Read Online Paradox (Travelers Series Book 2) by Claudia Lefeve - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Claudia Lefeve
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time to think about some things and feel it’s best if I focus my attention on being a traveler so I can one day take over as leader of the Council.”
He nudges me with his elbow. “Are you sure it’s not about me? I can be pretty charming you know.”
Now I know he’s messing with me. “And annoying. Let’s not forget that,” I say with a smile.
Chapter Nine
Dinner with Freaks
The Year 2017
The Everett Residence
E ntertaining was considered a luxury in their reality. But every once in awhile, it was important to take a moment to remember what they were fighting for. It wasn’t only to take down the massive military hold Colonel Thornberry built that nearly destroyed their city. It was about their freedoms and the simple pleasures they had once taken for granted—like dinner with friends.
“Where in the world did you manage to find a whole chicken?” Etta asked her husband. Sustainable agriculture was even scarcer than the rarity of having guests over for dinner. While their city was industrialized and citizens were afforded meager food rations—like powder resembling flour and mystery meat—items like fresh produce and game was an infrequent treat they so seldom indulged in.
Cooper smiled from across the table. He was pleased to be able to bring a smile to his wife’s face. Only having arrived in this reality a little over a year ago, she immediately took charge, shouldering the burden of leader. He seldom saw her so relaxed, like the way she appeared tonight, which was why he insisted on this impromptu dinner. That and he’d managed to score the bird. “Moose and I took a little side trip today, west of the city border. We had intel on some troop activity in that area, so when we went to investigate, we stumbled upon a small chicken farm. Needless to say, the owner was sympathetic to our cause and gifted us this fine bird.”
Etta would have imagined being offered some eggs perhaps, as many of the local farmers were supportive of their efforts, but she was surprised the farmer had given them a whole fryer. “I hope you thanked the farmer.”
“I’m partial to steak myself,” the lithe blonde said, throwing in her two cents. “Just give me the cow still mooing. Don’t even bother to grill it.”
“Jenny, I think we’d all enjoy a nice juicy ribeye, but hey, it’s a chicken,” Etta chided her. It was often that way with the two of them, but for the most part, they got along. Cooper worried the two women would end up killing each other before they even had an opportunity to see their plan to fruition, but they seemed to enjoy the friendly banter.
Moose looked around the small metal workman’s table that served as their dining table. “Now girls, if you insist on ruining this nice dinner, I swear I’ll set up a pool of jello and have you two wrestle for your dinner. Or better yet, we can just take you out to the mud holes and let you loose there,” he said. “What do you say Coop? Think I could charge for admission?”
“Funny.” Etta was secretly amused by Moose’s jokes and innuendoes, as it provided the much needed comic relief in times of stress, but she’d never let him or the others know it. Even though she was surrounded by her closest friends, she was still their leader. Besides, she thought, where would they find jello in this world?
“You know,” Jenny said, “I bet we could open up a freak show and feature our very own creature of curiosity.” She points a finger towards Moose. “You.” Her jab at Moose was no doubt in reference to his appearance. Nature hadn’t been entirely kind to the big man and as soon as she said it, she instantly felt bad. “I’m just kidding.”
“It’s okay, Jen, if we ever did get the chance to open up a sideshow attraction, you could headline the kootch show or better yet, you can hold seances,” Moose laughs. “And we could tie up the Dyson brothers and parade them around as the amazing psychic conjoined twins.”
“We’re
He nudges me with his elbow. “Are you sure it’s not about me? I can be pretty charming you know.”
Now I know he’s messing with me. “And annoying. Let’s not forget that,” I say with a smile.
Chapter Nine
Dinner with Freaks
The Year 2017
The Everett Residence
E ntertaining was considered a luxury in their reality. But every once in awhile, it was important to take a moment to remember what they were fighting for. It wasn’t only to take down the massive military hold Colonel Thornberry built that nearly destroyed their city. It was about their freedoms and the simple pleasures they had once taken for granted—like dinner with friends.
“Where in the world did you manage to find a whole chicken?” Etta asked her husband. Sustainable agriculture was even scarcer than the rarity of having guests over for dinner. While their city was industrialized and citizens were afforded meager food rations—like powder resembling flour and mystery meat—items like fresh produce and game was an infrequent treat they so seldom indulged in.
Cooper smiled from across the table. He was pleased to be able to bring a smile to his wife’s face. Only having arrived in this reality a little over a year ago, she immediately took charge, shouldering the burden of leader. He seldom saw her so relaxed, like the way she appeared tonight, which was why he insisted on this impromptu dinner. That and he’d managed to score the bird. “Moose and I took a little side trip today, west of the city border. We had intel on some troop activity in that area, so when we went to investigate, we stumbled upon a small chicken farm. Needless to say, the owner was sympathetic to our cause and gifted us this fine bird.”
Etta would have imagined being offered some eggs perhaps, as many of the local farmers were supportive of their efforts, but she was surprised the farmer had given them a whole fryer. “I hope you thanked the farmer.”
“I’m partial to steak myself,” the lithe blonde said, throwing in her two cents. “Just give me the cow still mooing. Don’t even bother to grill it.”
“Jenny, I think we’d all enjoy a nice juicy ribeye, but hey, it’s a chicken,” Etta chided her. It was often that way with the two of them, but for the most part, they got along. Cooper worried the two women would end up killing each other before they even had an opportunity to see their plan to fruition, but they seemed to enjoy the friendly banter.
Moose looked around the small metal workman’s table that served as their dining table. “Now girls, if you insist on ruining this nice dinner, I swear I’ll set up a pool of jello and have you two wrestle for your dinner. Or better yet, we can just take you out to the mud holes and let you loose there,” he said. “What do you say Coop? Think I could charge for admission?”
“Funny.” Etta was secretly amused by Moose’s jokes and innuendoes, as it provided the much needed comic relief in times of stress, but she’d never let him or the others know it. Even though she was surrounded by her closest friends, she was still their leader. Besides, she thought, where would they find jello in this world?
“You know,” Jenny said, “I bet we could open up a freak show and feature our very own creature of curiosity.” She points a finger towards Moose. “You.” Her jab at Moose was no doubt in reference to his appearance. Nature hadn’t been entirely kind to the big man and as soon as she said it, she instantly felt bad. “I’m just kidding.”
“It’s okay, Jen, if we ever did get the chance to open up a sideshow attraction, you could headline the kootch show or better yet, you can hold seances,” Moose laughs. “And we could tie up the Dyson brothers and parade them around as the amazing psychic conjoined twins.”
“We’re
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