Chapter 48
48
I t’d been two weeks since Tessa’s kidnapping, and Ford was getting increasingly concerned about her mental health.
Sure, she laughed at the right moments and got up in the morning, not staying in bed. But she hadn’t left the cabin except to go sit on the patio and stare into the woods. She claimed to find solace in nature, and Ford was happy she found it and wanted to believe it.
But …
She was slowly withdrawing into herself. She often stared into the distance, distracted, silent. He was unsure how to help her overcome her sadness.
Before this happened, she was the happiest, strongest woman he knew.
She had escaped Marty and Damien, found a new life in Haywood Lake. Not only that, but she had rekindled her event-planning business and made friends. Life was good.
Until this.
The kidnapping, and the violence like she’d never seen before, had changed her.
But staying—no, hiding—in the cabin was not healthy, especially since she worked so hard to reclaim her life. He had to do something to bring her back. But what?
Ford looked at his watch. He had a meeting of the Brotherhood Alliance in half an hour. They were to go over new jobs and get an update on Malina and her operation.
He leaned over and kissed her head. “Hey, sweetheart, I have to go, but the meeting won’t take long,” he said softly. “Do you want me to call one of the girls and have her come over? I know Joy and Naomi could be here in minutes.”
She gave him a faint smile. “No,” she said in a small voice. “I’m fine. I’m just going to sit here and listen to the birds sing.”
Ford’s heart tightened. He had to do something.
“Okay then,” he said softly. “I won’t be long.”
“No worries, Ford,” she replied. “I love you. Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I love you too. You never need to thank me for anything.
She smiled again and turned back to the woods, her hands lying limply on her lap.
He watched her for a moment more, the feeling of helplessness and frustration gnawing at him. He understood trauma’s isolating grip and the self-protection that followed.
She had given him hope when he needed it most. Now it was his turn to do the same.
The yipping of dogs greeted Ford as he entered the building. Melissa had a training class going at Paws for Caring.
He peeked in and saw a half dozen dogs of all varieties being put through their paces with their owners. He waved to Joy, who was crouched beside a wriggling golden retriever puppy, laughing as it tried to kiss her face.
He heard that Joy had always fostered dogs, and having this center to train foster dogs to become companions was her dream.
When she got together with Liam, she stopped fostering. He struggled with residual PTSD and a fear of dogs. Liam was better now, but Joy wasn’t fostering dogs anymore, instead getting her kicks here.
Walking down the hallway, he waved hello to Jeannie Moone, the office manager, and Ava Curtis, Chase’s right-hand person, who handled all the details of their legitimate business. He stepped into Chase’s office and walked through the door to the command center. Chase and most of the guys were there, including Caleb Jennings, fresh from a monthlong mission.
“You’re back!” exclaimed Ford as he shook Caleb’s hand. “Ready to start work?”
Ford had met the six-foot-two, former Marine K9 handler when he started at the Brotherhood a while ago, and they immediately hit it off. Caleb grew up in Montana, loved animals, was a fly-fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. He was thrilled when Ford hired him part-time to work at GearUp. And Ford was thrilled to have another outdoor enthusiast to work there.
He quickly greeted the other men before taking an empty seat next to Finn and Ryker. He hadn’t seen Ryker since he was at his house, helping to build the addition.
“Hey man, how’s that addition coming along?” he asked. “It must be done by now.”
Ryker grinned. “It’s done, and the baby is in it. Dani’s happy. So, I’m happy.”
“Great. If you ever need help again, let me know,” Ford said. It had been fun helping build the addition, but more important than that, he began bonding with the guys, which helped him get out of his funk. Tessa needed that.
“Settle down,” Chase said, knocking on the table. “We have a lot to go over, but first I’m sure you’re all interested in what happened to Malina’s gang.”
Ford had been curious, but it took the back seat to helping Tessa.
“Can’t wait to hear this,” said Finn.
“The skinny is that DEA and the FBI got involved,” Chase began. “Their focus shifted to identifying key members of the gang since Malina was dead. Charges include drug trafficking, money laundering, violent crimes and firearms violations. They’ll all be going to prison for a long time.”
“Good,” Ford responded.
They discussed upcoming assignments before leaving. Chase mentioned he wasn’t assigning Ford anything until Tessa was better, which he was grateful for.
Finn walked Ford out. “How’s Tessa doing?”
Ford sighed. “Not great. It’s been a challenge. I think she’s afraid to leave the cabin and isn’t connecting with anybody.”
“Man. That’s not good,” replied Finn, frowning. “Do you have any ideas on how to help her? You know, talking about it would be best. Is she seeing a therapist?”
“Not yet.”
“Naomi has experience. Actually all the women do. Why don’t you see if she’ll talk to Tessa?”
Of course. Why hadn’t he thought about Naomi? It made sense.
He didn’t know her story. Chase had only hinted at the trauma she faced. But he knew she was getting her master’s degree, specializing in women’s issues and trauma.
“Also, the self-defense lessons were helpful to all the women,” Finn continued.
Ford knew that. Tessa had taken a couple but got busy. Maybe he’d take her shooting this afternoon.
Knowing that you could defend yourself was the key to getting self-confidence back, and he knew just who could encourage her to take that step. But would she see self-defense and shooting as empowerment or just more violence?