Page 61 of Ash Fall

"Let's move."

With the experienced extra hands, everything goes faster. Gord and Stu clearly know exactly what they're doing with cattle, which means the rest of us mostly just listen and stay out of the way.

The chickens are worse, and not because they're difficult to move. Sheila, Dana, Kim, and the kids have them into travel crates with brutal efficiency. They're worse because of Reid, who lasts thirty seconds before backing away from the barn with both hands over his ears.

"No. Absolutely not. That red one is insane."

Mikey looks into the crate. "That's Dorothy."

"Dorothy needs therapy."

"She's a chicken."

"Yeah, a chicken that needs an exorcism!"

Penny barks at him, and Reid points a finger at her. "Do not encourage the crazy, Penny!"

Luna doubles over laughing beside the barn door, and I stop what I'm doing just to watch her. It steals my breath how fucking beautiful she is when she laughs.

When the last of everything we need is secured and ready to go, Anders walks the line of vehicles with a box of walkie-talkies. "One per vehicle. They're all set on channel 2, make sure to keep them on that channel. Any problems call out. If anyone has to stop, we all stop. Nobody breaks from the convoy unless it's some kind of emergency and they let everyone know."

Luna walks toward me carrying a small bag, and my mood lifts immediately. "Calling shotgun?" I ask her.

Her eyes slide toward my truck, then over to Gage at the motorhome, then to Mars near the Jeep and Jules standing beside the Escalade with Reid and Kara. She looks at every one of them before turning back to Anders's pickup.

"I think I'm going with Anders."

Disappointment punches through me with embarrassing speed. "Why?"

She adjusts the strap on her bag and mumbles something, so I lean closer. "What was that? I didn't hear you."

"I said I'm choosing the coward's way out."

"Coward's way out of what?"

"Nothing."

"Love, what are you talking about?"

"Shut up."

There is enough pink in her cheeks to bring my curiosity roaring back. Across the yard, Gage is watching us now, and Jules notices that too, which sets the bastard smiling again.

Luna sees where I'm looking. "Stop investigating."

"I'm doing nothing."

"Liar. You're doing it right now. You think I can’t tell when the wheels are turning in that head of yours?"

I grin at her. "Get in my truck."

"Nope."

"You wound me."

"You'll recover."

"Super healing doesn't work on a broken heart."