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

A New Plan

Chapter 39—A New Plan

Three weeks later

Rowan's POV

I walk up the stairs to the kitchen, it's late morning and I'm on lunch duty; time to figure out what to feed this hungry bunch. It's pretty cold out today and the majority of the group has been out checking the fence line. I'm still on light duty and Daryl's still in over protective mode. I can't wait until this cast is off and I can get back to my normal routine. I know I'll have to strengthen my hand and wrist because of not using it for so long, my muscle tone has gone to shit. Daryl promises he'll help me get back to being able to use my compound bow as soon as the cast is off. I have a feeling he's going to put me through my paces and give my wrist one hell of a workout with shooting practice. Hell, my hand hurts just thinking about it.

I rummage around the kitchen cabinets trying to figure out what to make for lunch. I have some canned milk, potatoes, dried mushrooms, canned chicken broth and 2 fat little rabbits. Hmmm, sounds like Cream of Rabbit soup for lunch. I'm sure Daryl and Trey have had this before but the rest of these city folk won't see this coming. I grab the big cast iron Dutch oven off the lower shelf and try hoisting it up on the stove. On my third attempt Eugene walks into the kitchen and looks at me struggling. He quickly walks over, "Here, let me assist you. You need to be careful or your wrist will not mend properly." I nod and mumble, "Thanks Eugene." He nods, "You're welcome, I'm glad to be of assistance, especially when it means I'll be partaking of your fine cooking." I chuckle, "Well I'll make sure ya get the biggest portion okay? Just don't tell Daryl." He gives me a slightly frightened look, "No need to upset him, I can go without any extra." I laugh, "I'm just kidding Eugene. Daryl ain't an ogre I promise! He really does have a soft side." Eugene relaxes a little, "He can be very intimidating, I'm glad he's on our team. He certainly treats you kindly." I look up at him, "Ya noticed huh?" He nods, "Yes, I'm very observant. I see how he sneaks affection to you when no one is paying attention. You do the same most times but you tend to be a bit more open." I nod as I start cutting up the rabbit carcasses, "Daryl's very guarded and he's still getting used to showing his feelings around y'all. I'm like that a lot too; it's hard to be like everyone else because of how we grew up."

Eugene is quiet for a minute and then speaks, "Your parents weren't normal parents were they?" I stop cutting up the meat and sigh, "Nope, Daryl and I had childhoods that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Parents are supposed to love and nurture ya, not bring ya down. Unfortunately not every kid out there is lucky. We weren't the lucky ones but we survived." Eugene looks at me with sadness and says, "Then it's good that you two found each other." I nod a smile creeping across my face as I admit, "He's the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'd honestly go through my childhood again if it meant I'd still end up with 'em." Eugene's starts to comment when he sees Daryl standing in the doorway watching us and I look over at Daryl, he's just staring at us. "Ummm, I have some things to attend to Rowan, I'll be back for lunch" Eugene stammers as he nervously brushes past Daryl.

Daryl turns his head as he watches Eugene quickly exit. Daryl turns back to me as I explain, "Ya make him nervous ya know, it would be nice if ya told him ya weren't planning on killin' him." Daryl chuckles slightly, "How come ya think I'm not planning on killin' him princess?" I just roll my eyes and shake my head as I turn back to the rabbit I'm almost finished cutting up. I point my knife towards the shelf, "Can ya grab me that large skillet?" Daryl nods and grabs the cast iron frying pan off the shelf, putting on the stove for me. He grabs another log and throws it into the stove, stoking the fire as I scoop a little bacon fat into the pan. He watches me toss some wild garlic and chopped rabbit into the pan. I look up and see the sparkle in his blue eyes, "What Dare?" He grins, "I'm not sure what you're cookin' but it smells good as hell." I lean over and kiss his scruffy cheek as I tell him, "I'm making cream of rabbit soup." He gives me warm smile as he softly says, "I love your cookin' as much as I love you Rowan." I nudge him with my hip playfully as I say, "I love ya too. Now git outta my kitchen so I can cook. You're too much of a damn distraction Daryl!" He kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear, "Fine I'll go. By the way darling, I heard what ya told Eugene. You're the best thing that ever happened to me too." I look over to him as I feel the blush creeping across my face and just nod my head as he exits the kitchen.