Surviving With Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  Marcus tried to get up as Stacey and Cord drew close to the table, but the man beside him put a hand on his shoulder forcing him back down.

  Stacey was glad to see her godson appeared to be unharmed, although he looked dirty and very frightened.

  “Stacey...” he started to talk, but Brooks spoke in his ear.

  Marcus nodded and stayed still, his eyes fixed on Stacey.

  Cord placed the two shopping bags he carried on top of the table and stepped back for Brooks to check them.

  Watching Cord warily, Brooks unfastened the straps and glanced inside the backpacks, then nodded and lifted the shopping bags to the ground beside his feet.

  Cord shrugged out of the pack he wore on his back and laid it on the table. Taking the shopping bag from Stacey and helping her slide out of the other pack, he kept his body between her and the trees.

  Brooks checked the other packs and seemed satisfied. He raised his hand and waved as if to a friend. “Take the boy and leave. Don’t contact anyone. We know where the twins go to school and where they live.”

  “Come on, Marcus. Let’s go.” Stacey held her hand out to him and he ran to her. She grabbed him to her and walked quickly away while hugging him tightly to her side. She didn’t wait to see if Cord followed. Her job was to get Marcus to safety.

  Cord stared into Brooks eyes. With deadly intent he promised, “If you or Thompson ever touches anyone in that family again, I will hunt you down and feed the pieces to the vultures.” Then he backed away slowly, keeping his body between the woods and Stacey’s retreating form.

  There was a small group at the hot dog stand and Stacey hurried straight past them to the other side of the food cart. She went to her knees to check Marcus for injuries then hugged him tightly.

  “Stacey, I’m so glad you came to get me,” he started crying even though he tried not to. “I was so scared. Is Marie and mommy and daddy okay? Don’t tell them I cried, please. Can we go home, now?” His little body shaking, Marcus squeezed her around the neck.

  “We’ll take you to the lodge as soon as we can, Marcus. They’re all waiting there for us to bring you back. Everything’s all right now, baby. I’m so glad to see you,” Stacey told him in a husky voice and stroked his hair as she held him tightly.

  Cord jogged over to them. “We’re okay now, Stacey, they’re gone. I saw them get into a car on a side street past the woods. How’s Marcus?” He rubbed her back reassuringly.

  “He’s fine, I think. He’s been very brave and he wants his family. We need to call them. Is it safe to go back to the room?”

  “Should be. I’ll check it out before you and Marcus go in. Come on.” He helped Stacey stand up which was difficult because Marcus was still wrapped around her.

  “Do you want me to take him?”

  “No thanks. I want to hold him and I think he feels the same about me, don’t you Markie?” She hadn’t called him that since he started school, but he didn’t seem to mind.

  Marcus snuggled his face deeper into her neck. “Don’t let go, Stacey. Please, don’t let go,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I won’t, Markie baby. I’ll hold you as long as you want me to,” she promised. “We’re going to our room so you can call and talk to your mom and dad on the phone. We’ll get you something to eat then fly you to see them.”

  Cord urged her and the precious bundle she carried from one group to another until he was sure no one followed them. Finally he steered them into a group walking away from the park and up the street.

  “Can I talk to Marie too?” Marcus needed to connect with the twin he was never separated from for more than a few hours. Even at school the twins were in the same classes or both caused problems.

  “We’ll do our best to let you talk to her,” Stacey agreed.

  At the front desk of the Inn, Cord spoke quietly to the clerk behind the counter then turned to Stacey. “Stay right here. I’ll check the room and be back.”

  Stacey nodded and watched as he ran up the stairs. She cuddled Marcus and rocked back and forth with him. It was a comforting instinct and seemed to help both of them. She felt when he stopped shaking, but he sucked his thumb as he lay quietly against her. He had given it up when he was three. Stacey was terrified this might leave a permanent emotional scar.

  “It’s all clear.” Cord walked with her to the elevator instead of the stairs after thanking the clerk. “No one’s been in, not even the maid.”

  “That’s a relief. I can’t wait to let everyone know he’s safe,” Stacey told Cord as he unlocked the door and let them in. She watched as he locked it carefully behind them. She sat Marcus on the edge of the bed, but he wouldn’t let go of her. Sitting down beside him, Stacey stroked his hair back from his eyes and talked softly, “Marcus, I need to let you sit here for a minute while I get your mom on the phone. I won’t leave the room and you’ll be able to see me the whole time. This is Cord. He helped get you back and he’s my special friend. Would you hold his hand while I use the phone?”

  “Will he keep the bad men away?” Marcus took his thumb from his mouth long enough to whisper to her. Cord leaned a little closer and told him, “Marcus, I’m watching to make sure those guys don’t even get close. I promise Stacey and I will get you back to your mom and dad. Now, slip me that hand so Stacey won’t have to dial with her teeth,” he held his hand out to the small frightened boy and waited patiently.

  Marcus almost smiled as he studied the big hand held out to him. Carefully he put his much smaller one in it. Taking his thumb out of his mouth again, he asked, “Did you see my sister?”

  “Yes. She told us what happened at the school to help us find you. I like her. She touched my face and made me feel better.”

  After calling room service for food for Marcus and the coffee she so desperately needed, Stacey dialed the lodge. As she waited for her call to be put through to Cathy, she listened to Marcus and Cord and thought again how good he was with kids. Touching her stomach, she wondered for the first time what it would be like to have a child, Cord’s child.

  “Stacey, what’s wrong? Have you heard from the kidnappers? Is everything okay?” Cathy blurted immediately.

  “Marcus is fine. It’s over. He’s with us at the Lowell Inn. He’s safe, but still shaken up.” She heard Cathy burst into tears and call for Morris. “He’s there with you? And he’s...?”

  “Cathy, calm down and I’ll put him on the phone. Take a deep breath and talk to your son.” She took her time handing the phone over to Marcus to give Cathy time to regain some control. Marcus needed reassurance and love, not hysterics.

  “Mommy, are you there?” Marcus sounded frightened and unsure. He listened then tears ran down his cheeks. “I’m okay. They didn’t really hurt me. Stacey ordered me some food and—and Cord said he won’t let them bother me anymore.” He listened quietly then said, “I’m trying not to be scared. Is daddy there—and Marie?” There was a pause then, “I love you too, mommy. Hey daddy. Mommy sounded funny. Is she sick?” Marcus stuck his thumb in his mouth as he listened. It made a soft pop as he pulled it out to answer, “Yeah, I remember. Girls cry when they’re happy, sometimes.” He rolled his eyes and smiled a little. “Yes, sir. I’ll mind and do what they say. Can I talk to Marie?” Marcus and his sister talked quietly and shared secrets for several minutes before he handed the phone back to Stacey.

  “Thank you, Stacey,” Cathy cried as soon as she was on the line. “I can’t believe he’s safe. Tell Cord how much we appreciate...”

  Stacey heard sobs then Morris took the phone. “Stacey, how long before you can get here?”

  “As soon as we feed Marcus and make sure it’s safe, we’ll fly out. You should have him back tonight. Tell Cathy I understand and we’re all glad it’s over.” They said goodbye and hung up.

  Upon hearing a knock at the door, Cord motioned Stacey to get Marcus She gathered him up quickly and carried him into the bathroom.

  “What’s wrong, Stacey?” Marcus whispered into her
neck.

  “Nothing, baby. We have to wash your hands so you can eat and Cord didn’t want us to be in there when he opened the door. He wanted to make sure it was the good guys with our food,” Stacey explained honestly as she sat him down and began to wash his face and hands with a warm cloth. She listened carefully to make sure everything was okay in the bedroom.

  Cord drew his gun the moment after Stacey disappeared with Marcus. He looked out the viewer in the door and then opened it a tiny crack before ordering, “Leave it in the hall. I’ll sign the tab and leave it out there with the dishes when we’re finished.”

  The waiter argued, “But sir, I need to make sure the order’s correct and take the signed slip back.”

  “How about I call the manager and explain how uncooperative you are? My girl and I expect a little privacy for the kind of money we’re paying.”

  The waiter relented, put the tray down outside the door and left.

  Cord waited until the man was out of sight before opening the door and bringing the tray into the room. He carefully checked every item then called to Stacey that everything was all right. “You and Marcus can come back now. Everything’s fine.”

  They had an ‘almost picnic’ as Marcus called it of burgers, fries, and thick strawberry shakes in the middle of a bed. As he watched the two finishing off the meal, Cord phoned the pilot and asked him to have the chopper standing by in half an hour. Cord packed up and then sat with Marcus while Stacey got ready to go.

  “Marcus, we’re going to ride out to the lodge in the chopper. Think you can handle that?” Stacey used her fingers to brush the hair on his forehead over to one side.

  “I think so. You and Cord are coming too, right?” He looked up at her then looked at Cord.

  “Yeah, we wouldn’t have it any other way. This chopper is smaller than what you usually ride in,” Cord explained as he squatted down to be at eye level with the boy, “so you may have to sit with me, if that’s okay?”

  “Okay. Can I wear your hat?” Marcus shyly reached out and touched the bill of Cord’s red baseball cap.

  “If I let you wear my hat, does that mean we’re friends?” Cord teased.

  Marcus nodded and Cord removed the cap, took up the adjustment in the back and plopped it on the child’s head.

  Marcus stuck his small hand out in a manly fashion to shake with the larger man before saying, “Friends, buddies, and pals. Now, if I tell you a secret or you tell me one, we can’t tell anybody else. Okay?”

  “Good deal, my friend, buddy, and pal,” Cord agreed and shook the little boy’s hand solemnly. “We better go,” he told Stacey as he rose to his feet.

  She shouldered her pack and took Marcus by the hand. Cord led the way and checked the hall before letting them leave the room. He had already made arrangements for them to be driven to the small airport and the car waited at the front.

  They paused briefly in the lobby while Cord settled the bill. Then double checking everything before he let them out the front door, Cord rushed them to the car at the curb. The drive to the airport was short and they soon boarded the chopper.

  The pilot grinned at her and yelled above the sounds of the rotor, “Hey, darling. Just can’t get enough of this, can you? Or maybe it’s my charm and good looks?”

  “Shut up, Junior,” Cord ordered with a slight smile and buckled Marcus into his belt with him.

  “Where to this time, Boss?” The pilot shouted, not disturbed at all by Cord’s order.

  “Saddleback Mountain Lodge, we’re taking this young man back to his family.” Cord kept one arm tightly around the boy sitting on his lap.

  Stacey leaned back and closed her eyes, dreading the noisy lift-off. Now there were four of them jammed into the small passenger space.

  “You can hold my hand, Stacey,” Marcus shouted over the roar of the engine as they got ready to take off. He leaned toward her and patted the hands tightly clasped in her lap.

  She smiled without opening her eyes and took hold of the small hand he offered.

  Once they were in the air and away from the airport, the pilot handed Cord the headphones to put on Stacey. Junior adjusted the dials and Stacey relaxed a little.

  “Thank you,” she shouted to everyone in the chopper.

  Marcus looked back over his shoulder and told Cord, “She’s scared sometimes. How did you know?”

  “We talked about it. We’re friends like you and me,” Cord answered.

  “Can I tell you something?”

  “Sure, but only if you want to.”

  “Those men were mean to me sometimes. They tied me up and left me in a closet at night. I was really scared and—I—I messed up my clothes. That’s why I have these.” Marcus looked embarrassed. “Do you think my daddy will be ashamed of me?”

  “I think if you talk to your dad he’ll tell you about some times when he was really scared, too. I know he’s really proud of you. I’m really proud of you too. You don’t have to tell the girls how bad it was, but you should tell your dad. He can help you with it.” Cord would have preferred to have this conversation somewhere other than shouting in a helicopter, but he wasn’t about to discourage Marcus from talking if he needed to.

  “Think so? I didn’t want to make mommy and Stacey worry or cry, but mommy cried anyway.”

  “That was just because she was glad you were safe. Girls cry over everything.”

  “Yeah, I guess,” Marcus agreed. “Mom cries a lot sometimes, but not Stacey. She don’t cry near as much as most girls. She works with my dad.”

  “She told me.”

  “Are you gonna’ ask her out?”

  “Maybe I will. Would you mind?” Cord smiled at the small boy.

  “Nah, don’t guess so. I like you lots better than old Derek. He’s a dweeb.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Cord pointed to the roof of the lodge as it came into view. The chopper circled to land and they could see a small crowd gathering to welcome them back.

  “There’s mommy and daddy.” Marcus pointed. “I don’t see...no, there’s Marie. And Sam and Auntie Lucy. Almost everybody. Boy, am I glad to see them,” he waved happily and squirmed excitedly as they landed.

  “Shut her down, Junior. You can stay over, I’m sure. I might need you again,” Cord shouted to the pilot. Junior gave the thumbs up sign and cut the power.

  Before the rotor blades stopped turning, Cathy, Morris, and Marie raced down the steps to the chopper. Cord unbuckled Marcus and handed him out to waiting arms. He turned back to help Stacey get free then climbed out. She followed and he got their packs from behind the seat.

  There were hugs and tears and introductions. Cord met almost everyone who worked at the lodge. They all came to welcome Marcus and see that he was unhurt.

  Standing back slightly from the rest, a tall, athletic blond man stared at Stacey, Cord observed. As the excitement died down and the group began to move toward the lodge entrance, the man moved closer to Stacey effectively blocking her path.

  “Aren’t you going to say hello, sweetheart? So is this the guy you dumped me for?” he kept his voice low and menacing. “He’s old enough to be your father. When he gets tired of you, don’t expect me to take you back.”

  “You don’t have to worry about it, Derek. What I do is not your concern. Since I found out how nasty you can be, I’m glad we’re not even friends any longer. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t bother me anymore.” Stacey tried to keep her voice civil, but it was difficult.

  Derek reached out and grabbed her arm when she tried to step around him. “What are you going to do, have daddy fire me?”

  “If you keep this up, I might. Now, let me go.” Stacey didn’t struggle to get free. That was probably what he wanted.

  “You’ll regret it if you cost me my job, sweetheart,” he hissed and squeezed her arm tighter.

  Automatically Stacey winced and pulled back from the pain.

  Cord’s hand shot out as he arrived beside her. He caught Derek’s wrist a
nd applied enough pressure to cause Derek’s hand to go numb. “I think you should apologize to Miss Parker and let her go. By the way,” Cord caught the man’s hand as it fell away from Stacey’s arm and shook it in a painful grip while baring his teeth in a pretend smile, “my name is Cord McConnell. I assume you’re Derek, the ski instructor. I’m a very good friend of Stacey’s and I don’t care for your attitude toward her.”

  Pain was etched into Derek’s face as he mumbled, “Sorry, Stacey.”

  Cord let go and Derek rubbed his throbbing hand. He glared at Cord and stalked off.

  “I could have taken care of it,” Stacey told him as she accepted her backpack from him.

  “You shouldn’t have to,” Cord told her. “You should tell Sam about the situation.”

  “I’d rather not. Derek is a popular employee and he works hard. It’s not right for my personal problems to interfere with the operation of the lodge.” Stacey led the way through the large entrance as they talked.

  “I don’t think Sam or Lucy would agree. They’ll be upset if you don’t tell them, especially since he seems to be getting abusive.” Cord knew if he saw the ski instructor touch her again, he would probably pitch Derek out of the chopper while hovering at a few thousand feet.

  “Okay, I’ll tell dad if he touches me again. Fair enough, McConnell?” Stacey asked when she saw the determined set to his jaw.

  “Fair enough, Parker.” Cord relaxed slightly. “Now we need to talk to Morris and Cathy about Thompson. If they want him caught, we need to contact the FBI right away,” Cord reminded her as they went through to the dining room to join everyone. Marcus and Marie were sharing a chair while eating ice cream. Morris and Cathy hovered over them.

  Stacey managed to get Morris to walk over to join them away from the others.

  Cord explained the threat made against the twins to prevent them contacting the authorities and asked Morris what he wanted to do.

  “I don’t know. Of course we want the men who took Marcus caught, but I don’t want to put my family in more danger. I’ll have to talk it over with Cathy. Whatever we decide, I can’t ever repay either of you for...” Morris swallowed hard and looked toward his son as he choked on his emotions.