Prophet
“AmI seeing what I think I am?” I ask Data as we approach an RV that’s even bigger than the one he brought for me to use.
“I think so,” he replies as Rebel gets out of the driver’s seat and heads toward us.
“What’s going on? Is something wrong with Cami?” I question, fear now riding me that something’s wrong with my baby and I’m not there.
“She’s fine. She, the girls, and PJ are still napping, so Holly’s staying inside until they wake up,” he replies.
“Okay, so what are y’all doing here?” Data asks.
“Well, see, one of our brothers went after his woman, then a second one came to drop off an RV and didn’t come back, so… we decided that maybe a few more hands might help everyone and possibly ease the load of those who’ve been here for a while,” he states.
“Who all is here?” I query.
“Ash, Marnie, Becca, Fox, Tank, and the two prospects,” Rebel replies. “And for the record, outside of the RV that Data brought and this one, the others are rentals. Oh, and Esther and Paul are coming as well, but they managed to snag a hotel room somehow.”
“Holy shit,” I whisper.
I’m not one for emotions; between the military and my MMA background, I learned early on to compartmentalize those things. However, hearing that six of my brothers are here to help me and Data? I’m choked up. I know the prospects aren’t technically brothers yet, but they’re close to patching in and I’m all for it as they’ve proven themselves time and time again.
“Well, brother, it’s like this, we’ve got the means and the ability to use the skills we have to help others who are in need. What’s not to understand?” Rebel asks. “Where’s Phoebe?”
I clear my throat and say, “She got hurt helping an injured man, so she’s on forced rest for a few days. A railroad spike tore her arm open, and it’s too jagged to sew shut so she’s using a wound vac until it heals. But she’s in a lot of pain, so she’s got IV pain meds as well as antibiotics because the spike was rustedandshe ended up covered in something that was a mucky, disgusting mess. That part is according to her, of course, since I wasn’t there.”
“Yeah, he was rescuing a kitten,” Data helpfully states, making me cuff him on the back of his head. He shoots me a dirty look and adds, “It’s true, asshole.”
By now, Rebel’s laughing his ass off and I go on the defensive. “Look, he’s a little guy but according to the vet, he’s in goodhealth. I figure any animal that fought to be found deserves a home and I figured that Phoebe and eventually Cami would love a pet.”
“I’m going to end up with a damn animal sanctuary when the girls see your new addition,” Rebel grumbles, but the grin on his face belies his words. He’s such a sucker for his three kids that it wouldn’t surprise me if an animal shelter wasn’t one of his first stops when he gets back home.
“Come and meet a few of the people who are back from being out in the trenches,” I suggest. “That way, you can see where y’all will be most beneficial.”
“Works for us,” Rebel says as the rest of my brothers surround him. I see Marnie and Becca head to Rebel’s RV, so I decide to let Phoebe introduce them to Kevin once she wakes up.
We’ve got a makeshift fire pit going and are roasting marshmallows when I see the door to my RV open. Standing with Cami in my arms, I walk toward Phoebe only to stop when Cami cries out, “Mama, mama, mama,” while raising her hands in a gimme gimme motion.
Phoebe stops in her tracks, tears now pouring down her face as we reach her. “Did she say what I think she did?” she asks, her hand reaching out to let Cami grab it. “She’s gotten so big, what on earth is Esther feeding her?”
Laughing, I lean in and kiss her forehead. “Some of the brothers decided to come up and help and the women came along for theride. Believe it or not, Esther and Paul are here, but they’re over in the main tent coordinating what they’ll do while here.”
Her face looks just like mine did when I saw Rebel get out of his RV. “Yeah, sweetheart, they came to help. I think Paul is taking over the supply intake but he’s going to use our two prospects for the heavier work, while Esther is working with Bubba to help keep everyone fed. The brothers plan to pair up with some of the men who are clearing brush and debris. Rebel’s theory is that more hands means more work can be accomplished.”
“I… I can’t believe this, and I definitely can’t believe Little Miss is babbling clear enough to be understood,” she says.
“Come on, we’re making s’mores and I’m sure you could use a bit of chocolate,” I tell her, moving Cami to the other side so I can hold Phoebe’s hand.
“Chocolate? Is Ella already out here?” she asks, following alongside me.
“She and Data went to her RV to ‘discuss’ something,” I reply, my brow raised.
She giggles then says, “Looks like him coming here to deliver your RV was fate.”
“Come on, Sleeping Beauty, let’s get you to bed so you can get some more pain meds,” I say, helping Phoebe to her feet. She mumbles something I can’t decipher so I scoop her into my arms, placing the wound vac bag on her stomach, and head to my RV.
“What about Cami?” she asks.
“Rebel said they’ve still got her, especially since you’re healing,” I say. “Do you want a shower tonight or what?”
