Page 42 of Long Pig
“Where I teach you self-defense and you learn to kick some serious butt.”
She smiled. “I’ll be there, don’t be late.”
Dale had been teaching her self-defense since Lance Hogg kidnapped her. Their hope was they would both teach women who came to stay on the ranch if that ever happened. Willow loved learning everything Dale taught her.
She grabbed two bananas from the kitchen, handed Dale his, and headed to the greenhouse with Max by her side. Daisy usually stayed close to Dale or wandered between the two of them.
Willow trimmed back the tomatoes and pepper plants in hopes the vegetables would ripen before the temperature dropped. It was turning into an excellent harvest.
Lunch was sandwiches filled with every vegetable Willow had on hand along with thin slices of seasoned tofu she passed off as lunchmeat. Dale ate his without complaint. They wenttheir separate ways while their food settled, and Dale came to the barn to start training.
They grabbed the practice mats and set them up. First, they went through the previous scenarios they’d practiced. Dale grabbed her around the neck from behind, and Willow broke the hold, then caused damage by striking his Adam’s apple, nose, and lastly a knee to his head. It was done in slow motion the first time, and then they picked up speed.
“You’re setting these in muscle memory and getting better each time we spar,” he praised.
Willow’s confidence had improved as weeks passed and her body flowed naturally through the strikes. She could break a neck bar hold coming from behind, a strangulation hold from the front, and several more.
After reviewing what she knew, Dale moved on.
“This one is when your back is on the ground, he straddles you and goes for your throat. Lay on your back.”
Willow got into position. Dale straddled her waist, but before he could place his hands at her throat, she cried out and began kicking and swinging. Dale took a nasty kick to his left shoulder as he rolled off her.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she cried. She curled into a ball and breathed heavily.
Dale backed away, giving her room. “You’re safe,” he said in a calming voice. “I’m over here and I won’t come closer until you’re ready.”
Tremors racked her body and she wouldn’t look at him. They’d closed the barn door. Max whined and growled from the other side. Dale walked over and allowed the two dogs to enter. Willow threw her arms around Max when he was close enough. He licked her face until she sat up and wiped off the slobber.
She gazed at Dale sheepishly. “I don’t know what happened.” Her voice was stricken.
Dale moved a few feet closer and sat down facing her. Max growled.
“No worries boy,” he comforted in a low voice.
“Max, no,” Willow said in astonishment.
“He knows something is wrong and he’s protecting you.” Daisy let out a bark unsure of what was happening. “Come here, girl, and sit with me.”
Daisy plopped on his lap and gave his chin a quick lick.
“Seriously Dale, I don’t understand why I reacted that way.”
The look on Dale’s face shocked her. “What?” she asked.
“Did your father ever do that?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Did he do it to your mother?”
Again, she shook her head. “Wouldn’t I remember if he had?”
“Maybe, but it could also be buried. I’m not a psychologist, so I’m unsure.”
She covered her eyes with her hands for a moment before looking up again. “I saw so many psychologists in prison. It was required as part of my sentencing because I was so young.” She took a deep breath. “I hated them digging around in my head.”
“I understand,” Dale said. “Cops aren’t too fond of head doctors either. It takes away our tough-guy image.” He rubbed his shoulder.