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Once they dropped their bags in the suite upstairs, they settled into the great room while they waited for the pizza they had ordered, and Hudson told them more about Valhalla Ranch. Situated in Western Colorado, the twenty-five-thousand deeded acreage already had several buildings. It had been a mixture of working ranch and corporate retreat. After a series of wildfires had ravished the landscape and a worldwide pandemic had closed down travel and group retreats, the owner had defaulted on several mortgage payments, and instead of facing foreclosure, he decided to sell. Phantom being discharged from the SEALs because of his injuries and the unbelievable inheritance his grandfather had left behind for him in a trust made buying the place a no-brainer.
“This here is the main house. It has five bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms. I’m living here while my house is being renovated. It makes a great guest house when visitors come or when brothers are scouting out their home sites. I thought about renting it out on one of those Air B&B things, but it went against everything I want for Valhalla. Instead, it’s been renovated, so each room has its own attached bathroom and will be wherewe have our couples stay during the wounded warrior marriage retreats. You two have one of the two biggest bedrooms to yourselves. Actually, it’s just the three of us here in this house since we aren’t anywhere near being ready to start yet, and there aren’t any retreats scheduled.”
“It’s a beautiful place,” Frankie said, and Shane could tell she meant it.
Modern but with a western charm, the main house had gleaming wood beams, shiny hardwood floors, and tall ceilings. The brown leather furniture with cream throw pillows and large blanket ladder laden with throw blankets against the wall added warmth to the room.
“I thought there were other people who lived on the ranch?” Frankie asked.
“Yes, there are. When I got the idea for Valhalla, a couple of former SEALs came to mind right away, men I knew who, like me, could use a fresh start. Mitch, Rider, and Jay were the first three I reached out to, and all said yes. They took residence in the three employee homes that were already built and spread out on the property. Their houses are currently being built. Together, we have formed an HOA of sorts, a list of rights and responsibilities. Everyone who lives on Valhalla will start in one of those three homes and spend the first few months on a probationary period before the rest of the members vote on their membership. Each one understands living here has certain requirements. Anyway, the details aren’t as important as the fact everyone here will be safe and sane. Jay’s house is just about ready to move into, and in a week or two, Mitch’s will be as well.”
“You said you have guards out?”
“Yeah, we take turns patrolling. You remember seeing the large building we passed driving up?”
“Yeah?”
“That’s the lodge. Once we’re up and running, it will house the single wounded warriors for the retreats. It was built in the late 1800s as a barn and later transformed into a lodge for corporate retreats. It has eight bedrooms with private baths, a custom bar, a commercial kitchen where our chef will cook during retreats, a large dining area, and a massive great room with two large fireplaces, perfect for group breakout sessions. With a wraparound deck, exercise room, and large hot tub, it was an easy choice. I have contractors coming in to make it handicap accessible, and we’re adding on a bit. Right now, it’s where single buddies are staying between getting out and deciding what’s next or between contract gigs. They pay a small amount to stay to keeps the lights on. That’s where the rest of the team is staying. We have extra security right now.”
“Team?”
“Yeah. The team O’Brien asked me to get together?”
“I do not know what you are talking about.” Frankie turned and stared at him accusatorially. “That’s not unusual, though.”
The ringing of the doorbell had Shane jumping to his feet. Grabbing his phone, Hudson swiped the screen.
“Pizza, brother. Just the pizza.”
Frankie
Valhalla was breathtaking. Frankie had never traveled far from home. California, Oregon, and Washington were as far as her experience had taken her. Colorado was unlike any of those places. The mountains were so perfect, they looked like something out of a painting. She was used to a solitary peak from Mt. Rainier, not a giant range that went on for what seemed like forever.
The main house was more like a magnificent lodge. The huge fireplace in the center was framed by large windows, which opened up to sweeping views of the mountains. The space was large enough that even at full capacity, there would be room for everyone in it, but the atmosphere was cozy and intimate. She felt at home for the first time in two days.
Her husband—the term still rang awkward in her head—returned with three large pizza boxes, and then Phantom came in with another three.
“There’s only three of us eating, right?” Frankie asked, perplexed.
“Mitch, Rider, and Jay are headed over. I just called them,” Shane said.
“Really?” Hadn’t they just talked about this? She rose from the couch and walked to the long wooden table to the side of the room.
“I called them because I wanted you to be part of the planning. I thought you would like to be included, but I can call them back and tell them not to come…” Shane said.
“No! Don’t,” she said, feeling chastised.
“I was planning on telling you about everything. I wasn’t leaving you out. Phantom just beat me to it.”
Setting the pizza down on the table, Phantom threw his hands up, “Sorry!” He smiled sheepishly. “Didn’t know she didn’t know.”
“There’s a lotshedoesn’t know,” Frankie responded.
“Behave yourself.” The warning came with a growl. “I’m trying.”
“There better be pepperoni in one of those boxes.” A large, boisterous man entered the room.
“Only if you grab a stack of paper plates from the kitchen,” Phantom said.
