Seeking Safety

by Karen Ward

  Relief pours through all of the members of the Brentwood family.

  Scoot asks, "Eric, who are the two men sitting across from you?"

  Eric glances at the two scraggly men. "They're prisoners too. Help us Scoot!" begs Eric.

  Scoot advances into the area where all the hostages are sitting and unties the four Brentwoods. He notices they are shaking from the cold. The other three members of the Drake Security team remain in the deep shadows weapons trained on the two scraggly men. Scoot then goes to the other side of the tunnel and looks at the two unknown men. "What are your names?"

  "I'm Harold Winters and this is Mason Diggs" answers the first scruffy man.

  Scoot recognizes the names as those of the two undercover agents. He bends down and cuts the ropes binding their hands and feet then says, "I'm Scoot. Everybody make your way outside. I'm right behind you."

  As soon as everyone is outside, Scoot furnishes all of the former hostages with warm blankets to wrap up in and MREs, Meals Ready to Eat, to satisfy their hunger. The ATF and FBI agents advance into the area and begin asking questions about their time in captivity.

  Winters and Diggs are able to verify that the militia members were working for Benjamin Roland to kidnap the boy, kill Melanie and her parents, and give the boy to Roland to be adopted. The militia members were to receive the deed to the compound property free and clear and a significant amount of cash for their part in the kidnapping. The two undercover militia members are not aware of the fortune that belongs to Eric Calloway and indicate they didn't believe the other militia members were aware of it either. The information provided by them will send Benjamin Roland to prison for many, many years.

  As soon as word is received of the all clear signal, Barry and Bud take the helicopter to the compound landing in a clearing only a few hundred yards from the mine entrance. When Barry approaches the area he sees Melanie sitting on a rock wrapped in a blanket just outside the mine, Eric is standing beside her. Her parents are sitting a few feet away along with two scruffy looking men he doesn't recognize. Relief floods through him. Thank God! Melanie and Eric are safe!

  Mark Brentwood sees Barry approaching and nudges Patricia to watch as he approaches Melanie.

  As Barry nears her, he softly calls, "Melanie?"

  When I see Barry, I jump to my feet and fling myself into his open arms sobbing in relief. Barry enfolds me in his warm embrace and then holds out one arm to include Eric. The three of us just stand in the clearing outside of the mine holding each other for a long time.

  Observing from their position just outside of the mine, Patricia squeezes Mark's hand and smiles up at him as they are both pleased that Barry has come to collect their daughter. Patricia had told Mark about the conversation she had overheard the day they left the ranch. During the two months Melanie and Eric stayed at their Seattle home, Eric hasn't stopped talking about Barry and Melanie seemed sad all the time. When they questioned her she refused to talk to them but they were pretty sure their daughter was missing the good looking movie star.

  I am so relieved to be free. I was so afraid for Eric and I prayed we would survive until Barry could find us. I knew he would come if he knew we were in trouble. I never had a moment's doubt about that because he is just that kind of man. It was during the long nights in captivity that I realized I am in love with him. I have been trying to hide from the truth ever since the day we left his ranch but I'm not going to hide anymore. I am going to rejoice in my love for him. I just hope that someday he will love me in return.

  Barry is so relieved and so happy to be holding Melanie again. He hopes she is as happy to see him as her initial reaction indicated. He wants to take her back to the ranch and never let her out of his sight ever again. Of course, he knows that is impossible but he can dream can't he? He is so in love with her he can't even see straight. He realized that fact the day he watched them drive away from the ranch. His problem is convincing her she is worthy of his love.

  Scoot ushers everybody back to the helicopter which flies them back to Boise where Barry's jet picks them up for the flight to the ranch in Wyoming. Pinky and Goose will fly the helicopter back to the ranch the following day. It is late when they arrive back at the ranch so everyone heads straight to the showers and then to bed.

  Barry is too restless to sleep and so he heads to his favorite place, the wooden swing on the patio. When he walks outside he immediately sees Melanie sitting on the swing and his heart swells with love. A warm smile slides across his face.

  I hear him approaching and my heart speeds up. I knew he would come ... all I had to do was be patient and wait. When he sits down beside me on the swing, I turn to him,

  "I knew you would come, I was waiting for you." My heart is pounding and I am very nervous. Please God, don't let him turn from me because I so stupidly left him before.

  Placing his arm across the back of the swing Barry reaches up and brushes a loose curl back from my face, "I've missed you Melanie. When I learned you had been kidnapped I was so frightened that I would never see you again."

  "I've missed you too. Please, kiss me Barry."

  Slowly raising his hand to my cheek, he lowers his head and lightly brushes his lips across mine. The expected zing crashes through our bodies. I sigh and he quickly increases the pressure of his lips demanding entrance to the sweetness of my mouth. When I open my lips to his invasion and he plunges his tongue past the barrier of my teeth, a groan of satisfaction rumbles up from deep within his chest. He delves into every corner drinking deeply. Plunging his tongue in and out mimicking what he really wants to do. How did he survive without her kisses? Pulling her closer he whispers, "Please don't ever leave me again."

  As soon as Barry's lips brush against mine, I am lost. How did I ever walk away from this man? I am so afraid I am not experienced enough to please him. Please God, help me! "I'm here Barry, for as long as you want me."

  "Promise?" he asks.

  "I promise."

  He delves deeply into the depths of my mouth again drinking deeply. He is so happy to be holding her again.

  A long time later he leads me to the door of my bedroom. He brushes his lips against mine and says, "Sleep well, Melanie," and heads up the stairs to the master suite. As he steps into the icy cold shower he prays she is really here to stay.

  CHAPTER 14

  The next morning Barry is up early feeling better than he has in weeks. When he enters the kitchen his Mom and Bob are waiting for him. The minute he walks in he knows something is up and his heart pounds with anticipation. It is still very early and Bob doesn't usually stay the night.

  His Mom nervously speaks, "Barrett, Bob and I would like to tell you something. We've decided to get married."

  A broad grin spreads across Barry's face and his heart soars with happiness for them. "Mom, Bob, that's wonderful! When is the big day?"

  "Well, actually, last weekend. We flew to Las Vegas." responds Virginia.

  "What? You mean I don't get to give you away?" teases Barry. He hugs his mother close and shakes Bob's hand. "I can't think of a finer man to call my Dad."

  Bob turns bright red and says, "Thanks Barry. I can't think of a finer man to be my son."

  "We will have to give you a reception at least. I'll get with Jacob and Jason and see what we can work out," says Barry.

  ******

  A little while later, the doorbell rings and Scoot and the other members of the Drake Security team arrive at the house. It's time for another planning session. Melanie, Eric, and her parents join them all in the great room. Virginia serves homemade cinnamon rolls and hot coffee.

  Scoot opens the discussion, "Melanie, let me start by explaining what we know about your latest ordeal. The members of the militia that kidnapped you this time were not associated in any way with Calloway. They had been recruited for the operation by a lawyer out of Seattle, Benjamin Roland that handled all of Calloway's legal affairs. He handled the sale of the furniture conglomerate and knew about the money a
nd because he wrote Calloway's will he knew that Eric was the sole heir. The militia members were to get the land in Idaho and a chunk of money for murdering you and delivering the boy to Roland. They used Mason Diggs and Harold Winters to show them the location of the compound property, to locate the mine and for other information. Do you have any questions so far?"

  He pauses looking around the group, then continues, "All right, I'm going to get right to the point. After a lot of discussion with the FBI and ATF, we feel you should sell the compound. It seems to be the reason these guys keep coming after you and Eric. We are fairly certain no one else knows about Calloway's fortune. From what we have been able to determine, these militia members didn't know about the money."

  "I certainly don't have a problem with selling the compound. How much of a problem is Eric's age going to be?"

  "We can deal with that. The government has a contract with a worldwide paper conglomerate that is interested in purchasing the property. All I need is your agreement."

  Mark Brentwood interrupts, "If I might say something here. I am an amateur mineral enthusiast and when we were being held in that mine, I saw a very large vein of what I believe to be lead-silver. It could be very valuable. Could it be the reason these men are so determined to keep the compound property?"

  Scoot says, "That could be their plan for financing their operations. Even if Melanie sells, she can still retain the mineral rights and reap any profits from the mine."

  Barry interjects, "I think our number one priority has to be Melanie and Eric's safety. If they will be safer by selling the property then I am for selling."

  "I think that's what I want to do Scoot set it up for us to sell the property but maintain the mineral rights. The sooner I can get rid of that place, the happier I will be."

  Scoot answers, "All right, do you have a price in mind?"

  Melanie answers, "I don't really care. I only want a fair price."

  Scoot adds, "Now that we have that settled, I think I must emphasize how important it is for all of you including Mark and Patricia to remain here at Barry's ranch until after the sale is completed and word has spread. This is the safest place and the four of us as well as Barry and Bud will be here to protect you. Does anyone have any other questions?"

  ******

  Eric is thrilled to be back at the ranch. He can't wait to show his Nanny and Papa how good he can ride. He also wants to show them how well he can swim and all of the other neat things that Barry has taught him. He loves Barry and he hopes his Mom will fall in love with him so Barry can be his Dad. He knows Barry cares about his Mom, he can see it in the way he watches her. Maybe he should talk to Barry about the mean things he heard his real Dad say to his Mom. They could be the reason she wanted to leave the last time. If she believes that no one could ever care for her like his Dad said, that could be a problem for Barry. He'll have to think about it. It would probably make his Mom really mad at him though. Maybe he should ask his Papa instead. He'll know what to do.

  ******

  I am happy to be back at the ranch. This is the only place I have truly felt safe since I left the compound all those months ago. Now, with the real possibility this nightmare can truly be over with the sale of the property I don't want to leave, but I may have to. I still can't believe a famous movie star like Barry Farrady could care for me. I have admitted to myself that I am in love with him and I meant it when I told him that I am here for as long as he wants me. I just hope he truly does want me because it will break my heart if he tells me to leave.

  ******

  Barry is so happy to have Melanie and Eric back at the ranch. Now he has to find a way to convince her that he loves her. Yes, he has realized that he is in love with her. No other explanation exists for what he feels. Darren Calloway must have really played with her mind for her to be so convinced she is not worthy of his attentions. Short of suggesting she see a psychiatrist, he doesn't know what he can say. He doesn't think that suggestion would be appreciated, at least not coming from him.

  ******

  The following Saturday, Jacob and Jason Murray and Barry Farrady host a wedding reception in honor of Bob Kenner and Virginia Farrady Kenner in the great room at the Rock Springs Ranch. All of the residents of the Rocking J Ranch and the Rock Springs Ranch as well as a group of friends from around the area attend.

  Virginia is stunning in her short blue evening dress with her hair falling in waves around her shoulders. Bob, dressed in a western cut suit, is beaming with happiness. Dani Murray and Eric pass around small bags of birdseed to shower the happy couple with when they leave for a short honeymoon at the lodge at Yellowstone National Park.

  Barry proposes a toast, "Mom, you have always been here for me, throughout my whole life. I can't even imagine how many meals you skipped when I was growing up so that I could have enough to eat. I watched as you worked three jobs to keep food on the table and clothes on my back and I learned the importance of hard work and the love of family. I cannot begin to tell you how happy and pleased I am for you and Bob today. No one deserves the happiness you have found together more than the two of you. May you have many, many years of happiness together. You deserve it!"

  The crowd responds, "Here! Here!"

  As Virginia and Bob are leaving, she tosses a symbolic bouquet of fall flowers. Turning her back to the crowd she tosses it over her shoulder right into the hands of a blushing, Melanie Brentwood. Melanie grins and tosses the bouquet at a horrified Scoot who quickly throws it to Goose who sends it sailing toward Pinky who catches it and hands it to Stump who quickly hands it to Dani Murray.

  The crowd cheers at the hilarity of their antics.

  CHAPTER 15

  A few days later Barry is working in the barn when Mark Brentwood wanders in looking for him. "Here you are, Barry. I've been looking everywhere for you."

  "Hello, Mr. Brentwood what can I do for you?" asks Barry smiling.

  "Please, call me Mark," he says. "I would like to ask your opinion about something, Barry. You have spent more time with Melanie since she escaped from the compound than anyone else and I was wondering how much you think her time in captivity has affected her ... you know, psychologically. The reason I am asking is because her mother and I can't help but believe she has to be suffering from some lingering effects. She seems to be very insecure and doesn't have much self confidence." Of course, Eric had told him about the horrible things Darren Calloway use to say to Melanie. Those cruel words had to have warped her sense of self worth but he is not going to mention that to Barry.

  Barry can't believe that Mark and Patricia Brentwood are thinking the same things that have been bothering him. He wonders how much he should say to her father. Choosing his words carefully he says, "Well Mark, I think she is probably suffering from some lingering effects. She was very young when she was captured and probably still quite impressionable. From what she has told me, Darren Calloway was an extremely cruel man so I'm sure he said things to crush her self confidence and to manipulate her into doing everything he asked of her."

  "Do you think counseling would help? We are considering recommending it to her once this is over," asks Mark.

  "I'm sure she could benefit from counseling," Barry replies, his heart pounding with excitement at the prospect of Melanie getting the help she needs to realize how beautiful and worthy she really is. After hesitating for a few minutes, he says blushing, "Mark, I should tell you that I am in love with Melanie. I want to marry her but she doesn't believe that I can possibly care for her so I probably have selfish reasons for hoping counseling will help her."

  Mark grins at Barry, "I'm very happy to hear that. Honestly, Patricia and I have thought for a while that you care deeply for her. It is obvious to us that you don't fit the mold of the typical movie star. We were concerned at first because of all of the stories we read in those tabloid magazines, but you have proved yourself to us. Patricia and I will talk to her about counseling just don't give up on her, all right?"

  B
arry nods and offers, "I would like for Melanie and Eric to live here at the ranch. I want you to know that you are welcome too. I'll build you a home of your own if you prefer."

  Mark laughs, "That's kind of you, but I have plenty of money myself. I was one of the first employees at Microsoft and all that stock I have is waiting to be turned into cash. We never moved because we wanted Melanie to be able to find us should she ever want to come back home."

  Barry grins, "Then pick your spot and build your retirement home right here on the Rock Springs Ranch. Even if things don't work out between Melanie and me you will always be welcome."

  ******

  Later that night Barry is sitting on the patio in the wooden swing when I sit down beside him. "Hey, mind if I join you?"

  "Of course not, I always love your company," says Barry sincerely.

  "I need to think about getting Eric in school. How much longer do you think it will be before this land deal is complete?"

  "I'm not sure. Why don't you enroll him in one of those home school courses available on the internet? He's welcome to use the computer in the study. I don't use it much for anything besides email," suggests Barry.

  "You mean kids go to school by computer these days?" I am surprised. Going to school by computer is not something I would have ever thought about.

  Laughing Barry says, "I keep forgetting you have been isolated in that compound for years. Yes, they have complete curriculums on line now. We can enroll him tomorrow. I'm sure he will have to take some tests so that he gets placed in the proper program, but I'm sure he will do fine. A lot of kids do very well in college after being home schooled."

  "Barry, you are too good to us. How will I ever repay you?"

  "I don't expect you to repay me. I do things for you because I want to." Turning toward me and pulling me close he says, "Melanie, haven't you figured out yet that I'm in love with you?"