Time of Zombies (Book 2): The Zombie Hunter's Wife by Jill James Read Free Book Online Page B

Dylan’s
contribution was his painted handprints in a row down the side. Michelle smiled
every time she saw them.
    Her smile died as she reached the firepit and the
angry voices rose. She found a seat by Emily and Seth.
    “I think we all need to go to this church,” Juan
Morales said as he stood from his seat. “Church never hurt anyone, and some in
this group could use it.”
    Michelle gritted her teeth. She’d tried to like
Juan but his ignorance reared its ugly head every time she saw him. When she
had to gather his bloody clothing he gave her a smile that raised her hackles.
She’d seen it before from other men. That “the little lady” smile that implied
women didn’t have a brain in their heads. Add to that, the man practically
strutted when he was down to his skivvies. The picture of skinny Juan thinking
he was male model material made her skin crawl.
    Paul stood up. “We can’t all go. We can’t leave
the camp vulnerable. I don’t think I need to remind anyone of General Peters
and the attack on The Streets of Brentwood. I’ve already stated my opinion of
Reverend Bennett and his beliefs. Even if he hadn’t stated his morals in stuff
that is none of his business, his views of the skinbags as being resurrected
people is downright scary. His church may be as mad and crazy as General Peters
and his group, or it may not. Perhaps some of us should go and form
their own opinions, but someone has to stay here and watch the children.”
    “We want to go to church,” Dylan’s voice piped up
from the open door of their trailer.
    Michelle got up and rushed over. “You aren’t
going.”
    He stomped his foot. “It isn’t fair,” he said, marching
off to his bed.
    She shut the door and returned to her seat. Anger
rumbled through the group. “We can take our kids if we want to,” Juan
complained.
    Jack stood up. “We will make a decision as a group
on whether we go or not. But the children are non-negotiable. They are the
future. They are staying here.”
    Juan sat down in a huff. His wife, Lila put a hand
on his arm, but he shook her off. The woman sat back and huddled in her chair.
    Another man stood up. Michelle wasn’t sure of his
name. “Maybe all the men should go. Give this preacher a show of force.”
    The women protested loudly until Jack put his hands
up again. “An all-male group would look suspicious, like an ambush or raid. We
need a mix of the group to go and represent us, while still leaving a group to
protect the kids and the camp. You can decide among yourselves who goes and who
stays. As your chosen leaders, Paul and I will be going. Thank you.”

***
    “Are you going to the church meeting? You didn’t
say yes-or-no last night at the discussion,” Emily asked as they folded clothes
on the picnic table. The rolling of her downcast eyes said her friend already
knew the answer before the question was asked.
    Michelle folded the baby blanket with precise
pressing by her hands. She wanted to say yes. She’d thought about it all
through the group meeting last night after Jack and the others had returned
with the invitation to the Fruitful Harvest Church.
    Going to church would be so—so normal. All she had
to do was walk out the gate and get into a truck or car. A shudder jerked her
shoulders. She wadded the perfectly folded blanket into a ball and threw it
into the basket. She couldn’t do it. Staring off into space, she muttered in a
small lost voice she hated. “Not everyone is going anyway. Someone has to stay
here with the kids after Jack said they couldn’t go.”
    Emily laughed. “Did you see their faces this
morning? First time I’ve seen children upset that they couldn’t go to church.”
    She had to laugh too. Dylan had looked so sad crossing
his arms on his chest and demanding to go. The rest of the kids had followed
his example when told.
    “And what was up with Lila Morales and Jack Canida
last night?” Emily said as she smiled.
    “What do you mean?”
    “They