The inside was cleaner than she expected. Really she wasn't sure what she expected with three men living together. Well two and a teen but still. Nothing seemed to be out of place and while things were sitting out it was almost like they were meant to be there and always had been.
It was a stark difference between her own place and hers. Hers felt like a model house. Like she was playing pretend and theirs well...it was lived in. They were here and they had roots. She was just here for however long it took her to get the nerve to leave out to see if her grandmother was still alive.
Maybe it was a fools hope to find her alive but in the end she had no one else to look for. She'd been left behind years before by her parents when she'd made the mistake of marrying Ed. Now she didn't have a clue where they were. Not that they'd care to look for her. No they wrote her off when she said I do.
Still Ed was gone, no loss there. Her parents were in the wind and her grandmother was always a trooper. She'd survive out of spite. She would probably get along well with the Dixon's. Still how does one ask someone to leave their home and go out into the world that wants to kill you and help a total stranger?
"What you thinking so hard about?" Logan asked.
They were all sprawled differently but much the same. They weren't relaxed. Well Logan was but the other two were alert. Paying attention to everything going on. Why?
"Maggie spoke to Merle." Daryl finally interrupted her thoughts. "Where does she live?"
Carol sucked in a breath and stared at Daryl. He just waited her out.
"What Catnip here is saying is we'll help but we need more information." Merle interjected. His voice sharp and focused. "Like where in Kentucky does she live?"
"Harlan." Carol said immediately.
Daryl shot a look to Merle and they both seemed to relax some. Carol felt her own shoulders relax and realized she didn't even know she was holding so much tension.
"Hell that aint nothing sugar nipples." Merle smiled.
"Do not call me that." Carol hissed.
Daryl snorted and Carol shot him a withering look. He only smiled more and looked down. Logan snorted and Carol huffed at them all.
"I'll damn well call you what I want." Merle snapped. "It's us your asking to go on a lost and found mission into new territory."
Carol bit her lip and shut her mouth. Merle was a prick but he was right. BUt something about their looks didn't see right.
"Have you been to Harlan?"
"We're from Bloody Harlan." Logan smiled widely.
Daryl rubbed his face before looking at her. "It wasn't in good shape when we came here. Of course there is a lot of idiots there but for the most part it's in ruins. What part was she from?"
"Teetersville."
Merle hummed and nodded. "We'll do it."
They sent Logan after Maggie and Rick before they started talking. A Lot of it was hard for her to follow as they argued routes. They knew the area amazingly well that much was clear. But if they were genuinely from here why wouldn't they.
When Maggie walked in with Rick close on her heels she knew she was already apprised of what was happening. She just smiled at Carol and chose a seat close to her. Rick walked straight for Daryl and just eyed Merle. It made her almost want to smile with how most people treated him. Like a biting dog but one they had to take the bite from at times.
"Officer Friendly and Sugar Tits as I live and breathe." Merle stated, "We got us an adventure planned."
Maggie just sighed but listened. Rick bristled but kept his mouth shut. They listened as Merle and Daryl talked about what to do and how best to go about it. Carol occasionally chimed in. Like when they said they'd leave her behind. How would they know if they found her? They wouldn't. Foolish men. Logan it seemed didn't like the fact he was being left behind but if they were to go they'd need room for her grandmother. That left Logan behind.
"This is all well and good but don't you think you should..."
"Wait longer for the chance for her to die to be set?" Carol snapped at Rick.
Rick recoiled and his face reddened. "I didn't mean it that way. Just that..." He looked at the Dixon's for a minute, "What about when your brother comes back and you aren't here?"
Daryl and Merle looked at each other and nodded. "Logan's here. We'd never leave him behind for good or die."
"YOu can't guarantee you won't die."
"I sure as dick just did." Merle barked.
Daryl snorted again and shrugged at Rick and Maggie. "He'll be fine. Logan's here and that'll pacify him."