Isolation , Jones, Nathan [top 20 books to read TXT] 📗

was that, among Jay's other plans, his group had been making Molotov cocktails that they had yet to use, and at the time of Nick and Denny's attack they'd been stored in a van. Unfortunately, that was one of the vehicles Jay's group had rescued, so those firebombs were still in play.

Considering that the quarantine camp was all tents or at best flimsy wooden structures, and Stanberry was surrounded by a barricade of mostly flammable material, the idea of wackjobs out in the night with a bunch of Molotovs was a disquieting one. Especially since Jay's group seemed to get a kick out of torching stuff.

Ellie had organized firefighting teams for the camps weeks ago, talking with the other leaders about the best way to defend the vulnerable tents from that sort of attack. And she knew Stanberry was on top of firefighting preparations as well.

When they weren't deliberately holding back for fear of Zolos, like they had with the houses Jay had torched.

With the defectors' warning the town and camps had stepped up their preparations for putting out fires, and even run drills. Hopefully that would help if Jay ended up coming back and using those firebombs; if nothing else, at least it eased people's fears about arson.

Up ahead the Tolsons' house came into view, a modest sized place with Victorian style architecture, either old enough to have been made when that was still in fashion or built to match the style of most other houses in the neighborhood. It looked as if it could accommodate the addition of Ellie's family and their new in-laws, although things would definitely be cramped.

She was once again grateful to the older couple for agreeing to take them in, in spite of the hassle.

Billy shouted for his new friends to follow and led the way towards a few toys sitting in the front yard, and Ricky and the others dropped their bundles of possessions on the sidewalk in front of the house and bolted after him. Ellie smiled at their carefree playing, glad they had a distraction from all the tension in the air, between the threat of Zolos and Jay's war.

With that in mind, she decided to let them have their fun while she and the others unpacked and sorted out their new living situation. Gen seemed to be thinking the same thing, because she crouched to scoop up all the kids' stuff. Together they followed the Tolsons as they led the way to the front door, then inside.

The interior was about what Ellie would expect from elderly empty nesters: immaculately clean in spite of the current circumstances, with fine but faded furniture and walls and shelves lined with family photos and knickknacks.

Since she'd tried her hardest to keep her own home neat and orderly, she could appreciate how fussy their new hosts probably felt about so many strangers living here. She resolved to make sure to keep the rooms they were given tidy, and to make sure the kids didn't roughhouse and break anything.

“What a beautiful house,” she told Mrs. Tolson, looking around in genuine admiration.

“Well thank you!” their host said. She waved around at the living room. “Hopefully this should be big enough for you and the kids, Mrs. Fullerton,” she told Cara. “I'm afraid all we've got left is a broom closet under the stairs.”

Hal's mom looked as if she was trying to hide a sour expression, but thankfully she showed the bare minimum courtesy. “We'll make do.”

Mrs. Tolson nodded solemnly. “Something we've all had plenty of practice at, since this awful plague hit us. We've got plenty of sheets and blankets, but let me know if there's anything else you need.” She turned briskly to Ellie and Hal. “And our newlyweds!” Her smile grew much warmer. “We cleaned out the clutter in the study and pushed all the furniture against the walls, but the bed takes up pretty much all the extra space in there.”

“That's fine,” Ellie assured her. “That's all we need, and we're so grateful for it. For everything you've done for us.”

“Well, I appreciate you being understanding.” The older woman's eyes twinkled, and she winked at them. “Although considering you're still on your honeymoon, I'm sure as far as you're concerned a bed is all you need.”

Hal coughed, and Ellie saw a hint of a blush creep onto his cheeks, visible even beneath his tan. She had to stifle a laugh, feeling a surge of fondness for her husband; he was usually so calm and on top of things that it was cute to see him a bit off-balance.

Although she could admit she was kind of embarrassed herself about their host's frank hint.

Coming to her husband's rescue, she hefted her bundle. “Well, we'll get our stuff unpacked and get out of your hair.”

They all split up from there. Their hosts and the Norsons headed towards the center of town, where Borden was getting the other new arrivals settled, to help out and then bring some of the promised soup and lemonade back for Ellie's group. Meanwhile Cara dumped her possessions in the living room and went out to “watch the kids”, settling down in a comfortable chair on the porch to wait for the food.

As for Gen, she nodded towards the study, eyes twinkling. “How about you two get settled in? I'll go play with the kids for a bit and make sure they stay out of your hair.”

The implication was clear; their friend was stepping outside so they could have some privacy. Ensuring that the whole house was now empty, in fact.

It was Ellie's turn to feel her cheeks flush at the broad hint. But considering how hard it had been to find time to be with her new husband, just the two of them, she wasn't about to turn down the offer.

“Thanks,” she said. Catching Hal's eye with a clear message, she headed towards the study while Gen made her way outside.

He was hot on her heels, obviously just as eager at the