Free Dark Grace by M. Lauryl Lewis Page A

me close. He smelled of the campfire the night before, the salt air, and blood. I found his hand and held onto it, taking what comfort he had to offer.
    “I love you,” he whispered.
    I didn’t answer.
    He nestled his face against my neck and ran his thumb over the back of my hand. “Sleep,” he whispered. “I’ll be right here.”
     

CHAPTER 6
     
    It was late afternoon when I woke. True to his word, Boggs was still at my side. He had switched from lying with me to sitting in a chair. I smiled weakly at him and in reply he held a finger up to his lips.
    “The girls are sleeping,” he whispered.
    “Where’s Gus?”
    “Up on deck with Sue and Nate. Don’t worry; they’re taking care of him.”
    I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the narrow bunk. “I’m hungry.”
    “Let’s hit the galley together.” Boggs stood and I followed.
    “I need some pants.”
    “Susan brought some in. I’ll grab them,” he offered.
    He left my side for only a moment and came back with a pair of sweats. I recognized them as Susan’s. I assumed mine were either wet or missing in action. I slipped them on, but had to keep the waist below the bulge of my belly.
    “Zoe, look at me,” said Boggs quietly, avoiding waking Abbey and Jane. I looked up. He was standing close and looked worried. “We’ll get through this, ok?”
    I nodded. He held my chin in one of his hands, leaned down, and kissed me lovingly. It had been a while since I had felt this gentle side of him, and it made me feel like I had come home after a very long time away. The kiss wasn't deep or erotic, but rather simply the comforting touch of a lover. When he withdrew from the kiss I leaned my head against his chest and we embraced in a quiet moment of understanding.
    We left the bunk room after I made sure the girls were covered. Abbey was snoring gently and Jane was sucking her thumb while clutching her teddy bear. They girls had grown accustomed to sleeping with each other and I was glad they had each other. They were sisters now, forced together in this Hellish world.
    “I’ll make you something to eat,” offered Boggs kindly.
    “No, let me do it?”
    “You don’t have to.”
    “I want to. It’ll help keep my mind busy.”
    Boggs sat down at the small table and I began going through boxes of food. I decided to open a can of stew to share.
    “Stew ok?”
    “I’m not really hungry.”
    “You need to eat,” I encouraged
    “Ok.”
    The two-burner stove didn’t work unless the motor was running, and since we were currently anchored for the night we’d be eating it cold. I didn’t bother with plates or bowls, but instead set the can of stew on the table with two spoons. We sat in relative silence, each taking small bites. As hungry as I was, mentally I had a hard time choking anything down.
    “Did you sleep at all?” I asked Boggs just after he had put a cube of potato in his mouth.
    “Not really. I just sat and watched you.”
    “You should sleep.”
    “Yeah, probably.”
    “Do you mind if I head up and check on Gus?”
    “Of course not. Want me to come with?” Boggs yawned.
    I shook my head side to side. “You have circles under your eyes. Go sleep. I’ll send Susan and Nathan down and sit with Gus for a while.”
    “Ok, but if you get tired wake me or Nate up. I want one of us on lookout all night.”
    “Sure. I can keep watch for a while too, you know.”
    “I know you can, Zo. That’s not what I meant.”
    “Good.”
    I stood and leaned down, kissing him on the cheek. I left the small galley and climbed the stairs. Stepping on deck, the evening air was refreshing. It felt warmer than it had in a long time. I found myself wishing that Emilie could watch the sunset with me. The sun was almost fully behind the Olympic Mountains to the west and was streaking the sky in shades of purple and orange. Maybe it was Em herself saying good-bye. I hugged myself and followed Susan’s voice to the small semi-open cabin where she and