Debra kept busy during the week by baking and going through her stuff that was delivered. By Friday, everything was just about done. Edward left early to go into town for last minute supplies while Debra finished her baking she had prepared. Around lunchtime, Edward walked into the kitchen to see Debra wiping down the stove. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her holding a bouquet of flowers.
"They are beautiful." Debra said as she took the flowers.
"Not as beautiful as you." Edward said then kissed her on the neck. He moved his hands down to her belly. "How are you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling pretty good." Debra said. "When are your brothers due to get here?"
"Sometime within the next few hours." He said then kissed her neck again.
Debra stepped out of his grasp and got a vase from the cabinet. She put some water in it and placed the flowers inside. "Did you get everything you needed from town?"
"I think so." Edward said. "Did you finish your baking?"
"Yes. I just took the last batch out of the oven a few minutes ago. I hope we have enough for the whole weekend."
"I'm sure we will. You have enough for a small army." Edward said. "You have worked too hard this week."
"I needed to keep busy, so I won't think about why nobody was able to find my parents."
"I know, darling." Edward said as he put his arm around her. "I know it is important to you, but maybe you should admit defeat."
"I know. That is why I've been trying to stay busy. I've been trying to forget about them, but it seems like little pieces are coming back to me about them."
"It will get easier. I think about my parents sometimes, but I know they are looking down at me."
"That’s what bothers me the most. I don't know if they are dead or alive."
"I know. It will get easier and I'll be here for you."
"I know." Debra said. "I love you"
"I love you too."
Mrs. Gardner walked in the back door. "Mitch would like to see you out back." She said. "I'll start on lunch."
"Thanks. Take a walk with me." He said as he took Debra's hand. He pulled her along with him. "You need some fresh air." They walked out the back door and to the yard. Mitch came up and talked about more tables then left with Edward's orders. Edward led Debra down to the stables and they stopped and saw each of the horses in the corral. They walked over to Big Ben's pen. Big Ben walked over to them and sniffed at Debra. "Go ahead and put your hand out."
"Are you sure?"
"If he hurts you, I'll shoot him." Edward smiled.
Debra reached his hand up slowly and held it out. Big Ben sniffed her hand then lowered his head. Debra slowly pet him. She smiled. "Can you do this?"
"Yes, but I am still amazed by how easily you are able to do it."
"Don't even start telling me that I have a gift of some kind."
"Ok, I won't." Edward smiled.
"He seems to have calmed down a little, but he still has a lot of spirit in him."
"Spirit it is good." Edward said. "I guess we should get back for lunch."
"Yes, I'm hungry." Debra said as she took Edward's hand. They walked slowly back up to the house.
Debra sat on the porch later in the afternoon resting when Edward came up on the porch. He bent down and kissed her. "Are you ready to meet Jared and his family?"
"Sure. Do I have a choice?"
"No, because they just came through the gate." Edward said. "Are you feeling all right?"
"Just nervous, I suppose."
"Are you sure that is all it is? Do you need to see the doctor?"
"I’m sure it’s just nerves. I don't need to see the doctor."
"Ok." Edward said. He walked down the steps and waited by the driveway. A short while later, a SUV pulled up and parked. Edward helped get the bags out of the trunk and the five of them walked up onto the porch. "Debra, this is my brother Jared, his wife, Carrie, and their boys, Jake and Carl. This is my girlfriend, Debra."
Debra stood up and stepped towards them. "It’s nice to finally meet you."
Jared stepped up and gave her a hug. "Welcome to the family. Edward didn't tell us how pretty you were."
Carrie stepped up second and gave her a hug. "Ace has told us so much about you. We are so glad Edward has found someone that can tolerate him."
"Thanks."
"Ok, boys, take your bags to your room and by then, the horses will be ready." Edward said. The boys hurried into the house. Edward pulled his radio off his belt and asked Cal to saddle the horses.
"They have been looking forward to this for a long time. We don't get here as much as we want to. Our jobs and activities keep us busy."
"I understand."
"I'll take the bags inside." Jared said. He took the bags from Edward and went inside.
"I'm going to get some refreshments." Debra said.
"Do you need any help?" Edward asked.
"No, I can handle it." Debra said then went inside.
"She seems nice enough. Sorry we couldn't find anything about her parents. For some reason we kept getting blocked out of everything."
"That's all right. I told her she should probably forget about them, so try not to mention anything."
"Ok."
The boys came running out and towards the barn. Jared came out carrying a pitcher of iced tea followed by Debra carrying a tray of cookies. They placed the trays on the table. Debra poured tea into the glasses.
"Debra made all the desserts for this weekend and they are delicious." Edward said as he took a cookie.
"He should know. He had a lot of them already. I thought I was going to run out. I had to hide them from him."
"I can't help it"
Jared ate a cookie. "You better keep an eye on her because she might get stolen for her cookie recipe."
"You don't have to worry about that. He barely lets me out of his sight."
"Only because I love and care for you and your baby."
"You're pregnant? Congratulations." Carrie said.” How far along are you?"
"About ten weeks or so, I guess."
"So, was it as funny as it sounded when you laid Ace out?"
"It surprised us all. For her size, Debra is pretty tough."
"I promise, I won't get you mad this weekend. I don't want to know first-hand how tough you are."
"I'm sure you won't have to worry about that."
"Boss, Ace is here." Pete called over the radio.
Edward pulled off the radio. "Thanks, Pete." He said. "The gang is all here."
"Now the trouble begins." Carrie said.
"We are going to be good this time. I can't afford another truck."
"I don't need to hear about this, do I?"
"We had fun and except for a couple of scratches, we weren't hurt that bad. The truck was totaled though." Edward said.
Ace pulled up a couple of minutes later and came up onto the porch. "Where is Julie and Justin?"
"Julie may drop Justin off tomorrow. She filed for divorce and is kicking me out."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Bro." Jared said.
"Just don't say anything to Justin this weekend. We haven't told him yet."
"Sure thing."
"So, is there anything that we can do for tomorrow?"
"No, everything has been taken care of. We will put up the decorations up in the morning. The weather seems to be cooperating with us this year." Edward said as he put his arm around Debra. "We are here together."
"I want to thank everyone for trying to find my parents. It means a lot that you would do that for me. I am glad Edward's family would do that."
"You are family now, too."
"Thanks." Debra said.
The five of them stood around on the porch for a while talking and eating. Then they decided to go watch the boys ride. Debra excused herself to use the bathroom and said she would join them down there. She went inside.
Debra stood at Misty's corral a while later watching her when Edward came up next to her. He put his arm around her and stood quietly for a while. After several minutes, he asked, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm good. I just needed a few minutes by myself.
"Are you sure you’re feeling all right?"
"Yes, I’m fine."
"Well, Ace and Jared wanted to take the boys for a ride. Do you mind if I go with them?"
"No, go enjoy your family."
"Well, Carrie will be here if you need anything. I feel bad leaving you."
"Don't feel bad. It will be nice to talk to another woman."
"Ok. We will be back before dinner." Edward and Debra walked into the barn and through to the corral where the boys were. "I'll saddle Majesty." Edward said. He gave Debra a quick kiss before he went back into the barn.
"Are you sure it’s all right for Edward to go with them?” Carrie asked.
"Yes, I’m fine.”
“Edward warned us that you are uncomfortable around new people.”
“Thanks for the concern, but I’ll be fine. Anyway, we’re family, right?”
“Yes. That we are.” Carrie said. “We saw Misty. She’s beautiful.”
“Yes, she is.” Debra said. “The boys ride really good.”
“They take after their father. Jared had them in the saddle before they were able to walk. I rode a few times, but I like keeping my feet on the ground. This is Jared’s time with the boys.”
"Edward took me riding a few times before I knew I was pregnant. I liked it, but since I know I am pregnant, it isn’t recommended that I ride.”
“Yeah, you have to watch yourself.”
“I know. Edward is a little overprotective, though.”
“That is Edward for you. He will be a good father.”
“Yeah, I know.” Debra said. “Would you want to go into the house and see what I did to the place?”
“I would love to.” Carrie said. Debra and Carrie headed up to the house.
The boys went to bed shortly after dinner. The adults went outside and sat around a fire in the fire pit. They talked and joked around telling stories. They were all laughing when Edward’s radio went off. He pulled it off his belt. “Go ahead Pete.”
“Sorry to interrupt you, but the sheriff and a couple of official looking vehicles just came through the gate.”
“Thanks, Pete.” Edward said then replaced the radio on his belt. “I wonder what is going on. We haven’t done anything yet.”
They all got up and walked around the house just as three vehicles pulled up. The sheriff was the first one out of the car. He met Edward around the car. “Edward, I’m not sure what this is about, but you best just go with it.” The sheriff said. “These are US Marshalls.” He motioned to the guys coming from the other vehicles.
“Are you Edward Barlow?”
“Yes. What’s going on?”
“You need to come with us. We have a few questions to ask you.” The marshal said as he grabbed Edward's arm. He handcuffed him.
Ace stepped closer. “What is this about?”
“Are you Ace Maxwell?”
“Yes. What is going on here?”
“We are not at liberty to say right now.” The guy grabbed Ace’s arm. Ace struggled. “Don’t make this difficult.” Ace struggled against the marshal. The marshal slammed him against the hood of his vehicle. Then another marshal handcuffed him. “Is Jared Young here too?”
Jared stepped up. “I’m Jared Young.” He said then turned to Carrie. “Take care of the boys.”
“Josh, follow in the truck.” Edward said.
“Yes, boss.”
“And, you must be Debra Davis.” The marshal said.
“Yes, I am.” Debra said.
The sheriff stepped between the marshal and Debra. “Debra, you need to come with them too, but I’ll take you.”
“I don’t understand, sheriff.”
“Neither do I. Just cooperate with them and everything will work out.” The sheriff looked at the men. “Don’t give them a hard time, boys.”
“Take care of her, sheriff.” Edward said.
“Don’t worry, I will.” The sheriff said then led Debra to the back door. He opened the door and she got in. The marshals put the men in their vehicles. The sheriff got in and led the way down the driveway.
Debra sat in an interrogation room a while later when the door opened, and the sheriff walked in. Debra looked over. “What is going on, sheriff? Why did they bring us all in?”
“I don’t really know. I just got the notice and followed orders.”
“What’s going to happen? I mean, are we under arrest?”
“Not that I am aware of.”
“Then I want to leave. And I want the others free.” Debra said as she stood up. She headed to the door.
The sheriff blocked her way. “I can’t let you leave, Debra. I’m sorry.”
“Then I want to talk to whoever is in charge.” Debra said as she raised her voice.
“Calm down, Debra. I know you have already been through a lot over the past few weeks. You don’t need any added stress in your condition.”
“Well, then you better go out there and tell whoever in in charge that I want to leave.”
“Ok. Please just calm down. The boys are already about ready to cause a riot.”
Debra smiled at that. “Well, then you better hurry.”
The sheriff turned and walked out the door.
Debra started to pace around the table. She stopped and looked in the mirror a few times but continued to circle the table for quite a while. Finally, the door opened, and a marshal walked inside. “Miss Davis, please have a seat.”
“I’d rather stand.” Debra said as she stood in front of the marshal.
“Sit down or I will sit you down.” The marshal said sternly. He grabbed her by the arm.
Debra pulled away from his grasp. “Don’t touch me, asshole.” She said then went back to the table and sat down.
The marshal sat across from her at the table. “Were you using Mr. Barlow’s computer to search public records for Jason and Edith Davis?”
“Yes. They are my parents. They left me when I went off to college. I wanted some closure, so I was trying to find them. Is there a crime about that? I didn’t find anything, by the way. At least not them.” Debra stood up. “Is this what this is about? I want to leave.”
“Miss Davis, please sit down.” The marshal said as he stood up. He walked over to the door blocking her path.
Debra stood her ground. “I want to leave, and I want my family released at once.” She said as she raised her voice.
“The others have already been released, actually.” He said. Debra took a step back. The marshal held out a folder. “This is the information I have been authorized to give you about Jason and Edith Davis. I hope it gives you closure.” He said.
Debra took the folder. “Can I leave now?” She asked nastily.
The marshal opened the door. “Yes, you are free to go.”
“Thank you.” Debra said then took a step towards the door. She stopped when she was in front of the marshal. “I don’t know why you felt the need to handcuff my family, you could have just asked us to come down here.” She said then brought her arm back and punched the marshal, connecting her fist with his mouth.
The marshal staggered back tasting blood from his lip. “Get out of here before I arrest you for assault on a federal officer.”
Debra smiled and left the room. She walked towards the front of the office. As soon as she saw Edward, she quickened her pace and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Are you all right?” Edward asked as he held her.
“Yes, but we need to go home.” Debra said as she heard footsteps behind her. She looked back and saw the marshal sporting his bloodied lip.
Edward saw him and pulled Debra towards the door. “You did that?”
“Yes. I punched him.” Debra said as they went out the door.
Edward shook his head and led her over to the truck where the rest of the guys were waiting. “Let’s go home, guys before Debra gets arrested.” He said as he opened the door.
“What did you do?”
“She bloodied the marshal’s lip.” Edward said as he helped Debra into the truck. The rest got in the truck.
“Were you trying to get arrested?” Ace asked.
“I just wanted to make sure he knew not to mess with my family. I really don’t know where that came from.” Debra said. She held out the folder. “He gave me this. It’s about my parents.”
Ace turned and took the folder. “Do you mind if I look?”
“Go ahead. I put it behind me already.” Debra said then leaned on Edward. Josh pulled onto the road.
“How are you feeling?” Edward asked as he moved his hand down to her belly.
“I’m fine. I love you, Edward.”
“I love you too.” Edward said as he kissed her head. Debra relaxed against him and soon fell asleep.
“Is she sleeping?” Ace asked a while later.
“Yes, she’s worn out.” Edward said.
“I don’t think she should read this. It isn’t anything she has told us, but it makes sense in why we couldn’t find any information.”
“All we can do is support her through what she’s going through.”
“And we will. She’s family.” Ace said.
They arrived back at the house. Edward helped Debra upstairs and to bed while the others headed to bed too.