After the Ending (48 page)

“Er…yes.”

“The person we’re
looking for is Zoe, the girl you saw in the badminton dream. You know, gorgeous
with long, black hair and super blue eyes?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Well, she can feel
people’s emotions and sometimes see their thoughts, or maybe their memories.
And she should be near Colorado Springs. Do you think…could you look for her
dreams and ask her where she is? You’re our only hope.” I added the last bit
hoping the damsel in distress thing would ping his macho side and persuade him
to help.

MG chuckled, and I
held my breath. “Oh, little Dani, you are so adorable sometimes.”

I just smiled,
unsure of how to react.

“I’ll do it,” he
finally said. “Give me a moment…” Abruptly, he disappeared, and with him the
dream faded around me.

For what felt
equally like minutes, hours, days, and years, I floated from dream to dream,
from ocean to forest to desert, completely unaware of myself. Only when he
returned did I become aware of my wanderings.

Sitting across from
me at Grams’s kitchen table, MG said, “Found her.”

“Found her?” I
asked, still shaking off the remnants of my mind’s subconscious. I’d been in a
desert—digging a hole, but the sand kept slipping down the sides, negating my
efforts.

“Your friend. Zoe.
Who you asked me to find,” he reminded me.

As always happened
in his presence, clarity returned, and I remembered the conversation we’d had
earlier. “That was fast…or slow. I’m not really sure actually.”

MG nodded. “Don’t
worry about it. That’s normal. It took a couple hours…not too long.”

“Oh? So where is
she? She’s okay, right?”

“Yeah, she’s
fine…with some other people, I guess. She said they came with her from Fort
Knox.”

“Really? Good!” The
last time I’d heard from Zoe, she hadn’t been sure about her companions’
intentions. It was a relief to know she wasn’t alone.

“Right,” he said
dryly. “They’re southwest of Colorado Springs—in a valley on the outskirts of
the San Isabel National Forest, just north of Cañon City,” he informed me.

“San Isabel
National Forest…Cañon City…Got it. I can’t believe you found her! I mean, I
knew you could…but…thank you! You’re the best ever!” I squealed, unabashedly
excited at the nearness of my reunion with Zoe. I gave MG a quick, enthusiastic
hug and was surprised to find him looking decidedly forlorn when I pulled away.
“Um…Are you okay?”

“What? Yeah, it’s
nothing,” he said, brushing off my concern.

“If you say so. Do
you know what time it is?”

“Almost six.”

Tapping my mouth
with my pointer finger, I pondered sleeping another hour but thought better of
it. “Would you mind waking me up?”

“Sure…see you
later.” He sounded so despondent that I didn’t have the heart to tell him Jason
wasn’t likely to extend the nullifying reprieve for another night.

“Right. Bye. And
thanks!” I smiled as MG and the familiar surroundings of Grams’s kitchen faded
around me.

“Oh!” I exclaimed, sitting up suddenly in the tent. “That
was abrupt.”

“
Mhhmff
?” Jason asked incoherently.

“Wake up, Jason,” I said, poking his shoulder.

“
Arrghhmph
,” he groaned and
rolled away from me. The sun had yet to crest the horizon, which meant Jason
was nearly impossible to wake.

“I said, ‘Wake up’,” I sang softly as I curled my body
around his backside. I kissed the side of his neck just under his jaw bone and
repeated the command.

“
Mmmm
…,” Jason murmured as he
turned over and slipped his hand under my t-shirt.

I giggled, thinking his reaction was so completely Jason,
and tried to ignore the yearning ache elicited by just that small touch.
Softly, I said, “I know where she is.”

The hand slowly moving up my side stilled, and Jason’s
eyelids opened, revealing his stunning, if sleepy, gaze. “What?”

“I know where Zo is. It’s sort of far, but I think we can
get to her today.”

Zoe

Gathering more firewood in preparation for what would be a
long, fun-filled night of laughing, drinking, and catching up, I lugged it to the
fire pit Jake and Harper had created in a clearing of trees. It was close
enough to the barn that we never had to leave our “home” unattended—our supply
of food, weapons, and booze was
very
important to us—but far enough to
not disturb Sarah during her many naps.

Dropping the wood at my feet, I busied myself with the
unnecessary task of sorting through it. I’d been antsy with anticipation and
excitement all day, every minute passing as fast as a two-legged turtle
climbing up a hill…against the wind. But finally, the day was coming to an end,
and according to the information I’d received from MG when he’d entered my
dream the previous night, Dani’s entire group should arrive by sunset. I
couldn’t stand still.

“Hey, Zoe,” Sarah chirped, making me jump. “You okay?”

“Yeah, the anticipation’s just killing me, that’s all,” I
said with a quick laugh. “I can’t believe this is finally happening, you know?”

Sarah smiled and nodded, but I could feel her eyes on me
as I continued working. Forcing myself to stop, I looked up at her. “Are
you
okay?” I asked, although I already knew the answer—I could feel her anxiety
every time she rubbed her swollen belly.

“Umm, yeah, I’m just worried about this little guy.” She
pointed to her belly. “What if it’s a mutant or something? It’s
huge
.”

Noticing her belly
had
grown a bit larger, I
suddenly felt scared for her. I moved closer and wrapped my arms around her,
squeezing her the way a mother might. “I know it’s scary, but I just have a
feeling
everything’ll
be okay.” At least, I hoped it
would. “Maybe someone in Dani’s group can help us figure all this out.”

“Yeah, maybe,” she said with little conviction.

“We’re all here to help you, Sarah.” She nodded again,
and even though I felt her body sag slightly with relief, I knew she wondered
how things would change once Dani arrived. “And I’m not going anywhere,” I
reassured her.
Well, at least I don’t think I am.

She brightened at my words and offered to help me get
dinner started. Jake was carefully cleaning the day’s catch at the makeshift
fish cleaning station—a metal door resting on top of two saw horses. Harper and
Biggs were hunched over the fire pit, arranging kindling into a teepee shape in
an attempt to start the evening’s fire. Like clockwork, Sanchez was jotting
notes as she sat on a hay bale beside the fire pit, cooling off from her final
workout of the day.

“How many military personnel did you say are coming,
Zoe?” she asked without looking up.

“I think there are five, but I don’t know for sure. Why,
are you already putting everyone to work?” I teased, but she just shook her
head and continued writing. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that woman’s
never been laid,” I said under my breath, and beside me, Sarah giggled.

We were gathering lemon pepper, salt, and other seasonings
for the food when Cooper suddenly growled. I jumped and glanced over at him—his
posture was rigid and he was staring into the trees at the edge of the pasture.
His tail drooped momentarily before picking up in a half-hearted wag.

Looking up from his freshly filleted fish, Jake peered
out at the woods.

I grinned. “I think they’re here!”

A deep, relentless barking grew louder as a large German
Shepherd emerged from the tree line.
Jack
! I stepped forward, following
Cooper as he trotted toward the other excited dog.

“Wait,” Jake said, gently grabbing my arm. “What if—”

“It’s D’s dog,” I said, pulling out of his grasp to
continue on toward the tree line.

Jake and Sarah followed me, and I could hear the others
coming up behind us. We watched the two dogs yip and sniff as they circled one
another curiously.

Suddenly, Jake stopped short, and I turned to him.
Confusion wrinkled his brow as his eyes darted around us. Unprovoked, he said,
“
Ummm
, what? This is Jake.” He looked over at me,
amused. “Someone’s looking for you.”

From behind me, I heard Sanchez say coolly, “I’m
definitely
not
Zoe,” and I smiled as I realized Dani was talking in
their minds.
She must be getting closer!

“Zo? Is that you?”
Dani inquired. Turning back
toward the woods in excitement, I searched for her in the trees.
“D! Where
are you guys!?”

“Holy crap! Almost
there…maybe like…in a few…um…oh, I think I see…”
Everyone watched me as I
swiveled around, my smile so big I no doubt looked ludicrous.
“…a break in the trees…Jack says… wait…I SEE
YOU!!!”

At that moment, a small herd of horses and goats broke
through the dense pines beyond the dogs. My eyes instantly fixed on Dani’s
bright, auburn hair as her Paint horse galloped closer, ahead of the rest. “D!”
I yelled, running to her. She was immediately accompanied by a large,
dark-haired man sitting atop a chestnut horse much larger than Dani’s mount.
Jason. He looks…different.

“ZO!” Dani called.

Momentarily forgetting about my group, I jumped up and
down in uncontrollable excitement as the horses stopped mere feet from me. I
watched Jason jump out of his saddle and reach for Dani just as she began to
sway atop her horse. She swung her leg over to dismount, and Jason readied
himself below her.

“No you don’t, Red.” Gripping Dani’s hips, my brother
eased her descent. I could feel his concern diminish the moment her feet safely
touched the ground.
Wow, protective much?
Jason dwarfed my petite
friend, making her appear more fragile than I knew she was.

Dani slipped out of his grasp and ran to me, shrieking
and giggling. “Zo!”

“D!” I screeched and grabbed her hands. Frantically, we
hopped in a circle until she suddenly paused and flung herself into my arms.
Feeling her body tremble and her mind fill with overwhelming happiness and
relief, I hugged her as tightly as I could. When I heard her heaving sobs, I
pulled away, unable to resist smiling as I soaked up her quintessentially-Dani
reaction. Losing control of my own emotions, I let tears slide down my cheeks.

“You’re making me cry!” I whined and tugged her closer
again. “I’m
so
happy to see you,” I said. “I can’t believe you’re
finally here.”

A quiet, unintelligible response squeaked out of her, and
I suddenly realized everyone was watching our soggy reunion. The rest of Dani’s
group had dismounted and were making their way toward us.

My eyes fell on Jason, standing behind Dani. Shock
blanketed his face as he stared at something behind me.

“Jason?” Sanchez’s voice was filled with awe.

Feeling Dani stiffen, I let go. Curious, we
simultaneously turned to watch Sanchez approach. Her eyes were locked on my
brother, narrowed in disbelief, showing a vulnerability I rarely saw in her.
Moving quickly, she threw her arms around him, muttering words I couldn’t
discern.

The dream of them at
the bar…it was a memory!

Jason looked pleasantly surprised and returned the hug
loosely. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Dani take a hesitant step
toward them. When Jason looked at my best friend, his face grew blank, and he
gently pulled away from Sanchez.

I was confused, wondering what exactly was going on
between Dani and my brother…but only for a moment. Dani’s memories invaded my
mind, and I saw Jason heatedly gazing up at her while kissing her bare hip.
“Oh. Fuck.” I couldn’t stop the words from escaping.

Looking back at me, recognition registered on Dani’s
face, and she instantly turned red. My head whipped to my womanizing brother.
“Jason!”

“Zoe.” His face and voice were expressionless.

“We’re talking about this later.” I pointed at him and
then at Dani.

“No, we’re not.”

Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I turned my back on him.
Now I remember why I can’t stand him
.

Dani seemed to be in a silent conversation with Jason, so
I focused on the rest of the group. Almost everyone was carrying out the
age-old tradition of greetings and introductions. An older man stood off to the
side of the group, watching, but my attention locked on the blonde woman beside
him.
That must be Chris.
A sense of gratitude overcame me as I
approached her.

“Chris?” I asked.

“I am,” she said, smiling. She extended her hand in
greeting. “And you’re Zoe. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much
about you from our girl.”

I took a step closer before wrapping my arms around her
strong shoulders. “Thank you for taking care of her,” I whispered.

She patted my back, and I gave her a squeeze before
pulling away.

“It wasn’t easy, but I did my best,” she said with a
smirk.

I noticed a handsome young man standing behind her, and I
could feel his discomfort as I approached him. “Hi,” I said, offering my hand.
“I’m Zoe.”

He seemed hesitant as he accepted my greeting, but was
also filled with curiosity. I had no idea who he was.

“I’m Carlos,” he said, averting his gaze.

“Carlos joined us a few days after we left,” Chris added,
putting her arm around him. “We had a little run in with a mind-controlled
cult. I’ll let Dani tell you the whole story.”

“Miss Cartwright?” asked the older man.

Recognizing his sharp eyes as he drew closer, I realized
it was Mr. Grayson. “Mr. G?” I pointed to his impressive mountain man beard. “I
like the new look.” I leaned in to hug him, receiving an uncomfortable side hug
in return.

“Oh, yes, well we haven’t had much time…traveling, you
know…,” he explained, moderately embarrassed.

“No really, I like it,” I said reassuringly.

An athletic-looking Asian man walked up behind Mr.
Grayson, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “Stop hogging all the
good-looking ladies, Old Man.”

“Oh—” Mr. Grayson began, but the younger man interrupted.

Outstretching his hand, he introduced himself, “Ky.”

“Zoe,” I offered, trying not to blush at the desirous
emotions dancing through his mind.

“Hey guys…
whatcha
talkin
’ about?” Dani asked, suddenly appearing at my side.
But before either of us could answer, Dani said, “Ky, why don’t you go meet
that Sanchez chick?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Dani’s jealousy and wondered
how serious things were between her and Jason.
Maybe I don’t want to know.

Surveying the group for Jake, I found him standing beside
my brother, talking. My heart practically stopped
.
In my entire life,
the only time my brother ever really acted like…a brother was when he turned
unbelievably protective around any guy who showed any interest in me.
This
is going to be…interesting.

I looked at Dani in both anticipation and horror.

Dani grinned wickedly. “Who’s that? He’s yummy.”

I smiled, only half distracted by her comment. “That’s
Jake, and I don’t know if I want him talking to Jason alone.” I grabbed her
hand. “Let me introduce you,” I insisted.

Hustling over, we overheard their stilted conversation.

“So you’re the guy that saved my sister’s life,” Jason
said.

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

As we reached them, I rested my hand on Jake’s arm to get
his attention. I tried to ignore the excitement and curiosity building in Dani,
and focused on the two men.

“Jake, this is Dani,” I said, introducing them. Glancing
back at my friend, I could tell she was trying to control the avalanche of
questions threatening to explode from her mouth. Leaving Jake to be ensnared in
Dani’s bubbly, conversational pandemonium, I turned to my brother.

“I’m…glad you’re okay,” he said, surprising me with the
honesty in his tone.

As I took in the sight of him and felt his relief, my own
emotions flared up again. I could only nod as I tried to control the tears
welling in my eyes. I hugged him, and he squeezed me tightly. Worried he’d
vanish into thin air if I let go, I held on to him, barely able to control my
sobs.

“I mean it, Zoe. We have to stick together now.”

At first, I reveled in his hold, not wanting to let go,
but out of nowhere, an alarm rang in my head, and a burst of negativity shot
through me. I pulled away from Jason. Scanning the group, my blurred vision
fell upon Harper and Dani as they separated from an introductory hug. His
masculine features were scrunched with worry.

What did he see?
I wondered, knowing he’d probably
just had a vision and that it couldn’t be good.

“Zoe,” Sarah said meekly, just as Dani frolicked toward me,
shouting, “Zo!”

Taking a step back, I continued wiping the moisture from
my cheeks.

“Have you two met yet?” I asked, and Sarah shook her head
bashfully. “Sarah, this is Dani,” I offered. “Dani, Sarah.”

“So, wow…you’re pregnant!” Dani noted and then brought
her hand up to her mouth. “Oh! Sorry, that was rude.”

“It’s okay,” Sarah replied, her hand instinctively going
to her belly.

“Er…congrats?” Dani offered with a crooked grin.

Awkwardness settled over us as Dani and Sarah stared at
one another. I was instantly thankful to see Harper and Sanchez helping Jason
and Carlos unsaddle the horses. I gestured in their direction. “We should
probably help them unpack.”

We joined them, Dani zipping straight to Jason’s side and
standing on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss.

“That’s gonna be hard to get used to,” I muttered under
my breath.

After leading the horses to water and then putting them
out to pasture, we all made our way to the campfire. I didn’t need Harper’s
foresight to know our first night together was going to be
very
interesting.