Making New Memories (23 page)

When the prosecutor asks me questions on
re-cross examination he asks, "You said you can't positively
identify any of the defendants. Can you tell us what you do
remember about them after you were drugged?"

Nodding I answer, "I remember six different
men taking turns with me. Two were blonde, one was black, and the
other three had brown hair. One of the blondes had a crooked front
tooth and had green eyes. I remember thinking that was an odd
combination. The other blonde had blue eyes and was so drunk he
couldn't perform even though he pretended that he had. One of the
men with brown hair was wearing a Rutgers t-shirt and had really
bad teeth and bad breath. One of the others with brown hair had on
a shirt with Greek letters on it, Sigma Chi. That was Richard
Thomas. The third man with brown hair had two missing front teeth.
The black man was big, he hurt me the most and they all laughed
when I screamed. When they dumped me in the alley they kicked me
over and over laughing. I couldn't breathe and I wanted to
die."

Dylan's heart is breaking hearing these
explicit details of what Skye went through as a young girl and he
wipes tears from his eyes. It is a miracle she survived. It is an
even bigger miracle that she has healed enough to love him so
openly and so thoroughly.

As soon as I am told to step down from the
witness chair, Dylan hurries back to the waiting room and pulls me
into his arms and holds me while I cry.

He croons to me, "You did good Sweetheart.
It's over now. You don't ever have to tell that story again." He
gently strokes my back and cradles me tenderly in his arms.

Barry is next and he tells the jury how he
found me almost completely hidden behind the dumpster. He explained
how he thought I was dead at first. Only after finding a weak pulse
in my neck had he realized I was still alive. He carried me to my
home where my father called in doctors and nurses to care for me
around the clock. They transformed my bedroom into an intensive
care unit. He told them how for years I cringed every time a man
came near me. He explained how when my father died the Paparazzi
terrified me with their relentless pursuit and how I fled to
Montana to escape from them.

Then Bear testifies about my state of mind
when he first found me in Montana. He tells them how it had taken
him months to convince me I was safe with him. He explained how he
camped just out of sight of the cabin for months so he could keep
an eye on me and protect me from any intruders. He explained how I
wouldn't even look at another human being on our first few trips
into town for supplies. Then he explained how I finally started to
come out of my shell as time passed and how I finally confided much
of the story to him.

The defense team called a few character
witnesses for their clients. In closing arguments they tried to say
their clients were just college boys having a little fun that got
out of hand. They portrayed them as fine upstanding citizens that
shouldn't have to pay for a college stunt.

The prosecution portrayed the defendants as
cruel and inhuman and asked they get the maximum sentence for their
crime, ten years in prison.

When the jury goes into deliberations, Barry
suggests we find a place to get some dinner. I tell them I would
rather just get a sandwich delivered to the courthouse. As we are
finishing our sandwiches, the jury reaches their verdict.

Sitting in the back of the courtroom, we
observe as the verdict is read. GUILTY. During the penalty phase of
the trial the judge limits testimony from the defenses character
witnesses. When the jury goes back into deliberations, it doesn't
take but thirty minutes for them to decide. They sentence all of
the men to ten years probation and require they all register as sex
offenders.

I am pleased with the sentence and I am
relieved that it is all finally over. Now perhaps I can move on
with my life.

In just a few short months the population on
the Rock Springs Ranch more than doubled. Jesse and Clarence
Kincaid Sr. relocated from Phoenix to a new log home at the ranch.
Clarence, more commonly known as Bear, is now a valued member of
the Drake Security Team and Jesse helped plan and organize a new
PTSD recovery program at the hospital in Cody.

Evelyn and Reginald Willingham, along with
Jeff and Janie Smith relocated from Cody to a new home on the ranch
during November. Ron and Randall Willingham, twin boys born just
before Christmas are the latest additions to their home. Evelyn's
little boutique in Cody has grown into four little boutiques
located in the surrounding area and at Yellowstone National
Park.

Dylan and I moved into our new home with
Damian in October. Benjamin Reynolds Drake is scheduled to arrive
in just a few months.

Along with the population growth at the
ranch, Drake Security has become the premier security consulting
firm in North America. Corporations large and small across the
United States and Canada are vying for their time and attention and
paying top dollar for their expertise.

On a cold winter evening we all gather in
front of a crackling fire in the huge stone fireplace in the great
room at Barry's home. We are joined by the Murrays and Barry's
mother, Virginia and her husband Bob as well as Mark and Patricia
Brentwood. Everyone is surprised when Barry calls for everyone's
attention. Standing before the fireplace and surveying the group
Barry has come to think of as his expanded family, his heart is
full of happiness, love and respect. He thinks back over all of the
stories behind the happy families in front of him and wonders what
the next year will bring. He smiles and says,

"I want to propose a toast. To love ... to
life ... to new beginnings!"

Calls of "Here, Here!" ring out among the
group.

Sitting in the corner of the room Pinky and
Stump look at each other with a hint of sadness in their eyes both
wondering when their time will come. Stump's life has certainly
changed in the last year. He found out his father is still alive,
living in Montana and he brought him together with his Mom after
nearly forty years. He is extremely happy he was able to
orchestrate their reunion. He loves his Dad and has cherished
getting to know him, to work side by side with him. But he is
lonely. He longs for the happiness he sees in his buddies, Barry,
Goose and Scoot. He longs for the love their wives and children
have brought into their lives.

Pinky is just plain sad. Don't misunderstand,
he is happy for his friends and the happiness they have found, but
he knows he won't ever be so lucky. His life is cursed in that way.
No matter how much he wants that happiness he knows he will never
find it, and even if he thinks he does, it will all slip away, just
like last time. It all goes back years to the bayous of Louisiana
and an old Creole woman. She cursed his grandfather and after
nearly a hundred years no one has been able to break the curse. It
is the reason, he joined the Marines.

Karen Ward is the pen name used by Glenda
Hays.

Glenda grew up in Texas but traveled the
United States as a healthcare consultant for many years. She has
over twenty years in the healthcare industry and has spent many
hours on airplanes and in hotel rooms reading the stories of her
favorite Romance writers.

A few years ago she found herself one of the
millions of Americans on the unemployment rolls and after a few
months began to put some of her own stories down on paper. She
loves the challenge of writing and plans to spend every spare
moment sharing her love of her heroes and heroines with the
world.

Glenda is divorced with two grown children
and three grandchildren. She lives in a small town in the DFW
Metroplex.

Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it
and will recommend it to your friends. Please don't forget to rate
the story before you leave.

Be sure to read the other stories in the
Wounded in Wyoming Series:

FINDING DIAMOND GIRL

SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOME

SEEKING SAFETY

RENEWING LOST LOVE

UNCOVERING HIDDEN TREASURE

COMING SOON!

TEXAS LOVING SERIES

LOVING MR. CREEP

LOVING THROUGH THE PAIN

LOVING MY CATLOVING CINDERELLA