red hill - jamie mcguire

Miranda stood at the doorway. “I know it’s hard for you, watching her put herself in danger like
this.”
I took a quick glance around our surroundings. Looking over my shoulder was a habit I’d
developed; I wasn’t sure at what point I’d started doing it, but it happened every time I was outside,
like a tick. “Bryce is out there, too . . . and Joey.”
Miranda’s cheeks flushed, and she looked behind her before coming all the way outside. “Is it that
obvious” I gave her a look, and her head fell in shame. “I didn’t mean to. It just happened.”
“It’s a complicated situation,” I said. “I’m in no position to judge you.”
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t have anyone to talk to.”
“You can talk to me. Not sure how much help I’ll be, but I’ll listen.”
Miranda smiled, and leaned her temple across the doorjamb. “Thanks, Nate.”
I brought in the plate of chicken, and looked at the three empty chairs with a sigh. Miranda left to
get Ashley, but came back empty-handed.
“She doesn’t feel like eating.”
I nodded. “I’ll give her a pass tonight, but she’s going to have to start eating soon.”
Miranda nodded.
We all sat down to eat. Elleny and Zoe discussed their day. They got along really well. Elleny
didn’t talk much, but she was a sweet girl. I’d tried to talk to her about her family, but she kept it all
inside. Scarlet said she’d talked about her parents only once, but it was too difficult and she never
tried again after that. I hoped after she healed from what that monster put her through, she might be
able to talk to someone. That was too much pain for one little girl to hold inside.
“And then Butch went mawwwwwwwwwrrrr,” Zoe said, giggling.
Elleny giggled, too, and pretty soon we were all laughing.
“Daddy!” Zoe said, sitting up on her knees. She pointed to the door as Bryce opened it.
Joey came in after him, and then Scarlet. I ran to her and took her into my arms. Those first few
seconds when she returned from clearing always pulled a huge weight off my shoulders, letting me
breathe again.
“I’ve got yuck on me!” she warned.
“I don’t care,” I said, squeezing her against me, and then kissing her lips.
Scarlet pulled away, lowering her chin. “They’re leaving Shallot. Migrating.”
“Looking for food,” I said, thoughtful.
“If they’re hunting, I’ve got to step up my efforts.”
“Scarlet,” I began, but she held up her hand and smiled. “I’m going to wash up. We’ll talk later.”
She walked away, and I sighed. She had already made up her mind.
During dinner, Scarlet explained the basics of her plan. After dinner, while we were lying in bed,
she explained it in more depth to me. She was hoping I would agree that it was the right thing to do,
but I was running out of reasons to support her daily trips into danger.
“For the next week,” she whispered, “we’ll concentrate on clearing the road, that way we don’t
miss any coming out of Shallot on this side. Then, we’ll eventually make another trip to Shallot. I
don’t think they’ll be that many left in town, do you”