by Kelly Moore
Thorn’s Redemption
Fated Lives Series
Kelly Moore
Edited by
Kerry Genova
Cover Designer
Dark Water Covers
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Copyright © 2019 by Kelly Moore
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
Thorn Beckham
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Nina Pax
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Thorn’s Redemption
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
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About the Author
Whiskey River Road
Thorn Beckham
Chapter 1
My Resistance
“Would you try to keep up, Son.” My dad's voice booms from in front of me.
“I’ve already told you I don’t want to join the Navy, so why are you making me do this?”
He halts his movement, turning around to cast a staunch glare in my direction. “You can’t make a living tinkering around with cars all day. You need structure and discipline.”
“Has it ever occurred to you that’s all I’ve ever had, except that we’ve moved so many times I’ve lost count.”
“You’re military born and bred.” He waves a stern finger at me. “All Beckham men for the last three generations have served this country.”
“I know. I’ve heard it a hundred times before, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s not what I want for my life.”
An infinitesimal twitch in his bottom lip tells me he’s trying to rein in his anger. I stand two inches taller than him and outweigh him by fifty pounds, but being the true soldier he is, he’s never let my size intimidate him. He blows out a breath for control, then places a firm grip on my shoulder. “Thorn, I know this life hasn’t been easy on you growing up.”
“That’s putting it mildly.” His look scolds me for interrupting him.
“It’s different when you’re an adult. There is no other job like it.”
“Why can’t you understand it’s not the life I want? I love working on cars, and I don’t want to move again. I like Florida where it’s hot and sunny every day. I like living in the Panhandle. It has the bluest water I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
He takes a step back and scratches his chin. “This is about Eden, isn’t it?”
“No…yes. She doesn’t want to be a military wife.”
“Wife?” His hands drop to his sides.
“Yes. I asked her to marry me.”
“You’re too young to get married. You haven’t had time to figure out what you want yet.”
“Dad, I’m twenty-one. Eden and I’ve been dating since we were sixteen.”
“Out of the five years you’ve been dating, how much have you actually seen the girl?”
“That’s because we move every time we turn around. We talk all the time. I’m done moving from place to place. I want to settle down and start my own life with Eden.”
He spins in a circle on his heels. Captain Bruce Beckham is not a man easily flustered. He runs a tight ship, but when it comes to his only son, the ship has sunk. We’ve never seen eye-to-eye. I have great respect for what he does, but he’s never let me make my own choices. My mother, Carole, caterers to him and loves being a Navy wife.
“Let’s finish this conversation later. I’ve got a limited window of time to take you up in the helicopter.”
“Fine, I’ll do this and go to the shooting range if you agree that if I decide it’s not for me, you’ll drop it.”
He clenches his jaw but finally gives in. “Deal. Now come on before they cancel my plans.”
I have to pick up the pace to keep up with him. Whiting Field has one of the best airstrips in the military. Everything from the hangars, airplanes, helicopters, and runway are well maintained.
We make it to the airfield, and he grabs a clipboard off the hangar wall and fills out the paperwork. He steps inside the glass door to the small office, coming back out with a helmet and headphones.
“Put these on once we get inside.”
He leads me over to a burnt red-colored helicopter. I climb in one of the two bucket seats and immediately strap into it. There are windows all around. Digital displays, a dashboard with indicators, a compass, knob controls, and two joysticks to fly the helicopter.
“Don’t touch anything until I tell you to.” My dad barks orders.
I tug on my helmet and place the headset over my ears. I dig my Ray-Bans out and finagle them in place.
Dad does the same and checks all the equipment. He talks to someone through his earphones and mouthpiece, getting clearance for us to take off. There’s an escalating whine as the engine starts up. The next noise is the choppy sound of the blades as they start spinning, cutting through the air. I grab onto the netting, holding on as the chopper lifts off the ground. The seat belt jolts against my shoulder as he raises the joystick for us to go higher.
As we rise further into the air, the chopper tilts and sways. I keep expecting to feel that dropping sensation in my gut, but I don’t. Instead, I feel the surge of adrenaline pumping through me. It’s an instant love for something I thought I’d hate. We continue to go higher and higher until we level out. The scenery is beautiful. Totally different looking down on the blue waters of the Gulf.
“Do you want to fly it?” My father’s gaze cuts to me.
I nod.
“Gently take ahold of the joystick. Don’t make any sudden movements with it.”
I place my left hand on it, and the slightest movement makes the chopper wobble, but I get a feel for it quickly. “This is awesome!” I yell so he can hear me over the sound of the whirling blades.
“I had a feeling you’d like it!” he says back and does something he rarely does with me…smiles.
He’s right. I’ve always loved cars, trucks, basically anything with an engine. I don’t know why I thought this would be any different. I can see why he likes this part so much. It doesn’t mean I’d have to join the military to fly.
“Take us lower,” his voice is loud.
I push the joystick to take us down, closer to the water. The lush blue of the water is gorgeous. It’s smooth and clear.
“Dolphins!” He points.
There’s an entire school of them playing on top of the water. He takes control of the stick and hugs the water so close I’d swear I could hang my foot out and drag it in the warmth of the Gulf. Flying in
a helicopter is totally different than a plane. It maneuvers easily, and I like the feeling of control and the fact that you can get close to the land.
“Imagine flying this baby with your men in the back, getting ready to jump onto the land. The pilot has to have mad skills to maintain steadiness of this beast. Your men are counting on you to hold firm. They put their lives on the line to keep the country safe. There’s no better job. I’m proud of every one of the men and women who dedicate their lives to this to keeping us out of harm's way.”
I’m seeing a vastly different side of him than I’m used to. He takes pride in his job and being a leader. I understand why he’d want that for me. I’ve always thought of him as having a cold demeanor, I’m thinking now, it’s something else. Strength and focus come to mind.
He lets me take the bird back to the Navy base, taking the controls back right before we land. I pull my gear off and unbuckle. I hop out and wait for him to come back out of the office. When he walks up to me, he puts his arm around my shoulder. “Nice job. You’d make a great pilot, Son.”
“Thanks for letting me fly. It was really cool.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Do you want to head over to the shooting range?”
He looks at his watch. “I’d like to, but I’m afraid I have a meeting to go to. Don’t let that keep you from going. You have your ID. You shouldn’t have any problems getting in without me.”
“Do you think I could try your AR-15?” I’ve been wanting to shoot it.
“Absolutely, get it out of the gun safe. Just make sure you clean it when you’re done.”
We part ways, and I get in my Chevy to head home. I decide to call Eden on the way to tell her all about flying the helicopter.
“Hey, babe.”
“Hey, Thorn.”
“You’ll never believe what I did today.”
“Um…fixed a motorcycle,” she says sarcastically, knowing that I’ve been working on one.
“I flew a helicopter with my dad.”
“Is he still trying to convince you to follow in his footsteps?”
“Every day.” I chuckle. “I fell in love with it.”
“You know you don’t have to be in the service to fly?”
“Would it be so bad if I changed my mind? My dad telling me about soldiers jumping out and needing a good pilot inspired me.” Her momentary silence on the other end tells me it would be an issue.
“We’ve talked about this. I don’t want to be a soldier’s wife. I’d always be worried about you, and I don’t ever want to leave my hometown.”
“I know, you’re right. It’s not what I want either.” At least it was never a consideration until today. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“How about I come see you next week. I can take a few days off at the shop and catch a quick flight to Asheville.”
“I’d love that.”
We met in high school when my dad had a short stint at the US Navy Department in Asheville, North Carolina. Eden was the first person I met. She’s the sweetest southern girl with blonde hair and big blue eyes. I don’t know how I got so lucky. All the boys in school were in love with her, but she only had eyes for me. She’s a dental hygienist and loves her work. I only went to school there a year before we moved again. I wanted to move back there after I graduated, but Mom had just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and wasn’t doing well. Dad was traveling at the time to different military bases, instructing classes. She needed someone to stick around. I enrolled in the technical school and studied how to be a mechanic. Mom’s in remission, so Eden and I’ve been talking about getting married. I can scope out some job opportunities when I go visit her.
“I gotta go. Call me tonight before you go to bed. I’ll buy my ticket between now and then and let you know the specifics.”
“Bye, Thorn. Love you.”
Chapter 2
The Shooting Range
The indoor military shooting range is not the typical range you’d see out around town. It doesn’t have racks of guns on the walls behind glass displays, or items for sale like pepper spray, mace, whistles, holsters, or cleaning kits. No, this is badge-in only. You can bring your own weapon that has to be inspected or have one issued to you.
I carry in the duffel bag with my father's AR-15 and a box of ammunition, along with two magazines. I’ve been here a few times with my dad, but never by myself. I’m thinking his sudden meeting is some type of trap that will lure me into wanting to sign up.
I flash my ID without any problems and grab protective earmuffs and eye gear that are tossed on the counter while the instructor inspects my weapon. Before I head into the range, I take a silhouette target and tuck it under my arm.
I put on my headphones and eyewear then I’m buzzed into the range area that has foam walls to absorb the sound. Finding an empty numbered lane behind bulletproof glass partitions, I set my bag down then take out the AR-15. I test the weight of the weapon in my hand by moving it up and down and placing the butt of it against my shoulder. I grip the rough grid of plastic on the weapon to get a feel for it. Once I’m comfortable, I take out the ammo and load the magazines. I place my target on the clip and push the button that moves it downrange, stopping it seventy-five yards out.
Shifting my feet from side to side, I find the right balance as I grip the rifle. Steadying my breath to find a calm place to take a shot, I brush my finger against the trigger, fully committed to pulling it, feeling the slight resistance. As I aim, squeezing the trigger, sending several rounds downrange, massacring my target. My eyes instinctively blink at the sound, but I hold strong in my focus. I love the concussive thunder I feel in my chest every time a bullet is released. I get a prick of adrenaline firing such a powerful weapon. It’s not the same as holding a gun in your hand. Its power becomes a part of you.
I lower my weapon and push the button, bringing the target toward me. I can hear the sounds of other weapons being fired even though my ears are covered.
A tap on my shoulder has me turning around and raising my left earmuff to hear the range instructor say in a deep, baritone voice, “That’s some damn good shooting, son.”
“Thanks.”
“Aren’t you Captain Bruce Beckham’s son?”
He knows good and well who I am. He’s seen me many times in here with my father. “You already know who I am.” I chuckle.
“You caught me. Your father wanted me to speak with you and test your gun-handling abilities.” He points to the target. “Best I’ve seen in a young guy in a long time.”
“Let me guess. He wants you to convince me to join the Navy.” I glance over my shoulder at him.
“I’m not going to lie to you, son, he does, but after what I just saw, the military needs men like you. With that aim, you could become a Navy SEAL.”
Now that would interest me, but I don’t dare let on. “I have other things in mind for my life. I know what my dad wants, but it’s not for me.”
“Well, if you change your mind, I’d gladly send in a recommendation for you.”
“I won’t, but thanks.”
“Do you mind if I stay here and watch?”
“Suit yourself.” I replace my target and resume shooting. The more I handle the rifle, the easier it gets, and the easier it gets, the more I hear his words “you could become a SEAL.” I like the thought, but Eden has made it very clear it’s not what she wants.
When I finally run out of ammo, I load the rifle in the duffel bag and head out to the main part of the building where I can clean my weapon. I return the headphones and safety glasses into a bin before I spend the next hour carefully cleaning my dad’s rifle.
I look up and see my dad talking to the instructor. I can hear him now in my head, asking how I did. They chat back and forth for a few minutes, then shake hands.
I’m putting the last piece of the rifle back together when he ends up by my side. “The range instructor tells me you’re good. Of course, I alre
ady knew that, but someone else needed to evaluate your skills.”
“Eden is never going to go for it.” I stuff the rifle in the duffel.
“This isn’t about Eden. It’s about what you want to do with your life.”
“Eden is part of that. She should have a say in it too.”
“Look, Son, I know you think you love this girl, but your career should be first.”
I let out a sigh. “I’ll talk to Eden this weekend face-to-face. If she doesn’t feel she can handle being a military wife, then there is nothing else to talk about.”
His jaw flexes a few times. “You have too much talent to waste.”
“I’m sorry it’s not what you want for my life, but it's my decision.” I zip up the bag and throw the strap over my shoulder. “We’ll talk about it when I get back from Asheville.”
“Absolutely not!” Eden is adamant.
“You don’t have to leave here. We’ve been doing the long-distance relationship and making it work.”
“That’s not how I want my marriage to be. If you join, you know you’ll have no control over where they send you.”
People in the restaurant are starting to stare at us. I reach over and hold her hand. “What if it’s something I want to do? Generations of my family have served.” I talk softly. “Are you really telling me if I join we’re over?”
