Page 73 of Training Rain
The log cabin window opened, though they couldn’t see Troy. “You just tried to kill me. I’m not really feeling the love, Dad.”
“That was an accident, son. One of my men made a mistake. Come out. Come home.”
“What, you’re going to let me live in the house? Won’t you be terrified that I’ll kill you in your sleep?”
“I’m sorry, son. I was wrong. I’m going to do better.”
Joshua spoke low into the radio. “You can’t go out there. He’s lying to you.”
Troy’s voice came back just as low. “I know he is, but it’s a chance for the rest of you to get away.”
“No. We’ll find another way.”
“Okay, tell me how and I’ll go along.”
Jess looked at the ridge and back at the house. If Breckenridge was afraid, maybe that was what they needed to play on. “Josh, let me talk to him.” Joshua handed over the radio.
“Troy, it’s Jess. How’s that wound?”
“Rain’s already healed it.” There was a touch of awe in his voice.
Jess knew just how he felt. “Can you disable one of those helicopters from that far away?”
A long pause. “Yes.”
The one word meant that this young man was capable of destroying the enemy at a significant distance. He was the ultimate weapon. Jess was really glad he was on their side and seemed to have a reasonable sense of right and wrong. He took a deep breath. “The one in the center. The one your father was in. Crumple the propeller, break the glass, but try not to hurt anyone.”
Only static came across the radio for a long moment. The sound that followed, none of them would ever forget. Steel crunched, ground and popped as the propeller of the center Apache helicopter bent and broke. It was worse than fingernails on a blackboard. Jess cringed at the noises that split the desert.
The attack force ran away from the crumbling machine. The pilot jumped down as the windshield shattered into a million pebbles of safety glass. Another blade bent in half and the tail rotor spun faster and faster before flying off and landing inches from Bradly Breckenridge.
“Jesus, that kid did that?” Blake’s eyes were wide and his mouth hung open.
Once all four propeller blades were crumpled worse than a discarded aluminum can and the soldiers on the ridge all scrambled toward the other two Apaches, the sound of grinding metal stopped and the sound of men yelling to get them out of there tumbled down from the higher ground.
Joshua stood up and walked out where he could be seen. “Senator, I suggest you and your men get in those other two choppers and get the hell out of here before your son loses his temper. Even with your superior numbers, you are outmanned here. I can disable the other two with one bolt of lightning, and kill half of you, before you can get another shot off. I’ll leave you for Troy to deal with. I’m sure you’d like a few minutes alone with the child you’ve been abusing for fifteen years. It would give you a chance to talk things through.”
Senator Bradly Breckenridge was the only man who remained exposed on the ridge. He jumped inside one of the two remaining helicopters and they took off.
As soon as they were out of range, Joshua turned to Jess. “Nice work.”
Jess only acknowledged the praise with a shrug as he headed for the cabin with Blake leaning on him for support.
Rain stitched the wound on the agent’s leg and started the healing process. Jess looked on, making sure she didn’t try to do too much. Troy’s wound was little more than a jagged red line. Rain’s doing, he assumed.
Blake and his men left as soon as their helicopter could return for them. Rain had made coffee and she cradled a cup in her hands when she came and sat down next to Jess. He wrapped one arm around her shoulder. She still smelled so good he wished he had the energy to take her upstairs and take full advantage of her body and the connection they’d formed.
She leaned her head against his chest and smiled. He knew she had heard his naughty thoughts. Healing all the minor wounds from the battle had taken its toll on Rain. She was even more exhausted than the rest of them. Troy looked about ready to drop. Jess liked the kid. He couldn’t help wishing he’d known sooner, done something sooner. Maybe he could make up for it now.
“I have an idea and if Troy is interested, I think it might be a good way for him to get some time and rest.”
Everyone watched Jess, but Troy was especially keen. A moment before he’d looked as if he would pass out and now his eyes were wide and alert.
“I know a place where you would be safe. Your father wouldn’t find you. In fact if you wanted, no one would be able to find you.” Jess sensed the excitement coming from Rain. She knew his thoughts, and he was happy to realize she liked the idea.
Joshua said, “It’s entirely up to Troy. In fact, I’m not going to ask where this place is. If he trusts you, that’s good enough for me.”
At twenty-three, Troy Breckenridge had really only seen the worst of humanity. He looked from Joshua to Jess and then at Rain. She nodded her agreement. “I thought you would want me to help you with my father.”
