Page 16 of Duty Devoted
“You’re wrong.”
“I’m realistic. There’s a difference between being optimistic and being naive, and you crossed that line quite a while ago, it looks like.” Shit. Just because that was true didn’t mean I needed to be a dick about it.
Her jaw tightened. “Naive. Right. Because believing in human decency makes me naive.”
“In cartel territory? Yes.”
“I guess I’d rather be naive than whatever you are.”
She stalked back toward the clinic before I could respond. Not that I had a good response. What was I supposed to say? That I’d seen too many good people do terrible things when pushed? That trusting anyone in a place like this was a luxury she couldn’t afford?
Jace passed her, walking back out. “I heard some of that. Smooth.”
“Shut up.”
“I’m just saying, insulting the woman’s entire world view might not be the best extraction strategy.”
I turned back to the weather equipment, adjusting components that didn’t need adjusting. Across the way, Pedro and his brother had moved on, but I knew they’d be talking. By nightfall, everyone in a ten-mile radius would know about the American weather team.
Two hours later, a group of women from the village arrived, carrying covered dishes. The smell of rice and beans and something spicy made my stomach growl.
They announced they’d brought food for the scientists, that we couldn’t work on empty stomachs. Soon, a makeshift table was covered with dishes, and Lauren appeared to help distribute plates.
The women immediately surrounded her, voices dropping to that universal pitch that meant gossip. I didn’t need to understand the language to recognize the glances thrown my way or the laughter when Lauren shook her head emphatically at whatever they were suggesting.
I took my plate to a spot against the building, far enough from the gathering to avoid conversation but close enough to monitor the situation. The food was incredible—rice mixed with beans and vegetables, handmade tortillas, and some kind of spiced meat that made my eyes water in the best way.
Ty dropped down beside me. “You know, you could actually join the party instead of doing your lone wolf thing.”
“I’m fine here.”
“Sure you are.” He took a bite of tortilla. “This is amazing. When’s the last time we got fed home-cooked food on a mission?”
I watched Lauren laughing at something one of the women said, her head thrown back, completely at ease. The setting sun caught her hair, turning it gold, and for a moment, shelooked like she belonged here more than anywhere I’d ever seen someone belong.
“She’s not going to leave willingly,” I said.
“Nope.” Ty followed my gaze. “Can you blame her? She’s got a whole community here. People who care about her, need her. When’s the last time any of us had that?”
I didn’t answer because the truth was too pathetic. Never. I’d never had what Lauren had built here in six months. Even in the Marines, where bonds ran deep, I’d kept myself separate. Safe.
One of the women called out to me, gesturing at the empty spot beside Lauren. I shook my head, holding up my half-empty plate like that explained everything. The woman shook her head disapprovingly but didn’t push.
“You know they’re all trying to matchmake, right?” Ty grinned. “Small village, pretty American doctor, mysterious stranger rides into town… It’s like a telenovela.”
“We’re leaving in a week.”
“Less, if the weather turns.” He studied me. “That bother you?”
“Why would it?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’ve been staring at a certain doctor like that doctor is water and you’ve been crawling through the desert.”
“I’ll stop staring at Dr. Williams. Didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable.” I stood abruptly as Ty chuckled. “I’m going to check the perimeter.”
“It’s a clinic, not a firebase.”
But I was already walking away, stressed and needing distance from the warmth and laughter and the way Lauren fit so perfectly into this life she’d built. Ty was right—I could see why she didn’t want to leave. This wasn’t just a job for her. It was home.
