Chapter 29
Cherise hugged Scarlett. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.
I’m meeting Maddie, Carol, and Edie Tuesday night for poker.
I’m hoping the scandalous Victoria joins us.
She’s the life of the party. Ty hates it when I drive late at night.
I’ll most likely stay over. On Wednesday, we can spend the day together.
I’ll throw something in the slow cooker, and Ty will make us some delicious rosemary bread.
It’ll probably be the last good fishing day before it gets colder. These old bones don’t enjoy the chill.”
“Somehow, I don’t see you as the fragile type,” Scarlett said, laughing.
“My husband always asked why I couldn’t be like other women who listened to their husbands. I never saw much fun in that. It’s way more fun to have make-up sex,” she whispered.
Scarlett giggled. “Cherise, I believe you’re trouble wrapped up in a sweet package and tied with a pretty bow.”
“Hell, yes. How do you think I worked the ranch while Ty was away? Men have a funny way of wanting to prove they’re the stronger sex.
Mind you, not all. But like all rotten apples in a barrel, they ruin it for the good ones.
You showed some spunk out there, and I’m proud of you.
It takes courage to stand up for yourself when you’re still not sure who you are.
Give it some time, sweetie. You’ll figure all this out. ”
“Thank you, Cherise. Drive safe and text Ty to let him know when you get home,” she whispered, trying to keep the tears away.
“I will,” she said before taking her leftovers and leaving.
“Did you have a nice visit with Mom?” Ty asked.
“Yes, she’s lovely. I can see why you’re a mama’s boy,” she teased.
Ty groaned, pulled her closer, and tickled her with the scruff along his jaw.
“Stop,” she cried, laughing. “Rocker might see us. Where did he go, by the way?”
“He took his bags into the guest house,” Ty said. “What do you want to do?”
She shrugged. “I don’t have any plans.”
“How about another lesson?” he asked.
“I’m afraid I’m stuffed from your brunch. Do you have a workout room here? If I keep eating like this, I’ll need to work off those extra calories,” Scarlett said, leaning into his chest.
“I don’t have a workout room. Leo has one at the facility, and I occasionally work out with the guys there. Taking care of the ranch tends to give me a workout. If you require some exercise, I’m sure I can come up with something,” he murmured against her ear.
“I like the way you think. What did you have in mind? We can’t participate in your suggested activity since you invited Rocker to stay,” she said sarcastically.
“I have an idea, and Rocker may be able to help with it. Do you trust me?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” she said confidently.
“I want to teach you how to shoot,” Ty suggested.
She shook her head. “Again, I think you forgot a few things. The main thing being I can’t see.”
“I’ve given it some thought. You said you felt vulnerable because of your vision loss. What if Sledge never made it to the cabin? Even if you never hold a gun in your hand, you must be able to protect yourself. You have the training, but you don’t have the practice.”
“I’m not ready for this. For Pete’s sake, I can barely scramble eggs,” she exclaimed. She signaled for Ice to take her into the house.
“Come on, Sparky. Where’s the spunky woman who beat the shit out of Rocker a few hours ago?” Ty insisted.
“He deserved it. Rocker acted like an ass,” she shot back.
“Wait. You didn’t hear me out,” Ty said, following her.
“Most people don’t suggest handing a blind woman a gun,” she seethed. “You know you don’t point a weapon unless you plan to use it.”
“It’s not only about the weapon. You need to develop your other senses. It’ll make you more aware of your surroundings,” he argued.
“Then what? You want me to shoot blindly into the air to alert someone to my distress? Do you know how badly I felt knowing I was unable to see my attacker?” she said, fighting the tears.
Her emotions from the night before bubbled to the surface.
The fear, anxiety, and terror when the gun went off made her feel lightheaded.
Her chest grew heavier, making it hard to breathe.
“Scarlett,” Ty gripped her by the shoulders. “Focus on me, listen to my voice. Breathe through your nose and out your mouth. You’re having a panic attack,” he instructed.
She pushed at his chest, embarrassed, frustrated, and flustered. “Leave me alone,” she said, struggling with her words.
“No. Not when you’re in this state. I want you to breathe with me.” He held her hand to his chest, getting her to breathe with him.
Scarlett crumbled. Ty picked her up and took her inside the house. He laid her on the couch and retrieved a cold cloth from the kitchen. She felt like a rag doll as he picked her up and set her on his lap.
Pressing the cool rag to her forehead and face, Ty spoke softly.
“You’re safe here, Scarlett. I want you to feel it wherever you go.
If you return home, I don’t want you confined to some damn room.
What if you went out with your friends? You need to know how to handle yourself.
Sledge and Rocker won’t always be there to protect you.
I understand you’ve led a very independent life.
This must scare the daylights out of you. I’m only trying to help you.”
“I know,” she said, leaning into his hand. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. When I went into the fire to get those kids, I didn’t hesitate because if I died, it didn’t matter. Yet, when Jeremy attacked me, it scared me. If Sledge hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what might’ve happened.”
“Yes, you do,” Ty said. “You might’ve died. Have you participated in any of the groups for veterans?”
She shook her head. “No. Everyone wants to know my story. I don’t want to discuss the attack.”
Ty brushed the hair from her face. “Sparky, all of us experienced some form of attack. We either watched people turn on each other, or we went through something similar to what you did. It’s up to you to discover what works best. I’ve watched you.
You hate feeling vulnerable. I’m only trying to help you get your power back. ”
“I don’t know how you think having a gun will do me any good,” she grumbled, feeling better.
“It may not do anything. Hank will take us to the north pasture. It’s empty. I want you to hone your skills by practicing your other senses. You may never use it, but you’ll feel more confident. “
“Have you heard from Leo? Did they arrest Jeremy?” she asked.
“He’ll contact us when they do,” he assured her. “Why did you have a panic attack?”
“I recalled the night before,” she confessed. “I felt his hands around my neck, squeezing the life out of me. I twisted, turned, and got away. Jeremy surprised me with his strength for someone his age.”
“He’s a farmer. They do handle a lot of heavy lifting, ” Ty suggested. “You’re recovering from the attack. Since you asked earlier about working out, I’m assuming you haven’t done a ton of physical activity,” he reasoned.
“You’re right. I’m sorry I freaked out,” she said, feeling ashamed for mistreating him when he went out of his way to help her.
“Has Claire talked to you about PTSD?”
“Yes. We discussed it,” she said quietly.
Ty lifted her chin, bringing her attention to him. “It’s a real thing. It can cripple the strongest soldier, and it’s nothing to feel ashamed about. If you’re feeling better, we can start slowly and see how it goes. If you get spooked, we can stop.”
“Why does this matter to you?” she asked.
“Because you matter to me,” he impressed upon her.
“What about Ice?” she asked.
“I’ll tie him to the fence behind us. He’ll stay safe at all times,” he assured her. “How do you feel? I want you to drink some water before we go. I’ll ask Rocker to join us. He’s used to seeing you in the field and knows how you react. It’ll come in handy if we need to stop.”
“I’ll do it. I’m highly doubtful about this, but you did teach me to scramble my own eggs,” she said, making light of it.
“I’ll see if we can come up with a reward system. It seems to me, you liked it when I put my fingers…”
Scarlett put her hand over his mouth. “Shhh. Ice doesn’t need to hear it. I think we traumatized him as it is.”
“Somehow, I imagine he saw a lot of animalistic behavior in the kennels.” Ty shot back.
“I’ll freshen up and meet you back here,” she agreed.
Reaching out for Ice, she stood and went into his room.
Scarlett wet the cold cloth again and pressed it against her face.
Could Ty release her from her nightmare of staying in the dark?
She didn’t know, but she was tired of hiding in the shadows.