Debra sat right up quickly in the early hour of the morning wet with sweat. Edward turned on the lamp and sat up. He put his arm around her. "What is it? You're shaking, darling."
"It was just a dream."
"It was a nightmare." Edward said.
"Yes, it was." Debra said as she turned towards Edward and held him.
Edward held her. "Nothing is going to happen to you darling. I won't let it."
"I know. I thought these nightmares were over. I haven't had one in a long time."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not right now. Just hold me." Debra said.
Edward pulled her close as he laid back pulling her with him. He reached back and turned off the lamp. He held her tight and close to him. "I love you darling."
"I love you."
Debra woke up to a sunny room alone in bed. She got up, went to the bathroom and get dressed. She walked downstairs and to the kitchen. Edward was sitting at the counter reading a file. She went up behind him and put her arms around him. She kissed his cheek. "Did you eat?"
"Yes. I had some oatmeal."
"I should have gotten up earlier to make you a better breakfast."
"It's fine, darling. I like the change."
Debra walked around the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee. "Do you want a refill?"
"Sure, darling." Edward said as he pushed his cup towards her. Debra filled his cup. "Thank you."
"Are you enjoying your reading?"
"Ace brought this home last night. It has more about the cartel and their illegal activities."
"Does it say anything about kidnapping and sex trafficking?"
"No. It's mostly about drugs and other business dealings."
"So, you don't think this threat is credible?"
"Any threat should be taken seriously, but I don't think he would be after you."
"No matter what illegal activities this guy is up to, he is still my brother. If by chance he shows up, I want to meet him."
"Debra, I don't think that is a good idea."
"I'm not saying that I want to welcome him into our home, but we should meet."
"We'll see what happens and deal with it if the time comes. I am against it though, for your safety."
"I don't think he would just show up. I understand your concerns." Debra said. "But he is still my brother."
"And what if he does try to take you?"
"Then I won't let him, Edward. I know you are concerned about me, but this is my decision."
Edward stood up quickly knocking his chair over. "Yes, I am concerned about you. I love you more than anything and I don't want to take any chances of anything happening to you or our children. If you want to put your life in danger, then I guess I can't stand in your way." Edward said then stormed out of the kitchen.
Debra made herself some oatmeal and ate it in the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of coffee and walked to the office. She sat down at the desk and did the bookkeeping that got backed up during the harvest. She got it done and filed the receipts. She went over to the gun cabinet and opened it. She took out her handgun and put it on her waistband. She checked her phone and walked out of the house.
Debra found Edward at the fields. She got out of the truck and walked towards him. He was talking to one of the foremen. He excused himself and walked over to her. Debra took a deep breath. "Hey, are you busy?"
"I'm never too busy to talk to you, darling." Edward said. "Let's go back to the truck so we can sit down."
"All right." Debra said. She turned and headed back to the truck. Edward walked next to her. They walked around to the back. Edward opened the tail gate and lifted Debra onto it. "Thank you, dear."
Edward hopped up onto the back. "I'm sorry I stormed out of the house. I should have stayed and talked."
"No, it's best to walk away. I should have talked it over with you before I made the decision."
"You should do what is in your heart, but knowing his reputation, I think it is dangerous. I'm sure Jason and Edith wouldn't be comfortable either."
"I really don't care what they think. I care what you think." Debra said. "I don't think he would do any harm to me, but then I don't know him. I'm not going to hunt him down or anything."
"Like I said, we can deal with it when the time comes." Edward said. "You are the most important thing to me. If you want to meet him then I will stand beside you even if I don't like it."
"I want you there beside me. You are my rock and I need you to keep me grounded. I would have never made it through everything these past months if it hadn't been for you. You have believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. I love you so much and I wouldn't do anything without you beside me."
"You also know I cave to you, too right?"
"I don't think of it as caving. I think of it as loving me and respecting my opinions."
"Think how you want. You are wrapped around my finger and I would let you do almost anything." Edward said. "What do you have planned for today?"
"Well, I have to go into town to get some stuff for the weekend. Who can you spare to go with me?"
"I need to finish up a few things here, but I thick Josh should be able to go." Edward said as he pulled his radio off his belt. "Hey Josh." He said into the radio.
"Yes, boss, what's up?"
"Can you spare some time to go into town with Debra?"
"Yes. I could pick up some stuff while we are there."
"Great, thanks. She will be back to the house in a little while."
"Ok, boss."
Edward put the radio back on his belt. He hopped off the tailgate and helped Debra down. He closed the tailgate and pulled her close. "I love you and you be careful."
"I will." Debra said. "And don't worry, I won't let anything happen to me."
"I will still worry, darling." Edward said.
"I'm tougher since we first met."
"Yes, I know, and I think I worry about you more." Edward said then kissed her. "You should go before I forget about work and take you home myself." Edward said as he stepped back.
Debra walked up to the side of the truck. "I'll let you know when I got back."
"You better." Edward said. He helped her into the truck. He closed the door and she pulled away.
Josh helped Debra carry her groceries into the house when they got home. She thanked him and started to put the groceries away. Josh went outside. Debra finished putting away the groceries then pulled out her phone. She sent a text to Edward saying she was home and she was going to start baking for the picnic. She got to work.
Ace walked in around five with his uniform covered in mud. He walked back to the kitchen. "Something sure smells good."
"Thanks, Ace. Are you home for the night already?"
"No, I just came home to eat and to change."
Debra turned around and started laughing. "What happened to you?"
"I chased somebody then tackled them in some mud." He said.
"Well, go change. Dinner will be done soon."
"All right, thanks." Ace said then walked off.
Debra finished up with dinner and took the plates into the dining room. She set three places then went back into the kitchen. She picked up the casserole dish then dropped it back down to the stove. She stood there for a moment taking deep breaths.
Ace hurried over to her. "Hey. are you all right, sis?"
"Yeah. I just overdid myself this afternoon."
He put his arm around her shoulders and helped her to the dining room. He sat her down. "You rest here, and I'll bring in dinner."
" Don't say anything to Edward. He has enough to worry about."
"I won't if you promise not to let it happen again."
"I promise."
"Good." Ace said then walked out to the kitchen. He brought in the casserole and placed it on the table. "Did you tell Eddie that dinner was done?"
"Yes, he's on his way from the last field." Debra said. "We can start without him."
"Good. I'm starving."
"Dig in. I'm going to wait a few minutes." She said. Ace dished out his food. "So, have you heard anything else from the marshals?"
"No, but then I've been on the road all day."
"If you do, let me know."
"I will and I am sure they will give you another file."
"Yes, they like their files." Debra laughed.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, Ace. I just didn't rest this afternoon. I was keeping busy in the kitchen."
"You need to take it easy."
"I was trying not to think about things."
"Well, I don't think you need to worry about anything." Ace said. "From what I've read, this guy isn't anything like his father." He said. "Yes, he was into the drugs and other illegal things, but in all the files I read, there's no mention about murder or sex trafficking. It actually looks like he's been trying to clean up."
"I know and that's why I wonder why Jason and Edith think I am in danger."
"I don't know." Ace said. "The sheriff and the marshal are keeping an eye on them. They are on our side on this."
" I'm glad." Debra said then dished herself out some dinner. "I just wish they would tell me what they want. If there is no indication that this guy wants me dead, then why are they here?"
"Well, I will do my best to try to find out information." Ace said as he finished his dinner. "I should get back to work. I'll see you later and take it easy."
"All right. I will."
Ace got up and took his plate to the kitchen.
Edward walked into the dining room a few minutes later. "Was that Ace leaving?"
"Yes. He just came home to change and eat." Debra said. "Do you want me to reheat your dinner?"
"No, it's fine like this." Edward said as he sat down and dished out his dinner. " Are your feeling all right?"
"Yes, just a little tired."
"You didn't nap today, did you?"
"No, I tried to keep my mind occupied in the kitchen."
"Did Ace have anything new?"
"No and he said he doesn't think there is a threat." Debra said. "I guess it doesn't hurt to be cautious, though."
"No, doesn't. I wouldn't worry about it, but I also don't want you going out alone anywhere."
"I think I got everything I need to make all the food."
"I can smell that you already started."
"Yes well, I only have two more days and I have other things to do."
"Yes, but you also need to rest and take care of yourself."
"I know. I will do better tomorrow." Debra said. She finished her dinner and pushed her plate back. "I'll relax after I get these dishes done."
"I'll take care of the dishes. You need to relax now."
"You've been working all day. This is my job." Debra said as she got up. She picked up her plate. "The house is part of my job here. You have the outside." She said.
Edward finished his dinner and cleared the table. He carried everything out to the kitchen. He set the dishes on the counter then sat down on the stool. "Darling, I know you are capable of doing everything around here, but I think we should start looking into more help. Once the babies are here, we are going to need it."
"There are plenty of women who take care of their children and still do the housework. Some even work full time jobs." Debra said as she washed the dishes.
"Yes, but when they are working, they have someone watching their children. It may take some time to find someone that we feel comfortable with."
"I've been doing fine since Mrs. Gardner stopped working. I've been doing the housework, the cooking, and even the harvesting."
"I know. You've been doing a great job, but you're not sleeping well, and I had to force you to sit down an hour out in the fields. You are a tough woman, but I worry about you."
"There's no need to worry. I'm fine, Edward."
"You look exhausted."
"I'll sit down as soon as I get the dishes done."
Edward got up. "I have to do some work in the office." He said then walked out of the kitchen.
Debra carried two mugs into the office a while later. She set one down on the desk in front of Edward. She sat down in the chair in front of his desk. "Are you almost done working?"
"Yes." Edward said then sipped his coffee. "Are you having coffee too?"
"No, this is tea actually. It's supposed to help me relax. I picked it up at the store today."
"I know I can be overprotective in ways, but it's only because I care."
"I know you do. I will try to take it easy, but when I want to relax, either my mind or the babies won't let me."
"You need to forget about things and stop thinking so much."
"I know and that's why I had the nightmare this morning. With Jason and Edith here and talking about my father, all the memories came back."
"What memories?"
"Of when he tried to kidnap me. I was walking back to my dorm after class one day when someone came up behind me and put a gun in my ribs." Debra said then took a deep breath.
"You don't have to tell me."
"Yes, I do." Debra said. "He started walking towards one of the parking lots and when I had a chance, I disarmed him and laid him out. I ran to the nearest building and called campus security. About a week later, my father was killed outside my dorm building."
"Were the two incidents connected?"
"Yes. The guy who grabbed me was with him and was also killed." Debra said. "For a very long time, I never went anywhere alone."
"So, them saying that this guy might kidnap you resurfaced these old memories?"
"Yes." Debra said. "Even though I don't think it's really a threat, I was on edge all day when I was out. I didn't enjoy shopping like I normally do."
"I wish I could kill them right now." Edward said. "They are messing with you."
"That's why I said I wanted to meet him. I don't want to be scared or looking over my shoulder all the time."
"I know." Edward said. "If it helps, I've beefed up the security system. We added more cameras and sensors all around."
"I know I am safe here. That's not the problem."
The home phone rang. Edward reached over and picked it up. "Second Chance Ranch. How may we help you?" Edward answered. "Yes. And where have you heard about us?" He listened. "I see. Yes, I can take some time tomorrow. Do you know where we are located? Great. About nine am? I'll see you then." Edward said then hung up. "I have a client coming tomorrow."
"That's good." Debra said. "You'll keep busy then."
" I guess. So, have you figured out the colors for the baby's room yet?"
"Not really. I want you to help me with that."
"Well, I'm not a fan of paint. I like the natural wood."
"Yeah, I thought of that too. So, maybe we can just get colored cribs and accessories to spruce it up."
"Yes, that's an idea. Have you thought about names?"
"Yes, actually I have, but I want it to be a surprise." Debra smiled. "I was planning on telling the family this weekend."
" Would you like to use your laptop and can sit on the couch and look at baby stuff?"
"Sure." Debra said. "It's on the kitchen counter." She said as she started to get up.
"I'll get it." Edward said as he quickly got up. "You go sit on the couch." Edward said then hurried out of the office.
Debra woke up shaking again in the early hours of the morning. She carefully got up out of bed and went into the bathroom. She grabbed her robe, put it on and went downstairs quietly. She went out to the kitchen and made a cup of hot tea. She sat at the counter and sipped her tea.
Edward came up behind her a short while later. He wrapped his arms around her. "Did you have another nightmare?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"Yes, but it all right. Was it the same thing?"
"No, it was my brother that kidnapped me this time." Debra said.
"You know that's not going to happen."
"I know." She said then sipped her tea. "Go back up to bed. You need your sleep."
"So, do you and if you're not going up, neither am I."
"You are a very stubborn man."
"Yes I am." Edward said then kissed the top of her head.
"Should I brew some coffee?"
"No. We are going back to bed as soon as you finish your tea."
Debra laid her head back against him. "I don't know if I'll be able to sleep."
"Who said anything about sleeping?" Edward smiled down at her.
Debra finished her tea and they walked out of the kitchen.