by Paige Yancey
With a shake of his head to clear his thoughts and bring him back to the here and now, Tyler ran back to the bunkhouse to change and get ready for the day.
He walked into the kitchen just as Jeanie came down the stairs to join the others at the bar to eat breakfast. As she came down into the room, it was like a ray of sunlight shining down on him on a chilly day. He felt better, and the last of the gritty memories faded away.
“Mornin’, Tyler,” Cookie said in his gruff voice.
“Mornin’,” he said. “What’s for breakfast, Cookie?”
“Oh, the usual, eggs, toast, bacon, and flap jacks.”
All the ranch hands greeted Jeanie and Tyler as they took their seats. The last two seats were next to each other at the breakfast bar.
He gave Jeanie a nod as she took her seat beside him. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”
“Pretty good. How about you, Tyler?”
Just then, Cookie interrupted. “Dig in grunts,” he said with a chuckle. He set out large trays heaped with fluffy scrambled eggs, mounds of crispy bacon and a tower of pancakes in front of the ranch hands. Everyone started passing the trays of food around, so they could get what they wanted of each item.
Jimmy sat next to Tyler on his left and Jeanie on his right at the end of the bar.
“Tyler, what do you think so far of our ranch?” said Jimmy between bites of eggs.
“I’m really impressed. I love working with horses. Used to go to my grandfather’s ranch as a kid on summer breaks until I joined the military.”
“Well, that’s why your taking to it so quickly.” Jimmy gave Tyler a nod as he took a bite of bacon. “It’s different from being in the military…a lot quieter for sure, isn’t it?”
“Takes a little getting used to,” Tyler murmured between bites of eggs.
Jimmy smiled at Tyler. “We all fall into our little routines and form a sort of unit, which I like. Reminds me of the military in that way.”
Already, Tyler was feeling bonds forming with these former warriors, fellow brothers in arms.
Down toward the end of the bar, Tyler could hear Percy and Gavin talking about needing someone to go into town to get supplies.
Percy leaned back and called down the bar. “Hey, Jeanie. We need you and Tyler to go into town this morning to get some supplies.”
“Okay,” she called back at them. She leaned into her food as she buttered her toast then slathered preserves on it.
Turning to look at Jeanie, Tyler asked, “So what kind of things do we get when we go to town?”
Jeanie put down her fork. “Well, feed and grains, and other horse supplies, is what I’ve been sent for before, but sometimes, there are other things like clothing that the guys need but don’t want to have to go to shop for themselves.” She gave a mock frown and looked down the line at the men sitting at the breakfast bar. Then she wrinkled her nose. “Between you and me, I kind of like shopping for the guys. My sister and I own a fashion boutique in Colorado. I get love to shop and look at clothes. Of course, it’s not the sort of stuff I have in my shop, but the guys always end up with something they normally wouldn’t have picked out for themselves. They usually get loads of complements on what I pick out for them.”
Tyler started laughing, and then Jeanie joined in. Looking into her eyes, he saw a twinkle. When everyone at the table turned to them with questioning looks, it made Tyler and Jeanie laugh even more.
“It’s nothin’, guys,” she said between gasping for air. “Just fashion talk.”
The guys all chuckled and went back to eating again. Once everyone was done, they all took turns cleaning their dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. They also helped Cookie with cleaning the pots and pans he’d used to cook their meal. After cleaning everything up and putting it all away, they all dispersed, and Jeanie motioned for Tyler to follow her.
Tyler noticed that Jeanie was wearing a turquoise and black flannel shirt today and slim dark denim jeans. Her boots where a soft tan cowhide with turquoise designs on them. Her dark blonde hair hung loose around her shoulders in soft waves.
“Alright, Tyler. Let’s get going. We need to head out, so we can be back by mid-day to help with the horses this afternoon.” With a little skip in her step, she grabbed the keys hanging by the kitchen door.
He liked being around her but had always been standoffish when it came to women, one or two dates and maybe messing around, but nothing more. Tyler remembered how his Dad had beat his mom, drank a lot, and always had a hot temper. To get away from that environment, Tyler had moved away and joined the military. Making sure he had control over his life so he he’d never put himself in a situation that would set him up to be like his Dad. They shared a hot temper, but Tyler kept a leash on his and made sure he had control over most of his own life. He simply didn’t have longstanding relationships with women because of this.
Jeanie walked ahead of Tyler, moving toward a F350 Model Ford truck sitting in the small parking area. It had a large front guard and a metal tool box that spanned the back of the truck bed. She moved toward the driver’s side of the truck and he accompanied her, helping her to climb into the front seat before he walked around the vehicle to get into the passenger seat.
On the drive into town, Jeanie kept looking out of the corner of her eye at Tyler. His shoulders were so broad, and his shirt clung to the six-pack of his abdomen. After a few minutes, she gave herself an internal shake. Keeping her eyes on the road was more important than looking at his physique. To distract herself from ogling him, she asked, “Where did you grow up?”
There was silence in the truck cabin for several long minutes. Then… “I grew up mainly in Washington state, but would summer in Wyoming at my grandfather’s ranch.”
The short statement seemed to weigh heavily in the air.
Tyler finally spoke again but a little softer than before. “Where did you grow up?” he asked, his voice soft. His words seeming carefully slow.
“I’m a military brat, and my Dad dragged my older sister and me all over the country and the world. My sister and I settled down in Colorado, and we love it there. Well, I did anyway.”
Again, silence in the truck seemed to last forever. Just when the silence started to feel uncomfortable, she steered the truck around a bend, and they could see the small town up ahead. They passed the Eagle Rock city limits sign and the highway became the Main Street of the little town.
“This town reminds me of the one near my grandfather’s ranch. That was years ago, and it’s probably changed since I last saw it,” he stated matter-of-factly.
She nodded in acknowledgment. The town was small, and the main street had most of the stores on it. She drove past the primary restaurant that served everyone from the truckers to the local celebrities who had brought ranches in the area. Jeanie and her sister had thought about starting a fashion shop here as well as their main store in Colorado. Those plans had been put on hold while she’d been finishing up her college degree, and before being kidnapped. Now, her hiatus stretched until she finished her therapy at the rehab ranch. Her dad had pulled strings with Hank Patterson, the owner of the Brotherhood Protectors, to let her spend her rehab at the ranch. Normally only prior military treated there. She’d been lucky her dad was prior military and had connections and that Maddie and her fiancé were both friends with Hank. On top of all that, Maddie and Jeanie had met Hank’s wife Sadie through their fashion boutique and had become fast friends with the actress.
Jeanie pulled the truck up to Barkley’s feed store. It was a large gray building with small chicken coops and water troughs on display at the front of the store.
Tyler jumped out of the truck and sprinted around to Jeanie’s door. Jeanie enjoyed watching the way his muscles moved under his clothes and how chivalrous he was toward her. He opened the door for her, and she swung her legs over the seat and climbed down from the tall truck.
“Thank you very much, Tye.”
He tipped an imaginary hat. “
You are very welcome, ma’am.” He stepped back so that she could get past him and open the back door to get out her bag. She reached over and pulled her luxury chic handbag from the back seat of the vehicle. It seemed out of place here. Still, wearing her ranch gear she liked the little boost of confidence her fashionable bag gave her while she was in town—something soothingly familiar while she moved around in town. Tyler closed the door for her, and they both walked into the feed store.
Once inside, Tyler blinked. “Wow, this place reminds me of Walmart. Everything you could need is here.”
Jeanie smiled. “When you’re out in the boonies, the feed store becomes the catch-all that ends all.”
“I never went to the feed store with my grandfather in the summers. Usually, I just stayed behind at the ranch.”
She walked up to the counter. “Hey, Jay, I have a list for you,” she said, to the tall, lanky man behind the counter. “The ranch’s truck is out front.”
“Can do, Miz Finley. I’ll let you know when you’re all loaded up,” Jay said.
She smiled. “Thanks. We’ll look around while we wait.”
Toward the back of the store were a few clothing racks, and boots were displayed on a wall. Hats on pegs lined another wall. A glass cabinet held belt buckles, spurs, and long leather cords that could be worn around your neck, like a tie.
Jeanie faced Tyler. “While we’re here, we should pick up a few things for you, Tyler.”
“What? You don’t like what I’m wearing?” He spun slowly like a model.
She couldn’t help grinning. “You’re very, funny. From what I’ve seen so far, your wardrobe consists of only tactical pants, military boots, and a T-shirt. It gets cold here, and cowboy boots are better for riding a horse.”
He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright. What do you recommend, oh great fashion icon?”
“Haha, smart alec. Well, since you asked—boots, flannel shirts, and jeans, at the very least.”
With a quick look at his frame, she decided what sizes he would need and started sifting through the racks. An emerald green flannel and a sky-blue flannel caught her eye. They would look good with his coloring. Stepping to the other rack, she found dark wash and faded wash blue jeans. She pulled out.
“Here, can you hold these, while I keep looking.”
Tyler had a crease in his forehead and a small quirk to his lips but took the offered clothes.
“You have a determined look on your face,” he said as she walked toward the boots.
She pulled down the dark brown boots on display and smoothed her hands over the surfaces. The leather was soft and not shiny. “What size boots do you wear?”
Tyler arched a brow strode forward. “My military boots are size twelve.”
Jeanie grabbed the appropriate box, and then walked over to the hats. “Okay, one more thing… What size hat do you wear?”
“Hmmmm, let me think, my basic training hat size was seven and three-eighths.”
Reaching up to grab the right box size, she collected a soft brown, leather cowboy hat that matched the brown boots. “Alright, go try everything on and make sure they fit.”
Tyler walked off toward the changing room in the corner of the store. A few minutes later, he came out wearing the emerald green flannel, with the light wash jeans, boots, and matching hat.
Jeanie had to work to keep her jaw from dropping. The jeans hugged his hips, and the flannel tucked in accentuated his narrow waist and broad shoulders.
“Uh...yeah..those work,” she said.
His eyes seemed to sparkle, and a grin touched his lips. With a chuckle, he stepped back into the changing room.
Jeanie continued staring at the spot where Tyler had been standing, when a voice behind her said, “Ms. Finley, your all loaded up.”
She turned and gave the store’s owner a smile. “Thanks, Jay. Everyone goes on the ranch’s account. The gentleman I came with has a few items to purchase as well.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he responded.
While they were talking, Tyler walked up to Jeanie with his hands full of the clothes and boxes.
“Tyler, if you go over to the counter, Jay will ring you up.”
“I’ll meet you in the truck.”
She walked out to the truck and climbed back into the driver’s side. A few minutes later, Tyler came out with two boxes and a large bag. He put everything in the back seat and climbed into the passenger side. Sticking the key into the ignition and turning it on, she pulled out of the spot and headed toward the restaurant they’d passed earlier. “What do you think about getting lunch in town before we head back to the ranch?”
“Sounds good to me. Are they good?”
“The food’s the best in the area, so yes, they are actually very good. A local rancher who moved here from California bought the joint, fixed it up, and hired a wonderful chef.”
“There’s a gourmet restaurant,” he said pointing toward the restaurant she’d mentioned.
“Exactly,” she said, pulling the truck into a parking area across the street and little ways down from the restaurant. They both jumped out at the same time.
“Let’s cross over here, and then we can walk down the street and do a little window shopping on our way to the door.”
“Whatever you want, boss lady. I’m following you.”
“I like the sound of that,” she said and flicked her hair over her shoulder.
They crossed the street and turned left at the sidewalk. The first store they passed looked like it was being renovated. The next one had antiques, which didn’t interest her at all. Just as she started to walk past the alley way between the buildings, a loud popping sound came from down the alleyway. Jeanie was slammed onto the ground, and then dragged across to the other side of the alley.
Chapter 4
Tyler acted on instinct, knowing what the popping sound was. He’d heard it so many times before when he was deployed overseas that his reactions had become second nature. Take cover! Gunfire! he shouted in his head.
Dragging Jeanie across the ground in low-crawl fashion to get to safety was the only thought in his head. Once he got them to the other side of the alleyway, he looked around the corner to see if he could determine where the shots were coming from, but no more shots were fired, and he couldn’t see anyone. A dark truck sped away at the end of the alley.
Ducking back behind the wall, he looked at Jeanie. With quick movements, he guided his hands all over her body to make sure she hadn’t been hit. Her face was as white as a sheet, and she had a blank stare.
“Jeanie are you okay?”
No response.
“Jeanie, can you hear me?”
Again, no response.
Tyler began to be concerned and said more loudly, “Jeanie look at me.” He put his hands on both sides of her face.
She looked up at him, and it was as if a switch was flicked on inside of her, and she became aware of her surroundings. She blinked; her eyes focused. “What just happened?”
“Someone was shooting at you,” he said as he turned to look down Main Street. A police truck barreled down the road, lights flashing and siren blaring.
“What! Why?” She said gripped his arms and tried to stand up.
Tyler put his hand on her shoulders to keep her down, so she wouldn’t move around too much. Even though he was sure she hadn’t been hit, she was probably in shock. As he looked her over again to make sure he didn’t see any blood, the police vehicle pulled up with an ambulance right behind it. The sheriff jumped out of his vehicle, ran to them, and crouched down next to Jeanie.
“My name’s Sherriff Baron from here in Eagle Rock. I heard shots fired here in town and came to check it out.”
Tyler nodded. “Hi, I’m Tyler King, and this is Jeanie Finley. We’re staying at the Sunshine Rehab Ranch.”
The Sherriff tilted back his hat back. “You guys okay?”
Two paramedics walked up with their bags and started to check out Jeanie.
Tyler assumed her pallor concerned them, too.
“I think we’re both okay, although I think Jeanie is probably in shock. I checked her over but didn’t see any wounds.”
Jeanie was talking slowly to one of the paramedics, and the other knelt beside Tyler to begin checking him over.
“I’m fine, no injuries.”
“Are you sure man?” the paramedic asked, beginning to put his gear back in his bag.
“Don’t worry about me.”
The other paramedic was finishing up with Jeanie and said, “Ma’am, are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital to get checked out?”
She waved him away and gave him a forced smile. “No, I’m fine. I’m just a little shook up.”
The paramedics returned to their ambulance and headed out.
“How did you know we needed help?” Tyler asked.
“Ever since Hank set up the Brotherhood Protectors, we’ve had more excitement around here, and I like to err on the side of caution. Shots fired went over the radio, and I was nearby, so I came running,” the Sherriff said.
“Well, thank you for that.” Reaching down to help Jeanie stand, he put his arm around her narrow waist to steady her. It felt right have his arm around her and a warm feeling spread through his body. Jeanie leaned into him and her warmth soaked into his side.
“I’m going to need a statement from you two. Do you want to ride with me or follow me in your vehicle?”
“If you can give us a ride to the truck, we’ll follow you to the station.”
“Alright, folks, hop in.” He pushed his hat back down and walked over to his truck.
“Jeanie are you okay?” Tyler asked softly, still holding on to her.
With a shaky voice, she said, “Yeah, everything has been just crazy. There’s definitely something going on.”
“Are you okay to walk?”
“Tye, you’re so protective,” she said with a little grin.
“Oh, so it’s Tye, now,” he said with a chuckle, “but, seriously, that was a close call. Let’s just get to the truck and go give the report, so we can get back to the ranch.”