Surviving Seduction (16 page)

Seems like Dan’s changin’ things. If he brought someone here without askin’ anyone else, I wouldn’t worry too much.

The man knows what he’s doin’. But I gotta tel ya, if that woman’s got almost eighty people fol owin’ her orders, wel that’s just too much. Course I don’t know what he brought her for yet, but it feels like something big is brewing.”

“You’re right,” Selena told her, reaching for the warm bowl. “But I think he’l explain everything soon.”

The two women were quiet for a while, before Selena spoke again.

“Would you trust Dan to make decisions for this camp?”

“There’s no one better for it, honey. But there’s nothin’ wrong with everyone havin’ a say. I don’t think we’l ever vote ‘wrong’ so why change the way things work?”

Selena sighed. “Maybe things won’t have to change here, once this gets underway.”

“Wish I knew what you were talkin’ about,” Blaire admitted.

“Wel , I didn’t tel Ben,” Selena said between bites. “But I think I can tel you, just so you’re ready for what’s coming.

Dan wants to convince Josie to build another camp at the town and stay permanently.”

Blaire’s eyes grew wide, but it seemed she didn’t know what to say. It was a first.

“Strength in numbers was the gist that I got. So I don’t know how much he’l want everyone here to help, but he probably doesn’t expect us to abandon this place.”

“I’m sure he damn wel doesn’t,” Blaire said. “No one would leave here. We could help get them established, sure, but we ain’t gonna
move
there. I don’t think anybody would do that.” She mul ed things over for a few moments. “I suppose I ought to not be surprised. I knew he was pretty torn up about that business with Jake. In fact, I remember a couple of precautions he wanted us to take that we didn’t.

Maybe that’s why he hasn’t talked to us about things this time. Bear’s not too happy about that, seein’ as he’s got a wife and kid to worry about.” She wagged her head, ”And let me tel you, it’l be no easy thing to get eighty people livin’ in one place and gettin’ them fed, especial y when the number gets bigger!”

“This is real y good,” Selena informed her, enjoying a bite of savory chicken.

“Thanks, honey. And now I gotta ask, how do you feel about al of this?”

“I think it’s scary. It was scary riding into that camp.

You should have seen it, Blaire. There were so many tents that I couldn’t count them, and so many
people
. But I guess you wouldn’t be impressed since you were already in your twenties by the Crash. Anyway, it was nerve-wracking. I don’t know what I’m going to do if he expects me to live with them. I’m guessing that’s what he’s going to do, at least part of the time.”

“Wel , I can tel you what you’l be doin’. Playin’

doctor to al them folks. Maybe you can build a little hut outside of town where you can be a hermit,” Blaire chuckled. “I can just imagine you as the crazy old woman someday, lurkin’ around and throwin’ runes to decide how to heal people, like a witch.”

Selena made a face. “That’l be the day. Sounds horrible. Better than living in the middle of town with al those people, though. You’re probably right about nursing everyone. But this is sil y talk. Josie hasn’t decided whether she wants to fol ow Dan’s plan or not. It could be that nothing changes at al .”

“Hah! Not likely. You know Dan. I remember how you were towards each other in the beginning and look where you are now.”

“That was different!” Selena protested. “He had to almost die before I changed my mind about him.”

“Wel , I stil say if he’s made up his mind, it’s gonna happen, and I’m pretty sure he has.”

“Don’t underestimate Josie. She’s different, somehow. He may have met his match.” Selena’s voice trailed off as she heard herself say the words.

“We’l see,” Blaire said, standing. “They’l have that fire goin’ by now. I should get movin’. You going or staying?”

“I’m staying. It’s al been too much.”

“I don’t blame you,” Blaire answered, walking to the bedroom doorway.

“Thanks for the stew. You’re a life saver.”

“You’re welcome,” she answered over her shoulder before pausing on the threshold. “And I won’t speak against him.”

Selena listened as Blaire walked through the front room and out the door. She fought off the rising need to be there and to hear what was said.

When she’d finished with her stew, she decided firmly that she was going to just have to miss it. Her discomfort was much too strong, so she lay down and went back to sleep.

On the fol owing day, Selena felt a little better, which was a pleasant surprise. The day after, she felt better stil .

She didn’t see much of Dan, but between Ben and Blaire’s visits, she’d been kept wel informed. She wasn’t happy that Dan had to spend so much time with Josie while she herself was stuck in quarantine, but there were some benefits to the situation as wel . It was actual y quite enjoyable being left alone, having meals brought to her and not having to see anyone but the people she liked the most.

She’d even managed to get some work done on those pants that had been promised to Loraine and Jack. She’d finished Jack’s, and had begun work on Loraine’s.

As for the meeting that she’d missed, everyone was gracious to Josie, and Dan had waited until al their guests had gone to bed before explaining his plans to everyone else.

They had agreed to support his venture, but raised some concerns. Bear had pointed out that since Dan was responsible for the new camp’s survival, so were the rest of them. If the new settlement failed and the people starved, so would they al . According to Ben, the only reason Bear didn’t say no was because he was optimistic about the plan. He had been fairly sure that it would work, especial y because of how many cattle these new people had. Bear managed their own livestock, including the horses, and he was eager to crossbreed them with others from the new camp. Blaire guessed that Bear was also craving the same security that Dan did.

The one point that they were al firm on was that none of the Grazers would be al owed to move into Brian’s Crater.

On the third day after their return, Selena was enjoying another evening in, relaxing and sewing. As the evening light faded, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” she cal ed.

“Hey,” Ben greeted, popping inside. “Let’s go eat.”

Selena faltered. “Wel , I don’t think I’m real y up for it yet.”

“I’m bored. You’re eating with the rest of us tonight,” he informed her flatly.

“But, my sinuses are sore.”

“You don’t
look
sick at al . Nice recovery. We’re eating outside by the fire again. Dining hal is a bit too cramped for everyone. So get off your ass and brush your hair or whatever it is that you girls do and let’s go.”

“Alright, alright,” she grumbled.

When Selena sauntered over to the campfire at Ben’s side, everyone else was already there, except Dan and Josie. She spied Angela, who glanced at her and Ben a few times. Selena had forgotten al about the girl and wondered where she was sleeping.

“Wel ! Ben managed to drag you out. Good job, Ben,” Blaire smiled cheerful y. “If I didn’t see you the other day, I’d have said you were fakin’ it al along!”

Everyone else greeted her together and she almost doubled back. She blushed furiously as al their eyes turned to her and forced herself to fol ow Ben and sit. She stared at the ground until they lost interest in her.

The others had their plates already, so Blaire served Ben and Selena before handing her a blanket.

“Kept it on hand, just in case,” Blaire winked.

“Thanks,” Selena whispered, grateful to wrap herself up in it while she ate.

As she enjoyed Blaire’s excel ent cooking, she took a moment to glance around. Cal and Bear discussed the best way to coordinate the building of this new settlement if Josie should decide to try it. Loraine, she noticed, had seated herself where Cal could not easily see her. Amy, on the other hand, had planted herself right at his side.

Selena almost laughed. It seemed like he stil didn’t get it. She wondered if she’d underestimated just how smitten he was with Loraine.

Jack’s watchful eyes were waiting for her glance.

When their eyes met, he winked.

Selena looked away and pretended to listen to the conversation between Susan, Gina and Sara. In truth, there were so many conversations going on at once, she couldn’t seem to fol ow any one of them.

“Where are Dan and Josie?” she whispered to Ben.

“I think he took her riding to learn the lay of the land.

They should be getting back pretty soon. It’s getting dark. I think he’s been trying to figure her out.”

Selena nodded, trying not to fret. She had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach as she thought of al the time they were spending alone together.

What if Josie pushed her out?
Then I’ll leave,
she thought bitterly, knowing ful wel that her attitude was defeatist. The truth was that she didn’t know what it would take for Dan to leave her, seeing as they’d only been together for a matter of weeks. More importantly, she didn’t know what Josie was capable of.

She took another bite of food, and then saw someone approaching. It was only Jack, coming back from his wagon holding a guitar. Selena blinked. She hadn’t seen him get up.

“Wel , it’s about time you broke that out,” Shane said. “I’ve been waiting for you to play something. Been too darn long since we’ve heard any music.”

“Let’s hear it! Pressure is on now,” Blaire teased.

“I’m gettin’ there. Don’t get excited. She needs tuning,”

Jack told them, settling into his chair.

It was a few minutes of tinkering with the strings and testing the notes before he began to softly strum.

Unable to help herself, Selena watched him discreetly. His strong hands caressed the strings with agility and tenderness. He played slowly, and the sounds that came from the instrument seemed sad, unsettled and melancholy.

Now she stared openly as he played. The bright mischief and slyness that usual y radiated from him was replaced by something else. The music was quiet and his lively gaze seemed withdrawn. It was almost as if he were somewhere else entirely, and his music seemed to coax her to fol ow him. His fingers flowed smoothly along, and the notes he created were perfection. His hands made it look like this was easiest thing in the world; no more difficult than taking an evening strol .

Then, he began to sing. Selena couldn’t fol ow the words. The sound of his voice made them irrelevant. It was deep, gravel y and soothing in a way that she’d never known a voice could be. Forcing herself to pay more attention to the lyrics than his voice, she gathered the song was about the road and how its freedom could ease the pain of many disappointments.

Selena’s eyes wel ed at the sad beauty that flooded her senses. She blinked away the moisture and was glad that, for once, Jack’s eyes were not on her. She forced herself to keep eating for the sake of distraction as the song came to an end.

“Wow,” Blaire said quietly when the last note trailed mournful y away into the night. “That was beautiful. You’ve been hidin’ a gift.”

Amy rol ed her eyes. “You al got to miss the part where he was first learning.”

“Hey, that was ages ago!” he said brightly, jumping right out of his reverie without pause and banging out a rambunctious tune to fol ow. With its lively beat and comical rambunctious tune to fol ow. With its lively beat and comical lyrics, this song couldn’t be more different than the last.

When he sang,
I told her, ‘Marry me and give this whoring
a rest,’ but she said, ‘Jack, I gotta be a lot more drunk ‘fore
I say yes!’
he got cheers and rowdy applause when the song was through.

A few more songs were played, al upbeat like the last, before Jack put the instrument down.

“Aw, more!” Shane and Gina cal ed out.

“Nah, my fingers are tired and you’re al done eating,” Jack said, waving off their protests and standing.

“Of course, I have something else that should make the night fun. I’l be right back.”

He returned with three bottles in hand.

“Anyone care for some pinot noir?”

A chorus of affirmatives rang out as he opened the bottles and passed them around.

“God damn, I can’t believe you have these,” Bear said before savoring a deep swig when a bottle came to him. He passed it to Susan who took a modest sip.

“Been such a long time since I had pinot,” Blaire mused.

“How long have you been holding on to these?” Shane asked, when he’d had a drink.

“Oh, a few years now. Hel of a hard thing to find anymore,” Jack answered regretful y.

“Wel then, we’re honored to partake,” Shane answered with a bright grin.

Selena didn’t know what the stuff was, but judging by everyone else’s enthusiasm, she figured it must be good.

She was right. There was something about it that tasted completely different from anything else she’d ever tried, so she sampled it a few times.

Loraine had none, but Amy went at it with enthusiasm, Selena noticed. She couldn’t blame her, and wondered how hard it would be to save a drink this good.

It wasn’t long before the bottles were empty, and the cleanup began. Jack had been right. Everyone’s spirits were high. Selena didn’t real y have the energy to help out, so she made her way back to the cabin, trying to remember the way Jack’s first song had sounded. It was strange to see him looking sad. It seemed contrary to his nature, so she couldn’t help wondering if he had a past that was as deeply troubled as everyone else’s seemed to be. Most people she knew had been through a lot because of the Crash. It was unlikely that Jack could have gotten through it unscathed.

When she was inside and had lit a lantern, Selena began to worry. It had become official y dark outside and Dan and Josie were stil missing.

Feeling restless, she scooped up Jack’s new pair of pants, blew out the lantern and walked back out the door.

Once she was outside, she realized that she’d rather not go to Jack’s temporary cabin, so she went for the one that Loraine and Amy had been using.