Marine Proector: Brotherhood Protectors World Read online

  And he was making her nervous. She needed to walk. Her hand moved to the door handle.

  Chapter 2

  She couldn’t stay in the car. She needed to move. “I’ll get out,” she said. “Stretch my legs.”

  Sam nodded. “It’s safe. If you need anything, I’m here.”

  “Right.”

  Red got out and walked a little way from the limo, and then squinted at it. She looked down the road one direction and down the road the other. She walked over to what looked like a dirt trail.

  So, the ranch is at the end of this somewhere. Doesn’t look like much of a road. More a dirt trail, like the ones I used to take with Charlie.

  Her old high school boyfriend, who rode dirt bikes, had loved to go riding on trails, and had also had known all the places in those wooded areas to make out. She hadn’t thought of him in a long time. Wondering what he’d think of the trails her life had taken since he’d moved away, another thought occurred to her.

  She’d hoped Z would be a little bit like Charlie, who’d been a combination of bad boy and caring boy, as in, he would’ve made sure she was okay. Z was nothing but a user of women. Not even close to the kind of man her high school boyfriend had been. Red paced with her thoughts until she saw an old white truck in the midst of a dust cloud, coming toward them.

  The truck came to a stop not far from the limo. Then a door opened and slammed again as a broad-shouldered man, wearing a plaid Western shirt, blue jeans, a brown leather belt with a silver buckle, and a worn pair of brown cowboy boots walked toward them. With his short dark hair, tanned skin, and salt-and-pepper mustache, he could’ve stepped off a movie set. He looked to be in his early sixties and carried the life he’d lived on his face and in his bearing.

  Sam stepped out of the limo. “Buck, you know I don’t appreciate you stirring up all this dust.”

  “It don’t cost you much for a car wash,” Buck said, one corner of his mouth kicking up. He reached his hand out to Red, not waiting for an introduction. “Buck Harris. And you must be Phoebe Adams.”

  “I am, but call me Red.” She shook his hand with a firm grip. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Now, you go on and call me Buck.”

  “All right, Buck.”

  They released hands, and he reached for the suitcase Sam had removed from the trunk.

  Red noted Buck’s silver belt buckle with a bucking bronco on it. Likely a rodeo buckle. She hoped to learn how to ride on the ranch. If she could ride a motorcycle, she could damn sure ride a horse. But what she didn’t know, he might teach her.

  “Enjoy your visit here,” Sam said, giving her a solemn nod.

  “Thanks, I will,” she said.

  “Let’s get a move on,” Buck said, and he headed for the big old Dodge pickup truck that showed rust in places on the white paint. Clearly, a working truck.

  Red followed, and Buck stopped on the passenger side and opened the truck door for her. Tall enough not to need help getting in, she climbed into his truck. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll tell ya about the ranch on the way in. You ride?”

  “A little.”

  “Good.” He smiled. “That’s what I like to hear. Horses, that’s my life, and teaching new riders comes a close second.”

  Red wondered what the ranch would look like as the truck bumped along the dirt road. No pictures were allowed of the ranch to make it harder to find. No unauthorized persons were allowed entry, and it wasn’t an easy ranch to find. The only people who knew the location worked here and had security clearance, or someone like a sheriff or deputy, who had reason to be there.

  Z will never find me here.

  The dust cloud they arrived in dissipated, and then she had a clear view of the ranch before she opened her door, not waiting for Buck to come around and get it for her. She was used to opening her own doors. Z sure as hell never would’ve done it for her, and he’d have given her hell for expecting it.

  She stood looking at the wooden Wild West type sign with three-branded Cs across the top that announced they were here.

  The house beyond it looked more like a lodge than a house. The front of the building was huge, with several gables, one big one in the front with center steps leading up to it. Made of logs, the building looked new.

  “You’re the second guest to arrive today,” Buck said. “You’ll have extra time before you’re on schedule with the others, if ya want to come to the stables and ride.”

  “Yeah, that would be great.”

  “If you’re a morning riser, I’m up before the sun.”

  She wasn’t about to tell him she was a light sleeper and often woke at weird times in the early morning hours before the sun was up. This would give her something to do at those restless times, and maybe she could ride without having to do it in a group. Living in one house with so many women was really just not her thing. Communal, she was not.

  She didn’t like everyone knowing her business and needed time to herself. Rising early would surely accomplish that. “Thanks. And you can call me Red.”

  “Well, Red, after you get up tomorrow, grab you some early breakfast in the kitchen, and then come find me. I usually have a biscuit with ham on the way out the door, along with my coffee.”

  “Will do. Thanks, I appreciate it.”

  “My pleasure.” He tipped his hat and took her suitcase out of the back of the truck.

  At the top of the stairs in front of the house, a dark-haired, dark-skinned woman stood. “Welcome, Phoebe Adams. I’m Leah White Crane,” she said. “We’ve been expecting you.”

  “I’m Red. I don’t go by Phoebe.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Red.” Leah smiled. “Come on in.”

  She followed Leah inside and stepped into a massive great room with log walls, large wooden beams, and antler chandeliers.

  “Cecelia, Phoebe is here,” Leah called.

  Red snorted. Great counselor she’ll be. I told her I go by Red, not Phoebe. And wouldn’t that be in my file? She probably didn’t even read it.

  Officer Vinson had called her by that nickname the night she’d escaped and approached him. “Come on, Red,” he’d gestured to the police car. “I’ll take you to the shelter. You can ride up front.” But she hadn’t wanted that. She’d ridden in back in case anyone who knew her saw her and reported back to Z. The officer’s kindness, and the nickname, had stuck with her. It was a name Z didn’t know. She hated being Phoebe. But she loved being Red. It fit her and her new life.

  Irked, at being called Phoebe, Red crossed to the right side of the great room. Behind a desk, a woman with soft gray hair was sitting, typing. The woman turned toward them, smiling, and Red realized she was blind.

  “Phoebe prefers to be called Red, so you’ll need to update everything. Somehow, that didn’t make it into her documents. Red, this is Cecelia, our secretary,” Leah said.

  “Pleased to meet you, Red.” Cecelia reached out her hand toward Red.

  Red shook her hand. “Nice to meet ya.”

  “Now, you just ignore the things that have your name wrong until I get them fixed,” Cecelia said. “I’ll be right on that.”

  “She’s a fast typist,” Leah said. “It won’t take long.”

  “If you need anything,” Cecelia said, “either stop by my desk or call the private line.” Cecelia placed her hand on a card on her desk. “There’s a phone in your room if you need to call out, and please memorize this number, so you’ll have an emergency number to call if you leave the property.”

  “Thank you.” Red took the card, amazed at how self-sufficient Cecelia was. She didn’t have to look at anything to know where it was.

  “I like to know when you leave the property, so please check in with me if you go out. I worry if I don’t know where my people are.”

  Great. Are they going to keep tabs on everything we do?

  Red rolled her eyes.

  “She can’t see your response, Red,” Leah said softly.


  “Oh,” Red said, blushing. “Sure.”

  “Very good. Now, here’s your key.” Cecelia reached into a drawer and pulled out a key. Smiling, she held out the key. “You have your pick of the guest rooms, except for two, which already have names on the doors.”

  “Okay,” Red said. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Cecelia’s phone rang. “We’ll chat later. I’m looking forward to it.” She picked up the phone. “Hello, Three Cs. This is Cecelia.”

  “I’ll show you the rooms,” Leah said. “Then you can settle in. Later, I’ll take you on a tour of the grounds.”

  “Okay.” Red followed Leah through the great room to a hallway that went back a long way. Rooms were on each side, just like hotel rooms, and the unclaimed rooms had their doors open so she could see inside as they walked past.

  “Which room would you like?” Leah asked. “They all have the same amenities; the only difference will be in the view.”

  “Is the center going to be full?” What she really wanted was a quiet room away from anyone else.

  “Yes, by the end of this week,” Leah said.

  So, none of the rooms were going to be more private than any of the others. Red picked one and walked inside. “This will do.”

  “Good. I’ll tell Cecelia which room you’re in and have your bag brought in,” Leah said. “Find me when you’re ready for me to show you around.”

  “Okay,” Red said.

  Leah closed the door, giving her the room all to herself. Privacy. Finally. Better enjoy that now. Before all those other women get here.

  The room had an outer wall made of logs and three dry-walls decorated with framed quilt pieces all done in yellow, gold, red, and green. A matching quilt covered the big queen-sized bed that had a large wooden headboard and footboard made of logs. A large window looked out over a great view of the ranch and the mountains beyond. She walked over to it to see if it opened. It did not.

  Won’t be going out that way. But then, no one will be coming in that way, either. She walked back to the door and checked it. Just a normal lock, like any house would have. Z could bust right through that. But he’d have to come all the way through the lobby and the hall to reach her door. She locked the door, and then looked back at the window, only now fully taking in the impressive view. But he’ll have one hell of a time finding me here. Inside the room, knowing she was safe, and where no one could see her, she finally let down her guard and relaxed. She couldn’t remember that last time she’d done that.

  After a shower and a twenty-minute nap, Red found Leah in the great room.

  “You look more rested,” Leah said with a smile.

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Are you hungry or thirsty?”

  “Yeah.” She shrugged. “A little.”

  “Then we’ll go see our cook, Emma Ives, first. George Ives is our maintenance man. They used to be at one of the big ski lodges, but he had heart surgery and retired from the lodge. They wanted a quiet, less hectic lifestyle.”

  A large stone fireplace stood on one kitchen wall, and a restaurant-sized stove stood on the other, with a matching double-sided refrigerator on the third. The room also had a kitchen island and a bar with stools combo. A humming, brown-haired women turned and saw them. “Hello,” the older woman said. “Now, who’s hungry?”

  Leah laughed. “Emma is always trying to feed us. Emma, I’d like you to meet Phoebe who prefers to be called Red.”

  “Hello, Red.” Emma stuck out her hand, and Red shook it. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, too,” Red said.

  “When was your last meal?”

  Red paused, thinking. “At the second bus stop.”

  “What did you have?”

  “A hot dog and fries.”

  “Been a while since you had a real meal then.” Emma moved to the oven.

  “What’s our snack tonight?” Leah asked.

  “Chocolate chip cookies,” Emma said. The aroma now filled the room, making Red’s mouth water.

  “Buck ate the last ones pretty fast,” Leah said.

  “He does that, and then says there’s no food in this house.” Emma shook her head. “That man. It’s not like he ever goes hungry.”

  “What’s for dinner tonight, Emma?”

  “Well now, that depends.” She looked at Red. “Do you have any food allergies?”

  Red shook her head. “No.”

  “Good, then tonight it’s pork chops and fried potatoes. Just wanted to make sure you weren’t allergic to pork. I had chicken for Plan B. We’ll have it, tomorrow night.”

  “Sounds good,” Leah said.

  Emma poured glasses of milk for Red and Leah and set them on the bar. Looking at Red, she said, “Now, tell me your favorite pie.”

  “Cherry.”

  “I believe I can work a cherry pie in one night while you’re here. Just need to get some cherries.” She smiled at Red.

  “Uh that would be great, thanks.” Everyone here is so nice. Red wasn’t used to all this niceness. She picked a cookie off the plate Emma set in front of them and took a bite.

  Holy mother of sweetness! This is the best damn chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had. No wonder everyone here is so sweet with Emma kept feeding them like this. A few more of these and I’ll be in a sugar coma.

  They ate two more cookies, and then Leah said, “We’re off on the tour now. See you at dinner, Emma. These cookies were great.”

  “Yeah, great,” Red mumbled, finishing the last of her third and final cookie.

  “Next, I’ll show you the pool,” Leah said.

  A set of French doors to the fanciest pool Red had ever seen. A tall, outdoor, free-standing fireplace wall made of oval gray stones stood on one side, and the other sides were bordered by tall stone planters with leafy green plants.

  “Damn, skippy,” she said. “This is one nice set up.”

  “The same man who built the fireplaces inside the house designed these. The pool is heated, so we can swim in winter and then warm up by the fireplace when we get out,” Leah said. “I’m looking forward to that.”

  “Yeah, I would be too, if I was here in winter.”

  “The pool is always open for you to use during any free time in the day or in the evening. Next, I’ll we’ll head to the stables.”

  Passing the pool, they walked to the stables, leaving the main house behind.

  “We get good exercise here,” Leah said, “just walking.”

  “Yeah, why are the buildings so far apart?” Red asked.

  “Why not?” Leah spread her arms. “Look around you. Everything you can see from here is ranch land.”

  “I’m used to buildings being closer together.”

  “In the cities, they are. But out here, they don’t have to be. Out here, there’s room to breathe.”

  “Yeah, there sure is.” Red took in the views all around her. “It’s nice.”

  “There you are,” Buck said, riding up to where the fence stood just outside the barn. “I was wonderin’ when you two would be by to see me this afternoon.”

  Buck sat atop a large red horse. Red looked up at the man and horse, thinking a big horse like that suited him.

  “And here we are.” Leah’s cell phone rang. She looked at it and frowned. Saying, “Excuse me,” she put the phone to her ear and walked away from them.

  Buck stepped down off his horse. “Come on,” he said. “I’ll introduce you to the other horses.”

  “I’d like that.” Pleased to be meeting the horses, she smiled, ducking her head, her pleasure a private thing.

  He gave her a kind look and said, “You can help me feed ’em if you want.”

  “Oh yeah, I want to feed them.”

  “I’ll be teaching the others how to care for our horses, along with the riding lessons, but there’s no reason you can’t start now. Be a few days before they’re all here.”

  “I’d like that.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not really mu
ch of a group person.”

  He gave her a keen look, a quiet pause, and then said, “I’m here early every morning. Help me get 'em ready in the morning, and I’ll let you ride. You’re welcome any time.”

  Yeah, that’s a much better plan than lessons with a bunch of other women. She kept that thought to herself. “I’ll be here every morning.” She nodded. “Thanks.”

  They went into the barn, and Red began to meet the horses. By the time Leah had rejoined them, Red had already picked out which horse she wanted to ride. She couldn’t wait until tomorrow morning.

  The women headed to the gun range next. The range was outdoors, well away from other buildings, and right out in the open. The open-sided building, which looked like a long rectangular shaded picnic shelter, was equipped with tables to place guns and ammo on, lined up in a row. Targets were set a distance away.

  “The range is used by appointment only, and only with a trained instructor accompanying you,” Leah said. “We’ll be starting with gun safety and intro to handguns classes. Every woman who leaves here will know how a gun works and how to operate one.”

  “I already know about guns.”

  “Do you carry?”

  “No.” She shook her head hard, thinking of what Z could do to her if she had a gun he could take away.

  Leah, noting her expression, said, “All guns on Three Cs Ranch are accounted for at all times. Your instructor will bring handguns and take them with him when he goes. Buck has rifles. There are no guns in the main house. They’re all at Buck's place. When borrowing a gun from one of the men, they know the responsibility for that gun lies with them, even if it’s in your hands. They keep tight rein on those guns. For your safety.”

  “That’s a damn good thing.”

  “Have you ever heard a gun go off?”

  “Uh, yeah.” Her tone held that “Do you think I’m stupid?” tone that had gotten her smacked in the ear once by Z.

  “Range times are scheduled and posted on the chalkboard beside the door leading out to the pool. Everyone will know when those guns are going off. Is gunfire a trigger for you?”