Tessa groaned. “I’d rather talk Disneyland.”
“We can talk Disneyland after. How about that?”
“Deal.” Tessa picked up her sandwich. “Instruct away.”
I sobered. “We’re going to have to talk through some scary scenarios. But we do that so that if those things happen, they aren’t quite as frightening, and you know you’re prepared.”
Tessa took a sip of her Coke, uncertainty filling her expression. “Okay.”
I thought through all the things Austin had covered in his basic self-defense class for women. I’d need to call him later and see if he had any specific ideas for Tessa. “The first thing is, do everything in your power to not be taken to a secondary location. Even if someone has a knife or gun. Run and scream first. Don’t go willingly.”
Tessa nodded, nibbling on a chip. I pushed on. “If you are taken, stay as alert as possible. Keep track of where you’re headed if you can. Survey your surroundings. Almost anything can be used as a weapon.”
I gestured around the garage turned gym. “Let’s practice. Look around here. What could you use to defend yourself?”
Tessa had abandoned her food and now nibbled on her thumbnail as she searched the room. She pointed at a row of dumbbells. “I could use one of those if they weren’t too heavy.”
I nodded. “Good. What else?”
Tessa’s eyes roamed the space, stopping on the weight bench itself. “If I took the weights off the end of that bar, I could use that.”
“Great choice. That’s one that if you surprised your attacker, wouldn’t require you to get as close as the dumbbell.”
A small smile tipped Tessa’s lips. “What else?”
I walked her through everything else I could think of. How to break zip tie or duct tape restraints. Getting out of basic holds. Typical safety precautions she could take. While Tessa had been hesitant at first, she was eating it up now.
We lay sprawled on the mat after I’d taken her through a series of punches and kicks. My arm curved around Tessa as her head rested on my chest. She tilted her face towards mine so that we made eye contact. “I want to learn more. It’s actually kind of fun.”
I squeezed her side. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I’ll call Austin tonight and see if he can put together a training program I can take you through.”
Tessa kissed the bottom of my chin. “That would be awesome. Thank you so much for doing this.” Her expression turned pensive. “You’re good about challenging me just the right amount.” She let out a frustrated breath. “I know I’m cautious about a lot of things, scared even. It’s smart for me to play some of those things that way, but I don’t want to miss out on my life because I’m scared all the time.”
My eyes bored into Tessa’s. “You’re not going to miss out on life. You’re doing everything you can to make sure that doesn’t happen. And I’m going to do everything in my power to help you.”
Tears gathered in the corners of Tessa’s eyes. “It’s been so long since I’ve had someone in my corner.”
I pushed back the hair that had fallen in her face. “I’m always in your corner.”
* * *
I tappedAustin’s contact in my phone as I pulled away from the Kettle after dropping Tessa off. It had taken everything in me not to ask to stay, but I could tell that she needed some space to process everything that was happening between us. And I needed to call Austin and get some suggestions for how to best help her.
The phone rang through my SUV’s speakers. It wasn’t long before Austin’s gruff voice answered. “Please tell me you’re calling to say you’re coming back to LA. Ford is getting on my last nerve.”
I heard another voice from the background. “I heard that, jackass!”
“I meant for you to!” Austin shouted back.
I chuckled. “No dice, man. What’d he do now?”
“He’s flirting with my wife.” Austin’s words came out on a growl.
My chuckle grew into a laugh. “Oh, man, I miss you guys.” And I did. I had amazing friends in LA. A close-knit bunch that had divided a bit when Taylor moved up to Sutter Lake and I followed. “You guys should come for a visit.”
Austin grunted. “We will, but I’m leaving Ford here.”
I grinned at the road. “Whatever you say.”
