Page 19 of Beacon

I do as he says immediately, ducking low against his back as his speed accelerates. We reach a clearing in the trees where there’s a ramshackle building with a few greasy-looking guys hanging around out front. One of them fires a gun at us as we pass, but it doesn’t seem like a serious attempt to hit us.

The bullet doesn’t come close, and we’re past them and back in the trees in a matter of seconds.

We drive for ten more minutes before he starts to slow down.

When we do, I realize we’re coming to some sort of settlement. It’s not a real town or even a neighborhood. Just a handful of run-down houses in somewhat close proximity.

I straighten up and peer around. One house has a couple of barking dogs. One has a few kids playing on a makeshift swing set. Eventually we get to a larger clearing where there are old vehicles parked around. A motorcycle, an ATV, and several bicycles.

More fascinated than ever, I observe wide-eyed as Mack parks near them. I dismount, and then so does he. He scans the clearing. There are maybe a dozen people hanging around and a table set up on one side.

I have absolutely no idea what’s going on here.

“Take your gun out and wait here,” he tells me, striding over toward the table without explanation.

I pull out my pistol and keep watching. A lot of the people are staring at me, and almost immediately a man around fifty comes over. He’s got a graying beard and a wiry, competent look. “You Malachi’s lady?” he asks, his eyes scanning me from top to bottom.

Malachi is Mack’s given name, but I’ve never heard anyone ever call him that.

“Uh, not… not really.”

“I been lookin’ for one for a while now. Got a good house and a garden and a few goats. Not too far—’bout ten miles to the north. You’re real purty. I like your hair. You’re not as young as I could hope, but you still got goodhips for having babies. I’d set you up real good and treat you right. Ain’t never hit a lady in my life.”

My eyes get even bigger as I search for an appropriate way to handle this blunt proposal. I used to get offers like this fairly often, but things have been so settled and established in my region for the past few years that it’s been a while since a stranger asked to couple up with me.

“Thank you for the offer. I’m sure you’d be a great man to have. But I’m not looking for anyone right now.”

“Why not? Purty thing like you can’t be on her own.”

“I’m not alone. I have plenty of people. Thank you though. I hope you find someone.”

He makes a harrumphing sound and gives up, walking away.

When I look back to Mack, his head is turning away from me like he might have been watching. He’s waiting to talk to the older woman behind the table who is presently conversing with a young woman with an infant in her arms and two toddlers running circles around her.

I scan the clearing again and wait to see if anyone else will approach.

It takes about three minutes before someone else does, but this time it’s a woman.

She’s probably younger than me, but it’s hard to pinpoint her age. Her skin is stretched, and there are shadows around her eyes. It looks like she’s had a hard life. But she’s got pretty dark hair framing her face and a slim body with long, slim legs.

“Is Malachi your man?” she asks me.

Evidently it’s a common theme around here. I’m tempted to say yes since it would be easier, but I’m quite sure Mack wouldn’t appreciate the untruth. So instead, I shake my head.

“Oh good,” she says, smiling for the first time. “I was afraid he was taken. He said he wasn’t last I saw him, but that was a while back. Hard to find a man like him around here.”

“It’s hard to find a man like him anywhere,” I murmur. Then I wish I hadn’t spoken my mind because this woman is obviously after him, and I don’t want to give her any extra encouragement.

“Yeah. He’s big and strong and knows how to get things done. Not to mention he’s hot. And there’s just somethin’ about him. Like you know he’d treat you right and never hurt you.”

I swallow hard. “Yeah.”

“Anyway, few months back, when he first showed up here, I thoughtfinally. But he told me he’s not lookin’ for somethin’ serious. But I keep trying. I think he’s warming up to me. We’ve hung out some and had a good time. So maybe…”

It feels like someone has walloped me in the gut. I’m winded. My heart sinks heavily and aches in my chest. I don’t say anything.

My silence doesn’t bother her. “Anyway, I’m glad you’renot his woman. If you might put in a good word for me, I’d sure appreciate it. My name is Lily.”

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