Days of Love and Blood

planning on it. Ronan’s here, in the house.”
    “I should keep watch tonight too, in case the old fool falls asleep.”
    “No!” I shouted and raised my head. “No.” I took his hand. “Please,” I whispered. Cooper squinted at me and shifted his eyes. He nodded once and put his rifle down.
    When he lay on the bed, I nuzzled my head on his bare chest and he wrapped his strong arms around me. An accidental stream of tears leaked onto his skin. He squeezed me hard for a few seconds and then lightly rubbed my arm.
    “I would never let it happen,” he whispered. I bit my lip to stop myself from cry ing and covered my face with my hands, bringing up my knees to my chest. I never said anything, but he knew. He never asked, he just knew and gave me what I needed. That’s the reason I wept.
    “Cooper, I’m really happy you’re here.” It didn’t sound like much, but for me it was monumental.
    Cooper took in a sudden breath of air, as if he was shocked at my admittance, and his head shifted downward while his fingers pulled my chin up. He brushed the hair from my face and softly kissed me. He was about to pull away when I rolled on top of him. I kissed him hard and felt him rise beneath me. His fingers clawed at my back when my mouth and tongue moved down his neck. Each time he tried to sit up, I pushed him down and moved my mouth along his neck, then down his chest. His strength broke through mine and he flipped me on my back, crawling on top of me.
    He made love to me passionately, slowly. He looked straight into my eyes when he pushed into me and kept them there. His hands were locked tightly in my hair, his eyes set on mine, and every so often he would plunge down into a deep kiss. I begged for more of him with each thrust and with each kiss, until at last we collapsed together with arms and legs intertwined.

    “Mom!” Ronan screamed. “Mom!” He jumped into my bed and landed flat on top of me.
    “Good morning, baby.” I kissed his head with my eyes still closed and wondered what time it was.
    “What happened last night?”
    “Nothing, why?”
    “Cuz Cooper’s in the house talking to Solomon about something that happened. They made me leave.”
    “I see. Nothing big happened. We just came across some men who weren’t too nice.” I opened my eyes to find his bright blue eyes staring back at me. His nose was against my nose and his mouth was open in a wide grin. I couldn’t help but laugh. “We found the warehouse. Did you see all of the boxes and bins?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “I missed you.”
    “I missed you too, Mommy. I’m glad you’re home.”
    “Okay, babe.” I lightly slapped the side of his arm a few times. “Mama needs to get up. Let me up, please.”
    Fifteen minutes later I was in Ivy’s house. Cooper was leaning up against the wall in the living room. Solomon, Brigham, Tasha, Johnson, Ivy, Gretchen, Marianna, Jayde and a few others sat around the room with contemplative looks. Ben looked green against the back wall where he stood with his arms folded across his chest.
    “Hey. What’s going on?” I asked.
    “Cooper told us about last night,” said Brigham.
    “You mean those men?” I asked.
    “Yes,” he answered. “The men. Just two of them, you said?” he asked Cooper.
    “Just the two.”
    “I don’t agree with it,” said Solomon. “We just can’t.”
    “I agree with Solomon,” said Ivy.
    “What’s going on?” I asked again.
    “You didn’t run this by Carson?” Solomon asked.
    “Didn’t need to,” Cooper replied.
    “Run what by me?”
    “Christ.” Solomon removed his flat cap and scratched his head. “Cooper feels that those two men are a substantial threat to this farm and its people. He wants to arrange a party to go - go take care of them.”
    “Take care of them ?” I turned to Cooper. “Take care of what?” He didn’t reply but tilted his head back. Suddenly it dawned on me what they meant. “Oh my God. Are you serious?”
    “I think we need to put this to a vote,” said Solomon.
    “A vote?” hissed Cooper. “Are ya kiddin’ me?”
    “You had your say, Cooper,” said Brigham.
    “Cooper,” I whispered. “No, Cooper. You can’t do this. No.” I was about to touch him but thought better of it. I looked around the room from face to face. No one looked me in the eyes except for Ivy and Ben. Ben had a sudden air of relief about him.
    “Wait, before you vote, I think people should be able to voice their opinion. Can I say