Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) (11 page)

             
I looked down at her sleeping on my shoulder, thinking that this is probably the first time she has been able to sleep in days.  She worked really hard for something she didn’t see as her true happiness.  My mind wanders to thoughts of her working on the ranch and almost laughed out loud.  She was probably used to working on little sleep, but the intensity of the work I am sure varies to what is required on a ranch. 
This should be pretty comical to watch
, I thought to myself.  If nothing else I will work her to the bone and get some of my frustrations out on falling for her while I’m at it.  This just might work after all.  I hate being torn in two and knowing that she really has no idea what she’s getting herself into makes me smile.  No, she really has no idea what she is in for…but she will.  Oh, she will.

Chapter
Nine

Mary

I
woke to someone picking me up.  I was about to freak out when his tender voice whispered, “Shh, it’s okay.  You fell asleep in the truck I’m taking you to your bed.”

“
Thank you Tobey,” I sighed. “For everything you’ve done for me.”

“
I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else. Now shhh, just rest.” He whispered as he kissed my head.

I
cuddled into him and took a deep breath.  He smelled good; a mixture of the outdoors and cologne.   In all honesty, I had to admit to myself the feeling of being in his arms was the best feeling ever. It was also different having someone be this nice to me with no agenda behind it. No one has ever been this nice to me agenda or not.  Nate was a good guy, but I wasn’t in the market then for a relationship.  I was really starting to like Tobey and the way I felt whenever he was near me. It was a very new, but scary feeling.

“
You may kiss the bride.” The preacher said loud and proud.

I
turned my head and there stood Tobey lifting my veil with the biggest smile on his face. He cupped my face in his hands, leaning down, he kissed me. It was a loving, warm kiss.  My heart swelled in my chest.

“
You are mine forever as I am yours.  I can’t believe you are my wife, Mrs. Young.”

“
And you are my husband,” I said with tears in my eyes.

“
For always my love,” he kissed me softly again.

“
Ladies and Gentlemen. May I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Young.” The preacher said as we turned to the guests, and slowly made our walk down the aisle.

We
were announced again as we made our way through the arched lined path to our reception.  The smile on my face only left when I yawned or was kissing my new husband.  This was the best day of my life. My smile widened as Tobey walked back over to me.  They announced our first dance as a married couple.

He
led me to the dance floor and wrapped me in his arms.  Slowly we started to dance with the music of our song.  Looking up at him, I smiled.  This is just the best day ever! I am the happiest I have ever been.

“
I love you so much my husband.”

“
Oh my wife, I am not sure which of that statement means more; hearing you say you love me or calling me your husband. You have made me complete. I love you more than you will ever know, my wife.”

A
noise jerked me awake. At some point, I must have fallen back to sleep because I woke in a bed and it was still dark outside.  What the hell kind of dream was that? I just dreamed of marrying Tobey.  It was a good dream though.  I seemed to be real happy and so did Tobey.  But why was I dreaming about marrying him?  Normally it’s a faceless man, but not this time.  Was it because of all the things he has done for me since we met?  Was his kindness what caused me to bring him in my dream? Maybe that was all it was.  Either way, it was a good dream instead of a nightmare.  So for the first time, I slept through the night. I sat up in my bed and glanced at the clock.  It was just before three o’clock in the morning. If I planned this right, I could go for my run, sit down and write for a bit and then cook breakfast for Tobey.  Stumbling for the light, I got up, found my suitcase and put on my running clothes.  Short spandex shorts with a matching sports bra, I tiptoed down the hall and opened the front door quietly.  Once I was off the porch, I began stretching as I looked around at my surroundings.  This place was beautiful, even in the dark.  It was so peaceful. 

Once
I was stretched, I began to run up the driveway. Unsure of how far or how safe it was to run, I didn’t do my normal run but I ran a mile at least I thought.  My mind went back to thoughts of Kyle.  That phone call I still needed to make.  It terrified me.  How was I going to tell the man that has controlled me for the past five years or so that
I
have decided to take even more time off.  There was no doubt in my mind how pissed he was going to be. I can hear him yelling now.  I guess at least that is a benefit to this whole thing.  It was a phone call so I can hang up and he can’t hit me through a phone.

Looking
at my surroundings as they pass by me, the feeling of the cool air breezing past my face felt rejuvenating. The air was so clean and crisp this early in the morning.  The only sound was my feet hitting the gravel and my breathing as I ran.  It was no wonder Tobey loved his ranch so much.  It really was a haven all in its own.  I hope that when I get my ranch, that mine will be as beautiful as this one.  All it lacked was water sounds and it would be perfect.

I
love the sound of rain or running water.  In my apartment, I rent in the city, I have a water feature in my bathroom that is a waterfall running into my Jacuzzi tub. Climbing in that after a hard day was the best feeling in the world.  It was instant relaxation. When I was in my apartment, really it was a hotel suite, it was my after run relaxation.  Running for me was relaxation. I was able to work through all my aggressions of the long day by simply pounding it into the ground below me.  My runs are usually long. No less than ten miles a day.

Today
’s run was far too short for my liking, but I need to talk to Tobey to see if it is safe for me to run here and how far before I go too much further out than I did.  Standing in front of the porch steps, I did a few cool down exercises and walked back and forth to help slow my heart rate.

From
where I was standing, I could see the outlines of other buildings. I could hear the sounds of horses and cows.  There were other sounds, but I couldn’t place their sounds with a familiar one in my head.  A smile spreads across my face and excitement starts to build, I couldn’t wait for the day to start.

Once
I started breakfast, I was going to go check out the barns. I was so excited that I practically ran inside to start cooking.  After looking through his fridge, pantry and cupboards, I decided to make my sister’s breakfast casserole and biscuits.  I will make gravy to go with it too, but that would wait until it was closer time for the other stuff to be done. 

I
remember back to Jeff teaching me to cook.  It was some of my funniest moments in my life.

“
Mare, what the hell are you doing?”

“
What?” I asked innocently.

“
Don’t play innocent what did you do?” Jeff asked, looking at me trying not to laugh.

I
grinned big. “This,” I said as I put my hands on his cheeks.

Pulling
my hands away, you can clearly see my floured hand prints on either side.  My laughter boils over and I laugh until tears start to fall down my cheeks.

“
You didn’t just do what I think you did. Did you?”

I
nodded my head still laughing hard.  “It looks good on you too.”

“
What are we ten? Get serious Mare.” Jeff states.

My
laughter stops and I stand up straight.  Ever since my brother had become this big time celebrity chef it seemed you couldn’t play around with him anymore.  That saddened me because he and I used to be so close growing up.  Now he took cooking far too seriously for my liking.  Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe and I was coughing.

“
If you’re going to make a mess, make it worth it.” Jeff grinned as he dusted his hands in the air.

Wiping
the excess flour off my face, I walked slowly toward him holding my hands behind my back.  I must have had an evil look in my eyes because Jeff’s smile faded and he started backing up. Before he could get away, I smacked both my hands down on top of his head.  The crack could be heard throughout the kitchen.  Slowly the whites started to drip down his face, followed shortly by the yolks. When he realized what had happened, I knew I was in trouble, so I turned and ran.

“
You’re supposed to be teaching me how to make a pie, Jeff.  Not teach me to wear food.  I learned that when I was one,” I yelled over my shoulder as I ran from him.

His
laughter filled our parents’ kitchen.  It was in that moment that I realized why my brother loved cooking. It brought people together and relaxed them. Jeff and I may have two totally different jobs, but the world still watches each of us.  Because of that it makes life very stressful. 

Jeff
taught me how to bake that day and I fell in love with it.  He also showed me how hard it is to clean egg up.  I think that day we spent just as much time, if not more, cleaning up as we did baking.  I was thankful to have the family I had. We were all there for each other and I would do anything for any of my siblings, especially my parents.

Focusing
back on the task at hand, I went about collecting everything I was going to need.  I had to pause for a moment to remember the steps that needed to be taken to make it.  Kayla was a great cook as well, but she was never taught by Jeff.  She liked to revamp older recipes.

Once
I had everything in the oven and going, I walked back outside and looked around again.  The buildings in the distance were calling to me. I was like a little girl on Christmas morning trying to sneak downstairs to see what Santa Claus had brought me.

I
started to walk toward the buildings to inspect them some.  After all, I would be working here, surely Tobey wouldn’t get mad at me for looking into his barns.  If I were to work my way around here then I need to know where here is, right?  Why was I suddenly nervous? Like I was invading his privacy or something.  I stood up straight and ignored the hairs standing up on the back of my neck. 

Approaching
the biggest building, this had to be the main barn. It was just a guess of course, by its close proximity to the house.  I have done plenty of research into running a ranch. I know that there is not always everything written in a book that needs to be.  Most of which are learned hands on.  I hoped to learn enough from Tobey to be able to make my ranch a success.  I had no doubts in my mind that I could handle it.  Hard work, long hours was a normal occurrence; more than many even knew.  My day never ended on the stage or the studio.  It lasted longer than that and I ended harder than that as well. 

My
career was not nearly as demanding as Kyle is.  Kyle didn’t care if I hadn’t slept.  He didn’t care if he had hit me so much that movement almost brought me to my knees.  The stories I have told to cover up those injuries were long and so many that I can’t even remember them all.  Of course, all I need to do is look in a magazine for reference so I didn’t trip up and get something wrong.  As sad as it was, I have a file with all the excuses I have given to anyone, press or otherwise.  I had to or I would be tripping over my lies by now.

Shaking
the thoughts from my head, I reach for the handle.  Sudden cold terror breaks out over me when I hear the click behind me. Oh shit! Kyle found me…

“
Don’t you dare fucking move,” hissed the person behind me.

A
scream sounded through the night, but I had no idea if it was from me or some animal in the distance.  The blood rushed through my ears, my head was throbbing and my vision was blurring.  I was going to die tonight.

Chapter
Ten

Tobey

A
noise in the house jerked me awake.  I sat up in the bed quickly and went for my gun.  When I grabbed my gun from the nightstand, I caught a glimpse of a picture.  It was then I realized the noise was Mary.

Damn,
I had completely forgotten she was here.

I
made my way to the bathroom and then hopped in the shower.  Once I was out and dressed was when my heart stopped completely. I heard a scream that could have been nothing more than someone dying.

FUCK!
Mary!

Grabbing
my gun on my way out, the only thought in my head was that Kyle had followed us. I flew out the front door and saw two figures by the door of my barn.  I moved over there quietly.  Keeping a reasonable distance, so whoever this was didn’t know I was there.

“
Please…” she sobbed and my heart clenched.

I
took aim at the back of the guy’s head and cocked my gun.

“
Lower your fucking weapon you asshole,” I hissed.

The
guy immediately lowers his weapon and I watch as Mary turns before she falls to the ground.

“
Tobey, it’s me Scott.”

“
What the fuck man!” I say as I lower my gun and move over to Mary.

“
I caught her trying to get into the barn.  I don’t know where the hell she came from, but I think she has to have someone else working…”

“
Damn it!  Did you not see my message?” I yelled at him. “This is Mary. She was coming out for a week to get the feel of running a ranch.”

“
Oh shit! Man, I’m so sorry.  I heard a noise and I just…”

“
We’ll talk later.” I gathered Mary in my arms and carried her inside.

Once
I had her laid on the couch, I went and grabbed a wet rag and began to wipe her forehead with it.  Slowly she came around.  Her eyes slowly opened and met mine.  She blinked several times before I felt her body tense.

“
It’s okay.  He didn’t get the message you were here and thought you were trying to steal from us.  You’ll meet him later.  Are you okay?”

“
Y-yes. Just scared me a lot was all.” She said as she sat up.

“
You sure you’re okay?”

She
nodded her head and stood up.  I watched her curiously.  She walked back to her bedroom and came back out with a notepad and pencil.

“
If it’s okay, I’m going to write for a few minutes.”

I
just nodded my head.  Anger was running through my veins as I met her eyes and seeing the look in them.  It was all I could do not to rip Scott apart right now.  I think even Scott knew that, which is why he didn’t even bother following me in here.  I knew that he was only protecting our lively hood, but damn it, he scared the living daylights out of her.

I
went back to my room to try and work out my anger before I took it out on her or went after Scott.  After knocking a few things around and then picking it all up, I grabbed my cell phone. My heart stopped in my chest when I saw that my brother has called six times.  For a moment, I had forgotten that I only met Mary because I am trying to avenge my family.  Would she have noticed me otherwise?  What am I talking about?  She doesn’t even know that it was revenge I was after and not her.  Could I go through with this?  It really is becoming harder and harder each passing day.  I have been back and forth so damn much on what to do and how I feel that even I am getting dizzy. 

Shaking
the thoughts from my head, I headed out to check on her. The minute I opened the door, I was greeted to a heavenly smell and then a heavenly sound.  Following the sound, I walked to the screen door and found her with her notebook and paper, writing and singing. 

“
You never know that you want it until it is in your face.  You never know you miss it until there’s an empty space.  You feel it in your heart and you feel it in the soul.  You hope that it will last but life takes its toll.  How can it hurt so badly when it all just began?  How can it steal your breath away and make your heart beat again? Lost…Lost…Lost in losing you.”

             
I was completely entranced in her song.  It was an amazing ballad and with no music, I could feel the pain in her voice.  The feel of the loss she was singing about was overwhelming and I wondered what loss she was singing about. Had she loved and lost?  Was this Nate guy her love that she was singing about? A surge of jealousy ran through me and suddenly I wanted to go find Nate and let him know that she was mine. She really has gotten to me.  Maybe focusing solely on the ranch has left me strung out and needy; maybe that is why I was acting this way.  Even as I said it, I knew that wasn’t the case.  It was simply Mary.  She affected me like no other woman has ever affected me before. 

Jumping
slightly when a buzzer behind me went off, I watched as she stood, closed her notebook and turned to walk back in the house.  She jumped when she saw me at the door.

“
Good Morning Beautiful.” 

She
blushed and smiled.

“
Good Morning.  I’m just making breakfast.” 

She
scoots passed me and heads into the kitchen and looks to be making some kind of gravy.  It all smelled amazing and my stomach growled.

“
You didn’t have to make anything.”

“
Oh, it’s okay, really.  I don’t have my own place so I don’t really get to cook.  Jeff and Kayla taught me a lot.  I made extra so you could just warm it up for a couple of days or whatever.”

“
What did you make?  Whatever it is, it smells heavenly.”

“
I made my sister’s breakfast casserole with biscuits and gravy.”

“
That is very nice of you to make.  There will be a couple of other guys joining us for breakfast…well most meals actually.  They live on the ranch. You met one of them earlier.  Are you okay?”

She
nodded.

As
I spoke, I was trying to keep my voice steady but looking at Mary wearing whatever it is she was wearing…  It barely covered her amazing ass and perfect breasts.  Because of it, I was picturing things I shouldn’t be picturing about someone that I wasn’t even dating, but I couldn’t stop the images from coming.  She definitely kept in shape, but that is probably a must for her job.

“
How did you sleep?  Have you been up for long?” I rambled trying to push the images away.

“
I slept great thanks and sorry for falling asleep on you.  I have been up since just before three.  I went for a run, started breakfast, then had decided to have a little look around, but… Then of course I was sitting on the porch writing.  I hope it was okay that I made breakfast.  I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to come out here.”

“
You’re fine for making breakfast, but you didn’t have to.  I like you, Mary.  I would like to see if you can make your dream a reality. Just so you know you may not want to exercise in the morning, work on the ranch can get kind of strenuous, so you don’t want to overdo yourself before you even get to work.”

“
Oh, I’m used to constantly moving and exercise.  I only ran a mile today until I know how safe and far I can run and how the work will affect my ability to run.  You should run in the morning, it rejuvenates you and gets your body ready for the day.”

             
She pulled out a sheet of biscuits and two casserole dishes of what she called a breakfast casserole just as the other guys walked in.  They were all joking as they came in and froze in the doorway when they saw Mary.  I couldn’t help but laugh.

“
Morning guys, I’d like you to meet Mary.  Mary these are the guys Joel, John and Harry. You met Scott earlier…sort of.” I said glaring at Scott.

             
All the guys mumbled their mornings and kept staring at her butt and her boobs.  Frankly, it was really pissing me off. If this was how they were going to react around her, I was going to make sure they stayed the hell away from her. 

So
casually, I walked over to Mary and wrapped my arms around her from behind and whispered in her ear, “If you don’t want your family to know that we weren’t really dating when you said we were, we are going to have to pull it off with these guys too.  They will run fast for a buck.” 

She
simply nodded.  The number one thought on my mind has been kissing her, I thought about it all night; hell even dreamt about it.  I decided to show claim I would soon relish in her amazing lips again, but I needed to wait so it didn’t look so obvious.  So I just stood there with my arms around her for a little while longer.  She turned her head and kissed me briefly on the lips and moved a dish to the table.

“
Sorry Mary. I hadn’t received his message then…” Scott struggled to apologize.

“
It’s okay Scott.  Honestly.  I was scared, but I’m good now.” She smiled at him.

“
It won’t happen again.  Will it Scott?”

He
shook his head.

“
Nice to meet you boys.  Come on and eat.  I hope it is good.”  She set five plates on the table with forks.

“
You’re not eating, babe?”

Whoa,
where’d that come from? I’ve never used pet names.

Mary
blinked at me for a minute and then with a smirk she says, “No I ate earlier.”

When
I shook my head, she smiled bigger.

All
the boys sat down at the table while she went to the sink to wash up the dishes.  All the guys then turned to me and said “Wow! How did you land her?” This from Harry.

“
That is the singer Mary Williams, right?” Joel said

I
notice that Scott hadn’t taken his eyes off her, but also kept his mouth shut too.  He had a look in his eyes that told me he was thinking hard about something.

“Uh, isn’t her siblings Carson and Kayla Williams?” John said, bringing me back to the present.

“
Yeah, why?” I asked, getting nervous.

“
Their poor family has been through hell.  She seems to hide it well. You know dude, sometimes it pays to watch television or read a paper.”

The
guys went on to tell me basically what Mary had told me on the ride over last night only in more detail.  They also told me about Colleen, Carson’s fiancée, and now I can’t help, but think about what Mary is going through.  They have definitely been through the ringer. There was no way a family who has suffered so much pain and loss would be out to inflict that on others.  My family had to have lied to me.  There was no way the things they told me could be true with what her family has gone through. It hurt a lot that my family would lie to me to such a degree. 

The
thought of what I could have done to this family because I was quick to believe them rather than find proof first. I suppose I couldn’t be upset because I really didn’t talk to them and hadn’t talked to some in years. My cousin and I were close at one point before life separated us and we traveled different paths.  But they were family and when they called me upset and needed help, I thought it was the right thing; not so much anymore though. I was confused and unsure of where to step next.  The things my family told me that she did and a few members of her family as well, they weren’t something that I would picture someone making up. What should I do? Being so damn confused was pissing me off. I had control of my life. I always have.  Since I was young, I knew exactly what I wanted and I went for it. Never in my life did I let anyone rile me like Mary was doing.  The thought infuriated me and yet as I watched the guys ogling her I couldn’t resist the urge to claim what is mine even if only for this week.

We
all grabbed some of the food and immediately the moaning of pleasure on how good everything was started.  Mary was laughing as she walked over to the table and I pulled her down on my lap.

“
That was delicious babe.  Thank you; it is a great way to start the day.”

“
You’re welcome.  There is enough for breakfast tomorrow too. If it’s okay with you, I would like to cook the meals while I am here.  Since you will not accept payment this week, please let me do this. You’re taking a chance with me for only having met me a week ago.”

I
couldn’t hold back any longer and brought my hand up to her face and turned her to look at me.  Running my thumb along the bottom of her lip, I leaned in slowly to kiss her.  My tongue ran along her bottom lip and I nipped slightly where I licked and she opened for me.  Pushing my tongue in her mouth, our tongues began to dance with the other.  The kiss changed from tender to need in a split second. I could feel myself stirring in my jeans and had to pull back before I just took her on the table in front of my friends.  Pulling back, I rested my head on hers and let my breathing slow.