“Prophet’s done all of our ink, maybe it’s time to open a new business,” Rebel muses, looking at Ash. “We’ll bring it to the table the next time we have church. I’m sure he knows of a few more artists we could get onboard so it wouldn’t all be on his shoulders, and we’ll see if he’s willing to teach you, Marnie.”
My art being put on someone’s skin? Something that’s so permanent? Excitement thrums through me because it would enable me to combine two things—serving people and my art. “Okay, I’d like that, I think,” I say.
“Alrighty, where are my girls at?” Rebel calls out, even though both Mina and Ruby are now standing in the yard doing some kind of silly dance.
“We’re right here, Daddy!” Ruby sing songs.
“Are you two ready to paint?” he continues as he and Ash put a huge tarp down on the grass before they set each sign down. At least they’re protecting the grass. I don’t think Paul or Estherwould mind too much, because their great-granddaughters are the ones who’d be doing it, but this way, the mess will be somewhat contained.
“Let’s go, Daddy, hurry!” Mina exclaims.
I take a good look at both of them and bite back a laugh. They’re in clothes that have seen better days and both of them have their hair somewhat contained in tight French braids. Looking at Holly, I say, “You’re prepared.”
She starts laughing then replies, “You’ll see why they look like that. We’ll have to hose them down in the mudroom.”
“Let the fun begin,” I murmur.
EIGHT
ASH
I was initially worried when Rebel told me his girls were going to do the initial painting, but they’ve done a great job so far. While I’m not exactly alone with Marnie, I’ve been sitting by her as the three of us go over the plans for both haunted houses. Poor Rebel is on the tarp helping Mina and Ruby. Right now, he has a streak of black paint going across his cheek because Mina turned around with her brush in her hand just as he bent down to help her. Thankfully, he was smart enough to put his cut in the house so it’s safe from harm.
I can tell Marnie’s been up too long; she’s been wincing in pain but is too damn stubborn to tell Holly she needs to go in and rest. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, I unlock the brakes on her wheelchair and take her inside, ignoring her protests.
“Ash! What are you doing? We’re working!” she shrieks as I stop in the kitchen long enough to refill her tumbler from the refrigerator. Paul and Esther use well water, which is filtered multiple times before it comes out of the spout and it’s the best tasting water I’ve ever had.
“Making you rest,” I finally reply as I push her through the door to the bedroom she’s using. I initially debated on getting a hospital bed so it would be easier for her to get into and out of, then opted to purchase one of those beds with the adjustable mattresses. She doesn’t know it was me who got it, but it’s my privilege to care for her since she’s my ol’ lady. Granted, I don’t think she fully grasps what that means, but I’ve got time to explain all of it to her.
She glares at me but doesn’t protest when I remove her shoes and help her into bed, sighing once she leans back. I grab the heating pad and turn it on low then place it over her abdomen before I hand her the pill bottle. “Thank you,” she murmurs, her gaze bouncing away from mine. “I’m sorry I was a bitch. I hate feeling unproductive.”
I slip my boots off and hang my cut over the back of the chair that’s in the corner of the room before I approach the bed and get in on the other side. We’re both on top of the covers, but I know the meds will knock her out, so I reach down and pull the quilt up and tuck it around her.
“You nearly died, Marnie,” I say as I settle on my side so I’m looking at her. “Do you remember what we talked about once you finally woke up?” She slowly nods but doesn’t verbally respond. “So, when I’m around, and I plan to be around a lot more than I have been, I’m going to make sure that you do what you need to do in order to heal.”
“But why?” she whispers.
“Because as my ol’ lady, it’s what I’m going to do to care for you. I won’t call it a job, because sometimes work sucks,” I say as she bursts into giggles. “But I will say it’s my privilege to take careof you, sweetheart. You’ve had to take care of everything on your own for far too long, Marnie.”
“We haven’t even kissed or had sex, how can you know you want me forever?” she persists.
“Well, we can take care of one of those things, but the other needs to wait a little bit longer,” I tease. “And as for how I know, it’s a gut feeling, honey. I wake up and think of you, and you’re the last thing on my mind before I fall asleep. Every night you worked, I looked forward to being around you. This… you and me… it’s going to happen. Now, get comfortable so we can take a nap.”
“You’re going to sleep with me?” she asks as she automatically does what I told her, pulling the quilt up to her shoulders and adjusting the bed so she’s flat.
“Yep,” I reply, gently pulling her close to me so I’m spooning her. I then readjust the heating pad and make note of the fact it’s set to run for a few hours as I cover both of us up with the quilt. Leaning in, I kiss the spot behind her ear and grin when I feel her shiver. “Sleep, sweetheart. I’m right here and you’re safe now.”
As I hover between wakefulness and sleep, I think about the two assholes who hurt her. Data hasn’t been able to locate them, and I’m concerned that they’ll jump out from the shadows and try to end her again. I don’t tell Marnie, but until they’re found, she’s going to be covered in Raiders. Most especially, me.
“Ash?” Her murmur wakes me up from the best sleep I’ve had in quite some time.
Opening my eyes, I see that she’s turned at some point and we’re now face-to-face. “Hey,” I whisper, reaching out to smooth her hair away from her face. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m hungry and I have to pee,” she admits.
Chuckling, I pull away from her and get out of the bed. “Let me get your chariot, m’lady,” I tease. “Then we’ll see about taming the tiger in your belly.”
She blushes as a loud gurgle fills the silence. “I guess I’m getting used to eating every few hours,” she admits as I assist her with standing up.
