Read Refuge From The Dead (Book 1): Lockdown for Free Online Page B

finished off the Red Bull and tossed it in the trash. “Well, that’s why I have to go in. apparently we’ve had some call ins on top of those guys getting hurt.”
    Lindsey sat Anna’s food down and stood up. Michael could sense something was a little off. She stood in front of him, gently holding his face in her hands. He reached up and held them.
    “I know what you’re thinking. And I will be as careful as I can, babe.”
    She leaned forward and kissed him. “I know you will be. Just promise me that you’ll make it home in one piece.”
    “I promise, babe. None of those convicts are gonna keep me from my beautiful girls, I swear.”
    Lindsey gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Good. Now, go get ready so daddy can go make us some money,” she said, smiling.
    Michael returned the grin. “Yes ma’am. I’m gonna grab a quick shower, get dressed, and hit the road. I need to grab some smokes on the way to work, anyway.”
    “All right, sweets. I will…”
    Lindsey’s cellphone began to ring. She gave Michael another quick kiss and grabbed it off the kitchen counter. Whatever the conversation consisted of, it couldn’t have been good. Michael watched as her facial expression went from a smile to a confused frown. Michael gestured to the bathroom, to which Lindsey waved him on.
    After Michael got out of the shower, Lindsey was already dressed in her navy blue scrubs. She was in a hurry to get out the door, which was evident to Michael. He grabbed his navy blue BDU pants off the hangar and quickly put them on.
    “What’s up babe? Something wrong?”
    Lindsey scurried into their bedroom. “Yeah, that was the ER. They need me to come in as soon as possible. There are more cases of that virus shit going on and they are calling everyone in to assist.”
    Michael was putting on his boots when she came back into the living room. “Damn. You had better be careful, babe. I don’t want you getting it or bringing it back home to Anna and me.”
    Lindsey rushed into the bathroom. Through the door, he could hear her. “Don’t worry, honey. We are all wearing all of our PPE. Mask, gown, gloves, all of that stuff. It’ll suck having to wear all that for ten hours, but I’m not taking any chances.”
    “Good enough for me babe. I will call you as soon as I can get a break from the action at Black Mountain. I don’t know what all they have planned, but I’m sure I’ll be busy, as will you.”
    “Yeah, I’d say we are both in for a hell of a night, babe.”
    Lindsey came out of the bathroom and took a deep breath. “How do I look?”
    “Sexy as hell! Hell, I’d hit that!” Michael said, winking at his beautiful wife.
    “Maybe later, Officer Caine. You have to hit the road, too. We are definitely taking a vacation sometime soon!” Lindsey said.
    Lindsey grabbed Anna’s diaper bag and flung it over her shoulder. She picked up Anna and headed out the door. Michael gave his daughter a quick kiss and his wife a hug. Anna waved and said “bye,” one of the few words she could adequately speak. Michael’s heart melted at the sight of his beautiful daughter and wife having to leave so quickly.
    “You guys be careful. I love you and I promise we will take that vacation. Just as soon as we can, baby. Where do you want to go?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe a trip to see your folks up in Ohio…maybe a trip to the Outer Banks…maybe Hawaii,” she said, laughing, and headed out the door.

CHAPTER 6
     
    Michael drove to work, desperately trying to ignore what was happening. As he exited town, there was something ominous in the air. Turning down Bishop Valley Road, there was an unusual amount of traffic. Normally, the small community of a little over a thousand people would have a few random folks out and about, maybe a sheriff’s deputy coming through occasionally. Not today, though. There was an unusually high amount of traffic in the small community. There was a mass exodus happening, and Michael had a sneaking