The Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 2

Callan

            She’s tattooed and gorgeous. Vibrant thick red hair sits just above her shoulders, seemingly making her deep ocean blue eyes sparkle. She’s a great deal shorter than I. If I don’t focus on control I could take her in my arms and accidently crush her small frame with little effort.

            I shake my head to banish the thoughts that come unabashed into my mind. But I can feel the pull. Something I never wanted to experience. Being tied down and tethered to another is not in my things to do in this lifetime.

            I am certain she doesn’t feel it. She doesn’t give me so much as a glance. When she approached me at the hood of the SUV, she was hesitant. I could sense the cool strength she emanated just below the surface. When she climbed up on top of the vehicle and I saw the gun she had tucked securely in the waistband of her pants I couldn’t help but smile.

            Not that I thought the weapon could do me any harm but just that she was smart enough not to stop on the side of the road without a way to protect herself made my chest swell with pride. Stupid because I never believed in all that destined to be nonsense. It is attraction. Nothing more.

            We all stand around with not much being said until her dad pulls up behind us in a dark blue Yukon. Old, not well maintained, but well enough to haul us a few miles from where we are.

            “I think it’s a fuel filter papa bear.” She speaks in a caramel coated voice that makes me weak in the knees.

            A tallish man with salt and pepper hair climbs out of the vehicle. He’s plump with kind brown almost black eyes and a bit of a beard growing on his chin. He looks nothing like his daughter.

            “Help me get the straps and we will git er on the dolly.” He looks fondly at her with a look only a father can give.

            Pulling the straps out of the back seat he tosses one to her. Adelaide climbs into the SUV and drives it onto the dolly, with it not speeding up I get behind to help her father push it up. Once it is as far as it can go. Adelaide and her father take the straps and skillfully wrap them around the tires on the front and secure them to the steel underneath.

            “I won’t be able to get the part till Monday.” Her father exclaims. “Then it will only take about an hour and a half give or take to change.”

            “Ok. Well the only hotel in town is more than likely booked solid. So, I’ll ask them what they want to do. I have enough space at my place to take on some extra guests.” She says quietly to her father. No matter how quietly she speaks every one of us can hear their conversation.

            “Addy, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You don’t know these people.” He states firmly.

            “I’ll be alright. You know I can take care of myself. And I’ll have Ares. We both know how protective he is over me. I will be ok. I can’t just leave them with no place to go. I’m not dumb enough to just invite strangers into my house when at some point I will be sleeping”

            Who’s Ares, her boyfriend? I can’t help the jealousy that pushes its way into my mind. The corners of my mouth pull down into a frown and the others give me looks of confusion.

            “OK hunny, just be safe.”

            “Always.” She looks toward our small group, “So unless you wanna sleep outside you’ll have to stay with me.”

            Ava jumps up and down clapping her hands with a big grin spread across her flawless face. “That would be fantastic. I have no desire to sleep on the ground.”

            “Ava,” I give her a pointed stare, showing my disapproval. “I’m sure we can find somewhere to stay; we don’t want to intrude.”

            “Good luck with that. The closest place you’d find that’s open is 45 miles from here.” Not close enough to walk. Damn.

            “I’m Josh.” My blonde-haired best friend reaches to take her hand in a firm shake.

            “Well it’s nice to meet you all.” She speaks sweetly and chuckles.

            “I’ll give you a call later sweetheart.” Her dads deep voice floats to us before he climbs in his car and drives off at a slow pace.

            We were supposed to be looking for a house to set up our operations at before the damn SUV broke down on the side of the road. This will put us behind severely. This is no good at all.

            Anyone else would think it weird that we were ok with her dad taking our car, but we make it a point to keep a LoJack on the vehicle. Easily accessed from any of our phones.

                                                                    **********************

            It is an awkward ride to her home. Thankfully, she only lives about ten minutes from where we broke down. It sits in the countryside with no other homes in sight. The house is relatively large but not so large as to show off. It has two stories from what I can tell, white with plum colored shudders and a door to match. Odd color choice but it seems to fit her style well.

            Several bushes of peonies line the front of the house in an array of different colors. To the left is a small guest house and tucked in the back is a large barn that again is plum purple. She must really like purple I think to myself as we all load out of the car.

            She shows us to the guest house, the living room is large and what most would call cozy with a large overstuffed brown suede couch and chaise lounge. “There are two bedrooms one has two single beds and one has a queen. I rarely have anyone who stays in here but some of my patients do come to see me at home and we talk here, so there is some water and snacks in the kitchen. I’ve got a few things I need to get done so I will let you guys get settled in. I’ll let you know when I finish making dinner here in a bit.” She turns on her heel and heads for the door.

            I can’t keep my eyes from running down her short frame. She is a curvy woman. Her breasts tugging at the buttons of her shirt that lead to a slim waist and a thick but firm ass. I shake my head to clear the very inappropriate thoughts that her body conjures in my mind.  

            “Make yourselves at home.” Adelaide calls over her shoulder before walking out and closing the French door behind her. I can’t keep myself from taking another look at her ass, Josh clears his throat, quirking an eyebrow at me knowingly.