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“How can I? With Jenni going out and Juan in there. . . ” Her voice caught and she covered her mouth.

“Have you eaten yet?”

Shaking her head, she looked quite guilty.

“Okay, I want you to eat something, then go lay down. You have to think about the baby. ”

“I can’t until they leave, okay?”

Travis nodded, frowning slightly. “Okay, but after they go-”

“I promise. ” Katie blinked the tears from her lashes and let out a soft moan of despair. “God, Travis. . . ”

Taking her in his arms, he held her tight, kissing her face and hair. “We’ll make it through. I promise. We’ll make it. ”

Chapter 8

1. Bless Me Father

Jenni leaned over and gently kissed Juan’s dry lips. Her fingers played over his curls and she took in a deep shuddering breath. Resting her hand lightly on his chest, she could feel the faint thudding of his heart.

“Keep strong, baby. I love you. ”

With one last kiss, she straightened and stepped back from the bed.

Rosie reached out to touch her hand. Jenni clasped the older woman’s and squeezed it. They shared a quiet moment, then Jenni kissed her cheek and left the room.

Her long black hair fell freely around her shoulders as she walked toward the chapel. People looked toward her, but no one spoke. She was wearing the red sweater that Juan liked to see her in and her lucky jeans. Her stomach was rolling with nerves, but she didn’t care anymore. She was going to save Juan.

Ken stood near the open door to the chapel and smiled slightly as she approached. “Bill says we got ten minutes. ”

“Okay. That should be enough time. I just don’t want to go out there without having God at my back. ”

Walking inside, she found the Reverend waiting for her with a Communion of saltines and red Kool-Aid. She had specifically asked for Communion and he had quickly agreed. She was surprised to see some of the other members of the teams gathered as well. Taking a seat, she pulled out her rosary and threaded it between her fingers.

The Reverend did his best to improvise a Catholic Communion, and she adored him for it. She knew he struggled to be all things to all the different denominations in the fort and she thought he did an amazing job. He was even wearing a white robe made from a tablecloth. It touched her.

When it came time to partake of the Communion, she felt her hands shaking. Despite her need to go out into the deadlands and bring back the things that would save her love, she was terrified. Juan’s injury made her feel vulnerable. She hated that feeling.

Taking the piece of stale saltine on her tongue, she closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the Risen Christ and the Blessed Virgin. The Kool- Aid was a bit tart, but she downed it. Crossing herself, she whispered fervent prayers to the Holy Trinity and the Queen of Heaven.

“Just let him live,”she whispered.

Rising to her feet, she turned to see Roger, Linda and Bill taking Communion as well.

Walking on leaden legs, Jenni strode out of the chapel.

* * * * * Katie’s expression when she saw Jenni enter the staging area broke Jenni’s heart. Jenni walked straight up to her and hugged Katie hard. She could feel Katie trembling and she buried her face in Katie’s soft curls.

“If you don’t come back, I’ll be really pissed,” Katie said finally, a catch in her voice.

“I know. But I gotta go. ”

“I know. ” Katie pressed a string of fierce kisses to Jenni’s cheek. “You love him. I would do the same for Travis. And for you. ”

With tears in her eyes, Jenni drew back. “I would do the same for you, too. ”

Katie wiped her tears away and shook her head. “I just can’t believe all of this. ”