The Protective Warrior

by Cami Checketts

  MacKenzie relaxed and watched Isaac as her heart rate returned to normal. He was wearing that darn transparent cotton shirt again, guess he probably had been all day. MacKenzie suddenly wished she hadn’t been at work and could’ve spied on him today in that shirt.

  As he worked, the muscles in his arms, shoulders, and back flexed time and again. MacKenzie forgot all about hikes and watched him, maybe drooling a little bit, but she wouldn’t admit that to herself.

  He turned slightly and must’ve spotted her because he turned off the welder and took off his welding helmet, gloves, and the weird leather drape thing that had been hanging from his helmet. Giving her a slight smile that she found much too sexy, he leaned against the counter. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” MacKenzie whispered, licking her lips, glad he hadn’t advanced on her because she probably would’ve wanted to touch him instead of running away like she should.

  “You going running?” He nodded toward her outfit.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you like to run?”

  “Yes.”

  He smirked at her. Good criminy, she was a school teacher. She was capable of more than these one-word answers. “I like to hike a lot too.”

  He straightened up and took a step toward her. MacKenzie wondered if she should retreat, but there was only camaraderie in his expression. No indication he might kiss her again. Darn.

  “I love to mountain bike and hike.” Isaac brushed a hand through his dark curls and MacKenzie wondered if they were soft or stiff. She wanted to touch just one.

  “Would you want to go … together?” Isaac asked. “I could show you some fun trails.”

  MacKenzie gnawed on the inside of her cheek. If Brad was to be believed, Isaac was dangerous. She’d seen him hit Brad, but she remembered him saying as he did so to stay away from MacKenzie. Had he been protecting her? Haley seemed to think that Isaac should’ve hit Brad more. Did she dare take the risk of going with Isaac? She would absolutely love to escape to a hiking trail and not worry about her situation for an hour or two. But the past two weeks had irrevocably changed her and trust was in short supply.

  “No,” she muttered and his face fell. “Maybe some other time.” She backed away from the doorway, feeling his eyes on her.

  Breaking into a run, she headed to the trail. Her legs tired quickly as she tried to maintain a quick pace up the slight incline. Everyone claimed the altitude was tough and she believed them now. Her head pounded and she felt lightheaded.

  Enclosed by trees, her gaze darted from side to side. She was safe here. She was on Isaac’s property still and from the reports she’d read online last night Squire was believed to have fled the country. What if an animal, or one of Squire’s men, or …

  Her breath came in quick bursts and it wasn’t all from exertion. Her chest started to tighten.

  The bushes to her right rustled. MacKenzie darted away from whatever was concealed in the thick greenery, a small scream escaping her lips. The bush exploded and her scream escalated. A huge bird of some sort took flight.

  MacKenzie stopped in the middle of the trail, resting her hands on her thighs and just breathing. “Just a bird, just a stupid bird.”

  She couldn’t do this. All she wanted was some simple exercise and Squire had taken even that from her. She couldn’t close her eyes at night. She couldn’t lead any kind of normal life.

  “Aargh!” She screamed out in frustration.

  Footsteps pounded up the trail behind her. No, just when she thought she was safe. MacKenzie leapt into action, taking off further into the canyon. Such a dumb move, but all she knew was she had to run. If the person or large animal coming at her meant her harm, where would she escape? Could she dodge off the trail and race back to Isaac? Beg him to protect her and take her hiking with him somewhere she wouldn’t be terrified of every bird in the bush?

  “MacKenzie!” the man called out from behind her.

  She stopped, sweat pouring down her back and her breath coming in gulps that were quickly turning into sobs. “Isaac?” she whimpered.

  He rounded a corner and leapt over a rock as he rushed to her side. Wrapping her in his arms, he rested his cheek on her hair, his breathing ragged. “Are you okay?”

  MacKenzie nodded against his chest, loving that he’d come for her. The safety of his nearness washed over her. She had to trust him, she just did.

  “I am now,” she whispered.

  He pulled back and searched her body as if checking for injuries. “What happened? I heard you scream.”

  “A bird.” She shook her head in disgust, wishing she could confide in him why she was scared of everything. “I guess I’m not used to running alone in the wild.”

  Isaac smiled at that. He kept his arm around her, escorting her back toward the ranch. He didn’t speak for a few minutes, then he asked hopefully, “Does that mean you’ll go hiking with me?”

  MacKenzie’s breathing had calmed after her scare and she savored the scent of Isaac’s musk and metal scent and the pine trees surrounding them. Isaac would make it possible for her to run or hike and feel safe while doing it. Yes, she still had questions about him and some of the things he’d done and said, but she did know that he would never hurt her or allow her to be in danger in any way.

  “Yes,” the single word escaped her before she could take it back.

  They reached the farm yard and Isaac released her and grinned at her. She had to lean against a nearby farm truck for support. He could divert political debates with a grin like that.

  “I’ll hurry and change.” He turned toward his trailer, giving her arm a brief squeeze on his way. MacKenzie stayed where she was, her arm tingling, hoping she’d made the right decision.

  Isaac could hardly believe MacKenzie had agreed to go hiking with him. She’d been ticked at him after he kissed her and when he’d waved and smiled at her this morning she’d scampered away like he was going to hunt her or something. He’d about had the panic attack she looked like she was having when he cautiously followed her up the trail to the old hunting cabin and heard her scream. He hated seeing her scared, but was thankful for the chance to hold her again. Him being there to help her had changed her stance on going hiking together.

  He wanted to take her on the Blue Lake Trail but that hike was fourteen miles and he didn’t think she’d want to be out on the trail after dark. The Copper Creek Trail was about nine miles round trip and they didn’t have to go the entire way to the lake, but he thought she’d love the Judd Waterfall at the first of the hike, and the scenery on the rest of the route. Plus, they could walk side by side most of the way and talk. There was something odd going on with her. She was far too scared of everything and she had apparently driven that piece of crap car all the way from Chicago. He’d noticed she was wearing Haley’s clothes, and he’d never seen her with any kind of phone but the basic Samsung Haley used for the store.

  He hurried out of his trailer and found her by his shop. “We’ll have to drive to the trailhead. It’s up past Gothic.”

  “Oh, okay,” she responded quietly, and he worried she was already regretting her decision, but she didn’t say anything and walked by his side to his truck.

  He got her door and was grateful he’d cleaned the hay and dust out of his old Chevy truck a few days ago. She was quiet as they drove the five miles to the trailhead. He tried a few times to start a conversation but got one word answers. Why was she being so quiet? His lips twisted. Was it because of whatever she was scared of or was she scared of him because of how he’d reacted with Brad yesterday. Dumb, dumb, dumb. He’d have to be on his best behavior, even if Brad showed up.

  He bypassed the lower parking lot and bounced up the hill to the higher lot. She jumped out of her side before he could rush around to get her door. He’d have to be quicker next time.

  As they started walking, he smiled to himself. He loved this trail, especially in the summer, hiking through the aspen and pine trees on a path covered with pine needles and sm
elling of the earth.

  The first little bit was a dirt road wide enough they could walk side by side. “Did we drive all the way here just to walk on a road?” she asked.

  Isaac glanced quickly at her. “It gets better. I promise.”

  She laughed and gestured around. “I’m teasing, this is beautiful.”

  His shoulders lowered. She was relaxing and enjoying nature. That was a relief after her earlier reaction to a bird taking flight.

  Isaac looked at the forested mountains and soaring peaks. It was beautiful. He was lucky to live in a valley where everything was centered around being out of doors. They made it to the single file trail that lasted a half mile until they reached the falls. The path was strewn with rocks. He gestured for her to go first so she could set the pace. He enjoyed the view as he walked behind her and was very impressed with her speed. He was breathing hard to keep up with her.

  As they reached the first scenic spot on the trail, Judd Falls, he took her arm and helped her down to the overlook. It was almost as much fun to touch her as it was to see the delight on her face as she stared at the falls below. “It’s cool to look down on a waterfall instead of up.”

  Isaac nodded. “It is. Do you hike a lot in Chicago?” He couldn’t imagine there was much hiking there.

  “There are a few great hikes through the trees, but you have to drive a while to get to them. I mostly run along the lake and train for my Spartan races …” Her voice trailed off and she studied the waterfall and river instead of him.

  “You’re training for Spartan?” Isaac glanced over her physique. It was impressive, there was no doubt about that, but she was long and lean, not overly muscular like he would imagine a woman would have to be to compete in Spartan races.

  “Don’t sound so surprised.”

  “You’re just really… thin for Spartan.”

  They started walking slowly back up Copper Creek Trail in the direction of the lake. It widened so they could walk side by side with the trees on either side, the mountains showcased to their left and the river below on their right.

  MacKenzie grinned at him. “I’m not thin, I’m wiry.” She said wiry with an Irish accent that made him chuckle, then she flexed and he had to admit it was a very nice, wiry arm.

  “Wiry, huh? What’s with the accent?”

  “Haven’t you seen Replacements? Keanu Reeves? Goofy football show where the NFL goes on strike?”

  He was drawing a blank. “No.”

  “You should watch it, it’s funny, but there’s this Irish kicker who has no muscle and he claims he’s wiry when someone questions his athletic ability because he’s so scrawny. It’s kind of a joke with me and my friend who trains for Spartan with me.”

  He liked being privy to her jokes. “We should watch it sometime, together.”

  “Maybe.”

  Isaac couldn’t help but smile. He might get to spend more time with her. “I’m still hung up on how impressive it is you do Spartan races. I’d love to watch you compete sometime.”

  She looked away. “Have you watched them on television?”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen a few.”

  “Our team is hoping to make it to the finals by next spring.”

  “That’s great, but why are you here then?”

  “Um, just needed a little escape before school starts.”

  His stomach dropped. She wasn’t going to be here long. “So you’re just here for summer.”

  “I hope so.”

  It was just like before when she’d come. He’d been a dumb teenager then but had completely fallen for her. She’d left for home shortly after he kissed her and they hadn’t talked in over ten years.

  “You’re in school?” he asked.

  They upped their pace as the path flattened out. He knew most people complained about the high altitude when they came here to hike or mountain bike, but she didn’t seem to be affected by it.

  “No. I teach school.”

  “Really? What age?” He knew far too little about her.

  “Second.” She smiled at him. “They’re fun little monkeys.”

  “I bet they love you.”

  She shrugged. “Of course.”

  Isaac chuckled. “So, Spartan training has got to be tough.”

  “Yeah, our team is ripped. It helps me want to step it up.”

  He felt a sudden pang of jealousy. He’d only seen Spartan races a couple of times but the men were all shredded and seemed to be pretty handsy as they helped the women over obstacles. “Where’d you meet your team?”

  “The gym. I might be the most wiry, but I can hold my own, especially with the spears and running.” She tossed a brilliant grin at him.

  Isaac could just bet she held her own. She’d definitely held her own with him the other night. He couldn’t really imagine this beautiful woman tossing spears though.

  “Speaking of tough, you seem to be a pretty brawny welder,” she drawled out.

  Isaac chuckled. She thought he was brawny. Yes. “I like doing it.”

  “Were you working on stuff for the ranch?”

  “No. I do home décor—wall art, centerpieces that kind of thing.”

  “Wait a minute.” MacKenzie stopped in the middle of the trail and turned to face him. “You’re Iceman.”

  He ducked his head. “I know, the name’s cheesy. It’s something my buddies used to call me in football.”

  She was still staring at him with this look of admiration in her eyes that he really liked. “Your work is unbelievable. People just drool over the pieces in Haley’s store, but only a few can afford them.”

  “Thanks. Haley prices my pieces a lot higher than I would.” He imitated his sister’s voice, “‘If you undervalue your work, you won’t ever be a success.’” He laughed, but knew his face was probably red. MacKenzie probably thought he was too full of himself and his work. His dad always called him, “Cocksure. Like a rooster who thinks he’s worth more than he is.” He knew his dad was teasing, but Isaac didn’t like it.

  “No, I agree. Your pieces are more than worth it. I googled more of your work online and was amazed. Do you sell a lot online?”

  “Some, but I need to do a better job with my website and online store. Sadly that takes money or knowledge and time …” He sighed.

  “You should be able to hire marketing or web design help if you sell one or two pieces.”

  He shook his head and studied the pine trees shadowing the trail. “I’m saving for some property to build a house and shop. Work full time on my welding.”

  “Get out from under dad’s thumb?”

  “Yep.” She seemed to understand how his dad undermined him. Isaac recognized his dad’s heart was good and he just didn’t know how to interact with an adult son who was still trying to find his place. Isaac had really enjoyed college and all of his business classes, but when his mom had died and his dad asked him to come home, he’d moved back to the ranch without hesitation. He just wished his dad could understand that he needed to be his own man and he loved being artistic. That was probably a lot of it. His dad had said many a time how artists had “frou-frou brains”.

  Isaac met MacKenzie’s gaze. “You probably think I’m a loser, living in a trailer and working at my dad’s ranch.”

  Her dark eyes were warm. “I don’t think anyone would dare call you a loser, Isaac Turnbow.”

  Isaac laughed at that. Did that mean she thought he was tough or she thought he might punch anybody who disagreed with him? He gestured to the mountainside above them. “So what do you think of the hike?” It was almost as pretty as MacKenzie. He watched her study the natural beauty.

  “I love it here,” she whispered. “Thanks for bringing me.”

  “Anytime.” He really meant that. He wanted to ask if they could be friends again, but didn’t dare bring up that kiss and her furious reaction to it. “So hiking again. Tomorrow?”

  She paused and studied him for a minute while biting on her lower lip. Isaac wished he coul
d take control of those lips again, but didn’t want to anger her like he had last night. If taking her on hikes was the path to becoming friends, he’d control his urges to kiss her for a while.

  Finally, she gave him a wide grin. “Sure, but I think this time you should lead the way so I can admire your physique instead of the other way around.” She darted up the trail. Isaac took off after her, wondering how she knew he’d been watching her instead of the scenery.

  Isaac tried to keep up with her, but he was huffing and puffing. They were a few miles in and crossing their second river when they saw some people coming down the trail.

  “What’s up there to see?” MacKenzie asked.

  The teenage boys both grinned. Their eyes scanning her fit body. “The lake’s pretty great.”

  “How far?”

  “About a mile.”

  Isaac didn’t tell her it was much longer than a mile away. They nodded to the boys and kept walking. Thankfully, she’d stopped running. He was more of a mountain biker and skier than a runner. Even though some of this trail was level, a lot was still uphill. They met an older couple who also claimed they had about a mile to the lake. Isaac couldn’t hide a smile when the third group they met, a young family carrying a toddler in a backpack told them it was a little over a mile to the lake.

  MacKenzie walked on with Isaac, but muttered, “If one more person tells us it’s a mile after we’ve gone another half a mile I’m going to tell them off.”

  Isaac laughed. “Like you tell me off?”

  She tilted her head to the side and licked her lips. “It is fun to tell you off.”

  “I feel special.”

  “You should.”

  They both smiled, then turned back to the trail and studied their feet on the rocks they were ascending. They met a middle-aged man with a large backpack.

  “How far is the lake?” MacKenzie asked, winking at Isaac.

  “Oh, bout a mile.”

  “Please tell me you’re stinking kidding me right now.”