“I won’t but are you going to stop being a bitch to me”
“Never” I laughed
“Okay you at least going to come home and see me off” I nodded “I couldn’t go away if we were still fighting”
“I’d have been there” I patted his hand we watched an eagle soar over the field and swoop and lift a rabbit from the dry grass.
“See I told you they’d be okay” Dad smiled reaching across to hold Moms hand as the sat on their horses at the bottomof the field.
“I know I just wish sometimes they were as close as Flynn and I are” Mom Looked at him
“B they are in their own way just Aly came out with a huge mix of Tess’s temper and mine” He chuckled “And Ryder is almost as hot headed but he thinks first” Mom nodded “Now Mrs. Tanner I’m sure I can think of something to do in the orchard”
“Race you” Mom Kicked her horse into a gallop leaving Dad in cloud of dust.
Chapter 7
Semper baby
I went back home with Mom and Dad and Ryder much to Jordan’s annoyance but I was going back on the day that Ryder left so it was going to be okay.
We stood on the parade ground waiting for the buses Mom was hugging Ryder and making him smile even through her tears Brit was hugging Jack tightly. Dad rubbed my shoulders
“7 months and he’ll be back to driving you crazy again” he laughed I knew it was killing him seeing off his son on deployment.
“Yep” I murmured as Ryder looked at me and held out his arms Mom stepped away and went to Dad. I wrapped my arms round me brother and rested my head on his chest.
“Promise me you won’t do something stupid” he sighed
“You know me” I sniffed
“Okay promise you won’t run off and get married or get pregnant because if you dot at I think I’ll need to be your buffer with Mom and Dad especially if it’s not a Marine” He laughed
“Okay I can promise you that at least” I nodded I looked at him “Stay safe okay”
“I’ll try” He dropped a kiss on my forehead and hugged me tight again “Love you Al”
“I love you too” I stepped away from him as he and Jack walked away Brit and I held each other silent tears falling as our brothers went to war.
I walked out into the terminal at Dallas/Fort Worth. I so wanted to be back here but I was still stinging from Ryder leaving and I knew Dad was going to be next he’d been home for almost a year.
“Are you stayin’ this time or will your Daddy show up again” Milo shouted down the terminal earning himself a Gibbs slap from Jordan.
“I’m stayin” I sighed hugging Jordan
“You doin okay?’ She asked linking my arm
“Not really but I’ll be okay” I took a deep breath.
“Ma’am I’ll take that for you?” I looked up as a guy took my bag from me
“It’s…”
“Aly this is Garret” Jordan giggled a little “Garret my cousin Aly”
“Nice to meet you Ma’am” he nodded lifting his hat a little he and Milo walked on
“Okay so where the hell has he come from?”
“See I told y’all that the hands were fine and he’s only one of them” She wiggled her eye brows
“Well if they all look like that then the next 6 weeks are going to be awesome” I hoped.
“We headed back to the ranch Milo took my bags to the bunkhouse while Garret went and fetched another hand to help unload the feed that he’d been to fetch.
“Ma’am” the second Hand nodded and smiled at me.
“Hey Honey” Brody walked out of the barn “Ryder get off okay?” he kissed my cheek
“Yeah him and Jack” I nodded
“Well you up for some work” He dusted his hands on his jeans
“Yes Sir” I grinned
“You and Jordan can ride up to the top paddock and bring down the horses”
“I’ll go change”
“Justin can you saddle up the Tan mustang” Brody called out to the guy that had come to help Garret unload the truck.
“Yes sir Mr. Tanner” he nodded and headed for the barn.
“Hey you’re all about the Marines girl” Brody laughed as I watch Justin’s ass sweetly walk to the barn
“Uncle B” I groaned “The Marines aren’t the world”
‘Don’t let your Momma hear you say that or your Daddy for that mind” he chuckled I waved him away and followed Milo and Jordan to the bunk house. I pulled Jeans and a tank Milo handed me my hat and boots
“Thanks Jordan you ready” she walked out of the bathroom “OMG your so going to fall all out of that shirt” I pulled my jeans on under the skirt that I had on and fetched it off.
“I’m not I’m good”
“Okay I want to see you at a full gallop” I grinned pulling off the shirt I had on and putting the tank on I walked out hopping a foot into my boot and then the other .The Justin guy was just walking out of the barn with Semper (my Horse Fi was Ryder’s Lame I know but hey) Semper pawed the ground as he saw me and pulled and bucked Making Justin have to use all his strength to hold him. “It’s okay you can let go” I called over the yard
“He’s a bit anxious Ma’am and Mustangs can get pretty stung out when they get like this”
“Oh I know but he’ll be okay” Justin shrugged a little and let go of the reins and winched a little as Semper kicked and whinnied his way over to me rearing up.
“Damn it” he started to run toward us
“Ooh rah baby” I laughed Semper calmed down and nudged me with his muzzle “Ooh Rah” I rubbed his nose with my knuckles
“Wow that was… how did you?” Justin took off his hat and scratched his head
“It’s a Marine thing” I laughed “and It’s Aly not Ma’am” I put my foot in the stirrup and pulled my self into the saddle “I get way too much of that at home”
“Justin… Justin Webber” he offered me his hand I reached down and shook it.
“Hey Jordan are you done” I hollered across the yard.
“I’m coming” she walked out of the bunk house
“Ma’am” Justin tipped his hat to her
“Justin It’s Jordan” She groaned she looked at me “see Marine and Cowboys all polite”
“Yeah do you know that same Marines that I know” I chuckled “catch me up” I bent to Semper’s ear as he pawed the floor. “Devil dog it baby” I patted his neck as he threw his head back and bolted from the yard. I gave him his head as he raced across the dry ground a cloud of dust the only thing you could see of us I wished Ryder was here with me he loved it out here as much as I did. I stopped in the field and watched the mothers and foals grazing peacefully. I heard hoof beats and looked round expecting to see Jordan but Justin stopped his horse next to me. “Okay so you don’t look like Jordan” I laughed
“No her Momma wanted her to do something so Mr. Tanner sent me up to help you Ma’a…” I looked at him “Aly” he smiled
“Thank you” I sighed looking back to the field
“I’ll get the gate” he swung himself off his horse and handed me the reins as he walked over to the gate and swung it open I walked Semper over and handed him his reins back he got back on and rode into the field rounding up the horses gently so not to spook them they walked sweetly out of the gate.
‘Damn you’re good” I smiled getting out of semper saddle and closing the gate.
“Thanks” he nodded “You need a hand back up”
“No I think I got it” I shook my head Semper standing perfectly still while I got on him
“What did you tell him in the yard?” Justin asked as we rode behind the other horses
“Oh I told him to Devil dog it” I shrugged I patted Semper’s neck “We have this understanding and I think he’s more marine than mustang”
“I saw your shirt”
“You mean you were looking at me chest” I teased his mouth fell open and he flushed “I’m sorry you’ll get used to me while
I’m here. I sort of say things that make most people want the world to open up and swallow them” I laughed.
“Oh I.. I… just” he pointed to me
“The shirt” I smiled he nodded
“I take it your Dad’s a Marine?” he looked at me
“My Dad, My brother , some of my Uncles, my Grandpa’s my cousins, friends” I nodded “Believe me the list is endless” I rubbed the back of my neck
“Must be proud”
“More than people would know” I nodded
“So what’s a Marine kid doing in the middle of a ranch in Texas?” He settled back more as he rode
“It’s what I do in the summer and for New Year and have since I was old enough to ride” I tipped y hat back “My Dad is your Bosses little brother”
“Ah that explains it then”
“Explains what?”
“The Marine Flag hanging in the Barn” He chuckled
“Ooh Rah Huh Semper?” I stroked his mane he pawed the ground
“Okay so where the hell do you get a name like Semper?”
‘Wow are you sheltered cowboy” I whistled “Semper Fidelis is the Motto of the Corps so when Ryder and I got new horses we got to have Semper and Fi”
“Ryder?”
“Yeah my twin brother” I swallowed at the thought of him.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah I’m fine” I kicked Semper kicking him into a canter “Lets get back I’m starving.”
Chapter 8
Hot cowboy leaving Marine
Lore was sitting on the fence of the front paddock waiting for us. He jumped down and pushed open the gate as Justin led the horses through I stopped next to Lore patted Sempers’ neck.
“Your Mom called” he looked at me “She’s heading to Cali to see your Uncle with Brit”
“Okay thanks” He walked away and closed the gate. I turned Semper and rode to the barn smiling at the Marine Corps flag hanging from the rafters. I got off and rested my head against his hot neck.
“Aly did I say something to upset you?” Justin walked in leading his horse. I looked up and shook my head.
“No. It’s just been a long day” I took Sempers saddle off his back and lead him to the shaded wash stall. I reached for the hose. I jumped as Justin’s hand closed over the top of mine.
“You look like you want to cry” He used his free hand to push his hat back on his head.
‘Aly… Alyssa” I jumped as Uncle Brody walked into the barn and called for me.
“In the wash room” I shouted back Justin dropped his hand and stepped back as Brody strode in
“So you survived then Darlin’” he laughed flashing the same smile that my Dad did.
“Did you doubt me” I poked him in the ribs before slipping my arm round his waist.
“Not at all Sweet heart” He smiled down at me “Your Grandma is making dinner and your guest of honor”
“Oh god no” I groaned
“Darlin’ you have to remember she misses you and Ryder and with him not being here”
“I know” I sighed
“So go get showered and cleaned up” He turned away from me “Justin can you sort out Semper?” he looked at Justin
“Yes sir, Mr. Tanner” he nodded
“I can do it I’ll shower after” I protested “You know how Semper gets?”
“That I do” Brody smiled “Okay but don’t be long Honey and tomorrow you have to ride Fi or hell kick through the wall again”
“Yes Sir” I laughed He walked out. I picked up the hose and turned it on letting the water run over Sempers back and neck
“You shouldn’t keep your family waiting” Justin began brushing the water through his coat “It’s my job to take care of the horses”
“I know but believe me when my grandma hasn’t seen us for a while it gets…” I searched for the right word
“Over bearing” Justin laughed
“Yeah” I nodded “Don’t get me wrong I love them to death but I get double smothering when Ryder’s not here” I turned off the water “So staying here a little longer puts it off just a little” he looked over Sempers back at me.
“So…”
“Hey Aly” Jordan walked into the barn and looked at me and then at Justin “Oooo sorry y’all I didn’t mean to interrupt” She giggled.
“You’re not” I shrugged
“Momma said to hurry your ass up your Daddy’s been trying to call you” I patted my pockets and groaned
“I left my cell on my bed”
“I’ll finish seeing to your horse” Justin ducked under Sempers neck Much to Sempers dislike and he got a swift nudge in the back for it I patted his neck
“You sure”
“Yes I’m sure now scoot” he chuckled. Jordan threw a rag at me to dry my hands and pulled me out of the barn.
“See I told you?’ Jordan called through the door of the bathroom as I dried off from my shower
“Told me what?” I rubbed my hair on a towel
“How fine the hands are this year” I groaned as I dressed “Come on you have to admit Justin is cute”
“I hadn’t noticed” I lied .
“Like hell you hadn’t noticed” She laughed “we’re all heading out to the pond later tonight” I opened the door and looked at her.
“Who’s all?’ I brushed my hair
“Me You, the boys some girls they know from school some of the hands” she grinned as my phone started to ring “You were the one that wanted away from the Marines” she walked to the door “Say hi to Uncle J for me” she tossed my phone from my bed .
Me * hi Dad
Dad * hey honey did Lore give you the message about your Mom
Me * yeah she’s going to see Uncle Flynn and Aunt Riley
Dad * yep… so how’s the ranch?
Me * hot dusty and fun
Dad * so you’re not missing the base yet then
Me * no… well the smell of the ocean yes
Dad * after you left…
He went quiet
Me * Dad?
Dad * I got my orders
I sat on the end of Jordan’s bed
Me * I knew it
Dad * I had a year at home baby girl
Me * when?
Dad * Next week Monday… my platoon is linking up with two others in Iraq
Me * so I’ll have the entire mid-east covered
I tried to joke but the words caught in my throat.
Dad * I know this sucks honey but…
Me * I’ll be home on Sunday
Dad * I was hoping you’d say that
Me * oh come on I fight with Ryder and I’d still be there. You’re my dad and…
The tears we’re flowing now
Dad * Aw baby girl don’t cry… you’ll start me off.
Me * I’m sorry
Dad * I have a meeting to get to but I wanted to make sure you knew what was happening
Me * I love you
Dad * love you too Baby
I ended the call and wrapped my arms round myself to try to stop the ache that was starting to knot in my stomach. The pain of seeing a Marine I loved leave again so soon stung more than ever.
Chapter 9
Marine rough not tough
The door to the bunk house knocked. I got up and wiped my eyes roughly on the backs of my hands and pulled it open
“Ma’am You Uncle sent me to find you” Garret smiled at me
“I’m coming” I pulled the door closed behind me.
“Ma’am are you okay”? He put a hand on my shoulder
“It’s Aly not Ma’am” I said sharply “You’re a cowboy not a Marine” I walked away from him kicking myself for being a bitch but I couldn’t help it, right now My brother, my cousin were in their way to a warzone and Dad was heading out to one… Damn the United States Marine Corps” I stopped half way across the Yard and crouched down trying to catch my breath.
“Aly” I felt a hand on my back “Brent go fetch
your Uncle or your Daddy” Justin called out “Aly” He crouched down
“Here” Garret hurried over and handed me a bottle of water I looked up at him
Silent Ranks Page 3