Nomad's Baby

All Saints Part 1

Whisper cursed at the light when his eyes cracked.

Morning.

Squeezing them shut again he stretched in bed, raising fists into the air.

He would have made time to complain about the mattresses if this was someone else's motel. But under the circumstances he'd have to just stay quiet.

The drapes were closed but couldn't shut out the bright sun.

Whisper glanced over at his bed mate.

The curse hadn't been loud enough to wake her. She was on her side, eyes closed, each inhale rose her body beneath the covers.

There was an artful beauty to her face, thick dark brows, high cheekbones and a mouth that dared him to trace it with his fingertips.

Because of her he'd spent a night getting chased around southern California by low rent mob guys instead of being deep into Tequila and one - maybe two women.

He still wasn't quite sure why he decided to make her problem his problem. That typically wasn't his thing.

He still didn't know quite what to make of it or her.

Last night she hadn't wanted to let him in.

There was a wariness in her eyes that she tried to hide but it was plain as day.

What he said about not hurting women was true. And he hoped it took some of her anxiety away.

Had Joel hurt her? It didn't occur to him until then.

But if he'd known it for sure at the boat he would have dropped him.

That was how he typically handled things.

The mob guys in the alley would have been done too.

But they'd all live another day for pork sandwiches and card games or whatever the fuck they did.

No dead bodies connected to Sera or the club.

Everybody lived.

Hunger hit his gut so eased out of bed, careful to not wake her, quickly dressing and leaving the room.

Thirty minutes later he returned to find her sleeping still. But this time her eyes cracked when he closed the door with his foot.

Most likely the coffee in his hand hit her nose.

"You want breakfast?"

Slowly she rose in bed, watching him, but didn't answer.

"They had a bakery around the corner."

"You got a little of everything because you don't know what I like."

His mouth kicked up a little as he made his way to the bed, offering her the coffee.

"Coffee and two donuts."

"Switching it up?" She accepted the covered cup and the bag.

"We wanted to head out early, remember?"

"Right." She glanced around. "We can go now I can skip-"

"Eat," he said. "I don't want you passing out on the highway."

"I need to get the bike gassed up still," he added. "Be ready when I get back."

Twelve minutes later he returned again and she was dressed sitting on the edge of the bed watching cartoons.

He glanced at the tv, then her.

The small look of guilt on her face was interesting.

"They were always watching reality t.v. when I was inside."