Praying for Grace (The Grace Series Book 5) by M. Lauryl Lewis Page A

his hand and smiled. While he exchanged the same greeting with Abbey, I looked around for Gus.
    “Do you know where Gus is?” I asked.
    “He’s in the zoo,” said Erik.
    “The zoo?” asked Abbey questioningly.
    “It’s where we keep the dead. It’s next to the lab. I wouldn’t take the baby over there. It gets loud. Is there anything I can help you with?”
    “Maybe. The baby really needs a bath. I was wondering if there’s warm water anywhere?” I asked. 
    “Sure. If you want hot we’ll have to heat it over a fire, but we usually have some shallow pans full of rainwater that heat in the sun.” The man looked up to the sky. “It’s about noon so it should be warm enough.”
    “Sounds perfect. No one will mind if we use some?”
    “Nah. It rains often enough here. I’ll show you where we keep it. There’s some showers set up too, but you have to add the water. If you want to shower, I can help with the water buckets.”
    “Abbey!” Danny’s voice called as we prepared to follow Erik. “Wait up!”
    He sprinted toward us, obviously anxious to see Abbey.
    “What’s up, Danny?” she asked as he got closer.
    “A couple of the women asked if we can come help get dinner ready. You up for it?”
    Abbey looked at me.
    “I’ll be fine. Go ahead,” I told her as I took Emmett from her arms.
    As she and Danny walked off together, I turned to Erik. He was about the same age as Gus, I suspected, and looked rough. Had I met him outside of the walls of the old base, I would have been intimidated and apprehensive.
    “So you’re Gus’ girl, huh?”
    “It’s complicated,” I answered.
    “I didn’t expect you to be so young.”
    When I didn’t answer, he motioned for me to follow him, which I did. Emmett was starting to fuss and I was anxious to feed him. I was also exhausted and needed time off of my feet. We walked a short distance to a small area that had been set up for bathing. It was situated behind the second bunker’s small concrete building. Used wooden pallets had been set up as a deck of sorts. Several long tables held shallow metal pans. Two shower stalls had been built using two-by-fours and tarps. The tops of the showers were constructed of wood and plastic and reminded me of giant funnels.
    “For now showers are unlimited, but if the rain barrels get below a certain level we’ll start rationing. The water troughs above are attached to a length of hose with on-off valves. A full water tray lasts a total of about two minutes, so turn the valve off while you’re washing and just use it to rinse. We try to keep it to one tray full per shower.”
    “How do I get the water into the tray?”
    “Pour it from the metal fish pans on the tables into a bucket. There’s a step ladder for each shower, you just have to carry it up and pour it in. Oh, and you have to keep the water tray covered with the tarp when you’re done to keep debris out. I’d use the hose in the shower for the baby, if you ask me. You shouldn’t be lifting heavy buckets of water in your condition, so I’ll fill it for you.”
    I sighed. “Does everyone know?”
    “About you being pregnant? I suppose so. It’s big news. Gus told you, right? That your baby may save the world?”
    “He mentioned something about it.” I was uncomfortable with the conversation so changed the topic. “Is there anything I can set the baby on in the shower?”
    “Sure is. There’s another baby here. Her mom uses a table and little net seat. I’ll grab it.”
    “Thanks.”
    Erik walked to a small Rubbermaid shed and within a minute or two came back with a folding table and small net hammock-style baby bath seat. He got them set up for me in the nearest shower stall and then filled the water trough above. Without saying much more, he left me and Emmett to our task.
    I carefully unwrapped the tiny baby and set him in the hammock. He began to cry the moment I set him down, causing me to frown. His crying made my chest hurt and I felt