Chapter 1
Raelynn- Present Day
"Look,I'm not going anywhere any time soon. Jenny may be new but she's been training for a month now." Raelynn watched as the normally timid and shy Diana became a fierce warrior. The most amazing part, though, was that Diana was fighting her.
Sure, in the time Diana had been at the women's shelter, Raelynn had come to consider her a friend. She often helped out in all areas of the shelter; she was understanding of all the women who came through, seeing as she'd been in their shoes once.
"You admitted to me yourself that you've been working pretty much seven days a week for ten years, without a vacation. It's amazing you haven't burned out already."
Diana's words resonated since Raelynn was feeling burnt out. She'd become less enthusiastic about going to the shelter lately. She'd even found herself becoming a little bitter, as she'd spent every day working, leaving little time for anything else. She hadn't even spent time in Little space in over a month. It was wearing on her.
"You need to get away. Between Jenny and me, we've got this handled. Take some time, get away, reset. You'll come back more refreshed and more eager to help the women who come in."
Raelynn startled when another voice cut in, "She's right, you know. You work too much."
Raelynn looked over to find Rocky standing in the doorway, holding the hand of a very frightened young woman whose face was a mottled mess of fading bruises with a cut on one cheek just below her eye.
Raelynn wasn't surprised to see such a big, tough-looking guy bringing in another woman needing help. Rocky, and the rest of his motorcycle club, did it quite regularly. They were a bit of a different MC, choosing to spend their time and money helping women escape traumatic relationships. A good number of the women Raelynn had helped to-date had come to her through Devil's Wrath MC.
Some might consider the shelter and a motorcycle club an odd pairing, but despite their rough looks, the men of Devil's Wrath had a way about them that put residents at ease. It was a perfect partnership.
"This is Cynthia, she's in need of some time to heal and find herself again," Rocky stated.
I can understand that. I desperately need that too.
Not that Raelynn had any physical healing to do, but she did need to get her mind right and be herself for a while. Find that part of her that had been slowly fading over the years. Maybe she should get away. She could take her friend, Priscilla, up on her offer. A Ranch dedicated to BDSM with a special soft spot for Littles–and a mission to shelter Littles in need–sounded like heaven to Raelynn. Even if it did mean going back to Montana. It's not like the Ranch was located in the same town as him.
Raelynn shook herself from her thoughts, making a quick mental note to call Priscilla again later and learn more. "Welcome, Cynthia! Why don't we give you a tour and then get you settled into a room, sweetie. What do you say?"
Taking Cynthia's hands in hers to establish the connection the woman seemed to need, Raelynn considered the words of her friends as she led Cynthia through the shelter, showing her everything they offered. By the time she'd settled Cynthia in a room, Raelynn had determined that Diana and Rocky were right. She wouldn't be able to help the women who needed her if she was too burnt out to offer them her best.
It was time to take a vacation. When she stepped through the door of her home, she barely took time to set down her keys and bag before she dialed Priscilla's number.
"Hi," she said immediately upon hearing the click of the call being answered. She needed to ask before she talked herself out of it. "Is that offer to come to Rawhide Ranch still open?"