Broken World (Book 6): Forgotten World Read Online Free Page B

home and let Angus make the decision.
    Hadley and Jon follow me, but neither one talks. I can only hope they’re thinking this through and that they’ll decide to stand by us if Angus says no. After all this time praying and hoping we’d find them, I hate the thought of this coming between us.
    We make it back to where our SUV is parked and pile inside, missing Sophia but feeling snug thanks to the two extra people we’re bringing back with us. Even though I’m still reeling from what just happened and wondering who’s side Jon and Hadley will take, I can’t deny that I’m thrilled to have them back. To know that they made it after all, and that Hadley—Ginny—is healing. The determination that I admired in Hadley Lucas has returned, but the woman next to me is softer, too. Like someone who finally understand the beauty of life.
    “When are you due?” I ask as Axl drives through the streets of Hope Springs. “So much happened that I didn’t get a chance to ask before.”
    “June sixth,” Ginny says, running her hand over her growing stomach.
    “Boy or girl?” I ask.
    “We didn’t find out. We still don’t know what’s going to happen and I felt like finding out the sex would make it all too hard if…” She shrugs and looks away, but her hands don’t stop moving across her stomach. “You know.”
    “Yeah,” I whisper. “I understand.”
    “We gonna talk ‘bout this Atlanta thing or not?” Axl snaps.
    “What else can we say?” Jon replies. “We’ve told you how important this is. The thing is, we shouldn’t have to. You know how big it would be if they created a vaccine for this thing.”
    Axl nods. “I do.”
    “Then you understand why everyone is concerned. Angus has to say yes.” Hadley lifts her head stubbornly.
    Axl’s hands tighten on the steering wheel even more with every word out of her mouth. Something big happened between the two of them, but now isn’t the time to ask about it. There are too many other things going on, and whatever it was can wait.
    “Is that why you’re here?” I ask, turning my body so I’m facing Hadley. “Did they send you to make sure Angus does what he’s told? You of all people know that’s not how he works. Sure, he’s changed and grown. Matured even. But you’re still talking about asking him to sacrifice himself. He could be giving up everything for this, and I think it’s only fair that he gets at least a couple hours to consider what that means.”
    Hadley shakes her head, but Jon nods and says, “They’re right. We’ll give him the details, but ultimately it’s up to him.”
    Axl nods, looking slightly satisfied, but he doesn’t ease his grip on the steering wheel.
    We lapse into silence as Axl drives. The landscape we passed just a short time ago now seems different, less depressing somehow. Maybe it’s the realization that Ginny and Jon made it or the fact that the hope we’ve been searching for is real. I’m not sure which one, but whatever it is, I can’t help smiling when I look Hadley’s way.
    “You look happy,” I say after a few minutes of silence.
    “I am.”
    She takes Jon’s hand, giving it a squeeze, and he smiles too. They seem so different from the last time we saw them, and it’s hard to believe that so much could have changed in such a short time. Then again, Axl and I went from being strangers to something more profound than husband and wife in the matter of weeks. The end of the world will do that to you.
    When our little community comes into view, Hadley sits forward, straining her neck to get a look out the window as Axl slows to a stop in front of the gate.
    “Wow,” she says. “You guys were this close all these months and we had no idea. I can’t believe it, but I’m glad you found somewhere safe. I worried about you over the winter.”
    “We had our rough moments,” I say as Joshua hops out to unlock the gate. “But we worked together and made it through. Most of us, anyway.”
    I sigh,