Surviving With Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  “Yes. I can do whatever I have to,” Stacey answered with absolute certainty.

  “I wish I had your confidence,” Cathy told her. She looked down at the cup she was holding and finally admitted, “I’m so afraid.”

  “I’m afraid, too. I’m just better at hiding it,” Stacey smiled at her friend.

  Cathy returned a weak smile and sipped her coffee.

  “We’ve talked it over.” Morris shifted his cup nervously between his large hands. “We want you and your friend to get Marcus out. We know you have his best interest at heart. The FBI has been trying for weeks to catch these guys and they haven’t. But, we want your promise to call in the authorities if there are any problems or if something doesn’t look right. I’m asking for your word, Stacey.” Morris knew she didn’t give her word lightly.

  “I give you my word that if there are problems, I will contact the FBI or tell you so that you can,” she told Morris. It was the best she could do and not let them tie her hands completely.

  “Will you tell us what’s happening? Not keep secrets?” Cathy did not want to be left out of the loop.

  “As much as I possibly can,” Stacey agreed.

  “I guess I’ll have to accept that,” Cathy nodded tiredly.

  “Then it’s settled. Cord and I will take care of things.” Stacey put her empty cup on the tray.

  Sam spoke for the first time since coming into the room, “Morris, I think it would be better if you, Cathy, and Marie stay here in the lodge or at the house with us instead of in the cabin until this is over. We don’t want to take any chances with your safety. If you think you need extra protection, I’ll be glad to call in some extra security.”

  “Thank you, Sam. We probably should stay here in the main building, if there’s room,” Morris agreed. “As long as we don’t wander off alone, I’m not too worried about more security.”

  “I’ll make sure there’s a room ready. Yvette will give you the keys.”

  “Sam, I don’t know what we would do without you and Lucy, and especially Stacey,” Cathy began to cry again. “Thank you so much for doing this, Stacey.”

  Sam cleared his throat and told her, “Don’t hesitate to let us know what you need.”

  “I’ll find you when I have some news,” Stacey assured them. Stacey left the room, followed by her father.

  “Are you sure this is what you want to do, honey? It sounds dangerous,” Sam told her as they reached the front counter. “Your mother couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”

  “I’ll be careful. And Cord will protect me. I think you’ll see what I mean when he gets here. I love you, daddy.” Stacey hugged him and planted a large kiss on his cheek before dashing upstairs.

  Sam watched her and shook his head. He was definitely losing control over that girl.

  * * * * *

  Why doesn’t Thompson call? Stacey looked at her watch again. 4:30. Where is Cord? Has something happened to keep him from coming? Why hasn’t he at least called? What a mess. She needed to get going, to do something. Realizing she was breathing too fast, Stacey took several slow, deep breaths and tried to calm down.

  If something were wrong, Cord would have called. This was exactly what Thompson wanted. For her to freak out so she would follow orders. Refusing to give the creep that kind of power, Stacey was headed for the kitchen to get a glass of juice and a snack when she heard the unmistakable thump-thump-thump of a chopper getting close. Her heart skipped a beat. He’s here. Striding quickly, she went back through the lobby and out the front door.

  A clearing, slightly downhill from the front of the Lodge, was used as their helicopter pad. The white machine with red markings looked similar to the one that picked Cord and the boys up at the logging camp. The chopper circled and softly landed. The skids barely touched the ground when a large figure holding onto a familiar backpack jumped out. Bending slightly, he moved away from the spinning blades before turning back to give the pilot a thumbs up. The pilot saluted and the chopper lifted away from the mountain.

  Cord stopped to take in the beautiful lodge set into the side of Saddleback Mountain. The woman coming slowly down the rock steps toward him looked even more appealing than the scenery. This was Stacey’s home and she definitely fit here. The wild strawberry blond curls escaping her barrette stirred in the breeze. Her slightly upturned nose dared anyone to try to tame her and her full, smiling mouth invited exploration.

  She stopped in front of him and looked him over from head to toe. “Thank you for coming. Morris and Cathy want us to handle this for them. I haven’t heard from Thompson yet. How are you?”

  “Good. This is a different look from what I’m used to, Parker,” he indicated the white blouse and black slacks she wore.

  “It is a little different from trail grunge, isn’t it? This is sort of our unofficial uniform. I was helping out this morning before we heard about Marcus,” Stacey explained. “I missed you, too,” she finished softly.

  Dropping his pack where he stood, Cord reached out drawing her into his arms. He placed a sweet, almost reverent kiss on her lips then buried his face in her hair. The scent of her was ambrosia to his lonely soul.

  Stacey clung to him for several minutes before drawing away. “We have a room ready for you and you need to meet everyone.” She waited while he picked up his pack then led the way toward the front door of the lodge.

  “I can bunk with the employees, Parker. I’m here to work.”

  “This was mom’s idea. You’ll find out it’s easier to let mom have her way.” Stacey saw her parents waiting on the front porch by the main doors.

  “Inspection committee?” Cord asked warily.

  “Polite hosts,” Stacey amended. They climbed the steps to the porch and Sam and Lucy stepped forward to meet them. “Mom, dad, meet my friend, Cord McConnell. Cord this is Lucy and Sam Parker.”

  Cord extended his hand a little shyly to the petite auburn-haired lady with Stacey’s smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Parker. I’ll try not to be too much trouble,” he smiled slightly.

  He turned to Stacey’s father. Eyes almost like Stacey’s stared at him. Once again he felt like a bug under a magnifying glass. Seeing the speculation in Sam’s expression as he took in Cord’s age and appearance, Cord met his gaze respectfully. Finally, after a long mutual appraisal, Cord gladly accepted the hand Stacey’s father extended.

  “I understand you worked with my daughter to save some boys a few weeks back. We’re glad you’re here to help out.”

  “Thank you, sir. I intend to help get this boy back to his family as soon as possible,” Cord shook hands with a firm grip.

  “Come on in, Mr. McConnell.” Lucy turned and moved through the doors.

  “Cord, please ma’am,” he inserted as he followed Stacey.

  “Cord, then. I’m Lucy and that’s Sam,” Stacey’s mom smiled and kept going. “I hope Stacey told you that we have a room ready for you. Feel free to ask for anything you need and order whatever you like in the dining room or from room service,” Lucy led the way to the front counter as she assumed her role as hostess. “If you need a computer, you can use the one in the upstairs office or we’ll get you a laptop, if you prefer. Here’s your room key. Now, is there anything else I can do for you, to help you settle in?”

  “No, I don’t think so. Thanks for making me feel welcome,” Cord told her. Then he watched as Lucy reached to answer the phone, type at the computer, and speak to a guest simultaneously it seemed.

  “Come on, McConnell. I’ll show you to your room so you can freshen up. Then you need to meet Marcus’ parents,” she told him. Stacey led him upstairs. “This is it. I’m afraid it doesn’t have a view, but it should be slightly better than pine needles and a bedroll.”

  Dropping his pack on the bed, Cord assured her the room was fine. “It’s nice. I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes, okay?”

  “Okay. I’ll go let Morris know you’re here.” Stacey pulled the door closed as s
he left. Even under these circumstances it felt good to have him here.

  Ten minutes later Stacey performed more introductions in Sam’s office. Morris and Cord made an immediate connection and Marie hid shyly behind her mother.

  Cord asked about the details of what happened that morning at the school. When Morris or Cathy would jump ahead, Cord would patiently bring them back on track. As Morris came to the point where he called Stacey, Cord also wanted her input and listened carefully to all three of them.

  As the adults talked, Marie gradually worked her way over to sit on Stacey’s lap. She was curious about this stranger. Watching as Cord talked, she finally reached out to touch the scar on his left cheek.

  “Marie,” Cathy was about to make her daughter apologize when Cord interrupted.

  “It’s all right, Mrs. Haley. She’s curious and I don’t mind. I much prefer it to people who pretend not to look.” Turning to Marie, he told her, “I have another one up here.” He pointed to the jagged scar over his right eyebrow.

  “Can I touch it?” Marie asked and held out her index finger.

  “Sure,” he leaned over so she could reach easier.

  Cathy raised her eyebrows at Stacey.

  “Do they hurt?” Marie rubbed each scar gently several times.

  “Not anymore. It always makes them feel better for a princess to touch them,” Cord talked gently, but was careful not to talk down to this intelligent child.

  “And did a princess touch them?” Marie was intrigued by the idea.

  “Aren’t you a princess? You definitely touch like a princess,” Cord teased.

  “No, silly, I’m just a kid. Are you going to bring Marcus home?”

  “We’re all going to work hard to get your brother home. But it might take a little while. Maybe you can help, Marie.”

  “How?” Marie scooted off Stacey’s lap and stepped nearer to lean against Cord’s leg. “I really want to find Marcus.”

  “Did you see any strangers with Marcus or anywhere at the school this morning?”

  Marie nodded her head.

  Morris looked at Cathy and she shrugged, this was news to her.

  “Was it a man or a woman?”

  “A man. Does he have Marcus?” Marie twisted a strand of her hair with the fingers of one hand.

  “That’s what we have to find out. What did the man do?”

  “He asked Marcus a question. Marcus stopped to talk to him and I went in to see my friend, Debbie. I should have stayed with Marcus.” Marie was getting a little upset and Cathy was almost ready to stop Cord from questioning her.

  “No, Marcus should have stayed with you.” By putting the blame on Marcus he eased Marie’s worries.

  Marie smiled at Cord. “That’s right. Marcus wasn’t supposed to talk to strangers.”

  “What did the man look like? Do you remember?” Cord realized everyone had panicked and no one thought to question the only eyewitness.

  “Like you and daddy, kind of.”

  “He was tall and wide?” Cord asked patiently.

  Marie nodded.

  “What color was his hair?”

  “Like mommy’s, but it wasn’t long.”

  “Blond, but cut short like mine?”

  “Shorter. It stood up on top.” Marie used her hand on top of her own head to show him how the man’s hair stood up.

  “After Marcus talked to the man and you went in the school, did you see Marcus or the man again?”

  Marie thought for a minute then shook her head. “I didn’t. When the tardy bell rang and Marcus wasn’t in his desk, I asked Miss Brown where he was. We started looking and Miss Brown called mommy.”

  “Thank you, Marie. You’ve been very helpful.” Cord reached out and shook her hand as he would with an adult.

  Marie gave him a beautiful smile then ran to hug her mother. “Mommy, did you hear? I helped. Now we can find Marcus and bring him home,” she whispered loudly and patted Cathy’s back soothingly. “It’ll be okay, mommy.”

  Fighting back tears, Cathy stood up and took Marie by the hand. “If you will excuse us, I think we’ll get some dinner and take our bath. Morris can fill us in on anything else later.” As she stopped and let Marie go out the door first, Cathy turned back and mouthed, “Thank you,” to Cord.

  He nodded then turned to Morris and Stacey. “Thompson fits Marie’s description. From a call I made before I left Dallas, I found out that a deputy reported possibly seeing him in Lowell last weekend. When the deputy went back to check, the man was gone. It was never confirmed. The FBI received so many false sightings in the area they didn’t even check it out. I’ll have a friend fax us a copy of Thompson’s photo for Marie to look at. If we don’t hear from Thompson tonight, we’ll go to Lowell tomorrow and do some investigating. I’ll need a recent picture of Marcus.”

  “I’ve got a school picture,” Morris took out his wallet and removed a photo of his son. “Will that do? It was taken just before Christmas.”

  Cord accepted the picture and looked at features very similar to Marie’s. Though not identical, they definitely shared certain characteristics. Both had blond hair and brown eyes, which was a compelling but unusual combination. Their mouth was Cathy’s, but the nose was their father’s. “This will work thanks. Stacey, I need access to a fax machine and a copier with an enlarger, preferably color.” Cord drained his coffee cup before standing.

  Morris rose, too, and the men shook hands. “I can’t tell you how grateful we are for your help. It...” Morris stopped and swallowed hard.

  “We’ll get Marcus back. If you want to be with your wife and daughter, Stacey and I will keep working.”

  “Okay, but if I can help...”

  “We’ll find you if there’s anything you can do, Morris. Go, take care of Cathy and Marie,” Stacey put her hand on his arm and led him to the door.

  “There’s a fax and a color copier in Yvette’s office. I’ll show you,” she offered. Leading the way she felt the force of Cord’s presence. His military bearing was firmly in place and she was thankful he was taking charge. Beneath that was the knowledge of the desire arcing between them whenever their eyes met or they touched; pushed aside, but not dead by any means.

  “Will these do?” Stacey indicated a very new color copier and a high quality fax machine.

  “Very well, thanks. I’ll make my call then work on the copies while we wait for the response.”

  “Have you eaten? Would you like something from the dining room?”

  “I missed lunch trying to get here. Whatever you have is fine,” Cord told her and began punching in numbers on the phone as he took a seat behind the desk.

  Stacey slipped out and went to the kitchen to see what she could find.

  Cord was at the copier when Stacey slid a tray onto a side table and moved closer to see what he was doing. “The 8 X 10 is too grainy, but the 5 X 7 is going to be okay. I’m running several. When we get the fax of Thompson, I’ll run several of it as well. If we have to canvas Lowell, we may find someone who remembers them and can give us a place to start.”

  “Won’t that be dangerous for Marcus?”

  “I don’t think so. They probably expect some sort of effort to find him. The most it will do is force Thompson to call, which is what we want, right?”

  “Yes, you’re right,” Stacey conceded with a loud sigh. They were almost finished eating when Sam stuck his head in the open door of the office. “Line one, Stacey. It’s a man who wouldn’t give your mother his name.

  “It has to be him,” Stacey quickly picked up the phone. “This is Stacey.”

  “Hello, Stacey. I’m calling to give you the details. Are you ready?”

  Stacey nodded to let Sam and Cord know it was Thompson. “I’m ready. What do you want me to do?”

  “A few weeks ago a very unpleasant man spirited away two of our companions from beside a river. Do you remember the place?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “It took quite a while fo
r us to get free and help our injured friend. After we hiked a few more days, we realized that in order to save our friend we would have to leave our valuables and return for them later,” Thompson explained.

  “And you want me to go get them.”

  “I knew you were intelligent. Because of the unpleasant man’s intervention, that area is not safe for us at this time and I’m not prepared to wait much longer. As I was checking into your background, this very special joint effort came to mind. You do something for me, I do something for you.”

  “Where are they? I’ll leave at first light if it will get Marcus back,” Stacey insisted.

  “Well, I can’t tell you where they are. That is part of the problem. My associate has been back and he couldn’t locate the spot. He is the one who suggested since you uncovered what he so purposely concealed, you should be able to locate and retrieve our missing items.”

  “But what if I can’t? I have to have more information, a landmark, something.”

  “Poor Marcus, he was so young. Start at daylight, Stacey. The boy will be safe a few more days if you do as I say. When you have the items go to the Lowell Inn, take a room in your name, and leave a message at the desk for Mr. Brooks that his package has arrived. Then wait in the room and you will be contacted.” Thompson hung up.

  Stacey sat still thinking over what Thompson said. Brooks went back and couldn’t find the bonds. He didn’t let her talk to Marcus this time. Was he still okay? Would she be able to find the bonds? The questions whirled in her mind and she felt panic rising again.

  Cord watched her for a few minutes then prompted, “Stacey, what did he say?”

  She related the conversation and almost broke up when she got to the part where he threatened Marcus. Recovering, she went on to describe the contact procedure after she retrieved the bonds.

  “They’re near Lowell. They’ll call every day or have someone go by to check for messages. That way they can stay hidden or move around according to their daily situation. Intelligence operatives use the same system all the time overseas,” Cord explained.

  “But what it comes down to is can you find the bonds Stacey?” Sam asked.