Protecting Tessa (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Brotherhood Alliance #6)

Chapter 9

9

T essa woke up feeling refreshed and … safe.

She stretched, taking a moment to observe her surroundings.

It wasn’t quite dawn, but the sky had a soft glow about it. She saw tree branches blowing in the wind from her bed.

What a difference a day made. Knowing that someone had her back was just what she needed to sleep soundly.

However, she wasn’t out of danger. She had to remember that.

Her stomach clenched as she thought about Damien and his thugs.

She thought Ford most likely could take on Damien’s thugs hand-to-hand, but what if they were armed? She had seen no guns in the cabin. Tessa prayed that trouble wouldn’t find its way to Ford’s door. He didn’t deserve her crazy.

She got out of bed, grabbed her toothbrush and paste, and headed to the bathroom.

Peeking into the living room, Tessa noticed Ford’s feet draped over the end of the sofa, and she felt a moment of guilt. It must have been uncomfortable sleeping on it. He was softly snoring, and unlike the night before when she had seen his angry face, and then his worried face, today she saw a handsome face.

Tessa tiptoed to the bathroom and gently closed the door. She hurriedly brushed her teeth, not dwelling on the guilt that gnawed at her. Ford offered her refuge and safety without knowing how much danger followed her.

Noiselessly, she opened the door and slipped back into the bedroom, pulling out a change of underwear, jeans, and a long-sleeved shirt. She brushed her hair, pulled it into a ponytail, looked in the mirror and nodded. Presentable even with no makeup on.

Sighing, Tessa stepped out of the bedroom, wondering if she could make coffee without disturbing Ford.

Too late. He was already awake.

“Morning,” he said in a gravelly voice.

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” Tessa replied. “I was trying to be quiet.”

Ford smirked. “Sorry, but you’re about as quiet as a baby elephant.” When he noticed that she frowned, he quickly stated, “I didn’t mean an elephant. We were trained in the teams to sleep lightly, and I heard you moving around.”

Ford looked so upset when he said that. But it was just an expression. Tessa was certain he knew when she woke up.

“I knew what you meant,” she replied, smiling. “Sorry if I woke you.” She stepped into the kitchen. “I was going to make coffee. Want some?”

“Sounds good. There’s a pot in the cabinet.” He thought for a moment. “I bought milk, but I’m not sure I have any sugar.”

Tessa smiled. “No problem. I drink my coffee black, have for years. It’s just easier when you’re on the go.”

“Oh. What do you do?”

“Hmmm. I am, was, an event planner,” she replied.

Ford stood and joined her in the kitchen, sitting at the small table. “Tell me what that entails.”

“Well, I coordinate and manage all aspects of an event, making sure it works smoothly.”

“Interesting. What kinds of events?”

Tessa pulled out the coffeepot, turned on the faucet for water, and filled it up, adding the coffee grounds last. She turned on the gas stove and placed the pot on it.

“Fundraisers, weddings, parties.” She shrugged. “Anything that requires someone to run the event.”

“I guess I should know that,” said Ford. “The shelter in town that my company helps runs a couple of fundraisers a year. You must love parties.”

Tessa laughed. “I do love the parties my friends throw, but being in charge of one is nerve-wracking.”

“I bet you have great organizational and communication skills.” He stared at her. “Probably you think quickly and do a lot of last-minute problem solving.”

“Yup, that’s me. You left out budgeting and creativity.”

“How did you get into that field?” he asked.

“Oh, I worked at an organization for years and finally struck out on my own,” she replied.

“Why did you leave?”

Tessa took a deep breath. She wasn’t ready to share that information yet. “So,” she replied brightly. “Tell me what you do.”

Ford laughed. “Great job at avoidance. You’ll tell me, eventually.” He narrowed his eyes and leaned back into the chair. “I work in security at the Brotherhood Alliance. We provide security for those who can’t afford it as well as taking on paying clients.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. After I got out of the service, I was floundering. The military is great, but the skills taught don’t always translate well into civilian life. Like you, I have to be quick-thinking and a problem-solver. Communication and attention to detail are important on the job. Plus”—he waggled his brows—“sometimes I even get to use my combat training.”

“Wow. That’s fascinating.” She heard the coffeepot bubbling and started to get up, but Ford beat her to the stove to turn off the gas. Then he reached into the cupboard and pulled out two mugs, which he filled and brought back to the table.

“Here you go. I have bread and cereal if you’re hungry.”

She shook her head. “This is fine for a while. I’ll have something a little later.” Tessa looked around the neat cabin. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No.” Ford thought for a moment. “I’d like to look at your car and see what’s wrong with it. If it needs a new battery, then that’s a trip into town.” He looked at his watch. “Although the Grab & Go won’t be open for another two hours. I noticed a lot of branches and a couple of trees are down. I plan on going out and chopping them up for firewood and kindling.” He cocked his head. “Still want to help?”

Tessa smirked. “What? You think I’ve never gotten my hands dirty? I grew up in the country helping my parents. My dad loved to split firewood.”

“Ah, a country girl as well as a big-shot event planner!” Ford finished his coffee and set his mug in the sink. “I’m going to wash up and change, then we can head out.” He frowned. “I have an extra pair of gloves, but they’re probably too big for your hands.”

“No worries. I’ll be fine.”

Ford left to change.

Tessa poured herself another cup of coffee and stared out the living room window. She let out a puff of air. It felt good to just relax for a moment and not think about anything else.

She hoped her car just needed a jump. The small amount of cash she had on hand would cover a battery, but she had to be careful. Speaking of careful, Tessa walked into the bedroom and picked up her purse and tucked the recorder in it. She was sure no one was out here in the wilderness, but this was all she had of her previous life. Her only link to the truth. So where could she hide it?

Ford walked in just then, startling Tessa. “Sorry, I need to get some clothes.” He frowned when he looked at her. “What’s wrong? Did something happen while I was in the bathroom?”

Tessa bit her lip and took a deep breath.

Did she want to trust him?

Could she trust him?

Damn, she had to trust him.

“I, um, I realize you’re in the middle of nowhere, but I don’t want to leave this around.” She lifted her purse up. “You never know. Is there someplace I can hide it so it’s safe?”

Ford furrowed his brow and stared at her purse. “Of course.” He walked to the closet and opened the door, fished around inside, and removed a panel. Behind it, there was another door with a lock. He pressed his thumb against a panel, and it opened.

“Wow.” Tessa glanced in. It was a small space, but one wall held just weapons. Guns, rifles, knives. She gulped. “Please tell me you’re not a serial killer.”

He laughed. “I promise. Since I’m not up here a lot, I didn’t want kids or anyone else finding loose weapons.” Ford looked in. “I like to shoot at a target sometimes. The rifles are for hunting season, and the knives—well, I just like knives.”

Ford held out his hand for her purse. “It’ll be safe in here.”

“Like Fort Knox safe?” She handed him her purse. “I know it seems silly, but everything I need is in there. All my cash, ID and a …. well, everything.”

Ford’s gaze sharpened as she stopped herself from revealing more.

He placed the purse inside, then securely locked the door and replaced the panel. “It’s safe now.”

“Thank you.”

Tessa followed Ford back to the living room. He looked her up and down. “It’s chilly outside. Do you have a jacket?”

“In my car.”

“Grab it and meet me outside. I have a chain saw in the garage. We’ll take my truck to transport the wood back.”

“Deal,” Tessa replied.

Tessa left Ford to get what he needed out of the garage while she grabbed her jacket. It saddened her to see her new-to-her car deserted in the woods, covered in dirt and pine needles. Ford promised to look at it later. She hoped he remembered.

The crisp, cool air carried the scent of pine and damp earth, filling her lungs and her senses as she watched Ford loading the back of his truck with supplies.

“I brought a thermos of coffee and muffins since we didn’t eat breakfast,” he said, helping her into the truck.

He drove the truck down another narrow path into the woods, one Tessa hadn’t seen before. Of course, she’d arrived here at night and never left the cabin. Pale light filtered through the trees, and the path was rough. She was holding on to the “oh shit” bar as Ford expertly avoided the potholes. A few minutes in, he stopped in a clearing. “Out you go,” he said, parking the truck.

Tessa climbed out, ready to help Ford. He handed her a pair of gloves and an axe. Lifting the chain saw, he headed over to a fallen tree.

“It’s so peaceful out here,” Tessa said, listening to birds chirping in the trees.

Ford nodded. “It is. But even out here, you need to be careful.”

Tessa shivered. His words brought Tessa back to reality. Safety, even in nature, was merely an illusion.