 
Remember Yesterday

By Kelly A. Purcell

Published by Kelly A. Purcell at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Kelly A. Purcell

Cover photo © 2004-2014 All rights reserved - Big stock

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favourite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Scripture in this book has been taken from the New International Version.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973,1278,1984,2011 by Biblica Inc.TM Used by permission All rights reserved worldwide.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

About the Author
Prologue

Anna remained in bed until she heard her brother's truck pull out from the front yard and skid onto the stony road outside their house, then she tossed the covers off and ran to the window. Her brother was long gone. The view from her window was a beautiful one, she had the pleasure of waking up to one of island's prized possessions; the rich, frothy blue green ocean, hitting against the rocks, which hid one of her favourite spots. Today however, she couldn't enjoy it; she couldn't even see it, not through the tears welling up in her eyes again. She took a deep breath and swiped the back of her hand angrily against her eyes, clearing her vision just in time to see her close friend from church hurrying up the stony, dusty road that led to her house. Anna gritted her teeth, turned from the window and dashed down the stairs.

She yanked the door open just as Becky lifted her hand to knock on it. The girl regarded her with obvious confusion.

"Monty said you were sick," she said flatly.

Anna took a deep breath and motioned for her to come inside the house. The house that she cared for as her own and rightly so, now that both her parents were gone from her life forever. It was just her and her older brother Monty now and at least for the next seven months or so.

"What's going on? You faked sick so you could miss church?" Becky glared at her accusingly.

Anna shook her head, "it's more than that."

Becky took both her hands and pulled her to the couch in that sisterly way she had, "Anna what's going on? You've been acting strange since...since the fire," she sighed, "is this about Raj?"

Anna rolled her eyes, of course it was about Raj, it was always about Raj. The boy who had been turning her life upside down since he came into it, there were some good times, but she couldn't say they outweighed the torment, that comes from persistently worrying about the person she loved. Of course she wasn't about to share that with Becky, she was her friend but she didn't tolerate much, especially Anna's wild boyfriend Raj. Not when Becky had it together, at seventeen she was already teaching Sunday school and giving relationship advice to the young women in their church. Who could blame her though, she'd managed to snag the Pastor's son, Greg Pascal, the oldest son of the man that came riding into their community shortly after Anna's father passed away, to take his place.

"It's nothing," Anna finally replied, her eyes quickly going to the clock above the archway to the kitchen, "I'm really not feeling well."

Becky regarded her with blatant disbelief, she released her hands and stood up, "fine then. I'm going to church. I'll say a prayer for you, you clearly need it."

The moment Becky was out the door Anna was on her feet, she had just about fifteen minutes to make it to the beach. She quickly changed into something more appropriate, something bright and hopeful, she wanted Raj's last image of her to be a good one. As she was about to scurry out the back, she heard a low thud in the living room, she wasn't afraid, there was only one person bold enough to leap through that particular window of her house.

"Raj!" she exclaimed, going to the devilishly handsome boy.

She clung to his bare chest like she hadn't just seen him yesterday, he always insisted on walking around in shorts and slippers with his boney chest exposed and a dirty t-shirt slung over his shoulder. Raj was as stiff as a board and when she stepped away and looked into his face, his somber expression sunk her attempt to be jovial.

"Tell me Anna," he said in his thick country accent, that all her friends at school made fun of.

"Tell you what?"

"That you don't want me to go..."

She sighed, lowering her gaze, "I want you to be safe."

"I'm sorry," he croaked.

Anna hugged him again, "let me walk with you, I want to see you off."

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak again.

They went out the back together, hand in hand. Raj with his head held low, Anna with her head held high, in an effort to stall the tears that threatened to fall, but she had to be strong, she had to be strong for him and for herself.

She watched him run to the waiting speedboat bobbing in the surf . Two other boys around his age had just climbed in and were waving at him. Anna took a deep breath, his kiss still lingered on her lips, her love for him still bursting from her heart.

He turned and waved to her and she lifted a hand above her head in farewell, using the other to shield her eyes from the sun that had come out strong and bright behind him. As the boat sped away, she lowered her hand to her stomach and released a sob, feeling her body tremble. Somehow the secret within her knew that someone important was now gone from their life for good. Anna took a deep breath, it was good for him, it was good for them both that he would never know.

Chapter 1

"That's enough!" cried Mara, as another boot landed against her husband's rib cage. Brad groaned and rolled unto his side and looked up at his horrified wife, his eyes and lips were bloody and bruised.

"Please just stop now, you're going to kill him" she pleaded, trying her best to not sound as concerned as she was.

Trent looked up at her with a sneer, "I think that's the whole idea, Mara" he said.

She looked down at her husband and shook her head, Brad was out of it by now; he could not make out a word they were saying. He laid sprawled on his back, gasping through the pain his head lolling like a sponge bodied doll.

"It doesn't make sense, and you know it. You don't want a murder on your hands, do you?"

Trent chuckled, "don't you mean 'we'?" he replied as he dropped the baseball bat he was holding.

"Watch him," he commanded to the burly man standing nearby.

Trent motioned for Mara to join him in the cabin; making his way there with the confidence and authority of a man in control.

"It doesn't make any sense," Mara reasoned, as she descended onto the lower deck after him.

Trent sighed and pulled up a seat, he withdrew a cigarette from his pocket and put it to his lips; he did not light it though, being mindful of Mara's aversion to it. He remembered how snappy it used to make her.

"Then what do you suggest we do, miss know-it-all?"

"There's an island not far from here, he's already in pretty bad shape, we could drop him off, and he wouldn't know what's going on."

Trent looked thoughtful, "what if the bastard survives the night? Can we risk that?"

Mara bit her lip, she was hoping he did, she could not bear the thought of him dying, more so, dying by her hands.

"He's so drugged out; I doubt he'll remember what happened. Besides, Brad never travels to the Caribbean, he wouldn't know anyone there."

She knew she was going out on a limb to save him. Trent was a ruthless man and if he thought Brad was best dead, he'd see to it that that's what happened.

Mara stood looking at him, awaiting his response with as much neutrality as possible. Trent just sat there, glaring up at her with those cold, glassy blue eyes, his stringy blonde hair hanging over them. Brad had disapproved of him the moment he saw him; he thought he looked dangerous and he was right. He would have never let him on board if Mara had not intervened, in the best way she knew how; distracting beauty and honey laced words.

Trent looked up at her again and shrugged, "alright if you think that's best, that's what we'll do. But we can't wait until morning, we've got to clean up this mess tonight and be back to California as soon as possible," he was jabbing his unlit cigarette at her for emphasis, " now get outta here so I can have myself a smoke!" he ordered.

Mara turned and flew up the ladder, she needed to take one last look at her husband, the chances that she would probably never see him again were especially high and if she did, she was pretty sure he wouldn't want to see her.

The sun hovered above the horizon in its morning splendour, the trees rustled musically as they danced to the rhythm of the cool breeze coursing through them, like the morning alarm. Brad awoke with the warmth of the sun on his back, the cold wetness of his bed of stones pressing against his stomach and the taste of salt in his mouth; grains of sand clung to his lips and tongue and he sputtered as he turned sluggishly onto his back. He lifted a trembling hand to his throbbing head, touching his blood matted hair, and traced his hands to his lips, flinching as his salty fingers singed his busted, swollen lips. He struggled to sit up. Dizziness overwhelmed him and he gasped as a sharp pain shot up his stiff back – every muscle, every joint felt like a broken hinge. But even in his immobilizing pain he knew that he couldn't stay here, the harshness of the ocean breeze was that voice of reason.

He stared out at the bare expanse of frothing water and stifled a sob, where was Mara? He wrapped his black, cashmere car coat tighter around him; it still smelled of Mara's flowery perfume; he hadn't bothered to remove it that night on the yacht. Much of that night was a blur, but it couldn't ease the panic and sheer worry of not knowing where his wife was. He looked down at the angry waves below him and the horrid thought of her being beneath it undid him. He welcomed the warmth of the tears that had begun coursing down his cheeks, her being captured by their attackers didn't seem so terrible now, at least she would be alive, but for how long? With tears in his eyes he looked up at the beautiful blue sky they were admiring only yesterday and he groaned.

"What did I ever do to deserve this, why the hell won't you help me!" he cried, not knowing to whom he cried or what he really considered to be help. He just felt like someone had to be blamed, someone had to hear and someone had to protect her.

He looked down at his hands upon which he wore two gold rings, on his right he wore a large gold ring with a huge stone, it was a gift from an old friend from the days when he carried boxes for a living, and on his left was his plain, gold wedding band.

Mara had made a thing out of getting it, knowing how he liked everything simple, for once she chose to think of him instead of herself. Brad smiled as he thought of their wedding day when she explained the reason for her choice he remembered laughing, he remembered being so happy but it had only lasted for the first year of their marriage. Mara started being difficult, she was hardly ever home but was either partying, shopping, or hanging with friends. Brad started feeling left out, he tried convincing her to act and dress more like a wife and she threw a tantrum, arguing that he was becoming controlling, and before long they couldn't have a conversation without fighting.

Their marriage was falling apart on them and the trip was another attempt to save it and it was going great too, up until the previous night. Brad grimaced and pulled the ring off his long dark slender finger and sat staring at it, he wondered what would have happened if they hadn't been interrupted, could they have saved their marriage? An image of her hovering over him flashed before him, and a look of confusion came upon his face.

"She was there?" He whispered in disbelief, suddenly uncertain of his own account of that night.

He was still sorting through his murky memory when he felt and heard a bird swoop past his ear; he looked up to find a terrified flock of gulls fly over him, their cries echoing in the hollow of the bay. Brad was turning away from them, about to ease back into his state of self pity when he heard a child like cry rise up after them.

He struggled to his feet, ignoring the shooting pain and tightness in his legs, and looked about him frantically; he could now hear the sound of laughter thrilling like a siren. With his jaw set, he made a bold step forward, feeling his legs tremble and jerk underneath him he paused, took a deep breath and with a determined set of his jaw, dropped to his knees and proceeded to clamber down the side of the rock. Just mere inches from the surf, he threw himself into the roaring water and started to swim toward the shore.

Tommy was still doubled over with laughter, causing Casey to roll her eyes and pout.

"That's not funny!" she exclaimed, lifting her hands and dropping them to her sides with a sigh.

"What?" Tom asked in his usual whiny voice, his big grin had suddenly turned into a frown.

Casey was still staring up at the sky, "don't act like you don't know," she turned angry eyes on him.

Tom shrugged, "sorry, it's not like you would've caught any."

Casey groaned in exasperation and marched angrily past him. Tommy followed her.

"Hey where are you going? Just give up Case you can't catch a sea gull, it's stupid. Isn't this illegal?"

Tommy stopped at the edge of the rock and looked down at the curly haired girl below, Casey had drew closer to the edge of the rock they were standing on and was looking over at something on the other side; she wore a disappointed frown.

"What are you doing? You know we're not supposed to be out on the beach this early, Case. Let's just go," he pleaded, not making a move to join her.

"Don't worry Tom, we'll be back in time," she assured him.

Tommy shook his head, "I knew I shouldn't have come out here," and he sat down with a sigh.

"Yeah maybe you shouldn't have," she said nonchalantly, still scanning the beach so she wouldn't have to see Tommy's insulted frown. It was the most beautiful site she'd ever had the pleasure of seeing, and even though she lived close enough to be able to see it every day and could ride her bike and take in the beauty of the sea from her favourite rock as often as she wished, it always left her amazed.

She turned around and walked back to where Tommy was now stooping, and regarded her surroundings absently; beads of sweat had already formed on her brow.

"We won't have a chance today Casey, let's forget it," he muttered.

"Wait a minute what is that?" she cried, the blank look on her face completely erased.

Tommy shrugged, "who cares."

"No seriously Tommy look," she pointed in the direction they'd come from, at the cluster of trees that stood between this secluded beach and the rest of civilization. They usually had to go through it in order to get onto the rocks, it was a dry sandy area, with sharp sticks, thorns and poison plants.

"I just saw something moving through there."

Tommy's head shot upward and he jumped to his feet, "What? Where?" he asked frantically, looking with wide eyes in the direction she pointed.

"I don't know, it was there a while ago," she said, frowning.

"Jesus! Run Casey, run!" Tommy cried, hopping on one leg like he was fire dancing.

Casey looked about her, her eyes wide with excitement and fear, "what is it Tom?"

Tommy dashed behind her and shoved his hand over her shoulder to motion to the dirty wet man stumbling weakly toward them.

Casey tensed, "it's just a man," she said.

"Exactly," Tommy sputtered, "and he's heading right for us."

Casey took a step back despite herself and took a deep calming breath, "so what?"

Tommy jerked her shoulder and she turned to face him, "are you seriously not getting this? Me, you, young vulnerable children, out in a secluded area early in the morning, none of our parents know where we are, there's a horrible looking zombie approaching us and you say, so what!"

"Please... help me!" the stranger cried as he made two more shaky steps toward them, before he stumbled to his hands and knees.

His weak plea got to Casey and she found herself taking a step toward him. Tommy gripped the tail of her shirt frantically.

"Don't do it," he warned.

"Can't you see he's hurt," she said as she shook him off.

Casey hurried toward the motionless man, now sprawled out on the ground before her and she knelt at his side. She turned him over, and found herself looking down at a dark, badly beaten man. He was well built, with lots of curly black hair, now wet and dirty with sand, she imagined he wasn't very bad looking underneath the red swollen bumps and cuts. She laid a hand on his chest and felt the slight rise and fall of his breathing. She didn't know this man; he was definitely not from around here.

Tommy made his way to her side cautiously and looked down at the lifeless man at their feet warily, "maybe he's an escaped slave from Guyana or something."

Casey looked over at him, "Why didn't you pass common entrance again?"

"Oh shut up."

He walked around the man and nudged him with his foot, "look he's dead, let's just go, there's nothing we could do," he said.

Casey stooped down and shook his shoulder gently, "wake up," she prodded.

"Don't touch him!" cried Tommy as he threw himself forward to stop her.

Casey saw him coming and leaned backward; the boy stumbled and fell across the man's chest. The stranger jerked upward. Tommy started screaming, and didn't stop until he was a good distance away from the man.

Casey tumbled back on her haunches as she howled with laughter. She stopped when she noticed the man was stirring, his eyelids were fluttering slightly and he was making a throaty groaning sound. Casey crept over to him and leaned over his face; his eyes fluttered open and squeezed shut again against the morning sunlight, the girl smiled.

Brad opened his eyes and tried to rise but he was too weak; he felt he would break into a thousand pieces. He found himself staring up at a smiling girl, who was staring down at him with genuine concern in her bold brown eyes, she leaned closer and a lock of curly black hair tumbled from behind her ears and touched his cheek.

"What's your name mister?" she asked.

Brad tried to answer, struggling with the tight hoarseness in his throat.

"Brad," he croaked.

He could not help wondering who this dirty little girl was who had injected a bit of hope into his dark situation. It suddenly occurred to him that he might have died and was in heaven and that she was an angel, but one look at her dirty face wild hair and stained clothes was enough to convince him otherwise.

A chubby faced boy leaned over him now, "is he alive" asked the scared looking boy.

"Yeah" she whispered without turning away from the man before her.

"Hi Brad," she said cheerfully, grinning from ear to ear, "my name's Casey."

She motioned to the boy next to her "and this is Tom" she smiled.

Brad thought it was the most beautiful one he had ever seen, it was genuine and kind and so familiar, he tried to give her one of his own but his bruised lips would not allow much strain. Suddenly Casey's smile vanished and was replaced with a look of horror.

"Oh no, Mister you're bleeding!" she exclaimed and she moved away from his line of sight. Brad heard a tearing sound, someone cried out and she returned to his side pressing the cloth against his bleeding forehead. Brad sighed with relief, he was afraid she would run away. A short dark boy with puffy cheeks appeared beside her, he was shirtless and mad.

"Humph, why didn't you take your shirt off, what's my mom gonna say huh?" he cried puffing out his already chubby cheeks.

Brad started to rise and she slid behind him to help him up, "water," he rasped, he had grown as pale as his complexion would allow.

Casey looked over at her friend questioningly the boy shook his head in response.

"Sorry sir, but we don't have any, but my house isn't far from here. I'm sure my mom will fix you right up," she said as she wrapped the torn T-shirt around his wounded head with surprising expertise.

She then stood and propped a shoulder under his arm and Tommy went to his other side and did likewise, but when Brad finally stood they had to hold his waist instead. He looked down at his rescuers and tried to smile he was indeed grateful.

Anna was staring proudly at her new bed of flowers; they really were coming along nicely. She would have probably wanted nothing more of this day if she wasn't worrying about her daughter. She glanced down at her wrist watch and sighed; this was not the first time she had woken up to find Casey gone, she was at the beach of course, there was no place she loved more, but that still could not relieve the wrath Anna would surely unleash when she returned. Anna thought of what she should do, it was clear some form of punishment was required; the neighbors would surely be looking for her to take some action. She didn't even understand why she bothered because no matter what she did someone was bound to speak about the young mother who did not know how to discipline her child.

Anna sighed, she had more flowers that needed tending and more to replant, Reverend Tanner had promised her some seeds from where he vacationed last month, he's said they would thrive in the salty air. She was still deep in thought when she heard a familiar voice calling out to her, her heart leapt. The last time Casey had called out to her like that she'd spent the night at the hospital and three days at home. Anna dropped the shears she held and hurried out front, silently praying that nothing had happened to her girl.

"Mommy" Casey called as they neared the washed out white house, it was old but its surroundings made up for its lack with beautiful flower gardens, neatly trimmed fence and a recently mowed lawn.

Brad had grown weaker and was fighting the urge to faint, mostly because he did not want to put too much strain on the children. He lifted his gaze to the house ahead, squinting at the sun and noticed the slim woman racing up the dirt road, a cloud of dust rising from underneath her boots with each footfall.

"Casey!" she called frantically.

When she noticed the trio her face contorted into several expressions, Brad could not discern them all but he knew he saw genuine concern, something he wouldn't expect from a stranger. He'd lived in a world where no one cared for a strange face.

Anna looked at him briefly and then took Tommy's place propping a strong shoulder under Brad's arm. She looked over at Casey questioningly the fear that something had happened to her daughter had subsided and was replaced with concern for the stranger between them.

"What happened?" she asked.

Casey opened her mouth to explain, just as Brad stumbled to his knees and then onto his hands. Anna knelt down beside him and laid a hand on his bent head which was neatly wrapped in Tommy's T-shirt, she winched when she notice the bruised and battered face.

"It's alright now, we'll take good care of you," she coaxed; she then turned to her daughter, who was standing nearby wringing her hands, as always she was taking full control of the situation.

"Go get Mike, tell him to hurry" she commanded.

Brad had slumped unto his belly and was groaning in pain. Anna turned him over and pulled him upright, looking at him closely for the first time. She felt her heart skip a beat; her hand flew to her mouth at the frightening realization. His swollen eyes, bloody lips, and wrapped up forehead couldn't hide who he really was.

"Raj?" she whispered, the stranger did not seem to have heard her, and he looked up at her frightened expression with weary eyes.

"Water," he moaned and licked his parched busted lips.

Anna started moving again, frantically this time, her hands trembled immensely as beads of sweat ran from her hairline onto her temple, she replaced Casey's bandage with a towel from her shoulder, pressing hard against the wound, her lips set in a thin line.

Casey and Tommy returned with Mike; who was immediately at Brad's side.

"Come help me take him inside" she ordered, lifting Brad's arm over her shoulder, Mike did the same and held Brad's waist to support him and with strong arms they carried him in.

"Casey where did you say you found this man?" Anna asked as she cleaned the ugly gash on Brad's forehead Casey was standing on the other side of the bed with a glass in her hand. She swallowed hard, she knew this was coming; surely she would not get away this time.

"We were gonna look for... um turtles" she looked up to try reading her mother's expression; it was unreadable, "and then we saw this guy on the rocks, we went over to help him out."

She stood there waiting for the moment of terror but her mother only nodded and with a far away expression sent her to breakfast. She was relieved and wasted no time in leaving, the last thing she wanted was for her mother to come to her senses. As she pulled the door behind her she took her puffer from her pocket and took a long drag.

Brad's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself staring up at a beautiful bright eyed woman, or was she an angel, that seemed to be happening to him a lot lately. He smiled up at her, this angel above him looked a little familiar though, but like the girl that had saved him he could not quite figure it out. Anna smiled down at him and laid a warm hand on his forehead, turning briefly to rinse the cloth in the bowl of warm water.

Brad looked at her closely, she had a golden complexion, what his wife would call a perfect tan, big bold light brown eyes, her straight hair was pulled back; dark brown sun streaked hair. He continued to stare even as she turned back to him, he noticed she had freckles dusted across her tiny nose and a tightness around her mouth, that worried him, maybe he was in really bad shape.

"You're a bit hot still" she said, he liked her voice, it was a bit hoarse, but gentle, soothing, just what he needed. He could still hear her calling out to Casey that morning, and could still feel her touching his face in gentle assurance.

"You've had a tough time, but you'll be alright," she said with a smile.

Beautiful, he thought and he returned one of his best. She rose from the bed and returned with a bowl.

"Here, have some soup. It'll help you get your strength back" she said as she helped him sit up.

"Where am I?" he asked, he was still very hoarse.

"You're in La Sagesse," she replied.

Brad frowned, "What country is this?"

She frowned as though she thought his question ridiculous, "Grenada."

Brad's eyes grew wide, as wide as they could given the swelling, "Grenada? How in the world did I get here?"

"I don't know, that's a question only you could answer" she replied.

Brad was shaking his head in disbelief, "this island was way off the course we were traveling" he said thoughtfully, "they took great pains to dump me here."

Anna was looking at him worriedly; she was hoping he had not gotten into trouble again, "who dumped you?" she asked as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

Brad tried to think, he was getting flustered and Anna noticed it. Something terrible had happened to him and she wasn't about to push him to lose his mind. She needed him to keep a clear head, after all, she had her own questions.

"It's alright you can talk about it whenever you're ready" she patted his arm as she spoke,

"I'm Brad by the way" he said.

He noticed the change of expression on her face through his swollen eyes, but could not guess the reason for it; she was a stranger to him after all.

"And I'm uh... Casey's mother"

Brad looked confused.

"The girl who found you," Anna explained "she's my daughter, her name's Casey"

"Oh yes" he grinned as he remembered the tiny, bright eyed girl who saved his life. "I want to see her again, if that's alright. I must thank her, and you as well....for your kindness"

Anna nodded, she was afraid to speak. It was awkward seeing him again like this, he had changed a lot since that day on the docks. She listened to him speak and despite what he had been through and the fact that his voice was not really his own, she could still make out the well known accent, though he spoke with a greater level of clarity and intelligence. Then without thinking she said his name, the name she knew him by, the name she had whispered to herself at day and night with so much love, a name from the life he had probably forsaken and the woman he'd clearly forgotten.

Brad was looking pointedly at her now, not sure what he had heard. Anna noticed the look of unbelief he had in his eyes.

"Raj, that's your name isn't it" she repeated, with more certainty.

This time he almost jumped out of bed, how did she know that name? He looked her right in the eyes, frowning, panicking even.

"I know you probably don't remember me, but I couldn't help noticing it was you," she explained

"How did you know? What's your name?" he asked desperately.

Anna looked pained, her eyes bright with unshed tears, but she refused to let him see how his ignorance was hurting her. She reached over and placed the bowl of soup on the bedside table, her movements were slow and exaggerated, but she was really giving herself time for composure. Anna then leaned toward him, she was real close. Brad met her gaze and held it, the tip of their noses almost touching, and Brad tensed.

"Look at me," she whispered.

Brad could feel his heart speeding up, he could hear the blood pumping in his ears, it was as though she were casting a spell on him, he waited for the part where she would start speaking in a strange language and would yank his heart from his chest. As though Anna had read his mind she pulled away a little, just enough for him to catch his breath but without breaking the connection, then she spoke again.

"You said you could never forget these eyes Raj, don't you remember?"

Brad was trying to think, those eyes were familiar and it was easier now to think without worrying about becoming some kind of religious sacrifice. Anna could not stand it anymore; maybe it was better if he did not remember.

"It's alright" she sighed, and made a move to get up, but he had grabbed her wrist.

Anna could not help noticing how soft his hands were, they were trembling slightly and she looked down at him again. Brad stared at her, he had remembered but he was afraid to say it out loud, he was not sure what he would do if he was right.

"I remember" he said, after a long pause.

Anna's breath caught in her throat and she fought for control. Brad noticed the play of emotions on her face, and suddenly everything seemed familiar, everything started to make sense. Her voice, her eyes, her smiles, the layout of her freckles, he knew it all, he's once loved it all.

"Anna" he whispered, it was so low she could hardly hear it. He stifled a sob as he said her name again; it felt so right saying it.

"My Anna."

A tear tumbled down Anna's cheek, and Brad pulled her down into his arms and she rested her head on his strong chest, emptying her salty dam in the crook of his neck, it all felt so natural. Yet, it wasn't; she pulled away. She got up from the bed and turned her back to him, silently trying to get a hold of her emotions. It was never like her to breakdown like that but Brad was crying too, it was a powerful moment for both of them, they had found each other again after all these years.

It was a while before Anna spoke again but when she did her voice was very controlled but she dared not turn around.

"It seems you found what you were looking for" she said.

Brad tossed off the covers and started to get up but she was back at his side, "no, you need rest," she said as she urged him back into bed.

She pulled the covers over him and handed him his soup. He was still looking up at her, but her eyes were clear now and her lips were steady. Anna combed her fingers through his thick curly hair like she had always done, Brad was of Indian descent, he had dark brown eyes that were so kind and expressive, even as he looked at her she could decipher what he was trying to say. She continued to look at him, taking in the features that were forever embedded in her mind, features that she had not allowed herself to forget, that she would never be able to. He had seen to that and he did not even know it.

She traced her hand down his arm to his fingers and played intently with his ring, his wedding ring, he did find what he was looking for and more it seemed. She lifted her gaze from his hands to his face and without another word she got up and left the room, just as she'd suspected, seeing Raj again brought with it an ocean of pain.

Chapter Two

It had been three days since Brad's arrival, and three days since Casey had last seen her friend, and as much as she hated to admit it, she really did miss his company. Tommy had showed up that morning, his usually pleasant face twisted with displeasure as he stomped up to where Casey stooped planting some seedlings in the back yard. His cheeks were puffed out and his lips pouted; he always went the extra mile when expressing himself. Casey looked up at him coolly and could see he was very angry, it turned out he really had not gotten over what had happened.

"Why are you mad Tom, you should be proud of what we did" she said, before returning to her work. Tom stomped angrily, and Casey looked up, a bit amused by his behavior. This seemed to make Tommy angrier.

"Okay man calm down...." she started.

"Don't do that!" he screamed, Casey looked up at him a puzzled look on her face.

"Look Tom I don't know what got you so mad, I'm sorry if your Mom beat you but what's done is done" she had no intention to come off as cold but that is exactly what she did.

"How could you be like this, you dragged me out on the rocks in the early morning when we both knew it was forbidden, but I came with you Casey, you wanna know why?" he was looking at her expectantly and she stared back at him. She knew he expected a response he was after all, standing there, staring at her, waiting.

"Why?" she finally responded.

"I followed you because I trusted you Casey" he paused, as though waiting for it to sink in; she stared back at him blankly. Tommy sighed and calmed down a little.

"I trusted you" he repeated, he was beginning to sound like a heartbroken boyfriend. Casey opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again.

"I got a beating for that T-Shirt of mine and for being out so early, but I protected you, I lied for you" he was crying now while Casey's anger boiled.

"What do you want me to do about that Tom, I didn't tell you to lie" her voice was icy and Tommy flinched when he looked into her eyes, but he came here with a purpose and he was going to see it through.

"I don't want to be friends with you anymore, I'm not going to hell for covering for you, no more beatings for you either" and with that he turned and calmly walked away, dashing his hands across his eyes.

Casey stood up, she never thought those words could affect her like this. She made a few steps after the retreating boy and called out to him, despite himself Tommy stopped and looked back and without thinking she yelled at him.

"I don't care, I don't care if you don't want to be my friend you're too stupid anyway" she was so blind with anger she did not notice the pained expression on his face or the seedlings she had trampled. Tommy walked away without another word.

Casey could feel the lump in her throat and the pain in her chest but she was not going to cry for him, she dropped the tiny garden fork and ran into the house and into her bedroom, but as she pulled the door behind her and dropped unto her bed the tears were streaming down her face and her chest was heaving uncontrollably. She reached into her back pocket for her medication but it was empty, panic gripped her when she remembered she left it in her other jeans. Casey turned on her back and with one gasping breath she cried out for help, she was struggling for air now and wondering if anyone would hear her.

Brad was at the kitchen window and had seen the whole fight between the two friends; he was debating whether he should go talk to her or leave her until her mother got back. He was staring at her bedroom door thoughtfully; he was not sure what he would tell her or how he would comfort her, because he had no children in his life before this. He took a step forward just as the kettle whistle went off. Brad grunted he always hated that sound; he turned and headed into the kitchen. Maybe he could bring her some tea he thought, that always helped to calm his nerves.

A little while later he was standing at her door with two cups of hot cocoa, he was not sure if she drank coffee.

"Casey" he called, and he knocked again "I've got some cocoa, figured you would want a cup" that's when he heard a low thud, without thinking he turned the knob and walked in, his eyes opened in horror at the sight before him.

Casey had fallen to the floor her chest was heaving uncontrollably and she was making a frightening wheezing sound, she was pale and sweaty. Brad set down the cups he was holding and went to her side; she was staring up at him tearfully.

"Where's your medicine?" he asked.

She motioned to a clothes basket at the corner of the room and shook her head. Brad went to it and threw of the top, he too was sweating and his hands trembling, he looked over at her the basket was empty.

" What am I looking for?" he asked frantically, she made a wheezing sound along with a incomprehensible gesture and he managed to make out the word jeans, by now he had an idea of what he was looking for, it did not take a genius to see she was having an asthma attack.

He dashed out of the room and headed straight for the small room, where he'd seen Anna carry laundry just that morning. In not time Brad was pulling and tossing clothes from the baskets in the room until he came upon a pair of faded jeans, that looked like Casey's, lucky for him she only had two there and before he picked up the other he could feel the puffer in the pocket.

He hurried back to her, she was paler now and her lips were almost blue. Brad pulled her up against his chest and cradled her against him as he lifted the puffer to her lips. He continued to hold her while her breathing slowed and she relaxed. He looked down at her with relief now, his own heart was beginning to slow too as he noticed her color coming back, he looked down at her and smiled.

Brad helped Casey into bed, and they laughed when she said he was fussier than her mother, he handed her the cup he had brought in.

"It may be a bit cold" he informed her.

She smiled, "thanks," she looked up at him sweetly.

"You saved me first," Brad chuckled, he then leaned forward "next time don't leave your puffer in the laundry" he scolded.

Casey nodded, "I know, it's just that I don't need it often and I only carry it around when I'm far from home" she took a sip of the cocoa.

"How long have you had asthma" he asked, he was genuinely interested. She was after all, Anna's daughter and that made her important to him.

"For as long as I could remember" she replied, "I'm eleven by the way"

"Really, I thought you were older." Brad teased,

"Let me guess you were born in December, you've got that December spunk," he said with a wink.

Casey narrowed her eyes at him, "no, not even close" she said "I was born in April; I missed my dad's birth month by three days."

Brad tensed; the last thing he wanted was to bounce into Anna's boyfriend, "your dad?" he looked at Casey closely, "Does he live around here?"

Casey shook her head, "he left before I was born" she explained.

Brad relaxed, "I was born in March so..."

Casey looked up at him with those soft brown eyes and smiled. Brad looked at her and got a weird feeling in his stomach, and it must have been reflected on his face, because Casey was looking at him worriedly.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

He gave himself a shake, "yes, of course" he said with a tight smile.

"So what happened with you and Tom?"

Casey shrugged, her eyelids were strangely droopy, "oh nothing more than the usual, his mother and sister absolutely can't stand my mom, a lot of people don't like mommy. Apparently his sister and my mother were really good friends and I don't know what happened. They just always blame me for everything bad Tom does and... they always try to break us up," she looked down at her hands and sighed, "They never succeeded before."

Brad reached over and rubbed her shoulders awkwardly, "don't worry about it, if he's a true friend he'll be back."

Casey nodded, her eyelids finally won. She slumped against Brad and he stayed still until her breathing steadied then he pulled off her dirty garden boots and tip toed out of the room.

Brad headed to the back porch to take in some fresh air, he slumped into an old wicker chair and looked up at the sky. It was getting late and he could no longer see the true colors of the flowers, but he had been watching them for three days now, so he knew that the leaves were green, that the tall flowers swaying slowly in the night air were light pink with a hint of white, he knew they were beautiful and that when light finally showed them up as they truly were he would admire them just as much or even more. He sighed.

"What's on your mind?"

Brad's head jerked upward, and he found himself looking up at Anna. She was standing at the foot of the steps in her receptionist's uniform.

"I didn't hear you come in" he said, Anna stepped unto the porch and sat in the chair opposite his own.

"Well that's a first, I drive a busted up truck. Even the neighbors must've heard me come in" she smiled.

"Guess I was far away" he said.

"That's what I thought, want to talk about it?" her eyes never left him, yet he was as comfortable as he had been before she appeared. It had always been that way with her, Anna was always so easy to talk to.

"I was just thinking...and I realized something. Maybe I always knew it I just never could bring myself to admit it" he looked up at her with a raw, tormented look in his eyes; it was clear even in the dim porch light. Anna nodded; she did not want to push him, though she knew the best thing for him was to talk about it. Brad was staring at his hands again.

"I realized I had been looking at my life the way I look at the flowers, only with me, I had been looking during the night and never bothering to during the day, you know" he looked at her again.

He had expected to see total indifference, even he knew what he was saying sounded like utter foolishness but Anna only looked more interested.

"Go on," she urged.

"You know how at night you can never really make out the true colors of things like you would during the day?" Anna nodded.

"Well that's what I mean. I've been living a lie Anna. I thought I knew exactly what was going on in my life and how to fix everything that might go wrong" he drew his hand down the length of his face.

"I never really knew the colors," he sighed, "and that's why I'm here sitting on the porch of my ex-girlfriend's house after being thrown off of my own yacht, because of a vain attempt to save my marriage" he swallowed hard.

"My wife has hurt me so much since the first couple months of our marriage, I knew from the very moment she started acting out that trying to save us was hopeless" he shook his head, he didn't know where she was and if she was safe.

He'd called his office and his secretary had nothing on Mara, all she knew was that his yacht was back, there was no sign of his wife. It was all very confusing, yet he couldn't bring himself to think she was in complete danger; she was there that night and though his memory of it was hazy he remembered the way she spoke to that man, like she knew him and she wasn't afraid.

He looked up at Anna and he felt he could tell her what he thought but he decided accusing his wife of such a dreadful thing would only lower her impression of him. As he looked at her his mind went back to his conversation with Casey that evening and he felt that strange feeling in his stomach once more.

Anna had leaned forward and was taking his hands in hers, "Raj, I don't want you blaming yourself" she gripped his hands tightly an intense look in her eyes.

"No one knows what life is going to throw at them, no matter how organized everything is, we have to learn to accept and to conform. Sometimes we can't run things, there are times when you have to run with it knowing that Jesus is in control," she could feel Brad stiffen.

He had not expected that, it was the last thing he wanted to hear. To him the belief of a supreme God was a psychological attempt to help people who were too weak and afraid to face life on their own.

"I don't need this right now Anna," he countered, he could see the disappointment in her eyes. He tightened his jaw, "actually, I have something I want to ask you."

Anna had gotten up, and was now leaning against the post, "what happened to you Brad?" she asked, "you grew up going to church, you went with me on several occasions but now, you're so weird about it, like there was never a time in your life when you believed."

Her gaze settled on him, almost accusingly, "Did you...ever really believe?" She also wanted to ask; did you ever really love me or was that an act too?

Brad shrugged, "you want to know what happened Anna? I'll tell you, I grew up. There comes a time in a man's life when he realizes what was mere childish fantasies and what makes up the real world."

"You mean you got too big for him," she countered, a daring look in her eyes, "It was fine to believe in him when you were poor and every aspect of your life had to be rooted in faith. But now you don't need him, you have all you could possibly want. But tell me Raj, how's that going for you so far."

Brad was trying to put his words together, feeling cornered, stuck between standing up for what he now held as truth and hurting Anna's feelings. Suddenly, the door opened and Casey looked in, she saw her mother and went over to her. He sighed in relief, she'd saved the day.

"I was wondering when you'd appear," Anna said, as she tried to smooth out her tousled hair, "were you asleep?"

Casey nodded, and looked over at Brad, "I had an attack today" she said, her voice a mere whisper.

Anna lifted Casey's chin and looked down at her, "what happened?" she asked, with concern.

Casey looked over at Brad who was looking at them and gave him a look that told him he was intruding. He got up and muttered something about dinner, then left.

"So?" Anna urged, as she went to a chair and pulled Casey onto her lap. Casey took a deep breath.

"Me and Tom had a fight" she started.

She told her mother everything that had happened that afternoon even the part where she called her best friend stupid. When she finished she looked up at her mother, whose disapproval could be seen in her eyes.

"Casey, no matter what Tom told you, you had no reason to say things like that, or get yourself so worked up. And why didn't you have your puffer with you, that's the craziest thing I've ever heard you do, what if Ra..." she stopped herself and looked down at her daughter, who was too busy cringing under the upbraiding to notice.

"What if Mr. Mason wasn't here. You could have died" Casey had rested her head under Anna's chin and was so still, her mother thought she had dozed off, then she started speaking.

"Tommy was my only friend mom."

Anna could hear the hurt in her voice and she rubbed her shoulder reassuringly, "don't worry honey am sure you guys will work it out, you always do."

Casey shook her head, "not this time, other times it was his mom who stopped him from seeing me. He told me himself he didn't want to be friends with me anymore, and I don't really blame him" she sniffed. Anna did not know what she could tell her, because even she knew Tommy was the only child that ever tried to understand Casey.

It turned out Brad was saying he would prepare dinner, because when Anna and Casey came in, he was setting the table. Brad looked up at them and smiled.

"I figured since you ladies were occupied I would help out. Hope you don't mind?" he said as he set down a few glasses.

"There's no problem with you doing dinner" she looked down at the quick meal he had prepared; there was a bowl of canned vegetables and some spaghetti from the day before. Anna looked up at him; he was watching her scrutinize his work.

"The meatballs aren't ready yet and am putting together a sauce," he motioned to an area on the counter top laden with seasoning. "I hope you don't mind, I picked some from the garden."

Casey was already peering into the pot, "spaghetti and... suasages" she looked over at Brad quizzically.

Brad lifted his hands defensively, "hey I'm no cook alright... and it's a good meatball substitute."

"Can I help?" she asked.

Brad glanced over at Anna who was already nodding, "of course you can, how about chopping up those onions over there" he replied, Casey nodded and started straight away.

"Do you need my help?" Anna put in, her voice sounded strained. She was trying to ignore the effect of the little exchange between Brad and her daughter.

Brad looked her over thoughtfully, in his eyes he could see that he'd noticed the change in her demeanor, "that's alright, you relax. Go get out of that uniform" he instructed.

Anna nodded and turned to leave, when he called out to her, "is your brother joining us tonight?" he asked,

"He just might, I'm never sure" she replied, and walked out of the kitchen.

They were halfway through dinner when they heard the front door open, then close again with a soft click and then heard Mike's heavy footsteps approaching the dining room. They all looked up when he came in, his large frame suddenly making the room feel smaller. He greeted them, his Texan accent strong. Unlike Anna and her older brother Monty, Mike had returned to Texas – his mother's birth place – when he was seven to live with his aunt and uncle. Anna and Monty were more Grenadian than anyone else, it wasn't just the place of their birth but it was their first home, none of them wanted to go back when Doctor Wright, who was Grenadian, died of a massive heart attack.

Anna and Monty were ten and sixteen then and they all loved their mother too much to leave her, though she offered to send them back to America to live with her family. She had become so attached to the little island, no one dared to tear her away from it not even her family. Mrs. Wright died the summer Mike came to visit, he was eleven. She had a brain tumor, but it was too late when they found it to save her, she died two months after she was diagnosed. Mike left and returned to Texas and only came back when Anna became pregnant.

"What's up y'all" he said grinning from ear to ear. They all responded, and Anna invited him to join them.

"Don't mind if I do" he replied and he pulled up the free chair.

"This all looks sooo good" he said in his slow easy going manner.

Brad looked at him and smiled, he did not know Mike that well, a matter of fact he did not know him at all. This was actually the first time he met him since he carried him into the house that day, yet Brad liked the guy. Mike seldom spoke, and when he did, it was always short and precise.

When they were finished Anna and Casey cleaned up and Mike invited Brad to join him on the porch for a beer, Brad accepted. The two men were sitting silently staring at the starry sky for what seemed an eternity, before Mike spoke up.

"It's real relaxing down here isn't it" he said as he took a swig of his beer.

"It is, it always has been" Brad replied.

Mike looked over at him and nodded, "That's right. I recall Anna saying sum'n about you being from here," Mike grinned "is it like you remembered?"

"Uh I don't know I haven't been out since I came, so..." Brad shrugged and looked over at Mike who was chuckling.

"Oh right I forgot. Anna ought to take you sight seeing, lotta things has changed since you last been."

"Yeah I guess so" Brad agreed, suddenly feeling agitated about the fact that the guy he used to call 'yankee' was now telling him about the place he'd once known like the veins on the back of his hands.

"So... where do you spend your time now Brad. What do ya do?"

"California. I'm a business man, I own a car dealership. I've got branches all over the country," Brad replied proudly.

"Wow you must make loads ah dough!" Mike exclaimed

"I make some money, what about you what do you do?"

"I work with my hands; carpentry mostly. And we pull in enough from gardening to take us through the year." Mike said, as he drank the last of his beer.

"So why did you come back? I mean growing up I hardly ever saw you around except for holidays. You were big Mike, your brother couldn't stop boasting about you, you big in basket ball and all that."

"I came back to help out my sister. She was pregnant and she needed me is all. My brother Monty got this big job offer paying him more than he had ever made here, I couldn't let him give that up, neither could I leave Anna to fend for herself. That bastard boyfriend of hers was useless; just the same he ran off and never looked back."

Mike sounded bitter and angry, "it kills me to know what she's been through, what she still goes through. One thing about small islands like this is when a good girl messes up, her mistakes follow her like a trail ah tin cans."

Brad was silent, he felt sick thinking of what Anna went through, and for some strange reason he felt a tad guilty. Anna's parents were serious Christians, the kind that would give up everything for their God. Mr. Wright met his wife when he was working as a Dentist in Texas, he remembered Anna telling him he got a "call to ministry" shortly after they were married and came back to Grenada to pastor the church that Brad was sure Anna still attended, regardless of the grief they always gave her.

"I didn't know, you know. Or I would have stuck around, the thought of her going through all that alone" he ran his hand through his hair and was suddenly curious.

"Mike, who is Casey's father?" he asked

"Beats me, she keeps protecting him. Saying she was the one that sent him away and that he didn't know" he looked over at Brad wearily "she knew if I found out who the animal was I'd ah hunt him down and break a few bones" he chuckled, but Brad was not amused.

Something Mike said was making him sick to his stomach. For some reason he felt he had some part in all this, but it could also be that he could not imagine Anna with someone else so much, that he was willing to believe he had some part in her life still.

It was Friday afternoon. Brad was sitting on the front steps, taking a well deserved break after a long day with Mike. He could not believe he had ever worked this hard growing up, but he had and he really did not miss this kind of labor. Brad was still nursing his bruised hands when Casey approached him smiling.

"Hello Mr. Mason" she greeted.

Brad looked up at her and smiled he could tell she had not gotten over that break up.

"Hey kiddo," he replied "what's up?"

"Uncle Mike wants something from down the road, he wanted me to ask if you wanted to come" she had shoved her hand deep in her overall pockets and was rocking on her heels nervously.

Brad grinned up at her, "of course I'll go, I think I've been cooped up here for long enough, don't you?"

Casey grinned, "yeah I guess."

"Besides, that uncle of yours is sure to break me down" he joked.

Casey laughed, her uncle really did drive a heavy hand.

Without wasting any more time, Brad and Casey went out on their errand, laughing and playing like two children. They walked until they came to an old, wall house with rusted roofing and faded away paint. Casey motioned for him to wait and disappeared to the back of the house, but he did not hear her or even see where she disappeared to, he had gone back in time, he had retreated to a world where everything was the way he wanted it be.

Anna was walking ahead of him, her thick dark hair was done up in small twists, falling just below her shoulders. He liked it when she wore it out though; a thick puff of curly strands, all Raj could do was stare and smile like a love struck fool.

" _I really should bring you back now" he said in his slow, thick country accent, but deep down he did not want to be away from her, ever. Anna turned back at him, stopping so that he could catch up; he had a way of always strolling behind her._

" _Oh come on now Raj, what's the rush," her voice was filled with laughter; they both knew Raj resented being home. Though he loved his dear old adoptive parents, he could never really succumb to their quiet life and the rules they laid down. They were old and it was difficult for them to understand the ways of a modern day teenager._

" _You're a teaser Anna" he laughed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his chin on her shoulder, they were almost same height. Suddenly there was a loud crash of thunder and the rain started to pour. Raj grabbed Anna's hand and pulled her toward an abandoned, brightly painted wall house, he lifted her over the fence and climbed up after her, then they climbed through the dirty back window. They were both laughing when they got in, and thoroughly soaked. Raj turned to survey the room they were in, it was a large floor area with two doors at the far end._

" _Seems like some kind of studio or something" Anna observed and Raj nodded in agreement._

" _It does."_

He looked over at Anna, "come, is goin to rain for long time, we might as well get comf'table" he looked over at her and smiled. His smile always had a magical effect on her, Anna shivered despite herself and Raj noticed.

" _You're cold" he said and he drew her to him and cradled her against his wet chest, he looked down at her with his expressive eyes,_

" _You are really beautiful" he whispered and he stroked her hair lovingly._

" _I love you" he said, his eyes were so honest._

Anna found herself leaning toward him and pressing her lips against his, their kiss was gentle at first like the stolen ones behind the house or out in the garden when she came to bring him water, but then it grew more intense as their passion increased and their hands were moving now. It was a whole new experience for them both, but nothing could stop them now they were in love.

Raj leaned up against the cold wall cradling Anna in his arms; they were both staring out the window at the clear blue sky and smiling, amazed at what they had just shared. Anna looked over at her boyfriend and grinned,

" _I love you, Amaraj" she declared._

Raj's chest swelled with pride, "And I love you" he looked down at her "no ting can tear us apart now."

Anna looked out the window again, her expression had suddenly grown grim, "but I'm afraid we've done something terrible."

Raj looked down at her, "don't be afraid, I will protect you. That is what people does do when they love one another."

Anna smiled; feeling reassured as he stroked her arm, "okay, I trust you Raj."

They were both hoping to share more moments like this with each other again, and with no one else, but little did they know that in two months time he would disappear forever, and all hopes of them ever having a future together would be shattered with the passing of a ship.

Brad was leaning up against the wall when Casey returned, grinning from ear to ear, "man oh man, Uncle Mike is going to be so pissed!" she exclaimed.

Brad looked up at her absently, "why?" he asked absently.

"The guy forgot to make the order for the wood, so they're gonna have to postpone the whole project."

Casey frowned; she could see he was not interested in what she was saying. She walked up to where he stood and leaned beside him.

"What's eating ya?" she asked, pulling at a blade of grass,

"It's nothing" he replied, "who owns there now?"

Casey looked up at the old house and shaded her eyes at the sun, "Uncle Mike has his wood shop there. Something about the owner dying and mom buying it or something...I guess whatever she had planned she changed her mind so she let my uncle have it." Casey shrugged and looked over at Brad just in time to see him looking at her strangely.

He was taking in her features, her dark skin, her curly hair, her strange brown eyes and he could keep it in no longer he had to know, though he was sure the answer was right under his nose, he refused to inhale until he heard it from Anna, he refused to believe it until he heard the words come from her own lips.

"What time is it? You think your mother would be home by now?" he asked frantically.

"I guess she would..." before she could finish Brad had straightened up and was hurrying her along.

"Come on, it's time we get back" he ordered, taking her by the hand, Casey started to protest, but thought better of it, he had a weird look in his eyes and she really did not want to give him any trouble, although she was really good at that, he was after all a complete stranger.

Anna had just returned from the town, she'd picked up some things after work as she usually did for Saturdays, which she usually had off and was designated to her gardening. She was unloading the plants she had picked up, from her old blue pickup truck, when she saw Brad and Casey practically running down the road. She smiled as she turned, pushing the door shut with her hips, as both her arms were crowded with plants.

Brad came in the gate just in time to see Anna heading to the old shed on the far side of the yard.

"Stay here" he instructed and walked away in the direction Anna had gone.

Casey looked at him and scoffed; she hoped he did not really expect her to remain standing in her own front yard; she made a face at his retreating back and walked away.

Brad stomped up to the shed, yanked the door open and stood panting in the doorway. Anna was looking up at him, startled.

"Raj, what's going on?"

He was walking toward her now, his jaw was tight in an effort to control himself. He was sweaty and dirty, and for a moment Anna saw the young man she fell in love with, but there was something wrong.

"Tell me who Casey's father is," he had no better way to put it so he decided to be blunt.

The woman before him was gapping at him; he knew she was trying to find a way to evade the question, or to lie. Brad hoped she would not try to lie to him, he could not bear it if she did, and he could not bear it if he was wrong.

Anna stepped back and looked down at her hands; struggling with her reply. She knew this moment would come, from the moment she realized who it was her daughter had carried home to her.

"Raj...I really don't think you..." she stammered.

Brad interrupted her before she could dig a deeper grave underneath her. He walked up to her, and grabbed hold of her shoulders and looked her dead in the eye. Anna swallowed hard and looked away.

"Anna" he prodded.

She was shaking her head, "Raj...I can't, don't do this" she pleaded, and pulled away from his hold.

He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration, as Anna had turned her back to him, struggling with the emotions that threatened to break her down.

"Don't do what Anna?" his voice was low and harsh "what have I done" he was shouting now. "She has the right age, she looks like..." he turned her around roughly and looked her deep in the eye, he would have his answer.

"She is my daughter, isn't she?"

Anna stifled a sob, "I wanted to tell you, I really did" she was crying as she shook her head, "but how do you tell a stranger that he has an eleven year old dauther!"

Brad's heart softened, he could never bear a woman's tears. He pulled her into his arms, all his anger forgotten; he had gotten the answer he had wanted any way.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone, you shouldn't have kept it from me," he lifted her chin so that she could see the sincerity in his eyes.

"I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you guys."

He leaned his head down and whispered against her lips, "I promise" he was going to kiss her, but Anna pulled away her expression showing her disapproval.

She stepped away from him, "as much as I would like to believe that, I can't."

She was walking backwards to the doorway as she spoke, "you're a married man now, and we're adults in a real world, though it never was a fairy tale we led each other to believe that and I'll be damned if I allow myself to fall for it again. Things are a lot more complicated now than they were eleven years ago Raj," she turned and fled from the shed.

Brad slapped himself mentally; he had never attempted to do something so vile before, he was always mindful of the fact that he was a married man. Since he married Mara he had never even thought of it, yet here he was degrading himself before the one person he wanted to trust him. Brad sighed and lowered himself onto a block, how was he going to face her again. He was so deep in thought that he did not see Casey standing in the doorway of the shed.

"Mr Mason" she said.

His head flew up from where it was resting in his hands and he smiled up at her, "Hey" he answered, his mind already reeling, how long had she been standing there?

"You have a phone call" she said, she then spun on her heals and ran across the lawn.

Brad was up and sprinting to the house in no time, he had left a message with his secretary the day before to contact his friend Derek, he knew if there was anyone that could get him out of this situation; it was his friend. Brad did not give out too much information to his secretary; he knew there was more going on. Whoever was responsible for his current situation was still out there and he did not want to endanger anyone else. He thought of Mara, and his blood ran cold, the idea of her being responsible for all this, was still hurtful, the possibility of her being in danger worried him immensely.

"Hello," Brad was anxious; he really hoped Camille was able to get in touch with Derek.

"Mr. Mason?"

"Yes it's me Camille. Did you find him?

"Yes sir I did, but am afraid he isn't in the island right now and his secretary would not give out his number or address" Camille explained. Brad pressed his palm to his forehead and groaned aloud.

"Is there anything I can do?" she asked, she sounded concerned. Camille was always like a sister to Brad, not the caring cuddly kind but she was always willing to perk him up so he could be at his best and not just at the office but always, and after working with him from the day he started, she knew more about him than his wife did. Of course Mara did not approve, she could not believe there was such a thing as a sister-brother relationship between a boss and his secretary, especially with one who was as young and beautiful as Camille. But Brad never went out of place with her, he really did love his wife and there was something about Mara that intrigued him; something that he did not find in any other woman, which is why his behaviour with Anna surprised him so.

"It's alright, just leave a message with his secretary to have him call me as soon as he is available," Brad instructed.

"Sure" said Camille. "Good bye then"

"Camille wait!" Brad looked about him, and lowered his head into the receiver.

"Have you heard from Mara?" he held his breath, he hoped Mara was safe, more so he hoped she was innocent.

"Uh no not really, I know she's back at the house I saw her parking up her corvette just yesterday," Camille explained, nothing ever did get past her.

"O.k. thanks Camille, good job" and he hung up.

He turned and slumped into the worn out sofa, he really would love to have a drink right now. All he really wanted was some proof that Mara was in no way involved in all this, if that was the case it would mean he would have to worry about her being hurt, but the truth was right there in what Camille said. How could someone who was supposed to care about him, get home and not even contact the police, did she not know he was deserted on an island. He pressed his fingers to his forehead and took a deep breath; it was all very frustrating and confusing. As he was sitting there Mike came in.

"Now I was beginning to wonder where you'd gone off to. Too tough out there for ya" Mike teased.

Brad shrugged, "I'm not going to lie to you I have had my share of heavy labour, right now all I can think of is where in this place could I get a decent drink."

Mike grinned widely, as he pulled his bandanna off his head and ran a hand over his short hair.

"I don't now about decent but I know a place that will serve you good" he gave Brad a wide grin and a wink.

"How 'bout it?" he asked and Brad smiled.

"Worth giving it a try, I'm in." Mike nodded.

"Let me go freshen up and we'll head out in a little" and he turned and disappeared through the back door.

Mara was pacing nervously, and Trent looked up at her wearily. She had been like that since they had returned four days ago.

"What if no one found him, what if he remembers? I'll never forgive myself," she was a wreck.

Trent sighed; he was beginning to get agitated, "would you stop that, I don't remember you ever being this fussy. You were the one that suggested we dump him, when we could have done it right there and now we wouldn't have any doubts" he got up from Brad's recliner and walked over to where Mara was leaning.

She looked up at him suspiciously, "whatever you're thinking, don't" she warned.

Trent was chuckling deviously, as he continued to advance on her, "come on Mara, don't tell me you went and turned good girl on me." he grabbed her by her waist and pulled her against him, taking her completely by surprise. Mara looked at him coolly, despite her revulsion.

Trent continued with his pointless seduction, "come on baby, three years is a long time to spend without a real man" he coaxed, as he slowly lowered his head to hers. Mara's hair bristled and she turned her face from him, he followed her greedily.

"Trent, I'm not up for this. I'm married remember, to a man that could outdo you any day.... in anything" she spat.

Trent went rigid; Mara couldn't have made him madder. He jerked his hands away from her and looked down at her coldly.

She smiled smugly, "the truth hurts huh" she teased.

Trent bared his teeth angrily and lifted his fist, but before he could really respond, Mara had turned and was walking slowly away, her hips swaying seductively.

Trent stood there glaring at her retreating figure, she had no idea who she was dealing with.

"We'll see who comes out of this on top Mara, at the end of this you'll come back begging for me to take you back and if you don't, let's just say no one will have you if I can't."
Chapter Three

Casey poked her head into the kitchen and spied her mother sitting there sewing, she had her chance now. She walked up to her quietly, pulled up a chair on the opposite side, placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her palms as she aimed her best puppy dog eyes at her unsuspecting mother.

"What is it Casey?" Anna asked, not removing her eyes from her work. Casey dropped her hands with a sigh, not so unsuspecting after all.

"I need your permission for something" she explained.

Her mother glanced up at her, "what for?" Anna looked at her suspiciously.

"There's this birthday party that I want to go to, but I can't without my parent's consent. So am asking you to allow me to go"

"Well there's nothing wrong with going to a birthday party just as long as you behave yourself" she looked up at her and lifted an eyebrow.

Casey clasped her hands at her success and got up to leave. Anna looked up at her and with a stern look, said, "we're not done here young lady."

The pouting girl walked back to where her mother was pointing, and sat down loudly. Anna laid down her work, pretending she did not notice her rude demeanor.

"First of all, you need to tell me whose birthday party it is," Anna said.

Casey slouched, she really did not want to tell her mother whose party it was, she knew Anna knew her way too well to allow her to go to Judy Pascal's party, especially if it meant interacting with Mrs. Pascal herself.

The two women had had a very interesting fall out some time back when Anna was asked to take the adolescents Sunday school class that Mrs. Pascal, who also happened to be the Pastor's daughter in law, didn't think Anna should've been chosen for, given her murky past. They hadn't been on the best of terms ever since, especially when the Pastor had stood up for Anna, saying that her past was irrelevant to Jesus so why should it be problem for him. Casey and Judy were three years apart and had no particular reason to hate each other, but they were always mean to each other nonetheless. This all made Casey's request a very strange one.

"So aren't you going to tell me?" Anna prodded.

"Mom why do you need to know, I know her..."

"None of that, please not right now" Anna interrupted, her eyes hard.

Casey could see the anger building and was not going to risk getting her mother angry, it wasn't something that happened often, but when it did, even Casey feared it. She wasn't blind to the fact that since that Mr. Mason came into their lives her mother's anger was a like a kerosene doused rope.

"It's Judy's party," she finally confessed.

"Judy? As in Rebecca Pascal's daughter?"

Casey nodded.

"Well that's a definite no"

"But mom..." she started to protest.

Anna lifted a hand for silence, "there's no way I'm going to allow you to cause more trouble for you and this family, so whatever it is you have up your sleeve forget it!"

Casey lowered her head, and mumbled something.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing mum, I have to go" she got up to leave just as Anna reached out and held her by the wrist as she looked up at her.

"Promise me Casey that you wouldn't do anything stupid," her voice had lowered and her expression was gentle, "Darling it pays to do the right thing, no matter how others may treat you. It may not make sense to you now, but when you do, you feel it for yourself," she placed a hand over her heart, "you feel it in here and that's a big enough reward."

Casey nodded, "I promise," she said, hiding her crossed fingers behind her back.

When she left, Anna picked up her sewing again, but she was frowning; something about Casey worried her, she bent her head back to her work, but she just could not put a finger on what it was.

Anna was still sewing when Brad came in, she couldn't help noticing how cute he looked with his tousled hair and wrinkled clothes. His bruises were faded now he did not look like a man who had been beaten except for the slight bump on the bridge of his nose. He walked right past her to the refrigerator, and for a moment she thought he did not notice her until he spoke.

"Good morning" he greeted as he reached into the over head cupboard for a glass, he still had not looked at her.

Anna decided not to mention the fact that it was almost one in the afternoon. She and Casey had completed their usual chores around the house as they usually did on Saturdays.

"Would you something to drink?" he asked.

"No thank you" she was looking at him intently, observing his sure movements about her kitchen. It was just as she had pictured it when she was younger, it was those little daydreams that had kept her sane throughout her pregnancy, through the days when she regretted letting him go.

Even now she had reservations about her decision, the thought that maybe things could have been much better, had been gnawing at her these past few days he'd been here but she had to remind herself that she was older now and time and experience had taught her a lot. One of those lessons was that dwelling in the past only made living in the present harder, and she could not allow that because it was never about her alone, not since Casey came into this world.

Brad turned around to face her with a glass of orange juice in his hand, his eyes were sad; reality was beginning to take effect on him.

"Mike told me about your little party last night," the disapproval in her voice was unmistakable.

"You saw Mike?" he asked, as he pulled up a seat next to her.

"He was up and out early this morning" she said, trying to seem deeply interested in her work. There was a long pause during which Brad sipped his drink slowly and pensive look in his dark eyes.

"I called home yesterday" he was looking deep into his glass.

Anna looked up at him; she was trying to read his expression but his face was blank, "What happened?" she asked.

Brad shrugged, "nothing, really. I found out that Mara's back home, with her convict friend no doubt, they're probably staying at my house" he said bitterly.

Anna reached out her hand and laid it on his, "Raj, do you really believe Mara has any part in this?"

He looked over at her with a frown, "what makes you ask that, of course I'm sure. I mean it is obvious isn't it? She doesn't want me, she never did"

"I'm just saying, that maybe she really is innocent. She's probably searching for you at this very minute who knows, she could be in danger, kidnapped, held against her will. You don't know Raj, you're just jumping to conclusions here."

Brad jerked his hand from underneath hers angrily "jumping to conclusions!" he repeated, with a look of utter disgust.

"I can't believe you would say such things, you are calling me a liar? Taking the side of my wife who you know nothing about, over me!" he was standing now.

Anna was shaking her head in disagreement, "I never said anything like that Raj," she was looking up at him; confusion written all over her face, "just listen to what am saying..."

But Brad was too angry to take any more; instead he turned and stormed out of the kitchen. Anna just sat there gaping at his retreating back, it was obvious to her now that this man was not the man she knew eleven years ago, he really had changed.

Later on that day as Anna was out doing some weeding, Mike came up to her. As usual he revealed nothing about his agenda in his expression.

Anna looked up at him, curiously, "what's up?" she asked.

Mike shrugged, "I need to talk to you."

Anna lifted an eyebrow, "now?" she motioned to her tools laid out about her.

Mike never was the kind to interrupt her work, or anyone's for that matter, but for some reason he felt he needed to today. Instead of saying anything else he just stood there, waiting. Anna could stand it no longer, she threw aside her garden fork, dusted off her hands, and she stood. Mike was a lot bigger and taller than her, he took after their father strongly but he was darker though, like their mother, always the contrast when standing next to his light skinned, petite framed sister, who smiled like her mother and had a stone cold glare like her father.

"What is it?" she asked.

Mike looked around him and motioned for her to follow him to the shed. He stopped under the shade of the shed and he turned toward her with bold, daring eyes, "what's going on here Anna?" he asked his eyes glued to her face.

Anna looked confused, "what are you talking about?" she asked.

Mike shifted his weight impatiently, "come on, we both know this Brad guy has more to him than just an old friend" he sounded angry.

Anna looked down at her hands, she was never able to lie to him and she wouldn't let Brad cause her to.

"You're right," she said, "he is more than an old acquaintance, he was...I... we were close." she looked away she couldn't bear the look in his eyes.

She leaned up against the wooden shed and lowered her head, "eleven years ago I met a guy, I had only met him the summer before and I don't know, things just kind of spun out of control...we were young and foolish." she turned around and looked warily at him.

"We thought we were in love, how could we think of the consequences of our actions when we were blinded by teenage infatuation. It was just this one time, we were so caught up in each other that..." she paused and looked up at him realizing she was ranting and possibly doing more damage than good.

"I have never told anyone this before, not even Monty but I loved him so much, I just need you to understand that. He is Casey's father, he's the one I covered for, and I chased him away in an effort to save him, it was too late for me I knew that, but he could have made it, he needed to make it" she looked up at her brother, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Please don't be angry" she pleaded, but he wasn't angry, he was hurt, but he wouldn't let her see that. He shook his head, and shuffled his boots in the loose dirt.

"I ain't mad at you Anna, I just can't believe you let the son of a gun sleep in my bed and work in my garden," he ground his teeth in suppressed anger.

"Just tell me one thang, does he know?"

Anna hesitated, she didn't know what he had in mind but she knew that Brad was in for it now.

"Anna!"

"Yes, well he didn't...not until yesterday. And I didn't have to tell him, he figured it out"

"Ya think?" there was sarcasm in his tone, he turned to leave but Anna grabbed him by the shoulder.

"What are you going to do?" she asked frantically.

Mike shrugged her off, "dunno, guess we'll have to see." he started to walk away, then he paused, "Don't you worry 'bout me givin him a black eye or anything, I'm way past that now. But if he tries anythang and you girls are hurt, I'll be sure to make his life a living hell, for sure." and with that he stalked off.

Anna sighed; she was relieved killing Brad wasn't what he intended to do, because Brad would've been hurt for sure.

Casey groaned as she dropped the heavy bucket of manure, and reached up to massage her aching back. She was hoping to carry it over all by herself because it was her garden and therefore her responsibility but it wasn't going to be as easy as she'd though.

Casey straightened up and walked over to the tall Mango tree next to the old shed, she looked up at it and smiled, she never could resist climbing it. Without giving it further thought, she leapt up onto the lowest branch and pulled herself up, she didn't stop until she was at the very top. She could see the front yard from there, as well as Mrs. Howding's dog house and even her rival's place, even as far as the beach, that's what made this view special. She wasn't up there for a good minute when she noticed the dancing coloured crowd marching out into the back yard of the Pascal's house. Casey narrowed her eyes dangerously, it would be so easy to sneak over there and ruin Judy's little fun fest.

She searched the yard with squinted eyes and spotted her mother and uncle a little way off, they were whispering at each other. Her uncle looked angry and her mother was wearing that 'deer caught in the headlights' look. Casey quietly lowered herself from her perch and dropped to the ground quietly, she remembered her mother's warning and it distracted her for a moment, on some other day she might have listened, but today she was feeling incredibly devious and with Tommy gone she had no one to make trouble with.

She snuck through the tall fence trees lining the side of the yard and edged out onto the road, once she was out of sight and hearing distance she started running. As she did she calculated the amount of time she would have to wreak havoc on the life of the bullying, smart mouthed Judy Pascal before her mother noticed she was gone.

Music floated up to the main road from the Pascal's place, excited chattering could be heard from the dancing crowd on the paved back yard. Casey snuck along the length of the wooden fencing and peered through the spacing. The smell of barbeque drifted toward her along with the unmistakable voice of Judy. But for once she didn't sound condescending and snide, she actually sounded like an excited girl at her ninth birthday party. Casey stood up to get a better look. Judy was standing in the midst of the crowd an ecstatic smile on her face, she was absolutely glowing with pleasure, Casey sighed. Who was she fooling? She didn't hate Judy because she was mean, she hated Judy because she had everything she wanted, family, friends...

"Casey?"

She looked up with a start. Standing on the other side of the fence was Mr. Pascal with a wide grin on his thin face, another thing Judy had that she didn't; a father.

Casey forced a smile, feeling caught.

"What are you doing standing out there, come in Casey."

Casey shook her head, "um no thanks I was just passing by..."

"Oh... well here have some cake," he handed her a paper plate with a slice of iced cake covered with plastic wrap.

She took it and gave an awkward bow of thanks, feeling quite ridiculous and guilty. She looked down at the cake in her hand and sighed, this did change things.

"Hey... Mr. Pascal?"

The man turned around, his smile slipping back onto his recently disappointed face, "yes?"

"Tell her I said happy birthday."

"Sure thing Case."

She turned and rolled her eyes, she couldn't believe how soft she'd gotten, "cake, Casey? You gave up your one chance of revenge... for cake," she muttered as she walked away. But somehow there was this odd feeling in her gut, not quite like satisfaction but something quite like pride, she smiled, maybe her mother was right, it paid to do the right thing.

Casey was walking along the old dirt road toward her house, licking her fingers from the cake she'd been given. It made sense to eat it, seeing that she couldn't carry any evidence home. She was about to duck under the fence that allowed her to sneak back into her back yard without getting caught, when she heard the annoying laughter of some of the boys from her school; she continued walking.

"Hey Casey, wah goin on girl?" one of them called out to her, it was a voice she identified as Trevor's.

She looked over to find him beside her, he was on his bike with a trail of boys peddling behind him.

"What do you want Trevor?" she asked wearily.

"I'm jus saying hi Casey,"

"Well you said it just leave me alone now. I'm not in the mood," she was holding the paper plate in her hand, now folded into pieces.

Trevor looked back at his friends who were snickering childishly, he turned back to Casey.

"Yuh not even in the mood for a ride" he knew Casey had a thing for bikes; she never was able to resist taking a few turns, even though she had her own.

She looked over at him now, she was frowning. Trevor was grinning from ear to ear, everyone knew he was not the kind of boy to trust, but he was always very nice to Casey, and he had promised her a ride from the time he got his pretty, bright yellow mountain bike.

"Alright Trevor," she agreed, thankful for the opportunity to forget her bitter sweet moment of weakness for a while. Trevor smiled as he got off his bike, "I gotta tell yuh girl, this will be a ride you never gonna forget" the other boys joined him in laughter as Casey mounted the prized bicycle.

Casey and the boys rode through the neighborhood until they came to a muddy off road track where the cyclists usually rode.

"You think you could handle this kind ah road" Benny teased, he was a thin dark skinned boy who seemed to be balding from the front of his head.

Casey looked over her shoulder at him, "I bet I can handle better than you could" she dared. The other boys hooted in excitement, at the challenge.

Benny looked over at Trevor, and the older boy nodded, it seemed they looked to him to make all the decisions. Trevor was straddling an old silver peddle back and was grinning deviously, but she was too caught up to notice, all she could think about was proving to these boys she was just as skilled as they were.

"A'right hotfoot, lets see wat yuh made of" he said, and he motioned for Benny to get ready.

"Let's see who could make it up that hill there" he pointed to a muddy road with tree roots jutting out from the ground. Casey swallowed hard and thanked God it hadn't rained, because even she knew she couldn't handle that road if it were slippery.

"Down the grassy path over there..." Trevor continued, "and through the forest, first" he turned to them with a smug smile, "when yuh get down unto the grass we'll leave off and wait for yuh by the road, the first one out wins."

Casey nodded, but her heart was pounding tremendously and her mouth had gone dry, she had never been through there before, and she didn't know how to get to the road by passing through the forest, but there was no way she was going to back down.

Trevor gave the count and the two cyclists sped off, they had started on a hill so they could boost themselves up the next hill. As they started, Casey had the lead; she smiled to herself as she pushed her way up the slope, Trevor's bike was really coming through for her. She squinted her eyes against the stinging wind, which was whipping up the loose dirt as she sped down the dirt road. Casey was a good way ahead and heading onto the grassy road when she felt the bike jerk as it popped into a pothole, she peddled harder in an effort to push herself out of the spot, of course, she thought it was only a single pothole; she was wrong. Casey held her breath as the bicycle jumped and swerved slightly, she looked back to see how Benny was handling it, he was riding higher up; it was obvious he would know the better place to ride. She could hear the shouts and laughter from the boys behind them; they would be preparing to leave now. Casey swung onto the path Benny was on, he was ahead of her now and quickly approaching the dark place they knew as "Mr. Thomas forest".

Casey sped past the two tree stumps known as the opening to the dark creepy place. Tall nutmeg trees rose up above her, their huge leafy branches restraining most of the evening light. The girl swallowed hard; she could only make out Benny because of the huge white T-shirt he wore. She tried not to think about the creepy shadows from the hanging branches and vines or the fact that she could only see a little way in front of her, she wished she hadn't looked at so many horror movies; so many frightening possibilities loomed about her. Casey was riding hard, which added to the impending danger of her limited sight.

It happened quickly, before she could realize what was happening she found herself lying in a rather painful position with Trevor's bike fallen beside her, its wheel was still revolving even after it had hit her back upon their fall.

The bicycle had somehow run into a large root, causing it to flip forward, sending Casey soaring forward. Trevor's bike followed her, striking her on her lower back as she landed on her chest and skidded into the huge trunk of a nutmeg tree. She then fell forward into a deep drain on her bended knees. Casey cried out in pain; she could barely move, it hurt even to groan. She licked her lips and she tasted blood, she tried to lift herself in an effort to unbend her right leg but couldn't. She cried out again as a wave of pain shot through her. She looked over at her aching right arm and noticed it was dangling from its socket, Casey suddenly felt nauseous; the sight sickened her so much she had to look away.

"Benny!" she called out, with all the energy she could muster but there was no response, the clinking of his bicycle chains had long faded and she knew she was all alone.

The boys cheered loudly as Benny appeared through the bushes and skidded to a stop, his arms already lifted in a triumphant gesture. Trevor slapped him on the back proudly with a face splitting grin on his face.

"That's the way we roll!" he cheered, the boys joined him in laughter and jumbled cries of approval.

"All we have to do now is wait for her to come out there" said Trevor,

"She taking long, yuh don't think?" said one of them,

"Maybe she so shame she took another road home" Richie joked, he was the shortest of the group, and the only one who was missing a couple front teeth.

"She better not, she on me bike" said Trevor, who seemed genuinely concerned, he looked back at Benny. "How far behind yuh she was?"

Benny shrugged, "the last I saw of her was when I took her over on the grass" he boasted.

Trevor shook his head, "I think she taking too long to come out ah there" he grabbed the handle of his borrowed bike, "Benny, Kyle. Come with me, let we gwan get me bike" and he peddled off. The two boys followed reluctantly, it was getting late and most of the others had specific times to be home, so it was obvious they would be the ones Trevor called.

Trevor was already ahead of them, peddling recklessly, they knew he wanted to get home as much as all of them, he just never admitted it.

"Hey man, wait nuh" called Kyle, he was having trouble riding through the dark forest.

"Catch up, sissy's" he called over his shoulder, as he continued to ride.

Kyle looked at Benny questioningly, "Whaddaya crazy? I can't see a thing here" Benny protested,

Kyle looked at him in disgust, "you really is a sissy" he said as he sped off, his laughter drifting after him maniacally.

Trevor rode onward, he could hear one of the guys coming up after him but he wouldn't stop. His anxiety increased as he failed to find any signs of the girl and his bike, he was sure something had happened now, there was no doubt in his mind. Trevor whispered a silent prayer as he rode; he didn't go to Sunday school for nothing and he knew as sure as the trees around him, that if something were to happen to Casey it would be his fault, and he would accept that blame, it was the least he could do. After all he did encourage her to go riding with them for a reason; he also allowed the challenge race and chose the track with a plan to teach her a lesson. He knew she wouldn't be able to handle it without taking a few falls, but that was all he had hoped for and she seemed to have been handling it very well; so well that he had considered letting her ride with them again. Trevor continued to peddle on until he noticed the familiar bike, it was hanging over the deep drain and Trevor winced at the sight of it, it would never ride the same with that bent frame. He leapt off his bike and made his way toward it, that's when he noticed there was someone lying in the drain, it was Casey. Trevor froze, all the frightening possibilities zipped through his mind and he felt sick, that's when Kyle rode up beside him, breathless.

"Gosh man, I thought you would have never stopped." he paused to catch his breath and to wipe his hands across his forehead as he followed Trevor's gaze.

"What ya lookin at...jeez!" he exclaimed as his eyes rested on the object of his friend's attention. He jumped of his bike in a rush and ran toward her, which seemed to snap Trevor back to reality.

Kyle was at Casey's side in a flash, and already pulling her from the drain, before Trevor could get there. He pulled her up against him and she lay limp in his arms; panic gripped him and he looked up at his friend in horror.

"Ah could hardly tell if she breathing man" he whispered.

Trevor's eyes widened and he cupped the back of his head with both hands, this was more than he bargained for. He looked down at Casey again, her hair clung to her face and neck, all he could make out was her parted lips, which was now a scary purple, her right cheek was bruised as well as her hands, he noticed the way her hand laid limp at her side and the bone pushing from the torn leg of her jeans, her breathing was faint and raspy.

"Casey?" he said, as he stooped next to them. Kyle looked up at him his eyes reflecting both their feelings.

"Casey can you hear me?" he asked, the girl groaned and her lips moved in an effort to speak.

"What yuh say?" she mumbled something again, and her eyes flickered open.

"Ah think she say puffer" said Kyle, and that's when it dawned on Trevor.

"She have asthma!" he exclaimed, "I'm gonna get help Kyle, you stay here" he instructed as he rose to his feet.

"What am I supposed to do?"

Trevor looked flustered, "I don't know... find the thing" he ordered, he picked up his bike and straddled it.

"And doh let her pass out!"

Kyle nodded, "go!" he cried.

Trevor rode out to the main road and peddled his way to the closest house, it seemed everyone had already turned in. That was usually how it was on Saturdays; everyone would work during the day and turn in at the first sign of evening, in order to prepare for Sunday morning service. Trevor was lucky to meet up with Mr Brooke, the owner of most of the forest land.

"Mr. Brooke!" he called, as he jumped off his bike and ran toward him; he was too concerned with Casey's wellbeing to bother about the consequences of asking the old man's help, because they really were not supposed to be out on his land in the first place and he had warned them many times.

"What is it bwoy?" asked the man grumpily.

"Ah need yuh help sah" said the boy, he was trying his best to be polite just so he wouldn't get on his bad side. The man was looking at him suspiciously, but he made no comment, instead he just stood there waiting, so Trevor continued.

"Is one of me friends, she fall in the forest" he could see the change in Mr. Brooke's expression, and he braced himself.

"What you was doing in my garden bwoy?" asked the man angrily.

"Look I know we not suppose to be there, and is my fault but she fall bad, please come help."

Mr. Brooke seemed to be considering this; he stood there tapping his chin absently, as Trevor shifted from one foot to the next anxiously.

"Who the child for?" he asked. Trevor told him Casey was Ms. Wrights' daughter, and held his breath, he was aware of Casey's reputation.

"Okay then, I go go an take a look," he decided, and he started walking back to his house slowly; he was an old man after all. Trevor realized this wasn't gong to work; there was no way this man would get there in time.

"Mr. Brooke sir, no offense o' anyting but we en have much time" he pressed, and to Trevor's surprise the man only looked back at him and instead of yelling at him he nodded.

"That's right my boy, lets take the truck" he said.

"Mister," Trevor called and the man paused; waiting for him to speak.

"Yuh have a phone? I tink I should call the hospital" he explained.

"It dat bad eh? Yes go inside, ask me wife" Trevor nodded and ran off to the house.

Meanwhile, Kyle was desperately trying to keep Casey awake while Benny, whose guilt had caught up with him, was combing the dark forest hoping to find her puffer. Casey looked up at Kyle as she sobbed silently, she was still struggling to breathe, her chest was heaving uncontrollably and she was making a frightening wheezing sound, which only increased the sharp pain in her leg and arm. There was no apparent head injury other than a couple swollen bruises and scratches on her cheeks, stomach and hands. They had lifted her from her uncomfortable position and had laid her in the flat. Kyle never left her side; he refused to give up on her now but it didn't take a genius to know that the longer they took to get her some professional help the lower her chances of survival might be, he had taken a first aid course as a scout when he was in primary school and he had never been more grateful for the knowledge. He looked over his shoulder as he heard Benny approaching, he was expecting to see him waving the puffer triumphantly, but instead he looked terrified and anxious.

"Yuh get it?" he asked, Benny shook his head frantically.

"nah, ah could hardly see anyting" he replied, as he walked up to Kyle and looked over his shoulder.

"Don't stop man, what's wrong with you?" Kyle scolded.

"I dunno man, ah can't do this no mo' man. I scared man" Benny sobbed and he held his head in his hands as he continued to cry.

"I freakin' out man, I freakin' out. She gonna die and its all gonna be our fault, I shudda kept my stupid mouth shut..." by then Kyle had gotten to his feet, he angrily grabbed on to Benny's shirt and lifted him to his full height.

"Snap out of it, or I swear I gonna beat you all over this forest until you get some sense into that ugly head ah yours" Kyle was furious; Benny could see it in his eyes. He gave him one last shake before he pushed him away and turned back to Casey. Benny fell to the ground on his behind with tears coursing down his cheeks.

Kyle had barely moved when he heard the familiar sound of Mr. Brooke's old pickup truck, Benny looked up at him panic evident in his teary eyes. Kyle just stood there, it had occurred to him that maybe the old man wouldn't be happy to find them on his land but on the other hand, Mr. Brooke might be just what they needed. It didn't take long for Mr. Brooke to reach them, but it took him a while to get out, Trevor had jumped from the back and was walking to them. Kyle heaved a sigh of relief and motioned to Benny to get off the ground. Mr. Brooke had finally gotten out and he was walking toward them, they could hear the sound of sirens approaching and the boys looked at Trevor questioningly.

"Ah call the ambulance, I tink it would be better, am goin and direct them in" he explained, and he turned and got onto Kyles' bike.

"Now you boys gone and get yourself in a load ah trouble huh, I know the reverend not gonna take it too light, all ah yuh parents should cut all yuh little tail" said Mr. Brooke as he approached them.

"The ambulance coming sir" said Kyle, "we should wait for it" he suggested. Mr. Brooke looked him over slowly, and then looked down at the scared girl behind him; he could see she was in a lot of pain.

"Okay," he agreed, just as a white vehicle burst through the clearing, its bright red and blue flashing lights almost blinding them. The paramedics had alighted from their transport and were running into the wooded area with a stretcher. The boys lined up and watched as Casey was lifted onto a stretcher with an oxygen mask held to her face and carried to the waiting ambulance.

"I'm gonna follow after 'em" volunteered Mr. Brooke and he immediately set off in the direction of his truck.

Kyle looked over at his friends, "Who's gonna tell her Mom?" he asked,

"I will" replied Trevor, "all yuh could go home, it real late now"

"No way man am goin with you" countered Kyle; his chin lifted defiantly. Trevor sighed and looked over at Benny.

"What 'bout you?" he asked "you gonna come too?"

"Hell no man, I tink I had enough for today" he replied anxiously "ya'll could go on if yuh want but I goin home"

"Alright man" Trevor agreed wearily, he then turned to Kyle.

"Let's go, it's getting late" he picked up his bike and turned to Benny, "When yuh passing out, drop me bike by mister Brooke eh."

Benny nodded, there was no way he would argue with them now; he already felt like a fool. The three boys got on their bikes and rode out to the road together, with Benny and Trevor pulling the yellow bike after them, and they parted at the crossroads.
Chapter 4

Brad and Anna sat hand in hand at the hospital waiting room, the doctor and nurses were still in the emergency room with Casey so they weren't given the chance to see her yet. It seemed like hours had passed since those boys showed up at the front door and told Anna what had happened, they were breathless and sweaty from riding all the way from Mr. Brookes' nutmeg forest. Not wanting to waste any time. Anna had immediately called out to Brad who was in the living room on the telephone, Mike was nowhere around, so Brad accompanied Anna to the hospital. They were both very worried and anxious as they sped on down to the capital; Brad sitting silently beside Anna, as she prayed softly while weaving through the Saturday evening traffic. When they finally got there they were led to the waiting room where they met Mr. Brooke nodding sleepily.

"Mr. Brooke?" Anna called as she shook his shoulder gently, his head shot up and he looked at Anna then at Brad through narrowed eyes, as though trying to remember something.

"Yea, that's me name" he replied, "You miss reeta?"

"Wright," Anna corrected, "and this is Mister Mason" she waved her hand in Brad's direction and he nodded slightly.

"What are you doing here sir?" asked Anna.

The man lifted his worn out cap and wiped his forehead with his hand, "yuh little gurl, gwan get she self in some kinda ting dey. Ah was jus waiting for yuh, yuh no 'ow dem hospital an dem does do stupidness sometimes" he explained, as he rose from his seat slowly and set to leave, but Anna held his elbow and he stopped.

"You were there?" she asked, and he nodded. "How bad is it?"

Mr. Brooke shook his head slowly, "I ain't a expert, but from what ah see, dat gurl in some serious pain. She take a hard fall mama," and with that he walked away.

Anna stood there staring at his retreating figure; a pained expression on her face. Brad walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulder.

"It'll be alright, you know" he whispered. Anna nodded and lifted her own hand to his where it rested on her shoulder, trying very hard to demonstrate her own strength.

"I know, I'm trusting in God to take care of her, he always does" she replied, as she pulled away from him and she sat down on the bench that Mr. Brooke had just now occupied.

Brad sighed and sat down beside her, making a mental note not to reveal his true feelings on the matters of her beliefs."You know you can count on me, for whatever it is," he leaned over to get a closer look at her, "you hear me Anna?"

She nodded absently, reaching over to take his hands in her own, "Pray with me Brad" she said and she shut her eyes, Brad hesitantly bowed his head.

He sat silently as she spoke into the air, and found himself opening his eyes and staring at her peaceful expression as she poured out herself before her God, and in that instant he found himself reliving those feelings he had experienced as a young man. It occurred to him that those feelings had never really left; he was still very much in love with Anna Wright.

"Amen" Anna had finished praying, she opened her eyes and found Brad's kind brown eyes staring back at her.

Brad knew he should look away but he couldn't stop staring, he leaned forward and she met him halfway they stared into each other's eyes their noses slightly brushing as they considered each other. Somehow she had managed to capture him in those deep chocolate pools, somehow he had wound her in...

"Miss Wright?" called the nurse at the desk, both Anna and Brad jumped.

"Yes" Anna answered shakily.

"Doctor Manning would like to see you," said the woman.

Anna exhaled and ran her hands down her face, in an effort to calm her nerves, she was letting him get to her again. She got up and followed the nurse, Brad was behind her but she refused to acknowledge him until she had her emotions under control. Anna silently scolded herself for her inappropriate behavior; she hoped she had not given Brad the wrong impression, because there was no hope for them.

Anna followed the nurse to Dr. Manning's office. Though she knew her way around the hospital she allowed the nurse, who she knew as Jane to lead her. Jane knocked on the doctors' door and left them.

"Come on in" was the warm reply.

Anna opened the door and stepped in, Brad was right behind her.

"Neil!" she greeted, as the doctor made his way around his desk.

"Hello Anna" he replied, and he pulled her into his arms in a warm embrace.

Brad stood aside watching the exchange with a scowl; she was way too friendly with the doctor for his liking.

"So what's going on? How's Casey?" Anna questioned anxiously.

Neil shook his head and walked back to his seat, "honestly Anna, it's pretty bad even for Casey." he motioned for them to sit, and took off his glasses, he then looked over at Brad as though he had just noticed him.

"Oh, and who is this?" he asked

"I'm sorry, this is Brad Mason" Anna replied.

"Pleasure to meet you" he said as he extended his hand, Brad took it.

"I'm Casey's father" he said.

Neil lifted an eyebrow and looked over at Anna questioningly, who was staring at Brad.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise. I wouldn't have guessed" he said with a hint of sarcasm, he smiled at Brad and settled back into his chair.

Neil was a handsome man, he looked more like he belonged on a basketball court with girls swooning as he played defense and not behind a desk sporting scrubs that appeared to be a bit too small for his athletic frame. He was just a bit shorter than Brad, who was now eyeing him suspiciously; measuring his competition, Neil continued to explain.

"In all the years I've known Casey this is the worst I've seen her come in here" he got up and went to a bright screen upon which were two x-rays, "her right leg was damaged very badly" he pointed to a spot on the x-ray and looked over at Anna.

"Do you see what I am showing you?" Anna nodded slowly.

Brad looked from Anna to Neil frantically, "wait, what does that mean?" he asked

"It means, Mr. Mason that we're going to have to call in a specialist," he pointed to the X-ray on the right "this is an x-ray of her left leg, it's broken in more than one place. It's not the kind of break we can just set. We'll have to see what the experts say though."

He turned his attention back to Anna, "it wasn't very difficult for us to stabilize her breathing, we've managed that pretty well, as well as the minor patching up we had to do," he paused to consult the file before him before continuing.

"We found no head injuries, her arm was dislocated not that it hasn't been before" he looked up at Anna and they shared a secret smile. Brad looked at them with a disapproving frown.

"Anyway we placed it in a sling, with rest and time everything else should heal up just fine."

"When can we see her?" Anna asked,

"In a moment. I can't guarantee she'll be awake, she's in a lot of pain right now and she might be drugged out."

"What about the specialist?" asked Brad, "who is the specialist you mentioned?"

"Depending on which specialist you opt for, the operation could be here but most surgeries like this we take to a country with better equipment."

"Wait a minute you didn't say anything about surgery!" Brad countered.

"Well it's not official, but my experience tells me that it's an absolute necessity," said Neil, "look I know this is a very difficult time for you, but we've got to be frank. Bone injuries are very serious, especially to a developing child like Casey. The wrong approach could very well ruin life as she knows it, now you as the parents can choose to delay this but am advising you to not waste time on this."

Brad looked over at Anna, they both knew that every operation was a risk; he reached over and took Anna's hand, an action Neil did not miss.

"But there's more" he interrupted, the couple looked up at him expectantly.

"The cost of this operation would be a lot, along with travel arrangements if you decide to do it out of country."

Brad noticed Anna's sharp intake of breath, "don't worry about it" he said, "you just see to the preparations and give us the information. I want to know everything concerning this, I want the specialist's name and credentials as well" Brad instructed, he was taking full control of the situation.

Anna was genuinely thankful for it; she knew that God was answering her prayers. Brad handled everything so smoothly that they were out of Dr. Manning's office and making their way to Casey's room for a short visit, and just as Dr. Manning had said, she was 'drugged out'. Anna sat beside her daughter, completely ignoring the patient on the other bed. Brad was standing over her shoulder looking down at Casey, who was patched up and hooked up, his lips set in a thin line. He'd just found out he had a daughter and already he almost lost her.

"Thank you" Anna said, her eyes fixed on Casey.

"No need to thank me Anna, she's my daughter too you know" he replied.

Anna looked up at him and smiled sweetly, "I know Brad."

Brad returned her smile as best he could, given the circumstances.

"I'll be outside" he said and he turned to leave, "if she wakes up, you'll let me know?"

"Of course" she replied, as he left the room.

Casey did not get up that day though, so Brad and Anna left when visiting hours were over. When they returned home Mike was waiting for them, apparently the news had reached him, wherever he was.

"She okay?" he asked as soon as they stepped in through the front door.

"Not great, but she'll be fine" replied Anna; secretly hoping he had cooled down from earlier today.

She looked at him closely, he was slouched down on the chair in the living room and he seemed exceptionally calm, but he had fooled her like that before.

"Well what's wrong?" he asked impatiently.

Anna dropped onto the couch and laid her hand against her throbbing forehead, she had a headache since that evening and it seemed to have gotten worse.

Brad noticed how worn out she looked and knew she must have been tired, from working long hours in the garden and the scare of Casey's accident.

"She fell off a bike and fractured her leg, she's bruised up pretty bad" he started to explain, not missing the look of distaste coming from Mike, yet he continued.

"The Doctor told us it would be best to send her to a specialist, who would perform the operation..."

"Whoa there!" Mike interrupted, "whaddaya ya' mean by operation?" he looked from Brad to Anna questioningly, and Anna nodded.

"She's got a lot of broken bones in her right leg and Doctor Manning explained to us that the best thing would be to operate" she explained warily.

"But don't operations cost a load?" put in Mike,

"They do Mike" said Brad, "but there's no need to worry about the financial aspect of it, I'll see to that."

"Yeah Mister. Big shot, but don't you figure that's gonna make everything a'right" said Mike, with a look of contempt.

Anna sat up straight and swallowed hard, she could sense what was coming, and she looked anxiously at the men, who were staring at each other tensely. Mike looked ready to pounce and Brad looked ready to defend himself.

"Don't you two start anything" she ordered, she knew Mike would not hesitate to start a fight right then, and he was a brutal fighter. He had his share of angry squabbles of which he had always emerged victorious, not failing to suffer some minor scratches, but he seldom left his opponents scar less. And though she did not know Brad all that well, she had seen enough to surmise that he could very well be a difficult opponent to her brother.

"Now is not the time for this, I know the two of you care very much for Casey, who is the primary issue here, but if you can't sit down and talk to each other like grown men, I would like you to leave" she looked at them angrily, "I can't deal with this right now, and I don't intend to, okay"

Mike looked over at her with flared nostrils, he was angry but even through that he could understand that he needed to be calm and sensible. Anna was right; this was not about him or Brad. He gave Brad one last snarl and then got up and started to walk away, he then paused and looked back at them.

"By the way Mason, I've just about realized I wanna sleep in ma' bed, you can sleep out back if its suits ya'" and he left the room.

Brad looked back at Anna questioningly, "what's wrong with him?" he asked,

"I told him" she replied.

"Why?"

"He asked Raj, he's not foolish" she answered sharply as she shot to her feet, "I'm going to bed I don't feel up to this now. There are sheets and pillows in the linen closet; you can have the couch tonight"

The following day as Anna was preparing a small bag for Casey, she received a phone call from Neil, and he sounded so excited when he spoke to her that Anna couldn't help feeling the same way. Neil had found a great doctor and according to him, Doctor Harris was the best in the Caribbean at the time and he was willing to work as the head surgeon in Casey's operation.

"Well that's great news Neil!" Anna exclaimed.

"It is Anna, it's not often a Doctor of his caliber takes cases like this, you asked for the best so I got you the best. I hope that mason guy can really put his money where his mouth is" he said.

"I'm sure he can, he doesn't speak lightly" she replied, though deep down, she was a tad worried, things hadn't been going so well for Brad lately.

"Anyway, he wants to do an examination tomorrow morning so he'd want to talk to you guys afterwards, just to explain everything in detail to you"

"Yes of course, I was about to come down in a while with some clothes and so, I really want to see her"

"That's fine" he said, after which there was an awkward pause.

"I guess we'll see later" Anna finally said.

"Uh...yeah, of course. Hey Anna, I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's really going on with you and this guy. I mean I've never seen him round here before, are you guys together or something?"

Anna smiled to herself, as she turned over an article of clothing in her hand, "Oh no Neil it's nothing like that...it's just complicated."

"What's complicated?"

Anna jumped at the sound of Brad's voice behind her; she swallowed hard and turned around to face him.

"Listen we'll talk later, bye" she hung up the receiver and turned her attention back to him. Brad was leaning against the arch with his arms folded across his chest.

"Are you eavesdropping on me now" Anna flared, as she turned back to her work.

"I didn't mean to hear, it just jumped out at me" he defended smugly.

Anna gave him an exasperated look, "you can really be a jerk you know"

"I don't try to be," he grinned boyishly, and she couldn't help smiling.

"Anyway who was that, if you don't mind?"

"It was Doctor Manning" she replied.

Brad bit back a smart comment and focused on the issue at hand, while making a mental note to ask about her and the doctor.

"What did he want?" he moved from against the wall and sat at the edge of Casey's bed.

"He found a specialist, who's willing to work on Casey" she explained "he's a very good doctor but he's gonna be expensive."

Brad shrugged, "no problem" he replied, and Anna smiled at his cool reply.

"I'm going to see her later on" she informed him, as she zipped the bag she was packing.

"You want me to come?" he asked anxiously.

"No thanks Raj, I think it's best if I just go today. We have to remember that no one else knows you're her father.

Brad nodded, "of course, I understand."

Later on that day, Anna went to the hospital as she said she would and she was alone. Neil met her at the entrance of the building a face splitting grin on his face. Anna was always flattered at his obvious interest in her, but she could never take it to the next step.

"Hello Miss Wright" he greeted

"Hi Doctor Manning" she replied, and they laughed at their friendly formalities.

"How's Casey?" Anna asked,

"She's up" he answered, "come, follow me"

Neil led her to the ward in which Casey was and then maneuvered through the other bed's to get to hers; Neil pulled across a curtain and peeped in.

"Hey you, you've got a visitor" he cajoled, and Anna stepped from behind him.

"Hi Case," Anna greeted, she was glad to see the look on her daughter's face.

"Mommy!" she exclaimed.

As she attempted to sit up Neil made a move to keep her back, just as a sharp pain shot through her damaged leg. Her face contorted in anguish as she bit back a scream.

"Now Casey, you need to relax" he whispered as he settled her back in bed.

Anna walked up to the other side of the bed and laid a hand on Casey's arm, "honey, just lie down and it'll pass" she soothed; the girl looked up at her mother and nodded slowly. Her leg was temporarily splinted and propped up, and her right arm was in a sling across her chest. She smiled apologetically knowing that the ultimate question would be lurking at the back of her mother's mind; somehow Anna would want to know how she had gotten into the situation she was now in, but was too preoccupied with worrying about her to broach the subject.

"Mummy I didn't mean for this to happen" she started, Anna lifted a finger to stop her.

"Casey I know you didn't, now all I want is for you to get better, understand?"

Casey nodded and settled back down in bed, and looked up at her mother.

"So what going on, when can I come home?" she asked.

Anna looked over at Neil, who was fiddling with Casey's chart, and lifted an eyebrow questioningly.

"I figured I'd leave that to you, its better when the parent explains it" he whispered, "I got to go, talk to you later."

Anna pulled up a chair next to Casey's bed and took her hand, "when you fell, you hurt yourself very badly and the doctors think it would be best to operate" Anna explained.

"Operate? But why? Can't they just set it?

Anna shook her head slowly, "It's not that simple Case, you see, your fracture is a complicated one, so it's safer that way. We want to make sure that there's no permanent damage."

Casey turned and looked thoughtfully at her feet. Anna could see her picturing it in her mind and trying to come up with some way out of it, but then she sighed and looked up at her mother with a resigned smile.

"If you think that's best mum, then I have no reason to be difficult" she said. Anna smiled as she brushed back the hair from her face.

"Don't you worry about it sweetheart, everything will be alright" she coaxed.

Anna spent a little more time with Casey until a grumpy looking nurse came in and ushered her out because 'the child needed to rest'.

As she stepped out of the ward she bounced into Neil, who was again smiling at her.

"Hey you're just in time for lunch; I've got this doctor covering for me since I've been here all night. How about grabbing something with me?" he asked.

Anna seemed to be thinking it over, "I would love to Neil but..." she started,

"Come on Anna you need a rest, loosen up a bit," he interrupted; he moved closer and took her hand in his as he looked into her hesitant eyes.

"Just for a little while, please" he pleaded, "don't leave me on my own"

Anna rocked on her heels as she thought about it; she then took a deep breath and smiled up at him.

"Alright," she agreed.

Neil laughed triumphantly, "Yes!" he exclaimed, causing Anna to grin, "I'll meet you in the lot in a little while" he said, before he hurried away.

Anna turned and started walking toward the parking lot; smiling from ear to ear; after eleven years she had finally taken the first step to getting over Brad.

The minute Anna stepped through the front door she could hear shouting coming from the living room. It was Brad, and he sounded really angry, she hoped he hadn't gotten into anything with Mike but he was on the phone.

"What! Look Camille I've got to get back, send my jet," he said.

"Sorry sir, I can't do that," she replied remorsefully.

"How so?" he asked, listening with disbelief as his secretary explained the situation to him. When she finished, Brad was speechless.

"Okay look, this is what we'll do. Forget the jet, I've got this separate account that Mara doesn't know about or have access to, I need you to call Mark Dottin, my lawyer I've got his number in my address book. I want you to get him to contact me; I need you to do that as soon as I hang up, got it? And keep looking for Derek!"

"Yes sir" she replied.

Brad slammed down the receiver, jerked off his wedding band and tossed it across the room, just as Anna was coming in. The ring bounced off her chest and fell to the floor. Her eyes moved from the ring where it lay on the floor to the angry faced man looking at her, and without saying a word, she knelt and picked it up off the floor.

"What's going on Raj?" she asked, as she walked toward him.

Brad shook his head and lowered himself into a chair and tugged at his thick hair, "it's nothing," he said.

Anna sat down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "is it Mara?"

"She's trying to ruin me Anna, I trusted her and she's using it against me"

Anna lifted his gaze to hers as she smooth out his ruffled hair, "she can't ruin you," she assured him, it was all she could think of saying that made sense.

Brad nodded and she pulled him to her in a comforting embrace, when they had finally separated she laid the ring on the table.

"Don't go tossing this around anymore," she said and left.

Anna and Brad arrived at the hospital early Monday morning. They were supposed to meet Doctor Harris the orthopedic surgeon, who would be in charge of Casey's operation. Anna and Brad found they were waiting for almost an hour, they sat in the waiting area hand in hand and in silence; the familiar atmosphere caused the memories to start flooding in. She looked over at Brad who looked equally thoughtful and wondered how different life would've been if he'd stayed.

It was an early Friday morning in july; Anna stood with her back pressed against the cold wall of the doctor's office, she looked about her at the strangers chattering endlessly, oblivious of anyone else about them. Anna closed her eyes and tried to pray, it was a futile attempt on her part considering the fact that she hadn't prayed since her mother's death which was three years ago. Eventually she gave up trying and walked to a free seat as the secretary called in another patient. Anna took a deep breath; the thought of what she had come here to do was overwhelming because she knew that if the results came back positive, her mistake would not only be a personal disappointment; she would be letting down her entire family, including her deceased parents. It seemed hours had passed before she heard the name 'Lucy Thomas' shouted across the room. Anna got up and walked stiffly to the office. As she stepped in she was greeted warmly by a plump man with tiny glasses that seemed stuck above his fat cheeks.

" _Hello, lucy right?"_

" _That's right" she answered_

The doctor looked her over slowly, it wasn't the first time he had seen someone as young as her in his office; he motioned for her to sit as he consulted her file. He knew that there was a high possibility that Lucy wasn't really her name, he also suspected that he might be seeing her in a few weeks, just the same he looked at her closely. She still had the look of an innocent who had made the wrong choice and knew it.

" _Do you have the results?" she asked anxiously._

He looked up at her and smiled, she was frightened, it was not the first time he had seen it; he could bet his last dollar that when she heard the news she would break down crying.

" _I do have the results Lucy, but before I tell you this I want you to know it isn't the end of your life, for a small price I could make it like it never happened."_

Anna felt like her lungs were giving up on her, she started breathing in short gasps; it was clear what the results were.

" _Just tell me" she managed._

" _Alright. You are pregnant Lucy," he said. Then he just sat there; secretly waiting for that breaking point, unfortunately for him, he would have lost his last dollar._

" _How pregnant?" she asked with forced calmness, though she knew the answer._

" _About six weeks" he said, his eyes glued to her face._

Anna took a deep breath and ran her hand down her face; beads of sweat had formed on her upper lip and nose. She was only seventeen, she had never even had a real job, she was in her first year at the community college, she had no parents. She fought hard to hold it together before the hungry looking doctor.

" _Thank you," she whispered, and got up to leave, but the man stopped her._

" _Hold on awhile young one, are you sure you don't want to discuss your options."_

Anna narrowed her eyes at him, she couldn't think of any reason why she would want to discuss her 'options' with him, a matter of fact she didn't believe there was any option in the matter.

" _Excuse me?"_

" _You know, people do it all the time, there's no reason to keep an unwanted baby," he explained._

" _What makes you think I don't want to keep my baby, to hell with what everyone else does," she countered, her face was red and her eyes were piercing "I love this baby's father and I intend to love it just as much or even more, there is no option" she spat._

She stormed out of the room, grateful for the distraction because had it not been for her anger, she might not have made it through the curious stares in the waiting room without breaking down and who knows what she would have agreed to then.

Neil greeted them in a very professional manner; his eyes were quite cold and trained on Brad, instinctively Anna slipped her hand from Brad's hold.

"Good morning, we're sorry to have kept you waiting for so long" he said, in a low monotone.

"That's okay" said Anna,

Neil looked at her briefly and gave a quick smile which faded the moment he laid eyes on Brad. Turning his full attention to the clipboard he held, he proceeded to speak to them with an air of pre-occupation not daring to look up at them.

"Yes well, he'll see you now. I'm sure he'd want to explain everything to you, please follow me," he instructed.

Neil was leading them in the direction of his office, he walked busily ahead of them and Anna and Brad had to hasten their footsteps to speed up.

"Someone's in a hurry," Brad muttered,

"Seems so," she replied, she didn't know what might have influenced his behavior, but he seemed awfully strange now that Brad was here.

Neil came to an abrupt stop at the front of his office door. Anna and Brad stopped as well and watched as he motioned to a tall, bald man who was standing a little way off speaking frantically to a terrified nurse. The man turned slightly and nodded at Neil, who pushed open the office door and led them inside.

"He'll be in a moment," he explained and left.

Brad looked over at Anna, "are you nervous?" he asked.

Anna chuckled softly, "I guess... just a little" she replied.

Brad nodded and walked over to the nearby window, from there he could see most of the town, the streets bustling with the Wednesday afternoon rush.

"This place is more beautiful than I remember" he said, "there are more buildings now though,"

The office door swung open and the tall doctor stepped in, he pushed up his glasses on his nose and offered his hand to Anna.

"You must be the parents," he said, in a deep gruff tone.

"We are," said Anna, her eyes glued to his own. Doctor Harris was a bald, light skinned man, actually he was almost white, like he spent all his time in doors. He wore a greying beard and mustache, and what seemed like a permanent 'no nonsense' expression upon his face which was marked with lines of experience and age. His dark brown eyes were bright and welcoming, though, after shaking both their hands he made his way behind the desk and sat down.

"Please, have a seat" he said.

When both were comfortably seated he clasped his hands and looked over at them, "I've done the examination and I have come to a conclusion. Now, it is my way to always give the patients a full review of their situation before actually performing an operation," he picked up the folder on the desk and started flipping through the pages.

"So you're saying you have to operate?" Brad asked.

"Well sir, the results tell me we do" he got up then and went to a brightly lit board where he stuck two x-rays.

"Now, I want you to take a look at this" he instructed. Brad and Anna got up and walked over to where he stood.

"This is what is called a compound fracture, it is a very severe break," he explained.

"It's the kind that penetrates the skin," Anna added, "she must be in so much pain."

"Do you have to do some kind of bone drafting or something?" Brad asked his eyes wide with concern.

"It's bone grafting" Doctor Harris corrected, "but that's not necessary," he walked back to his desk and sat.

Anna followed, Brad stood behind her, gripping the back of the chair she sat on.

"In your daughters' case it's a clean break," the doctor explained.

"So what do you have in mind?" Brad asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.

"Well we'll need to join it together; there are different procedures we can use, all of which include using metal to join the bone together."

"Metal, well that can't be good. Wouldn't that be permanent?" Brad asked again, Anna had to smile at his genuine concern.

"It doesn't have to be, you see we can either insert screws across the break to hold it together or drill a steel plate held by screws into the bone, or we can drive a rod through the bone shaft and then screw it up..."

"That sounds kind of painful" Brad interrupted,

"She won't feel a thing" the doctor assured him, he then continued "now those contraptions are only to hold the bone in place to ensure that it is properly healed, it can be removed, it's not a necessity but it can be done."

"Doctor Harris, you're one of the best in this field, performing this operation should be quite easy for you right?" Anna asked,

"Easy? Well I guess that depends on what you consider easy," he smiled at her, "but there are other things involved here."

"Like?"

"Infections as well as bleeding and so on. In your daughters case there could be damaged nerves and vessels, with compound fractures bone and tissue infection is a common complication, without proper care it's a high probability"

"And then what?" asked Brad.

"Hopefully none of that happens, I'm never one to mince words but I don't think there's reason to worry. This would be a very successful operation."

Brad looked at Anna and she smiled at him, he smiled back, then turned to the man at the desk.

"Then let's do it" he said.

Doctor Harris pulled off his glasses and stood up; he smiled at them as he extended his hand again.

"Its settled then, I'll have you contacted when we've made arrangements. As you might know we're not going to do the operation here, because we have limited equipment"

"We are aware of that" Brad replied, "I'll make sure Casey is set to travel."
Chapter 5

Anna was sitting on Casey's bad, packing up another bag to take to the hospital when Brad came in. She looked up at him and smiled, he'd been a force in all this; just what she needed.

"Are you okay?" he asked,

"Yeah, just getting a few things together for Case" she replied.

He nodded and went to the window; Casey had a beautiful view of the ocean and the rocks. From where he stood they seemed majestic with white foam rising around them as the powerful waves crashed against them, from here they didn't look as scary as they'd seemed that day he woke up there.

"That's a nice view, if I remember correctly this used to be your room," he said softly, turning to look at her with a smirk. Anna blushed, lowering her gaze, Brad used to stand outside her window late at night call up to her or throw stones, only to have her look out at him so he could send her a kiss. For a teenager he was a hopeless romantic.

"Case loves it," she finally replied, "but I'm afraid it's the cause of most of her escapades,"

Brad chuckled, "I think she get's that from you".

"Please, you're the one who kept coming back to my house after my brother almost shot you."

He laughed, it felt great sharing parts of their past like this, especially those so close to their short teenage love affair. He was convinced he'd loved Anna then, but now he couldn't make sense of what he was feeling, somehow he liked to think that there were remnants of those feelings now but how could he ever admit that to her, how could he ever admit that to anyone.

"So we're going to see Casey today?" he was grinning excitedly.

Anna hesitated and bowed her head, the truth was that she didn't want him along, she felt horrible thinking like that especially when he had been very helpful with Casey and she appreciated it, but he was starting to crowd her. His presence made her uncomfortable and she couldn't tell if it was because of their past or because she worried about what people might say.

For some strange reason she always seemed wary of the fact that he might see some aspect of her life that wasn't very pleasant, but she didn't know why she cared at all.

"I'm going to see Casey, Brad" she said.

Brad looked away and muttered something under his breath, "This is unbelievable...you are unbelievable Anna!" he said finally, his eyes flaming.

"What?" she looked at him with wide eyes.

"You think I don't see what you're doing..."

Anna lifted a hand to stop him, "Raj I already explained to you why we..."

"Yeah you did Anna. No one knows who I am, my daughter doesn't know who I am," he leaned forward and sneered at her, "and whose fault is this?"

She glared at him and shot to her feet, "don't you put this as though I planned for this to happen," she tossed a vest into the open bag and yanked the zip closed.

"I'm not saying that, but for a person who never planned for this, you sure are trying hard to keep me from my child."

She took a deep breath and looked up at him, her chest heaving. This was not what she intended, she did want Casey to know her father, but she was in an odd situation, and the truth was, she didn't know how to deal with it. She sighed and dropped heavily onto the bed, her lips trembled slightly and she took a deep breath again.

Brad sat down next to her and awkwardly patted her hand, "I'm sorry, don't cry Anna," he soothed.

She smiled through the tears that were involuntarily coursing down her cheeks, "Don't apologize. You're right, she should know who her father is, it is my fault."

"No, no" Brad embraced her and pressed his lips to her hair; she leaned against his shoulder and sobbed quietly.

"I have no...idea...what I'm doing" she cried.

Brad rubbed her back and made soothing sounds, he couldn't help feeling terrible. Since he'd been here it seemed all he did was make Anna cry.

"I'll stay here, you go" he said as she eased out of his embrace and dashed her hands against her eyes.

"No it's fine" she said hoarsely, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "you should come."

Brad stood around Casey's bed awkwardly, as Anna tidied her bedside table, and informed her of all the things she'd brought for her.

"Now remember what you have, I expect it all back home when you leave here." Anna was saying firmly.

"Sure mom" Casey said and she looked up at Brad.

"Hi Mr. Mason," she greeted him with a wide smile.

Brad smiled back at her, "Hi. How are you feeling?" he asked edging closer to the bed.

Casey shrugged and looked down at her arm and leg, "as good as I possibly can in this situation."

Brad chuckled, "you must really be missing your freedom, those rocks are lonely without you, I think I heard them moaning this morning," he teased.

Casey laughed, "I miss them too," she replied with a grin that quickly faded into a frown, "then again it's no fun without Tom."

Brad touched her good leg gently, "you two will make it up."

After a brief pause Casey cocked her head up at Brad, "So when are you leaving?" she asked.

Anna and Brad exchanged glances, and Brad stiffened, "I don't know, it depends on some things," he said, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets.

"Well while you're here, maybe mom could take you shopping," Casey grinned widely and Brad looked over just in time to see the look of terror on Anna's face and his smile faltered.

"No...uh, no it's fine Case, your mom's real busy you know" he replied, wincing at the look of relief on Anna's face, maybe he was confused about how she felt too.

They spent some more time with Casey, not talking about anything particularly important, just chatting pointlessly and laughing at each other's ridiculous jokes. Anna loved the way Brad and Casey got along, in no time she was glowing and grinning from ear to ear, she looked healthier than she had since the accident. As they were leaving, Anna asked Brad to come along with her to get their travel arrangements done.

"Are you sure? I really wouldn't want to crowd you," he said mockingly.

Anna smiled, "no it's fine, I like having you around."

That's not the impression he got earlier. He nodded at her and smiled politely, "Well alright, I would love to come along."

Anna was very pleasant toward Brad as they made their way to the truck, her expressions and her actions confused him. This wasn't the Anna he knew, he felt like she was changing right in front of his eyes. The Anna he knew, and was quite sure he'd met here three weeks ago, was a straight forward person, she knew exactly what she felt and never hesitated to say just what it was, she always knew what she wanted, but he wasn't getting the feeling that the woman sitting beside him was the Anna he'd found.

"So now that my business is done, where do you want to go?" she asked.

Brad shrugged, "you are the tour guide," he replied.

Anna smiled, "yeah, but any place you want to see in particular?"

Brad thought about it for a while, tapping his index finger on his chin for effect, then he smiled up at her.

"How about the beach," he suggested.

"The beach? Why? What can you shop for on the beach? Casey said to take you shopping," she gave him an amused frown.

Brad chuckled, "well first of all, the beach I haven't seen in a long time, I live deep in the suburbs. And secondly, shells are just as useful as souvenirs and memories are priceless, and considering the fact that I'm dead broke right now, those would best suit the occasion."

Anna nodded, "alright Confucius, the beach it is."

Anna took him to the beach close to their home, one of the country's best tourist's attraction, with its smooth white sand and clean blue green waters it was easy to understand why.

They walked with bare feet down the length of the shore, it was a cool evening, and the beauty of the sunset coloured the blue-green ocean, as the daylight faded into a cool dim blueness. Brad dug his feet into the warm sand and exhaled deeply as the evening breeze tousled his now thick hair, the long strands whipping around his forehead and ears as though with a life of its own.

"Ah yes, this is what am talking about," he said with a contented sigh.

Anna was pleased to see him enjoying the solitude; maybe the old Brad wasn't gone after all, just hidden.

"Remember when you used to take me out here on dates?" she blushed visibly.

Brad grinned, that lopsided flirty grin of his that had always made her swoon, "how could I forget. Most girls would have preferred dinners and concerts..."

He looked over at her and took her hand in his, ignoring her look of discomfort and the sudden stiffness in her wrist, "but you, you never minded just walking down the beach holding hands, talking about us, what our future would be like."

Anna nodded, "we were gonna build a house over there," she lifted her hand and pointed to a spot on the mountain, littered with grand houses.

"And I was going to get you a dog, one with the big ears. You were crazy about those ugly mutts."

Anna laughed.

"I'm surprised you don't have one. Don't tell me you hate them now?"

Anna shook her head and slipped her hand out of his, "no, Casey's so asthmatic, I couldn't risk it. Besides I couldn't manage the extra responsibility."

Brad nodded understandably. They walked silently for a while. Brad was thinking about Mara. What she was doing right at this minute, if she was planning how to spend his money with her partner, he thought about her relationship with the shaggy man, did she like him; maybe she loved him more that she did him.

Anna was thinking about Brad and the situation she'd found herself in. She looked over at him, and said a quick prayer for him and for herself. She didn't want to make any stupid mistakes, not again, and she knew Brad had a way of bringing that out in her.

"So what's going on with you and this doctor?" Brad asked suddenly.

His question took Anna off guard and she had to take a moment to think about it, mostly because she didn't know what was going on between her and Neil. She shrugged and kept looking ahead of them, anything to avoid having to look him in the eyes.

"I don't know. He's an attractive attentive man, very practical and straightforward but..." she paused then shrugged again.

"Do you like him?" Brad asked, he sounded strained and distant.

Anna looked over at him, "do I sense some animosity?" she asked.

"Well of course not. You are a grown woman, who you like is entirely up to you," he huffed.

"Well I do like him, as a matter of fact he asked me out."

Brad stopped walking, his frown revealing his disapproval, "what kind of guy asks a woman out when her daughter is sick, that is..." he hiked his hands onto his hips and pursed his lips thoughtfully, "he is pathetic, that is what."

Anna gasped, "Raj that is completely uncalled for," she snapped.

"But it is Anna, your daughter is sick, you don't need a boyfriend, you need a doctor."

"And he happens to be one," Anna countered, growing more angry.

Brad glared at her, "Please don't tell me you are going out with him for medical favours," he said with a sneer.

Anna looked at him in utter shock, "I can't believe you went there Raj, you know me better than that."

"Do I?"

They stood staring at each for what seemed like an eternity, all signs of daylight had disappeared from the horizon and the darkness enveloped them, just like their anger. They stood still in the dim evening light, hands balled into fists at their sides, eyes bold and challenging; saying nothing.

"Are you satisfied?" she asked suddenly.

Brad looked at her with a confused frown, "excuse me?"

"Shopping? Are you finished?"

Brad seemed to relax a little but Anna was still very tense, like a lioness ready to pounce.

"Yeah sure," he replied, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Anna turned on her heels and marched back in the direction they'd come, her back straight and her head held high.

When they got home, Mike was waiting for them. He was sitting in the living room in the dark, the dull moon light streaming into the room revealing his glaring eyes at them over the crown of his beer bottle like a suspicious father.

"Had a nice date?" he drawled.

"Not now Mike," Anna snapped and she reached over and switched on the lights.

Mike was staring at Brad contemptuously, the corner of his lips lifted in what looked like a sneer. He could be very scary when he wanted to, but Brad was too caught up with Anna's bad mood and apparent crush on Neil.

"Someone called for ya," Mike said, "a doctor Manning I believe."

Anna glanced over at Brad, who was already looking at her, his eyes narrowed accusingly.

"Thanks," she said and disappeared into her room.

Mike and Brad were alone now, and the tension in the room was almost stifling. They were both looking at each other. Mike kept twirling the beer bottle in his hand, frowning menacingly.

Brad stared at the bottle in Mike's hand warily, waiting for the move that would turn the beer into an offensive weapon.

"I have nothing to say to you Mike," he said.

Mike nodded slowly, but there was nothing convincing about it. Brad doubted he'd even heard a word he'd said.

"Neither do I," Mike grumbled, rising from the chair.

He took a step toward Brad, they stood like two male dogs sizing up the other, Brad could almost imagine Mike sniffing at him, fur raised. But Mike only scowled at him and walked out the front door.
Chapter 6

The ocean roared, the powerful waves rising and falling hard against the rugged rocks, foam rising from its blue surface as sea gulls soared overhead. It was a beautiful day; the sun was at its peak in the blue sky, the clouds white and fluffy, hovered like guardians over the dancing trees. Brad shut his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the cool salty ocean breeze wrap around him, along with the many fragrances of Anna's flowers. He was going to miss this place but more than anything he was going to miss the people that had made it special. It seemed like ages since he'd last seen his wife or stepped foot in his house. The bruises had faded from his face and all that was left, were the dents and scars to remind him of how he'd been betrayed.

"Have you finished packing?"

He turned around to find Anna looking up at him, shading her eyes against the bright sun with her hand, her stance reminded him of the last time they'd seen each other eleven years ago. She had been standing on the shore with her hands lifted over her eyes, her hair pulled up in a high bun and her skirt twirling around her feet as she watched him leave. He remembered the sadness on her face, the fear. He remembered his own hesitation; he'd memorized everything about that day, for years it was all he could think of. There was something in her eyes when he'd said good bye, he knew she was keeping something from him; it was only now that he had come to realize just what it was.

"I don't have much luggage," he said with a smile.

Anna chuckled, "right, I forget you weren't just visiting."

There was an awkward silence after that, they both stood next to each other, deliberately avoiding each other's eyes.

"It must be great to have a friend who can come through for you like that," she said finally.

Brad shrugged, "Yeah. Derek has always been a pretty dependable guy. If it wasn't for him I'd definitely be stuck here, since I have no identification whatsoever."

Anna feigned insult, "and what's so bad about that."

He looked over at her, his face bland, his eyes thoughtful.

"When are you going to tell her Anna?"

Anna looked away and folded her arms over her chest with a sigh, "when the time is right she'll know."

"And when exactly is the right time" he flared, "when am gone? When she no longer remembers me?"

Anna lifted her hands toward him in a calming gesture, "Raj you don't understand how hard this is for me..."

"Hard for you!" he exclaimed.

Anna winced.

"Let me tell you what is hard Anna; having a daughter that doesn't know who you are. Living with her, seeing her everyday and always having to remind yourself that you're a stranger to her, wanting to sit with her and talk with her as a father would to his child and not being able to, because you always have to be careful you don't say something that would reveal the truth. That's what is hard, Anna."

He looked at her indignantly, "when we separate in Trinidad I don't know when I would ever see her again. I don't even know what am heading into, there may be a convict waiting to take me out when I get back..."

"Don't talk like that."

"That is the reality Anna, my life is in danger and the one chance I get to have something good in my life is being prevented by you."

Anna pouted her lips and looked away, her eyes bright with unshed tears, she didn't like when Brad got angry at her, she didn't like the position he was putting her in and most of all she didn't like feeling guilty.

"Fine, Brad."

She turned and stalked away, her arms straight at her side and her steps quick.

Brad glanced back at her, his anger forgotten. All he could think about was what she'd called him, he was Brad again but he wasn't sure he wanted Anna to think of him that way.

The door was yanked open and Mara stormed in. Trent came in after her, an angry frown on his face.

"Well that was pointless. All these years you've been married to this guy and you don't have total access to his finances. Where's all that charm you claim to naturally possess," he mocked as he followed her into the kitchen.

Mara pulled out a chair and sat with a huff, "I told you killing him was a bad idea," she muttered.

"Yeah well I didn't think you were so useless."

Mara shot him an angry look. Trent went over to the cupboards and returned to the table with a glass and a bottle of Cognac.

"Well you've got enough in bonds and cash from the safe upstairs, not to mention the fact that most of the money from our joint account are gone. I'd say it hasn't been a complete flop, wouldn't you?"

Trent looked up at her through his usually suspicious eyes, then took his time in filling his glass with the brandy. Mara watched as it tumbled over the ice cubes at the bottom of the glass, the rich bronze liquid rising to the rim. It reminded her of the first time she'd met Brad, he was sitting at the bar during a fund raiser sipping a tumbler of brandy, after every sip he would look down at it thoughtfully as he twirled it in his glass. She hadn't meant to be caught staring, but other than being quite handsome, she thought him to emit a level of class and style quite uncommon to the men she had been used to.

He looked over at her and gave her an alluring smile. She smiled back despite herself and looked away; she did not come here to flirt with accomplished business men.

She was still looking at the bald, grey bearded man across the room, laughing so hard his rotund belly jiggled underneath his double breasted suit. Mara took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what she was about to do. Preston Rich was just what his name implied, he was one of the wealthiest men in the room right now, and her mission was to get close to him.

She looked over at the dark haired bartender, who kept glancing over at her, his green eyes piercing and threatening. It was her first job with Trent, she'd never done anything like this before, but he always said that her looks and natural charm could get her anything she wanted. Right now Preston Rich was what she needed, to get rid of the mountain of debt she had waiting for her, at least that was what Trent said.

She was about to make her move, when the handsome man at the bar appeared beside her, he was still holding his glass of brandy.

" _Who is the idiot who left you standing here all by yourself?" he asked._

" _Oh no, I'm alone," she replied, biting her tongue the minute the words were out of her mouth._

It occurred to her that attracting another man's attention might jeopardize the entire plan.

" _Well in that case can I offer to buy you a drink?"_

" _Uh...I uh... I don't know if that's..." she stuttered, looking over at the bar where Trent seemed to be too busy to notice._

" _It is only a drink," he persisted._

Mara looked over at him for the first time since he'd approached her, he was even more attractive up close, and he had the most charming smile she'd ever seen and an accent she couldn't quite place.

" _Maybe just one then."_

He led her back to the bar, and he ordered for her, looking over at her so he could charm her with another alluring boyish grin.

" _I'm Brad by the way. Brad Mason," he said offering a hand._

Mara took his offered hand, his slender brown fingers wrapped around her small porcelain hand, it was warm and she could feel the strength behind it. She knew who he was; she'd seen his name crossed off on Trent's list just the night before.

" _I'm Mara."_

Mara made a decision that day that had changed her life, and saved it in more ways than one. She was so taken with Brad that night that she had completely forgotten what she was supposed to do. Preston Rich slipped out the back with his body guards and some other girl on his arm, and Mara was sitting at the bar with Brad Mason enjoying every bit of his attentions.

Trent was stark mad at her, he kept staring daggers at her from across the room for the rest of the night and she knew that it wouldn't be long before he would've approached and embarrassed her, he was her boss after all, and she needed to survive. But it didn't take much to make her change her mind, all Brad had to do was offer her a ride home and a chance to see him again.

Trent was looking at her now over the rim of the glass, his green eyes piercing, "you sound as if the mission's over," he said.

Mara frowned, shaking herself from her reverie, "well isn't it?"

"Mara, Mara" he shook his head in disappointment, "you really have gotten soft on me, but we're not backing out now; remember you owe me."

Mara shot to her feet, "dammit Trent, it's over why can't you accept that!"

He looked at her coolly, but there was a slight unnerving twitch at the corner of his lips, he was always like that when he was fighting to maintain his temper.

"Brad's dead, there's nothing we can do," Mara said.

Trent put down the empty glass next to the bottle of Cognac, his movements slow and deliberate. When he looked up at her his eyes were accusing.

"A little birdie told me your darling husband isn't dead at all, in fact he's on this little island getting a tan and putting his feet up."

He was very attentive to her facial expressions, so he noticed the momentary look of panic in her eyes, he noticed the slight quiver of her lips and the tremor in her breathing.

"Really?" her voice sounded like it was being forced out of a broken bag pipe.

"Yes really," he replied as he got up and made his way toward her.

Mara straightened up and backed away until the small of her back was pressed against the counter. Trent was close to her now; she could smell the stale cigarette smoke, alcohol and a hint of Brad's favourite cologne.

He lifted his index finger and traced it along her jaw, "you wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"

Mara swallowed hard and avoided his gaze, trying to gather her wits together. She had known all along that Brad was safe, she had just hoped that Trent didn't.

She lifted her chin defiantly, "I'm not afraid of you Trent, you can't intimidate me."

Trent shrugged, "I'm not trying to Mara, I just want to know if I can trust you. Why didn't you tell me Mara?" He demanded, the exaggerated coolness seeping from his posture and face, leaving him tense and hard like a carved stone statue."

"You've never trusted me, you've never trusted anyone."

"If you hadn't bailed on me all those years ago we wouldn't be here right now. Hell we could've been in Maui sipping punch and tanning on the beach, but a man happens to look at you the right way and you forsake the mission."

He got up and leaned toward her, his hands pressed flat against the table top.

"I spent five years in the pen Mara, while you were out here living it up."

Mara glared at him, "of course Trent, you would've preferred to have me in there with you. That's why I bailed on you, 'cause you're a selfish bastard, you don't care about anyone but yourself!"

Trent reached across the table and grabbed her by the throat and in that same instant pulled her around the other side toward him. He barred his teeth at her like a wolf; he was almost frothing at the mouth.

He clamped both hands around her neck and squeezed tightly, his eyes wide, his nostrils flaring. Mara pulled at his hands helplessly, her cheeks puffed out and red, her eyes bulging with strain and panic.

"You owe me five years Mara" he hissed, "you owe me... so much."

Just then the door bell rang. Mara looked pale and drawn, she'd sunk to her knees and Trent was still holding onto her, blindly squeezing the life out of her.

Gradually he released his grip, his eyes growing less intense, until he let her go completely and she slumped to the floor with a gasp, followed by raspy coughing, her hands lifted to her throat. She looked up at him in disbelief and fear.

"Put a scarf around your neck and get the door," he said then turned away from her with a disgusted grunt.

Mara staggered to her feet and started for the door.

"Don't forget what we practiced," he muttered.
Chapter 7

It was surprisingly relaxing in Trinidad, fluffy white clouds dominated the skies, masking the earth with much appreciated coolness. Brad strolled along the rich green lawn on the hospital grounds, his hands shoved deep in his pocket a content smile on his face. Casey's operation had been a success, and it was taking a positive toll on all of them. Anna seemed to be happier than she'd been since the accident, she was more relaxed and open with him, and he'd seen her smile more times than he could count.

Today marked a very important event in Brad's life, because today his daughter would finally know that he existed and that he cared enough to want her to know. Despite his excitement there was a tight knot in his stomach, and every now and then his heart would speed up with panic at the thought of an unexpected reaction from Casey and he would have to pause to catch his breath. What if she didn't want it to be him? What if she was too angry at him for leaving to care? He sighed and continued walking, still absorbed in his thoughts. It was then that he noticed a familiar figure sailing toward him, and his heart seemed to skip a beat.

She was beautiful, her hair was loose and blowing about her face, he still had to get used to her with straight hair and not the thick wavy hair he used to stick flowers in. Her long white skirt whipped around her legs as she moved toward him, she looked like a princess.

He stopped and stared at her as she approached him, fidgeting with his fingers in his pockets and smiling ridiculously.

"Hey," she greeted, with a wide grin, "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Brad smiled, "and now you've found me."

She stood at his side, looped her elbow through his, and looked up at him with a playful grin. Brad smiled back, all the while thinking how beautiful she was and how he loved being with her like this. It reminded him of when they were young, the ease they regarded each other with, the openness and pure beauty of their relationship.

"I did wait for you," he said as they started to walk together, "but you seemed to have still been asleep."

Anna blushed, "I'm sorry, I guess I lost track of time."

"That's alright, you were exhausted. You deserve it."

They walked on in silence for a while, just enjoying each others company.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Anna looked up at him; her eyes squinted against the bright sunlight.

"I am absolutely positive," he replied.

Anna nodded, "okay then. Meet me in the lounge at one," she was all business once more.

Brad watched her trot down the path toward the back entrance of the hospital, a faint smile on his lips.

"Thought I'd find you here."

Brad turned around in time to see Derek sauntering toward him.

"Really?" he asked in disbelief.

Derek shrugged, "okay so I asked for a dark Indian man of medium height and build and a bent nose," he offered Brad one of his goofy grins.

Brad chuckled and reached for Derek's hand, pulling him into an embrace.

"It's so good to see you man," Derek said when they separated, "you have no idea of the kind of stuff that's been going on in my mind."

Brad smiled, "I'm okay."

"So when do I get to meet this gracious lady and her daughter."

"Uh... Anna was just here actually," said Brad, looking about him to try to glimpse Anna, "But I'm sure you'll have a chance to meet her later."

Derek nodded, "sure man. How's the kid?"

Brad grinned broadly, "oh she is great, considering everything. The operation went great she'll be fine."

"Oh hell no!" Derek exclaimed, "Did I hear right. You've gone and fallen in love with them haven't you. Jeez Brad you haven't changed a bit, always too quick to love people..."

"Derek she's my daughter."

Derek stopped abruptly, he looked at Brad in shock then a broad smile spread across his face and he doubled over in laughter.

"What is so funny?" Brad asked.

Derek looked at him and shook his head still chuckling, "how in the world would that happen," he said.

Brad sighed, "Anna and I were together when we were quite young, and it turns out we had a child together."

Derek narrowed his eyes at him, "why is it that everywhere you go a woman tries to catch you with some ridiculous lie."

"It is not a lie," Brad said angrily, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

"How do you know that? So let's say you're right about her being your old girlfriend, but how long ago was that, what makes you think you can even trust her."

"Look Derek, I know Anna alright, she is not that kind of person and in the time I've spent with her I know more and more that I am right."

Derek tucked his thumbs over his belt buckle and looked away with a huff, "I don't believe this," he muttered.

"What about the kid, how do you know she's yours."

Brad smiled despite his annoyance with his friend, "If you see her you'll know she's mine," he said.

"Well where is she? Let's get it over with," and he started to walk back to the hospital.

"Wait not now," Brad called and went toward him, "she's not ready for that yet, we haven't really told her."

Derek's eyes widened slowly in understanding, "oh, so there's still a chance to save you from making the dumbest mistake of your life. But I at least want to meet the lady, you can always use my sharp eye for the ladies."

"She's not like that!" Brad spoke through clenched teeth.

Derek lifted his hands above his head and took a step back, a mischievous smirk on his jesting face.

"How about we meet up for lunch one of these days" he said, as he was walking Brad back to the hospital.

Brad looked over at him warningly.

"Just a nice, civil lunch man, I'm not gonna try anything, I promise," Derek persisted, he looked up at Brad and pouted dramatically, "you can even bring Macy along."

"Casey, for the millionth time, her name is Casey."

Derek rolled his eyes, "Sorry then. Casey and Anna and me and you, just a nice little lunch a little meet and greet, whaddaya say?"

Brad grunted, he inhaled sharply through his teeth, looked up at the sky then looked at Derek, who was grinning up at him expectantly.

"Yeah sure, why not," he said half-heartedly.

"Perfect. Friday sound good?"

Brad nodded.

"See you then, tell 'em I stopped by."

Brad watched him hurry down the drive, with quick, sure steps. He wasn't worried about him, as a matter of fact he was sure Derek could blend into any culture, with his self certainty, charisma, humour and effortless charm. There wasn't a doubt in Brad's mind that he wouldn't keep his word as concerned Anna and Casey, but he just didn't feel ready to share them yet and that thought made him even more confused.

Anna was sitting in the waiting room with a can of soda, she was leaning forward with a thoughtful frown. Brad paused and looked at her, his hands shoved deep in his pockets a smirk on his face. It was moments like these that made him think about the choice he'd made all those years ago and made him wonder how life would've turned out if he'd stayed.

"What're you dreaming about?" she was looking up at him with an amused frown, her brows lifted questioningly.

Brad smiled, "oh just about us. Me, you, Casey."

He sauntered toward her and sat down beside her.

"What about us?"

He shrugged, "our past, you know, the decisions we've made. If I could have done it any different, what our lives would be like now. You know that kind of stuff."

"Wow, your mind's been racing huh?" she nudged him playfully.

Brad smiled half heartedly. He looked down at his feet on the shiny, white tiles and tapped the tips of his sandals together.

"But seriously Anna, what if I had not left. I could have been there for you and Casey and..."

"And you'd be broke, uneducated, unsatisfied and angry at the world," Anna interrupted.

She sighed, and reached for his hand, "Raj we were young, and we'd done stupid things. Trust me it would've been harder trying to raise a child and each other at the same time. Either way we can't change what's been done, I couldn't change the mistake I'd made then and I wasn't going to make another mistake by letting you stay. Everything happens for a purpose, God has a plan for both of us, and I think it will always work out. What we do have is now, we're both here and now you have a chance to be the father you couldn't have possibly been then. It doesn't make any sense dwelling on the past, unless it's to acknowledge the fact that we have a beautiful daughter together."

Brad smiled, and squeezed her hand, "you're right."

"I'm glad you understand," Anna said as she got to her feet, "now let's go tell Casey her father is back.

The bright afternoon light streamed through the four paneled window of the narrow room, casting translucent shadows on the white washed walls, and reaching out to the foot of the plain sheeted bed.

Casey was leaning back against the mound of pillows with a PSP lifted so close to her face her eyes appeared crossed. One of her legs was slung up on a metal rack above the bed. The furrows of concentration were etched into her forehead so deep, that Anna and Brad thought she did not hear them come in. But she looked up at Anna suddenly and an instant smile popped onto her face.

"I didn't know this thing was so interesting, I'd play it all day..." she paused, frowning slightly, "that is, if I were stuck on a hospital bed all day with nothing to do," she leaned toward Anna conspiratorially, "it's is really weird in here," she whispered.

Anna smiled and planted a light kiss on her forehead, "it's good to see you're feeling better," she said.

Casey shrugged, "nothing a bunch of drugs can't fix."

Anna gave her a disapproving frown.

Casey looked over Anna's shoulder and noticed Brad for the first time. He was hovering above them, his hand shoved deep in his pocket, looking about the room awkwardly.

"Mr. Mason!" she exclaimed.

Brad smiled; glad to have finally been acknowledged and for the chance to take his mind of what was coming next.

"I didn't see you there, and I wanted to thank you... for everything," she graced him with a wide grin.

"Hey don't mention it."

"Well I guess now we're even," she said.

Brad grew pensive, "no amount of favors could ever make it up to you," he said.

Anna glanced at him, then at Casey, who was looking up at Brad with furrowed brows and a scrunched up nose.

"Okay," she said, "it wasn't that much you know, I'd do it for anyone," she had that uncomfortable tension she would get when a conversation was getting too personal.

An awkward silence followed, during which Casey kept staring at Anna then at Brad, turning the PSP around in her sweaty palm.

"Mom what's going on? You're looking at each other funny."

Casey was young but she was far from naïve when it came to certain things, it was one of the things Anna loved about her. When it came to a difficult moment, Casey's attentiveness and quick thinking always eased the emotional strain of having to spell it all out.

Anna sighed and looked up at Brad, posing a question with her eyes, he gave a small, sharp nod, his lips pressed together, paled with fear and anticipation.

"Case we've got something to tell you."

The suspicion in Casey's eyes deepened, and she pushed herself up on her elbows.

"You remember all those stories I used to tell you... about your father."

Casey's eyes narrowed and her gaze shifted apprehensively to Brad and comprehension and disbelief eased onto her face.

Anna reached behind her and took Brad's hand, she brought him closer to them but she didn't look at him. There was no need for looks of encouragement, subtle prodding, impatient stares, they both knew that there was no turning back now.

"Brad Mason used to live in Grenada a long time ago, we were very close, and he left when you were very young, almost invisible to the human eyes," Anna smiled awkwardly, "you see he didn't know he fathered a child, he didn't know... about you."

Casey looked up at Brad in awe, her eyes wide, something not quite like excitement reflected in them. Anna was as stiff as a sun starched seam, she knew that there was no precise way to go about something like this, but so many wrong ways nonetheless. Whether she'd done it right or not she wouldn't know until she saw Casey's reaction.

"You're my father?"

Brad smiled, "yes" he said.

Anna could feel the clamminess of his hand, where it remained lodged in hers and she could hear his unsteady breathing as he stood next to her, in the now quiet room.

"I hope that's okay," he said.
Chapter 8

Brad looked down at his watch for the umpteenth time, and then looked about the hospital cafeteria, while with his other hand he held up one leg of his pants, rubbing the stiff fabric between his thumb and forefinger.

"Where are they?" he asked, stretching his neck to see above the crowd in front of the entrance.

Derek covered his face with his hand and snickered, shaking his head from side to side.

Brad looked at him and frowned, "What is so funny?" he asked.

Derek shook his head, a goofy grin on his face, "nothing man. It's just that you're acting like a teenager on his first date," he paused to chuckle; then looked up at him, his eyes dancing.

"Relax man. They'll be here."

Brad growled at him, "just... leave me be alright.

Derek laughed. Brad turned to look at the entrance once more, and excitement flowed over him like a flood when he saw Anna enter, pushing Casey in front of her in her wheel chair. The wheel chair Casey hated so much and had to be talked into using, which could explain her puffed out cheeks and indignant composure.

Anna was looking about the room hoping to notice Brad, the hospital cafeteria was their best option for Brad's little lunch date, given Casey's condition, but it was more crowded than she had expected. She noticed Brad waving to her from across the room, a wide smile on his face.

She smiled back at him in acknowledgement and made her way toward the table.

"Mom careful!" Casey whined.

Anna winced, "sorry, I was never any good at maneuvering these things."

When they finally reached the table both Brad and Derek stood up to greet them.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," said Derek with a charming smile and an offered hand.

Anna took it and he leaned forward and brushed his lips against the back of it, then lifted his eyes to hers.

"I've heard quite a lot about you," he said with a smirk and a charming sweep of his lashes; he had eyes like that of a lion and she stared deep into their golden depths as they searched her face, knowingly, suspiciously, slightly glistening with natural gaiety.

Derek was a tall man with a very strong build, he wore his wavy hair cut close to his scalp and a neatly trimmed circle beard, the wavy black complementing his milk chocolate skin, but his most distinguishing feature was his long curvy lashes that highlighted his captivating eyes and softened his very masculine face. He wore a blue button down waist coat over a crisp, long sleeved white shirt which was neatly folded up to his elbows with a silky blue and white striped tie, and long, grey, sharp seamed dress pants and two toned loafers with tassels. A little much for their cafeteria meeting Anna thought.

Anna concluded that he was quite handsome despite his over confident apparel and by the time they were all seated, she added polite and well mannered to her observations.

"You must be Casey?" Derek said.

He smiled at Casey then looked up at Brad briefly. Brad rolled his eyes and lifted his glass to his lips. Anna looked at Brad then at Derek, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"What's that you're drinking?" Derek asked, gesturing to the glass in Brad's hand.

"Fruit punch," Brad replied, his tone gritty.

Brad and Derek purchased the food and carried it to the table, where they chatted some more. Anna learned very little about Derek, it seemed he was constantly talking and answering her questions but in the end he wasn't saying very much about himself. But he was very funny, he had Casey bobbing up and down in her chair and doubling over with laughter. Even Brad was laughing his eyes bright with unshed tears but Anna, Anna was onto him, or at least she thought so.

They ate in silence now, it seemed like Derek was out of wise cracks. Every now and then Anna would look up at Derek with narrowed eyes.

"Do you believe in God, Mr. Reed?" Casey asked suddenly.

Derek gave a slow smile, "I'm sure you do," he said with a smirk, he waved his fork in Anna's direction, "I'm sure your mother made sure of that."

Anna couldn't miss the odd tone in his voice, or the slight twitch of his lips when he said it.

"Well do you?" Anna interjected with more brashness than she'd wanted.

Derek looked up at her, his eyes bright with some joke that only he knew, one corner of his lips curved slightly, in a devious yet thoughtful manner.

"What if I said that I do?"

Anna shrugged, "it's very easy for someone to say that they believe in God," she said and lowered her gaze to her plate in a dismissive manner.

Derek frowned at her; he looked over at Brad, who was subtly trying to hide his smile with a forkful of potato salad.

"What would you prefer to hear, Ms. Wright?"

Anna looked up at him as though surprised to find him there. Derek was very slighted by that action, though he tried his best to conceal it. He had never been ignored like that before by any woman, they've always thought his charm, good looks and charisma too special to ignore.

"Well?" he persisted, growing a little annoyed.

Anna put down her fork and took up her napkin; she looked over at Derek as she slowly wiped her lips.

Derek's grip tightened on his fork, and he was beginning to tap his feet unsteadily underneath the table.

"It's not about what I would prefer to hear," she said finally, "but it's about what is the actual truth. But I'm guessing you're the kind of guy that's used to telling people what they want to hear."

She leaned forward and locked gazes with him, "you see Mr. Reed, I'm not the kind of woman who would settle for what I want to hear, but I like the truth. You on the other hand live on forming impressions of yourself on people; you know exactly what to say when in fact you say absolutely nothing that gives the slightest impression of who you really are."

Derek's smile had long vanished and there was a withdrawn look in his eyes, his frown reflected discomfort and displeasure and when he spoke his voice had lost all its gaiety and gentlemanly charm.

"So I guess I can count on you to be a woman of your word," he said stiffly, his eyes accusing.

He glanced over at Casey, so that only Anna could notice his meaning.

Anna sat back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest, "I hope you're not saying what I think you're saying."

Brad looked up at them, his gaze going from Anna to Derek and back again, then he met Casey's eyes. They were bright with interest; he could see her absorbing every inch of Derek and Anna's exchange.

"Hey Case, there is a very nice view at the back," he said as he got up from his chair, "how about we check it out."

Casey gave him a warning look, which Anna noticed almost immediately.

"That's a great idea," she said nudging Casey with an encouraging yet slightly mischievous smile.

After Brad and Casey were no longer within hearing distance, Derek leaned toward Anna his elbows perched on the table top for leverage.

Anna met him half way, her eyes blazing with as much passion as his own.

"If you think you're gonna pull a fast one on Brad you've got another thing coming," he hissed.

"And why would I do that? For money?"

Derek shrugged, but his eyes gave her his definite response.

"Unlike you Mr. Reed, money isn't what makes my world go 'round and it sure ain't gonna stop it. You think I wanted to tell Brad, but he's not stupid and I'm not selfish. Casey is Brad's daughter, and whether you like it or not they've both accepted that. Maybe if you started trusting your own self you would stop placing others in the bottomless pit, and realize that there are some genuinely honest people out there."

She sat back and folded her arms over her chest in a huff.

Derek sat back quietly, with a thoughtful frown. He didn't say anything.

Anna shook her head slowly, disgustedly, "you know what? I don't need to put myself through this," she got up and pushed in her chair, "I'm taking my daughter and am leaving. It's clear to me that all you really wanted from this meeting is to prove your theory and I'm not going to be your test subject."

Brad and Casey were approaching the table now, with Casey looking up at him as he pushed her along, and saying something with a grin.

Brad regarded them with concern; the tension could be felt, not to mention the sight of Anna standing up looking down at Derek with obvious contempt. He wanted them to get along, Derek was after all his best friend and Anna, she was the mother of his child, not to mention the only woman who could awaken a part of his personality that he thought had died.

"What's going on?" he asked, his brows drawn together.

Derek jumped to his feet and gave a quick preoccupied smile, "I was just leaving," he said, giving Anna a warning look.

She glared at him as he took out his wallet from his pocket, "desert's on me," he said.

"You don't have to leave Derek," Brad said in dismay, looking over at Anna with a frown.

Derek smiled at him, "no I don't," he looked at Anna, "but I will. You guys need your bonding time, you don't need me fogging up the air with my... pessimism."

Brad looked confusedly from one to the other. Anna was standing stiffly, her arms folded across her chest and her lips pressed together in that stubborn frown he'd come to remember. Derek looked equally uncomfortable, a forced smile on his face.

"Well, see y'all around... or not."

Brad watched him saunter toward the exit, in his signature walk, a quick, comedic, swaying gait, yet not in the least ridiculous or harmful to his strong personality and masculinity. He looked back at Anna.

"What happened here?" he asked.

Anna shrugged, "ask your friend," she sat easily down in her chair and gave Casey a reassuring smile.

Casey was shaking her head knowingly, as she wheeled herself back into position. She looked up at Anna.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine darling."

Brad sat down, lifted his hand to his taut face and fingered his chin, his eyes hooded.

Anna looked over at him and sighed, "it's nothing to worry about Raj."

The next couple of days had no indication of what had happened at the cafeteria, Anna, Brad and Casey filled up the days waiting for Casey's discharge with spending time together. And Anna came to conclude that their choice to tell Casey the truth was not such a bad idea after all. The girl was taking to Brad quickly; it was like they had never been apart, like she'd known all along that he was her father. They didn't see Derek again, though he was still in the country, he was too busy working to drop in now and again or to join them for lunch again, at least that was what he'd said, but Anna knew why he was keeping away, she knew it was because of her. It could've meant either of two things, either her words had genuinely struck a nerve or he really didn't think she was worth facing again because of her so called ways.

Their final day in Trinidad was a strained one, though they tried their best to make it memorable, but the fact that they would soon have to part hovered over them like a rain cloud. It bothered Casey especially, she had only now found her father and he had to leave them again, Anna on the other hand couldn't wait to get back to her flowers and garden, of course that desire was much too selfish to voice.

Brad was an emotional wreck, he kept staring dreamily at Casey and Anna whenever he wasn't doing anything, and the dread of confronting his issues at home was gnawing at him. They were having a picnic that day, and it was the quietest time they'd ever spent together. Anna kept trying to lighten the atmosphere with jokes that no one else thought was funny enough to laugh at, while they munched on the last of the sandwiches.

Anna looked down at the quickly diminishing lunch and sighed, it seemed that eating was an absent reaction while thinking.

"You guys do know that this would probably be the freshest memory we have of our time together until we meet again right?" she said with arched eyebrows.

Brad paused mid chewing and looked at her, then he looked over at Casey, who was now rummaging in the bag for some water.

"She's right you know," he said.

Casey nodded, "yeah sure, but it's not like it's gonna be such a long time before we see each other again."

Brad smiled, "yes but at least let's try to make the best of it huh."

Casey gave a nonchalant shrug.

She wasn't so nonchalant the next day though, when they were parting at the airport. She clung to Brad, like a 'suck stone' on a wet river stone and cried into his shirt.

"I don't want to go," she sobbed.

Brad rubbed her back comfortingly and pressed his lips to the top of her hair, he looked up at Anna with a pleading, uncomfortable stare.

Anna looked at them sympathetically, her forehead furrowed with short frown lines, her lips pursed. She didn't like to see Casey like this, and it grieved her that she had to be in this situation, if only she had reacted earlier, then maybe their parting wouldn't have been so painful for the young girl.

She stepped up behind her and placed a reassuring hand on Casey's shoulder, looking up at Brad's pained face.

"Casey darling, we've got to go," she said, in her soothing mother's voice.

Casey shook her head, but released Brad dashing her hand across her face, now flushed with embarrassment.

"I'll call you, first thing," Brad said with a promising smile.

Casey nodded and turned her wheel chair toward the entrance to the departure lounge.

Anna gave Brad an encouraging smile and leaned in to hug him for the second time that day, from over his shoulder she could see Derek standing among the smiling arrivals, his hands shoved deep in his pocket, his gaze glued to the ground, he looked awkward and quite out of place.

Still leaning near Brad's ear, she whispered, "We depend on the lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield, Psalms thirty three, twenty." -

She stepped back and graced him with a reassuring smile, his own face crumpled in confusion.

"What?"

She smiled at him and walked away, "see you, Brad."

Once they were both gone and he'd gotten his emotions under control, Brad went back to Derek, who looked up at him with relief.

"'bout time," he said, "all this gushing and hugging and 'have a good flight?'" he mimicked, in a perfect feminine pitch, "it was driving me up the wall."

Brad chuckled, "why do you always have to act like such a tough guy?"

There was a long silence as they walked back to the car, until Derek looked over at him with narrowed eyes, "that's rhetorical right?"

Brad shook his head, smiling, he opened the front door of the rental and got in, "let's go Derek, I've got some business to handle."

Derek jogged over to the other side and got in, "it's about time brother."
Chapter 9

Brad stepped out of the car and shut the door behind him, he looked up at his house and took a deep breath; the air seemed stale in comparison to those he had been breathing for the past weeks. Anna's home seemed to have been constantly perfumed by the flowers that lined every corner of their yard, and he knew that it would be a long time before he could grow accustomed to the smell of home again.

Derek came around the car and stood beside him, "this is it bro", he said.

They were both staring at the house as young ghost busters preparing to clean up a thousand year old haunted house. It wasn't as fancy as many would've imagined his home to be, in fact it was quite simple for a family home in the suburbs and exquisite enough for a business tycoon with a demanding, materialistic wife. It was a white, two story house, with a double garage and basement, placed on the slope of the land so that it appeared to tower over those who stood in the street. White fencing, shrubs and trees made up the rest of its external décor, along with the vivid dancing flowers lining the paved driveway; of course they were nothing like those that Anna grew, not in number, neither in beauty. Brad had imagined that not long after he'd bought it, it would be home to at least two new additions to their family, but that was nowhere in Mara's plan, or at least that's what her actions implied.

There was a man leaning on a vehicle across the road, he wore dark sun glasses and a grim Clint Eastwood expression, the kind the young trigger-happy recruit wore when he's sent on a case that he considers to be too petty for his abilities yet a chance for him to prove his natural abilities with those he considered less than himself; the complainants.

He made his way toward them, slowly and authoritatively, but to Brad and Derek he appeared to be nothing more than a young boy fresh out of the police academy trying to prove a point and fooling his own self in the process. They couldn't help but feel that they were not being taken as seriously as they would've wanted.

"Good evening," he greeted, sliding his toothpick to the corner of his mouth.

"Hello" Brad greeted and Derek nodded.

They both remained leaned up against the car, Brad's hands shoved deep in his pockets and Derek with his arms folded across his chest, so that his biceps strained against the fabric of his shirt sleeves.

"You Mr. Mason?" he had a thick New York accent.

"Yeah that's me."

He took of his glasses – a perfect imitation of CIS' Horatio Kane – and placed it in his uniform pocket, his feet planted slightly apart.

Brad shook his head and stood up straight, somewhat amused by how this scene seemed to have him thinking of so many fantastical television shows.

"I'm Officer Chavez, you ready?"

Brad smiled slightly, "sure."

The house appeared empty; it was so quiet they could hear the sound of their shoes sinking into the plush carpet as they entered the living area. Officer Chavez trailed beside them, his head lifted slightly as he surveyed each room they entered and his hand resting on the gun holster strapped to his waist.

Once they were certain downstairs was clear they proceeded to climb the mahogany railed staircase. As they were halfway up; Chavez leading with his gun now drawn and held low in front of him, Mara came sailing down to meet them, a surprised look on her perfectly made face.

"Darling, you're home!" she exclaimed, after a moment of hesitation.

At the sight of her, rage surged through Brad, he would've never imagined that would be his first response the moment he saw her again. But looking up at her smiling down at them innocently, that endearment like venom on her red stained lips, those blue pools of deception bearing down on him daringly, became like the dripping poison on the tips of an arrow that was shot right through him, and she, stood smiling, brandishing the bow.

Brad glared, unable to speak.

"Identify yourself!" Chavez demanded, his gun held at arm's length toward Mara.

She seemed to have noticed him for the first time and her rehearsed look of welcome faded from her face, replaced with terror.

"What is this?" she asked, her eyes wide, already growing bright with tears.

"Identify yourself?" Chavez repeated.

Brad personally thought Chavez's approach was a little over the top, but he relished the fear and horror it had evoked in his wife.

"I..." she looked at Brad quizzically, somewhat surprised at his silence, "Brad, tell him," she cried, her voice hoarse and broken.

Brad stared up at her, his eyes cold. They were all still lined on the stairs, Chavez at the forefront wielding his weapon with a stone cold expression. Brad stood with one foot on the step above the other, his hands gripping the railing tightly with suppressed emotion and Derek stood quietly at the bottom, looking up with a protective stance.

"Answer the question woman," Brad demanded with as much harshness as the cop.

Mara drew in a shaky breath, "I...my name is Mara...Mason. I'm his wife."

Chavez's eyes narrowed and his gun lowered slightly, but he did not take his eyes off her, "is this true Mr. Mason?"

It stung Brad to admit it, "yes."

Chavez dropped his gun and turned to face Brad, his nostrils flaring, "what is this? I am not attached to the domestic issues branch and never will. So next time you've got wife issues take it up with a lawyer or something."

He holstered his gun and stomped down the stairs, yanking his hat off his head with a huff.

"Wait!" Brad called.

Despite himself Chavez stopped, wedged between personal sentiments and public duty.

"Either you give me your gun or you finish this search."

Chavez hesitated; then marched back up the stairs.

This time Brad led the way, moving with passion; all caution aside. Chavez walked nonchalantly after him, along with Mara who was running to keep up in her heels and mini skirt.

"Brad what are you doing?" she grabbed his arm.

He shook her off angrily and charged into their bedroom, "Where is he?"

He searched in a rage, tossing things aside, slamming doors, throwing down boxes and over turning mattresses; he even stripped the curtain in the shower in his haste. Before long he'd been halfway through the rooms on that floor, leaving a trail of clothes and articles strewn behind him.

Mara tagged along, still pleading at his side, tears streaming down her cheeks, her makeup running, making her face a mess.

Chavez quietly followed, his gun back in its holster, his hand not even dangling near it as he'd done before, his face flushed with anger.

Finally they came to Brad's office, everyone seemed to be at the edge of exasperation and Brad searched more out of desperation than anything. When it was clear that there was no one in there, he swiped his arms along the desk top toppling everything to the floor with a loud crash.

"Brad..." came Derek's warning voice, he was standing at the door with a pained expression on his face.

But Brad continued to rage. He turned toward Mara now and grabbed her by the shoulders,

"Where are you hiding him?"

"I don't know... what you're talking about?" she sobbed.

He shook her angrily, "liar!"

Chavez intervened, finally he had an opportunity to do his job, "that's enough!" he commanded in that authoritative voice he must've have swiped off a television character.

Brad snarled at him, shaking off his retaining hand. Chavez reacted quickly. He drew his arm backward, taking his entire right side with him as he did and then charged forward hard and fast, his entire body moving with his fist.

Brad hissed as Chavez's fist made contact with his jaw, and he toppled backward, knocking his back hard against the desk.

Derek rushed forward to keep Chavez from striking again as he was clearly gearing up to do, but he just as easily switched his focus from Brad to Derek, launching one of his body punches underneath Derek's chin, so that his head snapped back with a crack. Derek went reeling to the ground and laid supine, his mouth slightly opened.

"Stop it!" Mara screamed.

They all froze, staring at Derek's limp body on the ground. Chavez's look of triumph soon faded into terror, the entire room grew quiet, all they could hear was the sound of Mara's shaky sobs, and Brad's pained breathing.

"Call 911!" Brad wheezed, still leaning against the desk, his face pale.

Anna looked back at a sulking Casey sitting at the dining room table, staring unseeingly at the telephone, a dejected frown on her face, now many shades lighter than she'd been before. Anna dried the last of the dishes and turned toward her, wiping her hands on the towel she'd had on her shoulder.

"Case what's the matter?" she asked tenderly.

Casey shrugged, her lips pouted obstinately, "nothing," she replied curtly.

Mike, who was sitting at the other end of the table reading this week's paper looked up at her, then at Anna, his eyes bright with interest despite his nonchalant posture and overall behavior since he'd found out about Brad.

Anna placed a hand on Casey's shoulder gently, "did you call your dad?"

Mike grunted, and Anna shot him a warning look.

Casey sighed, then nodded. She placed the cordless phone on the varnished table top and twirled it on its back.

"You didn't get through did you?"

She didn't answer, instead she stared at the spinning phone in front of her.

Anna reached down and clamped it to a stop with her hand, she glared at her daughter, "no matter what the situation Casey Wright, I will not tolerate this kind of rudeness in this house. Do you get it?" she lifted Casey's chin with her finger.

Casey nodded, and at her mother's narrowing eyes said, "yes mum."

"Now talk to me."

"I called him, today and yesterday... more than once and he won't answer."

Anna sighed and brushed back the loose strand of hair that had fallen from her pony tail, "he's only just gotten home two days ago darling, not even a whole two days. Something must have come up, and am sure it's something very important 'cause he won't forget to call otherwise."

Casey looked relieved, "but he promise to call the minute he got back"

Anna smiled, "Brad loves you very much..."

Mike rose from the chair suddenly; the saucer on the table top clattered noisily along with the angry snapping sound of the paper being slapped on top the table. Mike looked at her with flared nostrils.

"Cut the crap Anna. If you think am gonna sit right here and listen to you poison the child with your pathetic childish fantasies, you've got another thing coming."

Anna glared at him, he ignored her turning to Casey, "none of us know anything about this guy, she didn't know much about him then and she sure don't know nothing now. So I'd keep my fingers crossed if I were you, no sense building up your hopes for a bastard that wasn't man enough to stick it out with ya in the first place."

And with that he stomped out of the kitchen.

Anna looked down at Casey apologetically, "your uncle is quite upset about the situation that's all."

"What the situation Mom?" Casey asked.

Anna frowned thoughtfully, then sighed, "I don't know darling, I don't know."

She turned to the stove and reached for the oven handle, "now hurry up and go get dressed, we've got prayer meeting tonight, and the lord knows we've got a lot of praying to do."
Chapter 10

The door swung open and Brad stepped down into the cool interior of Derek's condo. The dark Magenta theme and plush black leather chairs were characteristic of a typical bachelor's dwelling. Hearing the door close behind him, he tossed the keys onto the glass centred end table, shrugged out of his jacket and dropped heavily onto the sofa.

"I take it you didn't get much sleep last night?" Derek teased as he made his way stiffly toward him.

Brad nodded, "I didn't think it was safe to shut my eyes with all those bearded weirdoes eye balling me."

Derek chuckled, paused to ease himself onto the recliner, his braced neck immobile above his broad shoulders, then he chuckled again, his usually wide grin now tight and cautious.

"How are you feeling?"

Derek responded with a sigh, "constricted," he said, wiggling his shoulders slowly.

"I'm sorry I dragged you into this man."

Derek frowned, "I was the one who stepped up to the terminator, and I could've taken him too, just that he had the element of surprise."

Brad chuckled, he was glad that the punch hadn't marred his humour, he wasn't sure how he felt about his untouched ego though, yet both were a vital part of who Derek was.

"By the way, what happened with him?" Derek asked.

Brad shrugged, "his superiors aren't so pleased with how he handled the situation, their probably going to put him on a leash, one thing's for certain, I'm going to have a hard time getting them on my side."

He folded his hand behind his head and leaned back against the soft sofa back, closing his eyes with a dramatic sigh.

He was quite exhausted, having spent more than a night in a holding cell with four other bigger men, with scruffy beards, vicious, curious gazes, head ties and pocket rags. He's stayed slumped against the wall opposite them, wary eyes trained on their restless, reeking figures. He hadn't slept. Even when Camille came to get him that morning, he was still sitting on the cold floor, his head resting on his arms, balancing on his knees. They'd gone straight to the hospital to see Derek and wait for him to be discharged, and then she dropped them off here and hurried back to the office.

Derek got up to take a shower, leaving Brad lazing on the sofa in his wrinkled, smelly, stubbly state. Brad thought about his arrival that ended in disaster, he kept going over everything in his head, but he couldn't see his overreaction, or remember exactly what he'd done during his fit of rage. What he did remember though was the look on his wife's face. She had looked so confused and afraid, that he couldn't help wondering if all of his suspicions might in fact be a figment of his imagination. But then there were all the other things that didn't add up, like the fact that she was on the yacht with him yet she wasn't hurt, she didn't contact the police when she was safe, not to mention the very disturbing fact that she had hired the offensive man and his strong armed crew.

Derek found Brad sprawled out on the sofa, staring at the television unseeingly, a troubled expression on his swollen face.

"Bathroom's empty man," he said, still struggling to pull on his shirt despite his braced neck.

"Oh yeah... I might just do that when I get home, "Brad mumbled.

Derek finally pulled on his shirt and looked at his friend in disbelief, "come on man, you're seriously going back to that hell hole. She's probably got her whole posse waiting to ambush you," he said, with a hint of annoyance.

Brad shook his head, frowning slightly, "I don't know but... you saw she looked so..."

"Fake!" Derek interrupted, his eyes wild, "she's playing you man and you're dancing right into it."

Brad shot him an indignant look.

"Okay, maybe not dancing," he grimaced.

Brad got to his feet and picked up his jacket, somewhat insulted he made his way to the door.

"Brad come on," Derek moaned, trailing after him with arms spread apologetically, "at least let me drive you?"

Brad turned around and smiled half-heartedly, "you're in no condition to drive, I'll call a cab," he pulled open the front door.

"Naw man, wait," Derek persisted, he hurried back to the end table and scooped up the keys robotically.

He slipped one of the keys from the ring as he made his way toward Brad, "here," he said, "take my car."

He pressed the key into Brad's hand and said through bared teeth, "Don't underestimate her."

The house was quiet and dark, the only light was coming from the kitchen, casting looming shadows on the walls of the living room. Brad walked in cautiously, his eyes darting about the room frantically, looking for any signs of danger.

"You're home!"

He looked up to see Mara at the top of the stairs, he couldn't see her face, it was hidden by the dark shadow cast from the top of her chest to her face.

Reflexively, Brad's jaw tightened, he stood immobile, saying nothing as she descended the stairs and flipped the light switch.

The bright florescent light flooded the room and Brad shut his eyes momentarily, only to open them on the fascinating figure before him. Mara was beautiful, he was surprised that he still thought her attractive despite his impression of her. She stood before him with a hesitant, almost fearful expression.

Brad stared at her, it had been a long time since he'd seen her, on any other day he would close the gap between them and wrap her petite frame in his arms, inhale the fruity scent of her hair and tell her how much he missed her, but the tension between them was as tall and thick as the tower of Babel, like there was an entire city between them, yet that couldn't destroy the love he still had for her, she was after all his wife. His expression softened and his eyes grew glazed.

Her gaze shifted from his and her chest fell in relief, it was so much better to see those soft brown eyes than the stone cold ones he'd glared at her. Suddenly her hand flew to her mouth.

"Your face," she gasped, hurrying toward him, closing the gap between them, trampling the helpless city.

She placed a tentative hand on Brad's jaw, feeling the stiff stubble against her fingers and his momentary shudder. The wall stood erect, he was that wall, and the realization of the futility of her prodding disturbed her, hurt her. She withdrew her hand and held it to her chest, her eyes bright and big.

"You really should look at that," she said, her voice not much louder than a whisper.

Brad shrugged, "it's fine."

His voice sounded choked and hesitant, "I've been punched before," he muttered.

"Yes but..."

"Excuse me," he brushed past her and went into the kitchen.

Mara remained rooted to the spot; it took so much out of her to be around him.

Brad came back out of the kitchen, the same scary scowl on his face a bottle of wine and a glass in one hand.

"I'm going to bed, don't join me," he said coldly, not even looking back as he ascended the stairs.

Mara went upstairs after a while, and stood near his door, leaned on the frame for a moment, then continued down the hallway to the guest room two doors down.

Locking the door behind her, she turned to the empty room, "I'm alone," she said.

There was the sound of muffled shuffling, a low thud then the closet door squeaked open and Trent's lanky frame emerged, a disgruntled look on his pale face.

Mara sat down on the edge of the bed with a sigh, turning her wedding band around her slim finger nervously.

"He's in the shower," she muttered.

Trent lifted his shirt and removed the gun from his waist band and placed it on the bedside table. Mara looked at it warily.

"I say we go in there and take him out, make it look like suicide... the bastard's almost jeopardized everything with his little sissy fit," he growled.

Mara gasped, "no, Trent. We need him."

Trent nodded thoughtfully.

"And he's already alerted the police," she continued.

Trent scowled, "he's made a fool of himself is all."

"Trent killing him now makes no sense."

Trent turned to her with an evil smile, "don't worry sweetheart, not just yet."

Mara took a deep breath, "but you can't stay here, it's too risky."

Trent narrowed his eyes at her, "and you're willing to run things on this end by yourself?"

Mara shrugged, "he's my husband, I know him. If you stay, sooner or later he will find out that he isn't the only man here."

Trent frowned thoughtfully, but his suspicious gaze didn't waver, "but can you do it?"

"I can," she assured him.

"And you'll check in with me twice... no three times a day?"

Mara took a deep breath, her heart was racing. This could be it, a chance to finally get out of this mess, with Trent gone she was sure she could figure something out.

"I will."

Trent leaned toward her, his cold eyes holding hers, both hands pressed on either side of her legs.

"And you'll do as I say, all that I say?"

Mara hesitated, she felt as though he would swallow her with his eyes, like he could see her every thought, it unnerved her, considering what she was actually thinking.

"Sure," she replied, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

Trent smiled, that slow, mischievous untrusting smile of his and pulled away. He straightened up and towered above her.

"Fine, I'll leave when Mason starts to snore."

Remaining true to his word, once all sounds ceased in Brad's room and they could hear his momentary snores, Trent slung a bag across his shoulder and Mara accompanied him downstairs.

As he stood at the back window – that was partially hidden by the tall, leafy ornamental shrub and hence the most suitable escape route – he turned to look at her and brushed his thumb against her cheek. Mara stiffened.

"By the way Mara, don't try anything , I'm watching you."

He turned and swung himself easily out of the window and crouching, quickly disappeared into the night.

Mara sighed, without him she felt so much freer, like she could breathe again but what was he talking about? She turned to the room, her eyes narrowed, and suddenly she felt like she was being watched.

"Oh crap," she muttered, he was still here.

Brad crawled out of bed the next morning; squinting his eyes against the powerful strip of morning sunshine that was bursting through a crack in the heavy drapes. He staggered to the bathroom, combing his hair from his eyes with his fingers and yawning loudly. For a moment he forgot all about what had happened to him in the past month , it would have been easy to believe that the policeman, the trip, Mara's lies were all part of some horrible nightmare but then to believe that would mean believing that Anna and Casey were a part of it too, and he couldn't think of them as playing any part in anything frightful or non-existent. The fact that Mara wasn't sprawled off beside him when he woke up should've been a reminder of the reality of it all; she'd never gotten up before him since they'd been married.

Brad replaced the lid on the toilet and flushed; the swishing, chugging sound echoed in the morning silence and cleared the fog in Brad's sleep congested mind. He was suddenly awake, and just as the water swirled in the bowl, the memories flooded his mind, making his limbs taut with anger and distrust.

He walked out into the hallway cautiously, it seemed caution had become a vital part of his life, a man knew his life was falling apart when he couldn't feel safe in his own house. As he descended the stairs he heard muffled stirring in the kitchen and he followed the sound, his brows furrowed confusedly.

Mara was flipping a jagged, burnt omelet in an already burnt frying pan.

"What are you doing?" he asked angrily, "where's Bertha?"

Mara turned to face him with an uncertain smile, "I'm making breakfast, I told Bertha to take a couple days off. You know just so we could work things out."

Brad tugged at his hair in annoyance, "you're not even supposed to be here, what makes you think I want to work anything out," he looked at the wretched omelet simmering in the hot oil and moaned, "you're not supposed to even cook, 'cause you can't."

Mara looked hurt as he leaned down and turned off the fire, he then plopped down on a chair at the breakfast table and picked up the paper, still frowning angrily.

Mara finished her experiment quietly, while Brad read, then she placed a plate in front of him and a steaming cup of coffee. Brad looked down at it from over his newspaper, a blackened, patchy omelet lay before him, he'd never considered the possibility of an unborn chicken dying twice, three lone crackers lay at the side of it, and a lone strawberry, looking just as miserable.

He looked up at Mara, who was looking down at her creation with an apologetic grimace.

"If you're trying to poison me, you are going to have to find a subtler way to do it," Brad said.

Mara huffed and planted her hands on her hips, "I can't believe you're still at that. Brad I did not try to kill you."

Brad got up and tossed the paper on the table. The bold headline stared up at them.

'Escaped convict, still loose!'

Underneath it were two blown up mug shots of Trent, with short black hair and a mischievous smirk.

Mara was looking at it calmly, but her heart had sped up and her knees felt like noodles underneath her.

Brad was rummaging in the over head cupboard, the one Trent had been fishing through just the day before; he muttered something and took out a bottle of vodka.

"This is the guy that tried to kill me, took my yacht, supposedly kidnapped you just to bring back my yacht and return you home," he said as he turned around and glared at her, "I don't know about you Mara but that doesn't sound like the actions of an escaped murdering con man!"

Mara sighed and went to lean on the edge of the counter, "well what do you want me to say?"

He looked up from opening the sealed bottle, "how about the truth!" his eyes were wild and the veins in his neck bulged menacingly.

Mara lowered her gaze and chewed her lips thoughtfully. Brad loved it when she did that, the pompous, stubborn, spoiled brat seemed to melt into a vulnerable, young woman with a working heart. But today Brad's heart was hardened against those little things that had made him fall for her in the first place.

"Tell me the truth Mara. What the hell is going on here?"

Mara looked up at him, her mind reeling with all the reasons she should tell him and all the reasons she shouldn't. She'd never seen him so angry before, at least not at her and she couldn't even begin to explain what it was doing to her. She shrunk under his wide, rage filled eyes, he looked so dangerous with his hair askew, the rugged beard extending from the bottom of his bold lips to the side of his jaw and chin, his eyes bloodshot from his drinking binge last night. His gaze was so intense it made her want to throw herself at his feet and confess everything, but there was a part of her that couldn't bring herself to do that, the stubborn, proud part of her, the part that believed she just might be able to fix this on her own, not to mention the underlying idea of Trent listening in on their every conversation.

"I..." she looked up at him with tearful, pleading eyes, wringing her hands.

"Save your tears Mara!" he bellowed, "all you ever do is cry. Be a woman for once."

He slammed the glass down on the counter top noisily, the clear liquid sloshed over his hands onto the marble surface.

She was sobbing now, tears streaming down her cheeks, her face red and crumpled.

Brad grabbed her shoulders and held her tightly, "tell me Mara now!" his rage was unsparing.

"Brad... you're hurting me," she cried,

"I'm hurting you?" he asked with scorn.

Mara took a deep breath to steady her nerves and looked him right in the eyes, her chin lifted defiantly.

"No," she said.

Brad looked stunned, "what?"

"You heard me," she said as she shrugged out of his grip, "you obviously don't want to have anything to do with me anymore," she sniffed and dashed her hand against her wet eyes.

"Leave then," he hissed, he regretted those words the moment he said them and his own cruelty tore at him like fingers being dragged through a fresh cut.

Mara looked dazed, her blue eyes big with shock and hurt, her lips parted; gaping. Then her expression hardened, her eyes grew dark and withdrawn, she pulled her lips into a tight obstinate frown, her nostrils flaring slightly.

"That's really what you want?" her voice was stiff, her expression guarded.

Brad looked down at his hands where they were on the table top, an awkward silence ensued. He hadn't meant to be so cold, yet he couldn't bring himself to make things right, to at least try to apply the salve of apology to a very deep, painful wound. The truth was that he wasn't even sure if he meant it, he didn't know what he really wanted, he couldn't mouth it because he didn't know what it was.

"So this is what you think of me huh? A pathetic case of self remorse, a piece of garbage that you can easily dispose of huh, one thing goes wrong and you immediately jump to the idea that I, I Mara, your wife of three years, that I would try to kill you."

Angry, black tears coursed down her cheeks and she took up the paper and swiped it across the table, sending the saucer with the cold burnt omelet and the cup of coffee to the floor with a loud, angry crash.

Brad flinched, his surprised gaze quickly shifting from the mess on the floor to the glaring woman before him.

"I was being very gracious to you before, for once I was the woman you wanted me to be, but nothing is good enough for you, so you fling it in my face, all my efforts, my servitude.... I painfully endured your cold shoulders, your fits of anger, your physical attacks on me...." She looked up at the ceiling in aggravation, "and you... you'll always be too good for me. But you know what..." she stomped her feet for emphasis, "I will not bow to your every desire, from now on it's about me, starting with me not complying to your bold, rude, selfish request."

She turned on her heels and stalked out of the kitchen, sniffing and swiping her hands against her wet cheeks.

Brad grunted as he turned and picked up the wet glass; with shaking hands he lifted it to his lips and took two great gulps, it was like air to him now and Mara – she was the water that threatened to drown him.
Chapter 11

Derek parked outside the entrance to the yard and walked up the drive. He admiringly brushed his hands against the beautiful white orchids that lined one side, separating the rich green lawn from the stone driveway. The ripe open petals, dancing around him, perfumed the air with its light fragrance. Derek closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the cool breeze swirl about him.

The white house standing amidst these rows of beauty was probably half the size of Brad's house but he thought it was the most beautiful building he'd ever laid eyes on. He was so enveloped in the landscape that for a moment he'd forgotten what he was here for.

Eventually, he made his way to the front door, knocked and waited. There was no reply. He shifted his weight impatiently and looked about him; then he peeped into the window through the drawn curtain. The house was well furnished from what he could see, and quite homey with varnished mahogany chairs and sensible gold upholstery. He straightened up and turned toward the yard, and heard a low humming sound coming from behind the house.

As he stepped off the veranda the sweltering heat overwhelmed him, stinging his head and neck and with it came the feeling of dread. He had no idea how he would go about doing this, all he knew was something had to come out of it, he considered this as he made his way to the back.

He found the source of the humming. Someone dressed in long sleeves, faded, baggy jeans with a red bandanna tied on their head, stood with their back towards him. The source of the noise was the weed-whacker they held which was scattering sharp pieces of grass all around the yard. Derek winced and lifted his arm protectively over his eyes as a few escaped pieces were lashed against him. The nipped like tiny prickles.

He took a step back and called out, "excuse me!"

"Hello!" he tried again, trying to scream above the roaring machine.

There was no response.

Derek backed away until he was safely away from the flying grass bits and then dropped his arms with a resigned sigh.

When Anna turned around her heart leapt at the sight of a man sitting against the wall of the house, looking at her. It took her a while to recognize who it was but when she did her spirits sank and her defenses were immediately drawn up.

She shut off the weed-whacker and placed it on the ground next to her feet.

"What do you want" she asked, removing her grass covered goggles as she made her way toward him.

Derek's head shot up and he jumped to his feet, dusting off his trousers as he did. He wore an uncomfortable smile as he made his way toward her.

"I'm sorry," he chuckled, "been waiting for you to turn around to see me. Didn't make sense trying to compete with that," he motioned to the machine on the ground behind her, keeping his eyes away from hers.

Anna's blank stare and indignant frown sobered him and he suddenly realized that this wasn't going to be as easy as he'd thought; there was obviously still some tension from the last time they'd met.

"I'm sorry..." he rubbed his head thoughtfully, "I tried the front door, there was no response."

Anna pursed her lips and dashed the back of her hand against her sweaty forehead, "if you think you're gonna accuse me of anything on my property you've got another thing coming," she was strangely calm when she spoke.

Derek gapped, then squinted at her, his head jutting forward slightly, "I... I..." he paused and swallowed hard. He had never imagined apologizing would be so difficult.

Anna took of her gloves and stuffed them into the back pocket of her jeans, "what's the matter Mr. Reed? Cat got your tongue? Where'd all that charm and charisma go?"

Derek grunted, "look am sorry alright. It was really rude of me to have even suggested... what I suggested."

Anna looked at him for a long unnerving couple of seconds and for a moment Derek thought she was going to take the route of torture by forcing him to give her a play by play review of his embarrassing behavior. But instead she smiled; her face seemed to come alive, bright, like a ray of sunshine had been injected into her cheeks.

Derek gapped again and there was a strange feeling inside him, as though his stomach had lurched and his heart had given up beating for a moment.

"I... I..." he stammered, not entirely sure what he was trying to say.

Anna smirked, "would you like a drink Mr. Reed. It's really hot out."

Derek nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

He followed her into the house, and as he stepped into the living room the smell of freshly baked bread drifted toward him.

"Oh wow, homemade bread!" he exclaimed, with a broad grin.

Anna looked over at him and smiled pleasantly. Again his stomach did a somersault and he leaned against the couch and folded his arms above his racing heart.

"Would you like a slice?" she asked.

She was bare feet, having removed her boots at the front step, yet still quite disheveled; which made it hard for Derek to understand how she was having this effect on him.

"Oh I wouldn't mind," he said trying to sound nonchalant.

"Have a seat, I'll be right back," she said.

Only when she had left could Derek relax. He leaned back against the cushions and exhaled, all his energy seemed to have been drained from him in that short moment. He was confused, he'd never been so wound up by anyone like this, maybe it was the embarrassment of facing her or the fear of a soured response. What was even more disturbing was the fact that she'd accused him of being flaky; of course he probably deserved that after calling her a con artist – indirectly.

"Calm down man," he whispered, "you're acting like a teenager."

When Anna returned she was dressed in the same faded jeans, but had replaced the stained long sleeves for a plain white t-shirt with no sleeves and her hair was pulled back, revealing the smooth curves of her oval face, but she didn't look any less unkempt as she did when she'd left.

"Sorry about that," she said, through a sigh.

Her voice broke into Derek's snoozing brain and dragged him back to a state of consciousness; he realized he must've looked like a complete fool sitting there staring at her with his jaw loose like a semi retard, but she was so overwhelmingly beautiful even in her faded jeans and torn t-shirt. It's not that he hadn't noticed back in Trinidad, it was just that a man's mind is set on different things in the presence of his troubled best friend, he tends to be more protective first off – at least that was Derek's take on it.

Anna led Derek into the kitchen and made him a sandwich while he sat at the dining table, looking at her with a distracted expression on his face.

"You didn't clean up," he said suddenly.

Anna turned around with a surprised expression on her face, "excuse me," her tone was daring, insulted even.

Derek gathered that she wasn't asking a question, in fact he was quite sure she'd heard just what he'd said and it didn't make him in the least bit comfortable.

"uh I was... I thought... you know," he pointed his thumb over his shoulder and shrugged awkwardly.

"It's nothing. Never mind."

Anna glared at him as she placed a saucer with a very wholesome looking sandwich in front of him and a glass of cool Mauby, they clattered before him noisily, making him jump in terrified anticipation. Then she sat down in the chair adjacent to him with a glass for herself.

"I'm sure all the other ladies you encounter just duck and powder their noses every time you look at them," she said snidely, "but I really don't care what you think... Mr. Reed and am not gonna take a shower just 'cause you're here. I just want to know what you want."

Derek looked up at her, his tongue working the soft whole wheat dough and ham about his mouth, savouring the combination of sweet, salt and starch, as well as the time it gave him to gather his thoughts and not make a complete fool of himself again. He finally swallowed and took a long drink of mauby, which he put down with a contented sigh.

"Is this the canned one? It sure doesn't taste like it; by the way call me Derek."

Anna stared blankly, "it's from the bark, homemade," she said in a crisp monotone.

Derek grinned, "I'm so missing my grand ma right now, what a treat," he looked up at her with cool brown eyes, "thank you very much."

Anna nodded, "now about my question," she persisted, glancing at her wrist watch.

Derek nodded, his jaw working on another mouthful.

Anna leaned back and took a sip of mauby. Derek was beginning to aggravate her, she looked out the window at her partially cut lawn, she had planned to finish before noon so she could start pruning.

Derek noticed her quick change of mood and realized that he was probably not as charming as he thought.

"It's about Brad," he said finally.

The impatient look in Anna's eyes faded and they acquired depth, making her brown eyes appear brighter and bolder than they were seconds ago.

"What about him?" she asked.

Derek shook his head as he swiped the paper napkin across his lips; he then squeezed it into a tight ball.

"He's slipping, I'm afraid he might lose himself again."

"What are you talking about?" Anna asked; her brows furrowed in confusion.

Derek shifted uncomfortably in his chair, then sighed, "a while back, Brad had this drinking problem. He's a problem drinker, whenever things go wrong in his life he turns to the bottle. I thought he was over it but a few days ago I went to his house, he'd downed a bottle of brandy, two bottles of wine and a half bottle of vodka in a week."

He pulled is chin thoughtfully, "he's on the verge of becoming an alcoholic if he isn't already."

Anna sighed, her face drawn with concern, "I spoke to him two days ago, he seemed fine."

She looked away and they were silent for a while.

"But what does that have to do with me?" she asked suddenly, almost annoyed.

"Brad's always had a soft spot for women and you and Mara are the two most influential ones in his life right now and I figure if one's driving him to the bottle... or bottles," he paused and leaned his head to the side thoughtfully, "then the other one can keep him from it."

Anna gave a dry chuckle, "I don't know what Brad told you about me and him but..."

"Please Anna, we're all he has right now... and he's not listening to me."

Anna pursed her lips thoughtfully, "what do you suggest I do?"

"Come back with me."

"What? No!" and she shot to her feet, "Derek, that's a ridiculous suggestion," she said, reaching for his plate and glass.

Derek spread his arms and shook his head helplessly, "just think about it, you can't help out over here," he said, getting up to follow her to the sink.

"With you around Brad would have something else to occupy his mind."

Anna squeezed a bit of dish washing liquid onto the sponge and squeezed it into a bowl of water.

"I can't occupy his mind Derek, he has a wife, that's a recipe for disaster right there."

"Come on Anna, I wasn't thinking about it that way. You're just a friend giving a supporting shoulder."

Anna paused and took a deep breath, "you don't understand Derek, it's not just about Brad," she turned pained eyes on him, "I'm gonna be setting myself up for trouble."

"Oh? But don't you have a boyfriend or something?" he looked confused, his eyebrows arched quizzically.

"What? No. He's just... we're dating. Why am I even answering you? Who told you that anyway?"

"Well to answer your first question, I'm just an irresistibly charming guy who you absolutely can't say no to. And secondly, your kid told Brad who might've spilled it during a drunken stupor over you... you know, 'moving on with the doctor', so..." he shrugged and grimaced.

Anna rolled her eyes and started scrubbing at the saucer that wasn't even dirty with an annoyed grunt.

Just then the front door opened and Mike's heavy footsteps could be heard. His low grumble of a voice was heard in response to Casey's high pitched question.

"It's time for you to leave," Anna said, turning an aggravated gaze upon him.

Derek lifted both hands before him protectively, "sure, sure," he said, "but you haven't given me an answer."

Anna turned and yanked open the creaking kitchen door, then she turned to him, "I'm pretty sure I did," she said, inclining her head to the outside.

Derek sighed in resignation, and made his way out, "alright, but I'm here if you change your mind."

Anna narrowed her eyes at him and slammed the door in his face.

It was a cold, cloudless evening and Anna wanted to be alone. She sat on a wooden bench under a flowering flamboyant tree, with rich red petals littering the ground around it, now dim in the fading light. She sniffled and wiped the tip of her reddened nose with a paper napkin she'd picked up from the dinner table, now crumpled and soggy with her tears.

She wasn't crying because her date with Neil had turned out to be a complete disaster; she was crying because she felt that he might actually be right. They'd been on a few dates before this, but this was supposed to be 'extra special' according to Neil. He'd picked her up in a borrowed car, well decked off in a crisp, Khaki suit, with shiny brown leather shoes and a fresh hair cut, and he was grinning from ear to ear. But Anna couldn't fathom the unwavering feeling of dread, lying right on the floor of her stomach like an anvil, that rendered her ridiculously quiet, that took the taste out of her mouth and the charm out of her company.

Neil was oblivious to her soured mood and continued to chatter all through the soft jazz instrumental that accompanied their dinner, until their orders arrived and Anna could hardly get it down. Noticing how she looked indifferently at the food as she scattered the salad with her restless fork, he looked over at her with a frown and motioned to her plate.

"What's the matter? Not what you wanted?" he asked.

Anna shook her head and tried to smile, "oh no... I mean yes. It's fine," she replied.

Neil looked unconvinced, his fork perched over his half empty plate, "you sure?"

Anna nodded and took up a tiny forkful of lasagna which she stuffed into her mouth and chewed with a smile.

Then came the scary part; the dreaded highlight of the evening. Anna knew what was coming the moment he set his charming gaze on her, and she squirmed under his bold look of admiration.

"You know Anna I've been looking forward to a night like this for a long time," he chuckled, reaching across the table to take her hand.

Anna flinched a little, she wasn't prepared for that, as a matter of fact she wasn't prepared for anything Neil was about to say. Her muscles grew taut with fear of what was coming.

"I mean it's no secret how I feel about you, I think everyone knows," he smiled.

Anna grimaced.

"I really want to take this relationship to the next level," he smirked.

Anna stared at him; there was nothing particularly wrong with Neil. She looked at him and she saw a handsome, stable, passionate and serious man, in another place or time she would've probably jumped at the opportunity, but something scared her, something kept her from being able to accept him.

He was looking at her expectantly, his charming smile still in position on his face, his hands still holding hers, which had now gone cold with apprehension.

"Uh... Neil," she sighed, "I... can't."

It was hard getting those two words out, even harder was watching the joy disappear from his face, as sheer disappointment and confusion took its place.

"What?" the disbelief in his voice tore at her.

He withdrew his hands from hers awkwardly and leaned back, shaking his head in disbelief, "I don't get it," he said, "what's wrong? Am I pushing to hard...I mean it's only been four years!" he blurted.

Anna winced, she knew his reaction was more out of hurt than cruelty but it didn't take the sting out of it. He was right, four years was a long time for a man to pursue a woman, only to get a lame "I can't" without knowing what it is he was about to ask.

"There are just some things in my life that..."

"Get over it Anna. Please don't tell me this is about that guy you had hanging around. Is it because he's your child's father, is that it?"

"I don't..." she started.

"Or maybe you just don't know how to let go and move on with your life. I've been hearing the same old nonsense for the past three years you kept beating around the bushes."

Anna gapped, she was speechless. How was she supposed to respond to that? Not that she wanted to, she wanted nothing more than to crawl under the table and stay there until they turned the lights off.

"Come on Anna what is it? Do you find me that repulsive? Am I not rich enough for you?" he looked directly at her a look of genuine hurt on his face.

"Of course not!" she exclaimed, "You're a wonderful guy, it's just I...." she sighed and looked away, then she turned and looked at him, focusing on the bridge of his nose, "I don't know what I want."

Neil clasped his hands and looked away, his jaw hardened angrily a grim expression on his recently smiling face.

"You know what? Fine, just... forget it, I'm outta here," he said sullenly as he rose from his seat and tossed the napkin down on the table, refusing to look at her.

"Good night Anna, can't say I had a good time" and he walked stiffly away without even glancing back at her.

Hence the reason she was now sitting under a tree, wallowing in self pity and remorse, taking a moment to cry and be the pitiful woman she felt like sometimes. In her current state the last thing she wanted was to meet anyone, especially Derek Reed and she didn't expect to neither, which is why she was rather surprised to find him standing above her, looking down at her with a worried expression.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Anna looked up at him, he was a white shirt on a shadow in the pale moon light and shade of the flamboyant tree but his voice was like a soothing breeze.

"I'm fine, just go away," she urged hoarsely, trying to hide her tear stained face from him.

He stepped forward and came around to sit next to her, she got a faint whiff of axe and a spicy after shave. He was simply dressed in a lime green shirt jack with the first two buttons undone, revealing a chain with a gold ring resting on the centre of his chest, the light from across the street bounced off it giving it inspiring qualities. His grey slacks and leather slippers gave him a relaxed air so unlike the pompous, rich boy look he usually flaunted.

"Did your date stand you up?"

"No."

He looked away thoughtfully then turned back with an air of urgency and revelation, "he cheat on you?"

"No," she replied again, her tone revealing the preposterousness of it.

"Okay, he lied about the fact that he likes men?"

"What? No! just stop," she cried in annoyance.

"Well you know I won't until you tell me what that bastard did to make you cry."

Anna looked over at him suddenly, surprised at the sincerity in his voice and even more taken back with the boldness in his eyes when she looked at him.

"It's fine," she said her tone softer and more accepting than before, she shrugged and looked away, "he didn't say anything that wasn't true."

Derek reached over and touched her shoulder lightly, when she looked at him he was wearing a reassuring smile.

"It's alright," he said, "I didn't like him for you anyway."

Anna smiled, "yeah sure."

They sat in silence for a moment, letting the night fall around them, listening to the rustle of the trees, feeling the gentle evening breeze caress their skin.

"Derek?"

She looked over at him as he turned to face her, his face solemn and thoughtful, "yes?"

"I'll go back with you... as long as you're paying."

Derek smirked, "paying? Baby girl I got my own jet."
Chapter 12

Mara was heading out the door when Brad called out to her. She twirled, facing him with her flawless, porcelain face, masked with indifference and her ridiculously large sunglasses.

"What?" she asked curtly, her hand bag dangling from the length of her arm, held out like a stiff branch.

"Where's Bertha? You left the kitchen in a mess!" he yelled, jabbing his hand over his shoulder in the direction of the kitchen.

Mara smiled stiffly, "no darling, we left the kitchen in a mess."

"I'm calling Bertha," Brad growled as he hurried to the phone.

He had already started dialing when Mara stopped him, "She's in the back," she said with a smirk, "getting all her things."

"What?" Brad looked at her with wide terrified eyes.

He turned and started frantically toward the door leading to the back room, only to suddenly stop and turn to Mara. Her hand was already on the door knob, about to leave.

"And where are you going?" he asked sharply.

Mara sighed in exasperation, "not that it's any of your business, but I'm going to plot with my convict partner on other ways to drive you insane. It's my new ploy; make you cuckoo until you stop breathing."

Brad looked at her through narrowed eyes, trying to decide whether that was just a mere sarcastic, smart mouthed remark or a subtle confession. The ridiculousness of it was clear, there was no way Mara would just confess that she was collaborating with a killer to end his life.

They stood there staring at each other. His eyes narrowed suspiciously, his hands in fists at his side. She was poised at the door, her perfectly manicured hands resting on the shiny door knob, a mischievous smirk on her pouted shiny pink lips, her readable eyes hidden behind the dark glasses.

"You guys have fun then," he said.

Mara nodded, her lips pursed bitterly and she yanked the door open, "figures," she muttered and with a toss of her blonde hair, disappeared behind the thick doors.

Brad found Bertha in the back, tossing her things into a bag and cursing under her breath.

"Bertha, what are you doing?"

The rotund woman, with the graying bun and high cheeks turned to face him, her face puffed up like a hovering rain cloud.

"What does it look like? I'm leaving," she said as she bent down and scooped up her bag.

Brad looked frantic, "just for the weekend?"

She brushed past him, "no, your wife fired me," she said.

"No!" he reached for her hand, "you're not fired, she can't fire you," he cried in desperation.

Bertha stared at him blankly, "I guess I should mention that I've just had it with you people. I've had just about enough of this house, you, your self-absorbed, crazy wife and your nasty kitchen."

She marched out of the room and into the living room area, pausing only to scoop up a knitted throw pillow she noticed on the couch, "yes this is mine," she muttered and carried on her way.

Brad stood at the door and watched her leave, a frantic look on his face. He knew Mara did this just to spite him, she knew how much he valued Bertha. He stepped backward and slammed the door shut and turned around to face the empty house, the silence was as deafening as a fanfare.

Trent let Mara into the hotel room and closed the door behind her, "no one followed you right?"

Mara shook her head, as she tossed her hand bag on the chair nearby and started to remove her coat.

Trent fell upon her suddenly, pressing the nozzle of the gun against her temple, "you pull another stunt like the one you just pulled and I will put a bullet in you, you hear me?"

Mara whimpered, completely surprised and terrified, "I don't know what..."

"Shut up!" he hissed, "I ain't stupid, I heard you hinting Mason before you left. You're lucky he's a damn idiot or they be picking your pretty little head of the ground to stuff it into a body bag."

"I'm sorry," Mara sobbed, "I'm sorry."

Trent removed the gun from her head and turned away from her, "don't let it happen again," he said.

She sat down, her limbs weakened by the sudden burst of fear Trent had exposed her to, and she dropped her head into her hands.

"So what next," he said.

Mara took a deep breath, gathering her wits again, "I think the divorce is a good idea."

Trent turned on her, his eyes flashing, his grip on the gun tightening, "what did you say?"

Mara lifted both hands toward him, "just listen to me. If I divorce him, I'm sure we could get more out of him than if we jack him."

Trent took a step toward her, "I'm listening."

"We don't have any children so I'm entitled to a half anyway and with the way he's been acting lately, especially with that police stunt, I can get more if I play hard ball, plus he'll be subjected to the kind of torture that would please you."

"You mean the kind of torture that would please us."

"No Trent, you're the one that's getting a kick out of this, he's my husband and I... I love him."

Trent chuckled, "save that for the police men, I've been listening to you guys. The guy hates your guts, he doesn't want you around. I'm kinda surprised he ever loved you in the first place, sure didn't take much to get him to hate you."

"Shut up," she said stiffly, not even daring to look him in the eyes, "are we doing this or not?"

Trent lifted the gun and pressed the side of the barrel against his pursed lips, "nah," he said nonchalantly.

Mara gapped, "why? It's a great idea Trent, everybody wins."

Trent nodded, "exactly. You get your big alimony cheque, Brad gets rid of you, I get a cut and we all move on with our miserable lives, only one problem there," he looked at her with a dark evil smirk, "I don't like happy ever afters."

Mara looked away, feeling all her self control and assurance slipping away, her hold on the situation was slowly falling through her fingers like sand and soon she would just be another insignificant chess piece in Trent's evil little scheme. As versatile as the queen is, she could never out do the significance and power of the king.

Anna sat silently next to Derek as he drove, staring out at the passing scenery. It had been a long time since she'd left the island, so she could understand how awestruck she was at everything she had been seeing since they'd landed.

She turned and looked over at Derek, he was unusually quiet compared to the way he was going on, on the plane. Now he just drove in silence, grimacing as he focused on the road, his hand resting on the side of his neck.

"You alright?" she asked.

He glanced over at her but didn't turn, "what do you mean?"

"I don't know; you're awfully quiet."

He shrugged, "it's nothing," he said.

"What's wrong with your neck?"

He looked over at her suddenly and winced. He jerked it back to focus on the road, his face crumpled in pain.

"Had a run in with a cop," he said.

Anna regarded him thoughtfully, she had expected some smart mouthed response, or a humorous change of subject, but he was unnervingly serious today.

"hmm you are inappropriate but I never pegged you as the law breaking kind," she said, trying for the kind of light banter he seemed to have perfected.

He smiled the kind of smile that didn't go beyond the lips, "it's actually a really funny story," he said.

Anna listened as he recounted the events that led up to his sprained neck, with a look of concern on her face. Derek tried his best to keep up the element of humor with dry chuckles, and exaggerated facial expressions but Anna wasn't feeling it. The concern she felt for him and Brad was too much to look upon their experiences with laughter. Not to mention the fact that she was a naturally grave person.

"You should rub that neck and put your brace on," she said in her mother's tone.

Derek chuckled, "sure nurse Wright."

"Well I'm not really a nurse, I'm a receptionist at the hospital."

He turned to her stiffly and graced her with a disarming smile, "I know."

Anna blushed; it was his sincerity that undid her. "Wait, why are we pulling over?" she asked, frantically looking about them.

Derek turned in his seat and was attempting to reach the bag on the back seat, "relax," he said, "I'm just following orders."

Anna leaned forward and reached the bag he was struggling to get and tossed it on his lap.

"Thanks," he mumbled, reaching into it and removing a blue tube of muscle rub.

"Here let me."

Derek looked at her smiling face, then at her outstretched hand and after a brief moment of awkward staring and waiting, he placed it in her hand.

Anna squeezed the gel into her palm and leaned over, applying the cool ointment to his strong neck, rigid with strength, stiff with the built up tension from the long flight.

"Wow you do a better job than my secretary," he said with a grin.

Anna chuckled, "what is it with you business men and your secretaries?"

He shrugged, "they're like our corporate mama's," he said matter-of-factly, "well some of us, for others... you know how it goes."

Anna sighed, "I always think that I would have a problem with my husband being especially close with a woman like that, especially one he spends most of the day with."

"I don't think you should," he said with furrowed brows, "I think a woman should trust her husband enough to believe him when he says, 'baby she's just my secretary'."

"And how often is that true?" she leaned back and reached for a tissue from the box on the dash board.

"How many guys are you planning to marry?"

Anna looked at him, right into the golden depths of his peculiar eyes, "Just one," she said.

He smiled, that slow charming smile, that seemed absolutely magical, "then you better make sure he's the right one, that way you won't have to worry about no secretary."

They continued to stare at each other, oblivious to the fading light and the sound of vehicles zooming past. Derek smiled and lifted his neck brace to Anna.

"Brace me, will you?"

The original plan was to check Anna into a hotel before going over to surprise Brad, but they hadn't catered for time running out so soon. It was dark when they drove into the neighborhood, and they were proud of their quick change of plans.

Derek drove up the long curvy driveway and parked at the entrance of the house. Anna was looking up at it, duly impressed.

"Nice place," she said, "Raj's done well."

Derek nodded and opened his door, "oh and about that name you just used, the wife doesn't like when other women know stuff about her husband that she doesn't."

Anna nodded, "that's an acceptable condition; don't know why she wouldn't know that name... but I'll oblige."

Derek walked up to the front door and stepped right in, Anna hesitated. He turned around and smiled at her.

"It's okay; I do this all the time."

Anna stepped into the house and was immediately taken with the ornate interior, the rich fabric of the drapes, the freshness of the carpet, the statues, and portraits and framed photos.

"Is this her?" she went over to the fire place and picked up a framed photo of Brad and an extremely beautiful blond, with big bold blue eyes. Both were looking directly at her, their eyes dancing, their smiles wide as they clung onto each other like the young love struck couple they must've been then.

"She's beautiful."

Derek came and stood behind her, "yeah, so was Jezebel."

They found Brad in the kitchen, hunched over a bottle of brandy with a bunch of papers scattered on the table top, the half empty glass pressed against his forehead.

"Hey man," Derek greeted.

Brad glanced up at him momentarily then returned to his sad posture only to jerk his head back up suddenly. His eyes wide with shock.

"Anna?"

Anna shrugged, "hey," she greeted with a strained grin.

He slammed the glass down on the table top with a bang as he swore, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"What are you doing here?" he asked huskily, not daring to look up at her.

Anna took a deep breath, "I came to see you."

"Why? I told you I would be fine," he blurted, still looking at a spot on the table that must have held some importance to him.

"You're clearly not," Anna said, her voice a little louder than a whisper.

Brad looked up at her now and he whimpered, tears streaming down his cheeks to his trembling lips.

"I never wanted you to see me like this."

Derek's face was ashen, as he shifted his weight uncomfortably, it was now occurring to him that he might have gone about this wrong; that this might be the worse idea he's ever had.

"Let's go Anna," he started to say, but she was already making her way toward Brad.

"It's alright, we all have our rough patches," she soothed, bending down to embrace him.

Brad leaned against her, clinging to her like a child. Derek felt like a third wheel, like he was witnessing something he was not supposed to. Quietly he slipped out of the room, feeling like he could breathe again the moment he was out of their space. He sat down on the couch in the living room and bent his head over his clasped hands, he hoped this would work.

Anna was still comforting Brad, trying to think of the best thing to say to him in his given situation - when Derek said he was messed up he hadn't explained the extent of his situation, if anything, they'd both underestimated it. She lifted his head and combed her fingers through his hair.

"Tell me what's going on with you Raj."

Suddenly the side door was yanked open and a strong cold gust of night air burst through the kitchen adding a chill to Mara's figure standing in the doorway, a look of suspicious confusion on her face.

"Brad?"

Brad took a deep breath and turned to face her, hoping his previous emotional state wasn't still evident on his face.

"Mara," he greeted.

But Mara's icy gaze was on Anna, who was looking back at her with a leveled coolness.

"Who is this?"

Brad hesitated, he looked up at Anna, who glanced down at him a warning look in her eyes, and then he looked back at his wife.

"I've been meaning to tell you..." he started.

Anna gripped his shoulder in panic, "don't," she warned.

Brad ignored her; he rose to his feet and looked directly at his wife, whose look of suspicion had faded into terror.

"I have a child Mara," he said coldly, "and this...this woman here is her mother."

Mara gasped. Anna gapped, lifting a hand toward Mara, "wait before you freak out. My daughter is eleven, Raj... I mean Brad didn't know until some weeks ago..."

"Raj? Who the hell is Raj?" Mara's eyes fell upon Brad, "Who are you?" she cried.

Derek dashed into the kitchen, "oh man," he muttered, hurrying to Anna's side, "she's with me," he said.

"Cat's out of the bag Derek," Anna said.

He grimaced and bit his knuckle, "this can't be good."

"Mara, now don't do anything stupid..." Brad warned.

Mara looked frantic, "me? It's always my fault huh, I lied, I cheated, I tried to kill you, you can't trust me. I'm a piece of trash and you're.... you're just perfect aren't you?"

Brad was suddenly at a loss for words, why was he suddenly feeling guilty? Why was her pained expression tearing at him? Why did he feel like the most horrible person in the room? It was supposed to be her, she was the bad guy. Was she?

He suddenly wanted to say something that wouldn't hurt, something that wouldn't accuse, that would calm her and make her regard him with those pleading, loving blue eyes again, but nothing came. He just stood there like a fool, while his friends watched him take the axe to the final pillar of his marriage.

"Are those divorce papers!" she shrieked.

She reached down and scooped up the papers that were scattered on the table, and her face grew paler, her expression grave. Mara shook her head in disgust, her hurt was evident in her eyes, the eyes that Brad could read like a book, that he understood more than anyone else. Then she turned with a huff and marched back out into the chilly night.

They stood in silence, hearing the angry rev of her engine as she pulled out of the driveway. Brad turned to Derek.

"I think I handled this really bad."

Anna glared at him, "you think!"
Chapter 13

Derek and Brad sat on the couch like two school boys, watching Anna pace angrily from one side of the living room to the next.

"This is a disaster," she muttered.

Derek nodded, still not daring to speak. Something about her demeanor warned him that the sound of his voice might be the last thing she may want to hear. He glanced over at Brad whose face was like stone and he suddenly felt like he was at odds here.

"It's my fault, I hope she doesn't do anything stupid," Brad moaned.

Derek sighed, "we have no idea what she is capable of. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

Anna turned and glared at them, "well what do you two expect. A woman walks into her house, finds her husband in the arms of another woman, who he then announces has a child for him and then she sees divorce papers laid out before them. How do you think you would feel?"

Brad pursed his lips, "you're right, Mara has a right to be angry."

Derek shook his head, "now this is not what I had in mind, it's turned into a... nightmare...

"Just a nightmare? Brad's wife thinks I'm some sort of scarlet woman, a home wrecker!" Anna interrupted.

Derek grimaced, "yeah and I'm sorry 'bout that. Look we're all tired, let's just turn in for the night. Anna we need to check you into a hotel, you look really worn out," he reached up, undid the clasp on his brace and pulled it off. He slowly leaned his head from left to right, testing it out a little, looking like a robot.

"Let's go Derek," Anna picked up her jacket.

Brad shot to his feet, "wait no, please I've got plenty of room, you can stay here."

Anna shook her head, "no Brad, when your wife comes back I don't want to be in the way again and make her ill impression of me concrete."

"Well let Derek stay too, that way you won't feel too uncomfortable."

Anna looked over at Derek who shrugged, "it's not a problem for me."

"It's okay Brad, thanks but... I can't stay here. Let's go."

Derek opened the front door and stepped to the side, "after you my lady," he mocked, wiggling his brows playfully.

Anna scrunched up her nose and stepped inside, her stiff posture and frown revealing that she was still angry about the turn of events.

"Hey we couldn't have foreseen that there'd be no rooms available in the hotel of our choice, or that the other one was a total flea bag, and all the others are too far away," Derek coaxed as he tossed his jacket aside.

Anna turned around to face him, "I should've booked one in advance," she said with a sigh. She walked about the room, perusing the careful design and expensive décor, "you've got a nice place, not a touch of woman."

Derek chuckled, "let me guess, it doesn't meet your standards?"

Anna smiled tiredly, "its fine."

Derek walked toward her and smiled down at her, his eyes were considerably thoughtful and his expression compassionate. Then without warning he reached out and drew her into a warm, embrace. Anna leaned against his chest, she was a bit tense at first completely taken of guard, then she relaxed and leaned into his strong arms and broad chest. In that surprising embrace, she could feel some of the tension of that night oozing away. Derek felt likewise.

When they separated, Anna looked up at him quizzically, "what was that for?"

Derek shrugged, "I've wanted to do that since you accepted my offer. Not many would've done what you did."

Anna's eyes narrowed with playful mischief, a look Derek had come to realize was the prologue to her flirting. It wasn't something she did often, and he doubted she was aware that she did but she wasn't bad at it either.

"Why didn't you then?"

Derek smirked and shifted his weight, not daring to take his eyes of hers, "you didn't look as sweet as you do now, you're extremely cute when you're tired, I just couldn't resist."

Derek was no novice, he'd had his fair share of practice, but none of it could've prepared him for Anna's sudden shift of mood. He noticed when her eyes glazed over, all playfulness gone and in that instant he felt his limbs go weak with disappointment and a hint of relief. Anna didn't know it, but he wasn't that kind of guy and he was sure she wasn't that kind of girl, he hoped his actions didn't make her think so.

Anna dropped her gaze and stepped back, "I'm really tired," she mumbled, and turned away.

Derek pointed toward the closed dark wood door behind her, "bedroom's that way."

As she turned and sauntered wearily toward the room, he called out after her, "and staying at Brad's would've been inappropriate huh?" he mocked.

Anna turned around suddenly and stuck her tongue out at him, tauntingly.

"Yeah, that's real grown up Anna."

Mara turned in her makeshift bed of cushions on the floor and looked up at Trent's sleeping figure on the bed above her. She could tell by the steady sound of his breathing that he was fast asleep; still she didn't trust him, not even his breathing. Trent unlike other normal good natured human beings was a seasoned con artist; Mara had seen him feign sudden sickness, to kindness, to death. So she gave him another fifteen minutes before she crawled out from under the itchy quilt.

She tiptoed to the bed and looked down at him to make sure, then she quietly reached for the butt of the gun peeping out from under his pillow. Trent stirred and Mara froze, she had no idea what she would do if those cold eyes opened upon her now, but he didn't wake up, instead he turned and snuggled his pillow with a sigh. She made her way to the bathroom quietly, gripping the gun tightly in her sweaty hands and pulled the door behind her.

Coming to Trent after her brief altercation with Brad wasn't something she'd planned out, even now as she stared at her miserable reflection in the cloudy mirror she couldn't understand why. Brad's announcement did hurt her, not to mention the fact that she had to find out he was leaving her, had a child and was cheating on her all within the same time frame. She sighed, she'd successfully quelled Trent's hungry advances for now but she knew that he wouldn't stop trying to win her over, he was a persistent man and she wasn't foolish either, she knew that she was part of his revenge package since he broke out of prison.

When she turned up at his door earlier that night he wasn't pleased at first, not until she'd revealed her emotions, in a sudden fit of rage and humiliation.

Trent had yanked open the door with a look of utter annoyance on his cold face, "what's all this racket about?" he had hissed.

Mara had then shoved past him into the motel room, and sat heavily on the bed, "I hate the bastard."

Trent had smirked as he was making his way toward her, clad only in his shorts, his ridiculously thin torso, pale and marked with scars.

"I can see the animosity surging through you, and I have to admit I find it very..." he had lifted her chin with a calloused finger, "attractive."

Mara only slapped his hand away and turned up her nose in disgust, "don't even bother Trent. I can't deal with you and your fantasies right now, I just... I need a place to crash alright."

Trent had glared at her then, "get off my bed."

He hadn't returned to bed without tossing the stiff quilt at her and one of his pillows.

Now she stood at the bathroom sink, gun in hand, hair in a mess, make up less, puffy eyed, with absolutely no clue what was coming next. One thing was certain though, and that was the self pity, guilt, hatred and disappointment she felt as a result of her failed marriage. In a motion of impulse she lifted the cold weapon to her temple and undid the safety, her slim trembling finger resting on the trigger. She bit her lip and sucked in her breath and waited, but nothing happened, it took a moment for her to realize that nothing could happen without her making it. Resigned, she lowered the gun and sighed, it occurred to her that she would probably never develop the guts to kill herself; if she had to die prematurely someone would have to do it for her.

She walked out into the room boldly, using her sudden disregard for her life as a moment of courage. Calmly, she raised the gun towards Trent's sleeping figure and she regarded him with a devious smirk, her head cocked to one side with an air of authority and self assurance.

"Get up!"

She turned off the safety and snapped it on again, the menacing click sounded awfully amplified in the quiet room, and as she'd suspected Trent shot upright his angry gazed locked on her. Mara's knee wobbled and her courage wavered momentarily, just long enough for her to remind herself that she didn't care whether she lived or died right now but would prefer to get something out of it instead of merely dying.

"How does it feel to be on the other side of things," her voice was chilling, debatably uncertain.

Trent chuckled, but the wary look was still in his eyes, "you're not gonna shoot me."

Mara looked at him thoughtfully, "I'm now realizing how pathetic vulnerability is."

She lowered the gun and Trent's eyes widened, "Mara?" he warned, his voice hard and threatening.

"Yes Trent," she responded almost playfully.

"Okay what is it you want?" he said, finally dropping his voice to a calming whisper.

Mara's grip tightened on the weapon, "I want you to call off the guns," she said.

"What?"

"You heard me. The plan you had, the men you called... to kill my husband. I want you to pick up the phone and call them off."

Trent hesitated, "but you hate him..."

"Now!"

She reached over on the dresser and picked up the silencer he'd tossed there that evening and screwed it on skillfully.

"In my spare time I always go down to the shooting range, and given my lack of profession I've had a lot of spare time."

Trent smiled despite himself, "you are so devastatingly hot right now woman," he said with a flirty smile.

"So would this gun if you don't pick up that phone."

Trent reached for the phone slowly, "he's not gonna take you back you know."

"Don't really care. Dial the number."

Trent's movements were slow and exaggerated, and very annoying to the fidgeting woman looking at him.

He picked up the phone and started to punch in the number; then he glanced up at her and grinned mischievously.

"You know, it's very easy to tell when you're distracted," he said.

Mara frowned, "What?"

"Like now..." he swiftly picked up the phone and hurled it at her.

Mara gasped, her eyes wide just before it connected with her forehead. She staggered backward, her head reeling and Trent was on her in what felt like a millisecond. He yanked the gun from her hand and shoved her to the floor.

Mara looked up at him in terror, her hand pressed to her forehead, her face contorting in pain, blinking against the tears and dancing twinkles in her vision. Trent smiled deviously.

"Your eyes always give you away," he rasped and with one whack with the gun butt, she passed on into oblivion.
Chapter 14

Brad sat in reeking solitude, hated, misunderstood, rejected. Condemned by his own guilt and self loathing, disappointed in the results of his actions. He looked around the room, richly decorated but bland, without seeing he knew how desolate the rest of the house looked, he felt abandonment quaking about him.

He hadn't slept. He kept thinking of his wife walking out on him and the irony of his pain, as the thought of losing her became more concrete in his cluttered mind. He'd had it all planned out, but his plan wasn't effective, nothing made sense, just like every other idea he'd had that had ended in disaster, it had felt right at the time. But how could hurting another be right? How could winding up alone be right? Derek and Anna promised to be there for him, but as always at the end of the day they had to go home, simply because it was ridiculous not to. All that would remain are their words; their promises, hovering like unfulfilled dreams, soundless, void, and distant. Even now he could hear Anna's voice, like a whisper, like the wind suddenly forming words of human comprehension, so airy that for a moment he attributed them to something else.

"The lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; nor his ear heavy, that it cannot hear."

She'd told him that the night before; he was actually surprised he could remember it, considering he was slightly drunk, he couldn't even remember the first one she'd told him, but it was strange how they seemed to foreshadow the next disaster or emotional crash, it might've even come in handy if he believed in that kind of stuff, but right now he didn't know what he believed in.

Brad slumped against the pillow, sliding on his back until he laid supinely, the sheets askew beneath him. He looked up at the white ceiling, flawless and calming. He'd only failed each time he tried to fix it on his own... but he didn't fail, look at all his accomplishments, his job, his house, his cars, his wife but did he? Aren't they all subject to destruction, weren't they all threatened by one man with nothing but the clothes on his back?

He gripped his hair and tugged at it, aggravated, confused, humiliated by his own insignificance, his failed efforts; his constant defeat.

"Aren't I a joke?" he muttered, suddenly overcome with a strange kind of self loathing.

"I'm a big joke," he snickered.

Gradually, his smile broadened into a face splitting grin and his eyes burned with tears of hysteria, and his chuckles bubbled over into unrestrained laughter.

"I am a ridiculous man!" he yelled, "utterly foolish!"

He turned on his side and curled himself like a fetus, his knees drawn up to his forehead, his arms hugging his chest and he laughed tearfully.

"Mr. Mason?"

Brad jumped and sat up instantly, his face red with embarrassment, "Camille!"

The tall, dazzling brunette stood in the doorway looking at him with wide eyes of concern and surprise. Her fingers gripping the folder she held against her chest tightly, a hint of discomfort on her round face, she looked like someone who was beginning to feel they were witnessing something they shouldn't, yet held by a string of obligation and purpose to face it despite.

"Are you alright?"

Brad swung his legs over the bedside and tried to smooth his messy hair, feeling caught and devastatingly ridiculous.

"Yeah... um..." he turned and smiled up at her, his face strained, "my wife left me," he announced.

Camille pursed her lips, her eyes suddenly sad and understanding yet strangely distant, "I'm sorry sir," she walked up to him and placed the folder next to him, giving him a brief pat on the shoulder.

"We've missed you at the office, these are some documents you need to sign... of course I can hold them off until you're up to it," her demeanor and tone was cautious, Brad knew the awkward situation he was putting her in.

As he'd tried to explain to Mara on several occasions, Camille was made for an office, she was made for meetings and angry clients, her pin striped suit and her no nonsense stilettos was as much a part of her as her arms. All she was ever concerned about was business; she was always out of place in anything else that required emotional exertion, such as sympathy.

"Leave them, I'll get it done."

She hesitated, "do you uh... want to talk?"

Brad looked up at her and smiled, "it's alright Cam, I've got it all under control okay."

She nodded, "sure."

She wasted no more valuable working hours with the crazed boss, not that Brad minded, she was just another reminder of how pathetic his life had become, she was just another one of those reliable yet expendable people he surrounded himself with. Ironically, the one thing he never could've gotten rid of was the very thing he did.

He sighed and fell back onto the bed with frown, it seemed the only thing he had left were Anna and her scripture verses. He got up after he gave himself a moment to come with an excuse or an idea that would cancel out his act of desperation, and went to his bureau and removed a box wedged on the side of his clothes. He opened it as he made his way back to his bed and removed a brand new bible, still in its protective plastic from the store. He unwrapped the leather bound book with the gold engraving on the face and turned it over in his hand it was supposed to be one of those easy to understand ones, Derek had given it to him more than a year ago. He opened it and flipped to the first book.

"Genesis chapter one," he muttered, "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Feeling ridiculous, he shut it and tossed it aside and laid back down, interlacing his fingers behind his head and staring up at the blank ceiling.

"You idiot!"

Derek pulled the cover from over his face and looked up at Anna through squinted eyes, his lips pouted in annoyance.

"What's wrong with you woman?"

Anna was glaring down at him; her hands perched on her hips, her brows drawn in anger and annoyance. Derek suddenly felt like he was looking up at his grandmother, like he was due for a beating he very severely deserved.

"What'd I do now?" he turned stiffly and pulled himself up into a sitting position.

"Why didn't you tell me you didn't have an extra bed?"

Derek frowned, "you didn't really give me a chance to."

"You shouldn't strain yourself like that with that neck, you could have told me."

He chuckled, "that's what this is about..."

"No, I was actually coming to talk to you about something else and ... I found you like this," she waved her hand about her.

Derek smiled, "It's alright, I'm fine. I actually do have two bedrooms, I just kind of felt like crashing on the couch. You know, you worry too much."

He tossed the covers aside and flexed his neck, turning it slowly then leaning from side to side cautiously.

"It's fine see."

Anna relaxed a little, but the worry line between her brows didn't fade, she was still looking down at him as though waiting for him to snap his neck and cry out. Derek stared up at her with a mocking smile.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Anna sighed and came around the couch to sit on the recliner opposite it, "it's Raj, he called here this morning sounding really strange, then he apologized for waking me and hung up."

Derek frowned, "probably wanted to tell you something but changed his mind."

"I'm pretty sure he was looking for you..." she looked away with a troubled frown, "I shouldn't have answered your phone, that was very forward of me, but my mind was so foggy with sleep I didn't have the time to think about it."

Derek smiled reassuringly, "it's alright, I don't think Brad would mind if you crashed here for a night."

"Oh I think he would, he's a very jealous guy."

Derek scoffed, "big deal, you're your own woman not his, where you spend the night – as inappropriate as it may be – is entirely up to you."

Anna looked thoughtful "you're right. I'm not his, Mara is."

"That's the spirit, you both need to move on and stop this nonsense."

"And one other thing..." she got up and returned to the bedroom.

When she came back she tossed a battered, thumbed bible on the coffee table. Derek looked at it blankly, his fingers still clasped below his chin as it was when she'd left him.

"And a sister Charlene called," she was watching him closely but he wasn't giving any indication that anything she said rang a bell.

"Your mind must've been really foggy," he said mockingly.

Anna glared at him, "The answering machine took it, I'm surprised you didn't hear it. Anyway she wanted to remind you about the Pastor's birthday party, apparently you had to bring the drinks."

Now he nodded, "yep."

"Yep? You lied to me and all you can say is yep."

Derek looked up at her now, his brows drawn, "what'd I lie about?" he asked with wide spread arms.

"Don't play dumb with me!"

He got up and picked up the bed sheets, "Anna I don't know what's gotten into you but it's really beginning to bug me."

"Why are you talking as though you know me?"

Derek turned angry eyes on her, his jaw set, "so what, you're the only one that gets to read everyone else and make your assumptions, based on what? The way I dress, how I walk, talk, my overall demeanor?"

"Why did you lead me on to believe you were some kind of chauvinist heathen?"

Derek shook his head in dismay, "That's what you assumed Anna, I never led you to believe anything."

"How long have you been going to church?" she asked suddenly apologetic.

He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, his hands clasped in his hands, thinking about his response; just how much he should tell. With a sigh he lowering his gaze to her and he shrugged.

"I... got baptized at sixteen while I was living with my grand ma, then my drug addict mother came back to live with us and brought her old 'habits' too. My grandmother died of a heart attack when I was almost eighteen, stuck it out with my mother – whose guts I hated by the way – until I was almost nineteen got involved with some ... bad people. Then I wound up in the hospital at twenty two after one of my home boys ran me over, fought for my life for ... a while ... I uh guess that's when I realized I'd been a fool for giving up on God when he never gave up on me," he looked away for a moment and scratched his chin, "I wasn't supposed to live but I did, and unlike a lot of people with miracles I knew exactly why."

He shrugged and got up from the couch, "been serving God ever since."

An awkward silence ensued, Anna looked down at her hands and pursed her lips, Derek looked at her expectantly.

"I'm sorry... I'm such an idiot," she muttered.

Derek smiled and reached up to cup her face in his large hands, lifting her eyes to his, "relax Anna Wright, you don't always have to be right."

She chuckled, "I really am."

He nodded, still holding her gaze, he dropped his hands to her shoulders, "I know and I understand. There're not a lot of people we can trust to say who they are and be honest about it, I'm not very trusting of people myself, mother wasn't exactly a model. And I guess sometimes I tend to push an idea of myself onto others that isn't who I really am, I'm not the best representation of honesty," he smiled, "so thank you Miss Wright for calling me on my foolishness, you had me rethinking a lot of things since the day I met you."

He let go of her and reached down to pick up his sheets and Anna felt uptight again, it surprised her how just his warm touch could calm her often racing thoughts, how her temperament remained constant when his golden gaze was upon her. Now she could feel the tension she'd been carrying around easing back between her shoulders, all the drama with Brad, her constant concern for Casey and on occasions like these her confusion over what she felt about Derek.

Derek, as though sensing the spiral of her thoughts turned around and graced her with one of his slow warming smiles.

"Say I was wondering, since you're scared as hell of Brad's place...

"I am not..." she interrupted incredulously.

Derek grinned, "it's me Anna, you can be honest with me. Anyway, as I was saying, since you're here, how about coming along with me to that party, it'll be fun."

Anna smiled, "I'd love to."

"I'm not asking you on a date or anything right?"

She gapped, "why would you think that I would think that?"

"Oh shush, I saw you checking me out last night," he teased with a wink.

Anna blushed as he disappeared into the bedroom, his sheets tucked under his arms.

The party was at a house not far from Derek's place, and before they could enter they could hear the sounds of excited celebration; laughter, boisterous chatter and music. Anna was helping Derek up the front steps with the large cooler of drinks, when the front door was opened and a voluptuous woman stood in the door way, a wide welcoming grin on her face.

"Well, look who decided to show up, ya late as usual little boy!" she called out.

Derek smiled and bent to kiss her on the cheek when they were near, "hi Charlene," he greeted.

The woman's eyes trailed to Anna, who was looking up at them with a pleasant smile on her face.

"Oh my... is this the entertainment?"

To Anna's surprise and further confusion, Derek laughed out loud, "now that's just typical of you Charlene," he looked over at Anna with a proud grin, "Anna's a good friend of mine, just brought her along to meet the family is all."

"Don't matter what you say, she's still gonna be the entertainment. Y'all better come on in."

She stepped aside for them to enter and then came in after them and closed the door. They stepped into a living room of activity, two teenagers were sitting on the floor looking frantically up at the television screen, their game consoles held tightly in their hands, while the others standing around or lolling off on the couch and chairs cheered them on loudly. When they realized they were no longer alone they looked up at Anna and Derek, the confusion on their faces as certain as the loud crashing noises emanating from the television.

"Greg, don't just sit there like a big ole polar beer, hibernation's over, come take this cooler here and take it to the kitchen," Charlene commanded.

A heavy set man with a jiggling stomach rolled of the couch lazily and waddled toward them while the others stared, the only sounds coming from the neglected game. Anna looked over at Derek, who shrugged and smiled.

"Hey ya'll," he greeted animatedly, stepping down to join them.

With Derek's greeting, sounds of life were injected into the room, as they reached up to shake Derek's offered hand or to respond to his humorous greeting, skillfully directed at each individual. That seemed to take their mind off the strange woman standing at the front of the door, wringing her hands nervously.

"Come on people, the party's by the pool!" one of them yelled.

Everyone started getting up from the living room and filed out the glass door leading to the back yard, the source of all the music and commotion.

Derek turned to Anna and offered his hand with an alluring grin, "shall we?"

Anna took his hand and they went out to join the others. The back yard wasn't very huge, it's most grand attraction was the bean shaped pool with the slide for the children and the diving board about six feet above the water. As the group from the living room thinned out before them, more curious gazes locked onto them, and they could see people leaning toward each other conspiringly.

"We don't have to stay long," Derek whispered, leaning down so no one else could hear.

"Why, 'cause you think their blatant staring disturbs me?"

Derek frowned, "doesn't it?"

Anna shook her head, "please, I was my neighborhood's hottest topic for most of my adult life."

Derek squeezed her hand, "you don't have to feel like that here," he said, "their just curious about you being here with me."

Anna blushed, and shook her head, "I still don't understand the...."

"The entertainment joke? That's typical of Charlene."

Anna frowned, "why would you bringing a lady along be entertaining?"

Derek smiled, "let's just say most of the single ladies have seen me as ... well potential husband material. I mean I got the right age, a good job, a place to live, all that seems to be missing is that special woman. I have never shown interest in that however, no matter how many of them tried to settle me, so it would be quite funny to see me here with you."

"So there's never been anyone special in your life?" she asked, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

Derek smirked, "Oh yes, there was someone. She was an ambitious lawyer, I was an ambitious business man... it didn't work out."

"You don't look very torn up about it."

He shrugged, reaching for two glasses from the passing waiter, "I've had enough time to get over it. Besides she was right, we both needed to focus on our careers."

Anna frowned, her brows drawn in confusion, "so uh..." she paused and looked about her.

Derek waited patiently.

She looked at him again and took a deep breath, "so Derek um... what are we doing here exactly?"

He shrugged, "we're having a pool party."

"No I mean, what are we doing here together..."

He chuckled, "Anna I don't get it. I invited you and you said yes, what else is there?"

Anna rolled her eyes in exasperation, "never mind Derek."

His smile faded from his face and he grew very somber, he reached for her arm just as she was about to walk away. "I'm playing. I know what my intentions are I just don't know if I should tell you what you already know."

Anna frowned, "Derek you're confusing me."

He turned to look directly at her, his eyes unnervingly thoughtful, "we both know Anna but if I were to be the one to say it, it might scare you away."

She gapped, "what... I ..."

He reached up and gripped her arm with his hand, forcing her to look him right in the eyes, "I've seen or rather heard what happened to you and that doctor and I ain't gonna make the same mistake. So you tell me Anna, what are we doing here? How do you really feel about me?"

Anna hesitated, her eyes bright with fear, her palms had suddenly grown clammy and she was suddenly uncomfortable and anxious.

"I... I guess I..."

Derek was looking at her eagerly, his grip on her arm growing tighter with anticipation. He'd never been so excited about someone like this before, but what disturbed him the most was that he knew that whatever she said right now had the ability to break him completely or make him into the man he'd been afraid to become for a long time.

"There you are!" came Charlene's shrill greeting.

They both jumped and turned to face her with wide eyes, feeling like they'd been caught doing something utterly unacceptable.

"The pastor just arrived, we're gathering in the house for the birthday cake business, then ya'll can get back to the barbeque, the pool, the drinks and... each other," she gave them a mischievous wink and they both grew pale.

Anna looked over at Derek whose blush was just as evident as her own, he smiled uncomfortably and she could see him fighting to regain his usual composure.

"I'm sorry about that..." he started, after Charlene had left.

Anna smiled, "that's alright; we'll finish this later," but she silently hoped they wouldn't have to. She liked Derek but that was as far as she was willing to let her mind go.

The party was at its peak when Derek found Anna to suggest they leave. She was sitting in the living room with Charlene and some other ladies, the pastor's wife included, giggling over each other's jokes and to Derek's surprise and discomfort a photo album.

"What's that you got there ladies?" he asked nonchalantly, his tone belying his actual emotions.

Anna looked up at him, her face radiant with laughter; her eyes bright and dancing.

"You never told me you were a geek," she said with a wide grin.

Derek froze; an uncomfortable grin on his face, "yeah well I didn't see the relevance of that."

She laughed and pointed to the album on the coffee table, "I couldn't believe this was you."

Derek leaned down and looked at the photo of himself when he was about seventeen, his pants pulled right up to his waist, the multi colored shirt he loved so much, the afro with the curving pat and his least favourite; the thick framed glasses with the neck string.

"Oh come on Charlene," he moaned, "I want the girl to like me."

Charlene exchanged knowing smiles with the other ladies, "I don't think you need to worry about that."

Anna smiled up at him, "she's right you know, I think I like you already."

Derek grinned, "really?"

She smiled, "yeah, you had me at that blue waist coat."

Derek chuckled, "now you're just trying to be funny."

"Yes, yes I am."

They held each other's eyes for longer than was friendly. Derek looked at her dreamily, a smile still playing on his full lips. Anna held his with equal interest.

The ladies looked on with approving, knowing smiles.

"I uh... if you're ready we can..." he finally said.

"Oh yes," Anna jumped up from the couch and picked up her bag, "I need to get a room, before a wind up with no place to sleep again."

He nodded, "right."

"I'll walk y'all out," said Charlene.

When they were in the yard Derek lingered to kiss and embrace Charlene as Anna made her way to the car.

"She's a lovely girl," she said, cupping his face in her chubby hands.

"She really is a great person," he replied, "but we have to be realistic you know. I can't see how this is going to work after she returns home."

Charlene frowned, "young man you of all people should know that faith and sacrifice is a bigger part of love than logic," she wagged a finger at him, "don't mess this one up, and trust me it won't be that hard to. She's as messed up as you are darling." she reached up and planted and kiss on his cheek, "let this be a time of healing for y'all, healing and faith alright."

Derek smiled, "sure mama."
Chapter 15

Camille hurried into the office, panicked and flustered, "Mr. Mason, is everything alright?"

Brad turned to face her, a dark, angry figure standing amidst the destruction of his hands. Papers were strewn everywhere, folders, his glass pen holder lay in pieces at the foot of his desk, his desk was bare save for the lone monitor and keyboard that had escaped the angry sweep of his hands.

"I can't find her Camille!"

Camille took a cautious step toward him, "who?" she asked.

Shaking his head he sank into his chair and pressed his index finger against his cheek thoughtfully, "Mara. I've been calling her since Sunday. I can't find her."

"Well where would she go?"

He shrugged, his face still troubled and drawn, "call Derek will you?"

"Sir, is there anything I can do, maybe she has her car, we can use the GPS to track her maybe."

Brad looked up at her now, the preoccupied look in his eyes faded slightly to one of hope, "can you?"

Camille nodded, "I can contact Lee in the I.T department see if he can help us out."

"Do that, tell him it's urgent and that I said so."

She nodded sharply, "I'll call Mr. Reed as well."

Brad turned his chair to face the window behind him, there wasn't much of a view but it was as calming as any. He lifted clasped hands underneath his chin and sighed, she could be anywhere, he knew that, but he still couldn't help worrying. Maybe because his guilt was still gnawing at him, draining him of all his reason, since she'd walked out that day he'd felt like he'd suddenly aged. If something happened to her, as angry as he was with her, he would probably never get over it.

Derek came into his office a short while after, looking grave, "what's up man?"

"It's Mara."

Derek rolled his eyes, "what'd she do now?"

"She's gone, I can't find her."

Derek smiled, "well praise the lord!"

"For what!" Brad cried angrily, pounding the desk top with his fist, "I didn't want her to leave."

He leaned back with a worried sigh, "I... thought I did but I can't bear the thought of her out there mad at me, thinking I hate her and... I don't. I just... didn't want her to lie to me anymore."

Derek looked at him with a sad smile, "wow man, I didn't think so either. I really thought you wanted her to leave."

Brad looked up at him, "why would you think that?"

"Well I don't know, maybe it was the police man who almost broke my neck, or the drinking, or the constant complaining about her, or I don't know," he pressed his index finger to his chin in exaggerated, sarcastic thought, "maybe it was the blinking divorce papers you had out the night she came home!"

Brad glared at him, "I know, that was stupid, you don't have to rub it in."

"Brad what was going through your head. I'm your friend, you know I try to support you when I think you're right, or when I think it's best for you. And you led me to believe that Mara had tried to kill you, that Mara was a threat to your life, not once had you ever mentioned that you were still in love with her, that you were confused. I would've supported you man, I'd a tried my best to help you get through it and still manage to save your marriage, but you led me to believe there was nothing left for you."

Brad nodded remorsefully, "I know am sorry, I guess I wasn't sure myself. But now that she's gone, I'm starting to believe I was wrong."

Derek smiled and reached over to pat him on the shoulder, "it's alright bro, every thing's gonna work out. She probably just needs some time off, probably moping at a hotel somewhere, maxing out her last credit card, she'll come around."

"Yeah, I sure hope so."

"Alright, I got to get back to work. Hey maybe me, you and Anna can hang out later, I mean she did come here to see you."

Brad narrowed his eyes at him, "yeah right."

"Naw man I'm serious. I asked her here to see if she could help you focus again."

"Oh come Derek, leave that kind of nonsense for the ladies. I know she spent the night at your place, I've seen you two together. Don't try to turn it around and say it was all for my benefit, I'm a man too and I've seen the way you look at her."

Derek drew nearer to the desk and leaned over it, "and what if I do like her, do you have a problem with that?"

"What do you think this is? I'm not giving you hand outs. Anna's the mother of my child."

Derek sneered at him, "yeah you keep saying that, like it give you some sort of right over her, as far as I see it the only right you have is to your daughter. You lost the claim to Anna years ago, when you fell in love and married someone else. No, I take that back, you lost her long before that didn't you?"

Brad stood up and returned his angry stare, "you better stay away from her."

"We'll do what we please Brad," he straightened up and dusted off his suit dramatically, "and the next time you mention her, or think about her, just remember she is Anna Wright, a beautiful young mother, who loves God, an aspiring nurse, a gardener, a world class cook, a Grenadian, who just happens to be the woman who had your kid."

He turned and marched toward the door, he paused and turned to look at him, "we're all messed up Brad but I think that this is our time of redemption, it's our time to stop fighting through the thorny paths trying to keep up with each other, and make our way to the main road. We're at the cross road Brad, where all the roads meet and we can't wonder any more about what we want, we have to know what needs to be let go of."

He shrugged and picked up his jacket, "I'll be praying for you."

Brad fell back into his chair and dropped his head into his hands, everything was falling apart, what was he supposed to do now that his best friend was willing to ruin their friendship in order to have the mother of his child.

"Mom, when are you coming home? Are you bringing Brad with you?"

"I'm not sure honey, things are really hectic for your father right now, he barely has time to see me," replied Anna.

There was nothing she loved more than sitting here in her hotel room listening to the sound of her daughters voice, she'd missed her more than she would've imagined, and she knew Casey missed her as well, she could hear it in her voice when she complained of her uncle's cooking.

"But I'll be home soon don't worry."

She smiled at the sound of Casey's heavy sigh on the other line, soon didn't seem to be enough for her.

"Okay, I guess that will be fine," she said, "what about Mr. Reed, how is he doing?"

Anna couldn't help the wide grin that appeared when she heard Derek's name, it was weird how unrealistic certain aspects of their relationship was, yet when they were together it just felt quite right. Hearing Casey mention him had her thinking about how she would tell her, that is, if things got serious between her and Derek, and that made her think about Brad. How would he feel if he found out she was dating his best friend? But she already knew the answer to that, as a matter of fact she'd gotten up that morning with a feeling of dread and guilt, like she'd somehow betrayed him. She was so wound up by her emotions that she was a mess when she'd fallen to her knees and prayed for reassurance and guidance, she'd prayed until she was so overwhelmed she fell onto her face, her body being wracked with sobs, then the peace that comes with answered prayers swept over her and she was able to face herself and her troubled life again.

"Mom?"

"Oh yes," she hadn't realized she'd tuned out of the conversation, "I'm sorry honey. Uh... Derek's fine."

She took a deep breath and wrapped the phone cord around her finger nervously, "Case, I have something I need to tell you, please don't act funny, I need you to be mature okay."

"Come one mom I'm the most mature eleven year old in my class," Casey retorted with a snort.

Anna smiled, "of course."

"Well go ahead mom."

She took a deep breath and a moment to organize her thoughts, "well, I have a... uh... a date tonight..."

"Oh my gosh! Well that's great, since you and Dr. Manning broke up I've been kind of worried about you..." Casey interrupted.

"Well hold on," Anna cut in, only to frown and back track to her daughter's statement, "worried? Why would you be worried?"

"I just thought you... I don't know ... I was just worried about you that's all. So who is it?"

"That's the weird part, it's Derek."

She waited for a dramatic response but there was none, only the awkward silence that could only mean complete surprise.

"But you hate him," Casey responded finally, the shock still evident in her voice.

"Hate is a very strong word... we just didn't get along so well in the start, a simple misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? Of what exactly."

Anna frowned, it was a misunderstanding of beliefs wasn't it? It was merely a mutual failure to not assume the worst of each other. But now that she thought about it, it seemed utterly ridiculous, how could they come from enemies and accusers to going out on dates.

"I don't know," she said uncertainly, "I guess we just... uh ... like each other."

They chatted for a little while again about nothing in particular, not with Anna being preoccupied with her own confusing thoughts. When they finally hung up she drifted to the bathroom like a mindless clone of herself. Everything she did was automatic; she took a shower in slow motion, styled her hair like a robot with programmed settings, a thoughtful frown on her face. She dressed and turned to the mirror, her mind suddenly feeling like it was in connection with her body once more, but this time there wasn't uncertainty.

She'd made a decision it seemed, during her moment of disconnection, she'd decided that what she felt for Derek wasn't enough to form a relationship. The reality was that the moment she realized who he was she'd let down her guard and allowed him to affect her with his charm, there was no reason to guard her emotions, but just like with Neil she'd failed to clarify her desires in prayer and she'd learned from an almost destructive mistake years ago, that decisions made in haste and passion usually wound up in heart ache. This was exactly what she was doing again, it was a hasty, passionate, compensatory response to knowing she'd lost Brad for good this time, and she knew that if she were to hurt Derek the way she hurt Neil with her uncertainty, she would never forgive herself. It was better to remain a single mother and channel that love into her child than to try to feel better about herself through a relationship that she would not give her whole self into; that would be unfair to Derek, unfair to anyone who should suffer under half hearted love.

There was a knock at the door. Anna took a deep breath and answered it. Standing there with an unreadable but worrying expression was Brad. He gave her a half hearted smile that vanished as quickly as it came and handed her a bouquet of pink flowers.

Anna swallowed hard as her stomach did a sickening somersault and she tried to cover her disappointment with a stiff smile.

"Can I come in?" his voice was low and strained.

"What are you doing here?" she asked as he pushed past her into the room.

She shut the door in exasperation and turned to face him, her arms folded across her chest impatiently.

"Where's Derek?" he asked.

Anna shook her head in confusion, "why would Derek be here?"

Brad sat down and picked up a book she'd been reading, he turned it over in his hand with a blank expression on his face.

"I don't know, I just figured since you two were spending so much extra time together he might be here. You know, like you were at his place so early in the morning that time I called," he said with a sarcastic smile.

"You know you can be a real jerk when you try."

He chuckled and tossed the book back on the coffee table, "I'm not trying to be, Anna," he said with a sigh, "look am sorry if am coming off a bit crass, am just really confused about some things and ... I just don't have anyone to talk to. I know Derek isn't here, he's probably on his way I guess."

"What do you mean you don't have anyone to talk to? What about Derek, he's a great friend to you. Look I hope the fact that we're going out together doesn't make you feel uncomfortable with him 'cause I wouldn't want to ruin your friendship or anything," she said with wide caring eyes as she joined him on the couch.

Brad smiled, "no, well not entirely. I mean Derek's made up his mind that he's not gonna ..." he shook his head and exhaled, "we kind fell out, he walked out of my office this morning really angry at me so I doubt that option is still open, I don't even know if he still considers me a friend."

Anna gasped, "Oh my God, why would he do that?" she reached over and took both his hands.

"Listen to me Raj, I don't know what Derek led you to believe but this relationship is... well it's a mistake..."

"What? But I got the impression that you two were really serious," he said with a frown.

Anna started to respond when there was a playful knock at the door; she turned toward it, then toward Brad.

"I haven't really explained that to him yet, but I've been thinking about it and..." she got up and walked to the door.

"In a minute!" she called. Then she turned back to Brad, "you think he'll be mad?"

Brad arched his eyebrows, "probably, I know I would."

There was an awkward silence following his last statement, as Anna stared at him in confusion, what did he mean by that? Brad stared back, feeling a tad embarrassed at his thoughtlessness, he hadn't considered it inappropriate when he said it but now that he held her eyes he knew that they had both realized the underlying meaning to it now that it had been said.

The knock at the door drew them out of their moment and Anna turned to open the door. Turning her flustered gaze upon a handsomely dressed, smiling Derek. He arrested her with his charming gaze and handed her a fresh bouquet of white flowers then leaned down to plant a light kiss on her cheek.

"I thought red would've been a little to bold," he whispered.

It took Anna an embarrassing moment to figure out that he was referring to the flowers, she was even more distracted by his cologne, his smile, by his very presence, and by the time she could respond he'd spotted Brad sitting on the sofa.

"Brad?"

He eased past her into the room, "what are you doing here?" he asked with an angry frown.

Brad stood up and shoved his hands into his pockets as he took up an authoritative stance, a smug smile on his face.

"Hey Derek," he shrugged, "just thought I'd stop by to say hi to Anna, feels like ages since I've seen her."

Derek glared at him, "you knew we were going out tonight," he said accusingly.

"Not really, I did remember you saying we could all hang out."

"Yeah but..." he threw his hands up in exasperation and turned to Anna, "can I talk to you for a minute... alone."

She hesitated for a moment, glancing over at Brad uncertainly, "uh yeah sure."

They slipped out onto the balcony and Derek pulled the double doors behind them, "what the hell Anna?"

"Me? You're the one that neglected your best friend when he needs you the most, for what? Me?"

"That's what he told you? That little... he's acting just like his psycho wife."

Anna glared at him, "how can you say that, after all she's put him through."

"Don't go there Anna, he's as manipulative and selfish as she is!"

"Stop it," she warned.

"Did he tell you that he still loves her,"

Anna extended her hands, "so that's obvious, she's his wife."

Derek glared at her, "and where does that leave you? Alone on an island taking care of his kid, pining away over the love you lost and would never have again. Is this the life you want for yourself? Maybe not, but it's what he wants for you, because no one is ever good enough, not even his best friend, his best man. Because in his selfish world if he can't have you and Mara he'll have Mara and you'll have no one but at least then he wouldn't have to worry about you being happy!"

She looked up at him with tearful eyes, "how can you say these horrible things about your best friend," she said huskily, "who are you?"

Derek pursed his lips, "yeah you're right, typical woman. You turn me all inside out over you, mess up my head with your smile and your false hope and then you look at the love struck fool you've turned me into and you say you don't know me anymore. Like it's my fault I fell in love with you, like it's my fault I thought you felt the same way," he turned and looked over the balcony seeing nothing, feeling overwhelmed and betrayed and hurt and embarrassed and so stupid.

"I guess I thought you were a different kind of woman," he said with a voice thick with emotion, "but it appears all of y'all are the same."

He turned to face her again, his face crumpled with disappointment and hurt, "you guys have fun then, I'm through with this nonsense."

Anna followed him back into the room where Brad was unsealing the complementary champagne that came with the room, and watched as he walked heavily to the door. He paused at the door and she watched anxiously, hoping he would turn around, just so she could feel like he didn't really mean what he said, that it was just impulsive. But he didn't turn around and Anna felt her body go cold when he pulled the door behind him and the room was suddenly empty.

Suddenly she felt warm hands grip her shoulders, "it's alright Anna, like you said it was a mistake right," Brad said as he rubbed her shoulders reassuringly.

Anna was still staring at the door, "he loves me?" she whispered.
Chapter 16

The room was dark and cold, as quiet as a deserted prison on a solitary island. Mara turned on her bed of lumps and tossed aside the itchy sheets, wincing at the pain from her stale bruises, now dusty and dry, making the corners of her lips and her bruised knee caps painfully stiff, not to mention the stiff muscles in her back and the throbbing pain in her head. As she turned on the bed she tumbled off of it onto the cold concrete floor, groping in the dark she found that the mattress was probably the only thing in the narrow room.

She didn't know where she was, all she knew was that she had been moved twice. That night at the hotel, when she'd foolishly let Trent get the upper hand, she'd gotten up in a place near the highway, she was bound and lying in a corner but she could hear the sounds of vehicles zooming by, all oblivious to her distress. Two days later they'd moved her again, and foolishly she'd challenged Trent, only to be knocked out again.

Now she was here, wherever here was; she was alone, hungry, in pain and in dire need of a shower and a warm bed preferably with floral scented cotton sheets, and maybe, if she should dare; Brad would be lying next to her and he would be smiling that handsome smile of his, and his compassionate brown eyes would be looking down at her with warmth and love, like he used to before. Oh how she'd ruined everything she thought with a tired sigh.

Suddenly a door at the corner of the room was opened and light reached in, stretching into the room until it fell upon her battered figure, hunched in the corner atop the filthy mattress. Trent's figure loomed amidst the light, casting a shadow of dread.

"Hello Mara, sleep well?"

Mara cussed at him despite herself and drew closer to the cold wall behind her. Trent chuckled smugly.

"You've still got that spunk that I like so much," he flipped a switch and light filled the room.

Mara winced, squeezing her eyes against the powerful burning brightness. When she opened them again, he was sitting on the edge of the mattress, a plate with two slices of cold toast and a bottle of water lay between them. She looked at it longingly, licking her parched lips, she hadn't realized how hungry she was, not until she found herself drooling at two slices of toasted bread that were curling at the edge like pieces of rubber.

"You really screwed me over Mara," Trent was saying, as he took out a cigarette and stuck it between his lips.

"I really thought we had an understanding, but I guess a couple years of pampering and a little Indian attention made you all soft and sentimental," he shook his head and chuckled, leaning forward to light his cigarette on the match he'd drawn.

"Do you have to smoke that?"

Trent turned to look at her, took a long drag then exhaled a thick cloud of smoke; Mara gagged and covered her nose and mouth with her blouse.

"Don't worry dear, won't kill me for at least another... twenty years," he said with a diabolic smile.

Mara glared at him, "pity," she muttered, her voice hoarse and strained.

"That's enough time for me to enjoy the bounty of this operation and..." he paused and perused her with hungry daring eyes, "...if you're lucky, what's left of you."

"You bastard!"

Trent howled with laughter, throwing his head back and hooting with annoying terrifying tone of a jackal. He got up and blew out another puff of smoke, still chuckling.

"You remember what they used to call me back in the day?"

All Mara could do was glare at him.

"The guys used to call me the coyote, wanna know why? Because I was so hilariously evil!" and he reached into his pocket and took out his cellular, lifting it toward her.

"What are you doing?"

"Don't you wanna say something to your husband, a good old fashioned, 'help me!" would do," and he crowed again.

"You bastard,you won't get away with this!"

He shrugged and flipped the phone shut, "that could work too," and he sauntered to the door.

"Should I leave the light on ..." he pressed his finger to his chin in mock thoughtfulness, "nah don't think so... every penny counts," and with that he switched off the light, enveloping Mara in darkness once more.

It was summer. Hot and bright, the sweltering heat overwhelmed Mara as well as the realization that she would never be an actress, she just wasn't as good at it as she thought she was. According to her last rejection, she had the face and the body but the ability to land a role as a lead actress with any hope of a future in the acting business was absent. She'd gone home that night to her partially empty apartment that was falling apart around her and she cried. It wasn't the fact that she was a terrible actress that saddened her – she'd suspected that for some time now, but she wasn't going to give her father the satisfaction of being right – it was knowing that she was broke, running low on supplies from her last waitress job and very tired, tired of walking, or hoping, of lying and to some extent of working dead end jobs with no hope for advancement. It was around this time that she met Trent, a tall, thin man with a face like a hawk, not in the least bit handsome nor approachable. But she didn't have to approach him; he joined her at her table at a restaurant she was hoping to get a job at and though she was initially annoyed at his boldness, she soon warmed up to him. She was surprised at how self assured he was, and he had such a way with words, but it wasn't that that attracted her; it was the offer he brought with him.

She was hurrying away from the restaurant and from Trent, he proved himself to be alright but she wasn't in any position to think about guys and relationships now. As she turned the bend she started to relax and slow her pace and that's when she noticed him. He was leaning against an iron pole, with a smirk and a cigarette dangling from the corner of his lips.

" _Hey you," he greeted._

Mara glanced about her nervously then forced a smile, "hi... oh wow you scared me, how did... how did you get here so fast," she said with a dry chuckle.

Trent smiled as he moved closer to her, circling her like a vulture, "When I saw you at the restaurant you reminded me of something but I couldn't figure out what," he took her hand and held it in his, looking into her eyes with his snake like ones, "now I realize that you resemble a cat; cute, cuddly, you have that self assurance and sass, any woman that resembles a cat is sexy and very attractive."

He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed them against it, Mara blushed visibly, "you turn heads Mara...and apparently you turn pockets too."

At that Mara froze, feeling her body go cold with fear, "uh what?" she muttered, her voice trembling.

Trent lifted her hand and slid her purse from her arm, he opened it and removed a brown leather wallet, which he waved at her tauntingly, "a little too masculine for you don't you think. Don't worry, I won't turn you into the authorities, as a matter of fact let me offer you a chance of a lifetime. Your beauty in addition with your... boldness..." he waved the wallet at her, "...will make a wonderful addition to my team. So, how about it?"

Mara narrowed her eyes at him, "what do you do exactly?"

Trent smiled, "let's just say I twist the outcomes of everyday transactions," he stepped closer to her, his tall frame appearing more daunting at such a distance, "but with you I can branch off to a whole new ball game."

Mara swallowed hard, "would I be paid?"

" _Oh yes, you'll be paid more than any job you've ever had in this town, especially with this deal we're working on. So are you in?"_

" _Uh... yeah sure," she said with a smile, "yeah."_

Trent chuckled, "good, but we'll need to see what you're made of first" he reached into the wallet and withdrew a card, "call me tomorrow, your training begins then," he turned to leave then paused and looked back, "and another thing, don't you ever try to steal from me again."

" _I'm sorry I..."_

But he was gone.

Brad drove up to the house and parked in front of the entrance, he looked over at Anna, "don't worry am just gonna pick something up before we go, you don't have to come inside," he opened the door, "besides Mara hasn't come home for four days now, I'll probably be hearing from her lawyer."

"I didn't say anything Brad, just go get what you came for," Anna replied and turned to look out the window.

Brad sighed, "you've been sulking since that stupid fight with Derek, you said yourself that you didn't think he was the guy for you, now you're acting as though your life is over."

Anna looked over at him sharply, "well it's not, I'm fine Brad and you need to stop bringing up Derek."

He snorted, "how am I supposed to stop bringing him up, the idea of him hovers above us wherever we go. He's all you talk about, I'm taking you to a festival he promised to bring you for heaven's sake."

"For heaven's sake? Or your sake?"

Brad frowned, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just go get your stuff and let's go," she prompted.

"No, I want to know what you mean by that," he persisted, his right leg still outside the vehicle."

"Forget it Brad," she said, folding her arms across her chest and turning to look out the window again.

Brad swore under his breath and climbed out of the vehicle, closing the door behind him angrily. He stomped up the steps to the house and after fumbling with the lock for a while, entered the house, leaving the door open behind him.

Once he was gone, Anna climbed out of the car and walked to the edge of the driveway, there was a neat stone path along the evenly cut lawn leading to what looked like a green house at the far side of the lawn. Without thinking she headed toward it, her arms still wrapped around her protectively. She was still upset with the way she and Derek had parted, she couldn't believe that what had started with so much promise could end so dreadfully, now that she thought about it, maybe there wasn't that much promise anyway, their first meeting did end in words of fury, why shouldn't their last. Was that really the last time she would see him? She hoped not, she would so love to see him again before she left, even if it was for a little while.

As she entered the house of glass, a gust of sweet evening breeze greeted her from the open roof. Anna sighed contentedly as she beheld God's glory in his creations, and suddenly she didn't feel so rotten any more. She had always acknowledged signs of God's existence and power, she knew he was creative and a perfectionist but it was only later that she experienced his love and forgiveness.

She remembered the first time she'd fallen in love with the delicate beauty of flowers. It was a couple days after she'd found out she was pregnant, when she'd found out that a group of boys were looking for Brad, everyone knew them, and she wasn't stupid she knew that his life was in danger. It was during that time that she realized how everything was falling apart, how she wasn't just losing control of her life, but she was also losing the man she loved. Everything was weighing down on her then; the pregnancy, Brad's life, the church – since her mother's death they'd been looking after her like their own, and though it was thoughtful and much appreciated it was stifling to have every member of your congregation involved in your life. Anna had dreaded the day when they would find out, and she had become so overwhelmed with her fears of the future that she'd thrown herself to the ground and cried and begged God to forgive her and give her the strength to face the consequences of her own failure.

She'd stayed there for a while, her tiny frame being wracked with remorseful sobs, just lying in the grass behind her church. Then something strange happened and she'd never been quite able to explain it, she fell asleep and when she woke up she was greeted with the most relaxing smell, around her were blooming hibiscus, red roses and buttercup trees. She'd gotten up and walked back home, that night she courageously told her brother about her situation and went on to tell her pastor and soon her church, and most surprising of all she'd managed to let Brad go. Somehow she just knew that she was receiving the bounty of answered prayers, and she was soon able to mark that time of her life as a time of failure and trials and find her way back to God – her mother did warn her that being a Christian wasn't a bed of roses, and she was right, the beauty was in its triumph, which was sweet as a blossoming field of flowers.

She thoughtfully caressed a pink rose which hung over the side of a pot and she sighed, here she was again, this was another trial she had to overcome, she knew they didn't stop coming, but she knew that she couldn't allow herself to fail again, she was too far ahead in the race to fall down now.

"God, I've come to realize that I have no idea what am doing, and as always I forget and try to figure it out on my own. But I need you, as I've always needed you, help me to make the right choices here, help me to not just overcome but to help others overcome as well. Lord you have promised to turn the darkness into light, to make the rough place smooth and to never forsake me, and I believe you, just 'cause I know you never lie. Give me victory over my fears, Father."

She opened her eyes and exhaled deeply, and that's when she noticed from the corner of her eye a figure standing near the entrance. She turned to find Brad looking at her with an odd expression, his hand shoved deep in his jacket pocket.

"I hope am not interrupting," he said uneasily.

"Uh... no... what are you doing here?"

Brad lifted an eyebrow, "I should ask you the same question."

"Oh I'm so sorry, I just kind of drifted here," she replied growing more and more flustered.

"It's alright Anna," he chuckled, "you ready to go?"

Suddenly there was a low rumble above them and they looked up simultaneously at the now dark sky; terrifyingly heavy clouds had masked the sky boldly and were rumbling as though demanding their attention. They both gapped at the darkened sky, surprised at its suddenness.

"That's gonna be a huge one," Brad said.

A sudden shower burst from the pregnant clouds and Anna squealed with surprise. Brad ducked and grabbed her arm.

"Let's get inside!" he commanded.

Anna yanked her arm from his, "wait, that's way too heavy for these flowers, we've got to close the roof."

Brad stared at her in disbelief, "the gardener will do it," he said finally, "let's go."

Anna turned and went to untie the rope holding the roof up, "we're here, we can do it."

Brad rolled his eyes, both of them were now quite wet, "yeah sure," he mumbled, "let's save the flowers doesn't matter if we get a cold."

When they finally rushed into the house, they were thoroughly soaked, but bright with laughter. Brad removed his coat and shook it out, "you're crazy you know that, you're the crazy bird lady's sister; the whacky flower lady," he teased.

Anna laughed, pulling up her hair and wringing it into a tight bun, "and you're the brother of the ... uh angry dude that hates birds."

Brad howled, "you suck, after spending all this time with Derek you'd think you would learn something or two."

Anna struck him playfully, "whatever. Where's your bathroom?"

"Oh, use mine; everywhere else is out of supplies. Up the stairs, double door on your right, you can borrow a bathrobe."

"Thanks," and she dashed up the stairs, only to pause and turn back to look him with a wide grin "I'm sorry I made us mess up your carpet!" she called back.

Brad chuckled, "That's alright."

When Anna returned she was clad in one of Mara's old white robes, her clothes bundled together in her hand. Brad turned around from the counter where he was making some coffee and looked at her with a smile that quickly faded into discomfort. It made him feel guilty seeing her standing there in Mara's robe, but he didn't understand why, it wasn't as though he was doing anything wrong; they were wet and they needed to shelter and change.

"Uh... where'd you get that?" he asked, turning around so she would not notice his sudden discomfort.

Anna smiled, "in your linen closet, you told me I could."

Brad nodded but didn't turn around, "yeah okay," he mumbled.

She narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion, "do you want me to put it back?" she asked carefully.

Brad turned around suddenly, a smile pasted on his face, "what? No. It's okay, Mara hasn't worn that in years."

Anna gasped, "oh, Brad am so sorry, I'll put it back."

"No it's fine, please don't worry about it, here let me take that," he said, reaching for the wet bundle in her hand.

She drew it away from him, "no it's fine; I'll do it. I can do yours if you like."

He hesitated, looking down at her through narrowed eyes, "why are you always shying away from me?"

Anna frowned, "I do not," she objected.

"Yeah you do."

"Yeah well... that's only when I don't want to do, what you want to do," she replied.

"But you never want to do what I want to do," he whined.

Anna smiled, "there's nothing wrong with that, where's the laundry room?"

Looking forlorn, Brad gestured in the direction of the living room, "you'll see it," he said.

"And another thing Raj, I uh... don't drink coffee," she said motioning to the two cups on the counter.

"What? Since when?" he asked wide eyed.

"Since ever."

The weather only got worse that evening, as it turned out they'd been trapped by a thunder storm resulting from a minor hurricane on the coast. Darkness fell fast and it didn't take them long to realize that they would be trapped there for the night, with little supplies and after six thirty; no electricity.

Brad and Anna crashed in the living room, bundled in blankets drinking green tea and coffee, with mixed nuts and apples.

"I have a generator," he said, chomping on apple slices as he shook the nuts in his hand.

Anna brightened up, "great! Let's put it on, it's freezing in here," she was already rising to go.

Brad didn't move, "but I uh... don't know where it is."

She looked down at him with an unbelieving frown, "you're kidding right?"

He shook his head and tossed the handful of nuts into his mouth, then looked up at her as he chewed them loudly.

Anna sat back down and folded her feet underneath her, "how can you have a generator and not know where it is? No wonder your wife hired a hit man," she said in annoyance.

Brad stopped chewing and glared at her, "What's that supposed to mean?"

She looked up at him, "just what it sounds like it means. If you're this unconcerned about little things like what goes on around the house, how can I expect you to pay attention to important things like the little things that goes on in your marriage."

"Are you saying that this is my fault?" he flared.

Anna lifted both hands toward him in a calming gesture, "just hear me out for a minute, think about your marriage before all this killing and lying ideas came in. A person's marriage doesn't just fall apart suddenly, it starts with something."

Brad continued to stare daggers at her, his nostrils flared with anger, looking like the very epitome of rage in the pale light of the battery powered lantern.

"Come on Brad, I need your co-operation, I'm not trying to make you angry. Just try to remember."

He inhaled sharply and looked away, shaking his head obstinately, "you don't know anything about marriage, don't try to lecture me," he said coldly.

Anna leaned back against the couch and folded her arms against her chest, "you're right, I don't. All I'm good at it seems is having a child at seventeen with no father, no friends, no support, all I'm good at is watching everyone around me move on, get married, live happy for a couple years. I've seen marriages fall apart and have people turn on me with distaste and the same amount of animosity you're aiming at me right now, like I could have somehow foreseen it's down fall..."

"Anna what the hell are you talking about? Whose fault was it that your child didn't have her father around, it was you, you sent me away."

"You shut up, I knew this day would come, I just didn't know you'd be such a selfish, snob. It was your fault Brad, or don't you remember, don't you remember promising me you would stop? Don't you remember standing me up that day to go hang out with your friends? I was going to tell you but then I waited and waited and I didn't see you, and when I saw my brother rushing out the house, 'cause Mr. Moren's house was on fire and they saw some boys running from it, I knew it was you, I knew you stood me up to go have fun with the guys and that didn't cut it for me. I couldn't have a mischievous deadbeat with no goals in life as my child's father but I wasn't going to have a prisoner either, so I did what I had to do," by now the tears were brimming and her voice had become husky with emotion, her face contorted into distaste at the bitter memory of their parting.

"So don't you sit there, feeling all high and mighty in your grand empty house, with your grand unused furniture and put your failings on me. If it wasn't for me you'd probably be playing dominoes with the inmates right now."

She got up just as a flash of lightening lit up the room, illuminating her tear stained face, "you've got some issues Anna," Brad said, not daring to look at her.

Anna scoffed, "no Brad, you're the one that doesn't know what he wants, you're the one that can't face the consequences of your actions, you're the one that doesn't know where your generator is, neither your wife," and with that she disappeared quietly into the dark of the room.

Derek marched up the driveway, the spiky haired teenager hurrying after him, it was the morning after the storm and the air was pure from a night of tormenting purification. The blue blanket hovering above them, there was no sign of a dark cloud, or a trace of what had occurred last night, the sun shone brightly with a passion, like an insulted man given a chance to demonstrate his prowess once more. Below the beautiful restored sky, however was a state of discord; leaves from the stripped trees and debris carried by the travelling breeze littered the road and the yards, people were now swarming out of their houses like land crabs after rain.

Derek stood up at the foot of the steps with his arms perched on his waist as he perused the damage. The house appeared unharmed but the delicate flowers and shrubs surrounding the yard looked as though they'd been mauled. He kicked a rotten branch from the foot of the steps and turned around again, this time he winced when he noticed what was left of the green house. There was nothing left standing, the glass walls lay in splinters on the grass. He started to make his way toward it, thinking of how he'd asked Brad if he could put it up for him, only to be turned down so he could hire this other guy to do it. Derek had thought he was a flaky guy, he had no personality and apparently so did his work.

"Mr. Reed!" the teenage boy with the yellow spikes for hair called out after him.

He turned around, "what Yugioh?" he asked in annoyance, he didn't really know the boy's name but that seemed suitable enough.

The boy gestured to his side bag and spread his arms questioningly.

"I brought you here didn't I, just ring the door bell, if he's in he'll answer," and he turned back toward the shattered green house.

However, before the boy could ring the door bell, it was pulled open and Brad stood there looking down at him through narrowed eyes.

"What do you want kid?" he asked grouchily.

"Are you Mr. Brad Mason?"

Brad looked at him, then over his ridiculous spikes at the disaster in his front yard and he sighed, then he turned back to the boy, who was shifting his weight from one leg to the next impatiently.

"Yeah that's me," he replied.

The boy reached into his side bag and withdrew a brown envelope, "great, I have a package for you."

Brad took it and turned it over in his hand, there was no address whatsoever, "who sent it?" he asked frowning at the package in his hand.

The boy shrugged and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute, don't I have to sign something?" he asked.

The boy looked at him with an insulted frown, "I ain't no mail man," he said in annoyance, "all I know is some dude paid me to get this delivered directly to you, and he paid me well too."

Brad looked down at the envelope suspiciously; he hefted it and turned it over, with a suspicious frown. When he looked up again, the boy was already sauntering out the gate, that's when he noticed a car parked outside that looked like Derek's.

"Isn't that Derek's car?" he asked.

Anna appeared beside him, "Oh my! Yes it is. Is he here?" she stepped down onto the front porch and looked about the yard.

Brad followed her pulling the door behind him, still preoccupied with his confusion over the package in his hand.

"Don't you think that would be a little weird, considering he's not speaking with either of us," he said as he unsealed the envelope.

Anna glanced over her shoulder at him, "Derek not like that, his feelings were hurt, but he still cares. He probably heard you got touched by the storm and came up to see if you were okay," she said.

"There he is!" she announced excitedly.

Derek was walking along the side of the house, when he noticed her, his frown shifted into a look of surprise and just as quickly his face darkened with anger.

"What are you doing here?" he asked grumpily.

Anna smiled, "Good morning Derek. We got caught in the storm," she replied pleasantly despite his curt greeting and her gaze fell on the flower pot he held in his hand, with a thin stemmed flower bent over the rim, it's pink petals drooping to fall.

"Where'd you get that?" she asked gesturing to the potted plant.

Derek hesitated, caught between giving a civil response and maintaining his angry composure; he looked up at her and sighed.

"From the green house, it's the only one I found that looked like it still has some life," he replied begrudgingly.

Anna looked at him with an odd smile; that made him more uncomfortable than anything.

"Can I see it?" she asked.

He handed her the plant and looked away, knowing the power her smile and gentle gaze had over him. Yet when he tried to steal a look at her, he found her watching him, with that captivating smile of hers.

"It'll be fine," she said.

He nodded and pursed his lips, already held captive by her gaze. They both seemed unaware of Brad's presence, as they held each other in mutual silent captivity, but Brad was too taken up with the envelope to notice, too troubled by its contents to care.

"Oh my God!" he cried suddenly, his face had grown terrifyingly ashen.

They both looked at him quizzically, "what's wrong?" Anna asked.

Brad looked up at them, "It's Mara," he said, "she's been kidnapped."
Chapter 17

Brad sat hunched over on the couch, his hands gripping his hair is despair, it pained him to know that all this time she was the one who was in trouble and not him, that he was accusing her when he really should have given her a chance to explain. What was worst was that it was now he remembered that time she was almost going to tell him but she'd changed her mind, she'd seemed so scared.

Anna returned from the kitchen with two cups and placed one on the coffee table, then she sat down next to him and touched his shoulder reassuringly.

"Drink something, it'll calm your nerves," she said.

Brad shook his head, then obediently picked up the cup and took a sip, more to please her than anything. He replaced the cup on the coaster and went back to his moping posture, gripping his thick dark curls and staring at a spot on the table.

Derek came into the house, balancing his laptop and a bag of groceries. Anna got up and went to assist him.

"Did you get through to the police?" she asked when she met him at the entrance away from Brad's hearing range.

Derek handed her the computer and went into the kitchen, Anna followed. After he'd released himself of his burdens he turned toward her.

"He said he didn't want the police..."

"What? But...." Anna interrupted.

He lifted his hand to stop her, "just hear me out, we should at least know what we're dealing with and get our heads together before we do anything rash. We know there's been some kind of plotting going on in the background. Brad might've been a little over the top but he's not crazy and I don't believe he was wrong when he thought Mara was harboring that man here. It could all be a set up."

"Or not. Either way, for Brad's sake we need to get Mara back, let her tell us the story then."

"What makes you think she will?" Derek asked, growing annoyed at Anna's persistence.

Anna shrugged, "let's just say, I got a vibes from Mara. That night when she came here and found us, I didn't get the impression that she hated Brad. She was just hurt, she acted like a typical wife would who knew her marriage was falling apart and she was helpless to save it. She loves him Derek, and I've been praying about this for a long time, and I just know that she needs him now and he needs us."

Derek looked at her thoughtfully, "you're sure about this?"

She shrugged, "There's only one way to find out."

They joined Brad in the living room with Derek's computer. Derek sat down on the chair opposite Brad's and opened the laptop.

"Alright, I've got some juice in this for at least two hours, let's see what's on this CD."

Brad nodded, "I'm guessing it's the real ransom note," he picked up the slip of paper that had come in the envelope and waved it at them, "this isn't much of a ransom note, if this was all there was I would really worry."

"Well let's see," said Derek as he slipped the CD into the drive.

As they were waiting Anna picked up Derek's cell phone, "hey can I have that phone call now, I promised Casey I would call her today."

"Yeah sure," replied Derek as he switched seats to sit next to Brad with the computer.

Anna went over to the window next to the fireplace and dialed the number, as it rung out she she heard a scrunching sound under her shoe. She looked down to find that she had stepped onto bits of broken ceramic. One of the ornaments must've fallen last night, she thought as she stooped to pick up what looked like a broken swan, but that wasn't all that was there. Turning to look at the guys she called out.

"I think you guys might want to take a look at this."

Derek looked up at her, "what's that?"

She lifted the broken ornament toward him, so that he could see the wires peaking out from beneath it, "I don't think these come with internal organs."

Derek's eyes grew wide and he jumped to his feet, lifting a finger to his lips, he made his way toward Anna. Brad looked up. He still hadn't realized what was happening.

"What are you doing?" Brad asked, a tad impatient.

Derek took the ceramic swan from Anna and turned it over in his hand. He carefully pried the object from inside the ornament and lifted it up to the rest of them, his expression somber.

"Looks like we've got our first clue," he said.

Brad got up and went to him, the three of them watched the array of wires and a tiny speaker sitting in the palm of Derek's hand.

"Is that a..." Anna started but Derek cut her off with a finger against his lips again.

He took his finger and yanked out one of the wires, "it's some kind of transmitter," he whispered.

Brad took a step backward; "I've been bugged?" his eyes were wide with disbelief.

"shhh," replied Derek, "don't know how many more there are," he was still almost inaudible.

Brad turned away, "that's why she'd been acting so weird lately, it was like she wanted to tell me but she just couldn't, all this time she'd been hinting me," he too was whispering now.

He turned to look at Derek and Anna, an odd smile on his face, "that morning she cooked me breakfast, I should've known, Mara never cooks, the paper; she put it there, she might've even told me when she was going to see him."

He shook his head and sat down, "you were right Anna, I just never pay attention to the important things and that's why I'm here now, I'm so stupid."

Derek pursed his lips and looked over at Anna, "we still have to get her back," he said loudly, but lowered his voice to say "there could be more of these. Let's go back to my place; it's safer there I don't even think Mara knows where I live."

Brad looked up at him and nodded, "I haven't eaten all morning," he said loudly, "there's a little diner not far from here. We'll go there to have some breakfast."

The three of them looked silently at the screen, their eyes wide with unbelief. It was one thing to know something had happened or was happening but nothing prepared them for what they saw. Brad watched in horror; growing paler with each second that elapsed, and Anna sat next to an angry faced Derek, gripping his arm as she looked upon the screen, pained and shocked.

The video showed Mara in the most deplorable condition, at first it was just a stream of photos of Mara in several positions, none of which she appeared conscious, she was badly beaten, still wearing the outfit they'd last seen her in, now wrinkled, soiled and torn. Then the kidnapper made his appearance, a wool mask over his face, his steel blue eyes bright with mischief and humor, peering through two jagged holes in the mask.

"Hello Mr. Mason," he greeted, in a hauntingly distorted voice.

"By now I've got your full attention, by now you know that this is not a prank," there was a dramatic pause, where the kidnapper just stared at them, then he spoke again, "I've got your wife, yes you know the one that's been missing for over four days now..."

Derek and Anna turned to looked at Brad, who shrunk from their accusing gazes. So he should have been more assertive, but how could he have imagined she was kidnapped!

"... that's the slim, pompous blond chick with the attitude? Well I've got her and I'm willing to give her back to you... of course in consideration of a 10 million dollar agreement and if you throw in five I can make sure she's back in the same shape she left, or as close as possible," he snorted maliciously, "any way, be at the docks at six pm tomorrow and we'll close the deal, if you're late... or absent I'll consider it a sign of your declination and your wife will be shark food."

His image faded and a cloudy video came on. Brad sat forward in his seat and stared with bright eyes at Mara, she was shaking with anger, her eyes wide and her teeth bared threateningly.

"You bastard, you won't get away with this!" she cried.

And the video faded back to the evil villain, "and one more thing Bradley, no cops or I'll take out you and all your little friends!"

The screen went blank, the trio stared.

"Ten million dollars!" Derek exclaimed, "where the hell are you going to get that?"

Brad looked dazed, "fifteen actually. I need a drink," he muttered, looking up just in time to see Anna's disapproval, "of water," he quickly added.

"Brad we all know that guy will not play fair, we have to come up with a plan, or he's gonna take your money and kill both you and Mara on that dock. This is serious, we mess this up and your wife is dead, we're all dead."

"No," said Anna matter-of-factly, "the only person with the right to give life is the one that can take it, he's the same one that preserves it. This guy has no idea who he's messing with."

Both Derek and Brad stared at her in shock, the determination and anger on her face made her look like a modern day Zena. They were sure that in this state she might actually have the guts to take on a ten man gang with her fists alone and maybe a boomerang.

"What do you suggest we do?" Derek asked.

"First we pray about it, then we plan according to the guidance we receive," she said with certainty.

Brad rolled his eyes and got up from the chair, "are you serious, not this again. My wife is kidnapped, she alone and hurt in God knows where and you want to pray! Get over this crap!"

Surprisingly Anna was smirking at him.

"What's so darn funny?" he asked in annoyance.

"You said, 'God knows where', y'all that are so quick to down play the power of God are always the ones with the appropriate ways to turn it into a curse. Why don't you use that same passion and turn it into a blessing on your life and on your wife's life. God knows Brad, God knows; now let's act like we actually believe that. Whether we like it or not it makes a lot more sense than blind fury, the result of which is a pointless life and sudden avoidable death."

Brad swallowed hard, his angry expression now soured into resignation, "fine," he muttered and dropped back onto the chair heavily.

Derek looked over at Anna and smiled proudly, "let's do it then, battle plan 'God knows' phase one, in progress."

Brad sulked while Derek went to get a bible but he perked up when Anna started to read from the book of psalms chapter twenty seven, it was weird how certain things from his past just kept popping up these past weeks.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord..."

Anna's voice faded into a low drone and Brad found himself immersed in a scene from the past, and to his surprise and to the others in the room, it was his voice that continued the psalm, they both looked up at him in surprise and pleasant confusion.

"...Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

Silence masked the room with the last of the passage, there was a sense of thoughtfulness and a lost look on all their faces except for Brad, now he looked guilty and remorseful, his lips tight and drawn bitterly.

"Whenever my father would find me and mock me and degrade me in the street about my mother not wanting me, me not being his, I would come home in a rage, feeling unwanted and abandoned. My Grandmother used to read that for me every night, it used to calm me down," he said with a faraway smile and a dreamy tone in voice, "I guess there are some things that you never really forget."

He lifted clear eyes toward Anna, "That was a good choice," he said reaching out to take their hands.

"Let's do this thing," he said.

Anna looked over at him and smiled, "sure, Derek you want to start?"

"Yeah why not," he said with a wide grin.
Chapter 18

"What are you still looking at?" asked Anna with a frown.

It was drawing close to evening now, Brad had gone out to get the money for the meet the next day and the tension in Derek's condo was thick. Hours had passed and they were still brainstorming for ideas that would protect Brad and Mara from any foul play, they all looked worn out and anxious.

Derek shrugged; he was looking over the photos that were streaming in the video, "I don't know, I'm just trying to see if I can pick up some clues as to where they might be keeping her."

Anna sat down next to him and leaned in to look, "anything yet?"

He pursed his lips, his brows drawn in concentration, "nothing other than the fact that they've been moving her over the past couple days," he sighed, "this guy, whoever he is, is one cocky bastard," he said with a scowl, "do you think all of this was necessary?" he asked, pointing to the computer, "he probably took five pictures at every destination.

Anna shrugged, "so it seems."

"Why would someone do that? It's like he's trying to lord what little power he has over poor Mara."

Anna looked up at him with a smile, "did you just say poor Mara?"

He glared at her, "so what, nobody deserves to be treated like that."

Anna leaned back with a sigh and fingered the arm of the chair restlessly; Derek glanced over at her briefly.

Can I ask you something completely unrelated to this?"

Derek hesitated, glancing at her from the corner of his eye surreptitiously, "yeah, I guess."

Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward and clasped her hands on her lap, "I ... uh don't get the impression that you're over our disagreement the other day."

Derek turned to look at her, his brows drawn over his unreadable eyes, "that's not a question," he said matter-of-factly.

"No... but," she paused and looked at him in annoyance, "have you gotten over our disagreement Derek?"

Without hesitation he responded, "no Anna I have not. And now you're gonna ask why, and I'll tell you why. We argued yes, over something that you've done nothing to fix, which means that it still exists. So whether I get over that argument or not is irrelevant because it will come up again."

She looked confused, "what do I have to fix, I said I was sorry; I acted like a fool when I should've been more understanding..."

"Just stop right there Anna, let's not go any further. I ... like you, yes, but you're not sure if you like me, I can't settle for 'oh yeah you're a great guy but... I don't know.' I want something more than that 'cause we can't build a relationship on uncertainties we have enough to deal with as it is."

He looked at her with sad eyes while she gapped in surprise, "look Anna," he started, his tone apologetic, "let's not talk about this now, we tried and we failed, we don't have to do a post mortem or anything. Let's just help Brad get his wife back huh?"

She nodded, her lips set in a thin line, his rejection hurt. She leaned back against the couch and stared blankly at the screen Derek had returned his attention to, her expression sullen.

"Wow, wait!" she cried, suddenly sitting up and pointing at the screen.

Derek looked over at her confusedly, "what?"

"Go back," she commanded, "there, pause it."

She now leaned forward, narrowing her eyes at one of the photos included in Mara's abduction video. It was one taken in the back seat of a car, with Mara slumped against the leather seat blindfolded and scared.

Anna pointed to a spot above Mara's head, in the window at the back of the car, "you see that building, see that sign at the front?"

Derek leaned forward and mumbled his response.

"I know where that is!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

He looked over at her, now very interested, "where then?"

Anna was already up reaching for the phone, "we've got to tell Brad," she said excitedly, "this may give us an upper hand."

"But we don't even know if they're still there," Derek argued.

Anna looked back at him with bright eyes, "oh but I do, look at her clothes, you can see which are the most recent photos by the condition of her clothes and hair, this is her most rugged picture, she looks like a woman that's been doing some traveling in car trunks and boat cabins."

Derek looked back at the picture with a frown, "huh," he said, "I guess you've got a point, but..." he reached up and took the phone from her hand, "don't call him yet, his phone is probably being monitored, we'll wait until he gets back."

Anna hesitated, "okay," she said eventually, and watched as he hung up the receiver.

"In the mean time you can tell me where you think they are," he said.

The end of his sentence was accented by the sound of shattering glass coming from the bedroom, they both held each other's gazes in question and panic.

"You heard that right?" she asked with wide eyes.

"Don't move!" a loud voice commanded.

Two burly men stormed into the room from the bedroom, stone faced and threatening. Anna shrieked as one of them grabbed her from behind, wrapping thick, muscle bound arms around her upper body, trapping her arms to her sides painfully as he yanked her over the back of the chair.

"Derek!" she screamed as she watched him struggle with the other big lug.

Derek flung himself over the sofa, and quickly grabbed his office chair which he hurled across the room at the snarling man, his teeth bared in anger.

The man hunched over, shielding his head from the flying chair which he received with an aggravated grunt.

"You little bug!" he growled, and sprang over the sofa toward Derek.

Derek bent, lifted one of his ten pound weights and with a roar slammed it against his attacker's jaw. To his surprise his head only snapped to the left and with his mouth still parted and slobbering he turned angry eyes on Derek. Derek swore, dropped the weight with a loud thud and dashed across the room, looking frantically at Anna and then at his hulk-like opponent.

"Look man, I don't know what you want, so how about we clarify that before we go any further," he said with lifted hands and a soothing voice.

The man only glared at him, his fists clenched at his side, his breathing like an angry bull. Derek sighed and shook his head.

"I guess not then," he said with resignation just before the angry bleeding man charged toward him.

Anna was still struggling with her aggressor, who only tightened his grip and chuckled at her fruitless attempts to shake herself of him.

"You think this is funny don't you?" she asked breathlessly.

He laughed, "Oh just a little bit, little squirrel," he said in a mellow goofy voice that belied his daunting physique.

Anna rolled her eyes and with a determined grunt launched her heel into his groin. The man gasped and buckled, releasing her immediately to grab hold of his assaulted manly apples, his eyes rolling in their sockets and his cheeks puffed out on his reddened face.

"You little..." he squeaked.

Anna smiled at him, her weapon of defense raised above her head – a ceramic vase with a bouquet of artificial orange flowers. The man looked up at her in horror, just before she slammed it against his head, shattering the white ceramic in a puff of sand.

The man groaned, his eyes rolled back and he fell forward at her feet, his hand still lodged between his legs. Anna smiled triumphantly.

Derek was still playing tag with his attacker; he was the ugliest and biggest of the two and the bloodiest.

"Derek!" she called.

"Kinda busy Anna," he responded, not daring to take his eyes off the other guy.

Anna rolled her eyes and picked up another breakable ornament, she marched toward the distracted giant and with all her might brought it down against the back of his head. The room became quiet after the loud sound of the shattered porcelain, Anna stood frozen, her eyes growing wide with shock as the angry man turned to her, his eyes big and red, popping out of his head dangerously. He stretched out his hands and grabbed her by the collar, lifting her off the ground toward his bloody face and his rancid hot breath.

"Ahhhhh," Derek's battle cry was the interlude to his brilliant attack strategy.

He launched himself onto the back of the thick shouldered guy and wrapped his legs around his torso, only to pound on the back of his head and neck, with his fists that looked more like sticks against the bulging muscles of their assailant.

The man growled in annoyance and tried to shake him off. Derek held on tighter, lodging his hands over his opponent's eyes and pressing his fingers into his eye sockets. The man cried out and tossed Anna aside, she fell backward onto the coffee table and gasped as the sharp pain shot up her back.

Derek hung on to the man until he was able to fling him off; he tumbled to the ground like a puppet. He was lying on his back in a daze, when the man leaned down and punched him in the face. Derek wheezed, feeling as though he'd been impaled by bricks. He lifted a shaky hand toward him, blood had already started oozing from his lips and nose.

"Stop," he pleaded weakly.

The man grinned wickedly, and hit him again, snapping his head to the left. Derek found himself looking into Anna's tear filled eyes, his eyes drooping with the spinning sensation in his head.

"Run," he whispered.

Anna stared; frozen.

"Run dammit! Get out!" he screamed with all his might, just as another punch landed and echoed in the room.

With a tearful sob, Anna scrambled to her feet and dashed out the front door. Derek watched her leave through blurry eyes and with a satisfied exhale, floated into darkness.

The black Mercedes drove up and parked next to Derek's Sedan and after a moment of holding onto the wheel and staring at the dashboard thoughtfully, Brad stepped out of the car. He looked at Derek's place and frowned. The front door was ajar, and there were splinters of glass on the ground trailing onto the outside. Cautiously, he made his way toward it, his shoulders hunched, his sweaty palms balled into fists at his sides, glancing furtively about him as he went.

As he neared the door, someone grabbed him suddenly and pulled him behind the row of ficus trees that lined the wall. He started to struggle but then he realized who it was.

"Anna!" he exclaimed, "what happened?"

She lifted a finger to her lips and looked over at the door, "I saw one of them leave... with Derek but am not sure if they're both gone," she whispered.

Brad frowned at her, "what? Who left with Derek?"

He looked confusedly at the nervous wreck that was Anna. Her cheeks were stained with tears and a streak of blood, the right side of her jaw was beginning to swell and color and she was shaking with fear, her eyes darting about in their sockets like a cornered puppy.

Brad lifted both hands to her face and swiped his thumbs across her wet cheeks, "it's alright Anna, just calm down. I'll go take a look."

She gripped him in panic, "no!" she squealed.

Brad grimaced, "it's alright, I'll be careful I'm just taking a look," he said reassuringly.

The Condo was empty, it was a mess though and quite inhabitable. Brad went in to peruse the damage and to make sure it was empty. Other than the damage from the struggle, someone had destroyed all their equipment, Derek's laptop was smashed to bits, his Television had his old baseball bat through it, his books were tossed off their selves and torn down the spine.

Brad shook his head, frowning in grief and he was starting to panic. How could they know where they were? It pained him, mostly because he knew it was his fault, if he hadn't involved them this wouldn't have happened.

"Poor Derek," he muttered, turning around to find Anna standing in the door way, her eyes wide.

"There's nothing to see here honey, let's just go."

They hired a cab and abandoned the Mercedes and Sedan, all Brad kept from it was a photo of Mara, his wallet and his hand gun, which Anna stared at.

"I never had the need to use it," he assured.

"And you would now?"

He pursed his lips as he looked at her, "I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you again Anna, and I will do whatever it takes. I owe it to my daughter to protect her mother; I owe it to my best friend and most of all I owe it to you."

"You owe it to me?"

He smiled sadly and touched her chin with his thumb, "I've ruined your life enough, I don't want to mess it up again."

She smiled up at him, "the first time was mutual."

Brad grinned, "Yeah. Let's get out of here."

They booked a room in a motel somewhere in the city not very far from the docks, it was small and lacking, with just two single beds and a dusty television but it suited their one night of anxiety just fine. Anna was sitting on the bed; her face clouded with worry, the events of that day was bearing down on her immensely.

Brad returned from outside and sat down beside her, she had not even looked at him in acknowledgement, not until he lifted the back of her shirt and she turned on him in shock, appalled at his boldness.

"It's okay," he assured her, shaking an ice pack at her, "it's for your back, we need to get the swelling down."

She hesitated.

"I'd let you do it yourself if you weren't so stiff, look I promise I won't try anything funny."

Slowly, still frowning with uncertainty, Anna turned around and let him continue, wincing as the coldness touched her sore, bruised back.

"Is it bad?" she asked grimacing.

Brad shrugged, "it looks terrible, maybe we should go to the hospital just to be sure," he replied.

"No, we've got bigger things to deal with."

Brad looked up at her turned head, "this isn't the time to be difficult Anna, it could be worse than you think."

"It's fine," she snapped, "I work at a hospital, I wanted to be a nurse all my life, trust me I know."

He shook his head and pressed the ice pack gently on her back again, then drew her shirt down over it, still holding it in place.

"Do you think Derek's okay? They won't hurt him right?" she asked worriedly, after the awkward pause that had followed her curt response.

"I don't know," he said.

Anna took a deep shaky breath to hold her emotions at bay and swiveled so she could look at Brad.

"Before they attacked us, we'd figured out where they might be keeping her."

Brad looked interested, "Where?"

"It's actually quite surprising and coincidental; it also makes it harder for us to devise a plausible plan."

Brad pursed his lips, "she's not in the country is she?"

"No, she's in Grenada."

Brad froze, his eyes wide, "oh my God, Casey!"

Anna looked at him sharply, equally panicked, "you don't think they would..."

"That night I told her about you guys, if she didn't tell him the house was bugged anyway," he said with an air of dread.

"You know who the kidnapper is?"

"I might have an idea," he replied, "but in the mean time we've got to find a way to bridge that island with here. The meet is tomorrow, if I don't show up who knows what they might do to Mara... and Derek..."

Anna looked at him with wide fearful eyes, "and Casey and Mike."

"Yeah let's hope they're not all involved. But how are we gonna protect our interests if we don't know where they are, not to mention the distance between us."

Anna pursed her lips and shook her head, "well the cops are out of it right?"

He nodded, "for now."

"Then that means it's only the two of us, and if you need to be there for the drop, then there's only one thing for me to do."

"That's not gonna happen," he said matter-of-factly.

Anna smirked, "Brad please don't try to keep me out, you need me, I'm all you've got."

He hesitated, then frowned, "you've stopped calling me Raj," he said suddenly.

"Yeah," she said, equally surprised, "I guess I must be over you."

Brad smiled, "I guess I must be over you, 'cause hearing you say that didn't bother me as it should've had I not been."

She got up and looked down at him, "I don't know what happened..."

Brad shrugged, "Derek happened... to you. And Mara, well she's always been it for me, I guess I was just so bitter and angry I took it out on her and I was selfishly holding onto you when I knew you were never mine to begin with."

Anna smiled sadly at him, "hmm," she sighed.

"Motel room revelation," he said with a teasing tone, "and it took two burly men, a kidnapping, death threats and a storm for us to figure it out."

Anna lifted a finger, "oh and don't forget, a very charming, stubborn and alarmingly handsome African American."

Brad chuckled, "alright well only because he's in danger I'll let him have that."

Anna laughed, "I'm not allowed to talk about you like that, you're married."

He smiled, "and I want to stay that way. Let's not waste anymore time, now that our revelation is at its peak let's focus on saving our loved ones."
Chapter 19

"Shut up! Get in there!"

Derek was shoved into a room as dark and moldy as a dungeon. He stood still, listening as the door was pulled shut behind him and the lock turned. It sounded like a simple button lock but then he cringed as he heard the heavy wooden bolt being pulled down in front of it.

"Who's there?" came a hoarse weak voice from a corner of the darkness.

"Mara? Is that you?"

Her response was a dry cough with a wheezing sound, "Derek?" she said finally, her voice was raw and very uncomfortable to listen to.

"There's a light switch somewhere about, if you're up to it," she said in between hoarse gasps.

Derek turned and felt along the wall from the door frame to the far end and back again down the other side until his hands brushed it.

"Here it is," he said excitedly and flicked it on.

A dull light enveloped the darkness, it wasn't much but it was quite brilliant in comparison to the pitch blackness. Once Derek's eyes adjusted – it didn't take long to – he found Mara hunched in a corner, her head was wrapped in her lime green blouse, which no longer showed the rich material that she no doubt spent a fortune on, instead it was dirty and grungy looking, but apparently it made a very effective turban. Her white undershirt was ripped right down the middle revealing her brassiere and the pale skin of her chest.

Derek rushed toward her; she looked like a homeless sheik, minus the beard of course, "oh my God, what did they do to you? And what's with the head piece?" he asked as he lowered himself unto the cot beside her.

She shook her head, her face pale and drawn, and lifted shaky hands to her head to settle the Arab-like head piece.

"I'm fine, I uh had my hair coloured just before they took me... I'm only preserving it" she rolled her eyes and leaned back against the wall with a throaty groan, "am just so hungry..." she said through parched lips, "and tired and..." she lifted an empty bottle and stared at it longingly, "and so thirsty."

Derek shot to his feet, snatching the bottle from her hand. He marched to the door and started pounding on it with all his might.

"Hey, open this door!" he yelled, his angry pounding echoed throughout the room.

"Waddya want?" came an annoyed voice.

"I need some water and some food in here!"

After a moment – long enough to worry Derek that he might actually be ignored – the door was opened and a plate with a bottle of water was tossed in with a clang.

"Wait," said Derek and he shoved the other bottle out, "there's two of us in here, and we're paying for our release."

The man took the empty bottle from him and chuckled, "Her husband is paying for her release, I ain't been told nothing 'bout you."

Derek turned back to Mara and tried to smile, "it'll be alright."

He went over to her and handed her the bottle. He watched as she drank it down thirstily, her frail hands shaking under the weight of it.

"You can stop pretending to care Derek, I know you hate me as equally as Brad... and I don't blame you either."

Derek frowned at her, "stop that. We don't hate you Mara, we just misunderstood... a lot. You're my best friend's wife I'm supposed to be harsh on you," he said with a smile.

He removed his coat and draped it over her shoulders, it was probably stained with his blood and perspiration but it was definitely better than what she wore. Then he drew his arm around her, trying to rub his warmth into her chilled bones.

"We'll get outta here, Brad and Anna will see to that."

Mara stiffened and he looked down at her with a frown.

"Don't say that name in here," she said, "I have enough to deal with without thinking of her and my husband together."

Derek pursed his lips, despite what he was about to say he felt just as wary himself. It wasn't that he didn't trust Anna he just didn't trust that part of her that she was ignorant of, the part that he knew still loved Brad

"It's alright Mara, Anna's a great person. You'll get to meet her and you'll see. Yeah so she has a past with Brad, it bugs me sometimes too but..."

She looked up at him with a frown, "Oh my! You and...no way. How did..? Is she your..."

Derek chuckled, "We're kind of... uh we tried dating. I'm madly in love with the woman but she's not giving me much to go on. I'm not sure how she feels."

He had no idea why he was telling all this to Mara. This only made him think of how right Anna might've been about him. Maybe he was as fickle as she'd said, as he sat beside Mara warming her with his body and confessing all his deep dark fears and desires. A woman he'd once referred to as Jezebel; an evil manipulative queen in the book of kings who was tossed out of a window and eaten by dogs, now he considered it a very strong comparison to make.

He sighed, Anna was right then, despite the fact that he was a Christian he sure didn't act like one at times, not with what he'd suggested to her on their first meeting, not with the way he'd backed up Brad's hot headed decision to leave Mara even though it went against everything he believed in.

Maybe he really wasn't over that hurt his mother exposed him to, maybe he hadn't gotten over his distrust in women so much that it corrupted the elements of his faith that was essential to his ministry. Maybe that's why he never could convince Brad that Jesus was the only way the truth and the life and all he could've given him was a bible that he'd never opened.

Maybe he was telling Mara all this because he knew she would understand. Mara smiled, it was a weak, half hearted smile, "I'm sorry I didn't know she was your, you know... you must not like that I talk about her like that."

Derek chuckled, "it's alright," he sighed and leaned back against the cold wall.

"Derek," Mara whispered after a moment of eerie silence, "if you love her so much you've got to fight for her, women like that."

He looked at her thoughtfully, "Is that what you wanted Brad to do? To fight for you?"

She nodded, smiling sadly, "always, but he always seemed to be to busy fighting against me. It just made sense to be mad at me than to face our problems."

"hmm, faith and sacrifice is more a part of love than logic," he said, remember Charlene's parting words to him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Mara asked, leaning her head on his shoulder wearily.

"I'm just figuring it out myself. But you're right, I should fight for her, just like Brad should fight for you. They'll get us out of here, I know it."

Mara closed her eyes, "they better, I'm really beginning to get bored with this room."

He chuckled, "you're kidding!"

In that moment and particular place Derek and Mara shared something that no one would've imagined they would, considering their previous impressions of each other. It was an understanding, a mutual connection, not shared merely due to their coupled imprisonment but also in their taken for granted love.

It was pitch black. Two cars faced each other on the wet docks, as the rain drops carved out their shapes in the night, the only movement coming from their windshield wipers, audibly whipping the heavy droplets into the air.

Brad sat behind the wheel of a blue, Polo he'd rented, his keen gaze set on the car parked in front of him and the dark silhouette of two figures in the front seat. The tension was thick. He gripped the steering wheel with sweaty palms and took a deep breath, just as his cell phone lit up beside his leg. The incessant ring gnawed on his already raw nerves.

"Hello?"

"You're punctual, that's good," came a low gravelly voice quite unlike the automated distortion on the video, it was cold and sinister now like an ice cold gust of wind, chilling to the bone.

"Do you have the money?"

"I do," Brad replied.

There was a nerve wracking pause and for a moment Brad thought he'd been disconnected and his anxiety rose to its peak, breaking out in cold beads of sweat over his brows.

"Step out of the car with your hands where I can see 'em, leave your headlights on so I can see the bag."

Brad obeyed. He climbed out of the car, hands lifted before him, the bag of money dangling from one hand, his cell phone in the other and he stepped into the bright stream of light; squinting his eyes at the florescent brightness.

The door on the passenger's side opened and a large man, with a diabolical smirk came out and opened a large black umbrella over his head. He stood next to the car for a moment, as though posing for the most terrifying figures spread in a fashion magazine, then he eased toward Brad.

"Toss over the bag," he commanded.

Brad exhaled, blowing the running water from his lips as the rain pelted down on him, "not until I see my wife!" he countered.

There was a distracting moment when the large man didn't respond, he just stood there looking like he'd just thought of something really funny, that only he would consider funny.

"Come with me," he said.

Brad hesitated, "you have to show her to me, I need to know she's okay."

He chuckled, "either way you have to do as I say."

Brad drew a shaky breath, he was soaked thoroughly now without even a sliver of warmth between his clothes. Whether he liked it or not his challenger was right, he couldn't trust them but he couldn't risk disobeying orders either, not when there were so many lives at stake.

"Okay," he replied, "I'll come."

All he could think about was the God that was supposed to have his back, immediately he started to pray, Anna was right he needed God, he needed a miracle.

He sat back against the lumpy back seat of the Chevy, it smelled of Fabreeze, dirty shoes and Chinese food, he clutched the bag of what was supposed to be his hard earned money, the fruits of his sweat and sacrifice, to his soggy chest.

The large man was sitting next to him and he handed him a cell phone as they pulled out of the docks.

"No, no, where are we going? You didn't say anything about going anywhere," he protested.

His back seat buddy only jabbed the phone at him, his face stone cold. Brad swallowed hard and took it.

"Hello Brad," a bleach blond Trent looked taunting up at him from the screen, a playful grin on his long bland face.

"By now you're probably shaking with excitement," he continued, "I know I am. My guys are taking you for a little ride and then we'll finally get to meet... face to face."

Brad glared at him, he looked and sounded like a washed up surfer, he had loser and degenerate stamped all over his smirking wart infested face.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?"

His response was a maniacal high pitched laugh, "oh simply 'cause it's fun seeing you suits squirm under my strong arm of demand..." he paused and his expression grew dark, "or maybe I just hate you Brad Mason, I hate you so much..."

"You're a demented man," Brad sneered.

Trent glared at him, "yeah and I guess your fancy house and cars and all your accomplishments gives you the right to pass judgment on my life," he reached down and yanked an angry Mara into the frame, he lifted a gun and pressed it to her temple.

"Mara!"

"Shut up!" Trent bellowed, "I have rights just like you Bradley," he shook Mara and turned the gun, "see you on the other side."

Brad stared at the blank screen, angry, frustrated tears stung his eyes and he balled his fist around the handle of the bag tightly, until the man yanked it from him. They were now pulling onto an airstrip and he looked over at Brad with a wicked grin.

"Hope you like flying."

"What..."

Instantly a black wool bag was drawn over his head and he felt the impact of a punch smashing into his face, he swooned under the pain and sputtered as he tasted blood but he felt the large arm reaching for his money. He rose up on his elbow and started stomping mercilessly in the direction of his assailant, feeling his shoes connect with what felt like a chin, he screamed in triumph refusing to let up.

The large man recovered fast though and without much effort grabbed Brad's jerking leg and turned it until it cracked loudly and he cried out in anguish.

"Son of a...."

The lounge was empty. Over the steady hum of the air conditioning unit all that could be heard were shuffling feet on the scuffed linoleum floor and the momentary flip of a page. Pacing from one end of the room to the other, breathing unsteadily and flushed with anxiety was Anna, she was clutching her cell phone like a life line.

"Come on now little lady, he'll call soon enough," assured the weather beaten cowboy in his western nasal drawl and he bent back to his paper. At the last minute Anna's mother's family had come through for her, one of her cousins had an old uncle who had a small plane. He'd called in a favour for her and the old man was more than willing to help out family, even a distant one like Anna.

Anna paused shook her head and opened the phone, frowning she started to pace again, "no he should've called by now, it's been over thirty minutes."

The old man set aside his paper and folded his arms over his chest, "then I reckon it's about time we high tail it outta here," he said.

She hesitated, "do you think he's okay?"

He shrugged and got to his feet, "I ain't really up to date with this whole thang and I don't wanna be, but the man did say if he ain't come back by half an hour we should get moving."

Anna turned around to look out the window at the dark night, the rain had held up now but all she could see was the flashing light house and the lit up air strip. If they had Brad that could only mean one thing, the ball was in her court now, everyone was counting on her, it was a good thing she knew exactly who to count on. She closed her eyes and muttered a short prayer, took a deep breath and turned to the waiting pilot.

"You're right; it is time we get out of here."
Chapter 20

No one could understand the importance of time more than Anna at this time; time and strategy. Which is why the moment she landed she went directly to the police station and asked specifically for Sergeant Griffith, not only was he an influential police man but he was also one of the cops that were around during her older brother's law enforcement days. Just like most of the other officers of that time, Sergeant Griffith was and had always been like an older brother to Anna. So when she went to him, and told him everything that she thought was important he didn't hesitate to offer his help, taking with him one of the younger officers for support.

They pulled up in front of Anna's house mere minutes before midnight, it had been a long day for her but her worry and anxiety was adrenaline enough. The moment they stepped out of the car they knew something was wrong.

"Stay behind me Anna, Henry take the back," instructed Griffith as he withdrew his handgun from his waist.

The flowers lining the drive had been trampled, the door hung in the frame by one hinge and two ceramic flower pots on the veranda lay in pieces on the floor, spilling the dark mud all over the verandah floor.

Inside was even worse, Anna winced at the sight of her living room; it seemed as if everything was turned over in sport, after what appeared to be a brief struggle to get in.

"What is this Anna, you make some people really angry girl," said Griffith, still perusing the room cautiously.

Officer Henry appeared through the back door, his eyes wide, "Sir yuh have to come see this."

They followed him out into the back yard, where they found Mike sprawled out amidst a spread of glass. Anna gasped and hurried to his side.

"Mike?" she reached out and touched his arm and he jerked awake, his eyes wide with fury.

"It's me Mike, it's Anna."

Seeing him relax, she motioned for the others to help her get him off the ground; he groaned in pain as he was lifted off the ground and placed on the step. Anna ran inside and returned with a damp wash cloth which she pressed to the bleeding cuts on his face and arms.

"They've got Casey," he said huskily, "I tried to stop 'em, but they were just too much," he winced and shut his eyes tightly, "I'm sorry Anna, God am sorry!" he cried, dropping his head into his hand in dismay.

"It's alright, we'll get them," she assured him despite the gripping panic in her chest and the uneasy feeling in her stomach.

"What the hell's going on here Anna?" Mike asked.

Anna hesitated, one thing was for certain, this time Mike would definitely kill Brad if he found out this was stemming from his world.

"We bounced into some...bad people that's all," she replied finally.

Mike looked at her with wide eyes, "What? What the hell do they want from you?"

"I don't know, but I need to find them."

Mike struggled to his feet despite their protests, "we'll find them, and I'm gonna kick the lights out of 'em and we're gonna get Casey back, it could be after or before I kill them."

"Sure Mike, but you've got to rethink that killing idea, I prefer to have you here than doing hard time for murder."

Mike glared at her, "It's self defense!" he growled.

"Not if it's premeditated," said Sergeant Griffith.

Mike looked up at them as though seeing them for the first time and swore under his breath, "fine then, but you have to at least let me kick their...."

"First we have to find them," the Sergeant interrupted, "Henry, call in some backup."

"I think I might have an idea," said Mike.

His jaw hurt, his eyes burned and the excruciating pain in his ankle immobilized him where he lay on the cold ground. It had been a bumpy ride, though he could not remember much of it, his body was no liar, he knew when he'd been mistreated. What was most disturbing was the fact that he'd found himself in the exact position he was in at the start of this journey through hell, the question was, who was he going to blame this time? From where he lay amidst the odours of wet rug, varnish, shaved wood and sweaty boots he could hear the boisterous chatter of his kidnappers and the sounds of glasses being slammed down on a hollow surface. Drinking on the job?

"Hey look who's up?" one of them said with a grin.

Two guys came and pulled him to his feet, or foot as he found himself hopping on his right to avoid further discomfort to the twisted left. There were three men in the room, their height and build distributed from smallest to biggest.

"Time to meet the boss, he's been waiting for ya," said the huge man that had met him at the airport. Brad remembered hearing the others refer to him as Mug head, a rather distinguished name considering his cylindrical head, block like forehead and one extremely protruding ear in relation to the other 'normal' looking one.

Brad let them make fun of him while he waited, he didn't know where he was but he was pretty sure he wasn't in America anymore. If Anna was right though, he would be one step ahead than he would've been otherwise. The room was dark and aged, no paint, just rough, cracked concrete walls, rusted windows with broken handles and missing panes. As he was standing there, one man came and started to bind his hands together.

"Don't want you trying anything stupid," said Mug head.

As he was being bound, Brad looked over to the right in time to see a figure passing by through the partially open door. He turned with narrowed eyes as he zoomed in; the tiny figure struggling to walk between two guys, looked frighteningly familiar... it was almost as though he was looking at...

"Casey?"

The man before him looked up at him sharply, then at Mug head, whose face had grown hard, but Brad couldn't care.

"Casey!" he called.

The girl turned around, her eyes wide and wet with tears, her hair askew and her face flushed with fear and confusion.

"Daddy!" she cried.

Brad blinked, that was the first time she'd called him Daddy, his eyes grew wide. Instantly he yanked his hands from the other guy bringing it up under his chin with all his might. He grunted and struggled backward. Brad hopped to the other side of the room so he could face the angry men using an old wooden chair as his support. He looked frantically from one to the other, the odds were against him, there was no way he could take them all down successfully, but Casey needed him, what would he tell Anna if something happened to their child?

He rocked back on his heel and swung the chair around, wielding it toward the gang of frothing, blood thirsty lions, his eyes were wide with anxiety, now what?

Mug head started to chuckle, "what are you gonna do Mason? This isn't a board meeting, you can't chair us out of existence," he taunted and loud hooting arose from the other two guys.

Brad, still hopping around on one leg, looked frantically from on angry face to the other, hyenas he thought, loud, spotted, dangerous hyenas. Beads of perspiration were tumbling down his temples and he could hear his heart thumping boldly in his ears, he took a shaky breath.

"Lord, Anna said that you said that you are a present help in the time of need," he muttered, his lips barely moving, "well I'm definitely in need right now and you also said I should not be afraid but... I am shaking in my boots," he paused and glanced down at his shoes quizzically, "well actually Dolce & Gabana snake skin leather pumps," he corrected.

"Get him!"

The snarling quartet – including one extra that had recently come in – launched a fisted attack at him. Tossing the chair blindly in their direction he turned and limped toward the door.

"Now would be a good time!" he cried, just before he tripped over what felt as thick and solid as a log.

Grimacing, he looked up to find Mug head smiling down at him, his long leg stretched out before him.

"Playtime's over chair man," as was expected, his not-funny-at-all statement was chorused by the rugged baritones of taunting laughter. Now for the audience's response; something sounding like a pea being squeezed out of a nozzle. Brad looked up at a startled Mug head, his large hand gripping his chest, blood already oozing between his fingers. Brad looked just as shocked, he knew he'd asked for assistance but this... this was too surreal, did God usually just whack people like that?

"Police, none of you move!" came a commanding voice, as Mug head slumped to the floor, with glazed eyes and a whimper.

Brad looked up to see Detective Chavez standing at the door, his silenced gun raised, his face hard set for business, daring the other men to make a move. He looked different without his uniform. Brad could've easily said that having the Detective that had recently beaten him up in his own home, who later faced disciplinary action and was coined as a brutal police in local newspapers, come at the exact moment when he needed saving, was utterly miraculous.

Brad helped Chavez tie up the men with their own ropes, "how did you know?" Brad asked.

Chavez shrugged, "After you and I had our little fallin' out I did some digging around on ya and I found a fishy trail on your wife, since then I been keepin' my eyes on you two's. It's funny though, I really was just looking for a way to nail you and justify my actions, turns out you were right. I got Intel on some activity around these parts and I picked up a surveillance shot of your wife with that ex-con..." he shrugged, "guess it led me here, ya lucky bastard," he chuckled.

Brad smiled, "right on time Chavez," he reached down and picked up a broken chair leg, "now let's clean this up."

Chavez picked up a revolver and lifted it toward him, "sure you don't prefer this."

Brad hesitated, "naw...you know what..." he took it and shoved it in his waist, "I'll just hang on to it just in case."

They tiptoed down the hall until they came to an open area, bright with equipment and make shift lights. Chavez jammed along the entrance, his gun held tightly in front of him and he motioned to Brad to cover him.

"Wait," Brad whispered, "shouldn't we secure the hostages first?" he asked through clenched teeth.

Chavez seemed to think about it for a while, "sounds like a plan, only we don't know where they are. Besides, the kid's in there."

"Casey?" he took a deep breath, "okay, we'll do it your way."

"On three. One, two..."

Chavez turned and dived into the room, sliding behind a crate in the shadows. Brad took his place against the wall, clutching his chair leg, until he realized what he was up against and switched it with the gun.

"Freeze, Police. Drop your weapon!" he heard Chavez say.

There was a scramble in the room as men dived for cover and withdrew weapons. And then to his surprise the sounds of mad gun shots that seemed to go on for what felt like an eternity. Finally it stopped, and then all Brad could hear was his own panicked breathing, he was shaking now and sweating profusely.

"Come on Trent, it's over," said Chavez.

Brad sighed in relief, Chavez was okay. He took a chance and glanced into the room, it was dusty but not enough to hide the two lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground. But someone was still moving, it was Trent, he drew back and swore.

"Drop the gun or the girl gets it!" came the familiar voice that Brad had now come to associate with the lowest of species.

He grimaced as he heard Casey's fearful cry, she was clutched against her kidnapper's chest a gun pressed to her temple. Brad groaned, she shouldn't have to be subjected to this kind of thing; it made him angry to think that this man might've ruined his daughter's childhood. He was no expert but a common understanding of the human mind told him that this could scar his daughter for life. What he had to think about now was how much more damage would he cause by flying in there with guns blazing. He took a deep breath and replaced the gun with the chair leg again, this time he wasn't shaking with fear; he was shaking with anticipation, the anticipation of taking down Trent and watching him squirm at his feet, like a headless serpent.

"Drop it!" Trent screamed, his voice rising to a frantically high pitch.

Chavez hesitated but then he dropped his gun and slid it toward Trent, rising from his hiding place with his hands lifted above his head.

Trent smiled evilly, "thank you," he said as he lifted his gun and squeezed the trigger.

All Chavez could do was gasp as the lead slammed into him; he staggered, looked up at Trent with wide eyes then fell to the floor with a thud. As Trent lowered his gun however, Brad leaned in and flung the faithful chair leg, it flew toward him with a whoosh and hit him directly on the head, right between the eyes. He bucked and staggered releasing Casey immediately, his eyes wide with shock as he too fell to the ground.

Brad ran in now, and caught Casey as she stumbled into his arms, moving awkwardly on her heavily casted leg; she buried her face in his shirt and clung to him.

"You alright darling, how's your leg," he pulled her away from him so he could see her face, but to his surprise and confusion, tears were streaming down her face but she was grinning, her eyes were bright with what appeared to be excitement.

"I'm okay. Wow, you only see stuff like this in the movies, oh man am shaking," she said. Brad couldn't help it but smile, she was different alright.

"What about that guy? Is he gonna be okay."

Brad let go of her and hurried to Chavez's side, "hey man are you okay?"

Chavez lifted his head weakly only to drop it down again with a sigh, "I'll be fine," he said between breaths, clutching the bloody patch above his chest.

"Dad he's getting away!"

Brad looked up sharply, in time to see Trent staggering out the room gripping his forehead. Brad swore then winced, casting an apologetic look at his daughter but she was too caught up with the drama to notice.

He got up took out his gun from his waist, checked to see if it was loaded then stuck it in his waist, "you two stay here," he instructed as he went to get his chair leg.

"Casey... uh..." he looked about the room for a moment before he retrieved a bulky phone from among Trent's equipment, he handed it to Casey, "get help but don't leave," he said, "I'm going after him, and stay away from these...uh sleeping, bad guys."

"Dad, I know they're dead."

"Yeah of course you do."

Anna looked up from behind the bush tree they were using as cover and looked over at Mike quizzically, "this is where they are? Your wood shop?"

Mike shrugged, "it's a long story," he said.

Anna glared at him, "paraphrase it," she demanded, through clenched teeth.

"Okay, well I kinda rented out the upstairs to this weird looking dude," he started.

"You what! I didn't give you permission to rent anything," scolded Anna.

Mike ducked his head in embarrassment, "ah know, he just... he offered a really hefty sum for not even more than two weeks and ah only rented out the upstairs anyway."

"And how do you know this is who we're looking for?"

Mike sighed, "well they came to the house for two things, one was Casey and the other was the hefty sum I got, that I'd planned to spend on the renovation of the bathroom," he looked utterly disappointed, "anyway I guess they didn't plan on me waking up.

"Alright you two enough talking, let's just go in there and get an idea of what we're up against. Corporal Henry stay here, no one gets out."

Crouching, they moved with the swiftness and stealth almost equivalent to a Cheetah as they approached the house. Surprisingly, the door was open and there wasn't much resistance from the drowsy guard sitting inside. Griffith merely knocked him cold with his gun butt and they carried on further into the old moldy house.

"The moment someone asked to rent this place your radar should've been up, look at this place, only bank robbers, drug addicts, the clinically insane and kidnappers would live here," Anna whispered.

Mike rolled his eyes.

"Shhh," Griffith stopped and planted his finger on his lips in warning; "did you hear that?"

Everyone was on alert now, standing completely still. Then they heard it, a shrill cry and a loud commanding voice, it was muffled but all the walls couldn't hide the venom that it held.

"That must be Mara," said Anna.

Mike looked at her confusedly, "who is Mara?" he asked, frowning.

Just then Derek came skidding around the corner, his arms flailing as he jolted to a stop, "Anna!" he instantly broke into wide grin.

Anna froze for a moment, her eyes wide and something strange whirled inside of her at the sight of him.

"Oh my God! Derek you're alright," she cried as she hurried toward him.

Derek was already making his way toward her, he looked such a mess, with his swollen lips bruised brow, bloody beige shirt and dusty jeans. But that couldn't stop Anna from throwing her arms around him happily; he returned her embrace with equal fervor, both oblivious to the surprised and confused onlookers.

"Are you okay?" she asked, reaching up and brushing her fingers over his busted lip.

He took her hand and kissed it, if someone had told him yesterday even, that he would be this joyful at seeing Anna he wouldn't have believed it. It appears as if lies aren't only effective to the one to whom it is aimed but to some extent to the one who gives it.

"I'm fine," he said, his eyes locked on hers, he would give so much to be able to look into those caring pools for as long as was humanly possible.

"How'd you get out?" she asked.

Mike and Griffith had come closer now, the surprised looks slowly fading on their faces and the eager 'we want answers now' frown had started to appear, starting from their eyes.

"I'll tell you later," said Derek, he looked over her shoulder at the two men, "great you brought help. Trent just came in, he took Mara, he looks really mad and I'm afraid he's gonna hurt her," he turned back to Anna, "Brad's here..."

"Mason!" Mike stepped up, his gaze cold, "Anna you better start explaining right now!" he demanded.

"She will," replied Derek, "on the way, we don't have much time."

He took her hand and started to lead her away but she tightened her grip and jerked his arms gently, he turned back to look at her with concern.

"What is it?"

Anna took a deep breath, "They've got my daughter Derek," she said and she could swear she saw his eyes flash.

"No way!" he responded, his face dark.

Anna nodded, "kidnapped her tonight."

"This just got way serious," he growled.

"Darn right," Mike agreed.

They started off again, this time stealth was disregarded as they followed Derek, guns and... a cutlass raised and ready.

"If there wasn't someone I wanted to whip more I'd a cleaned that Mason guy up," Mike was saying, after Anna had relayed the story to him.

Derek turned and lifted his finger to his lips, "shhh, I think I hear 'em," he whispered.

He leaned in and peered over the edge of the wall. The back of the building was a muddy yard with patches of grass here and there and a back drop of ocean; one could understand how the house made a convenient spot for harbouring hostages and carrying out their very criminal activities. It was a windy night and the sea was in an uproar and bumping in the surf, was a speed boat. But the most surprising sight was seeing Brad there, he was standing with his back toward a fidgeting Trent, holding on to a sobbing Mara a gun pressed to her head as he backed away toward the waiting boat.

"Oh my God," cried Derek, "they're all down there."

The Sergeant leaned over and lifted his gun, then he shook his head, "I can't get a clear shot."

"We got to make it back down," said Derek, "hurry!"

"I said don't move," bellowed Brad, as he tightened his sweaty grip on the gun.

Mara looked over at him with pleading eyes, "I'm not sure if I want to die Brad," she cried.

Trent yanked her hair and pressed the gun harder, "shut up!"

"Come on Trent, it's over," Brad said.

Trent took the gun from Mara and pointed it to Brad, "it ain't over till somebody pays!" he screamed.

"I already did," cried Brad in frustration.

Neither of them was expecting what happened next. Suddenly, Trent was crying out in agony, squinting his eyes as he doubled over. Brad looked over just in time to see Casey lowering what looked like a sling shot, a mischievous grin on her face, just before she ducked behind the short brick wall again. Brad smiled, she was definitely his daughter.

Mara twirled and punched Trent hard in the face with her bound hands and he made one angry desperate grapple for her. She gasped as he grabbed her and swung her over the edge, it happened so fast it left Brad, gapping and frozen and he didn't see Trent coming toward him, fist at the ready.

It took the first punch to the face to snap him back into his senses; he staggered backward and dropped the gun. Angrily he reached for Trent, grabbing him by the collar and tossing him to the ground hard. Then he pulled out his chair leg from his waist and rained blind, rage filled blows down on him. Until Trent tripped him, straddled him and punched him into oblivion.

Derek and the others reached down just in time to see Trent laughing hysterically as he pelted toward the boat, his face almost unrecognizable. The sergeant lifted his gun and fired, Trent bucked momentarily but continued to make for the boat, looking as weak limbed and wounded as ever. Anna hurried to Brad's side and shook him until his eyes fluttered open and he was instantly awake the moment he remembered what was happening.

"Mara's in there!" he cried, motioning to the raging surf.

"I got her."

They all looked up to see a wet Officer Henry struggling up the bank toward them, he had Mara in his arms and she looked as lifeless as ever. Brad got up and hurried toward them, his face flushed with panic.

Henry laid her down and Brad immediately started resuscitation. Derek leaned down to help as the others looked on in horror. The pale, blue lipped Mara, just laid there, rocking under Brad and Derek's attempts to restore her.

"....5,6,7,8..." Derek counted as her pumped her chest vigorously.

"Come on Baby," Brad pleaded, tears streaming down his face, "Come on, I can't lose you please don't leave me, I love you so much."

Casey wobbled across the field, leaning against Mike. Anna stretched out her arms to her and she clung to her mother, her face crumpled with grief, "mom?"

By now they could see the colourful flashing lights of the ambulance and the police, their sirens cutting into the grief chilled night.

Anna wrapped her arms around her daughter, "Oh God..." she breathed, "Everything's going to be okay honey. Have faith."
Chapter 21

The house was bustling with activity, Anna threw her towel over her shoulder and turned from the oven to the stew peas and steamed vegetables she had on the stove. Steam filled the kitchen and she had to constantly wipe the sweat from her fore head with her rag, she could smell the barbeque Mike was working on in the back yard.

"Mom, they're here!" Casey called out, as she hobbled toward the kitchen, she peeped in, her eyes wide with excitement.

She managed to walk these days without assistance from her crutch, and to Casey that was more than enough.

Anna frowned as she wiped her hand on the towel, "already?"

Casey nodded, "Want me to stall 'em?"

Anna smiled knowingly, "yes go ahead, for as long as you like."

Casey grinned and dashed out into the living room, Anna heard the door open and Casey's warm, high pitched welcome, she could hear Brad's deep baritone response and surprisingly enough, it sounded like nothing more than a baritone. No magic, no fluttered pulses, there was no wave or thunder clap, she shook her head and bent back to her work.

Brad wore a ridiculous, face splitting grin as he bent to embrace his daughter, "oh darling, how I've missed you," he cried, almost lifting her off the ground.

Casey giggled and as he released her, her eyes travelled to the woman standing awkwardly behind him, clutching her purse in front of her like a shield.

"Hi," she greeted.

Mara smiled back, "hello Casey, how are you?"

Casey nodded, "good, I'm walking without my crutch now, but mom says that I shouldn't push it though, so sometimes she makes me use it."

"Your mom's right," Brad agreed, his eyes travelling to the entrance of the kitchen, where Anna was leaning against the arch, arms folded across her chest, a pleasant smile on her face.

"Of course," she said, her eyes fell on Mara, "Hello Mara, how are you?" she asked.

Mara nodded, "fine, you?"

"I'm great."

There was an awkward silence that ensued, and it seemed no one knew how to break it, not even Casey. The last time they were here, there were all sorts of wounds to be salved, and so many truths to uncover. As they stood staring at each other, it became evident who was missing, Anna had been painfully aware of it.

Derek had returned home with Brad and Mara, after they'd dealt with the aftermath of Trent's reign of terror and she hadn't heard from him since. She couldn't blame him, she had been closed up about her feelings and she had hurt him. Anna was just happy everyone was alright, and alright not just in the sense of being alive but alright with each other, everyone but her that is, but none of that mattered now, not to her, having lived with heartbreak for eleven years already, what was a few more until she got over Derek.

"I'm sorry Anna, Derek had to..." Brad started.

Anna held up a hand, "it's okay, let's go out back."

About half an hour later they were all sitting out back at the tables Mike and Casey had set up. Mara helped Anna bring out the food, Brad couldn't stop smiling; he was glad that his wife and the mother of his child were getting along so well. He wasn't so sure about the inside jokes they seemed to be sharing though, he was certain they were talking about him.

Anna sat down next to Casey and smiled at her, "Alright guys let's start," she looked over at Brad, "would you like to say grace Brad?"

Brad nodded, "sure..."

Suddenly there was a loud crash. Anna gasped and shot to her feet and they all rushed out to the front of the house.

Parked on the short wall separating the pavement from the grass was a blue Corolla.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Anna exclaimed, looking in horror at the crushed buttercups, peeping out from under the wheel.

"Oh man, Anna I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention..."

Anna froze. Seeing Derek step out of that car seemed to have done something strange to her heart. He was standing there looking apologetically at her, his hands open at his side. He was dressed simply, in a polo T-shirt and long Khaki pants, but he was as handsome as ever.

Brad and Mike were already on the scene surveying the damage, Mara hovered over them as Casey watched from the door, but Derek and Anna didn't move, they couldn't.

"What are you doing here?" she finally managed, her voice sounding strange.

Derek shrugged, "I came to see you," he had moved closer to her now, "I've missed you Anna."

Anna clenched her jaw, she wasn't about to admit that her sleepless nights and distress after the trouble with Trent were because of him, from the anxiety of wondering if she would ever see him again, and if she was strong enough to outlive this heartache too.

"It's not that simple Derek, you can't just drive up to my house, kill my flowers, tell me you miss me and everything would just be... peachy..." she took a deep breath, oblivious to those in the yard with them, "I... told you how I felt and we discussed this, we can't logically make this work and..." she stopped, fighting to control her emotions.

"You're right, we can't not logically, no. I'm sorry, I really am, I panicked about a lot of things. The thing is, you're usually quite right about things, but that's also your weakness, you over think things too much. Here is a guy, who flew from another country, rented a beat up Corolla... Anna, I, Derek Armstrong, rented a Corolla..."

She smiled despite herself, deliberately trying to ignore the fact that he was getting closer and closer to her.

"...a guy who whacked his brain trying to remember where you live, and not only did he drive over your wall and puncture the tires on this car, he also killed your... beautiful flowers, all because this man is madly in love with this gem of a woman, a woman who reflects almost everything a man could ask God for in a mate. Integrity, honesty, brilliance, determination, beauty, faith; with eyes that seem to dance only for him, and yes it's pretty complicated but not as complicated as trying to live without the woman that I love. We fight and we love with the same passion, what man is gonna give that up because it's not logical. Faith and sacrifice is a more part of love than logic will ever be."

He reached up and placed a hand on her cheek, feeling the warmth beneath his hand, he smiled into her face, "Let go Anna and let God do what he has to do with us, let go of all that nonsense in your past... and be my wife."

Anna's eyes widened and she gapped at him, "huh..."

He grinned, "be my wife Anna Wright, marry me."

By now the others had picked up on what was going on; they were all looking on with interest and shock. It felt as though even the big roaring ocean was holding its breath, waiting to hear her response.

Anna turned to Casey, who was leaning on her crutch and to her surprise, Casey was grinning from ear to ear and nodding excitedly, as though she'd known how this would turn out all along. Anna smiled at her, then turned back to Derek.

"You know I could say yes now and in the next ten minutes we would be quarrelling about the filling in the tarts..."

Derek smiled, "you know you like that am attentive enough to argue about the filling in your tarts, besides fighting with you is fun, neither of us ever wins."

She grinned, "you're right, but if I marry you, I think we both would."

Derek gapped, "is that a..." he arched his eyebrows quizzically.

Anna wrapped her arms around him and gently planted her response on his lips; the onlookers erupted with shouts of approval. Even Brad couldn't help grinning, he had to admit, he'd never seen Anna this happy and if he had to choose, he wouldn't have chosen anyone other than Derek for her. He pulled his wife closer and planted a kiss on her cheek, and she slipped her arm across his waist. He was glad he decided to fight for her.

Anna looked up into the eyes of the man she loved, now that she'd been given another shot at love, she wasn't about to mess it up.

"You know you have to replant my buttercups right?"

Derek grinned, "right after we eat darling, by the way, we are having pineapple tarts right?"

Anna chuckled, "you'll see."

As they made their way toward the house, and Anna wrapped her free arm around her daughter, she lifted up a silent prayer of thanksgiving. God truly had come through for her, he'd taken both her and Brad through the crossroads of broken hearts and brought them onto the right path of healing, lasting friendships and true love so that the pain of their past was now only a memory.

The End.
About the Author

Greetings reader, thank you for picking up _Remember Yesterday_ and making it to this page in one piece. So about me, I am an undergraduate Psychology major at the University of the West Indies and former literature teacher. I currently reside on the beautiful island of Grenada, the island of my birth and home of my inspiration, which is often the main setting for most of my books. I'm a musician, occasional poet, and blogger.

You can visit my blogsite, Royalty Press at www.kapurnum.wordpress.com, where I often ramble on about things that might interest you. You can also follow me on Twitter and favorite my smashwords author page.

Once again thank you for your support and I hope that you continue to check out my other books as they come. Don't forget to leave a review at the retailer of your choice and let me know what you think. God bless you and as we say on Royalty Press, be a blessing. I'll let you decide how to go about doing that.

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