That thought brought out a protective streak in him.He wanted to show her that all men were like that.That he wasn’t like that.
“There was an emergency.I got a call shortly before the date, and it was something that needed my immediate attention.I can’t tell you about what I do with work because I’m not at liberty to say.All I can say is that what I was dealing with was a matter of life and death.”He finished and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before focusing back on the road.
“Did you resolve it?”
“Not yet,” he growled.He’d confirmed Yurgio was at the base camp, and his team was making plans to take it, but the process was slow, and they had to get permission from the Colonel.Yurgio Svengtsez would pay for his crimes.It was only a matter of time before he was captured, and Carson would be there to see him sent to jail to rot for the rest of his miserable life.
“I hate when that happens to me at work, though I’m sure what you do is vastly different than what I do.”
That was an understatement.
“If it really was a matter of life and death.”
“It was.”And it still was.Those women were still out there somewhere being subjected to unimaginable horrors.“So do you accept my apology?”
“I’m thinking.”Her lips pursed as she looked deep in thought.
“Alright, Sandy told me you’re the executive director at the company.That’s pretty incredible,” he commented, continuing to fill the silence.Talking to her as he should have last week.
Carson saw Allie’s shoulders shrug out of the corner of his eye.“It’s a lot of planning and setting up meetings.Sandy is the real star selling products.”She shrugged off his praise, but he noted the pink tinge on her cheeks.She obviously wasn’t used to someone praising her, simply allowing others to take the credit.
“She wouldn’t have those meetings if not for your planning.”
“I never really thought about it that way.So how long have you known Sandy?”
“Feels like forever.We grew up together in Virginia and parted ways when I joined the Navy.We just happened to see each other again a few years ago when I got out.”Forced out, but he wasn’t going to go into that.
“I don’t know how you do it,” she said, shaking her head.
“What?”
“Risk your life for complete strangers.I know police and firefighters do it.I just don’t understand how people can risk their lives like that.You all must have a hero complex or something.”There was no censure in her words, just bewilderment.
“I can’t speak for others, but I don’t have a hero complex.”He’d met plenty in the service.Out to prove themselves better than others, but not him.“I joined because I wanted to make a difference.There are some out there who do it for recognition and glory, but a majority of people just like helping others and making a difference.Just like you did today.”
Allie snorted.“You can’t compare what I did today to what the military does.”
“It’s not the exact same, you’re right.But you’re helping someone much like when we would go into a village and free its people.That family you bought groceries.You made a difference in their lives.They now have food tonight and maybe a few other meals because of your generosity.”
“You’re making a big deal out of nothing.All I did was help feed her and her son for a few days.I’m hardly a hero.”
“You were to her.”He had seen firsthand people abused or neglected in this world.One act of kindness, whether it was a nice word or offering them food, water, or even a blanket, meant the world to them.
Carson had seen the gratitude in the woman’s eyes.The relief that she could feed her child.Again, he cursed himself for his own thoughtlessness.
“Do you do stuff like that often?”he asked, curious to know more about her.
“Not pay for their groceries, but I’ve given change to the homeless, and I donate to a few charities, but beyond that, I don’t make it a habit of paying for other people’s things.”
“It was very kind of you.I wish there were more people in this world like that.”
“There is a lot of cruelty in the world.”
More than she probably even knew.
“Well, on a lighter note, besides secret government work, what do you like to do, Carson?”He noticed she’d turned the conversation about him instead of being focused on her.For some reason, praise made her uncomfortable, and he didn’t know why.
He had to think about it.He didn’t do much beyond work.
