Warriors for Wildlife is a serial novel, with a new episode published each week. Start from the beginning with the prologue and contents, or jump right into Episode One. If you are enjoying this project, I encourage you to purchase the prequel War on Wildlife trilogy!
Episode Seven - Self-Defense Lessons
Michelle was the first to awaken in the morning, followed by Caleb who poured himself a cup of coffee and joined her in the warm sunshine on the deck. “You’re up early,” he commented.
“Yeah, I couldn’t sleep.”
“That’s not surprising. Maybe we should get you set up with some counseling.”
“No, that’s not it. I was just lying there, wondering when they will be back.”
Angie and Jessica soon joined them, and Angie asked, “How are you this morning sweetie.”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“No I suppose not. That was quite an ordeal.”
Caleb joined in, “She’s worried they will be back.”
After a long pause, Caleb eventually added, “John says we might have to get rid of them all.”
Angie replied, “I suppose first we should wait and see what the police are going to do.”
“We know they aren’t going to do anything,” replied Caleb.
“I know, but we should still wait. It would be too obvious if all of a sudden their whole gang starts disappearing.”
“I suppose you are right. In the meantime just stay vigilant. Keep the doors and windows locked and I’ll put a motion sensor out in the driveway to activate an alarm. Watch the parking lots when you are shopping around town. In fact, we should probably get all of you armed and trained. Michelle, could you take them up to the Firing Squad and get Angie and Jessie each a 9mm? I’ll call Bob and tell him to put it on my account.”
Michelle asked Caleb, “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, there’s an animal abuse trial wrapping up out in Wyoming. I want to be there to get pictures so I can report on the outcome.”
“But I want to go with you!”
“I know," Angie replied, "but I need you to get the girls up to speed on self-defense as soon as possible. I don’t think it will be long before they start sniffing around again. They aren’t going to just give up. They are going to want revenge. After that you can start working with me again.”
“Okay, but you know you can call me if you need me.”
“I know.”
Michelle turned to Angie and said, “Well what do you think, are you and Jessie down for a little road trip to Littleton today?”
“I’m down,” replied Angie. “How about you Jessie?”
“I’m good to go!”
“When are you heading out Caleb?”
“I just need to throw together a camera and a duffel bag, and I’m on my way.”
“Okay, let’s get dressed Jessie.”
“What are we supposed to wear?
Michelle replied, “Just jeans and a shirt. There’s no such thing as a a gun shop fashion faux pas.”
By the time the women were dressed, Caleb was already packed and making a final check of his list.
As Angie and Jessie walked back into the living room, Caleb exclaimed, “Okay, I’m off, be back in a couple days.
Michelle felt a knot in the pit of her stomach as she watched Caleb drive off. “It will only be a couple days, she thought to herself.” But the empty feeling persisted, just the same.
“Let’s go ladies, time to cowboy up!” she exclaimed.
Jessica laughed, “I was out riding the the range here in ranch country when you were ten!”
“But can you shoot?”
“My brothers took me out plinking with a .22 when I was young.”
“That will help, but this is different. How about you Angie, surely you went out shooting, growing up in Bozeman?”
“I just had sisters, and we never had cause to go shooting.”
Michelle laughed, “Well, being married to Caleb qualifies you for some kind of badge doesn’t it?”
Angie laughed, “It has been interesting.”
The three women climbed into Angie’s SUV, drove up to Littleton and made the turn onto Santa Fe Drive. As they neared the gun store, Angie asked, “Is that it?”
Michelle checked her phone and exclaimed, “Yup, that’s the place!”
“I didn’t know Caleb had a gun,” commented Jessica.
“He doesn’t talk about it. I don’t know when he got it, but I know he comes up here to practice.”
“I think he bought the .45 after that incident with the ranchers in Gardiner.” replied Michelle.
“I suppose he did. We almost lost him that day,” added Angie.
“Wait, what happened?” asked Jessica.
“I’ll tell you all about it sometime,” replied Michelle. “Let’s just get this over with.”
The three women were greeted at the counter by a bear of a man, who smiled and said, “Hi, I’m Bob, What can I help you ladies with today?”
Michelle replied, “You know Caleb, right? He sent us up here to get these two green horns outfitted with with a 9mm handgun and a concealed carry permit.”
“Right, he said you all would be up. He also picked out the weapons, so I’ll just need your ID’s and then we can get you logged on to fill out the applications. Then we’ll go into the back for your mandatory training.
After completing the applications, Bob took them back to the firing range for the training. He handed one of the pistols to Jessica and said, “Here you go pretty lady, let’s see what you can do!”
Jessica took the gun in her right hand and pointed it at the target.
“Hold on a second,” he interjected. “We’re gonna hold it in two hands like this,” as he showed her where to position her feet and hands. “Caleb filled me in on the specifics, so we’re going to learn how to shoot in a hurry at close range for self defense. Now, keep both eyes open and squeeze the trigger. Don’t jerk it, just squeeze smoothly. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”
Jessica fired a round, and Bob pulled the target in close to view the results.
“Bullseye!” he exclaimed. “This isn’t your first rodeo is it?”
Jessica beamed and replied, “My brothers taught me how to shoot a rifle, a long time ago.”
“Well, you’ve still got it! Good job!” he commented as he handed the weapon to Angie.
“Ooohh, it’s heavy,” she exclaimed.
“You’ll get used to the feel of it,” replied Bob.
Angie blinked her eyes and yanked the trigger,” missing the target wildly. “Wow, that was loud!”
Bob smiled and calmly instructed her, “Don’t blink, just keep your eyes open and squeeze. This time we are going to shoot without a live round, to see if we can get that flinching under control.”
It took a few tries, but she finally got the hang of it and fired another live round. This time she successfully struck the target near center mass.
“Good job!” he exclaimed.
Eventually the girls were ready for a rapid fire lesson, and both successfully emptied their clips into their respective targets.
“Okay, I think we’ve got it,” exclaimed Bob. “I think anyone who tries to attack you will be quite sorry. Although from the sounds of it, these assholes will have more to worry about in death than in life.”
Michelle replied, “For sure.”
Jessica looked confused and Michelle chuckled, “The fires of hell.”
“Ahhh,” she said, nodding with understanding.
They proceeded to the counter where Bob finished up the paperwork and checked them out.
“Best of luck to you ladies,” he exclaimed as they turned to leave.
As they piled back into the SUV, Angie suggested, “Hey there’s a cool bar here on Santa Fe, with a big raised deck in back. Should we stop for a bucket of brews?”
“That sounds awesome,” replied Jessica. Michelle also nodded her approval when Angie glanced in her direction.
Soon they were sitting in the sunshine at a table overlooking the South Platte River. The waiter brought a bucket of cold, dark Mexican beer in ice, with a bowl of lime slices. Each reached for a bottle and Jessica asked as she pushed in a lime, “So what’s Caleb doing up in Wyoming?”
Michelle answered, “Some asshole ran down a wolf pup with a snowmobile, and then duct taped it’s mouth shut and took it into a bar to show it off instead of putting it out of it’s misery. The animal cruelty sentencing is tomorrow, and Caleb wants to get pictures of the reaction.”
Angie replied, “I hope they throw the book at him, but it will probably be just like the guy who shot the dog and punched Michelle. All you have to do is say you were hunting, and you get the magic get out of jail free card.”
“Unfortunately,” replied Michelle.
“Well, look at us!” exclaimed Angie as she held up her glass for a toast.
“Armed and dangerous,” toasted Michelle.
“Armed and dangerous!” agreed Jessica
Episode Six <««« »»»> Episode Eight
