Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
On top of training, Malachi was doing mechanical engineering stuff. He fixed machines, helped create tools, and just overall did that manly stuff that made Sasha warm all over.
“Funny thing... I have about an hour break as well.” He groaned softly and wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her in close.
“Then we better go find something productive to do.”
She felt herself blush and licked her lips. “I guess we better then.”
And then he led them away, back to their house, and she knew he’d most definitely make this time productive.
Chapter Fifty—Five
It’s good to feel happy
Malachi sipped at his tea and watched as Lucy dribbled the ball. She was really good and Sasha had told him just the other day that her sister would spend hours outside their home playing with a ball, shooting it through a hoop, or throwing it against the curb. Watching her now, in their front yard playing with a couple of others girls, he was happy, and it seemed almost too good to be true.
Sasha was at her training again. He hated to see her go off and fight just like him, or at least to be prepared to fight in the event war broke out or one of those armies they had seen on their trek here finally found them.
No, he couldn’t bring himself to think like that.
It didn’t matter what his concerns were. He’d spoken to the man in charge, an ex-marine who was skilled in preparing for the enemy. Cole, the man in charge of their training, had assured him he would be ready in the event of anyone attacking the haven.
It didn’t matter how many people assured him, or how many watch towers he saw, or spotters out in the field, he would always worry when it came to his family.
He, Sasha, Lucy, Millie, and Tree Man, they were a family.
Against all the odds, they had somehow managed to find a place for themselves here. Millie walked down the street with a big smile on her face. She looked so happy.
She hadn’t made any request to leave, or to find accommodations of her own yet. He had figured she would want to leave, to possibly start her own family. He hadn’t asked her about it, and he hadn’t even talked to Sasha.
He didn’t want to get rid of the other woman, but he certainly didn’t want her staying with them out of guilt. There was nothing wrong with wanting her own life. She had a satchel on her shoulder and she spent most of her evenings repairing small things and mending clothing.
She always looked happy.
“Well done, Luce, you are so good,” she said, heading up the path.
“Thank you, Millie. How many clothes did you make today?”
“A couple. I think they’re my best work.” Millie smiled up at him. “Hey, Malachi. Sasha still training?”
“That she is.”
“I should really sign up to at least take some basic defense but the whole hand-to-hand combat stuff scares the crap out of me.” She brushed past him. “Did you get dinner ready?”
“I prepared the vegetables for the soup.”
“Soup again. Oh well, you know I won’t complain. I stopped by to see Tree Man. He said some really freaky stuff before they sedated them,” Millie said, putting her bag in the corner where she usually sat after dinner.
“He did?” Malachi stepped into the house.
“Yes. One moment he was fine and we were talking about some book he’d read when he was a kid. I can’t remember it now, but anyway, all of a sudden he threw himself at the glass. Slapped his palm against the glass and screamed they were coming. They can’t be killed. It was going to be a bloodbath. We were all so much delicious food. Tempting. Sweet. Blood. So much blood.”
Malachi frowned. “He’s been known to ramble about odd things.”
“I swear I’m not making this up but it was like he could see something. Like there was something inside his head or he was warning us. I don’t know. It creeped me out. One of the doctors ran in as he yelled and screamed, telling us to put up the barriers.”
Malachi didn’t like that. Did it mean the virus was spreading? Ruining what was left of Tree Man?
“I don’t think Lucy should go to see him for a little while until we know he’s okay.”
“I’ll tell Sasha about it when she gets home. I know she likes to see him as well. I think she feels a little guilt about him knowing about this place and you know, her doubting him.”
Malachi nodded. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“I … I know none of us talked about this or planned what would happen when we came here. I guess I want to know if you’re still happy staying with us?” He’d been a criminal. Killed people and right now, talking to this woman, he had never felt so awkward in his life.