Chapter 7 #3
“I get that. I also get that you’re a target and need someone around who has your back.” Moe lifted his chin toward the older man. “Your father doesn’t want to take away your newfound freedom. He wants to make sure someone else doesn’t.”
The older Brantt nodded. “You know your mother and I care about you. If you don’t let me hire a bodyguard of my choice, choose one for yourself. But make sure he’s capable. You mean too much to your family for us to lose you now.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “If I choose my own capable bodyguard, you won’t go behind my back and hire another as backup?”
Her father pressed his lips together and waited a full five seconds before nodding. “I won’t.”
She stared at him a moment longer.
Robert Brantt raised his right hand. “I promise.”
Breely gave him a brief nod. “Then I choose Moe and his team of Brotherhood Protectors.”
Moe drew in a deep breath and let it out. For a moment there, he thought she might choose to hire someone altogether different than him.
Breely held out her hand to him. “Do we have a deal?”
“Deal.” He gripped her hand, surprised at the firmness of her handshake.
Breely turned back to her father, her face softening. “Let Mom know I miss her. I’ll be home for a visit soon.”
“Please do that.” The big man opened his arms.
Breely stepped into them. “I love you, Daddy, but sometimes, you’re overbearing.”
He stroked her hair. “You give as good as you get, baby. That’s my girl.”
Breely stepped back, letting his arms drop to his sides. “Now, get home to mom. I bet she’s beside herself worrying.”
Her father shook his head. “I didn’t tell her about your disappearance. She thinks I’m checking on one of my businesses in Denver.”
Breely grinned, lighting up the room with her smile. “She’s not as gullible as you think she is,” she warned.
“I know.” Her father leaned down to press a kiss on his daughter’s forehead. “I love how smart your mother is.”
“She hates when you go to South America, especially when you go to Venezuela,” Breely said.
He nodded. “You know how I feel about our work there.”
“I know. Hopefully, we’re making a difference with the families we’re helping.” She hugged her father. “Now. You need to go home and let Mom know I’m okay and that I’ve got a bodyguard looking out for me. We’ll be back in Bozeman in a few hours.”
Her father gripped her arms and stared down into her eyes. “And then West Yellowstone?”
She grimaced. “I guess. It makes me mad that I have to move when I was just getting settled in.”
“You liked being a waitress?” he asked.
She grinned. “Actually, I did. I was with people.”
Her father’s brow furrowed. “And we’re not people at home?”
“You know how I feel. I won’t be held prisoner. I need to be out in the real world, not wrapped in a bubble. I’d rather be kidnapped, shot and killed than locked away for the rest of my life.”
Moe understood the need to be free.
“Don’t wish yourself dead, sweetheart. If freedom is what you need, just be careful. And don’t lose sight of those protecting you. If you can’t see them, they can’t see you.” He chucked her beneath the chin. “Don’t take too long to come for a visit. Your mother has been so sad since you left.”
“Get her a puppy,” Breely suggested. “That’s what most empty-nesters do.”
“We have dogs on the ranch.”
Breely shook her head. “Get her a little dog. One that will look like a puppy all its life. A chihuahua, toy poodle or a Yorkie. Mom needs to be needed.” She lifted her chin. “I couldn’t live at home forever. It was past time for me to move on.”
Her father nodded. “I don’t like it, but I respect your determination. Just keep me in the loop.”
“I will,” Breely opened the door. “Now, go. We’re supposed to check out…when did you say?” She turned to Moe.
He glanced at his watch. “Five minutes ago.”
Mr. Brantt stepped through the door. “In the loop,” he reiterated.
“Got it.” She closed the door slowly. “Love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
Breely closed the door and leaned her forehead against the panel. “That wasn’t awkward at all.”
Moe stepped up behind her, rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her into his embrace. “You’re his little girl. He will never stop worrying about you.”
Breely wrapped her arms around Moe’s waist. “I know. And I also know I’m not going back to the ranch. I’ve had a little taste of freedom. I’m not going to backslide into the cocoon.”
“Okay, then.” Moe kissed her forehead. “Let’s get packed up and in the air.”
“I wasn’t kidding when I told my father I liked being a waitress. I’m going to miss the people and the challenge of keeping up.”
Moe brushed his lips across hers. “You’ll be around people at the Grand Yellowstone Lodge. Maybe they can use some wait staff there.”
Her eyes brightened. “I’d like that.”
Moe handed her his cell phone and turned to shove his things into his backpack. “You need to let Stan know you won’t be coming back for a while, if at all. Consider this another adventure to add to your story.”
Breely snorted. “I worked hard to do things on my own. Yet here I am again, having to rely on others. That was not my intent nor desire.”
“Sometimes, life forces you to change directions.” He flung the backpack over his shoulder. “Ready?”
She looked around the room and shrugged. “I guess I am.”