Impossible escape, p.1
Impossible Escape, page 1
Impossible Escape
A CHANCE FOR CHARITY
BOOK TWO
CAMI CHECKETTS
Copyright
Impossible Escape: A Chance for Charity #2
Copyright © 2024 by Cami Checketts
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Editing: Daniel Coleman and Maple Steely
Cover Art: Katie Garland, Sapphire Midnight Designs
https://www.sapphiremidnight.com/
Contents
Free Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Impossible Sail - Prologue & 1st Chapter
Excerpt - Romancing the Escape - Survive the Romance #2
Also by Cami Checketts
About the Author
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Chapter
One
Rose Lillywhite eased down the steps of the private jet and glanced around at planes, runways, and the large white terminal building of the Cancun airport. The air was warm, sultry even, a huge difference from the dry cold of Montana in early March. She already missed her family, the open space and beauty of the Ranch, and especially all of the children.
She was here to earn a million dollars to keep Safe Haven Ranch from going under. Her family ranch had done well on its own for generations, but now supporting almost forty extra people, even if their guests all attempted to work and help out, had drained all of their bank accounts. Her parents and sisters never complained and kept supporting her dream, but it wasn’t easy on any of them.
So it couldn’t matter that she was already sweating, terrified to be alone with an unknown man for a week, and apprehensive about whatever the challenge would be for this new reality television show, A Chance for Charity. It was an honor and a blessing that billionaire Mercedes Belle’s people had somehow found her and given her this opportunity. She would ‘cowgirl up’ and make it through the week, keep her distance from her ‘military protector,’ and earn that money. Nerves competed with the hot sun for what was making her sweat more.
“There she is!” a lady yelled from a nearby entrance to the airport.
Mercedes Belle herself came jogging out of the entrance, dressed in a silver formal dress that sparkled in the sun, and matching sparkly high heels. How did she jog in high heels? The lady was a gorgeous blonde, touted throughout the world as the most generous, kind, wealthy, and beautiful woman in the world. She looked really thin in real life, frail to the point of a stiff wind breaking a bone. The only extra meat on her was in her generous bosom.
Did the camera really add fifteen pounds? It appeared with Mercedes it must. Rose hadn’t realized the woman was that small.
Shoot. How thick would Rose look on the cameras? She was tall, strong, and worked hard every day on the ranch with the children and teenagers by her side, and especially on her self defense training. She was a giant compared to Mercedes.
The show’s host and benefactor was trailed by a handsome man in a suit with longish blond hair and pale blue eyes. He looked like a Viking or maybe Thor. He didn’t share Mercedes’ welcoming smile. Glowering actually.
Was that the guy she’d be matched with or was he Mercedes’s bodyguard or boyfriend? She could swear she’d seen him in social media pictures with Mercedes. She’d hoped her guy would at least be friendly. The blond guy looked well-built, handsome, and not at all appealing to her. Not that any man had been appealing since …
Not going there.
Right behind the two of them was a man with brown hair, a trimmed dark beard, and a grin on his face. Either he had a hilarious joke that he was bursting to share, or he was the type who made everybody his friend.
The only problem with this guy … he was a veritable giant. He had a foot on Mercedes and four or five inches on the Viking. She’d been worried she would look like a Goliath at five-ten and a hundred and fifty pounds. This guy truly was the Goliath—at least six-eight, probably close to three hundred pounds, and not an ounce of fat on him.
Her gut churned and she prayed with everything inside of her that the dark-haired guy was not her match either. His smile was attractive, very attractive actually, and his blue eyes had a sparkle in them that she found welcoming, but his tall, massive, powerful frame intimidated the snot out of her.
She searched for other options, but the last person heading her direction was the cameraman trailing them all. Oh, shoot. Her partner for the week was either the Viking or the giant? Would self defense moves even work on a man as huge as the dark-haired, blue eyed, smiling behemoth? She would have to sleep at some point in the week and probably let her guard down at other times as well.
Deep breaths, she cautioned herself. Lots of prayer, was her next admonition. God had protected her from three separate attacks. He would strengthen her always. He was her rock and her salvation, her hope that all would turn out according to His will.
The breathing helped. Prayer helped. Common sense also claimed that there would be cameras recording everything and nobody would be stupid enough to hurt her on a television show. If someone tried, they would be convicted for sure, but also vilified all over the world. Hopefully nobody was that stupid.
She’d been allowed one personal item. Police strength red pepper spray was in the pocket of her pink joggers. Ten-foot range. Thirty-five separate bursts. It was good stuff but why hadn’t she brought her Smith & Wesson 9mm? That beloved gun, hours of self defense training classes and individual practice time, and lots of prayer had saved her a year ago from a man almost as strong-looking as the dark-haired tank strutting toward her. Despite the happy grin adorning the man’s face, it was obvious he was buff and in charge of the world.
She started breathing far too fast. Why no pistol in her pocket again? Oh yeah. Mercedes’ assistant, Julie, had specifically instructed no weapons for her personal item. That was the only reason she hadn’t brought her pistol. Technically, pepper spray could be considered a weapon, but she would fight to keep it if anyone challenged her. Right now she’d hope it looked like a tube of lotion if anyone saw the outline in her pocket. She unwrapped her hand from around the spray to avoid drawing attention to her safety net.
Mercedes reached her first. Obviously either of the men could’ve outdistanced her in a second, but they stayed back. “Whew!” Mercedes blew out a breath. “That was a farther run in heels than I’d realized.”
Oh, shoot. Rose stiffened. She had stood and watched them all jog to her. She probably looked like a rude, selfish brat, or maybe like the backwoods cowgirl from Montana she was. The instructions had said to wear comfortable clothes. She almost wore her Wranglers and her Ariat work boots, but opted for a white t-shirt, comfortable pink joggers, and broken-in Saucony running shoes.
“I’m sorry,” she rushed out. “I …” She had no excuse. She’d let herself get caught stewing over her fears and analyzing the two men.
“No worries at all, sweet lady.” Mercedes clasped both of Rose’s hands and air-kissed her cheeks. Luckily the heels made her a little closer to Rose’s height. “You are just a beauty, and so tall and fit. You will be perfect for the show. A cowgirl, right?” Mercedes grinned as if being a tall, fit cowgirl was the most incredible descriptor in the world. Rose didn’t get embarrassed about her height any longer, but it had been a sore subject in middle school for certain.
Was the famous billionaire heiress really this genuine and kind? The lady was so fragile Rose feared she’d break her if they hugged. She had a lot of makeup on, but Rose assumed that was for the cameras.
“Yes, I am a cowgirl.”
“I wish we could have you riding a horse on the show and showing off for all of us.” Mercedes wrinkled her nose. “Sadly this challenge is all going to be inside.”
Inside? Rose did not favor inside. Even in the dead of a bitter Montana winter she’d bundle up for chores and take rides on MaryLou her favorite chestnut gelding, not to mention jogging outside through snow, rain or sun. She went a little crazy being cooped up in a house for too long.
“But we’ll wait on those details until we get there. First let’s do introductions.” She held on to one of Rose’s hands and turned to face the men and the camera. “Rose Lillywhite, founder and advocate of Safe Haven Ranch …”
Mercedes paused for effect and Rose hoped she didn’t flinch and kept a smile on her face. ‘Safe Haven’. A name she’d created because she wanted everyone to feel welcome there. Sadly she didn’t feel safe anywhere.
She’d been assaulted twice on campus at University of Providence. When she’d finally returned home she’d craved the shelter her ranch and family offered. Then she’d painstakingly created a safe haven for anyone who needed it. The Ranch was miraculous for many families, and the children who were finally safe and had a warm place to sleep and food to eat made it all worth it.
Sadly after her attack in an empty bunkhouse room at the ranch two years ago, she’d realized she wasn’t safe anywhere. She fingered the pepper spray in her pocket and hoped the smile on her face didn’t look like plastic.
“Safe Haven Ranch welcomes anyone who needs a home, a fresh start, a break from life, or a sanctuary,” Mercedes continued, all chipper, warm, and beautiful. Rose focused on the impressive lady and not her suffocating fears. “Everyone on the ranch is expected to work for room and board. Once those hours have been fulfilled they are paid a fair wage to help them get back on their feet. Employment specialists, on the job training, and education opportunities help them prepare for successful careers. Most of the residents move out and on with their lives within six months to a year. The ranch does have strict rules of no alcohol, drugs, fighting or abuse of any kind. Everyone can feel safe, loved, welcome, needed, and valued at Safe Haven Ranch.”
Mercedes beamed at her. Rose’s stomach turned over. No abuse of any kind. She yearned for everyone to feel safe on the ranch. Everyone seemed to but her. In college when she’d been assaulted she’d kept lying to herself that if she could only get home to the ranch she would be safe.
She felt a steady gaze on her and glanced at the hulking dark-haired man. He still had a huge smile on his face but as his blue eyes met hers, she saw something inexplicable—a vulnerability that he had buried deep. This man had been through agony and had felt broken and powerless. He hid behind his smile and protected himself with it. Rose suspected the only reason she could glimpse such a personal and unexpected depth to this military hero was because she felt the same inside. It was a connection she’d never expected to feel with any man, let alone a guy that looked this tough and had to be a special ops superhuman.
“Rose? Beautiful Rose?” Mercedes edged closer and gently touched her arm, drawing her attention from the man and breaking the connection. “Are you all right?”
“Oh, yes.” Rose’s cheeks and neck got even hotter than the outside humid air could make her. Every minute of her life this next week was going to be videoed, and guaranteed they’d use the initial meeting of the couple for the show. How humiliating. She fanned her face. “Sorry, I’m overheated, it’s below freezing at home.” She smiled. “Did I miss something?”
“I finished your introduction,” Mercedes said. “And you didn’t …”
She was going to say acknowledge or thank me or something like that.
“Ah, yes,” Rose nodded, hoping she hid her discomfort. “Thank you. I’m thrilled to be here representing the Ranch and can’t tell you how we appreciate your generosity in offering the million dollars.”
Her parents hadn’t wanted her to come, worried that she might not have recovered from the bunkhouse incident two years ago. They had no idea about the violence at the university and would really be flipping out if they did. She’d stood her ground, reminding them in discussion after discussion that she was the inventor and face of their charity. It had to be her who came and saved the Ranch.
She’d had a weird tingling feeling she kept pushing away … this week might be the impetus to get past her fears of being alone with any unknown man. The fact that the man she’d be paired with was a military special ops hero and a giant terrified her, and made her doubt her hunch.
Even with her diligent training and pepper spray, how could she fight off a man with high level expertise in hand-to-hand combat? If she would’ve had any idea the military guy was also a hulking giant she would never have come.
She’d had no choice. It was come or lose everything and turn desperate families, precious little people like Frankie with his chubby cheeks and bright blue eyes and Ari with her sweet smile and puppy-dog brown gaze out into the cold, hard world. Her palms were sweaty and she prayed in her mind for help and strength. She couldn’t let them down.
“Thank you for being here. I pray you’ll earn that money with your brave, tough military protector.” Mercedes clasped her hands in prayer mode and focused on the dark-haired giant. “And now, allow me to introduce retired Army Ranger, fifteen years of exemplary service in the military. His uniform is so decorated with badges I don’t know he keeps those massive shoulders back when he wears it. Awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service, he is an icon and superman. Of course in his spare time he volunteers at an inner-city gym to help wounded vets and at-risk youth …” She grinned. “So with no further ado, I present to you … Major … Bennett … Mason!” Mercedes said everything with a flourish like she was on a commercial selling military heroes.
Major Bennett Mason kept his smile in place but it looked a little less radiant. Did he not enjoy being bragged about, or maybe he didn’t want his accolades recorded for the world to see whenever this show aired?
He was a major in the Army Rangers, fifteen years of service, and had received the Bronze Star? Wow. It wasn’t only his size that was intimidating. She’d graduated from the University of Great Falls, now re-named University of Providence, in business and family studies as quick as she could and raced back to her family ranch. She hadn’t traveled the world or fought to free the oppressed like this hero.
Her sister Lily was in love with Miles Coleville, a wealthy rancher from their hometown who was currently in the Navy SEALs. To hear Lily tell it Miles was the bravest, most accomplished special ops hero in the world, and she wasn’t wrong. Miles was tough and impressive, the hero of their community, but even he had never been awarded any Bronze Star. He was a sergeant now and Lily acted like that was a lot of work and an honor. Wasn’t a major several rankings above a sergeant?
This guy was tougher and more accomplished than Miles Coleville. Goodness. Impressive. Rose only hoped he was as honorable as the Coleville family men—cowboys and gentlemen. They’d named their small town after Miles’ great-great-grandpa. Rose admired and appreciated true gentlemen. She wasn’t a man hater. She was smart, cautious, closed off.
She fingered her pepper spray, but hoped she wouldn’t have to use it. She’d be alone with this guy today through Saturday. Alone. Six days with a hulking giant. He was a smiling and good-looking giant but still … She wanted to be comfortable and not sleeping with one eye open and fighting off wandering hands.
“Thank you, Miss Belle.” The major had a deep, appealing voice, of course he did, he was like a walking billboard for the ideal male specimen. If you were looking for the tall, buff, smiling, dark, handsome, military hero sort of guy. She wasn’t looking for any sort of guy so it didn’t matter.
He had to be at least thirty-three, if he’d joined the military at eighteen. She was only twenty-six. His age, experience, accolades, and everything about him impressed her. If only she wasn’t slightly terrified by his size and strength and training. His brilliant smile reassured her … a little bit. Their connection earlier should’ve reassured her, but she was already second-guessing any vulnerability in this behemoth.
He stepped forward until he overshadowed Mercedes and Rose. Even at five-ten she tilted her head back to look at him. She didn’t know that she’d ever met a man so large but crazily enough, intriguing to her. She couldn’t have pried her gaze away from his blue eyes if the famous bull rider Douglas Duncan walked past.
“It’s an honor to meet and serve with you, Miss Lillywhite.” Major Mason stuck his hand out.
She put her hand in his. His hand predictably swallowed hers. His hand was rough and warm and somehow … comforting? She felt surrounded by him and by his large hand. This man would not only serve with her, but serve and protect her. Could she trust him?
Their gazes met and held. A breath passed, then two. She realized with a start that she could stare at him and clasp hands with him for a long, long time. She didn’t know that she would complain about his touch, be afraid of him, or second guess his every word and intention.
Could it be possible that this gargantuan military stud was actually a gentle giant?
Was she insane? Gentle giants did not become elite special ops majors. Yes, he had honorably protected and served all over the world, but he had also fought and defeated hundreds, thousands, of people with those large hands of his. A walking lethal weapon. She shivered.
