I really feel like I belong, for the first time in my life. I’ve gotten used to being alone, and I started to believe I preferred it, but now I realize how much I needed company.
Glancing behind me, I see Dan following, and when he smiles, I smile back.
I don’t mean to leave him behind, but I feel like he doesn’t try to keep up with me, either. If he’s hesitant to talk to me, then at least I understand why.
I turn around again, feeling awkward.
If I keep walking ahead, that feels weird, but stopping to wait feels even worse.
Shaking my head, I just keep walking, staying focused on getting home. I’m hot, tired, and exhausted.
The only thing I can think clearly about right now is a nice, cool shower; fresh, clean clothes; and a decent dinner with a glass of wine.
Even though the idea of cooking with Dan sends flutters of anxiety through me, it doesn’t hit as hard as it usually would. I know it’s partially because of how tired I am, but it’s also a lot to do with what I saw today.
He treated every single one of those kids as if they were his own. He was funny, sweet, and caring. I’ve never seen him look so gentle.
I glance back again, and he smiles. This time, I pause and let him catch up.
“You look tired,” he says. “Do you want the first shower?”
“Sure,” I answer. “Thank you. I think I had the worst of it today, unpacking boxes and cleaning while you were out in the fresh air.”
“Out in the sun,” he corrects me, laughing. “At least you were in the shade.”
“It was still damn hot,” I reply. “And stuffy. A big part of our job today was getting the buildings opened up and aired out.”
“How did it go?”
“Good. The classrooms need a bit more work, but we got a couple of the small shops ready to go. How is the supply chain going from Caliente?”
“There’s a warehouse set up at the edge of town,” he says. “Trucks will come in there to unload, and most of it will get dropped off here, with only a small percentage going to the other towns. People will have to come here to buy and trade. We’re hoping that will prevent the Eccles higher class from controlling resources too much.”
“I hope it works,” I mutter grimly, his words affecting my good mood.
Dan looks at me with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I know them, Dan. Personally. I don’t have much confidence that this plan is going to work. They will find a way to make this work for them, I promise you.”
“Well,” he says. “They won’t have much choice. The other alphas will see to it.”
I keep my mouth shut, knowing there is no way to explain to him what these people are like.
When Azarian died, I thought it was over. I didn’t realize he was acting on behalf of the entire upper class. I have to wonder if they hid the truth about Sakesh for their own ends, and if that’s true, we have more to worry about than just the snake.
Dan lets me go in ahead of him when we get to the house. I hurry upstairs for a shower. After I’m dressed and freshened up, I head downstairs while Dan goes upstairs to get cleaned up.
In the kitchen, I try to get set up so everything is ready by the time Dan gets back, but he’s a lot quicker than I expect, and I’m right in the middle of making salad when he walks in.
“Can I help?” he asks.
“Ah…” I let my voice trail off.
I don’t want another reason to get angry or another fight.
“I’ll listen to you, I promise,” he says. “I really want to help.”
“Okay,” I reply. “Can you cook the steaks?”
