Harvest week was busy for everyone involved. Debra was out in the fields next to Edward's watchful eye. She was happy by how much she did. When the last field was cleared. Debra rode back to the house. She went inside, washed up and started dinner. She put the casserole into the oven and went to the office. She sat down at the computer and checked the email. The house phone rang. Debra reached over and picked it up. "Yes. Pete, what is it?"
"You have visitors coming up the drive. Should I stop them?"
"Do you know who it is?"
"Yes. It's the marshals."
"No, let them come. Notify Edward."
"You got it boss." Pete said then hung up.
Debra hung up and got up. She went out to the kitchen and checked the oven then went out to the front door. She took a deep breath then walked out. She waited on the porch until she saw the SUV pull up the driveway. She walked down the steps and waited until it came to a stop. Jason got out of the SUV. Debra stepped towards him. "What do you want?"
"Debra, you're pregnant."
"Yes, you're very observant. What do you want, Jason?"
" We need to talk."
"No, we don't. I said all I needed to say to you months ago." Debra said. "Please, just turn your car around and go do what you do. I'm not your concern anymore."
Edith got out of the passenger's door. "Debra, I know you don't want to see us, but we've got to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you." Debra said as she glanced over to the barn where Edward and the men just rode up. "Now, get back in your car and leave."
Edward hurried over to her. "You ok?"
"Yes. They were just leaving." Debra said. "I need to check dinner." She said. "Make sure they leave, will you?"
"Of course, darling."
Debra walked back towards the house.
"Debra, you might be in danger." Edith yelled after her.
Debra stopped at the bottom of the steps. She turned towards them. "The only danger that I am in is burning my dinner. Good-bye." She said then hurried into the house.
Edward walked up behind Debra in front of the stove. He put his arms around her belly. "How are you doing?"
"Are they gone?"
"Yes." Edward said. "They left a file for you to read."
"Did they tell you what they wanted?"
"Just that you could be in danger and to keep you safe."
"What danger am I in?"
"It in the file." Edward said. "I didn't read it."
"Why do they keep doing this?" Debra asked as she leaned against Edward. "I thought I was done with them."
"I don't know, darling, but we will get through this. I promise."
"I know we will." She said then turned towards him. I found my place here. Everybody respects me and I've done my share of the work. I feel great about my place here and they come and have to try to ruin."
"I'm not going to let them on anyone hurt you." Edward said as he rubbed her back. I already told Pete not to let them back up here."
"Thank you."
"Can we eat? I'm starving and seeing food is making me hungrier."
Debra stepped back. "Of course. Can you grab the plates?"
"Yes, I can."
They sat down at the table a few minutes later. They started eating. Debra opened the file in front of her. "These people love their files, don't they?"
"It looks like it."
Debra started reading. "It looks like I might have a half-brother. It says that my father's Aire took over the cartel and is following in his father's footsteps."
"That can't be good." Edward said. "I thought they arrested or killed everyone."
"I guess not."
"I guess they think he will come after you. It's a long stretch, don't you think?"
"I was only a baby when I went to live with them. I don't know anyone or anything about that organization."
"Maybe they want to recruit you or something."
Debra continued reading. "I don't think I have to worry about this. What they have here seems like it's nothing about me." Debra said and pushed the file back. She ate some more.
"I think you should hear them out to see if there is a threat."
"This has nothing to do with me, Edward. I've never been part of this."
"I know." Edward said as he finished his dinner. "I still think we should hear them out. I'm sure they wouldn't have come if they didn't think you were in danger."
"I invited them to our wedding because I thought we could possibly be a family. I've learned that you don't have to be blood to be a family. They didn't come or call or even sent a letter. I got nothing and family wouldn't do that, so I decided it was better this way."
"I understand, but if you could be in danger, you could put the rest of this family in danger too."
Debra pushed her plate back. "Fine, you win. We will hear them out. But not here. We can meet them somewhere public."
"All right." Edward said as he reached over and took her hand. "I take threats to my family seriously even if they may not be true."
"Yeah, I know. I remember when I threatened to lay your brothers out." Debra smiled.
"So do I." Edward smiled back. "How about at the police station. That way, if there is something, the sheriff will be involved instead of being in the dark."
"All right. Hopefully I won't get arrested when I go off on them."
"Darling, I won't let you do that. I'll do it for you."
"Why don't you call the sheriff and while I clean up the dishes."
"All right." Edward said. "This is the right thing to do, Debra."
"I know." Debra said as she got up. "I just wish I didn't have to deal with them."
"I know, but we have to take care of our family." Edward said as he put his hand against her baby bump.
"Yes, I know." She said. She stepped around the corner of the table. She bent down and kissed him. "I love you, Edward."
Edward pushed his chair back and pulled her onto his lap. He cupped her face and kissed her. Debra started to unbutton his shirt as he roamed his hands over her belly. He pulled back slightly. "Office or upstairs?"
"Upstairs. I need a shower." Debra said.
Edward positioned his arms around her and stood up. He carried her out of the dining room and upstairs.
Edward and Debra arrived at the police station two hours later. Edward helped Debra out and they walked inside.
The chief opened the security door for them. "How are you doing?"
"We're fine." Debra said. "As they here, yet?"
"Yes. They are in the conference room along with the marshal."
Debra and Edward went through the door. "Have they told you anything?"
"No, let's get this over with." Debra said.
"Should I have Ace come in?" The sheriff asked.
"No. We'll tell him later." Edward said. They followed the chief down to the conference room. They went inside and took seats across from Jason and Edith.
"I'm glad you've changed your mind, Debra. You look good." Edith said.
"Why do you think I am is danger?"
"Did you read the file we left?"
"Yes. Something was there about a possibility of a half-brother running the cartel. What does that have to do with me?"
"Your father was trying to kidnap you when he was killed. We have intel that your brother wants to avenge his father's death."
"I didn't kill him, you did. I had nothing to do with it."
"We know, but they might try to go after you to get to us."
"So, why don't you just use yourself as bait and take them down?" Debra said. "Wasn't that what you used me for was bait back then?"
"He knows you are his sister. He's seen you on the internet." Jason said as pushed a picture across the table. "He knows where you live."
"Ok, but what danger am I in? Do you really think he would just kill me?"
"Probably not, but he could abduct you and keep you hostage." Jason said. "They could force you to have sex and have more children and with you already being pregnant, that a plus for them."
"I can protect myself and my unborn children." Debra said. "Do you know for sure that these people are coming after me?"
"No, but he's been researching you, the ranch and the area." Edith said. "He can move at any moment."
"Why don't you just arrest him and lock him up if he's as bad as you say?"
"We don't have any hard evidence."
"So, you don't know if I'm in any danger at all." Debra said then got up. "Why did you come here? What do you want from me?"
"We want to protect you from potential danger."
"I can protect myself as you should know. You trained me for 18 years." Debra said then walked out of the conference room.
Jason got up. "She doesn't know who she's up against."
"Whose fault is that?" Edward asked. "You never told her about her family."
"I need to talk some sense into her." Jason said as he went to the door.
"I would wait until she cools down first."
"Don't tell us how to handle her." Jason said then walked out the door.
"Edward, how can you protect Debra?" Edith asked.
"I have several security measures on my property. We have cameras all around the property. Me and my men all know how to shoot. My brother is a deputy, but most of all, Edith, Debra can take care of herself. She remembers everything you two taught her and she's been teaching us."
"We wouldn't be here if we didn't take this seriously."
"Why else would you come? Definitely not just to see how she's doing." Edward slammed his hands on the table and stood up quickly making the sheriff and the marshal jump. "What do you expect from her? Do you expect her to accept you back into her life after you lied to her all her life?"
"Edward, you need to calm down." The sheriff said.
Edward took deep breath. "Marshall, will you keep us posted on any development on this?" Edward asked.
"Of course."
"Thank you. I will take extra precautions on my ranch to keep her safe, but if you or Jason come on my property without permission, I will have you arrested." Edward said then walked out the door. He went down the hall and saw Jason at the end. He stopped and looked at him. His lip was bloodied. "I tried to warn you."
"Keep her safe, Edward."
"I plan on it, Jason." Edward said as he walked past him and out to the front. Ace was standing next to Debra. "Are you all right, darling?" Edward asked as he put his arm around her.
"Yes. Can we get out of here now?"
"Of course."
"What's going on, Eddie?"
"The Chief will explain. I'll see you at home." Edward said.
"All right."
Edward walked Debra out to the truck. He opened the door and helped her in before he hurried around to the other side. He got in and closed the door. "Are you all right?"
"I hit Jason."
"I know. I yelled at Edith. I think the sheriff thought he might have to hold me back, but I didn't touch her." Edward said.
"That's good. I guess we can make the men aware of the possible threat. Maybe even carry a weapon on them."
"Yes, we can do that."
"Ok. Can we stop for ice cream since we're here?"
Edward smiled. "Anything you want, darling." He said then started the truck.
"And maybe make sure they go in pairs."
"That's a good idea." He said as he pulled out. "But we're not cancelling the picnic this weekend. We all deserve that."
"We're not cancelling. We'll just be a little extra aware of our guests."
"Yes. Should we call a meeting tonight or wait for the morning?"
"We should get the managers together tonight, then tomorrow, we can address the rest." Debra said. " It doesn't hurt to be cautious. But I don't want them on the ranch."
"I told Edith if they come, I will have them arrested." Edward said. He pulled into the ice cream place. He parked and shut of the truck. "Do you want to come in?"
"No. I just want a chocolate cone." Debra said.
"Coming right up, darling." Edward said and got out.
Debra smiled as she watched Edward at the window. Edward got the cones and walked around to her side of the truck. She opened the door and took her ice cream. "Thank you, dear."
"My pleasure." He said as he closed the door and went over to the other side. He got in. "Should I call and have the managers meet us in about half hour?"
"Might want to make it an hour." Debra said as she licked her cone.
"I'll just call them when we met home." Edward said then started the truck.
The managers gathered in the office a while after they got home. "Thank you all for coming." Debra said. "As you know, I got a visit from Edith and Jason. They think I might be in some kind of danger, so as a precaution, report any suspicious activity or people you don't know. We also think it would be a good idea if you are armed and in pairs."
"What kind of danger are we talking about?"
"Some drug cartel might be after me."
"Why?"
"My biological father was the leader before he was killed, but his son has taken over the business. They think he might come after me."
"Are they sure about this?"
"No, they aren't certain, but they say he has done research on the ranch and the area."
"So, that makes him your brother?"
"Did they even think he might just want to know who you are?"
"I guess they think the worst because he runs the cartel. I didn't know about him."
"We are just being cautious to make Jason and Edith happy, so they stay away. They are not welcome here." Edward said.
"Will this change the weekend plans?"
"No. The picnic is still on. It's business as usual with a little extra caution."
"All right."
"I'll gather everyone together tomorrow."
"So, should I stop all vehicles at the gate?" Pete asked.
"No. Just let us know anyone who comes who isn't expected."
"All right."
"I guess that's all guys. Thanks for coming." Debra said. The men got up and started to leave. Edward walked with them out the door. Debra sat down on the chair by the desk.
Edward came back several moments later. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm exhausted, actually."
"You did good addressing the men."
"Thanks. Did you tell them to keep an extra eye on me? Is that why you walked out with them?"
"No. I know you can take care of yourself. I told them to look after each other and I will look after you." Edward said. "Why don't you go up to bed? I'm going to wait up for Ace to see if there are any new developments."
"All right. I'll see you in a little bit."
"All right." Edward said as he helped her up. He pulled her close and kissed her. "I love you, darling."
"I love you." Debra said then walked out of the office.