From The Ashes (Life After War) (61 page)

The Arkansas State Line

6/22

1

Marc studied Angela from the tent flap, unnoticed by her or the group of Eagles that she was currently putting through their paces on first aid. Even healed, Angela’s shoulder wound was about the ugliest thing he’d ever seen on a female. It was clear the newest level of rookies in these first aid classes viewed it the same way, but that obviously didn't matter to her. She had a duty to these people, and nothing would stop her from honoring it. Marc would help her… and Adrian.

There’s a flash of the bitterness
, Marc thought. He hadn’t thought he had anything in common with Kenn, but over the last months, Marc had learned more about himself than he’d ever thought he would. That possessive streak was news, but it had been there all along, and now, he had a place to put it. Every time the flashes came, he planned to think of how it felt to walk into that rest stop and see her body.

Marc shuddered, unable to stop the reaction
. Yeah, that’s where it belongs.
Better to carry the heart-crushing sense of loss than to become Kenn and push her straight into Adrian's waiting arms.

Angela noticed his mood-change and raised a brow.
“Do you need me?”

Marc shook his head and sent,
“All my life.”

The blush rose over her cheeks, causing Eagles to notice. To their credit, none of them cracked a joke, though it was clear from the smiles that they wanted to say a lot. They’d both pushed the failed attempt away and chosen to concentrate on the future. At some point, it would be the right time and he would love her for all he was worth

Angela was steady as she continued, and Marc ducked out of the tent and took up a spot in the nearby shade. She had a number of guards in this zone, but Marc liked to stay close. These men were good, he knew that, but he wanted to be able to sleep at night, and he stayed around even when off-duty. He was also trying to stay back during those times, understanding it was his own fears that needed to be sated. It was a habit the others mostly approved of–though he’d gotten a few glares from those who had sensed his edge of possessiveness–but it wasn’t for anyone’s benefit but hers.
The things she was capable of!

Marc lit a smoke, scanning the area. Her gifts were growing, almost daily it seemed like, and the camp was noticing. She was the first one to alert them of new arrivals now, usually settled in the chair as they pulled in. She was predicting and confirming Sam’s weather reports too, something the camp didn’t know of–yet. And, she was giving them answers–before they asked.

Marc had talked to Adrian about it this morning, but the leader had only said she knew what she was doing. After everything that had happened, Marc had his doubts that Adrian would have stopped her anyway, even if it meant trouble with the camp. He was getting too much of what he needed to interfere. Marc frowned slightly. It was almost like she was in charge.

“
I am, I think, on some things.”

Angie was standing behind him, smoking and staring at him. Behind her, the rookies were leaving the class with knowing, slightly jealous glances.

Marc glared, showing sharp white teeth and a willingness to fight for her. The single males hurried on.

“
Is this still a problem?”

Marc knew how to handle it now. She wasn’t the only one who could use distraction. “Only if you keep digging into my brain, princess. I might have to bail you out of the well.”

Angela snorted, relaxing at his joke. “I won’t go so deep that I can’t get out.”

Sparks flared and Marc’s body woke instantly. “What if you like it there?” He leaned closer. “Sometimes, I’m a fun guy.”

Angela regarded him in surprise. “Are you flirting with me, Brady?”

Marc had her in his arms an instant later, mouth pressed to hers. “I think you could say that.”

Angela was aware of his tactics. He hadn’t given her time to be scared. “There’s only one issue with that, Braveheart.”

“
What’s that, princess?”

Her eyes flared at the second use of the hated nickname… then narrowed, and he tried to brace.

Angela smiled, slowly sliding her arms around his neck.

Marc felt her strength, the muscles flexing under that pale, scarred skin. She was definitely recovered.

“
I’m not
satisfied
.”

His grip on her waist tightened. “We can’t have that, baby.”

His mouth lowered, hands tangling in her thick hair.

“
Angie, to the Mess.”

They both jumped, and then shared a snicker as she keyed the mic.

“
Copy.”

“
Later?” Marc asked, leering at her.

Angela ducked in for a copy of his fast peck and then fled. “You know it.”

Left me with a smile
, Marc thought, unable to glance away as she strolled through the camp.

Angela reluctantly pulled away from their mental connection and forced her mind to the schedule-making lesson Kenn was set to give. It wouldn’t be a fun class, but the Marine wasn’t full of hate now, and it was easier to handle being around him. He had finally accepted that her gifts would never be under his control. They could make peace at some point, the real kind, she hoped, but there was still a dark spot on him that she was leery of.

“
You ready?” The Marine sounded surprisingly amused under his bruises and bandages.

“
Whenever you are.”

Kenn shrugged gently. “Just waiting to see how many radios I’m replacing.”

Angela scoffed at his joke over the pulses she sometimes sent. “I’ll try to take it easy on you.”

It was one of the things he used to say right before he hit her. They both winced.

When Angela would have stated the intention behind it, Kenn swallowed the guilt. “I know you didn’t.”

Angela let out the tense breath she’d drawn in. “Thank you for knowing that.”

Kenn was able to be grateful now. “Thank you for letting me keep my place.”

Angela didn’t deny that it was her choice, only gestured toward the schedules. “Like anyone other than Adrian could teach me that shit.”

Kenn gave a snicker, and the tension in the Mess eased. People went back to eating and chatting, and the lesson went by quickly. Things were improving throughout the camp that was becoming in tune with the emotions of those leading them. That golden bubble of light was so strong whenever the six of them were near it, that it was almost impenetrable without Angela raising it.

2

“
That’s a cute pair,” Kenn commented sarcastically a bit later, referring to Doug and Peggy sitting together again.

Angela closed her journal to observe. The meeting was over, plans were set for the trip into Little Rock, and they were all enjoying Li Sing’s cookies and tea.

“
Not in about one minute. Here comes the rest of the family,” Brady remarked.

Seth and Becky stepped into the food line, staying close and ignoring the disapproving comments. They appeared happy, and the center table tensed when the couple finished in line.

Becky spotted her mom first, freezing. She clearly hadn’t known.

Seth nudged her forward and then spotted the problem. He stopped, expecting Becky to fly off the handle.

“
That’s sure different. She hasn’t shown interest in anyone since my dad died when I was five. Let’s go sit with them.”

Seth gaped. She’d been adamant about making Peggy come to her. The trip out with Kenn must have gone well. Seth hadn’t wanted to let her go, might not have if he’d known it was Kenn in charge, but Sam and Cynthia being along had helped. He hadn’t known her mother was going, too. “Okay.”

They stopped by the table, Seth aware of a Mess full of witnesses expecting an argument.

Peggy stopped mid-sentence, picking up Becky’s curiosity, but no anger. She cleared her throat. “Would you like to sit with us?”

“
That depends.”

“
On?”

Becky looked at Seth pointedly.

Peggy flushed a bit, mouth tightening. “Him, too.”

Becky and Seth sat down across from them, and the Mess went back to quiet murmurs as they witnessed the truce being made. It wasn’t spoken, but the moment was clear in the hope it gave to those observing.

Peggy took in the strawberry hair drawn back in a tight bun, the bags under those pale, sunken cheeks that made the freckles stand out, and realized she was needed. Not sure yet how to help her much too thin daughter, or even if it would be welcome, Peggy kept her mouth shut. She didn’t look at Seth.

Around the eating people, were thumps and groans of men
and women
learning to defend themselves, to survive–and even the clicking of the cicadas was drowned out by it. The hungry bugs were finally starting to die off now, but the other insects were increasing. The ears of all of their livestock were coated in salve, as were those of the working dogs, but it wasn’t enough to keep away the sores from the biting flies. Adrian was working with the Vet to find another stronger chemical to use, but so far, they hadn’t discovered anything that worked. It was as though the flies didn’t even notice the fumes and grease anymore. They just chewed their way through it to reach the blood.

“
So, when did you guys become a couple?”

Becky’s words had Peggy grinning and Doug flushing.

“
We’re not a couple, Lass,” Doug protested, and missed Peggy’s hurt expression. “We’re friends.”

Becky started to tell him that she was teasing, and then Peggy stood up. She marched swiftly away from the Mess with stiff shoulders.

Doug was aware that he’d done something wrong but didn’t know what. He stood up to go after her.

“
I wouldn’t do that yet,” Becky advised.

“
Why not? I hurt her somehow. Need to find out what I did.”

Seth spoke up. “You denied the relationship. Women don’t like that.”

Understanding lit up Doug’s big face, and he grunted. “Damn. I didn’t know she wanted it made public!”

“
So there is something going on with you and my mom!” Becky accused. “Sit down, Mr. Patrick. We need to discuss this.”

Doug snorted and followed Peggy. “Sound just like your mom.”

His grumbling made Becky giggle. “That’s so sweet! He really likes her.”

The Mess heard the sound of her amusement and knew it for what it was. Little Becky was recovering, healing, rejoining Safe Haven life, and they were all glad. By now, it was clear that she’d suffered something during the final Slaver battle, and many of the senior Eagles thought Seth’s days of being treated badly might be over now. It was clear that he’d helped her. Becky leaving camp on a mission had also sent ripples through the herd and forced them to accept that she had earned the right to make her own choices.

“
Are you okay with them being together?”

Becky leaned against Seth’s arm in happiness that dared anyone to protest the innocent contact. “Yes. I hope they find what we have.”

Seth smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head. “Me, too.”

The camp was slowly beginning to understand that Seth had hidden his feelings for Becky–that he’d cared for her long before Rick had come into the picture. Neil and others were casually spreading that information and making their opinions known on it. The time had come to forgive and forget.

3

“
I’m sorry.”

“
Aye.”

There it was again, that slight revelation that she was his kind. It hit him just as hard as the first time, and Doug tried to control it.

Lust wasn’t something Peggy could give into. If he wanted her, it had to be the legal way. “I’m not a whore.”

Doug recoiled. “Never thought that!”

“
Just so we have it straight,” she intoned coolly.

Doug picked up on her meaning and snorted. “I don’t have anything to do with them. They want Eagles.”

Peggy was sympathetic but only shrugged. “I’m sure one of them would be happy to… comfort you. Eagle or not, you’re in the chain of command.”

Doug didn’t know what to say. Should he tell her of the way the camp women often snubbed him because of his limp, or the way he felt so inferior around them that he couldn’t even form sentences, let alone pick-up lines? That he still didn’t understand why she was interested?

His shoulders slumped. “What do you want from me, Ms. Kelly?”

Peggy smothered her disappointment. “Not a damn thing, Douglas. Not a damn thing.”

He watched her stomp off, confused and sorry for whatever it was he hadn’t given her.

“
Would you care for a word of advice?”

If it had been anyone but the doctor, Doug would have told them to get lost. “I guess I need some.”

John looked up at the big man, full of good health and vigor. “Claim her legally and settle down. Shack up in bliss and forget about the past. It’s long gone.”

John left him standing there, speechless. Claim Ms. Peggy? Shack up with her? Was John crazy? She didn’t…