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Bennett released her to step in himself. He escorted her to a seat like she was a princess or something, and only then did he sit in his own seat.
As soon as his hands weren’t touching her and his huge, warm frame wasn’t surrounding her, Rose felt irritated with herself for letting down her guard far too easily. She didn’t know this man. She wasn’t a man hater but after three very narrow escapes from being violated, every time with a large, well-built man coming onto her and trying to force himself on her, she was not about to just trust some guy because he had a great smile, twinkling blue eyes, and his touch felt unique and comforting to her.
She focused on the view. They flew over busy roads, stores, and businesses. They quickly left the commercial sector behind. Stretching out beyond the road below them was lush green foliage inland as far as she could see. On the opposite side of the highway, hotels and resorts lined the green space closer to the sandy beach. The ocean beyond was beautiful and blue.
Her own beloved mountains were thick with pine, quaking aspen, and poplar trees, but they weren’t lush green, seemingly impenetrable except where man had chopped down the growth, and filled it with palm trees, ferns, flowering trees and bushes, and many plants she’d never learned the names of.
Her jaw dropped as they soared over massive resort after massive resort—sprawling and fancy-looking buildings stretched out from the central building. Swimming pools gleamed in the bright sun, manicured grass and gardens complimented the pool areas, and the sandy beach was pristine and beautiful. It was a different world than she’d ever seen and the view from the helicopter was outstanding.
The flight was relatively short. Maybe thirty minutes later they approached a sprawling resort nestled in thick trees. This resort looked raw, unfinished, deserted. Pools were empty ofwater, the cement of the pools and sidewalks cracking, the beach was seaweed and rock strewn, no obvious human landscaping had taken place and the natural plant life had crept in and was overrunning the area. Large villas, and thatched buildings she’d assume were open air restaurants, were spread throughout the trees, connected by sidewalks. A lot of the thatch was damaged or missing and vines crept up the walls of each building.
The swooped down on top of the main building. It had to be seven stories tall and wider than any structure she’d ever seen in her life, the university’s football stadium and the new thirty-thousand square foot University Center included. She’d toured that building when she’d gone back for the Homecoming football game last fall.
Who built this kind of sprawling complex, and then let it go to seed? People in her area took care of what they had. It was too expensive to build new and the winter weather was so harsh a person would die if they didn’t have shelter. It would be impossible to afford the propane bill for living structures, or keep the barn from freezing, if a lazy homeowner or rancher let a crack form in the wall or a hole spread on a roof.
The helicopter landed and Mercedes held up a hand. They all waited. As soon as the rotors stopped rotating, the cameraman opened the door, jumped down, and grabbed his camera. He stepped back a few feet, pressed some buttons and then nodded.
Mercedes and Shawn exited first. Bennett hopped down then wrapped his hands around her waist before she could protest or jump down herself. He lifted her down, and with that huge grin she hadn’t seen leave his good-looking face, he deposited her on her feet. His hands lingered on her waist and his frame blocked out the tropical sun. For a moment she was safe, protected, and didn’t have a concern in the world.
“Thank you.” Rose at least remembered her manners.
“Anything you need, ma’am,” he said softly, his blue eyes capturing hers as he nodded like any good cowboy would.
Bennett released her waist but turned so they were standing close together, their arms brushing.
Rose needed some distance, some space to think and breathe. She stepped deliberately to the side, giving herself a reprieve from his massive and overwhelming presence.
He looked down at her and his blue eyes appeared … wounded at the second time she’d distanced herself from him this afternoon. He quickly covered any concern with a smile and turned to face Mercedes.
Rose didn’t like the thought of injuring him, but she wondered if she’d imagined the wounded look now and the vulnerability she’d glimpsed in him when they first met. No way did this tough, huge man know how it felt to be terrified and in someone else’s power.
All she knew was she couldn’t let down her guard and let him think she was scared or in his power this week. She fingered her pepper spray, thought through the best self defense tactics with a much larger and stronger opponent, and prayed hard for heavenly protection.
She prayed the angels above had some time on their hands. She was going to need extra help this week. If only she knew if the help was to conquer Mercedes’ challenges or to keep her safe from the hulking mammoth and accomplished military weapon standing by her side. Major Bennett Mason.
To most other women in the world she was certain he’d be appealing. She’d fight any attraction she felt for him, especially in the vulnerable circumstances she was placing herself in.Please help, she begged heaven above.
She was here for a fabulous cause, her ranch that helped so many in need. Hopefully that would ensure protection for her as well. Yet she knew … she’d heard too many stories fromthe people on her ranch and had her own to add to the mix. Sometimes people got hurt and not even heaven above protected them. They were healed and lifted by their Savior. She knew that was true as well.
She swallowed and selfishly prayed that wouldn’t be her story.
Chapter Two
Major Bennett Mason had conflicting emotions about the beautiful brunette who’d just edged away from him. She was a gorgeous cowgirl with her big brown eyes framed with dark lashes, smooth tanned skin that showed she spent a lot of time outdoors, strong frame that just shouted hours spent in the saddle and working hard, and long dark hair. He could imagine her wearing a sparkly button down shirt, Wranglers, teal-colored boots, a white hat, and tearing it up on the rodeo circuit.
Instantly he’d believed they had a connection with ranching and when their gazes had first met he’d sensed a pain in her that made him want to protect and strengthen her. He feared he’d let down his walls for just a moment and she’d seen how broken he was inside.
He smiled bigger than ever. His defense mechanism that had protected him his entire life. Everybody was intimidated or impressed with his size and strength. He’d learned young to smile and keep on smiling. It usually disarmed people and belayed their fears about his size.
His smile also protected him emotionally. Nobody dove too deep into your damaged psyche when you could smile as convincingly as he could. Even the Army therapists had been fooled and hadn’t given him an honorable discharge when they should have. He’d retired a year and a half after he’d escaped from months of capture and deprivation, but it had been on his terms. With his fiancée, Haley, married to someone else, hehadn’t wanted to go home. When his dad had died, he’d known he had no choice.
“We’re here!” Mercedes exclaimed happily. “The location of episode two of A Chance for Charity. My team has dubbed this week, The Great Escape.” Her smile grew. “And this failed resort is the perfect setting. I purchased it three months ago and my people have been very busy converting this hundred thousand square foot main building into a challenge unlike anything reality television has seen before. Mazes, pitfalls, ice, heat, vicious animals, who knows what they’ve schemed up, but you beautiful people will have to conquer it all until you escape the main entrance and win the million dollars for Safe Haven Ranch.”
“Hooah,” Bennett barked out. “Rangers lead the way.”
Mercedes grinned and even Shawn smiled. Bennett glanced at Rose.
“I’ll let you lead,” she said, maybe a glint in her dark eyes. “You’ll fall into pits and wrestle lions to help me win?”
