Biding His Thyme: 4 by Shelley Munro Page B

nodded, aware of the dangerous game
she was playing. “I’ll escort you back before I go to the men’s quarters.”
    When they reached her workshop, instinct
made him conduct a quick check of the dark corners to make sure no one was
lying in wait for her. “No bogeymen in the corners.”
    “I didn’t think there would be.”
    Jake went to her and tipped back her head
with his fingers. “You’re close to your goal now,” he whispered. “Don’t get
complacent.” He kissed her slowly and thoroughly, leaving them both breathing
hard by the time he finished. “Promise you’ll lock the door after me.”
    “There’s no lock. Nothing is locked in the
compound.”
    Jake nodded. “What about the room Brother
Rick uses as an office?”
    “I don’t know. I like to keep away from
Brother Rick as much as possible.”
    “Understandable. I might do more checking
tonight. Put a chair under the door handle so you have a warning if anyone
tries to snoop around while you’re asleep.”
    “Yes, sir. And I’ll scream loud enough to
wake the dead if anyone scars me.”
    “You do that,” Jake said.
    Jake left Sorrel and walked across the open
ground of the compound toward the single men’s quarters. When he reached the
buildings, he ducked into the shadows and paused, cocking his head to listen.
Although he could hear voices, they were nothing out of the ordinary. From his
observations, most of the men spent their evenings listening to music,
gossiping and letting the women wait on them.
    After deciding no one was scrutinizing his
actions, he wandered to Brother Rick’s office, a small building to the side of
the main buildings. The lights were out, and after another quick pause, Jake
tried the door. Locked. He circled the building, checking the windows. They
were locked too.
    Brother Rick had something to hide.
    Jake thought about attempting to force
entry, but a night when Brother Rick was away from the compound would make
better sense. Jake slipped back toward the men’s quarters.
    It was dark now, the moon shining enough light
for him to see without turning on his torch. Most of the men were still in the
communal rooms, so he turned in that direction. He needed to pick up snippets
of gossip.
    He stepped inside the room, and each of the
men turned to look at him.
    “Where have you been?” Brother Rick
demanded.
    “Sister Sorrel and I went for a walk. She
wanted to collect some leaves and dried twigs to decorate her candles.”
    Brother John snorted in disbelief. “At this
time of night?”
    “Sister Sorrel has been working all day
making products for the shop. Tonight was the first opportunity to collect
supplies.” Jake waited to hear what they said to that. Brother Rick was working
her hard, and Jake wasn’t sure why. If Sorrel knew she wasn’t telling.
    “Her name is Bitter,” Brother Rick said.
“Bitter by name, bitter by nature.”
    Jake counted to five under his breath. He
wanted to defend Sorrel, but kept his mouth shut. One day , he promised
himself.
    Jake walked past Brother Rick and took a
seat. The men started to talk again, murmuring between themselves.
    Someone came to sit beside him, and Jake
turned to find Brother John smirking at him. The man had a thin, narrow face
and a pointy chin. Combined with the hints of red in his hair, he reminded Jake
of a fox.
    “I saw you and Bitter. I’d fuck her in the
dark too. That way it’s easier to pretend she’s not so ugly.” He nudged Jake on
the arm. “How was she? I bet she was desperate for it. The quiet, snooty ones
usually are.”
    “Were you following us?”
    “Didn’t see much leaf collecting,” Brother
John said.
    Jake straightened. “Follow us again, and
I’ll push your nose down your throat.” He followed up his threat with a steely
glare.
    Brother John blinked. A tide of color swept
into his face, highlighting his high cheekbones. “We don’t believe in
violence.”
    “You gonna tell Brother Rick on me,” Jake
taunted, probably