Rendered (Irrevocable Series Book 1)

by Samantha Jacobey

  “You don’t need it right this minute, but when the shit hits the fan, you’re gonna need it to survive,” he countered smoothly.

  “Isn’t that what you have all that food stashed away for? So you can survive?” she quipped, not having seen the stockpiles but aware that they were there somewhere, hidden away.

  Pete’s jaw dropped slightly at her casual mention of his hard work and years of preparation. “I don’t ever wanna hear you say another damn thing about what’s stashed away, you got that? There’s people that would take it away from us, by force if necessary, when the time comes that we need it.” He waited for her slow nod before he continued to chastise her.

  “As far as what I want you to learn, it’s the thing that’ll ensure your survival, not the stores. They only get us a year or so if we’re lucky. It’s what we know about how to provide for ourselves that’ll determine if we make it or not,” his eyes glittered as he finished. “Either way, you ain’t leavin’. Your parents are dead, an’ that means your well-being falls t’ me. It’s my job to look out for you, an’ that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.”

  Bailey cut her eyes over at the old man, who had listened to the exchange in silence, his deep green eyes evaluating what each of them had said. Dropping to gaze at his fleshy lips, she wondered where he stood on the issue. “Is that how you see things? If I’m not wanted here…why would you make me stay?”

  The old man didn’t respond, his eyes cutting over at the other man for a moment before he stood. His face grim, he shuffled across the floor and exited through the front, headed to the door and the pathway beyond.

  Twenty-One

  The Meek

  Bailey could feel her blood run cold as she watched the back of the silver head disappear. Her heart beating wildly inside her chest, she shifted her gaze back to her relation, breathing in a deep pant. “You wouldn’t hurt me, would you?” she asked in a timid voice, the fear of what lay in store holding her firmly in its grasp.

  “No, Bailey-girl, I’d never hurt you,” he replied calmly. “You know what the bible says?”

  She stared at him blankly, having no clue what he was referring to.

  “The bible says that the meek shall inherit the earth, but around here, that’s a tough line to sell.” Standing, he knocked on the table with a knuckle. “Use your time wisely, little bit. Learn what you can and hope that it’ll be enough.” He let the words hang in the air as he followed their patriarch out into the street.

  Catching up to his father-in-law, he fell into step beside him. “She needs time. That’s all.”

  “You know as well as I do that ain’ gonna sit well with the others.”

  “Yeah, but what’s it gonna hurt? We can give her ’til the end of summer. We don’t have to decide now. Or act now. Give her until the fall,” Peter appealed for his niece.

  “I’ll mention it t’ Bill, see if he’d be willin’ t’ wait. I can’t guarantee it though.” The old man cast a quick glance at his oldest daughter’s husband. “You shoulda left her, Pete. If you really cared, that’s what you woulda done.”

  “I couldn’t do that. She already got herself in trouble, and there’s not anyone else willing to look out for her,” he bit angrily, thinking of his mother for a moment. “Just ask him. Tell him I would consider it a great favor to me, one I would owe him for.” Making an abrupt turn, he headed into the stables, ready to be productive.

  Back at the house, the girl sat at the table for several minutes, allowing their conversation to turn inside her mind. They want the boys. I’m certain of that. And she came as part of the package but not a portion the locals seemed interested in having.

  Rising from her chair, she cleared the few items that were left on the table and placed them on the kitchen counter to be washed. Returning with a cloth, she cleaned all the flat surfaces, her mind drifting to the days she spent in the dining room back at the burger shop. A wave of self-pity washed over her, recalling she had asked her manager to hold her job for her; she realized it had been a futile request.

  “I’m not ever leaving this place,” she muttered quietly to herself. Finished with the furnishings, she located the broom and dustpan and took care of the floor. Once the room was spotless, she let herself out the back door and surveyed the garden to her right. Seeing the hats dotting the field, she left the porch and made her way down the dirt path to join them.

  Entering the greenhouse, she lifted her cover from the nail, twisting her hair, and using the bonnet to secure it out of her face. Staring blankly at the tools hanging from the peg-board for a moment, she selected a spade and fork and made her way out into the morning sun. Finding a row that looked in need of tending, she knelt down and began to clear the debris from around the precious plants.

  Martha noticed the young woman some time later and stood watching her while using her hand to shade her eyes. Caleb had informed her of the altercation between his old sweetheart and the girl. Turning and putting herself into her work, she tried not to think about Pete’s niece or the fate that would soon be hers. The girl had become an issue within the small community—an issue that would sooner or later be resolved.

  Shortly after the sun reached its peak above them, the group gathered their trash in buckets and carried them over to the compost bin. Lining up instruments and hats inside the shed, the girls chatted amicably to one another, leaving Bailey feeling left out. Following the group of friends, they arrived at the ranch house, where a large lunch had been prepared.

  Taking a small plate of the food, Bailey noted that many of the others from the town came through and took plates as well, which she had learned to be the norm. Sitting off to the side alone, she finished her meal and washed her dishes. Putting them away, she slipped quietly out, taking the path that led between the arena and the back side of the diner.

  Arriving at the animal barn, she made her way inside. Passing between the various pens and cages, she noted Amanda, along with one of the other girls, working at the far end. Backtracking, she left the way she came in, having no desire to speak to the tall blonde.

  Making a left outside, she entered the canopy and then the stables, breathing a sigh of relief to find the man she hunted. “Hey,” she spoke quietly when she stood beside him, reaching up to stroke the neck of the horse he appeared to be grooming.

  “Hey,” he replied with the hint of a smile. “You done with your chores?”

  “Yes. We tended the garden today,” she replied, glancing around to ensure they were alone. “I was hoping to ask you for a favor.”

  Caleb stopped his brushing, his hands still resting against the massive creature. “Ok, what kind o’ favor?” he inquired while he stared at her, a little afraid of what she might want.

  “Will you teach me how to fight?” she asked timidly. “I know I said I didn’t want to learn,” she stammered, “but I think maybe I should.”

  Wiping at the sweat that trickled out of his blond spikes, the young man nodded. “Yeah, you should. Lemme finish here, an’ I’ll take you out back an’ show you a few things. ‘Course, you know you’re not gonna learn it all in one day,” he added, his hands once again stroking the horse.

  “I know,” her voice perked up a tiny bit. “But as often as you can, I would appreciate.” Watching him for a few minutes, she grew bolder. “Have you eaten yet? Connie made a huge lunch, and it looked like most everyone had some.”

  “Yeah, we do it that way most times. More efficient to have one or two doin’ the cooking for everyone, so the rest of us can work on other things.” He cut his eyes over at her, still kneading the flesh before him. “An’ no, I didn’ get any.”

  “Ok. While you do this, I’ll go get your dinner.” She smiled in earnest and exited quickly. Back at the ranch house a few minutes later, she peeked through the screen to survey the empty room. Slipping inside, she made a plate and covered it, then filled a glass of water and exited in a hurry. She did not believe anyone would mind her taking him a plate. I’d simply rather no
t explain it, she rationalized her sneaky demeanor.

  Arriving at the stables, she met up with Caleb as he came out and grinned when she presented it to him.

  “I got you some water, too.”

  “Thanks.” He shot her a brief smile, taking the items and indicating for her to follow. Leading her around behind the building, they stretched out beneath the shade of the tree where she had taken a beating the day before, and he began to devour the delicious meal. Between bites, he inquired, “So, what changed your mind?”

  Bailey wrinkled her nose for a moment, then answered softly, “I don’t really know. I’ve just been thinking about things, what you said and all. I mean, what if you’re right? What if I need to learn so I fit in better around here?”

  He cut his eyes over at her, knowing she would never fit in with the tight-knit community. His mother had informed him last night what the elder members of the group intended to do with her. He had been sworn to secrecy and felt sick to his stomach at the thought of what lay in store for the mild-mannered young woman. He wasn’t sure heartbroken would be the word for it, but his emotions were torn to say the least.

  Managing to finish the food, he laid the empty cup across the plate, all to be returned to the kitchen later. Little went to waste at The Ranch, and he smiled slightly at the idea of their frugalness.

  Standing, he offered her a hand to her feet and began instructing her, the way his father had done for him more than a decade before. “You know, my old man an’ your uncle were marines together. They made sure we all got trained.”

  “Nope, I did not know that.” She smiled, doing her best to follow his directions.

  “Yeah, we learned about hand-to-hand encounters an’ how to shoot, too. We have a really cool gun range on the other end of the compound,” he continued to enlighten her while they worked.

  “Is that what’s in that huge building?” She nodded. “I wouldn’t have guessed that. And the girls all learned, too?”

  “Yeah, girls learned, too.” He briefly wondered if they would be upset with what he taught her, but a short time later, he dismissed the idea. As long as she lived on The Ranch, she would be a part of the community in his eyes, and it would only be right to do this for her. After a good hour of giving her the basics, he asked in a quiet tone, “You had enough?”

  Bailey smiled up at him, feeling exhausted. She had been in pretty good shape, working out and performing with the pep squad. But that had been months ago, and she felt a little winded at the moment. “I guess I’ve gotten a little out of shape.”

  “Yeah, you need t’ work on that, too. Maybe get up early and go for a run, or whatever it is that you do for exercise.” He could immediately see the surprise skitter across her face. “An’ no, working in th’ field don’t count. You gotta do something that gets your heart rate up. That’s how you build stamina.”

  She nodded, pleased with his honest opinion. “Sure. I can do that. Anything else?”

  “Just keep workin’, do what’s asked o’ you, an’ focus on what you can do t’ contribute to the community. Tha’s what it’s all about here.” He punched her in the shoulder playfully. “Take the stuff back t’ the house, an’ I’ll see you later. Practice those moves, an’ I’ll give you another lesson tomorrow if I can.”

  Bending over to retrieve the tumbler and plate, she watched him head down the path and go into the barn. I wonder if he’s going to visit with amazon girl, she allowed herself the derogatory name for the blonde who had beaten her.

  Walking down the path, her thoughts churned, and she hoped that one day she would be good enough to even the score. The meek may inherit the earth, she kidded with herself, her hand reaching up briefly to pat her stitches, but I’m tired of being meek. It’s time I got tough, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

  Twenty-Two

  Love Thyself

  Starting the next day, Bailey took the initiative and Caleb’s advice to heart. She wanted to invest time in herself like she had never done before. Getting up early, she went for a run and discovered that others in the group did so as well. Spying the four men who shared her floor in the ranch house, she followed them to the front of the med center, where she found herself in the midst of half the town, all gathered there in the cul-de-sac.

  Caleb grinned at her as she came jogging up with the group of men, but the four girls who surrounded him did not look so pleased. Noting that Amanda stood to his right, Bailey felt fairly certain that the two of them were indeed a couple, even if he wants to deny it, and she refrained from getting any closer to avoid the confrontation.

  “What’re you up to, girl?” the tall black man named Devon interrupted her thoughts, seeming disturbed by her presence.

  “I’m…having a workout. This isn’t a private party, is it?” She gave him her best smile and hoped they would allow her to join them.

  “The weenie workout is in the evenin’,” Amanda scoffed, eliciting a few snickers from her friends.

  A silent look passed around the circle of men, and Luis’ grin grew twisted as he ignored the other girl’s jab. “Naw, little bit, you can join us.”

  Bailey picked up on his use of her dreaded nickname, but in light of trying to fit in, she chose to ignore it. “Thanks.” She smiled more confidently, her stomach knotting a little in the process.

  At that moment, Peter and the twins came into the light, the boys shrieking when Bailey popped into view. “Hey, are you gonna hang out with us today?” Jess appeared overjoyed, grasping at her for a hug.

  “Hi, guys.” She glared with pretended joy, shocked that they would be there at such a young age. “Are you getting into shape, too?”

  “We sure are!” Jase readily agreed. “We’re gonna be big an’ strong just like the rest of the men folk!”

  The girl felt mildly put out at his reference to the men of the group, surprised that the boys understood the division of the sexes that seemed prevalent there within the four walls of The Ranch. More than likely someone is pushing that piece of propaganda on them. “Me, too,” she breathed, almost to herself, keeping her emotional state out of view.

  Pulling her aside, Nung ushered the girl into the gym to fill her in on some of the particulars. Leading her through a normal door that stood about three feet from the outer wall closest to the med center, he pointed out the cubbies along the left-hand wall.

  “There.” He indicated one of the spots. “That one’s empty, so you can use it for your gear. Keep your water cup here and anything else you need while you’re at the gym. And there’s the bathrooms, with a single shower in each on the back wall”—he wafted a hand in that direction—“in case you ever need it.”

  He nodded, continuing with the tour to the right, guiding her through the rooms that held a variety of equipment. “Down in the center, you have your mats for aerobics and stuff like that, and there really is a workout that the older women have in the evenings in here. Yoga and stuff, if you decide you would like that better.” He led her past the storage racks and pointed to the wall space. “Here we have the walls marked for height, in case you wanna throw the medicine balls against it.”

  She noticed the shelving that held a variety of sized balls with different weights, plus the kettlebells and small dumbbells all lined up neatly. “What’s this for?” she queried, indicating the wide roll-up door, one of three she had seen from the outside. She had noticed the building before and had assumed it to be another garage because of them.

  “We got heat but no cool.” He grinned. “If it gets too hot, we pop the door open to let some air in.” He motioned towards the wide entrance that matched the ones in the next two sections of the building.

  Turning back to the equipment, he continued when they entered the last section of the structure. “Here in this end, you got your bars, rings, and some boxes for climbing and jumping.” They stopped to take it all in. “And at the far end, you got your setup for lifting. All the bars are marked, either thirty-five or forty-five pounds, and t
hese are the weights.” He indicated the flexible discs that could withstand being dropped. “You ever been to a gym before?” He gave her thin physique a dubious glare.

  “Well, yes and no,” she admitted casually. “I was a cheerleader, so we worked out, but not like this.”

  “A cheerleader,” Amanda scoffed from behind her. “That makes sense.”

  “Is there something wrong with that?” Bailey snapped, noting that the rest of the crowd had filed in behind them. “Having been here all your life, I wouldn’t have thought you would even know what cheerleader meant.” The air grew thick, the animosity hanging between them.

  “Naw, not at all.” She moved her taller frame closer to glare down at the girl while her voice dripped with honey. “I’ve been out a time or two, an’ I’ve read enough t’ know what that sort o’ girl’s all about.”

  “Well, nice t’ see you two gettin’ along,” a booming voice cut into their volley of cloaked insults.

  Bailey had not met John Cross formally, but she knew him from the other morning’s breakfast and the few other social occasions. Everyone gathered around him as soon as he arrived, and the workout of the day began without preamble. She quickly learned that the members of the group took turns, planning what would be their routine, and it therefore changed, with pretty much something new every day.

  John’s day to lead, he briefly went over the agenda posted on the large chalkboard inside the first door. As soon as he had explained what they were doing, everyone went to work, moving at their own pace to complete as much of the assignment as possible.

  Bailey made as many of the moves as she could, imitating the others and being instructed from time to time by the few willing to help her. Watching the blonde covertly, she discovered that Amanda’s highly muscular build was no accident. The young woman pushed herself as if she were one of the men, and the smaller girl felt in awe of her at the moment. No wonder Caleb likes her.