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

“Me too,” he whispered, holding her close. She felt right in his arms, as if she belonged there.

They stood holding each other as the light faded around them, watching as solar lanterns along the street flickered on to light the way for the dwindling foot traffic. It was a beautiful moment, capping a wonderful evening.

He didn't want it to end. After everything they'd been through, he would've been content to live in this moment forever.

Gen finally pulled away, taking his hand and tugging him towards the stairs. “Come on. Let's go back to the yard.” She smiled, almost shyly. “I've missed watching the stars come out with you, and now that we don't have to stay fifteen feet apart we can lay down a blanket and cuddle.”

That sounded like a perfect way to end this evening; if anything could've pulled him from this moment, that was it.

Nick joined his girlfriend heading down the stairs. She slipped her arm around his waist as they started across the grass, and they walked close together as they made their way towards home.

There was no telling what the future held, but he felt hope knowing they'd be together to face it.

Chapter Fourteen

Peace and Quiet

Ellie was under the tree where she liked to cuddle with Hal, leaning back against his broad chest as they watched the kids play in the yard.

Zolos might still be ravaging the world, and civilization was still collapsing all around them, but things were pretty good right here and now. Tallie had wanted to sleep in Ellie's bed with her for the last three nights, and after being apart from her sweet baby girl for months she'd been just fine with that, even if it put a bit of a damper on her newlywed intimacy with Hal.

Not that they didn't find plenty of opportunities to make up for it, whenever they could snatch a few minutes of privacy.

On the subject of her husband, it was his 24th birthday today. Cara had made a point to publicly announce that this morning to the group over breakfast, a not so subtle way of once again drawing attention to their age disparity.

Her attempts had flown right past their friends, who'd simply used it as an opportunity to wish Hal a happy birthday. For a while, Cara had been a bit more cautious about openly antagonizing people who could kick her out when she had nowhere else to go, but since moving back to the Norsons' place she'd begun to let more of her true nature show.

Not that most people hadn't had ample opportunities to feel the bite of her acid tongue; she was tolerated in the group, but no one sought out her company.

Ellie shook her head, dispelling thoughts of her unpleasant mother-in-law. It was too nice a day for that.

Hal felt the motion and rested his cheek against hers. “What's up?” he asked.

She wasn't about to bring up Cara. “Is there anything you wanted to do for your birthday?” she asked instead.

“Mmm,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “I can think of a few things.”

Ellie laughed and playfully slapped at his arm. “Well of course we'll be doing that.” They'd even have their half-completed dugout all to themselves tonight, since Nick and Cara had the kids. “But I meant more family friendly stuff we can do for your party tonight.”

Hal mulled that over for a few seconds. “Well, I have been trying to convince everyone to take a break long enough to get a flag football game together.”

That was true. He played catch with the kids, and occasionally Nick and some of the scavengers joined in for some casual plays. But they'd never played a formal game.

“Okay, let's get it together,” Ellie said, patting his arm. “I can show you my cannon of a throwing arm.”

“Oh?” he asked. “You been hiding a quarterback career from me?”

“Not in the slightest.” She laughed. “When I throw the ball to someone more than ten feet away, it always ends up going down and left and hitting the ground halfway to them.”

“Sounds like your arm isn't properly warmed up, and you're trying to muscle the throw and waiting too long to release,” he said. “You can solve that by stretching, relaxing while you throw, and focusing on technique.”

Ellie shook her head wryly. She'd never had much interest in sports, although she'd played for fun with friends when she was younger. Usually frisbee, volleyball, and basketball. While she had no objections to learning how to play football better, she harbored little hope of ever being very good.

Meanwhile, when her husband and the other men in their group tossed the ball around, they usually had one guy in the middle and Hal threw all the way across the yard to the farthest guy, because he could literally throw twice as far as anyone else in the group.

She doubted she'd be doing that anytime soon.

“Also,” Hal added, “I'd like to take Nick up on his offer to help me with the roof today. With any luck we can get it finished before the party.” He nuzzled her neck again. “If we're going to have the house to ourselves tonight, I'd like it to be a proper shelter.”

Ellie made an appreciative noise and settled back against him. “So finish the roof, and flag football. Anything else you really wanted for your big day?”

“I've already got everything I want,” he declared, holding her close. After a pause he added, “Although I wouldn't say no if Winn made another cake like the one she brought to the reunion party. That was amazing, especially considering how tough it is to get half the ingredients or cook it properly in an outdoor oven.”

She couldn't help but laugh. “Oh don't worry, you'll love this cake too.”

“Can't wait.” Hal kissed her cheek, then sighed and reluctantly shifted behind her to stand up. “Well, I'd better go find Nick and get started on that roof.”

“Okay.” Ellie held out her hand for him