The Devil Walks Among Us; Book l - Completed 4/21/22

Honky Tonk Flame

Three Days Later

Breathing heavily, Michael turned over to face Mia like usual, his heart skipping when he saw that she was gone from his side. Sitting up, he looked around the room, seeing neither sign of Mia nor Ella. Sitting up he rushed to put on his jacket before exiting the cabin, preparing to search high and low in unknown territory just to find her.

Walking out of the front door, his brief panic subsided seeing Mia sitting in a rocking hair, holding Ella close to her chest and bundled securely to protect her from the morning chill. She smiled up at him, "I didn't want to wake you up. You looked like you were in a deep sleep."

"I was," He sighed. "I thought you left."

She shook her head, "No. I'm not going anywhere."

"I hope not."

"I promise," She smiled. "You want to sit and join me?"

"I don't see why not. Want me to bring you some coffee?"

She giggled, "Oh, Michael, I know you'd do anything for me but I doubt you'll ever make my coffee the way I like it." She teased.

"I believe you're right. I wouldn't even call it coffee. More like: cream and milk with a taste of coffee." He scoffed playfully.

"Exactly," She nodded. "And with foam on the top."

Chuckling, he nodded as he offered his hand as usual to help her stand up. She kissed Ella on the head as Michael opened his arms for her. Mia smiled as she handed him his baby girl, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek, "What do you want in your coffee?" She asked.

"Actual coffee!" He chuckled as he sat down with Ella, he too enjoying the mountain sunrise.

When Mia returned, Michael couldn't help but chuckle at the mug in her hand, seeing whipped cream heaping over the rim of the mug, whereas the coffee in Michael's mug was still steaming. "What?" She giggled.

"Just laughing at you."

"I know I look funny."

He scoffed, "No, I just don't understand how you females like something that's supposed to be hot, cold."

"Take a taste of it!" She smiled, bringing the straw towards him, giggling at his disgusted face afterward. "Well?"

"That doesn't taste like coffee, Mia."

"It's not supposed to. I have vanilla in it."

"Mia, it's white!"

"Here, you grump, have your bland and plain coffee." She giggled, grimacing as she watched him take a sip.

"Mm, just how I like it," He licked his lips before sitting back in the rocking chair. "What plans do you have today?"

"Not really much of anything. We've been busy the last couple of days. LJ was talking about going into town later to restock on groceries and probably getting some takeout. Does that sound good?"

"Whatever is good with you is good with me."

"Okay, he was talking about going sometime after noon."

*

It was three p.m. and Mia had been doing things around the house while Ella took her nap. Michael had been seeming to be tired all day, so she insisted that he took a nap too in hopes that it would help him. After talking to Little John as he was now ready to head into town, Mia decided to check on Michael, walking into their bedroom to see him laying on his back, his face deeply relaxed as he was in a deep sleep. He was in the middle of the bed, which was unusual for him as he always slept on the side closest to the door. Once she got closer, she smiled as she saw Ella secured against his side by his arm. Ella was sucking on her pacifier gradually as she slept, her fingers curled against each other as Michael had moved the blanket to be over her more than himself.