Smiling I say, "He is one of the nicest
people I have ever met. Stump has quite a legacy to live up to. Do
you think he is up to it?"
Dylan says, "Oh yeah, Stump is as good as
they come. I'm happy for him. I wonder if they are going to head
for Phoenix to see his Mom. She is a great person too. She works in
a psychiatric unit at a hospital in Phoenix that deals strictly
with returning veterans that suffer from PTSD, Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder."
Hesitating for a minute, I feel a light blush
coloring my face as I say, "Dylan, thank you for understanding last
night. I am supposed to meet the counselor for the first time
tomorrow. Maybe next time, I won't panic."
Smiling warmly, he says, "Anytime you want to
practice, just let me know. It would only take one time to get past
the fear."
"Do you really think so? Come on, let's try
and see," I say dragging him toward the barn.
As he follows me into the barn Dylan says,
"All right, here's the plan. You are going to kiss me. You will be
in complete control all right?"
He steps inside an empty stall and sits down
on top of the fresh hay, then fully reclines as he holds his arms
up to me. I kneel and then lower myself down beside him. I put one
hand on his chest, stare into his dark green eyes glowing with
warmth, and lower my face to his. I lightly touch my lips to his
then quickly raise my head.
He smiles, "That's a good start, now do it
again." Opening his lips he encourages me to apply more pressure.
His arms are itching to wrap her tightly to him but he resists the
urge allowing her the complete control he promised. As she
continues to take short nibbles at his lips then retreating, she is
driving him crazy so he groans, "Skye, please kiss me. I want to
taste you."
Blushing I say, "I guess I don't know
how."
He gently places his hand on the side of my
face careful to make sure I still has complete control and
whispers, "Come here and open your mouth for me." As I lower my
mouth to his he slides his tongue inside tasting my sweetness. I
hear his moan of pleasure and a shiver slides down my spine.
As our tongues tangle he slowly pulls me
closer. When I raise my head and look down into his glowing eyes, I
whisper unbelievingly, "Wow, I never knew kissing could be so much
fun!" Then I lower my head again.
Dylan's heart is soaring. Skye is so sweet
and so innocent. It is going to take every ounce of his self
control to keep from scaring her again, but he is determined. He
knows she will be worth the wait.
I am so excited. I am kissing Dylan! But more
important than that, I'm not afraid! He is so wonderful, so
patient, and I love him. What? No, I can't be in love. He is a
really good friend, that's all.
******
That night at dinner, Bear enthralls everyone
with stories of his time in Vietnam. The former Marines are all in
awe of the man. He is careful not to talk about the goriest of the
details promising to tell the guys later after they return to their
quarters.
After helping clear the table all of the men
head for the barn except for Barry and Dylan. Melanie's pregnancy
keeps her extremely tired so she and Barry retire early and Dylan
and I decide on another walk down to the river.
When we reach an area a good distance from
the house he stops and pulls me loosely into his arms. He tenderly
gazes into my eyes, places his hand on the side of my face and
slowly lowers his head tenderly brushing his lips against mine.
When I raise my arms around his neck and pull his head closer he
tentatively pushes his tongue into my mouth. When I gasp, he
pauses. Then I tug on his head again and he delves deeply into the
sweetness of my mouth. Tasting every corner, every crevice he pulls
me closer to his body molding me perfectly against his. He moves
his hands down my back to my hips and gently presses me against his
erection. A low moan rumbles up from deep within his chest.
He raises his head and moves his lips down
the graceful curve of her neck, "Oh Skye, you are so sweet."
Breathing raggedly he says, "I can't get close enough to you," then
moves his lips back to my luscious ones.
I wiggle my body closer rubbing my aching
breasts against his chest and unknowingly pressing myself snugly
against his erection. Tugging on his head I tangle my tongue with
his and drink in his warmth.
Breathing raggedly he again moves his lips
down the gentle curve of my neck and he whispers,
"Oh, Darling, I think we better stop. You're
killing me."
Puzzled I look at him, "Killing you?"
"Sweetheart, you tempt me beyond my ability
to think rationally. I'm afraid I will lose control and frighten
you again."
"I ...I'm sorry Dylan. I ... I didn't mean to
tempt you. I thought we were practicing. I guess I have a lot to
learn." I am so embarrassed I wish the ground would open up and
swallow me.
"It is all right Skye. I know you didn't mean
to tempt me. Kissing is one lesson you have mastered," he says.
"Come on and I'll walk you back to the house."
When we reach the front door, he pulls me
into his arms and kisses me tenderly drinking one last time of my
warmth. 'Good night, Skye. Sleep well." Then he turns and heads for
the barn.
This time when I get to my room my heart is
soaring. I look in the mirror and see my flushed face and sparkling
eyes. Dylan kissed me and I loved it! I can't wait until I can kiss
him again.
Dylan's heart is pounding and he is extremely
happy. Skye is so sweet and so innocent. She has definitely gotten
past her fear of kissing. Smiling he heads for his quarters above
the barn and his second icy cold shower of the day.
******
Early the next day Goose flies Stump and Bear
to Phoenix where Bear will finally see the love of his life, Jesse.
Stump is planning to stay a few days so Goose turns around and
flies back.
The following day Dylan takes the helicopter
to fly to Texas for his monthly visit with his son, Damian. Dylan
meets his Marine friend at the mall for his visit with Damian where
they spend the afternoon playing video games in the game room.
Around six that evening he leaves to fly back to the ranch in
Wyoming.
Since he didn't get back to Wyoming until
around midnight he is exhausted and falls into bed without removing
his clothes. Early the next morning, Goose wakes him by banging on
his bedroom door. "Scoot, wake up man, you've got trouble!"
Still groggy from lack of sleep, Dylan asks,
"What are you talking about Goose?"
Goose opens the door and explains, "The
sheriff and a couple of other law enforcement officials are over at
the house asking for you. They're going to arrest you for Elena's
murder."
"What? Elena's dead? When?" asks Dylan his
heart pounding with dread. Before the words are out of his mouth
his cell phone rings.
"Drake," he says.
"Dylan, this is Jacob Murray. Don't say
anything to the authorities. Don't answer any questions, don't
volunteer any information, and don't express any emotion. I'll be
there in ten minutes. In fact, stall as long as you can if you are
not already in their presence."
"Sure Jacob, thanks," answers Dylan.
Goose asks, "Jacob's going to represent you?
Good, that's good. Is there anything you want me to do?"
"Yeah, call Stump and let him know what's
going on. Is there any coffee in the kitchen? I can't seem to wake
up." Grabbing a large mug from the cabinet he pours it full of the
thick as mud coffee. Taking a sip, he says, "Tell me everything you
know Goose."
"Pinky and I were over at the house talking
to Barry when they came. They asked to speak to you. When Barry
asked them what the problem is they proceeded to ask us questions
about Elena. In the process of the questions, it came out that she
is dead. They've already pulled the flight records for the
helicopter and they know you were in Amarillo yesterday. They said
she was strangled in the parking lot of the mall in Amarillo."
Pinky comes in the kitchen. "You better head
over to the house. They're getting ready to come over here after
you. Jacob just pulled up."
When Dylan descends the steps from their
quarters he is greeted by Jacob Murray, famous Criminal Defense
Attorney, and friend and neighbor of Barry Farrady and Drake
Security. Walking across the yard between the barn and the house
Jacob reminds Dylan not to show any emotion of any kind and not to
answer any questions until after they can talk.
I am standing in the kitchen doorway watching
the men in the great room when I see Dylan and Jacob Murray come in
the door. When he enters the room the local sheriff stands and
greets him by name, "Dylan, I'm sorry to have to tell you, but you
are under arrest on a warrant out of Amarillo, Texas for the murder
of Elena Drake." He then proceeds to read him his Miranda
rights.
Jacob says, "Sheriff, can you give us a copy
of the warrant listing the evidence they have in this case?"
"Here you go Jacob. It looks pretty cut and
dried to me. They have a witness that identified Dylan here."
"I'd like a few minutes alone with my client
now that I have the warrant. Is that possible?" asks Jacob.
"I'm afraid you'll have to fly to Texas to
question him. I was told to bring him directly to the airport. They
have a plane waiting. He's scheduled to be arraigned later today."
answers the sheriff.
"They're certainly not wasting any time are
they? Okay, Dylan. I'll see you in Amarillo. Remember everything I
told you," reminds Jacob.
I watch out the kitchen window as they load a
handcuffed Dylan into the back of the sheriff's car. With tears
streaming down my face I turn to find Barry standing beside me. He
says, "Don't worry Skye. Jacob Murray is the very best criminal
defense attorney in the country. If anybody can get him out of
this, Jacob can. He got me off, remember?"
Jacob Murray had represented Barry a few
years back when Barry had been accused of murdering his first wife.
Jacob had gotten an acquittal when he had proved Barry's wife had
died from a rare allergic reaction to a combination of drugs she
had taken.
******
As soon as Jacob arrives in Amarillo he heads
straight for the jail to speak with Dylan. Sitting in the private
conference room he says, "All right, Dylan, tell me what happened
yesterday. Tell me everything and don't leave out anything, even
the smallest detail."
Dylan starts his story, "Well, I got up
around six, grabbed a quick breakfast, and checked out the
helicopter. I left the ranch around seven and flew straight to the
airport in Amarillo. I arrived just before noon. I picked up a
rental car ...
"What rental car agency? What make and model
of car? Do you still have the contract?" asks Jacob.
"I rented from Avis just like I always do. It
was a Ford Focus, blue, four doors. The contract is in my backpack
at the ranch. After renting the car I went straight to the mall
where I met an old Marine buddy, Bobby Feldman...
"I'll need contact information for him. Did
you see anyone else that you know?" asks Jacob.
"Bobby is Damian's baseball coach and has
been helping me get time with Damian for the last couple of years.
His son, Bradley was with us. I didn't see anyone else that I knew.
Jacob, Elena has never allowed me to see Damian even though the
divorce decree says I have visitation rights. It stipulates I can
visit at her discretion. When Damian got on Bobby's team and he
realized he was my son he got in touch with me and we worked out a
plan where I would meet them once a month or so at the mall and
spend the afternoon with him. Bobby is always with us and he was
with us every second yesterday. Damian and I spent the entire
afternoon in the game room playing video games. I left him with
Bobby at six, drove straight back to the airport and flew back to
Wyoming." Pausing he asks, "Jacob, this really looks bad doesn't
it?"
"Honestly Dylan, at this point it doesn't
look good but we don't have all the facts yet. I'm sure they are
going to want to question you now that I am here. I also want to
talk to the witness they say they have. Do you know someone by the
name of Richard Thomas?"
A scowl crosses Dylan's face and he says,
"Yeah, I know him. Is he the so called witness?"
"Yes, what do you know about him?" asks
Jacob.
"He is the son of a bitch I caught Elena in
bed with the day I left and filed for divorce. He's a banker here
somewhere. I haven't seen or talked to him since the day I caught
them together."
"Interesting, I'll get my Private
Investigator to check him out. When was the last time you spoke to
Elena? When was the last time you saw her?" asks Jacob.
"Let me think, I talked to her the day after
I got back from Montana. That would have been a little over a week
ago. She again refused to allow me to visit Damian. I spoke to my
divorce attorney the same day and we filed for custody. We were
trying to force her to let me have my visitation rights. The
lawyer's name is Fred Tucker. He has an office across from the
courthouse. I haven't seen Elena since the day our divorce was
finalized eight years ago."
"Sit tight and I'll see you at the
arraignment. I've got to make some calls and I want to stop by Fred
Tucker's office. I am going to ask for bail but honestly, I am
doubtful they will allow it since you live out of state. Do you
have any family here?"
"I have a younger sister but I haven't seen
her in years. She was a friend of Elena's and took her side in the
divorce. I doubt she would want me to stay with her. Her name is
Evelyn Smith. The last I knew she lived at 305 Pecan, here in
Amarillo."
"Remember don't answer any questions unless I
am here. See you at the arraignment." Jacob stands and leaves the
room headed out to make his calls.