Winter Apocalypse: Zombie Crusade V by J.W. Vohs, Sandra Vohs Page B

O’Brien. “It’s a good thing you’re a priest or I might have to stay and defend this lady’s honor. I’ll be in my cabin if either of you need me.”
    “He seems very nice,” Carolyn observed as Father O’Brien guided her to a seat.
    O’Brien smiled. “He’s usually a grouchy old man, but you have a knack for bringing out the best in people.” He took a closer look at his new friend. Decades in the church had taught him how to quickly take the measure of a person, and he instinctively liked what he saw in this woman. “I’ll pour us some coffee. Sugar and creamer?”
    “Spoonful of sugar please, no creamer. And you’re quite the charmer yourself. You only know me from my voice over the radio, but I’ll accept the compliment and thank you for it.”
    Father O’Brien sat down across from Carolyn with his own drink before raising the cup in a slight toast. “You’re welcome. And thank you for coming all the way down here, especially in November.”
    Carolyn lightly touched his mug with her own before taking a sip. “Michael is damn suspicious of everyone who hasn’t been on Manitoulin since the outbreak began, but I could tell by your voice that you were trustworthy. Sooner or later we’ll all have to band together in this new world if we want half a chance of beating the flesh-eaters.”
    Father O’Brien choked on his coffee. “Did you just say you were from Manitoulin Island?” he sputtered.
    Carolyn nodded. “Yeah, I think the need for secrecy is over. Are you alright?”
    “Even though I should know better, sometimes providence still sneaks up on me. Tell me about Mayor, or rather Michael. What was he before the outbreak?”
    “An overqualified fishing guide. Well, he and his wife ran a really nice bed and breakfast, but he used to be some big-wig engineer.”
    Father O’Brien crossed himself. “Does his last name happen to be Carboni?”
    Carolyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know that?”
    Just then, the door swung open and Brittany stepped aside to let Robbie and Michael enter the cabin. “I’m going to stand guard with Roberto if you don’t need me,” she said to O’Brien.
    “Thank you, dear.” The priest motioned for the men to sit down. “I know we have a lot to talk about, but first I just want to thank the good Lord for bringing us together. Come, let us join hands.”
    Robbie glanced at Michael, who shrugged and whispered, “I guess we should expect that a priest would want to pray.” They both walked over to the small table where Carolyn and Father O’Brien were sitting.
    O’Brien scooted around and grasped one of Carolyn’s hands, then he reached out for Michael’s. “Gather round, I promise I’m not known for long sermons.” Carolyn took Robbie’s hand, and after an awkward moment Michael and Robbie linked up as well.
    Father O’Brien cleared his throat and began, “Lord, we thank you for all your blessings in these troubled times. As we face the evil that has been unleashed upon our world, your strength can still be found in your brave and honorable children. I thank you for Carolyn, your messenger and my angel. I thank you for Robbie, one of your most righteous warriors and defenders of mankind. And finally I thank you for Michael Carboni, nephew of Jim and Trudy, cousin to Christy, who personifies—“
    “Hold up!” Michael pulled his hands away and stepped back from the table. “How do you know who I am? Carolyn, have you been filling him in about my family in the states?”
    “I suppose if I knew your family tree that would be a possibility, but I’ve never really been that interested in your background.”
    Father O’Brien grabbed Michael’s hand again. “I’m almost done. Now let’s see, Lord, I thank you for Michael Carboni, who personifies hope and sacred leadership against the enemy. Amen.”
    Carolyn smiled at Michael. “That was nice.”
    Michael was about to speak when Father O’Brien patted his shoulder and gently