Chapter 846 Chapter 846
Uri watched Tony stomp in a patch of mud. He was determined to test the boots fully. Wyatt stood at the edge of the brush, watching. Adam was near the building, but he was watching as well. It wasn’t obvious to the younger children, but they were scanning for animals or anything that moved in the bush while the kids were outside.
Tony had been so excited he was allowed off the steps. It made Uri wonder if their fresh air moments had been limited due to the safety or whether it was improper clothing and footwear.
He heard what sounded like furniture sliding along the floor and turned to go see what was happening down the hall.
He found Ben and Oryn moving a bed out of the room and putting it in the one across from it.
She glanced at him. “Trying to leave it as we found it.”
“I got it.” Ben pushed it through the door and then tipped it back onto its legs. “I’ll get the mattress.” He paused at the door. “What about the blankets and things?”
Oryn brushed her hair back from her face. “We’ll need them until we go. Mila and Charlotte will need to rest soon.” She looked around the room. “We’ll leave them on the bed after we strip it.” She sighed. “I wished I could do more, but without power and water, I can’t.”
Uri watched Ben slide the mattress from one room into the other. “I have an idea—” He motioned back down the hall.
“I’ll finish this.” Ben came back out. “Do you want us out on watch?”
Oryn paused and shook her head. “No. I’ll go up and check the area.” She looked at Uri. “They’ll be here today?”
Uri nodded. “They’ll be here today.” He was actually surprised he hadn’t heard from them yet. Pulling out his phone, he checked for a message.
“What’s your idea?”
They went to the kitchen, and he got this backpack. Opening it, he found the pouch he kept hidden under to bottom piece. He never left the Alliance money in his vehicle. If anyone took it, they would already have a windfall with everything in it, he wasn’t going to hand them cash too. He took out several hundred and held it out to Oryn. “You could leave a note or something with this.”
She looked at the money. “You said you weren’t rich.”
He grinned. “The Alliance gives us all cash in case we need it when we’re out.” He shrugged. “Other than gas and the odd hot meal, I don’t usually need it.”
She took the money and looked at it for a moment before nodding. “Thanks. I feel bad about breaking in, but now they can fix the door locks.”
He hadn’t even noticed they were broken.
Ben stuck his head in the door. “I’m going to go outside and hang out with Charlotte while she’s awake.”
“Okay, Ben.” Oryn watched him leave.
Uri pointed to the camping stove. “That should be cool enough to pack up.” She was standing there looking at the money, so he left her to it and went over to the stove.
“They’re coming today?”
He glanced to see her standing there looking at him. He nodded. “We should hear something soon.”
“I didn’t believe you.” She looked at the money again. “I wasn’t very nice to you.”
He tilted his head and gave her a half-smile. “You were nice enough not to let me drown.”
“But I thought you were making all of this Alliance stuff up.”
He set the propane down and turned back toward her. “You’ve been through a lot. I probably wouldn't have trusted anyone either.”
“You got them clothes, food…”
He shook his head. “Rayne did. The Alliance, not me.”
“No. It was you.” She turned and looked out the window where the kids were. “This is the happiest I’ve seen them.”
He didn’t know what to say to that.
She moved quickly across the floor, wrapped her arms around his waist, and hugged him tight. Normally, a sudden movement would set his owl off. Uri wasn’t fond of being touched most times either. With Oryn, he knew she wasn’t one of those touchy people, so she hugged her back. It wasn’t awkward or weird, either.
“Thank you.” She said, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
She released him and stepped back. Her eyes were charged with emotions, and he couldn’t think beyond the way she was looking at him. Her cheeks flushed, and then she spun away from him. “I’m going to write a note and then go out and fly around the perimeter.” She stopped but didn’t turn and look at him. “Can you keep an eye on the kids and make sure the little ones come back in, especially Charlotte and Mila, to rest.”
“Sure.” He looked around. “I’ll clean up this too.” She left without another word. Uri’s owl moved closer to the surface. He picked up feelings of concern and worry. “She’s okay. It’s a lot to take in.” He assured him and went back to what he’d been doing.