Debra walked slowly towards the barn then heard a horse whinny off to the side. She walked slowly over to the corral and saw Misty. She stopped at the fence and Misty approached. Debra put out her hand and Misty sniffed it before she nuzzled her hand. Debra pet her. "I wish you could understand what I am going through. I hope I am doing the right thing to help me put everything in the past. I just want to forget everything that happened, but if I can do good by putting away the bad, then I think it will be easier to forget it." Misty neighed at her. Debra pet her again and walked over to the barn. She walked in and saw Edward talking to Ace at the other end. She slowly walked through the barn.
Edward noticed her after a moment and turned towards her as she approached them. "How are you feeling?"
Debra took the paper out of her back pocket then took a deep breath. "I filled it out." She said as she handed it out to Ace. He took it. "If you can get someone to come here, I will give them my statement, but I am not up to going back out there."
"I will see what I can do. I am sorry I upset you earlier. It wasn't my intension."
"I know. It’s all right. I overreacted too by getting so upset."
"Well, let me see what I can do to get this started. Eddie, can I use the house line?"
"Of course." Edward said. Ace walked away. "You are doing the right thing here, Debra."
"I know. I just don't want anyone else getting hurt like I did." Debra said. "I also hope I don't have to testify at a trial."
"So do I, for your sake." Edward said as he touched her arm. "Ace and I were talking about going for a ride after lunch with Justin. I would like it very much if you would join us."
"I don't know. I guess we can see how everything goes with what Ace finds out."
"All right. We will wait and see."
"So, where is your nephew, Uncle Eddie?" Debra teased.
"There are only a few people I allow to call me that. Ace knows I hate it. I tolerate it from Justin though." Edward said. "He is in the corral riding." He said as he led her to the side door. They walked over to the fence. "See, if a four-year-old can ride, so can you."
"I'm not in the right mind to try to learn right now, Edward." Debra said. "Maybe when I get this thing over with and can start moving on with my life."
Edward nudged her. "I'm going to hold you to that."
Debra took a deep breath. "I was thinking upstairs. You probably think that since my stuff is at the hotel and if all my money and credit cards are there, you might think that I am going to leave. If it’s all right with you, can I possibly stay here until this thing that you started is finished?"
"You can stay here for as long as you like." Edward smiled. He held onto the top rung of the fence. "And, yes, I was thinking that, but I was hoping that you would decide to stay for a little while. I want to get to know you."
Debra put her hand on top of his hand on the fence. "I am trying my hardest not to run and hide in the house."
Edward turned towards Debra. "There is no reason to run and hide. There is nothing to be afraid of here."
Debra took his hand and placed it over her chest. "Do you feel that? That is what I am most afraid of. It does that when I am this close to you."
Edward took her hand. He placed it over his chest. "Mine does the same thing when you are around."
"Excuse me, boss." Cal said as he approached.
They both dropped their hands to their sides. "What is it, Cal?"
"Janet just called from the house. Lunch will be ready soon."
"Thank you." He said. "Justin, time to give Spirit a rest. Lunch will be ready soon." Edward called at Justin.
Justin rode over to the fence. "Did I do good, Uncle Eddie?" He asked as he dismounted Spirit.
"You did a very good job, Justin. You are getting better every time you come out here." Edward said then opened the gate for him. "Go wash up."
"Yes, sir." Justin said then ran off towards the house.
"So, Janet cooks on the weekends?"
"Yes, she helps out when I need her to."
"You know, since I am here, I can help out with making meals."
"I don't want you to overdo yourself until Doc gives you a clean bill of health."
"But I am feeling a lot better since I am able to eat more."
"I know, but it would make me feel better if the doc says so." Edward said then took her hand. "Let’s go in for lunch."
"All right." Debra said then walked next to Edward to the house. "I am going to wash up upstairs."
"Ok. I will check on the progress that Ace is making." Edward said then walked to his office.
Debra walked into the dining room a while later. Justin was already sitting at the table. She went over and sat down across from him. "You ride pretty good."
"Thank you." Justin said without looking at her.
"My name is Debra. And you are Justin. Your uncle has told me all about you."
"Who made those marks on your face?"
"A bad man did."
"Is my daddy going to arrest him?"
"I'm sure he would, but another officer already did. Your daddy is just trying to help keep him in jail."
"My daddy is a good guy."
"Yes, he is. So is your uncle. He is letting me stay here until my face looks better."
Ace and Edward walked into the room. "I see you two met." Ace said as he sat down at the table next to Justin.
"Justin was just telling me that you are a good man and arrest bad people."
"Yes, that is what I do." Ace said. "And if he wasn't already in jail, I would arrest him."
"I know you would." Debra said. Janet came in and served chicken fingers and fries for lunch. Edward thanked her as she set the plates down. She walked out. They started eating. After a few minutes of silence, Debra looked up and looked around the table. "So, Justin, are you in school?"
"I'm in preschool. I start kindergarten next year."
"Are you excited?"
"I don't know. I am a little scared to be going to a different school."
"It will be fun, I'm sure. “Debra said. "I switched schools all the time. You get use to a different place."
"So, Debra, where did you live before you came out here?" Ace asked.
"I lived in New York. I was on my way to Los Angeles to start over."
"That must have been exciting. Living in a big city like that."
"Yes, it was for a while, but then I fell into a routine."
"Do your parents live there?"
"I don't know where they live. We lost touch after I went to college." Debra said as she picked at her lunch. They were silent until everybody was finished.
"Justin, if you are finished, you can go outside. Just stay in the yard where I can see you."
"Yes, daddy." Justin said then got up and left the dining room.
Ace waited until he heard the front door close before he looked at Debra. "My Partner, Brett is on his way to the hotel. Someone from the sheriff’s office will come out and take your statement. They will send it to my office."
"Why can't you just take my statement?"
"We aren't in my jurisdiction. I will listen just in case there are any questions."
"I will also be with you?" Edward said as he reached over and squeezed her hand.
"When will they be here?"
"They said as soon as they could."
"Thanks. I guess it can wait a while longer."
"I saw your list on my desk. Is that all you need?"
"Yes."
"I will give it to Mrs. Gardner later." Edward said. "Debra can cook and bake. Her cake was really good."
"Is Mrs. Gardner all right about Debra using the kitchen? You know how protective she is about the kitchen."
"Yes, she's fine with it." Edward said.
Janet walked into the dining room. "Is everyone finished?"
"Yes, Janet. Thank you." Janet cleared the table and left the dining room.
"Can you get the map to the ranch? I want to see where Debra was found."
"Sure. I'll bring it in here." Edward said. He got up and walked out the door.
"Why do you want to see that?" Debra asked.
"If he was on Edward's land, we can charge him with trespassing." Ace said.
"Oh. All I remember is that I was in a ditch."
Edward came back and rolled out the map across the dining table. He looked carefully. He pointed out a spot on the map. "I found Debra right about here."
"That is pretty far away from any road."
Debra pointed to the map. "I came across here. I remember climbing under the fence. I crossed this area here." She said. "At least, I think. I was so out of it. I think it was around here where I climbed out of the ditch." She said pointing to the map.
"Here is the nearest road." Edward pointed. "There is a ditch right off it. Could that be where you were?"
"It could. Like I said, I was out of it. I was trying to find water."
"That side of the ranch there isn't any fresh water. We irrigate the fields, but we haven't planted yet."
"So, this is all your land?"
"Yes. I own it all."
"Hey, Boss." Someone called over the radio.
Edward pulled off the radio. "Yes, Pete, what is it?"
"The sheriff is coming."
"Thanks, Pete." Edward said. Debra stepped back away from the table. Edward looked at her then at Ace. Ace walked out of the dining room. Edward walked around the table to her. He faced her and took her hands in his. "It's going to be all right. You can take it as slow as your need to."
"I just want to get it over with."
"I know. I am going to be with you through whatever you need."
"I know you will be." Debra said.
"After this is over, we can go for a ride and clear our minds. The fresh air does wonders." Edward said.
"I just feel so stupid for putting myself in that position and allowing it to happen. I'm usually a more careful person."
"It wasn't your fault. You can't blame yourself for this." Edward said. "You can do this." Edward said and smiled.
"Yes, I can." Debra said.
They walked out of the dining room and walked towards the front door when Ace and the sheriff walked in. "Sheriff, glad you could come."
"Edward, I understand I should have been called quite a while ago." The Sherriff said. He held his hand to Debra. "Hello, I'm Sheriff John Scott. You must be Debra."
"Yes sir." Debra said as she shook his hand.
"Let's go in the living room where we will be more comfortable." Edward said then led everyone into the room. He sat down on the couch next to Debra while Ace and the sheriff sat down on the chairs.
Sheriff Scott pulled out a tape recorder from his pocket. "Is it all right to record this conversation? That way you won't have to retell it so many times."
"Yes, that's fine."
The sheriff turned on the recorder. He stated his name and everyone that was there then asked Debra to start from the beginning. Debra took a deep breath, reached over and took Edward's hand then started talking.
About an hour later, Edward and Ace walked the sheriff out the door. Debra got up off the couch and walked out to the kitchen. She pulled a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with tap water. She drank it quickly. She put it down and held onto the side of the sink and took a couple of deep breaths.
Edward walked up behind her. "You did good. I'm proud of you for doing the right thing."
"I am proud of myself. I didn't think I could do it. Thank you for being there. I think I stole some strength from you."
"I'm glad I could help." Edward said then stepped closer. "Do you still want to go for that ride? If you don't, I will understand."
Debra turned around and looked up at him. "Maybe the fresh air will do me some good, but could you give me a few minutes?"
"Of course. We will wait out front." Edward smiled.
"Thanks." Debra said then walked past him and out of the kitchen.
Debra walked out of the house a while later and saw Edward waiting at the bottom of the steps with Majesty. She walked slowly down to him. "Where's Ace?"
"They left a few minutes ago. Justin was getting impatient." Edward said as he mounted Majesty. "We can catch up. I know a few short cuts." He said then helped her mount behind him. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine." She said as she put her hands-on Edward's waist.
They caught up to Ace a short while later. They rode along with them. Ace was teaching Justin about his surroundings. Edward mentioned different things to Debra, but she seemed uninterested. After a while of riding, they stopped at a creek. Debra dismounted and walked over to a boulder while Edward took care of the horses.
Edward walked over to the boulder and sat down next to her. "You've been awfully quiet on the way out here."
"I'm sorry. I'm still wondering if I did the right thing."
Edward took her hand. "I think you did. Everything will be fine. I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do."
"I know you won't." Debra said. "I want so much to get my life back. I feel like I have lost everything and don't know what to do. I feel lost, even more lost than I felt wondering around on your property for days."
"It will get better, Debra. You can't give up. You have me and the ranch. Everybody likes you around here." Edward used his other hand and turned her chin, so she looked at him. "And you make me happy." He smiled then slowly moved his head closer.
Debra turned her head away from him. He sat back. Debra took a deep breath. "I'm not going to off myself or anything. I just need some more time to get my thoughts straight in my head."
"Just remember, people care about you."
"I know. I just need some time."
Edward squeezed Debra's hand and jumped off the boulder. "Take all the time you need." He said then walked over to Ace and Justin.
Debra sat and watched the water for a while, then looked over at the men playing with Justin. She watched them for a while then got off the boulder and slowly walked over to them. She started playing and running around with them. After a while, they stopped and drank some water that they got from the saddlebags. They talked about the surroundings and what Ace and Edward did there when they were growing up.
They got back to the ranch a couple of hours later. Edward dropped Debra off at the house before he rode to the barn. She went upstairs to rest before dinner.
Edward walked upstairs to Debra’s room when dinner was called. He knocked at the open door, but noticed Debra was sleeping on the bed. He slowly walked over to her. He touched her arm. Debra slowly opened her eyes. Edward stood up. "It's dinner time."
"I must have over did myself. I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"You need your rest. You don't sleep good at night."
"No, I don't, but how do you know?"
"My room is right there. I can hear you tossing and turning."
"Oh. Sorry."
"Not a big deal. Do you want me to bring some dinner up to you?"
"No. I'll come down in a minute." Debra said as she sat up on the bed.
"Ok. I'll see you down there." Edward said then left the room.
Debra took a book along with her coffee onto the front porch after dinner. She started reading. After a while, Ace and Justin said goodbye and left. Edward came over and sat down in a chair next to her. "Justin really likes you. So does Ace." He said.
"I like them too. Justin is a good kid."
"I don't know how much I will be around tomorrow. Mitch needs me to help him with the cattle on the north field." Edward said. "Doc called. He said he was coming tomorrow. He got your blood tests back and wants to discuss them."
"Doc makes house calls on a Sunday?"
"Yes, for me he does." Edward said. "Would you like more coffee?"
"Sure. Another cup won't hurt."
"I'll get it." He said then got up. He picked up her cup and went into the house. Debra started to read her book again.
Edward came back out and set the coffee on the small table. He sat down on the chair. "I felt good to take part of the day off and have some fun."
"Everyone needs some time off. You seemed to be enjoying your brother and nephew."
"Yes, I did. I enjoyed my time with you too." Edward said. "Was all your stuff delivered?"
"Yes, I believe everything was there. My purse and laptop were there. I didn't look in my suitcases, but I'm sure everything is in there."
"That's good. You can put your stuff in the closet or dresser if you want."
"Maybe if I feel up to it tomorrow. I don't feel up to doing that tonight."
"I think you should just rest and relax. You had a hard day today."
"I think I am just going to go upstairs and do some crafting before I go to bed." Debra said then finished her coffee. She stood up. "Good night, Edward."
"Good night."
Debra walked inside, put her coffee cup in the sink and went upstairs.
Debra woke up in the middle of the night. She got up out of bed and went downstairs. She went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk. She sat down at the island.
"Is everything all right?" Edward asked from the doorway.
Debra jumped, then glanced over at him. She looked back at her glass. "Yes, everything is fine. I just couldn't go back to sleep."
Edward walked in with just his jeans on. He went over and got a glass of water. He turned around facing her and leaned against the sink. "I heard you come down. I thought something might have been wrong."
"Nothing but that guys face invading my dreams." Debra said not looking at him.
"You need to try to forget about him. He can't hurt you. He's in jail and with your statement, he'll be there for longer."
"I know this, Edward. I just can't seem to get his image out of my mind." Debra said then finished her milk. She got up and brought her glass over to the sink. She reached behind him and rinsed out her glass. "I guess I will try to go back to sleep." She said looking at him. "Good night, Edward, again."
"Good night, Debra." Edward said. He watched her go out of the kitchen. He waited a minute then followed up to his room.