Page 2 of Falling For Her Cowboy
“He can’t hurt me anymore.” She wouldn’tmentionhe who shall not be named. Her life had been a living hell, but she had taken it back.
She brushed her thick hair up into a high ponytail. She set the brush on the counter and stared at her reflection. Her big brown eyes were wide. Her tawny skin was flawless, thanks to her skin routine. No longer was she the skinny young girl with acne and blackheads when she’d first enlisted.
She was now more mature with a curvy frame toned from her workouts. She may not be in the Army any longer, but that didn’t mean she gave up on keeping in shape. She cleaned up her mess she had created and stored her belongings in the drawer. She exited the bathroom, snagged her fanny pack and cellphone, then made her way through the house. She left the building and breathed in the fresh South Dakota air.
The sky was painted a multitude of orange hues as the sun prepared to rise. Now she was able to inhale the fresh air, her nerves calmed slightly. She clipped her pack onto her waist then unzipped it to obtain her earbuds. She’d need to listen to some music to help keep her mind from wandering back to her dream. Once she found a good playlist, she tossed her phone in the pack and zipped it up. After doing a few light stretches, she began her trek.
The Silver Creek Ranch was a grand spread. She was lucky to find such a place to stay after she’d retired from the Army. The ranch had come highly recommended, and she was thankful that it was shared with her. This was what she needed to start the second phase of her life.
Melah loved to run. It allowed her to have time to herself and work out the kinks in her body. It always gave her a sense of freedom with the wind gently blowing in her face and the marvelous sprawling lands that surrounded her. She loved the feeling of her muscles relaxing and her feet pounding on the ground. The dirt road wasn’t ideal, but it would do. It honestly reminded her of the runs she and a few of her battalion members had gone on when deployed or stationed somewhere away from civilization.
She missed her friends like crazy. Terri, Issac, and Cora had been her closest, and they had stood by her side through the toughest time in her life. She inhaled sharply and pushed down those memories. Instead, her last night as a member of the US Army came to mind. Her friends had surprised her with a retirement party of just the four of them. They were the siblings she’d never had.
That night, they’d gone out to a local bar wherethey’d consumed plenty of alcohol and good food. She smiled at the memory and made a mental note to reach out to them. They were still enlisted. Terri wanted to do another year or two before submitting her paperwork, while Issac and Cora were both staying in until they reached retirement eligibility. Melah had been in the longest. She missed them fiercely. She could see Issac out here on the ranch riding a horse. He’d love it. He was a Texan at heart, and they both had a love for horses. Terri and Cora were city girls, from Atlanta and Chicago. Neither would be caught dead mucking stalls or roping cattle.
She grinned. How the two of them survived the Army, she didn’t know, but there was no one else she’d trust to have her six than Terri, Cora, and Issac.
Melah pushed herself faster. She ignored the burn in her lungs. She was going to have a great day today. She wasn’t going to allow a little nightmare to get to her.
She was stronger than that. She’d proven it with everything life had thrown her way. Melah Battle would figure out life. She took in the acres of land and the cattle off in the distance.
Right now, this was where she belonged and she felt safe here. The men and women she’d met andworked with respected her and made her feel welcome.
This was her new beginning.
“Do you want to comment?”
All eyes turned to Melah. She swallowed hard and looked around the circle of ten men sitting in the room. It was late afternoon after work, and she’d decided to attend a group therapy session offered on the ranch. These men were like her. Former military and needing help getting back on their feet.
“Umm…” Her mind drew a blank at what to say. Her heart fluttered as her anxiety flared to life.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say much. How about a short introduction.” Spencer was the social worker who led the therapy sessions each week. He pushed his round glasses higher onto the bridge of his nose.
This was the third session Melah had attended, but she hadn’t really participated. She’d just observed, not yet comfortable to contribute. There were tons of hands working the ranch. Today she recognized some of the guys.
If she was going to stride toward a new life, shehad to get out of her comfort zone. It wouldn’t be fair for others to pour out their feelings while she remained quiet and not sharing. She needed this. Therapy was supposed to help her. She sat up straighter and jerked her head in a nod.
Spencer smiled and motioned for her to start. She glanced around the group and didn’t see anyone judging her for being there. Her gaze landed on Trent. He had helped show her the ropes when she’d first arrived. From the short time she’d worked with him she’d learned he was an Army man—a Ranger.
“Hi. I’m Melah,” she said.
“Hello, Melah,” the guys all echoed together.
A few nodded in her direction. She paused, unsure where to start. She thought back to how some of them had just done a basic introduction and figured she’d follow suit.
“I’m from Dunwich, Missouri. A small town west of Jefferson City. I recently retired from the Army.” She exhaled and chuckled at the claps she received. She missed the town she was from. Her family was still there. She thought of the welcome home party they’d thrown her when she’d returned home. They sure made a girl feel special. It had been just what she’d needed. To be surrounded by friends and family.
“Retired? You don’t look a day over twenty-five.” Trent folded his arms and tossed her a wink.
She rolled her eyes playfully. This wasn’t the first time she’d heard that remark. She was proud of her twenty years she’d served. No one would be able to take that away from her.
“I may not look it, but my body reminds me every day.” She sat up straighter and made sure she met everyone’s gaze. “I know I haven’t said much. I do thank you all for sharing your stories. I’m going to try my best to participate more.”
“That’s wonderful, Melah. There is no judgment here amongst us. This is a safe space to share whatever may be troubling you. If you need to come get something off your chest, we are here to listen,” Spencer said.
Nods went around again. That made her feel better. In the sessions she had attended, she’d heard stories that tugged at her heartstrings. One thing they all had in common was trying to pick up the pieces of what was left after serving in the military.
“Thanks. I really appreciate that.”
