We ate and maintained a pleasant conversation. Kemp continued to tell me about his next building project, and then he surprised me by asking if I was interested in having a home to myself.
“Oh. Uh, sure! I’ll be grateful for whatever I am given.” I tried not to let disappointment overcome me, but I couldn’t help but feel unwanted.
“Okay! Well, when we get back to the office, you can look at the different plans and decide on a layout you’d like. The cabins we designate for everyone aren’t anything overly fancy. But, it’s a space for you.”
“That's . . .that’s very, uh, nice of you.” Truthfully, it was nice. Most walkers couldn’t even dream of being given a permanent, sturdy, home. But still, in my short time here, I had grown accustomed to living at the Black residence. I enjoyed it. I remembered Becca’s revelation about the Walker women pursuing them, and it then made sense why they would want me out of the way. Soon, they all would have their wives to care for them.
“Where are you building them?” I asked.
“Close to the mines. Most Walkers will be working there once our male numbers increase. It makes more sense to build the development there.”
“Oh. That's far from the town center.” Far from the Black Household.
“Ah, well maybe we could build your home closer then?” Kemp asked shyly. “I’m assuming that frown on your face is because you want to live closer to your new bakery,” he quickly added.
“I was just thinking that I’d miss all of you.” I was surprised at my honest admission, but Kemp seemed to be someone that would handle my feelings with tenderness.
“Oh…Oh, no, Ashleigh.” He grabbed his hair with his hand then scooted closer to me.
“I’m not trying to get rid of you.” He pulled my hand into his lap with one hand and lifted my chin with the other.
“Watching you here, I wondered if you felt like you were missing out on being with your people. We never gave you the opportunity to decide on what you wanted. I wanted you to know you had the choice,” he explained.
I looked around the apple orchard and felt mildly foolish and immensely relieved. The feeling confused me, but I didn’t dwell on it.
“Then, for now, I’d still like to stay with you,” I said quietly. “As things . . . er, change . . . maybe we can revisit the conversation? I’m sure once you start building families, the living situation will need to change, anyway.”
“Oh. Yes. Well, for now, we are more than pleased to have you in our home. I promise.” He released my hand but kept my chin angled towards him. We stared at one another for a few moments. We leaned closer, and the air between us felt like static. It made my skin tingle, and I ached for relief. He looked like he wanted to say something, but before he could get whatever it was out, his tablet started ringing. Then my sweet Kemp released a curse and answered the tablet.
“What?” he asked. He listened to who was on the other line then his face fell considerably. Frantically, he hung up and started throwing the remaining food and utensils in my basket.
“You have to get back to the main house. Master Stonewell decided to deliver the second wave of Walkers, personally. There are a lot of preparations to be made.” He growled while running back to the Dormitory to prepare for more Walkers. I followed quickly on his heels. It wasn’t until we were again inside and said goodbye that I realized the actual weight of what he said.
Master Stonewell–Josiah–personally delivered the Walkers. Josiah was here. In the Dormas province. That thought caused me to jog back to the main house, my heart fluttering fast enough I could almost fly.
Chapter Seventeen
Cyler and Huxley were standing with their arms crossed outside the main house when I arrived. They each wore scowling expressions and seemed equally perplexed by the unexpected visit.
“What can I do?” I asked breathlessly, still tired from sprinting back to the main house.
“Ah, babe. Just wait here. They’ll be walking up any moment.” Cyler said.
I looked at Huxley, and he seemed even more rigid than I’ve ever seen him. His arms were crossed stoically over his chest, and he was frowning.
After a few moments of waiting in silence, a group of men started walking straight down the road of the town’s center towards us. I immediately noticed that the Governor’s Guard accompanied Josiah. As they continued, I was able to see Jules wearing a modest, Galla-styled, black dress that dragged along the sand.
A part of me wanted to desperately run to greet Josiah, but seeing him accompanied by Jules, forced me to plant my feet firmly beside Cyler. Just before they arrived, Jacob ran outside and grabbed my hand with a wink. I was unsure what his intentions were, but seeing Jules’ frown, made it abundantly clear.
I looked over at Huxley to see if Jacob’s gesture angered him, but he seemed pleased by her unhappiness.
“Welcome to our home, Josiah,” Cyler said in a booming voice. He walked forward and patted him on the shoulder harshly, each pat echoing throughout the province. Josiah’s eyes remained glued to me and Jacob’s hand in mine. I noticed that Cyler refused to recognize Jules.
“Please come inside,” he offered with a tight, yet fixed, smile. Jules dropped her heavy suitcase with a thud and started scurrying up the drive, but Huxley then stopped her. “Don’t forget your luggage,” he sneered.
“Have your Walker bring it up.” She huffed impatiently and pushed some of her fallen hair over her shoulder before wiping the sweat from her brow. Jules seemed uncomfortably hot.
“We have no Walkers here,” Jacob growled. Their hostility towards her made me shiver. Jules was, apparently, not welcome. To my surprise, she stomped over to the suitcase and dragged it up the walkway. She huffed out profanities with each step
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Cyler called over his shoulder. “You and your fiancé will be staying in one of our new Walker dwellings,” he said with a smile. “We simply don’t have the room here, and I figured you’d appreciate having your space.”
“What happened to my old bedroom?” she asked incredulously.
“It now belongs to Ash,” Jacob said. His hand was still firmly placed on mine. He brushed his thumb over my wrist in a reassuring motion that sent flutters down my arm.
“Is that why she’s wearing my clothes?” she asked. I looked down at my outfit; a long, blue skirt that was tight around my hips and a white, tank top that was loose-fitting and didn’t quite cover my stomach entirely. I suddenly felt self-conscious.
“Yes, these were the clothes you left behind. But you make a good point.” Cyler said while brushing his fingertips through his beard. At this point, we were standing on their front porch and waiting to enter inside. The Governor’s guard took their place surrounding the home. “I think it’s time we buy Ash a wardrobe of her own. Something classier then what you left behind,” Cyler concluded. I tried not to drop my jaw entirely. Unlike his cordial visit before, Jules and Cyler had wholly dropped all pretenses and were openly hostile towards one another.
We made our way inside, and I immediately left everyone to go to the kitchen and grab refreshments for everyone. I needed a break from the tension and Josiah’s intense stare. I wasn’t sure what he wanted from me, and I needed a moment to consider what all this meant.