a promise that will get me killed. And why would he need to? Everything Papa teaches is the way it should be. We love each other and take care of each other. There’s no better place to be than right here.
“This is my home. You can’t be here,” I tell him, trying to mimic Papa’s hard tone. “Go.”
He looks back at the house. “Have you ever been off this mountain? There’s a whole town at the bottom. People who can help. People who won’t hurt you.” His words dangle in front of me, much like a carrot in front of a horse that won’t budge.
“No. Go.” I wave at him. He has to go! They’ll be bringing the rake any second.
He stares at me for a long time, and my stomach takes the opportunity to growl its protest at not having much for breakfast.
“When’s the last time you ate?” he asks quietly, eyeing the yard behind me.
“Please,” I beg him. “You have to go.”
He lets the rifle slip from his shoulder, and I cover my mouth. He’s going to steal everything from us and it’s my fault. Papa will never forgive me. He’ll believe I betrayed them all. He’ll put me down.
“Okay, okay. I’m going.” He takes three steps back toward the tree line, and relief floods me. “I can bring you with me. Come with me.” He gestures with his chin for me to follow him.
I bite my lip. Would the people in town be better than my family? I shouldn’t even think such things! I’m a horrible woman.
“No.” I shoo him with my hands.
He shakes his head, like I’m a huge disappointment.
“Okay, sweetheart. Okay. I’ll go.” He looks over his shoulder, then walks backwards into the woods. Once he’s at least a hundred feet deep, he turns around and takes off. The orange fades behind the deep browns and pale greens, and I let out a long breath.
He’s gone.
No one saw him.
I’m safe.
I turn away from the graves and decide to go back to the house. Mark is walking toward me, the rake I need in hand. I whip my head toward the woods, scanning for orange. Nothing.
“Hey, Nicolette. Here’s the rake.” Mark jogs up to me, offering the tool. I take it from his grasp, holding it in both hands, willing them to stop shaking before he notices.
He studies me and frowns. “You can’t be walking around with your tits practically hanging out like that, Nicolette. It’s too damn tempting.” He cups my breast, his thumb flicking over my taut nipple. “Papa already said you’ll be in his bed tonight.” He grunts. “Elijah told me you taught him something Papa really likes. You’ll teach it to me tomorrow.”
My stomach flips.
“Of course, Mark. Papa is going to the store tomorrow, though,” I remind him.
He smiles. “Perfect. Something to keep you busy while he’s away.” He drops his hand from my breast and flicks the top button open. “Might as well show us what’s ours.” He pokes my nose and laughs. “Get back to work, good girl. I’ll call you in when it’s time to make lunch.”
“Thanks, Mark.”
“Back to work, lazy bones,” he teases, then takes off in a jog back to the house.
I check the forest line again. Still no sign of orange. I blow out a hard breath and get to work clearing the graves of all the dead leaves.
The idea of living in a real town with people all around forms in my mind, my imagination playing with the possibilities. I need to stop this, but while I’m raking, I let myself have a brief vacation.
Even if it’s never going to actually happen.
Or could it?
Nicolette’s quiet this afternoon. I peek into the bathroom. After our nap, she asked if she could get washed up.
Steam billows out the top of the shower.
“Don’t spend all day in there,” I warn. I was already too generous letting her nap after I used that pretty mouth of hers. If she doesn’t have dinner ready when Papa gets home, we’ll both pay for her sins.
“I’m almost done,” she calls to me in a snappish tone.
I grab the shower curtain and yank it back, glaring at her through the shower. “What was that?” I give her one chance to fix her tone. I won’t have my wife talking back or giving me attitude. She better get rid of it fast.
She covers her breasts with her arms, her sopping hair flat against her face. She blinks at me.
“I was just saying I’ll be