“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be burdening you with my problems.”
“You’re not burdening me. I have a daughter who’s missing. Now you know one of my problems.” Claire smiled through her tears. “She would have been seventeen.” Addie smiled, trying not to show any signs of weakness. “Does he know?”
“Yes.”
“Is the baby his?”
“Yes.” Claire wiped the tears off her cheeks.
***
“Claire! Claire!” I ran as fast as my legs would go which, incidentally, had improved since this whole thing started. “Get away from her, or I will kill you!” I screamed at Addie. She stood up and backed away.
“Elaina, stop! It’s fine. Put the gun away.” Claire stood up. I looked between her and Addie. Claire could see the concern on my face. “Really, Elaina, it’s okay. I was just sick. That’s all. Addie was trying to help me.”
I felt my face flush in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I thought that…”
“It’s fine. I understand. I really should get back to this chicken so I can get y’all a nice meal before it gets too dark.” Addie went back into the barn, coming back out with a basket. “Here, Claire, go gather some vegetables from the garden, if you feel up to it.” Claire took the basket and walked to the garden that was about twenty feet away. I stepped a few feet into the barn so I could still keep an eye on Claire.
“Please accept my apology. Here you are, opening your home to us, cooking us a meal, and I nearly blow your head off.” My voice was low and riddled with shame. Addie looked up from the chicken.
“I understand. It’s crazy out there, and no one knows who is trustworthy.” She looked back down, continuing with the chicken. I heard someone running toward me. I turned out of the barn and aimed my Sig in the direction it came from.
“Jesus, Elaina! Don’t shoot me!”
“Sorry, Nick.” I put the gun back down.
“What’s going on out here? I heard you yelling.” His breathing was a little labored.
“Claire got sick. I saw Addie over her so I made the assumption…” Nick’s body language said it all: throwing the head back, the eye roll, the hands on the hips. “Look, I know, and I apologized.”
Addie yelled from the barn, “Yes, she apologized, and I accepted! Everything’s fine!” Addie walked out with two buckets, a bunch of feathers clinging to her clothing. “I’m going to rinse this off at the pump and then we’ll get started.”
“Yes, thank you,” Nick said politely, glowering at me. I was feeling a little self-conscious. “Go back inside, you trigger-happy nut. I’m going to go check on Claire.” I took the walk of shame back into the house. I sat down at the kitchen table and pouted. Henry came in and sat down with me, a bottle of vodka in tow.
“We have to be careful. You can’t be so trigger happy.” I rolled my eyes. He had no room to talk. He took a long pull from the bottle, which was becoming a regular thing with him. I wondered what he would do when he ran out.
“I’ve already been lectured by Nick so, I don’t need to hear it from you, as well.” I crossed my arms and turned away from him. “I thought she did something to her.”
“Why would she let us stay the night and cook us dinner, only to kill us?” He had a snicker in his voice.
“Shut up, Henry.”
“Is this five-year-old Elaina that I’m speaking to?” I grabbed the towel that was on the table and threw it at him. “Apparently so.” He laughed. I wanted to throat punch him.
Addie, Nick, and Claire came back inside. Addie put the chicken down on a cutting board. Nick set the basket of vegetables on the counter, and guided Claire to a chair. “Sit down for a while. You need anything? Water?”
“Water would be great. Thanks,” she said in a low voice. Nick ran and retrieved a bottle of water. Thomas had followed Nick in, and sat down at the table.
Claire looked a little green and exhausted. Henry glanced at her when she moaned. He was nursing the bottle of vodka, and glared at me with a raised eyebrow. I felt it coming.
“Elaina, may I have a word with you, please?” Shit, I thought. I can’t lie to Henry. I suck balls at lying. Not to mention that I’m totally against it. I’ve avoided the whole conversation by not saying anything at all. I looked at Claire.
“I know it’s about me so I might as well fess up. Since everyone is here…” She paused, took a sip of water while searching for the words. “There’s a really good possibility that I’m pregnant.” She picked at the label of the bottle.