“I’m sorry too.” Lissa rested her hand on his arm, setting his skin buzzing. “It’s her loss. She doesn’t matter. And the nasty things she says are untrue.”
Cam nodded, feeling a shadow cross his face. No matter how old he was, his mother’s words hurt. “How about lunch?” He didn’t wait for an answer, removing ham and jars with mustard and mayo from the fridge, then he unwrapped a loaf of fresh bakery bread he’d picked up on the way home from his last shift.
When Lissa had been in Medical, he’d switched his Watch duty to the towers nearest the main gate while Dave took over at the Outpost. Cam didn’t want to be away from her for too long while she was recuperating. He placed two white plates on the counter, the dishes clinking on the stone countertop. “Ham okay? I’ve got lettuce, mayo, and mustard. Both homemade in our xTerra kitchens for the store, but not bad.”
Lissa nodded. “Sounds great. I haven’t had ham in years, but no mayo, please.”
He sliced the bread and made the sandwiches, wishing he had fresh tomatoes to add. The greenhouses grew lettuce year-round, as well as other hardy greens, like kale and spinach, but tomatoes liked more heat. On his last visit to the greenhouses, there had been green ones on the vines. They might have a few early ones soon. That mouth-watering thought gave him an idea.
Maybe he’d help Lissa build a greenhouse in the corner of her yard. Or perhaps in her sheltered, hidden garden across the end. He frowned. Assuming things went okay with the family at Fort Robinson. If it became too dangerous to stay there, he and Lissahad options: live here, or find somewhere else. He leaned toward the latter. He was already sick of xTerra’s confining walls.
Cam filled two glasses of water, cut her sandwich into four triangles, which would be an easy size to pick up with one hand, and set the sandwich plates on the table.
“Thank you.” She gestured at the interior of his bunker. “xTerra is pretty amazing with running water and electricity in all the homes. Phones too. Are you sure you want to leave? Why would you give up a life of comfort like this?” She sat across from him and took a bite of her sandwich, her amber gaze unflinching.
He watched her eat instead of answering, his sandwich sitting forgotten on the plate. He’d missed this. Missed her. He swallowed as his gaze dropped to her collarbones peeking above the collar of her purple t-shirt.
Lissa took another couple of bites. “You’re watching me eat.”
He shook his head. “Sorry. I still can’t believe you’re here.” He met her beautiful amber eyes, so she’d believe the sincerity of his answer and took her free hand, stroking his thumb across the back. “I’ve lived here my entire life, and I feel trapped. I wanted more before the asteroid and since then, I’d given up. Until you. You’ve proven there’s still life beyond the wall and a way to live. Leaving the walls may be unconventional, but if we can make it work, I’d like to try. But most of all, I want to be with you. If not at your present house, somewhere else.”
She cleared her throat as though about to speak, when the doorbell rang—a buzzing sound different from the phone.
He sighed and released her hand. He could live without so many interruptions. “That’ll be my mother.” He ran his hand through his hair, which was again too long. The image of Lissa concentrating while giving him a haircut like she had before flashed through his mind. Her scent had nearly driven him mad up close. He’d leashed his desire to devour her, but barely.Maybe he could convince her to do it again after her arm healed. This time, he wouldn’t hold back.
“She arrived a lot sooner than you said.” Lissa set her sandwich down.
“My mother does what she wants most of the time.” The buzzer rang again, a long continuous noise for several seconds. Fuck. She must be holding the button.
Lissa pushed back from the table and gave him a tight one-armed hug. He breathed her in. Her citrus scent and squeeze made him feel supported, a novel feeling. He could get used to being with her. The buzzer rang again, and this time it continued in one long, harsh blast. He inhaled Lissa’s fresh, clean scent again, then let go. “I’ll be right back.”
“We’ve got this,” she said. “No matter what, I’m Team Cam.”
He liked the sound of that. We. Cam and Lissa, together at last. He spun the door lock and keyed in the code. The buzzing persisted until the door released with a loud clunk.
“Hello, Mother,” he said, swinging the thick steel door open further.
“I’d prefer you don’t call me that.” His mother pushed inside, moving down the hall past him. “So, where is this wild woman you let through the gate? You don’t listen to anything I say, do you?” As usual, her words went beyond impolite.
With her unpleasant attitude, this wouldn’t be an extended visit. Cam walked faster, not wanting Lissa to face his mother on her own.
“Lissa,” he said, reaching the kitchen. “This is my mother, Dolores Montgomery.”
“So, I hear you’ve convinced Cam to leave us again.” His mother’s voice was angry.
Who was she getting her information from? Perhaps one of the Med Center nurses. It was also possible someone had eavesdropped on their conversations in the hospital. His motherhad been mayor for so long that many people probably still felt intimidated enough to provide answers if asked.
“I didn’t convince him. He offered to drive me home.” Lissa’s face assumed a closed and neutral expression. Her face for strangers.
“How do we know you aren’t part of a Slains’ plot?” His mother stood closer to Lissa than made him comfortable, hands on her hips. So, this was how his mother was going to play it. Angry and confrontational. His favorite.
“Cam was the first person I’d spoken to in almost six years. I’ve never talked to any of the Slains.” Lissa’s voice remained even. Good for her. Though she seemed to take this in stride, Cam’s blood boiled while he struggled to keep his own face expressionless. In a calm tone, she continued. “I’d never work with those creeps. Besides, who do you think shot me?”
“We only have your version of what happened out there,” said his mother. “Injuries can be faked. Tell me more about this plot you ‘uncovered.’” She made air quotes around her final word.
Cam ground down on his molars. Stonewalling wouldn’t work today. He needed to speak up, if not for himself, for Lissa.
Lissa shook her head and assumed an expression of confusion. “I’m sorry. I don’t know you. With Cam’s introductions, I’ve talked to the mayor and Captain Wilson. They believed me, and they spoke to the Council.” She frowned, laying it on thicker. “From what I understand, you aren’t on the Council anymore. I can’t tell you anything because I was asked to keep it confidential.”
