“Thanks.” She laughs for a quick second before growing serious again. “Green is probably just jealous or even more likely, intimidated.”
“Wyatt is pretty intimidating,” I agree.
“Have you told him about being in Butch’s trading post yet? Because I wouldn’t want to be around when he finds out the guys let us walk right into that one.”
I shake my head. “No. I haven’t told him.” It seems like a terrible secret we share together. The idea of Wyatt finding out that I was caged like an animal doesn’t sit well with me. “It wasn’t entirely their fault, you know.”
Walker smiles. “Oh, I know, but do you think Wyatt would accept that?”
“No. He would have burnt that whole place to the ground first.”
“Exactly.” We share a knowing look.
“I better go. I was on my way to the bathroom to check for any supplies we can take with us.”
“Thanks for talking me off the ledge.”
She stands and squeezes my shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think love is a weakness anyway.”
I swallow. “Love?”
“A year ago I would have kicked my own ass for saying that.” She shakes her head at herself. “But now? You gotta hold on to what you can to get through the day, you know?”
She leaves and I hear her open the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. She’s right. The days are long. There’s no television or computers or podcasts to get us through the dull moments. There is no break from the fear. It’s all just survival, and in the end, we only have one another to cling to. Wyatt, for whatever his reasons, has clung to me like a lifeboat. Unlike Walker, I’m not sure if it’s really love, but I can try to be what he needs me to be for now, because I know one thing for sure. I’m stronger with him around than without.
*
Half of the team leaves the next morning. Davis, Walker, Jackson, and Parker carry the information given to Wyatt by Erwin with hopes of convincing them to join the upcoming battle.
“Tell them if they join up, we can give them the vaccine,” Jane reminds them as we all stand on the front porch. Well, I sit, keeping pressure off my ankle. Jane has given me one more day of rest.
“You have enough for everyone?” Walker asks.
“I brought the materials with me. They’re in Catlettsburg under lock and key.”
Davis shifts on his feet, eager to get on the road. I don’t blame him. Daylight is burning. They’re taking horses, as Wyatt’s team has discovered it’s the easier way to travel.
“Our first stop is Fort Knox,” Jackson declares. “I’m trying to not feel intimidated by this mission.”
Jude raises his eyebrows. “Seriously?”
“It’s the closest one. Also the biggest. I’m hoping they were prepared and are still functioning.”
“Good luck guys,” I stand, using my makeshift crutch and hobble over to Davis. “I wish we weren’t saying goodbye already.”
“Hey,” he says, pulling me into a tight hug. “At least this time I get a goodbye, right?”
“Shut it,” I reply, even though I deserve it. “Take care of everybody.” I say it to Davis but I’m looking at Walker. If anyone will get them back in one piece and pull off this whole thing, it’s her. She nods in reply and I’m glad we’ve patched things up and become friends.
They get on their horses, Walker a little unsure at first. Wyatt strokes the white stripe on the animal’s face before patting it on the flank and sending them on their way.
As soon as they slip from my view I feel the loss of separation.
“You okay?” Wyatt asks, brushing his hands on his pants.
“It just feels like every time we separate, someone doesn’t come back.”
He studies me. “You mean Paul?”