A Redneck's Wicked Game (A Daryl Dixon Story)

A New Beginning

Chapter 11—A New Beginning

Daryl and I finish watch at dawn. Since we have a lot of work to do today we decide to try to sleep later in the day once we've helped out. I wander up to the kitchen and make a pot of coffee. Once I get a fire in the stove started, the coffee brews quickly. What I would give for a good old automatic drip coffee maker; damn apocalypse! I look around in the cabinets and notice a couple cans of Spam, not my favorite but I'm sure most of the group would like something other than squirrel. I pop open a couple of cans and dice up the Spam into little pieces. I pull out a large cast iron frying pan, placing it on the stove. I mix up some powdered eggs and start cooking breakfast. I open up a couple cans of white potatoes, dicing those up too. I find a couple cans of black beans and add them to the eggs with the other things I've prepared. I season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

As I'm looking in the cabinets for anything else I can add to the hash, Daryl walks in. He peers into the frying pan and smiles, "Woman you can make a good meal outta damn near anything." I nudge him with my hip and smile, "Thanks." I find a bottle of tabasco sauce and add a few shakes to the pan of hash. As I stir it up he watches me, trying to sneak his hand in to grab a taste. I scold him, "You can wait just a damn minute Dixon! You'll eat soon enough!" He grumbles a little and we hear giggling behind us. We both turn to see Maggie and Glenn standing in the doorway. Maggie grins, "You two act like an old married couple and it's so damn cute." Glenn nods, "It's true. Besides with the way she cooks it would be smart to scoop her up before someone else does." I blush and turn back to the fry pan, desperately wishing I could just walk out of the room and this uncomfortable atmosphere. Daryl gives the two of them a harsh look and turns back to me. He notices my panic and kisses my temple, "Don't let them get to ya Rowan." I nod, not saying anything. He grabs a potholder and picks up the coffeepot, pouring himself a cup before sitting down. I put a cover on the fry pan and remove it from the heat. I pour myself a cup of coffee and quickly exit the room.

As I descend down the stairs, everyone passes me on their way up. I check to make sure my gun is in my thigh holster and that my knife is strapped to my other leg before I walk out the door of the mill. I step out into the yard and quickly survey my surroundings. It's clear so I relax and lean against the stone wall of the mill. I pull out my cigarettes and light one up. I take a big drag and try to relax. I slowly exhale the smoke and bring the coffee cup to my lips. The hot velvety liquid slides down my throat and I start to calm down. I take another drag and the door opens, making me look over.

It's Daryl, coming to check on me. He nods as he pulls out his pack of smokes. He lights one up and settles against the stone wall to my right. We're quiet for a bit as we take in the beauty of the land surrounding the mill. Finally he speaks, "Ya alright?" I shrug, "Why wouldn't I be?" He sighs, "Ya know I'm not good with all this relationship stuff." I nod and whisper, "I know, either am I." He pushes himself off the wall and comes closer, quickly standing in front of me. I look up at him and try to give him a little smile but the panic is still coursing through my body. He reaches out and pushes a stray curl off my face as he quietly says, "Yer better at this shit than me." I sigh, "Maybe. Maybe I just hide it better." He cups my chin with his hand and softly says, "Don't let them get you upset princess. We're gonna do this our way. I'm not going anywhere; I'm with ya as long as ya want me." I look into his beautiful blue eyes and whisper, "Forever?" He looks a little surprised but soon I see a soft smile as he leans in closer. Just as his lips touch mine he whispers back, "God I hope so." His kiss is sweet and tender. It doesn't last very long but it's enough to make the butterflies in my stomach start dancing. He slowly pulls back and stares into my eyes for a few moments before speaking, "Come on girl, let's get some breakfast before they eat it all." I nod and push myself off the wall so I can follow him inside.