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Molev watched her walk away. After weeks of getting to know him, I was able to read him well enough to see his suspicion. I threaded my fingers through his to gain his attention.
There was so much I wanted to tell him, but I knew it wasn’t the time or the place. So I settled for leaning against his arm and resting my head on his shoulder. My stomach growled again.
“You need to eat,” he said.
The team and I went to help ourselves to the midday meal, and we caught Molev up on the volunteer training we’d been doing.
“So that’s five women total with kids and three teens,” Katie said.
“Waurlyn held them back as long as possible,” I said, “but with the personnel and supply shortages, they left with the last group.”
“They aren’t here,” Molev said, that suspicion returning.
“The supplies are being distributed to several reallocation points. The evac site is one, and there’s another farther north,” I said. “They’re probably at one of those. Don’t worry. Waurlyn won’t forget what they volunteered for.”
Molev wrapped his arm around my waist, and his fingers found their way under my shirt to play over my skin.
“Thank you for finding so many,” he said to the team. “Our community will thrive because of everyone here.”
Roni sighed heavily. “I’m looking forward to the day when I get to bask in someone’s praise.”
Molev chuckled, and Steve rolled his eyes. “I’m going to regret not packing a spray bottle for you.”
Waurlyn returned as Steve was pantomiming spraying Roni like a misbehaving cat.
“Everything is set,” she said. “I stopped the aircraft before they left. They’ll deliver you and some initial supplies to the new base before returning here for supplies for the evac site.”
She walked us to our transport and waved farewell as we joined the volunteers.
“Good luck,” she said.
“I think you’re going to need that more than we will,” I said.
Everyone inside the aircraft was quiet as we lifted off. Mostly because they were trying not to stare at Molev. Although they’d seen his picture, they hadn’t had a chance to meet him in person like the earlier volunteers had. I held his hand and smiled whenever I caught anyone’s gaze. The light inside the aircraft was beginning to fade by the time we reached the remote base in eastern New Mexico, well outside of the barrier.
After disconnecting the cargo containers, we landed and met the base’s commander. He was pretty easy to read and openly curious about Molev.
“Didn’t think I’d ever see any of you up close stationed out here,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’ve heard good things. My name’s Rick.”
They shook hands.
“I’m Molev.”
“Some of your personnel are already here and ready to get to work. Let me know if you need anything, Molev. I’ll do my best to support you and stay out of the way. Thank you for your help.”
“Can you have someone show us to our quarters for the night so we can stow our gear?” I asked before Molev could say anything else. I wasn’t sure what Waurlyn had told Rick and wanted to let Molev know what was going on before we spoke to anyone else.
“Of course,” Rick said, waving a soldier over.
The man led the way, and we passed several familiar faces. The volunteers nodded hello but didn’t stop to talk.
Unfortunately, the quarters we were shown weren’t what I had hoped for. Nothing private. The rows of bunks had Roni laughing.
“What are you gonna do now?” she asked.
“Talk to you,” Molev said. "There is much you do not know.”
His seriousness cut through her playful mood. We all moved closer as she crossed her arms.
