Edward, Jared and Ace rode up to the house. Edward jumped off Majesty and ran into the house. Carrie was pacing in the room. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. She was here on the laptop and when I came in with the boys for lunch, she was gone. I looked everywhere for her, but she’s not here and she doesn’t have her phone.”
“She couldn’t have gone far.” Edward said as he walked over to the couch. He looked at the laptop. “Shit.”
“What happened?” Ace asked as he came inside.
“She looked up her biological father. She took off again.”
“She couldn’t have gotten far.” Ace said.
“I’ll go check out the back.” Edward said. “Check the barn and around the stables.”
“I’ll stay here in case she returns.” Carrie said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she would just take off.”
“It’s fine, Carrie. You couldn’t have known.” Edward said then hurried through the house and out the back door.
After about 45 minutes, Edward spotted her on the hill overlooking the stream swinging a stick around. He sent a text to his brothers then cautiously walked towards her. “Debra?” He called as he got closer.
Debra turned around and swung the stick. “They lied again, Edward. That man in the file is not him.”
“How do you know?”
“I did a paper on him in college. I knew the name sounded familiar.”
“Could you be wrong?”
“No. I know I’m not. Those people lied and made up a file full of lies.”
“Are you sure?” Edward asked as he came closer. “There are plenty of people with the same names.”
“Yes, I’m sure. It all fits.” Debra said. She turned and swung the stick around. “They taught me all this stuff to kill and I don’t know why.”
“Darling, we will figure it out.” He said. “You’re bleeding. Put the stick down and let me look at it.”
Debra looked at her hand. “It’s just a scratch.” She dropped the stick.
Edward came over to her and drew her into his arms. “We will find out the truth, I promise.” He pulled her back and looked at her hand. “It’s not too bad, but it needs to be cleaned out.”
“I’m sorry to worry you, yet again. I just had to get away. I don’t know why I just run.”
“It’s all right. You know I will always find you.”
“I need to sit down.”
Edward helped Debra sit down on the grass. “So, what do you want to do?”
“I want to confront those people and find out the real truth.”
“Ok. I’ll call the sheriff when we get back to the ranch. I’m sure they are still here.”
“I’m sure they are, too.” Debra said. “It all came back to me all the training I did when I was growing up. I suppressed it when they took off on me. I was so angry then.”
“What kind of training?”
“Shooting, martial arts, self-defense, you name it. I guess they wanted me to be just like them.”
“So, you know how to handle a gun?”
“Yes, and a cross bow and a regular bow. They were my favorite, actually. I was actually pretty good at it, but I stopped doing that when I left for college.”
“Do you feel ready to go back?”
“Yes. I want to get this over with. I deserve answers.”
“Yes, you do.” Edward got up. He helped Debra up and they started towards the house.
Ace and Jared met them on the way. “You ok?” Ace asked.
“Yes. I just had to get away.”
“She’s a little shaky.” Edward said. “Probably from the adrenaline.”
“We got her.” Jared said. He got on one side and Ace took over for Edward as they helped her to the house. They went in the back door and into the living room. They sat her down on the couch.
Carrie walked in. “I’ll get you something to drink.”
“Thanks.” Debra said.
“Do you still want me to make that call?”
“Yes.” Debra said as she laid her head back.
“Keep an eye on her.” Edward said then walked towards his office.
“You guys don’t have to watch me. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Edward's orders.” Jared said. “Who is he calling?”
“He’s calling those people. I need answers and the truth.”
“Do you think you are up for that? I mean, do you really want to know the truth?”
“Yes. I need to know, Ace. It is the only way I can move on.”
Carrie came back with a glass of orange juice and some cookies. “This should make you feel better.”
“Thanks, Carrie. Sorry to worry everyone. I just saw red and needed to get away.”
“I’m just glad you are safe.”
Edward came back in the room. “They will be here within the hour.” He said then sat down next to her.
“I want this over with. It’s the only way I can be the person I need to be here.”
“And from what you told me, one hell of a shot.”
“I haven’t shot anything in seven years. I’m out of practice.”
“Well, you will get back to it. You can do that when you’re pregnant.”
“I don’t know who I am anymore. Maybe all that training that they instilled in me will come in handy here, but I need to find out who I am and want to be.”
“And you will. We are all here for you.”
“Thanks. I know I worry you, but I need to process stuff and getting away from it helps me. You need to stop suffocating me. I will come back when I calm down. I’m not going anywhere. You should know that. Please just trust me on that.”
“But what if you get in trouble?”
“Then I will call you.”
“You didn’t have your phone.”
“I promise I will keep it on me from now on. Does that sound better?”
“I will try to stop coming after you. I won’t stop worrying though.” Edward said. He took her hand. “We should clean that out.”
“Ok.” Debra said then got up with Edward’s help. He walked her into the bathroom.
Edward and Debra came out of the bathroom about fifteen minutes later. They walked into the living room. Everybody looked at them. “What?” Edward asked.
“It must have been worse than it looked.” Ace said grinning.
“None of your business, brother.” Edward said.
“By the way, the sheriff called and said they got the chopper. They should be here soon.”
“Can you meet them at the pad?” Edward asked. “And be nice.”
“They arrested us.”
“It doesn’t matter. We are above them, remember.”
“Yes. I know.” Ace said. “We won’t say anything.” Ace said. He and Jared walked out the door.
“I’ll go brew some coffee in case they want some.” Carrie said then walked into the kitchen.
“If anytime you want to stop this, just let me know and I will kick them out.” Edward said.
“Thanks. I just need to them to tell me the truth and not lie to me.” Debra said.
“Well, if you need to get away, you go ahead. But I want you to know, I am here for you.”
“I know you are.” Debra took a deep breath when she heard the helicopter fly in.
They waited for several minutes before the door finally opened and Ace and Jared led the people into the house. They all came into the living room. The couple sat down in the chairs while Ace and Jared stood behind the couch.
“I’m glad you called, Debra.” Edith said.
“I just need the truth. No more lies. I deserve that.”
“We didn’t have clearance then to tell you anything. When it was all over, we didn’t know how to tell you. We thought we were protecting you.” Edith said. “It wasn’t until these people started looking for us that we were authorized to tell you about your life.”
“But I thought I was your daughter. Couldn’t you have told me that I wasn’t?”
“We were your guardians, but we never adopted you.” Edith said. “You were a job. Nothing else.”
“What Edith is trying to tell you, is that we did what we were told to do from the people we work for.”
“And who exactly is that?”
“We can’t tell you that.”
“Fine. Tell me how you got guardianship of me.”
“We were working a case of human trafficking. Your father was kidnapping teenagers from children’s homes all over and selling them everywhere. Your mother was one that he kidnapped but kept for himself. He beat and raped her regularly. She contacted the authorities somehow who put her in contact with us. Shortly after she gave birth to you, we attacked the compound where she was. We were outnumbered and out gunned. Your mother risked her life causing a diversion so we could rescue the rest of the women and children from the compound. Unfortunately, when everything was clear, your mother and father was nowhere to be found. Somehow, they escaped. A couple of months later, your mother was delivered to us beaten to death. Along with it, a note saying that your father would find you and take you back. Our superiors thought it was best to keep you safe with us.”
“So, that’s why you drilled into me self-defense, and weapons and everything?”
“We wanted to make sure you could defend yourself if you ever needed to.”
“And how not to trust anyone because you never know who you can trust?”
“They could have been working for your father.”
“You made me live a lie all my life.”
“We had no choice in that.”
“There was always a choice.” Debra said as she raised her voice. She got up and walked across the room. “Get out of this house, off the property and never attempt to contact me again. I am done.”
“Debra, we would like to make amends. We have done wrong and we are sorry.”
“No. Get out.” Debra yelled.
Edward got up. “You heard Debra. Time for you to leave. My brothers will escort you out.” Edward said then turned towards Debra. “Are you sure about this?” He asked her quietly.
“Yes.” She said then hurried out the back door.
Edward walked out the back door a few minutes later. He found Debra on the back porch. He crouched down in front of her. “Are you all right?”
“No. I can’t believe they just raised me as a job. Who does that?” Debra said as she started shaking.
Edward put his hand on her knee. “I don’t know, but you need to calm down. Being upset like this isn’t good for you.”
“Please don’t tell me what isn’t good for me. I hope they are leaving.”
“Yes, Ace and Jared are walking them out to the helipad.”
“Good.” Debra said as she started bouncing her leg. “I feel like I’m about to explode.”
“I’m here for you, darling. Explode on me if it helps.”
Debra quickly got up. Edward stood and tried to wrap her in a hug. Debra pushed him away. “Please, Edward, leave me alone.”
“I don’t want to do that.”
“I’m sorry.” Debra said then punched Edward in the stomach causing him to double over. She took off running.
Joe walked up into the hay loft a while later. He noticed Debra in the corner of the loft sitting on a hay bale. “Ma’am, are you, all right?”
“Yes. I just needed to be alone.”
“You’ve been crying. Is there anything I can do?”
“I think I might have ruined everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“I punched Edward.” She said. “I needed space and he wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“Edward loves you. I don’t think you hitting him would cause him to stop loving you. He is very forgiving. We all knew he did even before he admitted it to himself.” Joe said then pulled out a sandwich. He held out half. “You should eat something, ma’am. The baby needs food.”
“I don’t want to take your lunch.”
“I have another one. Please?”
Debra took the sandwich. “Thanks.” She said then took a bite.
“So, why did you punch the boss? Did it have anything to do with those people?”
“Yes, in a way. I asked them to tell me why I was with them and they did. I just couldn’t believe what they said and how they could do that to me. I was just a job to them. They really didn’t care about me at all.”
“I’m sure they did in their own way.”
“But anyway, I was trying to come to terms about what they told me, and Edward was hovering over me. I felt like I was about to explode.” Debra said then took a deep breath. “He tried to hold me. I pushed him away, but he wouldn’t back off. I punched him and then ran off.”
“Edward loves you Debra. He loves you so much he wants to protect you. He wants to take away any pain that he can. It just may take him some time to know how to handle an independent woman like yourself.”
“I love him, and I know he loves me. I don’t need protecting, though. Especially since I remember what those people taught me that I blocked out years ago.”
“Well, I’m sure if you explained to Edward how you feel, he would understand.”
“I’ve tried, but he just keeps doing it.” Debra said then finished the sandwich. “It’s like I talk, but he doesn’t listen.”
“Then you need to keep trying.” Joe said.
“I guess.” Debra said. “Thanks, Joe. I know we didn’t start out on the right foot, but I hope we can see common ground.”
“It wasn’t really you. It was my own problem. I am not use to women stepping on my toes. But you have proved yourself around here.”
“I’m glad you think so, but I am trying.”
“Well, keep it up.” Joe said then got up. “I’m going to go down to the office and leave you to your thoughts. Don’t beat yourself up too much.”
“Ok.” Debra said. Joe walked away. Debra sat up there for a while and then made her way down. She stopped by to see Misty, then walked into the house. It was quiet as she walked through and to the kitchen. She saw a plate on the counter and a note. She picked up the note from Edward saying that they took a walk and she should eat. She grabbed the plate and grabbed a water out of the refrigerator. She carried them upstairs and to the bedroom. She sat down on the bed and texted Edward saying she was home and safe. She ate the sandwich watching her phone, but it didn’t go off. When she was done, she took off her boots and laid down on the bed.
Edward knocked softly at the bedroom door a while later. Debra opened her eyes and looked over. Edward stepped into the room. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“I wasn’t really sleeping. Just resting.” Debra said as she sat up. “I’m sorry, Edward. I just needed some space.”
“I know and I should have given it to you. I just want to take all your pain away.” He walked over and sat down at the foot of the bed. “You pack one hell of a punch though.”
“I don’t know where that came from.” Debra took a deep breath. “Actually, I do. All the years of training that they put me through. I mean, I shouldn’t have done it though. I just felt like a pressure cooker and then it all just came out.”
“I’m not mad at you for doing it. I was more surprised at it. I’m mad at myself for putting you in that situation that you felt that that was the only way you could escape.”
“I’m really sorry, though.” Debra said. “Do you still want to marry me?”
“Of course, I do. A little punch isn’t going to change how I feel about you.” Edward said as he moved closer to Debra. He leaned closer and engulfed her lips. He started out slow then moved his hand to the back of her neck to intensify the kiss. They kissed for several moments before he pulled back. “Does that show you?”
“I guess it does.”
“I’ll let you rest. I just wanted to see for myself that you were all right.”
“When is everybody leaving?”
“They are leaving after dinner.”
“Ok. I’ll come down in a few minutes after I freshen up to spend some time with them.”
“Ok.” Edward stood up. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Edward left the room. Debra got up and walked to the bathroom. She washed up and went out into the bedroom. She grabbed her boots and walked downstairs.
Debra sat out on the front porch a while later when Carrie walked out from the house. Debra looked up from the crafting project. “Where’s everyone else?”
“The men took a drive and the kids are out back playing.” Carrie said as she sat down. “That looks nice.”
“Thanks. I needed something to keep myself busy. Mrs. Gardner gave me a bunch of stuff.”
“I never was the crafty type. I’m so glad I have boys.”
“I find it relaxing.” Debra said. “So, how mad was Edward when he caught his breath?”
“He really wasn’t mad. And trust me, I’ve seen him plenty mad over the years. Ace thought it was the funniest thing especially since you laid him out too.”
“Those people taught me all sorts of stuff. I didn’t know at the time why, but now I know.”
“I guess they had their reasons.”
"I guess they thought that.”
“So, are you going to need my help planning the wedding? I don’t mind.”
“If I need any help, I will let you know.”
“Ok. You know you can call me anytime about anything.”
“That might be nice.” Debra said. “I thought I really messed up when I punched Edward. But he loves me unconditionally, I guess. It is all new to me with the way I was brought up and everything.”
“Yes, he does, and you have him wrapped around your little finger.”
“That is not what I want though. He really needs to learn how to say no every now and then.”
“He will when the baby comes.”
“I guess.” Debra went back to crafting and they were quiet.
The men and boys came up onto the porch late in the afternoon. “How about we all go out for pizza before we all go home?” Jared mentioned.
“I could go for some pizza.” Debra said.
“We are going to get packed up.” Jared said. They all went into the house except for Edward and Debra.
“Are you sure you are up for it?”
“Yes. I need to get out more.”
“If you are uncomfortable, let me know and we can leave.”
“Ok. I think I will be all right though.”
“I just don’t want to get punched again.”
“You aren’t going to let me forget that, are you? I already feel bad about it.”
“You shouldn’t feel bad. I deserved it.” Edward said then bent down and kissed her. “I still love you, though.”
“I love you too.” Debra said then stood up. “I guess I should get ready to go, then.”
Edward grabbed her waist and pulled her close. He kissed her deeply for a few moments. He pulled back, but still held her close. “Don’t ever feel bad for how you react. It’s a reflex that sometimes you can’t control.”
“Just remember that when I do something wrong.” Debra said. “Now, let me get ready to go.” She said then twisted out of his embrace. She went inside.