“Deal.” But unlike the agreement with Stella, this one she was happy to make.
Atlas lifted Anna to her feet like she weighed nothing. “You want to walk around? Give some input on the changes? This is your home now.”
“Yeah.” She had to force herself to let go of his hand. “I don’t want Nora and Simon to be the only ones trying to figure everything out.” She didn’t see them anywhere around the pasture. “Where are they?”
Zero motioned behind him. “By the hovers; some of my brothers have already started to go back.”
“Alright.” She walked in step with Atlas, almost close enough to touch.Later, later.She swallowed.I can figure out what’s going on with Atlas later.But his hand, the one that briefly laid on her heartbeat, was hard to ignore. Taking deep breaths, sheforced herself to put more distance between them.Enough. I can’t be blushing when I see the others.
Nora stood in front of the barn, one hand on her hip, the other gripping a shovel half-set into a trench. She was filthy. Tilly was dancing around her, looking like she had spent the better part of the afternoon rolling in the mud.
“Sorry.” Anna hurriedly walked up to stand by them. “I was resting for a minute by the pasture.”
“No worries.” Nora leaned on the shovel. “Everything is coming together.”
The other androids were beginning to load up into the transport. Anna waved at them as they loaded up. “Thank you, everyone!”
Nora put the shovel to the side and wiped her brow. “I need to stop for a few minutes now. There’s still a few things to finalize. We were discussing starting to go to those stupid dinners.”
“Dinners?”Anna said. “Oh right. Stella did kind of tack those on at the end, huh?”
“Yeah, she did.” Nora dusted off her pants. “We should get cleaned up. Me and Tilly can go tonight if that makes everyone feel better. We are more than enough entertainment.”
“Should I try to go?”
“No.” Nora tugged on her arm. “Anna, you’ve done enough. You have that thing in you. This is the least we can do.”
The idea of being left behind was a relief, but . . . Anna turned to Atlas. “Will you stay with me when they go? I don’t want to be totally alone out here, in case the contractions get worse or something.”
She didn’t add that she wanted to see more where things led. That would be too obvious. Way too obvious.
“Of course.” Atlas’s expression gentled. “I was already planning on it. I’ll bring dinner here. Don’t worry, something bland.”
“Great!” Anna grinned. “That food would just make me sick again.”
“Can’t have that. Alright, I’ll be back in a little bit.” Atlas jumped into the hover next to Zero.
Simon followed a second later, still talking with Nora. “Anything you want me to bring back?”
“Whatever you think,” Nora answered. “I’ll grab Tatertot myself when we get dinner later.”
“He’s gonna like it here,” Tilly said.
Nora stepped back, holding Tilly’s hand, and waved them off. Anna kept her gaze on Atlas even when they pulled away, sighing after the transport left.He’ll be back soon.
The dirt floated off Nora as she shook out her shirt. “I’ll need to change. Tilly too. We should be presentable.”
“Probably for the best. You’re both mudballs.” Anna pulled at her own clothes.”Ugh. I’m dirty too. Maybe I can just wipe myself off.”
“There’s an animal wash stall in the barn.”
“Oh?” Anna tilted her head. “Running water already? Well, we’re animals anyway. Right?”
“Right.” Nora tugged on her sleeve. “C’mon. There’s actually a washtub.”
A cold shower felt so good that Anna scrubbed herself twice. There was even new clothing for them. She riffled through the standard-issue jumpsuits, choosing the largest to cover her belly. When she came out, she wrapped a towel around her hair. Already, even clean, her nose was itching. “I gotta go outside, Nora. We need to figure out this hay or I can’t visit you long.”
Nora kicked at a hay bale. “Simon mentioned bringing most of it outside, but it needs a roof over it. Want me to walk you back?”
