Marine Proector: Brotherhood Protectors World Read online

  “Naw.”

  “That’s good. If you hear a shot at night, that’s Buck with one of the long guns, likely is shooting at a coyote. Buck was a sheriff’s deputy and is a Marine veteran. He assists in our gun classes.”

  “Cool.” Red liked the fact that Buck had worked as a deputy and knew how to shoot. Unlike Z, Red did not hate cops. But then, she’d never been out to break the law.

  * * *

  The next morning, Red went to meet Buck in the kitchen as he was grabbing coffee and a biscuit with ham that Emma had made for him. They both looked at her, surprise showing in Emma’s raised eyebrows.

  “Mornin’, Red,” Buck said jovially.

  “Morning.” Not the morning person Buck was, Red’s response was a mumble.

  “Oh hun, you want some coffee and a biscuit?” Emma reached for a coffee cup.

  “Make hers to go, Emma. She’s comin’ out to the barn with me.”

  “Oh, you are?” Emma smiled. “That’s nice. I’ll fix you right up in a jiffy.”

  Soon, Red and Buck were on their way to the barn, carrying their “first” breakfast. It was still dark outside, making her feel like she should still be in bed sleeping. Thankfully, Buck didn’t try to talk to her before she’d had her first morning coffee.

  Once inside the barn, they finished their biscuits, and Buck showed her his morning routine for taking care of the horses. Then it was time for her first lesson, and she watched as he saddled a horse with a gold coat and white mane and tail.

  “This mare’s name is Sunshine. She’s a palomino. She’s gentle and easy to ride. Now, put your left hand on the saddle and your left foot in the stirrup and then—”

  She stepped up and threw her right leg over the horse as if she’d been riding all her life.

  Ah hell this is easy, she thought. Like mounting a Harley.

  “Well, you know how.” He stood holding the reins and handed them to her. “Just walk around the corral for a minute, and I’ll tell you what you’re doing wrong.”

  She stared silently, without not willing to tell him she didn’t know what to do next.

  “What are you waiting for, Red? Put your heels in her side and tell her to giddy up.”

  Gently, Red nudged the horse’s sides with her bootheels. Sunshine started slowly walking around the paddock.

  Red kept her nervousness to herself, along with her fear. She knew better than to ever let anyone see that.

  The minute you let someone see your weaknesses was the minute you handed them a way to control you and hurt you.

  “Make her go a little faster,” came Buck’s gruff voice. “Give her another jab in the ribs.”

  Red gave the jab with her heels, and Sunshine picked up her pace, which made Red a little more nervous. This was a big horse she sat on, a lot higher up than a Harley.

  “That’s fast enough. You don’t want to run her just yet.”

  They moved around the corral for a few more minutes, and then Buck said, “I got to mend some fence line. You ready to take a short ride? That path right there?” he said, pointing. “It’s an easy path to Whisper Creek. It’s nice and quiet there.”

  Feeling more confident now that she’d managed not to fall off the horse, she nodded. “Yes, sir.” She had respect for Buck and wanted to show it. “I’d like that.”

  He nodded. “I’ll let you out.” Then he headed for the gate and opened it for her.

  She rode Sunshine through the gate and down the path toward the creek. The morning sun was up, and birds chirped. Into the trees and further down the path, it got quieter. They followed the trail until they reached the creek.

  At the creek, the horse stopped. Red dismounted and, still holding the reins, waited while Sunshine drank from the creek.

  She stood taking in the sights and sounds. Even closed her eyes to listen.

  This was nice, right here. Real nice.

  After a while, her stomach growled. It was time to head back. She needed that second breakfast.

  Mounting Sunshine again, she turned the horse back to the trail, which lead home to the barn. Halfway there, Red started to get more impatient.

  She’s a nice horse but this is too damn slow.

  Her stomach growled again. Red dug her heels in hard.

  Sunshine moved into a fast trot, and Red bounced up and down in the saddle, smacking the saddle hard.

  “Damn, girl, slow down!” she yelled. Her butt bounced up and down in the saddle, her boots fell out of the stirrups, and then she bounced off the saddle, falling hard onto the ground.

  Sunshine trotted on down the trail.

  Chapter 3

  Red came to as Buck knelt over her.

  “What happened, Red?” Concern filled his eyes as he checked her over. “Sunshine came back to the barn without ya, so I came looking.”

  Her head and her ankle hurt, along with her pride. “I, she, no, it must’ve been bees. Damn bees.” She frowned.

  He raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but didn’t say anything. Then he helped her sit up and checked her head for lumps. “Must’ve hit your head here,” he said.

  She reached for her head where the lump was and felt the raised place. Damn. That hurts.

  “Come on, let’s get you back to the lodge,” Buck said. “I got my Jeep.”

  “Okay.” She let him help her up and into the Jeep, as she was still feeling light-headed.

  “Emma will have breakfast ready and waiting. If you’re feeling hungry…”

  “I’m very hungry.”

  “That’s a good sign,” he said.

  Once in the Jeep, Red said, “That trail ride was nice…before the bees. Quiet. I needed that.”

  “Glad you enjoyed it. Hang on, and I’ll try not to bounce you around too much with this Jeep.”

  “Thank you,” she said, relieved.

  Back at the lodge, breakfast was on the table, and Emma was waiting for them, worried frown on her face. “What happened?” she asked Buck the minute they entered.

  How does she know something happened? Nobody knew but Buck and me. He didn’t call anyone since he found me. Is she gonna be in everybody’s business? Good thing I made Buck promise not to tell anyone about my private morning riding lessons.

  “It’s not like you to be this late for breakfast,” Emma said. “Have a seat. Eggs are gonna get cold.”

  Red let go a relieved breath. So, her concern hadn’t been because anyone had seen her fall.

  Scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, and ham were set on the table, along with a pitcher of orange juice. It all looked delicious. Red took a seat, hoping they could all just eat and forget about what happened. She had a lump on the head, but it wasn’t the end of the world.

  “I will as soon as I have a word with Leah,” Buck said.

  Leah looked up from the table and stood.

  Red reached for the eggs and tried to look nonchalant while keeping her thoughts to herself. Damn. Buck is gonna tell Leah.

  After they spoke, Leah came back in and said, “Red, step outside with me for a minute.”

  Red rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She stood and followed Leah out of the room.

  The other woman’s gaze locked Red’s expression. “Tell me what happened.”

  “I was riding to the creek, and horse must’ve ridden into a bunch of bees ’cause the next thing I knew, I was on the ground.”

  “Bees,” she repeated, her dark gaze narrowing.

  Red felt a blush heat her cheeks. “Yeah, bees.”

  “When Buck found you, you were out, probably because you’d hit your head. He doesn’t know how long you were out.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know either, but I’m fine.”

  “We’re still going to have to take you in to town to the emergency room to have you checked out.”

  Red stiffened. “No, I don’t need to go.”

  Leah’s expression hardened. “It’s the policy for head injuries. You need to be checked for a possible concussion. We’re not taking
any chances.”

  Red’s shoulders slumped. “Well, damn, let a girl eat first at least.”

  “You’re feeling okay? And you’re hungry?”

  “Yes and yes. Damn. Now, can I just eat?”

  “Yes, but soon as breakfast is over, be ready to go.”

  Red’s gaze fell away. “I can’t go to the hospital. I don’t have insurance.”

  Leah sighed. “Most of the women who come here won’t have insurance. A few of the local doctors donate services, if needed.”

  “Wow. That’s generous.”

  “Yes, it is. Now let’s go back in and eat so we can get you on the road to the hospital.”

  Back at the table, Leah reached for the gravy, and said, “Now, that we’re all here.” She looked at Buck and smiled. “Every morning, we’ll have breakfast together, family style.” She turned to Red. “There will be eight of you.”

  Red noticed two women at the table whom she hadn’t met.

  “Red, I’d like you to meet Karla and Neecy.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Karla and Neecy both said.

  Red nodded at them as she took another biscuit. “You, too.”

  “Janelle gets in tonight, and Karla, Tamara, Ellen and Chyna will be here in the next few days. Then we’ll start having group sessions.”

  Oh joy, Red thought. Where we get to share all our back closet stuff that we really don’t want to talk about.

  “Dinner will be served in the main dining room, but all other meals and snacks will be here.”

  “Wait ’til you see the custom dining room furniture,” Karla said, smiling. “It’s hand-carved. Tell her the story, Leah.”

  “Our table was donated by a custom furniture maker and cabinet designer,” Leah said. “Each chair has the Three Cs’ brand on the back. And if you were to turn the chairs over, you’d see the furniture maker’s mark as well. He said he’d never make another set exactly like this one. So, it’s unique in the world. He asked us to remind every woman who comes here that they, too, are unique in the world.”

  “Isn’t that cool?” Karla said.

  “Yeah.” Red took another bite of ham. “Real cool.” She’d been in the dining area situated on the left side of the large great room and had seen it’s log walls and heavy wooden beams from which hung antler candelabras. The long, rectangular, dining room table, with its many tall chairs, seated fourteen and had to be the furniture Karla was talking about.

  The great room was pretty awesome, too, with a leather couch and two leather love seats. Everything in the oversized, open room was a shade of brown or cream, and appeared soft, warm, and inviting. A large stone fireplace, which reached all the way to the tall ceiling, was on one wall. There was also a library and computer. Anything she needed to do online would have to be accomplished within the rules of the center. Anything other than looking up topics online, she’d have to run past Cecelia, who would make sure she wasn’t traceable on the other end through any communications sent. Emails went out over an encrypted system. All social media sites were blocked.

  Leah turned to Red. “I need to do your intake interview tomorrow, for our records. And in the event they replace me, so the next therapist can step right in without you having to go over everything again. We can talk, tomorrow.”

  Red nodded. She’d known she’d have to start all over with counseling after she arrived here and was surprised the subject had waited until now.

  After breakfast, George Ives, the maintenance man and Emma’s husband, drove Red to the hospital. Karla and Neecy rode along.

  At the ER, they waited for what seemed like forever. The doctor ran a bunch of tests on her, and then proclaimed her concussion free, so they headed back to the ranch.

  * * *

  The next morning, after her private riding lesson with Buck and second breakfast, Leah came up to Red.

  “Come to my office, and we’ll do your intake.”

  Red suppressed a groan. Barely. “Okay.”

  “If I’m in private session, the sign saying so will be on the door. When you see that, go and tell Cecelia you want to see me when I’m out, and she’ll get any messages to me.”

  Inside the private session room was a leather couch, two leather chairs, and stained-glass lamps near each. The effect was warm and inviting.

  “Have a seat,” Leah said as she sat behind her big desk. “You know, Cecelia wasn’t always blind.”

  “Oh. What happened to her?”

  “She was savagely attacked outside a mall in Detroit. She came to us from the Rosewood Center in North Carolina.” Leah dropped her voice to a whisper. “You don’t want to whisper near her, because she’ll hear you anyway.”

  “Okay,” Red said.

  Leah leaned back and steepled her fingers. “Okay, tell me what happened to make you run to the center. Start at the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”

  Red took a breath and launched into the story of her and Z. By the time she was done, she was tired and wanted nothing more than to go take a nap. And Red never napped.

  * * *

  Once all the women had arrived at the ranch, their classes started.

  Every morning, their schedule stated that they’d begin with physical training, and then halfway through the class they’d switch to self-defense. They’d practice on each other.

  Barrett, their new defensive instructor pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolded it. “Let’s start with roll call, so I know your names.”

  He called out the names, and each woman identified herself.

  “Very good,” Barrett said, putting the paper away. “You’re going to work with each other, woman on woman, the first few days. Later, I’ll bring in my guys from the team.”

  “Oh.” Chyna’s eyes widened. Then she frowned. “I don’t know about that. I’m not very strong. To go up against a larger man…” She shook her head.

  Chyna was like a little mouse. The helpless kind of woman who got on Red’s nerves. She’d already noticed the way Chyna seemed star struck by their self-defense instructor. And she’d had enough of the woman’s “poor little me” routine.

  “Don’t be stupid,” Red said. “You’ve got to. How are we gonna learn to fight off a man if we only practice on women?” She gestured to the group. “None of these girls looks like they could kick my ass or like they’d even want to.”

  “Women,” Barrett said. “And you’d be surprised the damage even a small female fighter can do, especially if she’s trained. Even boxers don’t usually box outside their weight class. There’s no shame in being afraid of someone bigger or stronger than you. But you’re going to learn the moves, and learn them well, before we have anyone my size coming at you. We’ll lay the groundwork, and we'll build on what you know.”

  Well, he just has all the answers, doesn’t he? But he hasn’t been clear on what we’ll be learning.She raised a hand, and then scowled because she wasn’t a school kid and dropped her hand. “Are we gonna learn kickboxing? Karate? What exactly are you going to teach us?” Red asked. “And what are your credentials? You got a black belt or something beyond those big muscles?”

  She didn’t like men who strode into the room and then took over. Like Z. Like this guy. He’d better give her a reason she should listen to him.

  Unfazed, he answered, “I’m trained in karate, judo, taekwondo, aikido, jujitsu, boxing and kickboxing. And yes, I’m a 4th degree black belt, as well as a former Green Beret.”

  Damn. A Green Beret. That’s intense. Her respect for Barrett rose a bit higher.

  “Ladies, this training isn’t going to be from one focused discipline. I’m going to teach you elements from each, appropriate to your skill and fitness level, which can help you in a fight, but we’re not going to worry about what we call it, other than self-defense.”

  Now we’re talking. That’s what I need, good training.

  “All right,” she said. “Long as I can kick the guy's ass, I don’t care what you call it. I’m in.”
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  “Good.” Barrett faced the class. “Listen up. We’re going to start every morning with conditioning. A jog to warm up followed by jumping jacks. Then push-ups, sit ups, squats, planks, a few yoga stretches, and tai chi. That’s the first half-hour, and then the second half-hour, we’ll work on self-defense.”

  He’s got to be kidding.

  “Just thirty minutes for self-defense?” Red said. “Not a full hour? I don’t need all that PT. I can jog on my own, without some class.”

  “How far do you run every day?” Barrett asked.

  Red shook her head and crinkled her nose. She wasn’t about to admit she didn’t exercise. She’d never needed to. Working on her feet at the bar or restaurant she worked off whatever weight she might’ve added. Being on your feet all day instead of sitting on your ass tended to do that.

  He arched an eyebrow. “We’re working out together as a unit. Some of you may be at difference fitness levels, and that’s fine. You’ll all get faster at PT the more we do, and I’ll add on and change things as necessary.” He paused and looked around the room. “Now, I want to make it clear that it’s not my job as your instructor, nor my mission, to make you stronger. That job is up to you. How much you get out of these classes is up to you. I’ll take you from where you are now; using strengths you already have, to where you can use those strengths to defend yourself. Your endurance may improve, and your strength may improve, and that’s a plus. The goal here is for you to be able to defend yourself today and any day you walk out that door.” He pointed to the door. “I guarantee that when you walk out that door, you’ll know more about self-defense than when you walked in. Beyond that, how far you take it is up to you.”

  Leah White Crane had perched on a chair behind them and was watching him and nodding. She’d told them she’d come and go and would stay handy in case anything triggered one of them.

  “All right,” Barrett said, “line up, and we’ll start our jog. I’ll be working out with you. This isn’t a race or a marathon. This is just to get your heart rate going and warm you up.”