the inventory?”
“Yeah, but Stacey needed training and the supply caravan isn’t back yet so Jenni couldn’t help her so. . . ” She rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay. I’m just sick of being cooped up and not doing anything. ”
Travis kissed her brow lightly, his hand sliding over her belly. “Yeah, but you’re pregnant and, after that bad cold you had, Charlotte told you to take it easy. ”
“Standing here, manning the crossbow, and shooting zombies really isn’t that taxing,” Katie assured him. She hated to admit she was a little weak from her illness. “I need to feel I’m doing something. ”
“Inventory is doing something,” Travis assured her.
“You’re just saying that because you don’t want to do it. ”
“True,” he admitted, grinning. “But it keeps you inside and warm until you’re back to full fighting form. ”
Katie tried not to look as peeved as she felt. Her husband was damn annoying when he was being over-protective, but she really couldn’t blame him. This was their first child, and conditions were not the best for bringing a baby into the world. Medicine was limited, and their food supply was not very rich in nutrients. They were living off of a lot of processed food, but there was hope the gardens would have a good yield and bring them healthier meals.
“You better not be trying to keep me off of sentry duty when I am feeling one hundred percent. I don’t like being coddled. I already agreed not to leave the fort on supply or rescue runs. ” Katie gave him a grumpy glare, but let herself lean into him.
Travis hugged her and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “You’re so cold.
You don’t need to relapse. Please get in where it’s warm. ”
Stacey was trying not to pay attention to their discussion, but she was smiling slightly.
“Fine. Then you finish up here. ” Katie put on her gloves now that she wasn’t manning the crossbow.
“Will do. ”
“And let me know when the caravan gets back. They’re running late and I’m starting to worry,” Katie added.
His lips were cool against hers. “I will. Now, get going. Peggy was muttering about you not helping her. ”
“Fine. Fine. ” Katie waved to Stacey, then climbed down the stairs.
On the ground, she felt even colder. The construction site wasn’t nearly as busy or crowded as it had been in the first days. A large area was roped off for a garden, and a few people were working at breaking up the earth.
Juan’s mother, Rosie, was among them. She looked up briefly and waved.
Katie waved back, then headed to the entrance of the hotel. She felt uneasy despite the security of the walls and she hoped Jenni and the others would be back soon. She shut the door behind her, blocking out the cold wind that moaned like the undead zombies in the world beyond the walls.
Chapter 2
1. Battle of the Undead