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Shelly looked up from the small trunk she was kneeling in front of. “Yeah, I know. Scares the shit out of me, too. If they come in here to get something, what will I do?” She sat down on her butt and waved at the small trunk. “I was just looking for something to use as protection.”
“What in the name of Methuselah’s grandma are you talking about?”
Jug’s voice from behind her made her gasp and spin around. “Dude, you have to announce yourself.” Fleur bent over and grasped her knees. “Holy hell, I’m going to die of a heart attack.”
Jug was not impressed by her drama and dismissed her comments, saying, “Yeah, sorry.” He sure didn’t sound it as far as Fleur was concerned. He turned to Shelly. “What are you talking about?”
“The hole in the fence.” Shelly pointed toward the back wall of the tent. “About ten feet in that direction.”
Jug spun and walked out of the tent. “Did you hear him come in?” Fleur still had her hand on her heart because the man had scared the daylights out of her.
“No. He’s awful quiet for a big guy, isn’t he?”
Fleur widened her eyes. “Yeah. Anyway, you can sleep in my tent. We can move your stuff over.”
“I might.” Shelly shut her trunk and extended her hand. Fleur grabbed it and helped her up. “I like being here, though, in case someone needs me at night. It saves time.”
They walked into the clinic area, and Fleur sat on the exam table. “I was going to tell Ronan about the cut in the fence as soon as I made sure you weren’t freaking out, but I guess I don’t need to do that now.”
Jug walked back in. His expression was dark, and his jaw looked like he was grinding his teeth. He looked at Shelly and said, “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
She lifted her arms in the air. “When was I supposed to do that? This is the first time I’ve seen you today.”
Jug’s eyes narrowed even further, and he turned his accusing look at her. Fleur shook her head and held up her hands. “I just found out and came overto see if Shelly was okay. She’s not. She’s looking for a weapon.”
“Fleur!”
“Well, it’s the truth!” Fleur defended herself.
Jug’s frown deepened. “A weapon?”
“I sleep here,” Shelly said, which explained everything.
“Why?” Jug said. “Why don’t you have a tent?”
“Because it’s stupid to have a tent all to myself when the people here are sleeping on the ground out in the open. Both of us gave up our tents.”
“But my cousin sent me a small two-man tent. She can stay with me.” Fleur thought that would make the big guy happy, but … no …
“This is unacceptable.” Jug shook his head. “I’ll sleep out here so you can stay.”
“What?” both women said at the same time.
“You need to be here for the people of the camp, right? That’s why you’re set up back there.”
“Well, yeah.” Shelly frowned.
He pointed to the far corner. “I’ll sleep there. Nobody will bother you or your supplies. I guaran-fucking-tee it.”
Shelly shook her head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t. I’m off watch at eleven. I won’t disturb you.” He turned and walked out of the tent.
Fleur turned her wide-eyed gaze at her friend. “Well, that kind of settles that, doesn’t it?”
“Holy shit, he’s intense, isn’t he?”
“Ah, yeah.” Fleur cocked her head and looked at her friend. “Your crush is going to be sleeping with you.”