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She nods. “Strength, vitality, endurance. In ancient lore your name meant protection and healing. He’ll be stubborn and try to push you away. You a fighter?”

“Yes, ma’am, I am.”

“Let’s get a move on. We need to be there before dark, and we have a couple stops to make.”

Gerdie insists on splitting the cost at each stop, explaining that over the years Micha has helped her out more than once.

Turning off the highway to a well-maintained yet unobtrusive gravel road, Gerdie slows the truck. “You know this isn’t gonna to be easy. You’re going to have to stand your ground and go toe to toe with him. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“When I was six years old, I told my dad I was going to marry his best friend, Micha. I haven’t changed my mind. I know it’s going to take a lot of work. But I’m not a quitter.”

“Add my number to your contacts. You need anything ,you can call me. Do you know the rest of his old team?”

“I’ve met Gray and Beck.”

“You know anything about his childhood?”

“No.”

“I know more than most. I was his teacher before his life went to shit. Once in a while he’d hide out at my place. I won’t say more. It’s his story to tell. Be patient with him. He can be a little hardheaded. Under all that silence is a good man. I’ll help if I can, but I won’t interfere.” She grins. “Well not much.”

CHAPTER 2

Micha Hale

After finally pounding in the last five nails on the porch steps, I stand and step back into the yard to get the full view of my cabin. My home.

Forty-one years I waited for a place to call my own. The satisfaction is doubled knowing I built it with my own hands with the money I saved while serving my country as an Army Ranger.

Glancing to the far side of the lot, I study the rusted out old trailer of my youth. Fooled ya, ma. I did make something of myself.

The sound of a vehicle making its way up my road stills the sounds of nature around me. That’s Gerdie’s rattletrap of a truck.

Damn it, she needs a new one but won’t listen to any of us. I wonder what she’s up to. She’s not one to ask for help but always has an open door for others in need. I got more than one hot meal and warm bed from her growing up. She didn’t push or judge. She just helped.

Gathering my tools into the toolbox. I place it on the porch and pull out my phone. There’re two missed calls but no messages. I recognize the number, but... Why the hell would Junebug be calling me? Could something have happened to her dad?

Gerdie pulls into my yard and I cross toward the truck as both doors open. What the hell? “Junebug, what are you doing here? Are JB and Clair all right?”

“They’re fine. Both of them. Dad sent a letter.” She pulls it from her back pocket and hands it to me. Then turns to lift a duffel bag from the back of the truck while I open the envelope and read.

Well Micha, she did it. Our little girl passed all her classes and testing with flying colors. She’s stoked and wants to spend the next few months following you around while she waits for her acceptance to your local Ranger station. Since she’s requested to be posted in your area, she sees it as advantageous to spend time with you over the next three months. She knows you’re the best of the best and wants to learn from you while she waits.

For me, knowing I have someone I can trust to look out for her eases my mind. I’m hoping you can help her get settled. Thanks man.

No. No. I can’t do this. I can’t have her hanging around where I see her on the regular, under my roof, in my life every day. I don’t trust myself.

I glance up to see her and Gerdie walking in my front door. Gerdie has what looks like two grocery bags and Junebug is carrying the duffle bag.

“Stop. Wait. We need to talk.”

They either don’t hear me or flat out ignore me.

I rush in after them. “What are you doing? She can’t stay here. It—it’s...”

“Why not?” Gerdie frowns. “It makes the most sense. If she’s here to learn the mountain, the terrain, how to track, and the tools needed for search and rescue, living with you on the mountain you know so well makes the most sense. You’re the best for a hundred miles and you damn well know it. If anyone can teach her how to stay alive up here, it’s you. She’s got goals and dreams, too.

“Besides, you got plenty of room in the new cabin. We picked up a small cot bed for her. You won’t even know she’s here.”