Page 21 of Legacy's Call

Jug frowned. “Depends on who you are.”

She extended her hand and walked up to Jug. “Dr. Shelly Braun, formerly of Cincinnati, currently from the medical tents. And thank you for the fuel. This is freaking Christmas.”

Jug blinked at the woman but extended his hand anyway. “They’re for you.”

The woman bypassed his hand and hugged Jug like Fleur had hugged Ronan but not as long. Jug’s face turned bright red. The doctor spun, not noticing Jug’s embarrassment, and opened one of the lids. “Oh, yes! Antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, analgesics, holy crap, vaccines.” She moved to the next crate. “Disinfectants, antiseptics, splints, personal protective gear.” She clapped and opened the last crate. Her moves stilled, and she lifted one ofthe kits. She looked at the emergency contraception kits and supplies used to handle post-rape care. Lifting her eyes to Jug, she choked out. “Thank you. You have no idea how much we needed all this.”

Jug nodded and gruffed, “Wish it could be more.”

Stryker pointed to a crate. “This is for the kids. It’s candy, but not any candy. Our organization has it made with vitamins and protein. We’re kind of addicted to it.” He lifted the lid, and Fleur walked over to it.

“Taffy?”

“Kind of a tradition for our organization.” Wolf laughed. “Rumor has it one of our founders is fond of it. It took on a life of its own.” He tossed her a piece and then one to the doctor.

Fleur unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth. “Oh, man, this is so good. I haven’t had a sweet in, wow, almost a year.” When she turned and looked at him, her smile faded. She walked over to him. “Could I speak to you a moment? Alone?”

The words were quiet and hidden behind a piece of taffy, but he heard them. He nodded toward the tent, and they walked away from his team.

“Skipper, we’re taking this to the medical tents,” Wraith said as they walked by. He nodded and continued to the large tent, where he opened theflap, and she walked in. He left the flap open but followed her inside.

Turning to him, she held up a finger, and he watched as she finished the taffy. She swallowed hard and said, “Shelly heard the last part of our conversation and pointed out that I’ve had my head up my … ah, bum and that I’m an idiot.” She crossed her arms and stared up at him. “Due to events that had happened before you got here, I’ve had blinders on, and I’ve been so focused on getting our people out of here and to a camp that can continue to provide for them and protect them that I’ve tuned out everything and everyone else.”

He didn’t need an apology. “Look?—”

She held up a hand as he started to speak. “No, let me finish, please?”

Ronan lifted an eyebrow as he noted the desperate look on her face and nodded. Obviously, the woman needed to get this off her chest.

“I’ve never had anyone die in my arms, and I’m so sorry that has happened to you. Losing people who were coworkers and acquaintances was so damn hard. I can’t imagine what you went through.” She drew a deep breath. “Your sister, is she …”

“She’s alive and well. We were able to rescue her from the situation, but it changed life for all of us.”

Fleur’s hand went to her mouth. “Thank God you were able to get to her, and there’s no doubt the experience changed your family. I’ve seen the women and children pulled out of that situation, and that was hard for me. I have no idea what your family has gone through. I hope it brought you closer.”

“Everyone handled it differently, but we’re fine. Thank you.” He and Deacon had dedicated their lives to Guardian because his father’s company had tracked Charley down and rescued her. They’d never wavered on that commitment. Gabby had taken it hard and chosen a path they’d never expected, eventually leading to her working with Charley at the helm of Guardian. A journey he and Deacon were also walking but taking other routes to get there.

“Of course. Anyway, I’m incredibly sorry for assuming my situation and focus was in any way more of a challenge than what you’ve dealt with in your life. It was obnoxiously self-centered of me, and I promise I’ll never do that again.”

He studied her expression. They said eyes were the window to the soul, and he could see nothing but regret for her actions there. Inexplicably, he wanted to make them shine with laughter and happiness rather than regret and pain. “Your apology isaccepted but unnecessary. We’re here to find a way to get you, the staff, and, if possible, the occupants of this camp relocated as safely as possible. If we can restart the convoys, we’ll do that. Getting to that point might not happen as soon as you’d like, but I won’t risk anyone: my team, you, your staff, or the people counting on your organization. Understand?”

She nodded. “I do. Could I ask a favor?”

Ronan cocked his head to the side. A favor? His mind instantly bounced to a saying his mom used to say when they were kids.Do you want a kiss to make it all better?And that came from absolutely nowhere.Yeah, not going there. What did she say? Right.“You can ask.” He wasn’t sure he had the means to deliver any favors, but he’d entertain the notion. It seemed he’d entertain a lot of notions about this woman.Oh, for fucks sake, man.

“I’m assuming you're going to take control of the convoys. Let me learn as you work to provide security.”

Ronan removed his helmet and held it under his arm as he rubbed his head. Well, her mind was firmly in reality, wasn’t it? He cracked his neck and focused. “Ifwe reinstate convoys, you’ll be welcome to observe and provide any input you’ve learned from your time here. I won’t pretend to knoweverything, and everyone’s observations and input will be evaluated.”

Fleur smiled at him. “Thank you.”

He nodded, noticing the way her smile went all the way to her eyes. “Since the team is delivering supplies, why don’t you show me the process you go through to process a convoy.”

She rubbed her hands together. “Absolutely. Follow me.” She strode out of the tent, and Ronan put his helmet back on. He gave the woman his respect. It took some balls to apologize. Most people wouldn’t. And he’d give her that respect by keeping his mind on the mission.

He’d muted his comms as he worked with Fleur and his team delivered supplies. Ronan sat with Fleur as she explained each step of the process. There were far too many fingers in the act of planning the movement. Over three-quarters of the notifications and checklist items were unnecessary at best and against every security protocol he’d ever known at worst. Hell, five or six of the tasks she was required to do put the convoy's security in danger.

“Who do you work with in the militia?” he asked as he stared at the pages of checklists spread out before him.

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