The Protector

By T. Greer

The Protector is a deceptively simple tale of JD Williams and the summer he turns fourteen. It is a roller-coaster ride of action, suspense, emotion, love, and family values that will make you cheer, cry, hold your breath, and feel the chill of death's icy fingers. Each page will pull you in. You will feel as if you are right there in the middle of every heart-stopping turn. JD's story will come to life right before your very eyes. You won't be able to put it down. It is set in present-day rural Colorado on a ten-thousand-acre cattle ranch that has been in the family for four generations. Filled with history, change, beauty, and love of family along with the love of the land, it could not be more perfect for the summer at hand. *** It is a summer of firsts for JD. His first kiss. His first time as a real ranch hand. His first time competing against his own father in a rodeo, and it will be the first time JD will face death square in the face-as a bloodthirsty enemy returns to exact his revenge on the men who work this land. JD is growing up fast. Nevertheless, will it be fast enough to face this enemy and protect those he loves most? JD's close family ties will help shape the young man he is to become, but they also elicit many mixed emotions. With the help of Red Eagle, a Native American and close family friend, JD learns how important nature is and that nature speaks to us in many ways if we just look and listen. However, the relationship between father and son is the most troubling and the most touching. JD's father has no idea how high on a pedestal his son has placed him. John is a loving father but also a proud man, and he is not quite ready for his son to grow up. He is having a real problem with the lack of father-and-son time that he is accustomed. To top it all off, now his son is preparing to compete against him. Yet in the back of his mind, he knows the day will come when his son will replace him, just as he had replaced his father.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640284791

Book preview

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The

Protector

T. D. Greer

ISBN 978-1-64028-478-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64028-479-1 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 by T. D. Greer

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Chapter 1

School Is Out, and Summer Is Finally Here!

JD William sat perched on the edge of his seat in his homeroom class. His eyes were fixed upon the clock that hung on the wall behind the teacher’s desk. The seconds slowly ticked by counting down the final minutes of the school year. It was as if this day would never get here, but finally it was seconds away.

JD clutched the strap of his backpack as he readied himself for the bell—8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and the bell blasted. JD was out of his seat and headed for the door like a runner out the blocks.

JD made his way along the hallway waving at friends and yelling, See you next year! Have a great summer! and all other normal summer break cheers as he hurried along. JD was fourteen, or he would be in a couple months, but that couple of months really didn’t count. He was an average lanky fourteen-year-old boy with growing pains along with girl problems, or should I say not knowing how to figure out girls that was the problem. He was about average height for his age, but he was more muscular than most boys his age, but that was from all the hard work on the ranch. JD was proud of his rough hands and muscular build; he had worked hard for both. JD’s hair was light brown and curly; his eyes were hazel; but when he was happy, they were more green than anything. But when that Indian and Irish temper got stirred up, those soft loving eyes could turn cold and dark as a winter sky. But for the most part, he always seemed happy. JD loved to make people laugh, and he had a heart as big as the whole outdoors.

However, today, he was finished with school, and he was on his way to the hayfields, where his dad, John, and Jess, John’s best friend, were getting ready to start bailing hay. He couldn’t be happier or more excited.

JD’s first job as a ranch hand was going to be driving the tractor raking hay. This will be the first year he would be trusted to drive a tractor on his own, and he was ready to prove he was up to the test. JD hurried along the hallway, finally making it to the big double door that led outside. He was almost free, then he stopped dead in his tracks.

There she was. Elizabeth Conner, or Lizzie as she was known by everyone. JD eyed her up and down for a moment; she was a slim-built girl, and her long blond hair was done up in a braid that hung out the back of the ball cap she was wearing and halfway down her back. She wore a red checkered shirt tucked into her straight leg Levi’s. Around her waist was strapped a belt that had her name engraved on the back. She had on her boots; she always wore her boots. JD couldn’t remember ever seeing her go anywhere without having them on, but that fit her perfectly. She wasn’t like most girls; she wasn’t afraid of work, and she wasn’t so prissy to worry about breaking a nail. JD knew from experience she was a scrapper. More than once they had wrestled, and she was a handful, even for JD.

She was the best friend JD had. JD and Lizzie had been best friends since before they could remember. JD’s mom, Sarah, and Lizzie’s mom, Meg, were best friends and had been since kindergarten. JD and Lizzie had known each other all their lives, you might say.

But lately, something was definitely wrong. Every time JD saw her, his stomach would start knotting up, and his heart began to race, his palms started sweating, and he stumbled all over his words when they talked.

He just couldn’t seem to get it together and figure out what was going on. It was just weird.

She even smelled different lately, JD thought, and he was starting to notice she might be more than his best friend, she was a girl. That had JD scared to death, and of all days, why did she have to be right in front of the doors. There was no way around her.

Oh well, JD thought, I’m busy and don’t have time to chat. I’ll just walk right by. I’ll tell her I’ll talk to her later. Yep, that’s what I’ll do, JD told himself.

JD pushed through the doors and started toward where his mom would be waiting for him, and it happened. Lizzie turned slowly as if she knew he was there and faced him. A smile brightened her face, and JD could feel his resolve melt away.

Hi, JD, Lizzie said in a slow drawl as she stepped in front of him blocking his path.

JD’s insides went limp. Hi, Lizzie, JD said, stuttering just a bit. Why couldn’t he even form a simple sentence as hi when she was around without feeling like he was choking, JD thought helplessly.

You headed to the hayfields? she asked.

Yep, Dad is waiting for me, so I better get going. But Lizzie just placed a hand on his chest right over his heart. JD felt like a bolt of lightning had shot through him, and his heart jumped into his throat.

Wait a minute, she protested. I’m going to be driving a tractor this year too, she said, not wanting to be outdone.

Great, JD struggled to say, you’ll like it, I know I do, so I’ll talk to you later, okay? JD sidestepped and tried to go around Lizzie, but she just countered the move and blocked him again.

There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you, she said.

What is it? JD asked impatiently. I really need to get going.

Would you like to go to the movie with me this weekend? Lizzie asked. There it was. JD could feel the wave of panic wash over him bowling him over. What was he going to say? The two of them had went to the movies together before, but this was definitely different. What should he do?

Well? Lizzie asked, looking JD dead in the eye. Would you like to go to the movie this weekend?

Ah, ah, well … I. Then he looked deep into those green eyes, and all hope of escape was gone. Sure, I’d like that, JD stammered. Lizzie beamed in triumph.

Great, I’ll meet you outside the cinema, say, Saturday night, about a quarter till seven. Then without another word, she turned and walked away. JD just stood there watching her walk away with a blank look on his face. What had he just done? Then with a little smile, he thought about it. Wow, he was going on his first ever official date. Then he smiled to himself again and started toward the truck.

Sarah watched as JD made his way across to the truck. She had had a perfect view of the whole thing and smiled as she thought back and remembered seeing that same blank look on JD’s dad’s face several times down through the years, and then she chuckled. Oh, my poor boy. He’s going to be just like his dad. JD was the only child she and John had. They had had a miscarriage before JD, and Sarah had had a lot of problems with her pregnancy with JD. She had to have her appendix removed five weeks in, and the doctor told them she would most likely lose the baby. She and John were practically crushed. Nevertheless, after many sleepless nights and hours of prayer, JD was born right on time and healthy as could be. Sarah always called JD her miracle baby. Sarah smiled when JD pulled open the door and jumped into the truck.

Sarah was dressed in her Levi’s and pale-yellow shirt. She was a very attractive woman; she had shoulder-length blond hair, and as JD’s dad would say, she had the whole package. John also said she was stubborn as a mule and, when she got mad, could kick like one too. Sarah had no problem keeping things in order around the ranch, and that went for JD and his dad too. The fact that she was a country girl didn’t show when she decided to get dressed up. She was glamorous as any movie star, but in the same aspect, she looked just as good in her jeans and boots, and she was right at home in her old truck.

Well, looks like Lizzie has her sights set on my boy, Sarah said.

Oh, Mom, it’s not like that, we’re just friends.

Yeah, right, maybe you are, but there is more than that on her mind, I should know, your dad and I were best friends, remember? And look what happened to him. He didn’t have a chance. Sarah smiled.

JD shoved his hands over his ears. Too much info, Mom. I don’t need to hear this.

Sarah laughed. Just saying, you better keep an eye on that one—oh, but I could see you were.

Mom! JD barked, his face turning red as he stared at the floorboard not wanting to make eye contact.

Well, aren’t you two going to the movie this weekend? Sarah asked.

JD shot up staring at his mom. How do you do that? he said. How do you know things like that without being told?

Sarah laughed again. Well, first, I’m a mother, and mothers know everything. And I was talking to Meg this morning, and she filled me in on what Lizzie was planning.

JD groaned, putting his hands over his face. Does everyone know then?

I haven’t told anyone, so you’re safe for a while, besides, what’s the big deal? You and Lizzie have been to the movies together before, she’s your best friend, isn’t that what you just told me?

JD moaned. I don’t know, but it’s different. Trust me, it’s different.

Sarah handed JD a paperbag. I almost forgot, knew you’d be hungry, so I made you a burger, maybe that will hold you to supper, I’ll be back around five, and we can have a picnic.

Thanks, Mom, a picnic sounds like fun. Mom—JD smiled—don’t tell Dad and Jess about me and Lizzie, it would be endless.

Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, she said as she ruffled his hair.

Thanks, Mom, JD said as they pulled into the field where John and Jess were working on the bailer. JD shoved the last of the burger into his mouth as he jumped out of the truck.

John and Jess were filling the twine spools on the bailer as JD walked up.

What do you need me to do first? JD asked.

Well, John said as he turned to look at JD, you need to take the grease gun and grease your hay rake. I think that’s all it likes being ready to go.

No problem. JD grinned as he turned and went to work.

Hey, JD, do you want your camera? Sarah called. I brought it along in case you wanted it.

Sure, Mom, I can put it on the tractor so if I see anything, I can get it on film, thanks for thinking about it. JD took the camera, hung it on the tractor, and got to work greasing the rake.

Sarah put an arm around John’s shoulders. You watch out for our boy, she said as she gave John a kiss on the cheek.

Jess groaned. Uuhh. Sarah turned back to John and grabbed his face in her hands and planted a long hot kiss on his lips then pulled away, turning to Jess with a smile.

Get a room, you two, Jess said, we’re trying to work here. He chuckled.

Sarah gave Jess an evil smile. You’re just jealous, aren’t you? as she walked away. I’ll be back around five with supper, try to be careful.

John looked back over his shoulder and watched as Sarah walked away. I love it when she comes out on the job, but I sure like to watch her go too. John smiled.

Jess shook his head. I think I’m going to be sick, he said as he started making a gagging sound.

John punched Jess in the shoulder. You might have someone too if you weren’t such a jerk.

Jess put his hands on his hips. That hurts my feelings.

John just laughed. Truth hurts, bud, now get back to work, we don’t have all day.

Jess just shook his head and laughed. John and Jess had been friends since Jess’s family had moved to town and he started junior high. They became good friends right away, and after Jess’s father died two years after they moved to town, they became inseparable. John talked his father into putting Jess to work on the ranch to help his family make ends meet, and he never left.

The two were more like brothers than friends, and that had never changed. Which made it a lot easier to give Jess a hard time about his love life, or lack of was more like it.

JD greased each fitting on the rake, making sure not to miss any, then he cleaned off the extra grease and put the gun back into the truck. I think I’m ready, JD said as he walked back to the bailer.

Well, what are you waiting for? I can’t bail anything till you get it ranked. John grinned.

A wide smile crossed JD’s face as he turned and ran to the tractor, making one jump and landing in the seat. Driving a tractor wasn’t a new thing for JD; he had been on tractors since he was four, riding on his dad’s lap holding the wheel, but he was eight before his legs were long enough to reach the clutch and brake, if he stood up. Since that time, he had helped hook up equipment on the tractors and move hay around for the horses, but this year was different. His dad wasn’t riding along with him. He was going solo, and that meant something. He was growing up, and his dad realized it, even if JD’s mom didn’t.

The tractor rumbled to life as JD pressed the starter. The tractor was an old Ford 4000. The paint was a faded red and gray; its pedals were worn smooth from years of use, and the steering wheel and gearshift were slick as glass from wear, but it ran like a new one. JD was as proud as if it were a new one as he drove into the field and engaged the power takeoff and the rake began to spin. JD had made one full round around the field when John fired up the 4020 John Deere. It was a big tractor, JD thought as he watched John line up on the first windrow with the big green and yellow beast. You had better not slow down now, John yelled as JD passed by. JD gave his dad a big grin and pushed the throttle up just a little more. John smiled and shook his head. Doesn’t seem possible for him to be so big, time sure does fly, he thought.

Jess pulled the other truck into the field behind John; it was a beat-up old one-ton Dodge that John had put a flatbed on just for doing the heavy work with around the ranch.

They drove it all over the ranch, through the woods, across the creeks, up the mountains—wherever they needed to go, it would get them there.

John loved the old truck; he said it was tougher than nails. Today it had a thirty-foot gooseneck trailer hooked to it for hauling hay. Jess parked the truck then walked over to the case skid steer loader and climbed in and fired it up. This skid steer was probably the most versatile piece of machinery they had. It had attachments for digging postholes, forks for picking up hay, backhoe unit, a brush hog, a dozer blade, and a big bucket with teeth for digging. It was one tool for every job, and JD was looking forward to learning how to operate it. As John’s bailer dropped the first roll of hay, Jess was there to pick it up with the skid steer and load it onto the trailer. JD watched as the process continued; everything was working just like clockwork. They made quite a team, he thought, proud to be part of.

Chapter 2

The Work Goes On

Sarah made it back to the house just as the UPS man was turning into the drive.

Hey, Sarah, the man greeted as he climbed down from his truck, how’s it going?

Pretty good, I guess, Sarah answered. Guys started haying today.

I don’t miss those days, he said as he handed Sarah the package. Christmas shopping already? he asked.

No, I ordered JD a new coat, he is going on his first cattle drive this fall, and it gets pretty cold up there.

I bet he is pumped, the man added.

Don’t you know it, Sarah said.

See you next time, the man said as he turned toward his truck. Tell John hi.

I will, Sarah replied, thanks. Sarah put the box on the table as she went through the kitchen to answer the phone that had started ringing the minute she walked through the door.

Hi, Sarah, came the voice from the other end of the line.

Hi, Meg, Sarah answered.

Well, how did JD act after Lizzie asked him out on a real date? Meg asked.

Sarah laughed. I think he was in shock. I had a ringside seat. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss that for the world. He looked just like his dad when I asked him if he was ever going to kiss me the first time. It was priceless. They both laughed.

Guys get started bailing? Meg asked.

Just getting ready to start when I was leaving, hope everything goes good.

Yeah, guess we’ll start tomorrow. Lizzie is going to be helping this year, Meg said. She’s really excited.

I bet, Sarah added. Well, I better get busy, I told the guys I’d be back around five with supper. I’ll talk to you when I get back.

Okay, talk to you later, Meg answered and hung up the phone.

Sarah looked at a picture of JD that was hanging in the hallway, the one of JD just starting to walk. Doesn’t seem possible for him to be big enough to drive a tractor, let alone be going on his first date, Sarah thought. Then she looked at the picture of her dad standing at attention dressed in his army dress blues. You would have loved JD, Dad. Sarah’s dad had been killed in the line of duty when she was six; it had devastated her mom and left a little girl hurt and confused. Where had the time gone? Then she turned and walked into the laundry room, pushing back the tears that started to well up in her eyes.

The sun was hot as JD motored across the open field windrowing the hay as he went. This was great, he thought as he bumped along. It was like a new adventure; he was crossing unknown territory, not knowing what kind of danger lay ahead. It made him think what it must have been like when his great-granddad had come to this part of the country.