Page 64 of Legacy's Call

“Jesus,” Miller said and rubbed his face. “What’s in the truck?” He nodded toward Guardian’s camp.

“Tents and stuff.” She assumed it was more of the same: ammo and probably rockets, too. “Theybrought some big ones and a couple of personal-sized ones—one for me and one for Shelly. There are a couple more for those who’ve given up their tents, too.” She snapped her fingers as she smiled at Miller and said, “And more candy.”

The man blinked and then shook his head. “Rockets and tents.”

“I know, right? Who would’ve believed we’d get to this point. I have to get this to Shelly.” She lifted the small bag. “I’ll be back.”

“Yeah, okay.” Miller crossed his arms and looked at the Guardian camp. “Fucking rockets.”

Fleur glanced at the man and then where Ronan and Wolf were working. Yeah, she was surprised by the rockets, too. That was hard to wrap your head around, especially working at an IDP camp. She shrugged and headed to the hospital tent. She waited until Shelly was free before pulling the bag out of the insulated tote. The gold arches were enough to make Shelly shout, “No way!”

Fleur nodded her head. “Ronan got an insulated bag from somewhere. It was in the fridge all night and here today, so I think it’s still good.”

“I’d eat it if it were seven days old and growing mold.” Shelly grabbed the bag from her and unwrapped the burger. Taking a huge bite out of it,she moaned. “Even cold, it’s fantastic.” Or at least that was what Fleur thought she said. The amount of meat and bread in the woman’s mouth muffled her words. Shelly dipped into the bag and pulled out some sad-looking fries. She shoved them in her mouth, too. “I love you.” She closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Hey, a pinky promise is a pinky promise. Ronan bought four of everything on the menu for all the drivers. I saved that for you. It was touch and go for a while. A real feeding frenzy.”

“I can imagine.” Shelly swallowed hard. “How was the trip?”

“The way back was good. We were attacked on the way there. Ronan and Wolf used rockets to get rid of them. We drove past the wrecked vehicles today on the way back.”

“Wait, go back. Rockets? Like real rockets?”

Fleur blinked. “Is there a fake rocket?”

“Smartass.” Shelly rolled her eyes. “That had to have been scary.”

“It was, but if I ever doubted Guardian could protect the convoys, I don’t now. You know how the convoys get stretched out when we drive?”

“Yeah,” Shelly said before taking another bite of the burger.

“Ronan made us drive nose to tail. I mean, there was less than ten feet between each vehicle. That was nerve-racking, and so was waiting for someone to drive at us with guns blazing. But as I said, it didn’t happen.”

Shelly swallowed what was in her mouth. “Pass my water, would you?” Fleur went to the small fridge, which held Shelly’s reusable water bottle and all the medicines that needed refrigeration. She pulled the bottle out and gave it to her friend. Shelly thanked her and asked, “How did you and Ronan get on?”

Fleur smiled and lifted her eyebrows. “Very well, thank you. Exceptionally, actually. What about you and Jug?”

Shelly cocked her head. “Did you know Jug is short for Juggernaut? But his real name is Colt.”

“I didn’t know that, and stop avoiding my question.” Fleur hopped up on the exam table and dangled her feet while waiting for Shelly, who was drinking water. Finally, the woman finished and capped the bottle. She sighed and shook her head. “Either he doesn’t like me, or he’s gay.”

Fleur’s surprised laugh wasn’t intended to embarrass Shelly, but the woman groaned. “Yeah, thanks, that’s what I get for telling you the truth.”

Fleur jumped off the table and went over to her. “No, no, I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting that answer. Why do you say that?”

Shelly groaned. “Fleur, I’ve been an outright hussy. I’ve done everything except come out here in the middle of the night and attack him—nothing I’ve done works. I mean absolutelynothing. So, if he isn’t gay, he isn’t interested inme.” She carefully wrapped the remainder of her burger with the paper and put it back in the bag. “I’ll finish the rest for dinner.”

“Do you want me to ask Ronan if Jug is gay?” Fleur assumed Ronan would tell her the truth.

Shelly shook her head. “No, I’m just going to drop it and be frustrated. It’s gotten to the point that I’m embarrassing myself now. Such a shame, too. He’s everything I ever wanted and didn’t know I wanted. Shit, that didn’t make sense.”

“No, it did. Believe me, it did. Anyway, we have our tents now, so you can move your stuff tonight and not worry about him being three feet from you.” She pointed to Jug’s cot that was just on the other side of the canvas wall from hers.

“Yeah, that’s good.” Shelly nodded. “So, tell me about you and Ronan.”

Fleur winced. “It’s perfect and so damn good, and I feel bad telling you that now.”

Shelly rolled her eyes. “Why? That’s fabulous news. I’m so happy for you. At least one of us is getting some loving.”

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