Page 68 of Starved Until Sunset

“Oh, catalpa trees, you can find pretty much anything you set your mind to in garage sale season.” Amelia came in from the kitchen and handed him a steaming cup of coffee. She looked good, the bruise fading from around her eye, and her hair freshly styled. “We just picked up a few things here and there. After Parson’s Pines got cut off from town thanks to those zombies, everyone in the community has been more open to arming themselves. Even Bradford Mason, who was once arrested for protesting a war.”

Cody sipped his coffee. “The Civil War?”

She playfully smacked his arm. “You wicked boy. The Vietnam War.” She tipped her head and put a finger to her chin. “Or was it the Korean War?”

“Anyway,” Cody said, waving his hand above the arsenal on display. “Does everyone in the community out here have a dining room table that looks like this?”

“No, you silly.” She sipped her own coffee. “Some people have work benches set up in their garages.”

Cody shook his head. “This town.”

“Yes, you could say it like that. Or you could look at it as a town people love so much they’re willing to adjust their way of thinking and do what they need to protect it.”

Cody gave her a long look. “Have you talked to Demmy?”

“No. Not today. But you’d be surprised how observant I am, and how well I pick up on nonverbal cues. Care to talk about it?”

“Not really,” Cody grumbled, but then he looked at the rows of wooden stakes, the crossbow, the multiple crosses and, oddly enough, a couple of those big squirt guns with a long range. “Why squirt guns?”

“Oh, that was Eileen’s idea, actually. We all took a few gallons of water down to Our Holy Mother of Perpetual Twilight and had Father Krasniewski bless them for us. Told him we were all trying to get our fall flowers to grow better.”

“Long range squirt guns filled with holy water,” Cody said with a nod. “I’m impressed.”

“I’ve got a couple of extra filled and ready if you want to take them when you go.”

“I might do that.”

“Come into the living room and sit down for a minute. Sun’s been down less than an hour. It’s going to be a long night.”

“How are you so calm about all of this?”

“I’ve lived in Parson’s Hollow all my life, dear boy. As have you. You know this town has always been a little off.”

He followed her into the living room and sat in the chair as Amelia settled on the sofa. “I don’t remember hearing about werewolves or zombies or vampires when Demmy and I were growing up.”

“Well, no. Nothing like that. I must admit these last few years have brought some strange things into town. Oh, which reminds me.” She stilled and gave him a steady, searching look. “Nix.”

Cody smiled. “Nope. I’m not a water dwelling shape-shifter. Just good old, all American me. But I’m glad to see you’re being cautious.”

“I figured it was the one and only Cody Duran Bower, but it’s always best to be sure. Those silly superhero movie sequels always have villains teaming up, so you never know what these monsters might do.”

“God help us all,” Cody said. “But I doubt these guys are interested in sharing the spotlight.”

The doorbell rang, shooting an arrow of fear and anxiety into the center of Cody’s chest. “You expecting someone?”

Amelia picked up her phone. “We have a video doorbell now. Otis’s idea. Oh, it’s Eileen and Dieter.”

“Why are they out wandering around so late at night?”

“Oh, ficus trees, stop with your worrying. They aren’t wandering. They came down for some help.”

“That Dieter and Eileen?” Otis called from the entryway.

“Yes, dear. Could you let them in, please?”

“Where was Otis?” Cody asked.

“The garage. He was whittling some more stakes for other residents. Dieter wanted to help, and Eileen wanted to talk with me about what she’s learned from Isaac.”