Page 11 of Pierre (Voodoo Guardians #40)

Ambry didn’t see Pierre until later that evening. Their team had just returned from searching for the three churches and were eating a late dinner.

“Hi,” he smiled, hugging her and kissing her in front of everyone.

“Hi. How are you guys?”

“Exhausted,” said Butch. “Who knew it would be so fucking hard to find three little churches and a nun?”

“Well, given what this place looks like, it seems to make sense,” said Ambry. “Any word from the boys back home?” Pierre nodded and looked at the other men.

“Look, our team has more resources than anyone I know. I asked for a few favors to hopefully help us.”

“Don’t apologize, brother. We appreciate all the help we can get. This is nuts what’s going on here,” said Winslow.

“Hiro is following a few leads for us, but nothing concrete yet. How are things here? How are the patients?”

“Oh, everyone is good,” she said nervously, then looked at Butch. He laughed, shaking his head.

“Ambry, honey, I know. I knew what she was the minute she walked into my room uninvited. I’m a grown man, and I know when a woman is looking for one thing and one thing only. I got what I needed, she got what she wanted.”

“Oh,” she frowned. “I’m sorry. I should have warned you.”

“I think you did,” smirked Winslow.

Marjorie walked into the chow hall and nodded at Ambry and the others. When she walked to the table, she took a seat with her coffee and let out a long sigh.

“Is everything okay? Are the patients alright?” asked Ambry.

“The patients are great. We only have one remaining. The rest were released to their families, if they had any. We couldn’t keep them any longer,” she frowned. “I’m here to talk about something else.”

“That seems ominous,” frowned Pierre.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. Judy was relieved of duty today. We’ve sent her back stateside, where she’ll face a formal disciplinary hearing.”

“I see,” said Ambry, looking down at the table.

“Ambry, it’s not your fault. I was standing in the hallway when you confronted her about Butch and Elliott. I heard it all. It’s not the first time, and I think you knew that.”

“I did and I didn’t. I mean, I didn’t know it all. I never said anything because she is, was a good nurse. And her actions never affected me directly.” Marjorie nodded, then looked away for a moment. “Wait. Did she do something to you?”

Marjorie said nothing, her face flush with embarrassment.

“Shit. You sent me the note,” said Butch.

“It was silly,” said the woman. “I just thought, we were both the ‘oldies’ of the group, and maybe you’d enjoy a tour of the ship, and, well, it was stupid. When I saw her go into your room, I realized how silly I was.”

“Marjorie, I had no idea,” said Butch. “She walked into my room uninvited, and, guessing by everything that’s happened, I’m going to say it was strategic on her part, knowing that you were nearby. I thought it was her that left the note, and then it suddenly took a turn I wasn’t ready for.”

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have assumed that you would want to do anything with me,” she said. “Listen, we’ll be shorthanded for a few days until we can get a replacement. That’s all I wanted you to know.” She stood, ready to leave them, but Butch gripped her arm.

“Don’t go. Please. I’m embarrassed by my actions, and had I known you wrote the note, I would have much rather spent the evening with you.”

“You don’t have to say that, Butch.”

For the first time, Ambry realized just how lovely Marjorie was.

Yes, she was older than most of the nurses, but not old.

She had shoulder-length brown hair, bright, clear blue eyes, perfect skin with no makeup at all, and her body was amazing beneath all the scrubs and lab coats. She was really lovely.

“I mean it. I need to get some air. Will you walk with me?”

“Are you sure?” she asked, staring at him.

“Positive.”

The team watched as the two walked away, Pierre grinning at his teammate.

“Wow,” smirked Tucker. “Old Butch might have just met his match.”

“Was it my imagination or did she look hot tonight?” asked Winslow.

“She looked very pretty,” smiled Ambry. “I never noticed how pretty she was before now. I hate that Judy is going to face disciplinary action, but this is not the first incident for her. She nearly ruined what could be the start of at least one, if not two, great relationships.”

“Somebody has been ignoring her behavior for a long time,” said Pierre. “But in fairness, had she been a man, they would have ignored it all the way.”

“True,” frowned Ambry. “Well, it’s been a long day for all of us. I’m headed to my room.”

“I’ll walk with you,” said Pierre, taking her hand. “Maybe in the morning we’ll have some good news from back home about those churches and the nun. And if we’re really fortunate, we’ll have some good news about those kids.”