by Karen Ward
Shrugging his shoulders dejectedly, Pinky says, “I guess I might as well, it can’t hurt.”
When Pinky gets off the phone with the local police he is practically jumping up and down on the bed he is so excited. He says, “They had a report of a truck matching the description of Bixby’s wrecked off the road about twenty miles south. When they hauled it to the pound and searched the contents, they found identification for Bixby. They found blood on the driver’s side window and in the driver’s seat but no one was with the truck.”
Stump says, “That’s great news! That means we’re getting close. They must be walking but I wonder why. Was the truck not drivable?”
Pinky says, “No it wasn’t. It has a broken axle and a tree limb was sticking through the front windshield.”
Stump says, “Interesting, did they find any signs of people leaving the area?”
Pinky answers, “Two sets of footprints headed south. They radioed ahead to have law enforcement stay on the lookout for them. I reported Jasmine as kidnapped so if they find them they can pick them up.”
Stump says, “Let’s get some sleep so we can head out at dawn.”
******
I have been walking all afternoon and all night and I am so tired I can barely put one foot in front of the other. James’ boots feel like they weigh a ton and I can only slide them along because I don’t have the energy to pick my feet up. I am freezing cold too. I am afraid to stop moving, afraid I will literally freeze to death or that James will catch up with me. I know that unless James was hurt much worse than I think he was, he will be right behind me. Unless I can find someplace safe and warm to rest, I can’t afford to stop.
******
James Bixby is furious. His head is pounding and he has a big lump on the side and a gash that is still oozing blood. He is freezing cold too. How dare that bitch leave him bleeding in the truck, the ungrateful whore! He has fed and clothed her for fifteen years and kept her safe too. He’s going to kill the bitch when he catches her and he will catch her. She is so stupid she is leaving an easy trail for him to follow.
He was shocked when he came to in the truck and found Jasmine was gone. It took him a few minutes to even remember where they were. He tried to start the truck and drive back to the road but it wouldn’t budge. Then he had to maneuver his way around the tree limb that came through the front window and climb out on the passenger side. When he looked underneath the vehicle he saw the broken axle so he started walking following her footprints in the snow.
******
At dawn the next day, Pinky and Stump are in the air following the highway south. When they reach the area where the truck was found they begin making broad sweeping passes searching all of the side roads determined not to miss seeing Bixby and Jasmine. It is not long until they spot Bixby walking along the highway alone. They are able to recognize him from the mug shot furnished by the ATF. Pinky’s heart is pounding with dread. Has he already killed her? Where is Jasmine? He says, “Oh God, where is she? Please let her still be alive!”
Stump is scanning the surrounding area with binoculars and says, “Look Pinky, about a mile ahead. I can see someone else walking.”
They fly past Bixby and can see another figure walking. The person is of slight build and taking a much shorter stride. Pinky’s heart is pounding with excitement and he says, “That’s got to be Jasmine. I can’t tell for sure because she has a blanket or something covering her hair.”
Stump says, “Well, whoever it is, we need to help or Bixby is going to catch them. The way they are stumbling it looks like they are about to drop in their tracks. Land the bird in that pasture over there. I’ll go and get them and bring them to you.”
Pinky assesses the situation then says, “No, that will take too long and Bixby is too close. I’ll lower you on the cable. Grab her and secure her to you and I’ll fly down the road a few miles before I sit her down. Make sure to attach the Kevlar blanket to the cable to wrap up in it just in case Bixby decides to shoot at you.”
Stump hurriedly prepares the equipment and then says, “Ready.”
Pinky hovers right over the figure that is now lying on the side of the road unmoving and lowers Stump to the ground. He grabs her and radios Pinky to lift them. Stump hears bullets hitting the Kevlar blanket as they fly away and he is grateful Pinky thought to have him use it. Pinky flies them down the road about ten miles and then lowers them to the ground again.
******
I hear the helicopter and it sounds really close but I can’t afford to look. James is right behind me. I saw him from the top of the last hill. If I can just keep walking maybe I can still get away but I am so tired. Then my worse fear happens, my foot in the oversize boot catches on an uneven patch of asphalt. I scream as I stumble and fall to the snow too tired to get back up. Oh, God. It’s too late. I have failed. James will catch me now. James will kill me. Tears slide silently out of my eyes to the dirty snow.
******
James Bixby grins when he sees Jasmine fall to the snow. Yes! She is within his reach now! He is going to catch the bitch. His hands are itching to be around her throat. He is going to squeeze the life right out of her!
******
I am completely surprised when a big burly man drops from the sky, picks me up, and says, “Jasmine, I’m here to save you. Just hold on tight to me and I’ll protect you from Bixby.”
My heart is pounding with fear but at his words I immediately stop struggling. This man is the miracle I have been praying for. I don’t know who he is or where he came from but I am certainly not going to make his attempt to save me more difficult by fighting him. He is my only hope.
He puts a strap around my waist that secures me tightly to his body and tells me to wrap my arms and legs around him. Then he wraps both of us in a blanket and radios to the person in the helicopter he calls Pinky. The helicopter lifts us off the ground and we fly away. I hear something hitting the blanket around us but I don’t know what. It is a hollow sound sort like someone throwing dried beans against a piece of paper. The helicopter flies us for what seems like a long way to me then sets us back down on the ground before raising the cable and landing a few hundred yards away.
Once on the ground, the big burly man unhooks the strap from around me. Then he says, “Hi Jasmine, my name is Stump and I’m a friend of Melanie Brentwood. We’re here to save you from James Bixby. Come with me.” He starts toward the helicopter but when I make no attempt to follow, he gently picks me up in his arms and strides quickly across the pasture to where the helicopter is waiting.
******
My heart is pounding heavily. I am so tired I can barely stand much less walk but I am trying. It’s just that my legs won’t move. I am so relieved when the burly man turns around and gently lifts me in his arms. Thank God someone is going to help me, the tears start flowing from my eyes sliding silently down my cheeks. I breathe a sigh of relief. I am finally free of James Bixby.
******
James Bixby can’t believe his eyes. That helicopter is flying away with his Jasmine. He pulls out his 9MM and fires at them but they don’t stop. Who in the world would pick up a woman from alongside a highway in the middle of nowhere and fly away with her? Damn! Now what’s he going to do? He’ll never find her. Well, he’ll just proceed with his original plan and find the guys that killed Calloway. Once he takes care of them, then he will worry about finding Jasmine. Her brother still lives in Louisiana. He’ll go there. Yeah, that will work.
CHAPTER 5
As soon as we reach the helicopter, the man who said his name is Stump gently sets me into a seat and shows me how to strap myself in. Then he hands me a headset and shows me how to place it on my head and adjust the microphone. The pilot takes off as soon as Stump is seated. Once we are in the air and clear the area, the pilot speaks, “Jasmine, are you all right?”
The voice coming through the headset slides over my tattered nerves as smooth as warm caramel over ice cream stirring a long ago memo
ry. I know that voice! I can’t see his face because his back is to me and he is wearing some kind of helmet so I can’t see his hair but I know who that voice belongs to. I whisper unbelievingly, “Keith, is that you?”
Smiling to himself, thrilled that she recognized his voice, Pinky says, “Yeah, it’s me. I love you Precious.”
Tears are streaming out of my eyes and down my face. “Oh my God! How did you know? How did you find me?”
Pinky says, “We’ll have plenty of time to talk once we get to the ranch, Sweetheart. I’ll tell you everything, I promise. Why don’t you lay back and get some sleep, we’ll be at the ranch in a few hours.”
I am so relieved to be safe from James Bixby and so happy, Keith came to get me! Oh No! Keith came to get me and now he is going to see my ugly grotesque face! He’s not going to love me when he sees how ugly I am now. Oh God, how am I ever going to tell him all of the horrible things I have done? He is going to hate me! My happiness turns to fear and dread. The tears start to fall again but for a different reason. It’s not long though before my exhaustion drags me down into a deep slumber.
******
As I slowly surface from the depths of slumber, the first thing I notice is the sweet smell of roses. I feel so safe and warm and I slowly become aware of the soft, luxurious bed beneath me. Stretching languorously, I struggle to remember where I am. The last thing I remember is the big burly man picking me up off the side of the road and carrying me to the helicopter. My heart starts pounding and I hesitantly open my eyes and look up into the smiling face of my old friend, Melanie Brentwood. Melanie says, “Hello Sleepyhead!”
“Melanie, is it really you?” I ask unbelievingly, relief flowing through my body.
“It’s really me, welcome to my home!” She pulls me into her arms for a warm hug.”I’m so happy you are finally safe!”
I look around the beautiful room my eyes as big as saucers. Oh, my! The walls are painted a pale green and the bed is covered with a thick dark green down comforter. In the corner is a big comfortable looking dark green leather chair and ottoman with an afghan in several shades of green thrown across the arm. The drapes over the window have a white background and a dark green abstract design. I see a bathroom through a connecting door. Looking back at Melanie, amazed I ask, “Do you really live here? This is beautiful!”
Laughing Melanie says, “Just wait until you see the rest of the house! Oh, Jasmine, I am so glad you’re here! Are you all right? You look pale and I see faint bruising around your eye.”
“Oh, you know ... just the usual beatings and stuff. Otherwise, I’m all right. The last six months haven’t been too bad really. I think I may have a couple of cracked ribs and the black eye but overall I’m good. I can’t believe I’m really here! Are you sure I didn’t die and go to heaven?”
Melanie laughs again, “Believe me I felt the same way you do the first morning I woke in this room. You’ll get use to it. What did you think when Pinky and Stump dropped down out of the sky and flew away with you?”
Tears immediately spring to my eyes and flow down my cheeks, “Oh my God! I forgot about Keith! I don’t want him to see me like this! Please Melanie, help me!”
Melanie smiles with understanding and says, “Oh Sweetie, I’m afraid it’s too late. He carried you in here from the helicopter. He wouldn’t let anyone else help him. I’ve never seen anyone handle another human being with more love and care. I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He sat here beside this bed, never leaving you for hours and only stepped out a few minutes ago to get something to eat.”
For the first time, I look down at what I am wearing and see a beautiful white silk nightgown. My eyes as big as saucers, I ask, “Did he dr..dr..dress me?”
Nodding Melanie says, “I told you, he wouldn’t let anyone help him. He insisted on taking complete and total care of you. Honestly, I’m really surprised Barry was able to convince him to step away long enough to eat a sandwich.”
“Who is Barry?”
Melanie explains, “Barry is my husband. You’ll get to meet everyone tonight. Barry is planning a big welcoming party. Speaking of that, I sent to town and got you some clothes. I had to guess at your sizes so I hope I was close. They are hanging in the closet in the bathroom. I’ll leave now and let you have a good long soak in the tub and dress. I’ll do my best to keep Pinky out of here and I’ll come back and check on you in a little while.”
Amazed again I ask, “You’re married?”
A dreamy smile slides across her face and Melanie responds, “Yes, he is the most wonderful man, extremely handsome and very rich, I am so blessed. I have another son, now, too. You’ll get to meet them all tonight.”
“How long did I sleep? It sounds like it might have been for a long time.”
Melanie answers, “It hasn’t been too long really, you arrived about twenty four hours ago. The doctor that examined you gave you a sedative to help you rest for a while. Enjoy your bath, I’ll see you soon.” Melanie rises from the straight chair beside the bed and leaves softly closing the bedroom door behind her.
I climb out of the bed and when my feet sink into the thick carpet I gasp at the wonderful feeling, wiggle my toes, and giggle. I’ve never in my life walked on such luxurious carpet! I walk to the window, pull back the drapes and look out onto a huge stone patio with furniture scattered about in small groupings. Looking beyond, I see a huge building that looks like a barn and several people dressed in cowboy boots, jeans, and hats are busy around the area performing various tasks. In the distance I can see a vast expanse of pasture with horses and cattle grazing peacefully and further out the snow covered mountains. Two young boys also dressed in jeans and cowboy hats and boots lead a pair of horses out of the barn, mount and ride out of the yard and across a pasture next to the house. I recognize the taller of the two boys as Eric, Melanie’s son.
Then, looking back toward the barn I see him, my Keith, skipping down a set of stairs leading up to the second story. My breath catches in my lungs and my heart speeds up. He is so gorgeous, his auburn hair glistening in the sunlight. His body has filled out since high school and his dark green shirt is stretched taut across the bulging muscles of his arms and shoulders. His jeans are well worn and fit snugly over his muscular thighs. I notice that he too is wearing cowboy boots. He stops and speaks to a tall man with dark hair and the shorter burly man I remember said his name was Stump. He is the one that scooped me up from alongside the highway in Montana and into the helicopter. My heart is beating heavily now as I watch the three men, then they all turn and head back up the stairs. Keith looks back over his shoulder toward the house and I wonder what he is thinking.
******
Pinky is rushing as fast as he can to get back to Jasmine’s side. He doesn’t want her to wake up while he is gone. Barry convinced him to grab a sandwich and he took a few additional minutes for a quick shower and now he is headed back, his heart pounding with anticipation. Hurrying down the stairs from the second story office and living quarters, he runs into Scoot and Stump as they are headed up.
Scoot says, “You may as well turn around and head back up. I just got word from Melanie and no one is allowed back in Jasmine’s room until later. She is awake and bathing. Melanie asked us to give her some privacy.”
Disappointment flows through Pinky. He knew he shouldn’t have left her, not even for a minute. Taking a deep breath he says, “She woke up while I was gone?”
Nodding in understanding, Scoot says, “Yeah, I’m sorry man. You’ll get to see her in a little while. She just needs some privacy to pretty herself up for you. Give her that, all right?”
Dejectedly Pinky replies, “I guess I can wait until tonight.” Looking back over his shoulder toward the house, he follows Scoot and Stump back up the stairs to the office.
******
I turn from the window and walk into the most beautiful bathroom I have ever seen in my life! It alone is bigger than any of the cabins where I have lived for the past fifteen years. T
he walls and floor are sparkling white marble and the faucets appear to be made of gold. The oversize plush towels are a deep forest green. The tub is huge and made of white marble and a separate marble shower with multiple shower heads sits next to the tub. On the vanity is everything a girl could possibly want to pamper herself from combs, brushes, lotions and creams to bubble bath. I see a selection of dozens of expensive perfumes and every shade of makeup imaginable. I walk to a set of double doors and peer inside to see a huge walk-in closet with a large selection of women’s clothes. I shake my head in amazement. This is certainly a step up from the life I have been living!
I close the bathroom door and turn on the faucets in the shower. I am going to spend some time pampering, first a shower to wash my filthy hair then a good long soak in the huge tub filled with bubbles. I shake my head in amazement. Bubble bath, it is a luxury I never expected to be able to enjoy. I haven’t had a bubble bath since I was a young girl.
An hour or so later I am finishing up blow drying my auburn hair, another luxury I haven’t enjoyed in years, when I hear a knock at the bedroom door. My heart speeds up and I call, “Who’s there?”
Melanie responds, “It’s me, Melanie. I have someone I want you to meet. May we come in?”
I think well, if I am meeting them then I don’t know them so I respond, “Sure, come in Melanie.”
Melanie walks in the door accompanied by the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. She is tall and obviously pregnant, with long pale blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders and eyes the color of a blue sky on a summer day.
Melanie says, “Jasmine, this is Skye. She is married to Dylan Drake, the head of Drake Security. Skye is a genius with makeup and she is going to show you how to make the most of your eyes and downplay your scar.”
Smiling Skye says, “It is so nice to meet you Jasmine. We have all heard so much about you these last few days. Welcome to the ranch.”