The Montana Challenge

By Jane McClintock-Suffern

McKenzie ODannon is a retiring Navy Seal. She has been on many missions in Afghanistan and at sea and has suffered PSTD. She has trained Seals in martial arts and is also part of a unit that works with Belgian Malinois dogs. Her partner Kane Cullen also works with her unit and the dogs. They are about to embark on a retirement in a secret valley in northwestern Montana. Before they can leave, four of her friends and soon-to-be husbands join them on their adventure. As time goes by, they collect even more people that are interested in living off the grid. Her dad and grandfather have been living that way for many years, and they will join them. They will have many adventures, but they will survive.

By Jane McClintock-Suffern

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543410679

Jane McClintock-Suffern

Jane McClintock-Suffern lives in a rural are in Roy, Washington. The town in Roy is very small with only a Gas Station/Convenience store, 2 eateries, and a used car dealership. Needles to say we don’t have anything going on in town, but I love the country living. We have a lot of horse farms in our area and we love to watch them even though my husband and I are retired, and way past owning our own horses. We have four children who are grown and five grandchildren. I love to garden, read, write and I am developing a lot on Anderson Island, Washington where I plan to build a small get away. I have one dog and she is a gem. She goes most places with me, and I have been working with her since she was a puppy. Giley, my dog and I walk a mile every day. My book is based on Navy Seals, and my husband is retired from the Navy, so that could be where my interest came from for my book.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Beginning

McKenzie O’Dannon sat on her bunk in the barracks. She was soon to be a retired Navy SEAL and proud of it. She had gone to the top of her class as an instructor in martial arts and sniper training. She was also personally trained in K-9 handling. The dogs were one of her best-loved jobs. She had grown up on a ranch in Montana. She could ride a horse and rope anything that was moving, a skill that wasn’t needed in the navy but might be useful sometime.

She had just finished a training session of two weeks on the naval base on Whidbey Island, Washington. The training was for young Navy SEALs in martial arts and self-defense. It was a Pre-Buds training and she knew that they had learned a lot, and was glad she could teach them some needed talents.

She sighed. It was time to go back to her home base in Bremerton, Washington. It would be two weeks before she got out of the navy and she had a lot of things to settle before that happened. She had been waiting to finish the process for a year now and was anxious to get it over with.

As she expected from her prior experiences, she had three of the young recruits waiting to ask her questions outside the door. A lot of the new recruits fell head over heels in love with their instructors, or just saw a chance to score with the ones that were available, if they were that brazen.

She shouldered her duffel bag, and as she did so she was joined by her cotrainer Kane Cullen. Are you ready to go? he asked. She nodded. More than ready, she said.

I see your admirers are outside with their tongues hanging out as usual, Kane quipped. Yes, we know the drill. As they came abreast of the men Kane gave the command, Attention!

All of them formed up and saluted them in a neat straight line.

At ease, men. As you were, Kane said. It was nice to meet you all, he said, smiling as they both skirted the three and made their way toward the helicopter.

The chopper took off and she sat back in her seat. She was used to riding in choppers and she let her mind drift as the chopper rose and shuddered. Her mind drifted to the end of her navy career. Would she go back to Montana? She knew her dad Sean O’Dannon wanted her to move back there. Her wonderful dad who had taught her how to shoot, ride, and defend herself. It was a good way to grow up if you were going to be a Navy SEAL, but not so great for a young girl who had no mother to teach her how to act and dress as a lady. She had wished many times for a woman to confide in and teach her how to buy clothes or fix her hair. The men who lived on the ranch tried valiantly, but didn’t always know how to help her. She had made it through to be one of the best of the operatives in the SEALs. She was tough and capable and her dad was so proud. So were Jeff, Dan, and Slim. The ex-marines who lived on the ranch with her dad had helped raise her and taught her martial arts. This gave her the advantage at being a woman and already trained.

She was lucky that she had three women in her life that she was good friends with and they went to dinner and shopped together. They gave her advice on her clothes, hair, and makeup. And they all needed a shoulder to cry on occasionally. The last months they had bolstered her spirits and even stayed with her at times. She had suffered from PTSD. Her mother had died when she was three years old, so she really needed her friends to learn how to dress herself and use the salons around the area.

Cammie, one friend, went with them on missions with the K-9 dogs that they used to sniff out bombs, and Cammie’s job was to disarmed them. They had served three tours in Afghanistan together. Cammie had gone through boot camp with her and they were close. Haley was her fitness instructor and some days she worked them so hard that McKenzie dragged herself home and to bed after she was done with her exercise routine.

Haley was now one of her best friends as well, and they spent a lot of time together. Then lastly there was Dana. She was a pretty woman in her early fifties and she worked at the mess hall. She always made sure they ate well and went shopping with them frequently. She was like a mother to them all and they adored her. Whenever one of them got down, she was there with her cheerful smile to help lift them up.

Kane watched McKenzie and wondered what was going through her head right now. They had just been back from a mission from hell for about six months, and here she was sitting asleep like she had not a care in the world. They had been deployed on a mission to the Persian Gulf and McKenzie was the lead person for their mission. She had been ordered to leave her usual partner dog Tar behind and just lead the other SEALs in a covert mission. Kane had been with that team and knew that she was tough and would get through without Tar, but also knew that she could trust her dog completely. Unfortunately Tar wasn’t being allowed on her mission this time.

As their team was lowered into the water from their ship, she told her men to keep their dogs close and watch for signs that they were panicking. Even K-9 dogs that were well trained would panic in the ocean, especially at night where there was no way to see a destination in sight.

We need to move very quietly. And if you need to muffle your dog, do it, she explained. I know they don’t like it and may raise a fuss, but we cannot be detected.

They moved across the water undetected because of a dark cloud cover and were near the ship that they were supposed to overtake. They had a total of ten men and nine dogs. As they reached the ship she ordered three grappling hooks to be thrown to the railing to secure their ascent. The hooks plopped quietly onto the deck and her first man started his climb with his dog secure on his back. One after another they moved up the ropes. McKenzie was the last one to go up right behind Kane, who had his dog Ring on his back. They got on the deck and hid behind the rescue boats on the deck.

Five men and their dogs were dispatched to the ships navigation area, and five went the opposite way. The Al-Qaeda men onboard were taken by surprise and were being rounded up at the stern end of the deck. All nine of her men were accounted for, along with their Al-Qaeda prisoners. She had radioed her commanding officer to bring their ship alongside and to start transferring the prisoners to it.

McKenzie went with one of her men to search the ship while the others stood guard. Kane, who was second in command, stayed with their men and helped with the transfer of the prisoners. As she rounded the bow end of the ship, two arms grabbed her, and she was lifted and thrown over the rail. Her partner was also thrown over, and before they knew what was happening they were in one of the rescue boats and some men were rowing them away. She could make out a little of the Iraqi they were speaking but wasn’t an expert.

Their hands were cuffed and they were cold and wet. The men rowed for a while and they were raised up onto another ship. Rough hands hoisted them onboard, and Ralph was kicked viciously in the ribs. She was proud of him because he didn’t utter a sound, even though she could tell it had hurt like the devil.

They were forced into a holding cell and left there cold and wet. She looked over at Ralph and gave him a small smile. We are in trouble, she whispered.

He nodded. I should have had Rex with me. He watches out for me all the time. What a dumbass I am.

I am sorry I don’t have Tar, she said. The dogs would have alerted us to their approach. They must have been hiding just around the corner. I know martial arts, but I didn’t have any warning of them coming, she moaned.

Their captors brought some food for them and uncuffed them. They sat there for another two hours, when two men came and grabbed McKenzie. They herded her toward the lower deck and into a room with low lighting. They made her remove her shirt and pants and strapped her to a metal table.

A man came in and asked her questions. She would never give anything away, so he kept at her for an hour with no results. They put a burlap bag over her head, and she knew what she was in for. In her training she had gone through waterboarding, but never thought that she would be made to do it again. The SEAL training had been brutal, but this was real and she set her teeth to bear it. As the first water bag poured into her mouth and nose, she tried to block the worst of it. It still got down her throat and burned her nose. They stopped and asked her the same questions again, and again she was silent. They left her there tied down all night. She was cold and wet.

Back on the ship they had seized, Kane had started to worry when McKenzie and Ralph didn’t come back. He was second in command and sent two of his best men and dogs to find them. When the men came back after searching the whole ship, He really got worried. He had one of the men who knew how to use the surveillance cameras go down with him to see if they could pick up anything on the film. He had also called his CO and he had come onboard and joined them to watch the film.

As they watched the film, Kane said, Stop! There it is. He watched the men throw McKenzie and Ralph over the rail.

I need to talk my superiors quick, the CO said.

He went back to where they were loading their captives and the CO left for a moment. The men listened and were as worried as Kane.

We need to get them back. They will be tortured until they reveal our plans out here. Our orders are to take all of these captured men to Guantanamo Bay, but let our CO talk to headquarters.

He had gone to the radio room and came back twenty minutes later. We have the go ahead to do a rescue mission. They agreed that we don’t need any information given away for this mission. Are you men up to going in with your dogs for a rescue?

Kane turned around and looked at all of the men he was leading. They all gave him a nod and they prepared to go on a rescue mission. The ship made wider and wider search circles until they detected a large object ahead. With a little more surveillance they decided it had to be the sister ship of the one they had captured.

The men and dogs once again went into the water and climbed up the sister ship. They took down every man they encountered and shot a few as well. They radioed their ship and it pulled alongside the one they had captured. The detainees were loaded while Kane and his crew searched the ship. They finally found McKenzie strapped to the metal table, cold and miserable, and shot her captors. They got her to the infirmary and also went to rescue Ralph.

Their whole unit had been given medals for the capture of two ships, and for going beyond and above the call of duty. McKenzie had been in recovery for quite a while. Kane had a thing for her and it was bad. He thought of the nights out in the field and being close to her. He had a hard time staying away from her and keeping her at arm’s length. He wanted that woman bad and hadn’t dated anyone else since he had met her. She was gorgeous and self-sufficient at the same time and it turned him on like nothing else.

The chopper landed and she opened her eyes. Meeting Kane’s eyes, she got up, and they left the helicopter. She and Kane separated to go to their cars. McKenzie’s Jeep was parked in the holding lot across the way. As she approached it, she admired it. Her pride and joy, it was an 88 Jeep Wrangler, painted candy apple red and shining. She had spent a year replacing the engine and transmission, having the chrome redone, and painting it. Last month she had installed a new winch on the front.

She went to get in when Kane pulled up in his Chevy Tahoe. I wanted to catch you before you took off, he said. Would you like to go for a burger after we get the dogs?

Okay, she nodded. About 17:00?

Yes, that sounds good! Let’s go to Tommie’s Burger Basket.

That sounds like a plan!

She waved goodbye as he pulled away. She really had a thing for Kane and would like to do something about it now that they were getting out of the navy. She didn’t know if he might like that too, but she hoped so. They had been on missions together for two years. They worked as one unit handling their dogs and putting everything on the line together. She would see what happens next, she thought. If she lost him after getting out of the navy, she didn’t know what she would do.

She checked the inside panels on her doors. She had special ordered the secret panels and felt it was worth the money. The Glock was in one and the AK was in the other side door. The knives were still in the sheaths inside of each seat, sharp and ready for any emergency. The back still had a backpack with survival supplies, water, MREs, water filter, and matches. Her dad would really be proud. She had not forgotten her upbringing. She always had emergency supplies with her. She could still hear her father, Sean, saying, Remember, McKenzie, never be unprepared.

Her dad had been in the marines and had done similar work that she was now doing in the SEALs. He was a tough cookie and was very cautious but friendly. That was a good combination. If needed, he could take care of himself and worked hard to keep in shape. He ate well and ran about 5 miles a day, as well as chopped wood and various other activities. She just wished he would get married again. He had been alone too long. His friends from the marines also need someone in their lives. Dan had taught her to shoot, Jeff had taught her martial arts, and Slim had gotten her interested in patching everyone up when they got hurt. They deserved to have a family after raising her.

She ducked into the drugstore and bought some new perfume that she had been wanting and stashed it in her purse. She would be ready for her date tonight and hoped for a good outcome. She drove away now thinking about Kane. They were very similar in thought and action. His blond hair and blue eyes and that square jaw. He was built solid and she liked that in a man. She also loved him because he had never given up on her rescue from that ship where she had been waterboarded. He always had her back. And she would always have his. They both loved dogs as well and wanted to keep working with them when they got out. She couldn’t wait until tonight.

Now it was time to go get her dog Tar, and Kane would pick up Ring. They were Belgian Malinois K-9 dogs that had been on many missions with the two of them for a few years now. The dogs were being retired, and since she and Kane were retiring they were being allowed to keep the dogs. This was not usual with the navy. Usually a dog was kept in and remained navy property after the handler retired, so they were fortunate to be getting the dogs. They had done a ton of paperwork to get to this point over the last two years.

She pulled into the base kennel and waved to Brad through the window. He was the handler and the one that managed the kennel. He handed her Tar’s leash and she went to his kennel. He sat patiently while she snapped it on him. As she led him out, she gave him a pat. Tar was always dignified and well behaved.

Brad said, If you ever want to get rid of him let me know. I would love to have him.

She said, No way. We are too attached to each other and this boy is going to get a girlfriend and make babies.

He told her that Kane had just been in and had picked up Ring. He’s a fine dog too. The phone rang, and Brad answered it. He motioned for her to wait a moment. She stopped talking to Tar quietly. He hung up and told her that it was one of their supplier kennel owners by the name of Tom Toker. Tom was getting ready to move to Arizona and had two young female dogs that were trained and he needed to sell them. She said they would most likely be interested, and that she would discuss getting them with Kane. He wrote down the number for her to call. He continued, Jewel, the one, is out of the bloodline of Eik des Deaux Pottois Joerie, Marco V/D/Veldmolen. And Sable, the other one, is from a Carlo Van Kristalhof line.

That sounds like it might work for us, because Tar and Ring are from the Vom Starken Line. Thanks, Brad, I appreciate the tip.

When are you officially out? he asked.

Officially two weeks, but we sign our papers next week and have time to start planning our lives out of the navy. This will maybe help us get our breeding program started. I’ll talk to you later and let you know what comes of it. Kane had mentioned starting a breeding program with the dogs, and it sounded interesting but she needed to go into the idea some more before she knew if he wanted to include her in his venture. She sighed. I hope it works out, she said to Tar. I wish I knew what he was thinking, but we will see what happens.

She opened the passenger side door of the jeep and Tar jumped in. She fastened his protection harness around him and they headed home. She had a quiet duplex on a side street and parked and went inside to unpack. She gave Tar some kibble, and while he ate she went to shower and change. She hated showering. She got in and turned on the water. She shut her eyes and clenched her teeth. She had been fighting the PTSD for the last couple of months and had improved, but still had episodes. She had been worked with, her friends had stayed with her, and the doctors had suggested marijuana, which was allowed, but she had refused. She had toughed it out and wouldn’t let the waterboarding get to her. There had been a few times when she would be in a heap on the floor of the shower but that too was fading.

She felt good when she got out and put on her shorts and tank top. She would overcome this and not let the Iraqis defeat her. He hair needed brushing and she did that and put it into a ponytail. It fell to her waist and was brown with streaks of blond in it. She kept it long and it had been irritating at times but she had been putting it in a tight bun during training and missions. And she liked it long, so it was okay. A little spray of perfume on her wrists, something she had seen Dana do a couple of times, and her job was done.

Her brown eyes had the same gold in them and her Indian heritage was apparent. Her high cheekbones set off her face and gave it a slightly exotic look. That was inherited from her mom’s side. Dawn, her mother, had been Cheyenne Indian. She was a little taller than her mother had been, but she was very much like her in looks. She didn’t need much makeup, if any, and she had a rosy undertone to her skin that helped. Her dad always said looking at her brought Dawn back to him. She didn’t know if that was good or bad sometimes because he always seemed sad when he said that.

As she left the duplex with Tar she checked her mail. After two bills she found a letter from her dad. She opened it and read.

Dear McKenzie, hope you are done with your training exercise and are back at the base and reading this. I had a little accident last week. I got thrown off that three-year-old gelding we have been training and broke my ankle. That is a first for me, but then there is always a first.

It is good that Slim is still here and had medic training in my unit. At least he could set it and it is doing fine. Well, I hope you are thinking about coming home when you get out and maybe finding a nice guy and giving me some grandkids. You know how much we all would like the sound of some kids around here. I don’t mean to push, but with just Jeff, Dan, and Slim, and of course Strong Arrow, it gets pretty quiet.

Well, enough of that. We all send our love, and hope to see you soon, Dad

She sat there in thought for a few minutes and Tar nudged her. Sorry, boy, she said. I was thinking about the valley back home and wondering if that way of life will be too quiet after being in the navy.

She was sad in a way to be leaving the navy, but excited to go back and see her dad, grandfather, and the guys. It was time. She looked down at Tar and said, They will love you and you will get really spoiled. The fat old dogs on the ranch will be jealous of you and I will have to watch you so you don’t become a fat old dog.

Tar looked like he was smiling and they drove the route to the restaurant. One thing about Tar, he was very good company, and that was a plus for her.

Kane was waiting at the burger place when she pulled up. They took the dogs across the street to a vacant lot to relieve themselves and were talking when two other guys came toward them cracking jokes at Kane.

I see you are nursemaiding your dog too, buddy.

Kane turned around and waved. Hi, Carl, and you too, Will. What brings you to this lowly lot?

They both smiled and pointed to a dog between them. Challenger, of course, Carl said, patting the dog.

Carl and Will, I would like you to meet my partner in the K-9 training unit. This is McKenzie O’Dannon.

Good to meet you both. I like your dog, McKenzie said. Are you with the K-9 unit also?

No, Carl said, we just got Challenger on Kane’s recommendation. I wanted a good dog and Kane told me about the Belgians and sent me to Tom Toker. He sold me Challenger as a puppy and he has been a work in progress since.

The dogs all eyed each other warily and stuck to themselves.

Where did you meet? McKenzie asked.

We play cards every now and then with Brad and a couple of guys at the kennel.

They talked for a while and McKenzie and Kane said goodbye and they left the dogs in the cars to stand guard with a window cracked and went into the burger place. They chose a seat by the window so they could keep their eyes on the dogs. They ordered and while they waited Kane took her hand and said, I want to tell you how much you mean to me. I’ve waited a long time to tell you because we weren’t in a situation where it was right. We are now, and before we get out of the navy I want you to know that I love you and I would like it if you would marry me.

She thought for a minute and turned to him. I feel the same way and I do love you. I would love to be your wife.

I bought a ring just in case, he continued, can I put it on your finger?

Oh, yes, she said.

As he slid it on, the waitress came with their order and made a big fuss over them. You two are just so cute, congratulations, she said with a big smile.

They thanked her, and as they ate, he continued. We always get along really well, and can work together as if we have always been together. I know this will be a good marriage. He kissed her and it was the beginning of the life that she had secretly hoped for and so had he.

As they ate she told him about the kennel that was moving and the two female dogs for sale. He said, We will call in the morning and go see them. This may be the beginning of our breeding program.

Do you have a plan for where you would like to live when we get out? she asked.

He shook his head. My parents were killed when I was seven. They were up in a crop duster and they crashed. My uncle, my mother’s youngest brother, raised me, and he just died last year from pancreatic cancer. You probably remember the leave I requested last year.

Yes, she said.

He left me a life insurance policy that is big enough to get us started, and I put it away for a rainy day. He never did get married, and spent all of his life working and taking care of me. Sometimes I feel guilty that he gave up so much to raise me. We had a lot of fun hunting and fishing, and video games were his passion. When I went into the navy, he was lonely and he missed me a lot.

She said, "I was raised in Montana by my dad and grandfather and three misfit ex-marines. My mother Dawn died when I was three, she was in a car crash. She was headed into town and didn’t come back. My dad went looking and came upon the accident. She had been thrown through the windshield. In those days people didn’t wear seatbelts, and hers wasn’t fastened. He asked the Aid Unit to take her into town and came back to the ranch to get my grandfather. They buried her in our valley with approval from the county. It was devastating for them both because she was everything to them, as a daughter to my grandfather and as a wife to my dad. After that, all of the men raised me from then on.

"My father loved my mother so much. He met her when he got out of the marines and he and his three friends were in Troy looking around. My mother dropped her bag on the sidewalk and my dad picked it up. He couldn’t stop looking at her, and begged her to go to a movie. The other three guys with him left them to the movie because they could see what was happening. When they came out her dad was in town looking for her. He wasn’t happy, but they had fallen in love and he decided after a week of her running off to meet my dad that he would let them live at the ranch. Then of course, his three ex-marine buddies needed to be allowed to come also, so now they are like family.

The other guys never got married. They had been foster kids before joining the marines. I just don’t think they felt they could have a family and a relationship. She continued, Dad wants me to move back to the valley and have his grandkids. How would you feel about trying that? she asked. She mentally crossed her fingers and waited for his answer.

He thought about it for a minute and nodded. It would be a good place to raise kids and dogs. I say let’s do it!

She threw her arms around him and kissed him. You are definitely for me. I couldn’t have found a better mate.

They got the dogs out of the cars and went for a walk down by the marina. They threw a ball for them and let them run. The dogs kept getting nervous around a closed trailer parked nearby and a van. They kept standing still by them.

Kane said, We should call 911. Something is up with these vehicles.

They dialed and reported the problem. The police glided up a few minutes later, and Kane explained about the dogs and what they were trained to do and how they were acting. They radioed and got a search warrant, and opened the van and the trailer. They found bomb-making supplies and some heavy weapons. Twenty-five were found in all.

As they were calling it in, they saw two men coming their way. When the men saw them there, they turned around and tried to act like the van and car weren’t theirs. They walked away quickly. The dogs were ordered to detain and raced after the men and knocked the men down. The police went after them then. They read them their rights, but one of the two jumped up and ran toward McKenzie, who was standing to the side. She threw him over her shoulder and Kane was handed cuffs and cuffed him. They were put in the cruiser and Kane and McKenzie gave them their phone numbers in case there were other questions.

As they got into their cars she said, I haven’t done that in a while. It felt good.

Kane smiled. I know. Training is not quite the same as actually doing.

They went home and relaxed. They made love. It was so good to be able to be together like this and to hold each other. It was finally their time. They lay in bed watching TV, and the evening news came on reporting the apprehension of the men and the weapons. They reported that an undisclosed source had helped in the apprehension, and hoped to interview the person as soon as details were available.

I hope they don’t release information on us.

They won’t, Kane said as he kissed her. It will be fine.

In the morning they called Tom Toker and made arrangements to see the two female dogs. They got there and went in. Tom led them to the end two kennels where the two dogs were kept. They were beautiful and Kane agreed to pay $5,000 for both. Then Tom took them out back, where he showed them a two-kennel trailer used for transporting the dogs. He sold it to them for an extra $500. Happy with the transaction, they told Tom how much they appreciated the good deal he had given them.

He said, I know. They run around six thousand each, but I know you will take good care of them, and I want that for the girls.

They left with Tom agreeing to deliver the dogs in two weeks.

They spoke excitedly about the dogs and had high hopes for the future breeding venture. As they drove, they decided to go to the mess hall to see if any of their friends were around. They couldn’t wait to tell their friends about their engagement. They held hands and talked as they drove. As they drove up to the gate, the guard checked their base ID and their driver’s licenses as well. He told them that there was a bomb scare at the dock and to park behind the building and do not go on the dock.

As they pulled up they saw Haley standing at the back corner of the building. She looked anxious and they went over to her.

What’s happening? Kane asked.

Jase was working out, waiting for me in the gym when they called him to come and help. He had to suit up and leave. There he is with the guys and three K-9 dogs on the dock.

As they watched, a diver came out of the water and handed a black box up to them. They carried it over to a person dressed in a flak jacket, boots, and helmet.

It’s Cammie! McKenzie said.

Cammie knelt down and started cutting wires on the bomb. After a few minutes she nodded and stepped back. As she walked away a huge explosion tore through the bow of the destroyer docked at the pier. Cammie was flung through the air and hit the storage shed at the end. Her helmet cracked on the shed wall and her knee was twisted in a very odd-looking angle. She looked like a rag doll with all the stuffing removed. The blast had knocked her out. It was hard to stand there and obey orders when their friend was hurt. They could tell that she had blacked out.

Kane tried to go to her, but was told to go back to the group. He was restless not being able to help, and McKenzie put her had on his arm. I know it is hard on you to wait for help, and we all feel the same way. Just hold on and they will get it sorted out.

As they waited a medic unit arrived and carefully moved her to a stretcher. They gently moved her knee and straightened it out. She awoke with a groan and her eyes flew open. One of the medics said softly, It’s okay, hang in there. We will get some painkillers in you in just a minute. He was hooking up an IV as fast as he could.

The guys standing on the dock had been thrown into the water, as were the three dogs. Three divers were blown out from under the stern end of the boat and tangled with the guys in the water. When they got sorted out and climbed out of the water a guy whispered to John Rand, who was Cammie’s boyfriend. He looked over, and seeing Cammie being lifted on the stretcher, paled. He started toward the medics, but Jase put a hand on his arm to slow him down. They walked together to the medics. They were held back and told that she was going to the hospital and that she was breathing and sedated. They could follow, and then she would probably be stable. John turned and walked away. He felt as if his whole world had collapsed in the last few minutes.

He and Jase went back to secure the scene, and finally walked toward the group waiting for word behind the building.

Haley threw her arms around Jase and whispered, I was so worried. When you went in the water I didn’t know what would happen.

I’m okay, and John is okay, Jase said. Cammie is hurt and we need to go to the hospital.

Kane said, Let’s go in and get you guys something to eat and then go.

Dana Nolan met them at the door and ushered them in and quickly fed them. She told them she had been upstairs watching and was worried about Cammie also. After they had eaten they left and Dana went along. She told the staff to clean and lock up. She had actually been going off her shift when the accident happened, so she was good.

As they left the mess hall, McKenzie and Kane dropped off Tar and Ring at the kennel with Brad. They had called ahead to let him know what had happened.

They all met at the hospital. There were several women in the emergency waiting room who were anxious to hear news of their husbands injured in the bomb blast. Doctors came and went, taking each person waiting into conference. They all waited anxiously. John paced back and forth, wearing a rut in the floor. Finally, John got up to inquire about Cammie. The nurse said that she was still in x-ray and they would be informed soon. The doctor attending Cammie came out and let them know that so far she had a concussion and would need some knee repair. He said that they had her stable and sedated and he had called an orthopedic surgeon to come in to look at her knee, but he couldn’t get in until the next morning. He suggested they go on home tonight. She would have to get past her shock stage and have her vital signs normal before they could operate. That would take them most of the night.

They decided to go to Denny’s to have coffee and make a plan. John got his cell phone out and spoke with a friend of his who was out of town and had a large six-bedroom house that they could rent for a month down on the beach. He called and spoke with his friend Phil and the man agreed to rent the house to them. They had spoken about it a couple of days ago, but John didn’t think he would need it, now he did. They would need to have it cleaned before leaving but he knew that John was a good guy and would take care of the place. They could pick up the key at Sandstone Real Estate on Cedar Street. He would contact them in the morning and arrange it for them. John thanked him and hung up.

If everyone is in agreement, we can all move into the house on the beach tomorrow, he said. I have a friend who owns it, but he is out of town for the next month. I want lots of room for Cammie to recover and we all have given notice on our various places. If all of you would like to stay in the house I am fine with it.

They all agreed since John and Cammie would need their help. They decided to go home and get some rest. They would meet again in the morning for breakfast and start their move.

Chapter 2

Moving

Cammie Barnett was half awake and in pain. She remembered defusing the bomb and helping to place it in the evidence box. After that her mind was fuzzy. It was no wonder after all the painkillers they had given her. She did remember John being there and how upset he had been. The pain medicine had kicked in and she didn’t have any idea what had happened after that. She also wondered how the men working around her had fared. She was worried about them and hoped they were okay. Some of them didn’t look so good. One had a bad facial laceration and another’s arm was a bloody stump.

A doctor knocked on her door and came in. He checked her chart and introduced himself. I’m Dr. Rayburn, he said in introduction. I am the orthopedic surgeon assigned to your case. Your vital signs are doing better. How is your head feeling today?

A little better, just a little sore, she replied. I was lucky to be wearing a helmet; otherwise, my head would be mush.

He nodded. Very lucky. The doctor explained that he needed to do a knee replacement surgery and would like to do the surgery today. Let’s say we will start in two hours so you can get on the road to recovery.

She nodded. That would be best if that is my only option.

He said, Yes. The knee is so damaged that we will need to rebuild it.

Doctor, how long will I need to rehab before I can walk again?

One month with a physical therapist and about two more months at home with help. It is painful and takes a long time for recovery. It all depends on your determination to get back to as normal as you can.

Let’s get this done then, she said. She wasn’t looking forward to the long rehab time because she was very active and was moving all the time. This should be interesting, she thought as she lay back in the bed.

As Doc Rayburn left to get things ready, he thought that they would give her a medical discharge from the navy. She would also get a 100 percent disability. She was a fighter and he told himself that he would make sure that her knee was functioning the best he could make it.

Her CO was waiting at the nurses’ station and asked to discuss her treatment with him. How is she, Doc? he asked.

She is going to get a full artificial knee as soon as I can pull my surgical team in to get started. They had several operating rooms going most of last night and are just now starting to get back in.

Will she be able to stay in the navy?

No, she will need a medical discharge and a disability designation. My guess is 100 percent.

The CO nodded. That’s about what I thought. She was my best and some insurgent turds screwed us over good. We got complacent and didn’t guard our areas like we should have. Not only that, but one of the other guys lost his arm and another lost his right eye. It was a traumatic event of mega proportions.

When she woke up again it was a half hour later. John was sitting by the bed. She looked up at him and asked, How are you doing?

I’m fine, he said, just a little unnerved by your accident. I knew the job you had been doing for the last five years was diffusing bombs, but I never worried overmuch. Now I never want you out of my sight again.

She sighed. It’s who I am and what I do.

John looked at her and said, "We need to start