Seeking Safety (18 page)

As soon as Barry's lips brush against mine, I
am lost. How did I ever walk away from this man? I am so afraid I
am not experienced enough to please him.
Please God, help me!
"I'm here Barry, for as long
as you want me."

"Promise?" he asks.

"I promise."

He delves deeply into the depths of my mouth
again drinking deeply. He is so happy to be holding her again.

A long time later he leads me to the door of
my bedroom. He brushes his lips against mine and says, "Sleep well,
Melanie," and heads up the stairs to the master suite. As he steps
into the icy cold shower he prays she is really here to stay.

The next morning Barry is up early feeling
better than he has in weeks. When he enters the kitchen his Mom and
Bob are waiting for him. The minute he walks in he knows something
is up and his heart pounds with anticipation. It is still very
early and Bob doesn't usually stay the night.

His Mom nervously speaks, "Barrett, Bob and I
would like to tell you something. We've decided to get
married."

A broad grin spreads across Barry's face and
his heart soars with happiness for them. "Mom, Bob, that's
wonderful! When is the big day?"

"Well, actually, last weekend. We flew to Las
Vegas." responds Virginia.

"What? You mean I don't get to give you
away?" teases Barry. He hugs his mother close and shakes Bob's
hand. "I can't think of a finer man to call my Dad."

Bob turns bright red and says, "Thanks Barry.
I can't think of a finer man to be my son."

"We will have to give you a reception at
least. I'll get with Jacob and Jason and see what we can work out,"
says Barry.

******

A little while later, the doorbell rings and
Scoot and the other members of the Drake Security team arrive at
the house. It's time for another planning session. Melanie, Eric,
and her parents join them all in the great room. Virginia serves
homemade cinnamon rolls and hot coffee.

Scoot opens the discussion, "Melanie, let me
start by explaining what we know about your latest ordeal. The
members of the militia that kidnapped you this time were not
associated in any way with Calloway. They had been recruited for
the operation by a lawyer out of Seattle, Benjamin Roland that
handled all of Calloway's legal affairs. He handled the sale of the
furniture conglomerate and knew about the money and because he
wrote Calloway's will he knew that Eric was the sole heir. The
militia members were to get the land in Idaho and a chunk of money
for murdering you and delivering the boy to Roland. They used Mason
Diggs and Harold Winters to show them the location of the compound
property, to locate the mine and for other information. Do you have
any questions so far?"

He pauses looking around the group, then
continues, "All right, I'm going to get right to the point. After a
lot of discussion with the FBI and ATF, we feel you should sell the
compound. It seems to be the reason these guys keep coming after
you and Eric. We are fairly certain no one else knows about
Calloway's fortune. From what we have been able to determine, these
militia members didn't know about the money."

"I certainly don't have a problem with
selling the compound. How much of a problem is Eric's age going to
be?"

"We can deal with that. The government has a
contract with a worldwide paper conglomerate that is interested in
purchasing the property. All I need is your agreement."

Mark Brentwood interrupts, "If I might say
something here. I am an amateur mineral enthusiast and when we were
being held in that mine, I saw a very large vein of what I believe
to be lead-silver. It could be very valuable. Could it be the
reason these men are so determined to keep the compound
property?"

Scoot says, "That could be their plan for
financing their operations. Even if Melanie sells, she can still
retain the mineral rights and reap any profits from the mine."

Barry interjects, "I think our number one
priority has to be Melanie and Eric's safety. If they will be safer
by selling the property then I am for selling."

"I think that's what I want to do Scoot set
it up for us to sell the property but maintain the mineral rights.
The sooner I can get rid of that place, the happier I will be."

Scoot answers, "All right, do you have a
price in mind?"

Melanie answers, "I don't really care. I only
want a fair price."

Scoot adds, "Now that we have that settled, I
think I must emphasize how important it is for all of you including
Mark and Patricia to remain here at Barry's ranch until after the
sale is completed and word has spread. This is the safest place and
the four of us as well as Barry and Bud will be here to protect
you. Does anyone have any other questions?"

******

Eric is thrilled to be back at the ranch. He
can't wait to show his Nanny and Papa how good he can ride. He also
wants to show them how well he can swim and all of the other neat
things that Barry has taught him. He loves Barry and he hopes his
Mom will fall in love with him so Barry can be his Dad. He knows
Barry cares about his Mom, he can see it in the way he watches her.
Maybe he should talk to Barry about the mean things he heard his
real Dad say to his Mom. They could be the reason she wanted to
leave the last time. If she believes that no one could ever care
for her like his Dad said, that could be a problem for Barry. He'll
have to think about it. It would probably make his Mom really mad
at him though. Maybe he should ask his Papa instead. He'll know
what to do.

******

I am happy to be back at the ranch. This is
the only place I have truly felt safe since I left the compound all
those months ago. Now, with the real possibility this nightmare can
truly be over with the sale of the property I don't want to leave,
but I may have to. I still can't believe a famous movie star like
Barry Farrady could care for me. I have admitted to myself that I
am in love with him and I meant it when I told him that I am here
for as long as he wants me. I just hope he truly does want me
because it will break my heart if he tells me to leave.

******

Barry is so happy to have Melanie and Eric
back at the ranch. Now he has to find a way to convince her that he
loves her. Yes, he has realized that he is in love with her. No
other explanation exists for what he feels. Darren Calloway must
have really played with her mind for her to be so convinced she is
not worthy of his attentions. Short of suggesting she see a
psychiatrist, he doesn't know what he can say. He doesn't think
that suggestion would be appreciated, at least not coming from
him.

******

The following Saturday, Jacob and Jason
Murray and Barry Farrady host a wedding reception in honor of Bob
Kenner and Virginia Farrady Kenner in the great room at the Rock
Springs Ranch. All of the residents of the Rocking J Ranch and the
Rock Springs Ranch as well as a group of friends from around the
area attend.

Virginia is stunning in her short blue
evening dress with her hair falling in waves around her shoulders.
Bob, dressed in a western cut suit, is beaming with happiness. Dani
Murray and Eric pass around small bags of birdseed to shower the
happy couple with when they leave for a short honeymoon at the
lodge at Yellowstone National Park.

Barry proposes a toast, "Mom, you have always
been here for me, throughout my whole life. I can't even imagine
how many meals you skipped when I was growing up so that I could
have enough to eat. I watched as you worked three jobs to keep food
on the table and clothes on my back and I learned the importance of
hard work and the love of family. I cannot begin to tell you how
happy and pleased I am for you and Bob today. No one deserves the
happiness you have found together more than the two of you. May you
have many, many years of happiness together. You deserve it!"

The crowd responds, "Here! Here!"

As Virginia and Bob are leaving, she tosses a
symbolic bouquet of fall flowers. Turning her back to the crowd she
tosses it over her shoulder right into the hands of a blushing,
Melanie Brentwood. Melanie grins and tosses the bouquet at a
horrified Scoot who quickly throws it to Goose who sends it sailing
toward Pinky who catches it and hands it to Stump who quickly hands
it to Dani Murray.

The crowd cheers at the hilarity of their
antics.

A few days later Barry is working in the barn
when Mark Brentwood wanders in looking for him. "Here you are,
Barry. I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Hello, Mr. Brentwood what can I do for you?"
asks Barry smiling.

"Please, call me Mark," he says. "I would
like to ask your opinion about something, Barry. You have spent
more time with Melanie since she escaped from the compound than
anyone else and I was wondering how much you think her time in
captivity has affected her ... you know, psychologically. The
reason I am asking is because her mother and I can't help but
believe she has to be suffering from some lingering effects. She
seems to be very insecure and doesn't have much self confidence."
Of course, Eric had told him about the horrible things Darren
Calloway use to say to Melanie. Those cruel words had to have
warped her sense of self worth but he is not going to mention that
to Barry.

Barry can't believe that Mark and Patricia
Brentwood are thinking the same things that have been bothering
him. He wonders how much he should say to her father. Choosing his
words carefully he says, "Well Mark, I think she is probably
suffering from some lingering effects. She was very young when she
was captured and probably still quite impressionable. From what she
has told me, Darren Calloway was an extremely cruel man so I'm sure
he said things to crush her self confidence and to manipulate her
into doing everything he asked of her."

"Do you think counseling would help? We are
considering recommending it to her once this is over," asks
Mark.

"I'm sure she could benefit from counseling,"
Barry replies, his heart pounding with excitement at the prospect
of Melanie getting the help she needs to realize how beautiful and
worthy she really is. After hesitating for a few minutes, he says
blushing, "Mark, I should tell you that I am in love with Melanie.
I want to marry her but she doesn't believe that I can possibly
care for her so I probably have selfish reasons for hoping
counseling will help her."

Mark grins at Barry, "I'm very happy to hear
that. Honestly, Patricia and I have thought for a while that you
care deeply for her. It is obvious to us that you don't fit the
mold of the typical movie star. We were concerned at first because
of all of the stories we read in those tabloid magazines, but you
have proved yourself to us. Patricia and I will talk to her about
counseling just don't give up on her, all right?"

Barry nods and offers, "I would like for
Melanie and Eric to live here at the ranch. I want you to know that
you are welcome too. I'll build you a home of your own if you
prefer."

Mark laughs, "That's kind of you, but I have
plenty of money myself. I was one of the first employees at
Microsoft and all that stock I have is waiting to be turned into
cash. We never moved because we wanted Melanie to be able to find
us should she ever want to come back home."

Barry grins, "Then pick your spot and build
your retirement home right here on the Rock Springs Ranch. Even if
things don't work out between Melanie and me you will always be
welcome."

******

Later that night Barry is sitting on the
patio in the wooden swing when I sit down beside him. "Hey, mind if
I join you?"

"Of course not, I always love your company,"
says Barry sincerely.

"I need to think about getting Eric in
school. How much longer do you think it will be before this land
deal is complete?"

"I'm not sure. Why don't you enroll him in
one of those home school courses available on the internet? He's
welcome to use the computer in the study. I don't use it much for
anything besides email," suggests Barry.

"You mean kids go to school by computer these
days?" I am surprised. Going to school by computer is not something
I would have ever thought about.

Laughing Barry says, "I keep forgetting you
have been isolated in that compound for years. Yes, they have
complete curriculums on line now. We can enroll him tomorrow. I'm
sure he will have to take some tests so that he gets placed in the
proper program, but I'm sure he will do fine. A lot of kids do very
well in college after being home schooled."

"Barry, you are too good to us. How will I
ever repay you?"

"I don't expect you to repay me. I do things
for you because I want to." Turning toward me and pulling me close
he says, "Melanie, haven't you figured out yet that I'm in love
with you?"

"You love me? Why?"

"Hush now and let me kiss you." He gazes
deeply into my sparkling green eyes. Placing his hand on my cheek
he lowers his mouth to mine. Brushing his lips gently against mine,
he feels the expected zing groans in response. The minute their
lips touch Barry is lost. Melanie is so sweet and their chemistry
so explosive he feels like he is in heaven.

The minutes Barry's lips touch mine, every
rational thought flies out of my head and is replaced by a
whirlwind of feelings spinning round and round in my head making me
feel dizzy.

After several long minutes of devouring her
sweetness Barry moves his fingers down her cheek onto the graceful
curve of her neck and then follows with his lips.

He whispers in her ear, "Oh Melanie, the way
you make me feel is unbelievable. I lose my head every time I touch
you." Holding her close he hesitates while his breathing returns to
normal then he gazes deeply into her eyes, gently strokes a finger
down her cheek and whispers, "I want to make love to Melanie. I
want to caress every inch of your gorgeous body with my fingers and
then follow my fingers with my lips. I want to taste you with my
tongue, I want to feast on your essence, and I want worship you in
every way possible until you beg me to stop."