by Karen Ward
"A helicopter, really? That's going to be so cool!" exclaims Damian.
******
Dylan and Damian arrive at the ranch just before noon the following day. When they land everyone is waiting in the drive to meet Damian. As Dylan helps Damian down from the passenger seat he can't help but smile. Damian's eyes are as big as saucers and his face is glowing with excitement. He says, "This is it? This is where we're going to live?"
Dylan says, "This is it. Do you like it?"
Damian says, "Wow, I've never seen a house that big."
Standing in the drive watching as Dylan and the young boy cross the expanse from the helipad and step onto the drive, my heart is pounding with apprehension. He looks so little, just like a miniature Dylan. I've never thought about having children before. What if he doesn't like me? Will it change the way Dylan feels about me? Oh, God. I'm not sure I can do this!
Dylan works his way down the line introducing Damian to everyone. When he reaches me, he says, "Damian, this is Skye."
I smile and say, "Hello Damian, I'm very glad to meet you."
He takes my offered hand in his little one and says, "You sure have pretty blue eyes."
Blushing I reply, "Why, thank you."
Standing next to me, Eric says, "Hey Damian, I'm Eric. Come on and I'll show you around. This is the best place in the world to live. Do you know how to ride a horse? Don't worry, I'll teach you," and they run off toward the barn.
Watching them leave, Dylan reaches for my hand and brushes his lips across my knuckles. Smiling he says, "I think he is going to be just fine."
"Dylan, he is so cute. He looks just like you."
He turns to Melanie and gives her a brotherly hug, "Hey Beautiful, where's the baby? I haven't gotten to see him yet."
Barry, grinning with pride puts his arm around Melanie's waist and says, "It's nap time. You'll get to see him at dinner. How was your trip?"
"It was good. Damian seems to be handling his mother's death very well. I think I would like for him to have a few sessions with Eric's counselor just to be sure. Can you arrange it please? I would also like to build my own place come spring. Would that be all right?"
"Certainly, I don't have a problem with that. Pick your location and I'll draw up a deed with a few acres."
"When Evelyn comes, I'll want to build her something too," adds Dylan.
"Sure, unless Goose decides he wants to build her something," grins Barry. Goose's infatuation with Dylan's beautiful sister did not go unnoticed by Barry.
******
Stump is so excited. He just got off the phone with Bear and he and his mother have decided to get married. When Stump suggested they have the wedding at the ranch so Skye can attend Bear thought that was a great idea. He asked Stump to clear it with Barry and let him know.
He hunts Barry down in the barn and says, "Hey Farrie, would you mind if my Mom and Dad have their wedding here at the ranch? Dad wants Skye to be able to attend."
Smiling, Barry says, "Of course not! That's wonderful Stump, when do they want to have it?"
Frowning Stump says, "Well, he didn't say. Let's call them and see." Dialing the number he puts his cell on speaker. When Bear answers Stump says, "Dad? When did you want to have the wedding? Barry is standing right here with me listening."
Bear says, "Jesse, when do you want to have the wedding?"
Jesse says, "I don't care. Soon!"
Barry says, "How about Christmas Eve? The house is beautifully decorated and it won't be a problem to get a caterer here. Do you want me to send the jet for you?"
"That's only two weeks away, are you sure you can get it all together by then?" asks Jesse.
"Of course I'm sure. I have a house full of women that love to entertain. Make sure Johnny and his family plan on staying for a few days too. I'll send the jet to pick you all up, just let me know when," says Barry.
Bear says, "Jesse and I plan on flying to Kalispell and spending a few days at the cabin after the wedding. Barry, I really appreciate your letting us have the wedding at your place. I really would like for Skye to be able to attend."
"It's no problem at all. We'll see you guys in a couple of weeks," says Barry.
******
When Goose shows up alone at the ranch later that day, Dylan is shocked and concerned about Evelyn. "Goose, what's up man? I thought you were going to stay and help Evelyn pack."
Shaking his head he says, "I'm sorry man. That is one stubborn woman. I'm not sure I've ever met a woman with more pride than she has. She's not coming because she's not going to take charity from you or Barry. At least that's what she told me. She said she depended on one man and he dumped on her and she will never put her trust in another one, not even you."
"Hey, it's not your fault Goose. Maybe I can convince her to come out for a few days during Christmas vacation. I think if I can get her here she will change her mind."
******
Dylan is finding it more difficult to get time alone with Skye now that Damian is at the ranch. He had to enroll him in school in Cody and that took days to complete. Damian had to take tests so he could be placed in the appropriate classes. Much to Dylan's surprise he tested two grades higher than his age would have suggested in Math and Science. He showed exceptional aptitude in computer technology and he and Pinky have become fast friends spending hours working side by side at the computer.
Damian and Dylan have spent hours with Eric and I riding through the hills around the ranch. Damian is becoming quite the horseman and he and Eric help the ranch hands care for the horses.
The counselor that spoke to Damian has assured Dylan that Damian is well adjusted and not suffering any residual effects from his mother's death. Dylan considers that somewhat of a miracle and he thanks God for that blessing.
One week after arriving back at the ranch, he puts Damian to bed and heads over to the house to try to spend a few minutes alone with Skye. Knocking on the front door, he is greeted by Barry. "Hey Barry, is Skye still around? I was hoping to see her for a few minutes."
"Hey Dylan, come on in. I think she is in her room. Do you know which one is hers?"
"Yeah, thanks," and he heads down the hall to Skye's room.
He knocks lightly on the door, "Come in."
Slowly opening the door he says, "Skye?" He looks around the door and he sees her sitting in a rocker by the window reading. She has a flowing pale blue robe on over her nightgown and her hair is lying in waves around her shoulders. She is the most beautiful vision he has ever seen and his heart is pounding, his breath coming in short shallow gasps, and his mouth is dry.
Surprised I say, "Dylan! Come in." My heart immediately speeds up and warmth flows through my veins.
He closes the door behind him, crosses the room to my chair and slowly kneels at my feet. He clasps my hands in his and gazes into my eyes, "Hey Beautiful, I hope you don't mind my dropping by. I just wanted to see you for a few minutes."
I slide off the chair onto my knees facing him, staring into the dark green depths of his eyes, "Of course I don't mind. Please kiss me Dylan."
He pulls me into his arms and slowly lowers me to the soft carpet covering my lips with his, gently nibbling around the edges. Moaning I open my mouth to his and he plunges his tongue into the depths savoring my sweetness and my warmth. Tangling his tongue with mine he runs his hands down my back pulling me closer. Rolling to his back, he pulls me on top of his body while he caresses my back, my sides, and my buttocks while kissing me deeply. He savors the feel of my soft breasts against his chest wishing they were lying skin to skin.
He moves his mouth to the gentle curve of my neck and rolls me beneath him. Gazing down in to the blue depths of my eyes, he feels like he's drowning.
He lowers his head and tenderly brushes his lips against mine, "Oh Skye, the things you do to me." Slowly lowering his head he gently takes my lips with his delving deeply into my sweetness. He moves his hand from my hip up my side to the underside of my breast where he te
ases me by barely brushing his fingertips against the sensitive mound. I gasp.
My heart is pounding and my breathing ragged. The minute Dylan's lips touched mine all of my senses flew right out the window. All I can do is feel and oh what feelings he is creating in my body. I have never in my life felt such glorious feelings.
Raising his head, he unties the bow at my throat and pulls the sides of my robe away revealing my breasts only covered by a thin layer of silk. My rosy nipples are clearly visible and pucker invitingly under his warm gaze.
"Oh Skye, you are so beautiful you take my breath away," he whispers. Watching my eyes he slowly raises his hand and brushes the palm slowly across the puckering peak and sees me shiver in response. When he senses no fear, he lowers his mouth and slowly circles one nipple with his tongue through the silk of my gown. I moan and pull his head tighter against my breast. Taking that as an invitation he draws my nipple into his mouth and gently suckles for long minutes. Moving to the other breast he gently suckles while rolling the first nipple between his thumb and finger and plucks at it gently. When I start moving restlessly beneath him he raises his head and looks questioningly into my eyes. Seeing only desire, he lowers his head and takes my sweet lips plunging his tongue into my warmth.
"You are so sweet, so responsive, I can't get enough of you," he gasps.
He lowers his head to my lips once again and dives back into my sweetness. As his tongue gently mimics the act of lovemaking he moves his hand slowly up my side raising my gown as he goes. When he touches the bare skin of my thigh I moan again and restlessly move beneath him. Using his knee to spread my legs he slowly moves his hand beneath my panties to the curls at my apex. Finding the center of sensation he gently massages my nub as I become more restless beneath him.
I am drowning in sensation. I can't think, I can only feel. A building tension between my legs keeps me moving restlessly. I don't know what's happening but it is wonderful. As I feel him move his hand between my legs I have a second of panic but the feeling he is creating is so exquisite I can't muster a complaint. That wonderful feeling between my legs is growing stronger. I feel like I am struggling to reach for something but I'm not sure what.
Dylan feels me tense briefly then relax and continue moving restlessly. "Oh Sweetheart, that's it, don't think, just feel," he encourages. He continues to kiss me deeply as he explores my opening and finds me wet and ready. Lifting his head briefly, he says,
"Oh Skye, you are so wet, so hot, so ready for me."
Dipping his tongue into the sweetness of my mouth, he plunges two fingers into my wetness and he feels me tense again.
"Don't' think, just feel. That's it Baby, just feel."
Slowly withdrawing his fingers he plunges back inside while at the same time applying pressure to one special spot and he feels the moment I crash over the edge into ecstasy. I cry out and he feels my feminine muscles contract around his fingers and he raises his head to watch me climax, his heart pounding heavily.
Oh God! I'm flying! I plunge over the edge of reality into ecstasy, wave after wave of exquisite sensation flowing through my body. As I slowly drift back to earth I open my eyes and see Dylan smiling warmly at me. He lowers his head and tenderly kisses my lips. As my breathing returns to normal I smile back.
"How's that for a new memory?" he asks.
"Oh Dylan! I never dreamed I could feel like that," I whisper wondrously
Staring into the deep blue depths of my eyes, he slowly moves his fingers to his mouth, sucking gently and getting his first taste of my essence and he moans with pleasure.
He pulls the sides of my robe back together and ties the bow at my throat. Rising to his feet he extends his hand to help me up from the floor.
Disappointed I ask, "You're leaving?"
"Yes, I think that's enough for tonight. Sleep well, Skye." He lowers his head and gently kisses my lips before turning and walking to the door. Taking one last look back at me, he opens the door and leaves.
When he's gone, I look at my reflection in the mirror. My face is flushed and my eyes are dilated. That was the most amazing experience of my life. Studying my reflection, I realize that I have fallen in love with Dylan Drake.
As Dylan is walking across the yard to the barn he realizes that he's a goner. He has fallen head over heels in love with Skye. Watching her as she climaxed was the most amazing experience of his life. Knowing he was the first person to ever help her reach the heights of ecstasy was as fulfilling as any climax he has ever had. Smiling to himself he heads for the bathroom and an ice cold shower.
CHAPTER 9
Bear, Jesse, Johnny and his family arrive at the ranch on December 23rd. All of the preparations for the wedding are complete and everyone is excited about the upcoming nuptials. Glowing with happiness Jesse is sitting on the sofa in the great room in front of the fireplace when I sit down beside her.
"It is so nice to meet you Jesse. Bear spoke so lovingly of you to me back in Montana. I am so happy to know that you are finally getting married."
Jesse smiles, "Thank you Skye. You made quite an impression on Clarence too. In fact, you probably don't realize it, but you are one of the reasons he decided to seek help for his PTSD."
"Really? ... I had no idea. What did I do?"
Hesitantly Jesse says, "Well, even though you never told him exactly what happened to make you afraid, he guessed pretty quickly what had happened and he saw how you were letting the fear control every aspect of your life. When he thought about it, he realized he was doing the same thing. He just didn't know where to go to seek the help he needed. When Stump showed up to pick up your car and told him about the program in Phoenix where I work, he jumped at the chance to seek help and to reclaim our love. I owe you a great debt of gratitude Skye. It is because of you that Stump found his father and because of you that Clarence found me and sought help. Thank you."
A feeling of warmth flows through me, "You are welcome. I'm glad everything worked out for you."
Blushing Jesse asks, "I was wondering, would you be my maid of honor tomorrow? I know it would make Clarence very happy if you would stand up for us."
Surprised and pleased I reply, "I will be honored. Thank you for asking."
******
Later the same evening Bear seeks me out, "Hey girl, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine Bear. Thank you for asking. I started counseling and have overcome a large portion of my fears. I even identified one of the men that raped me that night. After Christmas Dylan and I are going to LA and file charges against him. I'm hoping he will identify the other men," explains Skye.
"Dylan, that's Scoot right?" asks Bear.
"Yes, Dylan is Scoot. I love him Bear."
"I kind of had that feeling. Is he being good to you?" asks Bear.
"Yes, he is wonderful. I never dreamed I could be so happy."
"If you're happy, then I'm happy for you," says Bear and pulls me into his arms for a warm brotherly hug.
******
Jesse Williams and Clarence Kincaid Sr. are married on Christmas Eve in front of a crackling fire in the great room of Barry Farrady's home in rural Wyoming. His son, Clarence Kincaid Jr. and I are the witnesses. The bride is given away by her other son, Johnny Williams. All the residents and guests at the Rock Springs Ranch are in attendance.
As I am standing in front of the fireplace as a witness for Bear's wedding I daydream about my own wedding to Dylan. Of course, I don't know if I will ever have a wedding, but this is a daydream. I picture myself in a beautiful flowing long white gown with pink roses in my hair and a gorgeous Dylan smiling warmly at me while he repeats his vows to love, honor, and cherish me forever. I glance over at Dylan and find him smiling warmly at me and I blush from head to toe. I have the strangest feeling he is reading my mind.
Dylan can't tear his eyes away from Skye. She is so beautiful in that short pale blue dress and his heart is overflowing with love for her. He pictures her standing before the fireplace in a long w
hite gown, smiling up at him while she repeats her vows to love, honor, and cherish him forever. When she glances over at him he can't help but smile at her and he sees her blush from head to toe. They still have a long road to travel before they can say their vows, but he is planning to travel that road as quickly as possible.
On Christmas Day, Bear and Jesse fly in Barry's private jet to Kalispell Montana to spend the next week at his cabin in the mountains of Montana.
******
Dylan's sister, Evelyn Smith and her two children, Janie and Jeff, fly into Cody on December 26th to visit for a few days. Dylan picks them up at the airport in Cody since Evelyn would not agree to accept Barry's offer to send his jet.
On the drive back to the ranch Dylan broaches the subject of her refusal to relocate to Wyoming. He asks, "Evelyn, tell me what's going on? Why don't you want to move out here? If you're not comfortable accepting my help, then we can get you a home here in Cody and you can get a job and support yourself."
She drops her eyes to her hands in her lap, "Look Dylan, I don't want to fight about this, please. I just can't let myself depend on any man ever again, not even you. It nearly destroyed me when Jack left. I am proud of what I've accomplished since then. The kids and I may not have a lot, but it is all ours. I've finally re-established good credit and even have some savings. We are comfortable. I will think about moving to Cody. I'll check out the job opportunities and the cost of living but I can't promise you anything."
Dylan responds, "All right, Evelyn, I understand. What about Goose? Is there any hope for him? He really wants to get to know you better. He's a good guy and one you can count on. He would never do anything to hurt you like Jack did."
She looks up at Dylan doubtfully, "He's a man Dylan. I like him, but I am not interested in a relationship with any man right now."
Dylan asks, "Not even friendship?"
She answers, "Well, maybe friendship. I'll think about it."
When they drive up to the front gate, Janie asks, "Uncle Dylan, who are all these people? What are they doing?"