Orphan Maker Read Online Free Page B

grabbed the closet one’s hand, tugging her forward. “This is Lucky and her baby, Oscar.”
    Walker grinned. “Kevin, Gwen and Lucky. Let’s go.”

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    “Please, Loomis. As a personal favor to me.”
    Loomis had already told Walker no, but he didn’t buy it. What did she have to do, beat him over the head to make good her escape? He blocked the door, and now everyone watched them. Oh, they looked away when she glanced around, but she saw the worst of the gossipmongers edging closer to hear the conversation. At least Rick stood solidly at her shoulder, backing her choice, whatever it was. “C’mon, Dwayne, we’ve got seven at home, and another on the way. Our homestead’s not that big.”
    “Maybe not.” Walker rubbed the back of his neck. “But I remember up until Orphan Maker, you had almost an easy dozen living there. You didn’t complain much then.”
    Loomis didn’t remind him that they had traveled in far different circles during childhood, he a middle school football jock and she a homeschooler active in the 4-H youth group. He hadn’t heard any complaints because they had never socialized with each other before the plague. He glanced over his shoulder at the gathering. She couldn’t help but shift her gaze that direction. The initial ice had been broken, yet there were still two distinct camps among those gathered under the skylight. These city kids had been through a lot. They considered themselves family. Now that they were here, they were being split up. She could imagine how they felt, but the reality of the situation made their separation a necessity. They had no idea how to survive out here. There was no place large enough to house them together, at least not one able to support forty-three stomachs. She met her brother’s eyes, not pleased to see an apologetic tilt to his head. He would back her if she said no, but he thought they should do as Walker wanted.
    “A lot of our folks are hemming and hawing,” Walker said. “If they see you take a couple home, they’ll be more inclined. You already turned the vote. I’m just asking to bring this whole thing down the field to the goal.”
    She wondered if Rick could distract him long enough to allow her to sneak out the door. She doubted it. Walker had a reputation for fanaticism when he got his teeth into an idea. He always had. That’s what had made him a good football captain.
    Rick finally spoke. “Probably wouldn’t hurt, Loomis. Maybe we could find someone Terry’s age. Help cool him down some.”
    Though his words caused her spirits to sink, the idea of her youngest cousin having someone to pal around with had appeal. It might mellow him out a bit; Lord knew he was running wild these days. Besides, if Cara found out Loomis had turned Walker down, there’d be hell to pay. Loomis sighed, and scanned the church, noting the long ears on a few of the chatterboxes. She guaranteed Cara would know by the end of the day if she refused. “Two or three. One boy about Terry’s age, and the others girls.”
    “Thank you, Loomis!” He darted away to find her new family members before she could change her mind.
    “I’d better not regret this.”
    Rick shrugged, a ghost of a smile on his face. “You will. You always do when you volunteer for something.”
    Rather than respond with a raspberry, as was her first intention, Loomis only raised an eyebrow at him.
    “Okay.” Walker surprised her with how fast he had collected people. “This is Kevin, Gwen and Lucky.” To the city kids, he said, “And this is Rick and Marissa Loomis. They’ll take care of you.”
    Loomis gave him a dirty look when she saw a baby. He fled her presence, and rightly so. Two or three didn’t constitute a babe in arms that hadn’t even been weaned. Child mortality was brutal now that there weren’t any physicians. What the hell was he thinking? Unable to get out of the responsibility now, she looked the new kids over. They had definitely