Embrace Me

by Rebecca Turley

  Shannon,

  You know how much easier it is for me to tell you my feelings with letters, but even now, I am finding it difficult to tell you just what you mean to me. There are no words strong enough to explain how I feel about you. I love you with every fibre of my being, and I know my heart was only ever meant to beat for you.

  Everything I do is for you, and although I hate you being away from me, I know Texas was the right choice. It will give you time to sort out your head. I know you have been struggling to adjust to this new life, but remember you are a Downing. It is in your blood. You can achieve anything. You are the most amazing person I have ever met.

  If you need me at any time, just call. I will be there in a heartbeat.

  I’ll see you in a few weeks. I’m so proud of you.

  All my love and more,

  Charlie

  xxxxx

  I wasn’t sure how many times I read Charlie’s note by the time a knock sounded at my door.

  “Come in!” I called as I began to carry on unpacking.

  “I’m just letting you know that I am here,” Grace beamed, walking in.

  “I thought you were getting the morning flight?” I asked in surprise.

  “I couldn’t wait to come home.”

  “I can understand that feeling,” I breathed, looking at my letter.

  “Have you seen how many security men are outside? It’s like a scene from the Godfather or something,” Grace giggled.

  “Well, you know my mother,” I grinned.

  “I’ll leave you to unpack,” she replied, noticing that I needed to be alone for a little while. Being here in Texas was going to take some getting used to.

  It was a truly beautiful place; I couldn’t deny that as I looked out towards the black mountains from my window. They were a multicolour of life as the sun beat down on them, and the scent of the alpine trees was so clear I could feel my lungs expand as I breathed it all in. Charlie was going to have a field day with all the photo opportunities when he got here.

  I had already met Grace’s parents when I arrived. Sylvia and Ray were very welcoming as they showed me around part of the ranch. Grace looked like her mother, but had her father’s quiet ways. I was envious of her in many ways. Judging by her life here in Texas, she had been extremely lucky.

  The ranch itself was in a town called Colorado and sat on almost two thousand acres of land. I was staying in the master barn—one of many structures located on the property. Luxury was an understatement, I noticed as I lay on the four-poster bed looking around. The room looked like it could have been carved from gold as the sun reflected through the window.

  When I got up to look around, I discovered that I had a huge bathroom, complete with a wet room. The black marble was cold on my feet as I stepped in to explore further.

  I was a long way from my first apartment in New York, and that still scared me a little.

  It was still a working ranch with a few herds, although most of the work was done on the other side of the estate. The area surrounding the master barn I was staying in was fairly discreet. All that was nearby was the homestead where Grace’s parents lived, and the side barns that Frank’s security team were staying in.

  All the security did make me a little nervous, but I knew my mother would go a little overboard with my protection. My bodyguards had all been pretty good at fading into the background in New York. I had a feeling they would stick out like a sore thumb here in Texas, though.

  I was wandering around the ranch when I saw Frank and a few of his men throwing stones at some old steel cans.

  “Are you that bored, Frank?” I laughed, walking over to them.

  “No, just getting into the Texas way,” he laughed, handing me a stone. “Why don’t you give it a go?”

  “I bet I’ll miss,” I smiled, taking the stone and trying to aim it at the steel can a few meters away. I threw it and missed totally. “Damn,” I muttered.

  “It’s all about practice,” Frank chuckled.

  “Well, at least I will have plenty of time for that,” I laughed.

  “That’s very true, Miss Downing,” he replied. “I have my men doing regular patrols, but Jennet has told me that I’m not to let you out of my sight. If you are going anywhere, you need to let me know. I already have a copy of your schedule, but if anything changes, be sure to inform me right away.”

  “Frank, do I really need this many people protecting me?”

  “Shannon, Maisy Field still hasn’t been found yet.” Frank was suddenly very serious. I couldn’t believe she was still missing. I wanted to feel sorry for the Field family, but I just couldn’t—not after what they had done. My heart did go out for poor Maisy Field, though. “Underground crime is really shifting, and unfortunately, heirs like you are an easy mark. Your mother put a huge target on your back when you became public and she knows it.”

  “What do you mean a target”

  “Shannon, the price on your head is already over one hundred million dollars. You must realise criminals are probably already plotting how to get their hands on you.” I froze, scared at that thought. “Don’t worry,” Frank chuckled, “that’s what I’m here for, remember?”

  “Do you think they will ever find Maisy?” I whispered, feeling completely numb.

  “Truthfully?” Frank asked. I nodded as my throat became dry. “I wouldn’t hold out much hope. Chances are they will keep hold of her just to demand more money. Once they have done that, they will go underground with her.”

  “Underground?” I asked, confused about what that meant.

  “Human trafficking. You would be amazed at the price you can get for someone like Maisy Field.” I didn’t realise I was trembling until Frank nudged me. “I’m sorry, Miss Downing. I wasn’t thinking. Me and my stupid mouth.”

  “No, it’s fine. I need to know these things,” I quivered.

  “Maybe I should get you back and find Grace.” I nodded woodenly as he helped me back to the barn.

  “Are you alright, Shan?” Grace asked, rushing in few moments later.

  “Yes,” I smiled, sitting on the multi-coloured couch in the front room. Frank had put some logs on the open fire and the smell of the burning wood was quite relaxing. “I was just talking to Frank about Maisy Field.”

  “Megan’s sister?” Grace asked as she sat down next to me.

  “Yeah. Frank was telling me that they might never find her,” I muttered. “Did you want a coffee?”

  “I’ll get it,” Grace replied, getting up. I followed her into the homely kitchen. “You still care about the Field family, don’t you? Even after what they did to you,” Grace commented as she made the drink.

  “If it had been any other member of that family I wouldn’t have cared, but Maisy, she is the baby…and so innocent. She doesn’t deserve this.”

  “Lorna was right about you,” Grace beamed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You are a pure soul. You always put others first and see the best in them.”

  “I don’t know about that,” I smiled as Grace passed me a cup of coffee.

  “Are you scared that the same thing might happen to you?”

  “A little, but I can’t spend my life in fear, can I?”

  “No. Plus, you do have about a hundred bodyguards,” she chuckled. “I don’t think even a tank could get through them.”

  “True. Frank is pretty scary.” Grace nodded, laughing. “Even if he is hitting steel cans with stones.”

  “Oh, trust me—it’s really fun once you get the hang of it,” she bounced, obviously excited. “I’ll teach you.”

  “Thanks,” I replied, shaking my head at her. “Does this mean I will have to round up cattle, too?”

  “Of course! You are in Texas now,” Grace laughed. I rolled my eyes at her, but at least it would pass the time.

  The days did seem to pass quickly, but in so many ways, I felt as if I was in a prison. I wasn’t free to walk off on my own anymore. My every step
was being watched and followed, and I had no control over it.

  Charlie called almost every day, and each time, I never wanted the phone call to end.

  “How is Canada?” I asked him.

  “It’s good. Straton came to see me yesterday,” he replied on the phone.

  “He did? What for?”

  “Well, he has a major project he wants me to partner with him for.” He sounded wary for some reason.

  “That’s great. What sort of project?” Charlie was a huge name in the world of A-list photography now, as well as all the freelancing he was doing. I had never been so proud of him.

  “That’s the problem. Shan, it’s in London.”

  “London?” I replied, suddenly feeling dejected. It was so far away from Texas.

  “Look, Sweetheart, don’t worry. We will talk about it when I see you.” He was trying to soothe me over on the phone but it wasn’t really working.

  “How long will it be for?”

  “He isn’t too sure but it’s a huge project. It’s basically his whole life’s work leading up to this one assignment. Some of the people who have agreed to be photographed are mind blowing names.” Charlie sounded so excited; I couldn’t stand in his way.

  “You should take it, Charlie. This is an amazing opportunity.”

  “Shannon, we will talk about it. You always come first.”

  “Charlie, this is your career!” I snapped. “You can’t put me before that.”

  “I think you’ll find that I can,” he chuckled.

  “Stop being stubborn,” I moaned.

  “Are we really going to fight over the phone about this?”

  “No, I just don’t want you giving up anything for me.”

  “That’s it. I’m flying to Texas right now,” Charlie replied a little irately.

  “NO! You can’t do that. You’re working!”

  “Shannon, you seem to have forgotten what you mean to me. I think I need to get to Texas and show you.” I could hardly contain the butterflies in my stomach just at the thought of his touch. It had been almost three weeks since I last saw him.

  “Don’t be silly,” I laughed. “You have to work.”

  “I can just imagine you there in your room, all alone.” I froze, looking around. How did he know I was in my bedroom?

  “Charlie, how do you know that?”

  “Look outside your window,” Charlie laughed. I raced towards the window, almost flinging myself out of it in anticipation. There he was, looking like Romeo as I gazed down at him.

  “You bloody tease!” I shouted. “You were there the whole time.”

  “Of course,” he laughed. “Now, get your beautiful body down here so I can say hello.”

  I raced down the stairs two at a time and flew into Charlie’s open arms as I crashed my lips against his urgently. My body shivered when I felt his hands caress the small of my back. Our lips didn’t part as he lifted me up, carrying me into the barn towards my bedroom. I didn’t even realise I was unconsciously taking his clothes off until I felt his bare shoulders at my fingertips. Charlie muttered my name in worship as we lay down on my huge four-poster bed and became overtaken by our desire.

  “Wow,” Charlie breathed, caressing me as we fell down from our own personal heaven. “That was something else.”

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” I beamed, rolling on top of him.

  “Well, when Straton offered me the contract, I got on the plane straight away. At the end of the day, it concerns the both of us,” Charlie breathed, putting his hand through my hair.

  “It’s a long placement, isn’t it?” I whispered. I could see it in his eyes—the anguish. He wanted to go but was too fearful to leave me.

  “Yes,” he whispered.

  “How long?”

  “Six months.”

  “SIX MONTHS!?” I didn’t mean to yell, but it was a big shock.

  “I won’t go, Shan. It’s okay.” He smiled weakly, pulling me closer.

  “You have to go, Charlie. This is huge! You can’t turn this down.”

  “But you need me.”

  “It’s only six months.” I winced, trying to have faith in my words.

  “Shannon, no…this is too much for you. I can’t leave when you need me most.”

  “Don’t be silly. I am here. What could possibly happen? Plus, I might even be able to visit you in London,” I beamed, running my fingertips against his lips.

  “Shannon, are you sure? You don’t even want to think about this?”

  “Charlie, we have our whole lives to be together. I will miss you like crazy, but we have to take these chances when we get them or we may end up resenting each other one day.”

  “Shan, I…”

  “Don’t,” I interrupted. “You know I’m right.” Charlie nodded solemnly. “What’s wrong?” I asked, watching his face closely.

  “I was hoping you would make me stay. I don’t like the idea of being away from you for that long.”

  “It’s only six months, and I expect I’ll be here the whole time with the way my mother has been.”

  “Maybe she will let you come with me.” I looked at him and smirked. “Okay, maybe not,” Charlie chuckled.

  “All I am saying is that if you want this, go for it. I will be here waiting for you when you get back.”

  “I love you, Shannon.”

  “I love you, too,” I smiled, kissing him as we lost ourselves again.

  Charlie had saved me in every way possible. I owed him this. I couldn’t let him see my fear.

  My life was spiralling out of control so fast that I was finding it difficult to hold on to the parts that kept me grounded.

  “This place really is incredible,” Charlie mused, snapping pictures of the sunrise.

  “It gets a little tedious day after day, though,” I yawned. Charlie had an obsession with sunrises, and I’d been dying to show him the Black Mountains sunrise. We’d taken two of the horses and chased the dawn before it began to break.

  “It can’t be that bad.”

  “Tell me more about London?” I asked, slipping onto his lap. The horses were busy eating grass, tied to the nearest tree.

  “It’s Straton’s life work. I still can’t believe he has asked me to help him.”

  “Is it for a showcase?”

  “And a memoir book,” he replied proudly.

  “You have to do this, Charlie. Please don’t worry about me here. What could possibly go wrong?”

  “You could fall off a horse, for one,” he teased.

  “That would never happen.”

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “This is your career, Charlie. Please don’t let me hold you back from that.”

  “You are more important.”

  “I’m going to be stuck here, anyway. Please don’t worry.” He nodded before capturing my lips with his.

  “I would watch sunrises with you every morning if I could,” he whispered.

  “What is this fascination with sunrises?”

  “It was the first picture I ever took when I was younger. My grandfather gave me my first camera, and we walked onto the beach in England. You should have seen it, Shan. It was the most glorious sunrise I’d ever seen. I still keep looking for those shades of red and orange now—nothing has ever compared.”

  “How old were you?” I smiled as images of a tiny Charlie filled my head.

  “Five,” he beamed. “They were good memories.”

  “We can keep looking for them. I never mind watching a sunrise with you, either,” I grinned before he turned to pull me into his arms again.

  Charlie stayed the whole weekend, and I somehow managed to make him realise that London was the right choice without him feeling guilty about leaving me.

  “I’ll see you next weekend,” Charlie breathed against my neck as I held him close.

  “We will have to make the most of the next few weekends,” I smiled, kissing his lips. “Have a safe journey back.”


  “I love you, Shannon Downing.”

  “I love you more,” I teased as I watched him get into the car.

  “I doubt that,” he smirked. “Be good.”

  “What trouble could I get into here?” I rolled my eyes at him. Charlie laughed as he got in the car, and I blew him a kiss before he closed the door. The car slowly began to pull away, and Charlie mouthed he loved me before it disappeared into the distance.

  “Are you okay, Miss Downing?” one of Frank’s security men asked as I walked back to the barn.

  “I’m fine.” I smiled weakly as I passed him. Was the pain on my face that easy to see?

  My life was slowly slipping from my hands, but I knew I could get through this. After all, I had been through so much worse.

  Love—no matter what the distance—would keep me strong.

  Chapter Eleven

  I couldn’t even begin to explain how much my life had changed since my true identity had been revealed. I had only tasted a small part of it before being hidden away in Texas, but I coped better than I ever thought I would. The flashing cameras only reminded me of Megan. A small part of me pretended I was still there in London with her…that the press weren’t there for me—it was Megan Field they wanted. It was bizarre that even after what Megan and her family had done to me, I still found a small amount of comfort in the years I had spent with them.

  The girl I had once been was slowly disappearing while Shannon Downing was starting to rise from the ashes—just as my mother had hoped. I was feeling stronger and more in control of certain aspects of my life, and although that was mostly a good thing, the power was getting to me a little. Not that I would admit it to anyone, but I was definitely changing.

  “So, my darling Lizzie, how are you finding life on our ranch?” my mother asked over the table.

  “It’s pretty quiet,” I smiled, “but I am enjoying the fresh air.”

  “I will need you to come to London with me next month. I have a major deal going down, so Harry Mac will be joining us, too. Did Grace send you all the details?”

  “Yes.” I was surprised that my mother wanted any part of the company that Headcom was now after, considering most of it had been owned by the Fields in the past.