Apocalipstick (Hell in a Handbag Book 1) by Lisa Acerbo (the best e book reader txt) 📗

with concerns. Every situation has both pros and cons needing to be addressed.”

Jenna had plenty of concerns, but she didn’t want to be the first to speak and come across as negative. She liked Lilly, Jim, and Mack, but was already ill at ease around Tundra and her creepy sidekicks. There were more base concerns too. More mouths to feed, more people to house and keep healthy. Until the inn was fully functional, they’d drain resources. Saying that to everyone would sound childish and petty, especially after her campaign to save Quentin.

“It will be fine.” Caleb squeezed her hand.

Luckily for Jenna, George decided to play the role of jerk for the day.

“You know we have limited supplies. Six more mouths to feed could drain our surplus quick.” George’s gaze focused on the new arrivals.

“Consider what you said. We all know you’re more concerned about the wine than the food. Three of the group are New Racers. They can help defend us and bring in deer meat with the hunt,” Jackie said. “They won’t be using much of the medical supplies because they are always healthy.”

George scowled.

“As for Lilly, Jim, and Mack, I am sure they will be useful around the inn.” Jackie sent a smile in their direction. “We have so much we need to get done before the winter sets in. We need the manpower. Sorry, Lilly—and the womanpower—to survive.”

“I’m just one voice,” George said. “I still have concerns.”

“We all do with important issues.” Peter stepped into the conversation. “And we should. Debate is healthy. Thinking about all sides of an issue is important. Does anyone else want to speak.”

Aiko made the case for the new arrivals to join.

“We are good on medications,” Emma added. “If anyone does get sick, we’ll handle it. I do wish one of you all had been a doctor though. It’s stressful caring for this lot on my own.”

“Let’s vote,” Peter said. “What would you want to happen if you were in the same situation?”

Jenna helped pass out slips of paper and writing utensils once again. Tundra, Gunnar, and David sat whispering together in the corner. Lilly, Mack, and Jim gazed around with saucer eyes.

What would life be like out there? And the struggle e to survive day-to-day? Fighting Streakers and scavenging for food and supplies must have been horrible for everyone.

As concerned as she was about Tundra in her home, she couldn’t live with herself if she forced them out.

The votes were collected and tallied, revealing the vast majority of people wanted the new arrivals to stay. There were only two votes against them. Jenna assumed George had been one of those, but she was curious about who had cast the additional negative ballot.

When Peter announced the decision, Lilly gave Jenna a hug, and a celebration started. People milled around conversing or went to the kitchen to help prepare a meal. Gus and Jackie began to plan new work rotations that would help everyone settle. Lilly would shadow Jenna for a few days until she was comfortable around the inn on her own. Gus would show Mack and Jim around, and Peter, Aiko, and Victor could help the others.

The celebration lasted into the morning with wine flowing and conversations about the future. For a moment suspended in time, everyone appeared happy and slightly drunk on the wine from storage.

Caleb and Jenna left the party early, but it was not to sleep.

When Jenna and Lilly headed out into the morning, Jenna’s head thumped heavily, and she wondered if she had a little too much wine. The air was crisp, and winter appeared much closer than it had only a few days ago. Without a calendar, it was hard to keep track of time, which now passed in small spurts or rushing waves, never in a consistent flow.

“This is Moon and Star.” Jenna introduced the woman to the Clydesdales.

“They’re beautiful. I can’t wait to help you with the animals. This is the most wonderful thing after being on the road forever.”

“Was it tough?”

Lilly’s face shuttered over. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s hard.”

“But I’m here now.”

“Do you think you’ll be okay helping here. It’s dirty work, and some people don’t like it.”

“One hundred percent yes.”

The two women dug into mucking the stalls. As the days trudged forward, Jenna and Lilly became a strong team caring for the animals and the garden. With the additional help, Jenna had time to focus on the greenhouse project too.

Jenna and Lilly quickly established a close relationship and happy work routine. Each day would begin with the two started with barn chores and then migrated out to the garden.

“Tell me more about how you survived on your own,” Jenna asked one morning while she pulled out small weeds invading her pumpkin patch.

“One of the main reasons I was able to survive was my background being a naturalist and my wilderness training from camp.” Lilly filled Jenna in on her back story. “I was trained at a survivalist summer camp. My parents were extremely religious and believed God’s rapture was soon to arrive. In a way, I guess they were right. They were worried for my soul and sent me to learn to survive if I was left on earth.”

“Maybe they were smarter than the rest of us.”

“When the pandemic got bad and I lost them, I set off alone in the woods with my camping gear. It was tough going, but I know all the edible wild plants and how to trap small animals for food. Being alone all the time is awful, especially not knowing what was happening in the world. It was worth the trade off, meeting Tundra and her group.”

“What trade off?” Jenna queried.

“You know,” Lilly waved her hand around in a vague gesture.

“I really don’t,” Jenna looked up from the pumpkin she held.

“We share.”

“Share what?” This conversation was getting weird.

Confusion turned Lilly’s eyes owlish. “You really don’t know what I’m trying to tell you?”

“I have no idea.”

“You have to promise not to say anything if I tell