John (Guardian Defenders Book 3)

by Kris Michaels

  She felt a tug and turned around. “What do you think you’re doing?” Shae laughed at Velvet, who’d taken her leather glove from her back pocket and held it in his mouth. The colt’s wide eyes and still stiff-legged shock mimicked a ‘I have it and now I don’t know what to do with it’ expression. She reached for the glove and the colt jerked his head back.

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” she laughed and slid her hand through his halter, halting his retreat, and grabbed her glove.

  “Even the little ones are devils.”

  Shae spun in surprise. Two women sat on the top rail of the small corral where Velvet now stayed when he wasn’t out with the other foals.

  The blonde chuckled, “Pay no attention to this one. She is all hard edges and no tact. I am Tatyana White Cloud. You will be working with my husband, soon. Yes?”

  Shae held Velvet’s halter and smiled. “Yes, if everything goes well with my paperwork. Your accent, Russian, perhaps?”

  The woman nodded. “Yours is Israeli?”

  “It is. I’m Shae Diamant, but of course, you knew that.” Shae shifted her eyes to the woman who was all hard edges. She had beautiful long black hair and was just as petite as the blonde but with the exact opposite coloring and—it would appear—attitude. Shae stared at the woman. “And you are?”

  The woman sighed dramatically. “Bored. My close-quarters defense class was canceled. Taty here was heading down here, so I came along.” The woman pointed at Velvet. “That thing is only going to get bigger.”

  “Well, I should hope so, he’s only a baby horse now.” Shae attached his lead rope to the halter. “Should I call you Bored, or do you have an abbreviated form of that name that you prefer?” Shae stared at the woman and waited.

  The woman stared right back at her. Shae mentally calculated what weapons were within her reach and the dark-haired woman’s. She wasn’t one hundred percent—hell, she wasn’t even sixty percent—but she wouldn’t back down if the woman pushed her attitude into the corral.

  Tatyana snorted and spoke to the dark-haired woman. “Oh, I like her.”

  “My name is Joy.”

  Shae’s head kicked back. “Sasha’s owner?”

  The woman smiled hugely. “She’s my baby. Dumber than a box of rocks, but she’s always loved me for me.”

  “Well, there is something to be said for loyalty.” Shae picked up the curry comb and started her work on Velvet’s coat.

  “Damn straight. Speaking of which, we like John.” Joy crossed her arms and fell back into the pissed-off staring mode.

  Shae snorted. “Here to warn me not to hurt him?”

  Taty laughed, “She might be, but I’m here because I was curious who my husband was going to be working with and to invite you to Winchester Wednesday.”

  Shae stopped brushing Velvet and stared at the women over his back. “You have rifle Wednesdays?”

  Joy threw back her head and laughed, “Right? Exactly what I said, too. No, they watch this television show and drink wine.” If the woman could have held the word ‘wine’ out in front of her and dropped it like a dirty rag it couldn’t have been clearer she didn’t approve of wine as a drink.

  Shae chuckled, “I assume you bring your own…” She cocked her head and took a stab at what the woman would drink. “Vodka.”

  Taty laughed and nodded. “Oh, damn, you’re good. She doesn’t drink lady drinks. Usually, it’s bourbon, but she’s been known to do damage to a bottle of vodka.”

  “I suppose you drink wine.” The petulance in Joy’s voice bordered on comical.

  “I don’t care for it unless it accompanies food. I prefer Scotch. Single malt. But I must admit it has been a very long time since I’ve had any.” She hadn’t wanted to chance it with the meds that she’d been on, but as of last week, she was no longer on antidepressants, and physically, she’d been cleared months ago.

  “I can find a bottle of good hooch. Come up to the big house tonight at seven. We can get shitfaced while they watch two dudes beat up some demons.”

  “Demons?” Shae blinked and slowly turned her head toward Tatyana. “What is this show you’re watching?”

  “It’s called Supernatural. Awesome show, good looking men, and unlike the real world, the good guys always win. Will we see you tonight?”

  “I’d like that, but I don’t think I’ll get… what did you say… shitfaced.” The expression was one she hadn’t heard before, and in reality, she thought it was rather vulgar.

  Joy retorted, “Whatever. At least I’ll have a drinking partner.” Taty carefully stepped down from the rail. She noticed the woman favored one arm. Shoulder injury, perhaps? The other woman jumped from the top rail and landed on her toes in a fighting position. Shae saw the smirk and slight nod from Joy. Shae recognized the acknowledgement and tipped her head in the same way. Female warriors, both of them. It was good to know she wasn’t the only one on the ranch.

  John sat on the rocking chair. Cat and Sasha had wandered over when Dixon and Drake headed to Adam’s house for poker. He lifted a hand in acknowledgement when he saw them pass by. The distance was enough to prevent conversation, which is the way he liked it. Most of the time. Tonight, especially.

  He watched Shae bounce off the walls with anxious excitement. She was animated in a way he hadn’t seen her before. The prospect of a new job and the invitation from Taty and Joy had put air beneath her wings.

  Cat cuddled up next to Sasha at his feet. He rocked gently as he stared at the multitude of stars that illuminated the heavens. He was home. He had no doubt he’d live out his days on this ranch or at least as long as the Marshalls or their descendants would tolerate him taking up space. He glanced up toward the main house. He couldn’t see it from here, but just over the hill, Shae was meeting the rest of the women who lived on the ranch full time. Would it be enough for her? He closed his eyes. Would he be enough for her?

  His eyes popped open. He turned his head toward the darkness between his house and Shae’s. “Trying to sneak up on me?”

  “Hell, no.” Frank moved from the shadows. “All the women in the house were making it impossible to find a quiet place to relax. Figured I could find that here.”

  “Cat’s noisy.” The animal lifted its head and meowed before it started its motorboat purr, stretched its front legs, and kneaded Sasha’s thick, white coat of fur.

  “I can live with it.” Frank dropped down into the chair next to him. “Fall is coming on quick. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, it will be damn cold this winter, more snow than usual. Winter coming on sooner rather than later.”

  He nodded. “Fencing is done. Gregg and I finished the last section this afternoon. We are in good shape. We’ll be ready.”

  Frank grunted. “Need to bring the herd closer the first part of October. Don’t need anyone caught in a freak storm. We have enough feed stored to bring them closer earlier.”

  “Yup. I have it scheduled for the second week of October. Asked Dixon and Drake to take the helicopter up after we bring them down to check for strays.”

  Frank snorted. “Ah, hell. They’ll give the cows a heart attack.”

  “Maybe, but last year they found six head that probably wouldn’t have made it through the winter.”

  Frank grunted an acknowledgement but continued, “Saw Shae at the house. She looked happy.”

  “Joy and Taty invited her up.”

  John waited for the man’s grunt and smiled in the dark when Frank acknowledged his words with it. Frank spoke again. “She’s opening up. Blooming. Think you did that.”

  “She did it. She’s put in hard work with Doctor Wheeler. Thank you, by the way, for letting her stay in the cottage. I think she needs that sense of independence.”

  Frank rolled his head and pinned him with a stare. “Not fit for an extended stay.”

  “I’m aware.” He smiled at his friend. “Things need to progress at her pace, not mine.”

  Frank pushed his chair and rocked for a long while before he s
poke again. “Glad she was able to give the artist a description. May help them track down that woman. I’d like to see one of you two get some closure.”

  “I’m afraid I’ll never know who ordered Lori’s murder.”

  “Someone in that agency.” The vehemence in Frank’s voice was expected. He had a particular grudge against the CIA. He’d never explained why, but John would hate to be on Frank’s bad side and prayed the CIA never bumped up against Frank Marshall. They’d lose in a big way.

  John shook his head and thought once again about his demise from favor and sighed. “I’ve gone over it a million times. The only question I have is—why. Why take her out? I’d been the only one working on covers for… hell, for almost two years. Even when she was there, she wasn’t working on the particulars.” Lori was too busy climbing the agency’s ladder to be bothered with formulating the deep covers he was constantly building. It was tedious, detail-oriented work and Lori wasn’t interested in putting in the effort, time, or mental energy. He loved it, though. Loved putting together a puzzle, making sure all the pieces fit exactly as they should, and carving a person with a detailed history out of his imagination. Hell, when he rode fence, he’d work up a history or make up a profile to keep his mind occupied.

  “Protecting assets.”

  He huffed, “As if I’d release that type of information.” Frank pulled out a piece of taffy and offered it to him. “No thanks.”

  The man pulled on the wax paper and popped the candy into his mouth, tucking it into his cheek. “Ever think that maybe they were more concerned about Lori?”

  He sighed. “More than once. She had a lot of Dad in her. Did she say or do something that would lead someone to believe they couldn’t trust her? Maybe. I have no delusions about my sister. I loved her; she was my only friend growing up. We moved in the middle of the night, skipping out on rent or leaving because my father’s scams were imploding. He’d leave us for weeks at a time and we fended for ourselves. Was she perfect? No. But no matter what she said or did, she didn’t deserve…”

  “Never said she deserved it. Just worrying the problem with you, son. Trying to figure out the why of it.” Frank rocked slowly with him as they stared out into the night.

  “Did they get any information from Shae that they could use?” John asked the question as they continued to enjoy the quiet of the night.

  “Don’t know. If there was anything, they’d be working it now. Takes time.” Frank pulled out another candy and slowly opened the wrapper.

  John turned and stared at his friend. “How long were you a Guardian?”

  Frank paused unwrapping his candy for a second before he continued. After he popped it into his mouth and carefully folded the wax paper and pocketed it, he stood. “Not long.”

  “Miss it?” John stood and stretched.

  “Nah. My life is here. I’ll leave it to the kids. They have what it takes. Me, I was just a cowboy out of water… or in water, as it turned out.”

  “Navy?”

  “SEAL.”

  “Impressive.”

  “It was what it was. You still practice with that long iron?”

  “Every chance I get. The range is usually busy.”

  “Asp will be back eventually. You two need to go up and get some practice in. Tell Chief to work the schedule to make that happen.”

  “Yes, sir.” John appreciated Frank’s determination to keep his skills sharp. The ranch was tucked away and protected, but if anyone were to ever find out about what was happening behind that hill on Guardian’s side of the ranch, everyone would be needed to defend the innocents that lived on Marshall land. Hell, within weeks of coming to the ranch, he’d used his skill to take out a madman at a church in Hollister. Yeah, he and Asp had a certain skill in common. They spoke the same language. Death at a vast distance.

  “Night.” Frank nodded and walked off the porch.

  “Night,” John echoed and leaned against a porch post. He looked up at the stars. This wasn’t just a ranch. This land was a haven to broken and battered souls. Maybe the land would continue to be a balm for Shae as it was for him. God, he hoped it would be. He’d fallen headfirst into love with the woman. Inch by inch, conversation by conversation, and kiss by kiss, his heart had jumped ship and landed in her hands. What she did with it was up to her. He’d just continue to show her love the only way he knew.

  Chapter 18

  Shae shivered as she jogged up the steps to the training complex’s administrative offices. She scurried into the building and quickly shut the door behind her. Her trajectory was the breakroom and the coffee pot. As soon as she saw the twins, she asked, “What the heck happened to autumn? This place went from summer to winter in one night.”

  Both Dixon and Drake laughed from in front of the coffee pot. “Don’t worry, it will warm up again. Autumn in South Dakota is a fickle beast.” Dixon handed her the mug she’d claimed and filled her cup.

  She wrapped her hands around the ceramic mug and shivered while she waited her turn for the sugar and creamer. Drake passed her the cream first and then the sugar. “Why didn’t you wear a coat?”

  “I don’t have one.” She dumped a generous amount of sugar into her coffee and stirred it.

  “You need to order some cold-weather gear. Boots, gloves, coats, and such. John should be able to help you do that.” Drake took a sip of his coffee but continued before she could speak, “I’m so damn glad we have an indoor gym this year. Running in the snow was fun when we were younger, but it is not my idea of a good time any longer.”

  “Hey! We never got our night!” Dixon slapped his brother.

  “What in the hell are you talking about?” Drake moved out of striking distance.

  “The Skipper promised us a night out on the town when we won…”

  “Holy shit, dude, that was years ago.” Drake snorted and nodded in his brother’s direction. “You’ll have to excuse him. Brain damage.”

  Shae laughed when Dixon choked on his coffee. “Don’t worry, I understand. He said the same about you yesterday.” She dropped that bomb and slipped out of the room when Drake turned on his brother.

  “You said what?”

  “No, I didn’t, Shae… Hey, Shae, you can’t start shit and then leave,” Dixon yelled down the hall.

  “Watch me!” she laughed and ducked into Mike’s office, shutting the door behind her.

  “You know, you really don’t need to start anything between them, they are more than capable of amusing each other,” Mike chuckled as she sat down at her desk.

  “I know, but it is so easy to spin them up.” Shae pulled her keyboard toward her and entered her password, pulling up their calendar. “You have a meeting with Kaeden at nine, a teleconference with Joseph at ten thirty, and then we have utilization and budget meetings this afternoon.”

  Mike nodded and looked at the printout of the calendar she’d placed on his desk yesterday after he’d left for the day. “Do you have the information for—”

  “The proposed budget is in the shared folder, the allocations from Guardian need to be tweaked, and we have a deficit we need to address in logistics, and also in structures. The storm that blew through here three weeks ago is going to put us into the red. The contractors’ bids are due in by noon today. I’ll compile them in time for the meeting. The twins submitted the proposed training schedule for the next quarter, and there are new classes that are going to need to be funded.” Shae stared at her computer for a moment before she spun and asked, “How do I order clothes?”

  Mike’s head snapped up. “What? Clothes? For whom?”

  “Me. The twins said I could order clothes. I need warmer clothes for winter.”

  “Ah, hasn’t John told you how to do that?”

  “No, he hasn’t because I haven’t asked him. I don’t need him to take care of me. I am a capable person. Wouldn’t you be offended if everyone told you to ask Taty every time you had a question?”

  “Do we do that?”

 
; “More than you realize.” She’d had about enough of people thinking John was running her life. It was true they were in a relationship, a damn good one, but she was an independent person, she always had been. People assuming she was dependent on John needed to stop. Now.

  “Damn, I didn’t realize we were misogynistic, at least not to that degree.” Mike shook his head.

  Shae cocked her head at him. Perhaps they didn’t see it as well as she did. She wasn’t the same person who’d first come to this ranch. She was reverting to the woman she used to know. Not by leaps and bounds, but with steady steps, she was regaining her confidence. “Well, now you do. Perhaps just knowing will help, yes? How do I order clothes?”

  Mike stared at her for a moment and then nodded. “I will ensure that everyone is aware of what we’ve been doing. We will do better, but call us on it if it happens again.”

  “Of course. Thank you.”

  “Right, as for clothes or for that matter anything you want, we can order through the logistic supply point. Find what you want on the internet and then fill out the sheet—with links, if possible. All the forms are in the common folders. They will order it and have it delivered to one of five supply points around the country. The supply transports come in weekly. It takes about two weeks to get anything in, but it is untraceable and secure. If you want to go to a city to go shopping, there is a request form in the transportation folder. Fill it out and we will fly you off the ranch on a Guardian transport and make connecting flight reservations so you can do your own shopping. You’ll be required to ship anything you can’t bring back to one of the supply points, but the inconvenience is worth the security for our location.”

  “That is…”

  Mike chortled, “A lot to go through?”

  She shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows. “Well thought out and extremely prudent.” There were several portions of the facility she didn’t have access to—not that it bothered her, but the secrecy made sense if those areas were classified above her clearance level.