Shepard and Ashley (a little later in the evening)
Shepard laughed softly. So that was the plan. She gave Ashley a little salute. "I appreciate the choice." She took her gaze off of the redheaded girl in front of her and sought out the man she'd married. "If I didn't know he was terrified of me, I'd ask if that was a dig for me teasing him about men in uniform." But any hard feelings that she'd felt toward the man had melted away in the week she'd needed aid, and he'd come.
"I wouldn't have missed it." Her gaze found Ashley's and held it. There was no doubt in her tone. "Even if you wouldn't have been able to see me, I would have been here."