They were very lucky. They found new clothes for everyone, but more importantly blankets, bundles of wood, matches, dry pasta, canned food, water, juice and candy bars. Glenn even managed to take 5 or 6 bottles of wine before leaving. They could all share a decent meal tonight. The house the second team found was cozy and comfortable. Of course, there weren't enough bedrooms for everybody but they managed to divide the space without any arguments. No one even suggested searching the house next door. They all felt safer knowing everyone was under the same roof.
Beth was holding Judith and taking her for a walk around the house. Tara and Rosita were playing cards around the coffee table, in the living room. Eugene was reading a book on the couch, next to them. She was glad they found a deck of cards. Maybe it's from inside the house, she thought. Maggie and Sasha were talking while preparing the food in the kitchen. She wondered how they convinced Carl to help them set the table in the dining room, because that's where she found him. Abraham and Tyreese were on watch duty. One out front, the other in the backyard. She could see through the windows that Rick was having a chat with Daryl on the front porch. After her first round, she came back to the entrance hall. She thought about putting Judith to sleep upstairs, since she already fed her. Carol was resting up there too. Before she reached the stairs, she heard Rick coming back inside, followed by Daryl. Rick went looking for Carl after smiling at her daughter.
She ignored the fact that she was alone with Daryl and that they had the chance to talk about what happened. Not only about the little spat they had back at the store. About everything. She could've taken that opportunity, but she went upstairs anyway. Judith fell asleep after half a song. She was so exhausted, poor baby. That was not a life for a child, she thought. She left the room and quietly shut the door behind her.
"She's a tough one, that ass kicker."
"Daryl…", Beth gasped in surprise. He was leaning against the wall in the hallway, sharpening a knife. He was always doing something with his hands, as if he had to keep himself busy all the time.
"S'yours."
That's when she recognised the knife. He kept it with him all this time. He handed it to her.
"Thanks…" She couldn't look at him.
"S'nothin'."
He had this nervous habit, chewing the inside of his lower lip. Like her, he really didn't know where to start. She was about to leave, so that's when he finally spoke.
"M'sorry."
She stopped but didn't turn around, her back still facing him.
"Why?"
"Cause I lost ya. Cause I couln't find ya."
"You did."
"Not at first…I..."
"Stop!" she interrupted him. She was now facing him and looking directly in his eyes. She looked angry.
"I want you to be sorry for yelling at me back at the store."
"Ok."
"And for being so cold and insensitive today."
"Ok."
"And for pretending and acting like…everything before didn't happen."
He didn't know what to answer to that. He wasn't expecting those words. She tried to read him through his eyes. The look they exchanged was intense. She felt some heat going up her neck. There was also a sort of storm going on down in her stomach. And then a voice from downstairs took them out of their gaze.
"Dinner's served!"