Memories on the Ozarks (Close)

[TabascoKV]

To say the situation was awkward would be like saying Antarctica gets a little chilly at night. Becca’s mother stared at her, a soft critical look in Samantha’s eye. Sam’s apprehension grew when Daniel rejoined them, not expecting him to actually stay. When Dan sat next to her, Becca instinctively reached for his hand, hoping for shared strength. She had no clue what to expect from her mother or this conversation.

“Rebecca, may we speak in private?” Samantha finally broke the silence, casting a quick glance at Dan before meeting her daughter’s unforgiving stare.

“Anything you have to say in front of me you can say in front of him.” Stating the cliché, Becca tightened her fingers around Daniel’s, silently begging him to stay with her. She didn’t have the strength to handle this on her own right now. Samantha looked like she desperately wanted to object, but weighed the option of not being able to speak to her daughter. Sighing, the older woman dropped her gaze to her hands.

“I know you’re angry with me. I don’t blame you. I…I don’t know how to make this better.” She looked at Becca helplessly.

“Better? You think you can make this better?” Becca’s voice came out shrill when she spoke, a look of disbelief crossing her face. She stared at her mother, a harsh expression on her face. Her mother kept shooting furtive glances from Becca to Dan. Sighing, Becca relinquished her hold on Dan before turning to look at him. “Danny, can you excuse us please?” The tone in her voice dropped as she looked at him.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

With each passing moment the tension grew to sickening proportions and Dan prayed that they would come to a solution quickly, but he figured that it was a lost cause. When Becca asked him to leave, he was happy to comply, although he was also concerned at the same time.

“If that’s what you want, hon.” Was his mumbled answer as he kissed her lightly on her temple.

Dan decided not to go too far away, just in case she needed him for anything. The kitchen was the perfect place. So he made himself busy and started cooking.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca waited until Daniel had left before she made eye contact with her mother. Truthfully, she didn’t want Daniel to leave her, and felt horribly trapped when he did, but this needed to be dealt with.

“Rebecca, you are being unreasonable.” Her mother’s voice came out clipped, and she stood up. Pacing around the living room, she struggled to find the words to explain the situation.

“I don’t think I am.” Feeling like they were arguing in circles, Becca crossed her arms, a disgruntled expression crossing her face. “Explain to me how you could do this to me.”

“It wasn’t…Rebecca, I…” Stopping, Samantha’s arms fell to her side as a look of silent desperation creased her face. “I loved Joe since we were kids. My parents wouldn’t allow me to marry a man who was destined to struggle with farm life. I got pregnant with you right after high school, and my parents refused to let me marry Joe. He was next in line to take over the farm, and back then, the farm was on the verge of selling out. Paul had always been interested in me, so he and I got married. He agreed that he would claim you as his own.” Samantha sat down on the edge of the couch, burying her face in her hands.

“Well, obviously the farm is still here and stronger than ever.” Becca couldn’t hide the bitterness in her voice.


Yeah, but for how long?” Looking up, Sam’s stubbornness had returned. “I don’t know who Daniel Collins is, but he’s going nowhere fast on this farm. You have a successful lawyer waiting for you who is still willing to marry you.”

Becca had had enough.

“You may choose to live your life in pain, but I refuse to. I want you off my property. This conversation is over.” Standing up, Becca walked over to the door and opened it, looking pointedly from Samantha to the opening. Samantha contemplated continuing the conversation, but merely shook her head sadly before walking out.

Closing the door, Becca leaned against it, burying her face in her hands. Tears slid silently down her cheeks, as she shook her head.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan immediately went to the fridge and pulled the pitcher of tea. He set the pitcher down on the counter next to his near empty glass, trying to force himself to give Becca the privacy she deserved. As their voices continued to filter in to him, Dan found himself moving closer and closer to the doorway until, finally, he was leaning just inside the wall.

Multiple times, Dan wanted to jump into the living room and rant at the audacity of the woman sitting in there. He could hear the tension in Becca’s voice as she tried to defend her actions to her mother. Those tones in her voice made him wish he was holding her in his arms, consoling her, protecting her, lending her his strength. Time after time, he clenched his fists, feeling his nails bite into his palms.

When he heard the door close, finally, Dan moved into the living room. He found Becca leaning against the door and he immediately moved in close, allowing his arms to slide in around her. His lips brushed the back of her neck in a soft kiss.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca was not surprised that Dan was immediately by her side. She forced her tears away before looking up at him, forcing a small smile on her face. Shaking her head, she reached up and rested her hands on his chest. Arguments like these were not uncommon. Becca had been fighting with her parents her entire life because she always seemed to make the “wrong” decision.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Her tone was soft as she spoke, her eyes looking into his. “And neither do I. My decision isn’t wrong. “

“We have more important things to worry about right now. Like acres of fencing we’re going to have to check out before live stock starts escaping.” Detaching herself from him, she went and sat down on the couch, interlacing her fingers. “I think we should enlist Matt’s help tomorrow and the three of us saddle up and split up and just ride the fence lines. I don’t really trust anybody else.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan didn't really know what to say. He felt that what was important was what she was going through at that moment. Something that the old man had taught him. "Face your emotions and handle them, son." Joe's voice rang through his head, "They won't do nuthin but cook if you don't, and what'll be left is nuthin but a mess." Danny figured the last thing she needed to hear was more words from those that had hurt her, so he simply nodded as he held her in his arms.

"Yes, ma'am." He saw where her eyes had gone red-rimmed and had filmed over with tears. Danny wanted to kiss them away. He leaned his head in and gave her a savory kiss, it was long and he pulled her in to him and leaned her back a bit so that she knew he was in control. Passion began to build within him as his lips pressed against hers, his jaw slightly working.

He pulled back a bit. "Your strength amazes me, Becca." Danny spied the contour of her neck as she leaned her head back and his teeth nibbled against it, his tongue lightly flicking and tasting the salt of her skin.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca allowed his kisses to distract her for a brief moment. Craving his warmth and his goodness, she rested her hands against his chest as his arms enveloped her. Lacing her fingers through his hair as he planted kisses along her neck, she sighed. Pulling back from him slightly, she shook her head gently.

“Not right now.” Speaking softly, she shook her head and buried her face into his chest. She stayed that way for awhile before she lifted her eyes to his.

“It make me angry that they can judge you so harshly without knowing you.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

"Darlin' this ain't nuthin I haven't dealt with my entire life." Daniel shook his head lightly against hers. "I'm used to it."

He pulled her lips up to meet his. "Not right now?" A smile crept over his lips. "All I did was read the signs that you was in need of some comfort..." A light chuckle escaped him but died soon after birth at the harsh sound of tires on gravel.

Dan pulled away from her to quickly cross the room. "Don't look like it's over, either." He said as he peered between the curtains. "I don't think daddy much cared for what momma reported to him."

 

[TabascoKV]

“I don’t care if you’ve dealt with it. That doesn’t make it right, Daniel.” She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice. Even as an adult, she hated how her parents tried so desperately to keep a gavel pressed so tightly against her life. The sound of the gravel hit her ears, and a heavy stone settled in her stomach. She could hear her mother’s raised voice, but Becca couldn’t make out exactly what she was saying.

Her father’s voice rang out loud and clear, and Becca was transported back to when she was a child. She had been so terrified of her father’s mood swings growing up. It seemed like no matter what she did, he was angry.

Standing up, she walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone. She dialed Chief Nelson’s cell phone, explaining the situation briefly to him and requesting his presence in the event that her father refused to leave the property.

Hanging up, she walked back over to the door, resting her hands against it for a moment. Her body jumped as her father pounded on the door, and she looked over at Dan for a moment. Inhaling, she shook her head, trying to muster up the courage she didn’t feel. Reaching down, she pulled the door open and stepped outside, closing the door behind her. She hoped that Dan would stay inside. She didn’t want him to continue to be subjected to the harsh scrutiny of Paul and Samantha.

“Rebecca Elizabeth Landers, this has gone on long enough.” Paul’s voice was clipped and demanding, and he had the disposition of a man used to getting his way.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

After hearing him call her by her full name, Daniel knew he wouldn't last much longer, staying out of this "family" matter.

Daniel had been resolved to allow Becca to handle this in the way a ranch owner should, with the inner strength that came from working the ranch itself. He had just turned to walk inside when he heard the tone in her father's voice that spoke of her doing as he wished and nothing more. However, this is not how he was used to doing things. In his world, men respected women. In his world men respected his woman.

He could take no more of this attitude from these people. When Paul rose his voice and Dan saw his hands clenching at his side, Daniel pushed the screen door open hard so that it slammed against the side of his small cabin with a loud bang. "That's about enough, sir. I will not have you acting this way on my land. Becca has already asked you nicely to leave the property, now I'm going to have to ask you as well." Dan cocked his head from side to side, releasing loud pops and rolled his shoulders. "If I have to ask you again, it won't be so nice."

The color rose up into Paul's face and Danny knew that he had touched a nerve. This was not a man accustomed to being told how things were going to be. "This is not your property." He spat at Daniel. "You are nothing but worthless garbage that my brother pulled from the gutter."

Dan held his composure better than he thought he would ever be able; his eyes glancing to Becca, but staying focused on Paul. At first, his hands clenched as tight as his jaw and he had to will them open. He forced a smile to his face and ran his fingers through his hair. "I have the deed to prove it. Now. Get. Off. MY. Land." His teeth were still clenched and he began the slow, deliberate walk toward the older man. As he did so, the driver's side door of the large sedan opened and the driver stepped out.

"Mr. Landers?" The driver asked as he pulled off his jacket. "Would you care for some assistance, sir?"

Paul glared at Daniel, a wicked smile creeping up on his face. "Thank you, Michael. Yes. I do believe your talents would prove appropriate." He adjusted his tie and regained his composure as Michael walked across the lawn.

Danny risked one last glance at Becca and shrugged his shoulders. I've seen bigger he thought as he settled into his casual fighting stance. When Michael got to within fifteen feet, things happened in a blur. One moment, Danny was standing there planning his mode of attack, the next, he was flat on his back.

He blinked and rubbed his jaw, shaking his head to clear the dust that had risen within it. What the hell...

Daniel was dimly aware of bells ringing and he could make out someone asking if they're assistance was still necessary. He rolled and pushed himself up to his hands and knees.

"Danny? Danny?" Someone was asking him if he was all right, but he didn't know how to answer that. All he really knew was that his head was pounding and the ringing was getting louder.

 

[TabascoKV]

Dan’s sudden appearance startled Becca into inaction. She stood there, looking stricken and dumbfounded at the same time. She exchanged worried looks with her mother, both women afraid of the outcome. With the two men bowing up at one another, Becca’s brain kick started into action, but she felt helpless. Every time she opened her mouth to speak, the two were at it.

Michael had been assisting Paul since Becca was a child. She wasn’t sure what his background entailed completely, but she knew that he had lived a hard life and had picked up a lot of dirty tricks along the way. Becca had never cared for the man. There was something about him that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

“No!” She heard her voice screaming in a high pitched panic, her hand covering her mouth as Michael easily laid Dan out. A flash of blue and red caught her attention, and she spotted the police car driving down the trail. Tears pricked her eyes as she glared at Paul Landers, hating him with every ounce of her being.

“Get out of here.” Screaming, Becca dropped down to her knees next to Dan, her arm sliding around his back.

“Paul. Paul. Let’s go.” Samantha’s voice rang firm as she pulled on her husband’s arm. Paul met Becca’s stare harshly before letting himself be pulled to the car. The police car came to a stop as the trio got inside the car. Becca didn’t care about criminal repercussions at the moment. She just wanted them gone.

“Danny…” Voice trembling, Becca reached out and laid her shaking hand on his face. Chief Nelson got out of the car and walked towards them.

“Let me know now if you want patrol to stop them.” Crouching down, the white haired man looked empathetically on Daniel.

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan’s head started to clear up as he saw Chief Nelson as well as Becca leaning over him. He blinked. “Don’t worry about me,” he groaned, “You should see what I did to the other guy.” Dan tried to chuckle but his jaw felt like it had been crushed.

The chief stood there and very unceremoniously prodded his jaw in a couple places asking if it hurt. When the pain blasted into Danny’s face and neck, it was all he could do to maintain consciousness, let alone protest. “Ohhhhhh” he moaned. “Jesus, Chief.” The words were barely more than a whisper.

“I think he used brass knuckles.” Nelson replied casually. “Let me ask you again, Danny. Do you want to press charges?”

Dan was able to shake his head a fraction of an inch. “There ain’t no point, and we all know it. That guy has more money than the beach has sand. ‘Twouldn’t even be a bother. It’ll come back to bite ‘em in the end.” The thoughts running through his head were nasty and spurred by revenge.

Chief Nelson had seen that look in Danny’s eye before and knew what it meant. He shook his head softly, but knew that it wouldn’t do any good to lecture. Joe was the only man that could get through to that boy. Instead he walked back to his cruiser and popped the trunk. He came back with a white plastic bag that he crunched in his hand and kneaded. After a moment he handed the bag to Becca. “Hon, here you go, put this on his face. He should probably head in to the emergency room. Should I call for an ambulance?”

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca’s eyes were frozen on the ground the entire time, and Dan’s attempt at humor ricocheted. Seeing Dan get hurt because of her made her ill to her stomach. He was right about pressing charges. Her father would hire the best attorney for Michael. Heck, he would probably hire Nick just to spite her. Turning her head, she rested her forehead against his shoulder, closing her eyes as she tried to remember how to breathe properly.

Her eyes met Chief Nelson’s when the older man returned, and she took the ice pack from him. Gently laying it against Daniel’s face, she had to bite down on her bottom lip to keep her emotions at bay. Shaking her head at his question, she lifted her gaze to him briefly.

“No. I’ll get him there.” Shaking her head, she looked back at Daniel. “Twice within twenty four hours. That has to be some sort of ER record.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

.....

 

[pa1ndru1d]

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[pa1ndru1d]

Danny tried to protest, but Becca moved the ice pack over his mouth when he began. “Hey now… C’mon.” His sigh was pronounced and forced through the pack. “Fine.”

The trip was to and from town was uneventful although the doctor had plenty to say about seeing the two of them in his hospital again so soon. The x-rays showed nothing more than a bruising along Daniel’s jaw, but the doctor wrote a script for ibuprofen nonetheless.

The entire trip made him feel like he was wading through mud to get to anything substantial when communicating with Becca. They spoke, but it was only about trivial things. Well, things that Dan considered to be trivial. He was in no mood to fight to get to a decent conversation with Becca. He could tell something was bothering her and he assumed that it had to do with her parents trying to push her around. Danny decided that his only valid course of action was to let it go. So he did.

*

Over night and throughout the next day, the bruise changed colors and the swelling went down. Finally, near the middle of the afternoon, Becca allowed him to go out and they began riding the corral fencing. The twister had begun to the far west of the property and was massive – almost a mile across. As Dan and Becca mounted up and headed northwest, Matt met them on his own painted.

"Get lippy once too often with Becca?" he joked as he neared.

Dan shook his head. It was still a sore spot that he had been laid out so quickly. "Some guy that showed up with her father yesterday." He nodded toward Becca. "One minute we was squaring off, the next; I was flat on my back, seein' stars."

"Wow. Who was this guy and why was he applyin' all that color to your face?"

 

[TabascoKV]

Men were such babies. Becca had always known that, but Daniel had proven it. The visit back to the hospital was a nightmare, and she had sat there with her legs and arms crossed. She was mostly angry with her father, but there was a part of her that was angry with Dan. It bothered her how he reacted to so much with his fists. He was going to get himself killed one of these days.

Her spirits were little improved when she woke up the next morning. She cooked breakfast quickly, and busied herself around the farm. When she and Dan went out to survey the damage around the farm, she spoke very little, mostly lost in her own thoughts. She refused to verbalize her fear that Paul Landers would stoop so low as to call Nick and inform him of her whereabouts. Of course, based on all the hang up calls she had been getting in previous weeks, Becca had a cold suspicion that Nickolas had already found her.

She tried to brighten her attitude when Matt joined them, but talking about what had happened only soured her mood. Riding astride Samson, Becca allowed a bit of silence to pass between them after Matt’s question.

“Michael Rosenburg. He’s been working for my father since before my father became rich. He was a street thug growing up, and he moved into organized crime before he got thrown in prison. When he came out, my father hired him on. I guess he was impressed.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Street thug, eh... I won't underestimate him again. Daniel thought. He wasn't about to bring it up to Becca himself and was thankful that he and Matt thought along the same lines.

He thought he might try to bring up some conversation, and change the topic at the same time. "I had half our guys tackle clearing the damage from the main house. I brought up a couple of trucks to start hauling it out back to the burn pile and another pile started for the metals. Anything that is salvagable will be put back into the barn with the farm equipment until you decide what you want to do with it."


Matt saw that the topic of her parents was a sore spot all the way around so he too thought to try a different track. "My brother and sister have brought an injunction against the farm. I don't know that I understand the particulars of it, but the last time I brought up about making some changes, they decided that they would rather sell it outright for some of the low-ball numbers that have come their way. Pennies on the dollar." The words came out somewhere between a whisper and a sigh, it was obvious that they really hurt him. Matt hated that he even had to speak them. "Becca, I know that you have a lot on your mind right now, but is that offer still up to help me through this?"

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca’s hazel eyes followed the trail of broken fence, her face tightening at the mention of clearing out the debris from the house. It had taken a very conscious effort for her to keep her eyes away from the rubble that had felt like her true home since she was a child. Matt’s change in topic brought her back from the path of self pity she had found herself starting to turn towards. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she looked over at him.

“What do you mean? What does it say?” He had peaked her curiosity. “And of course my offer is still good. I don’t want a new neighbor. Even if they are a few miles down the road.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Danny slowed a bit and eventually stopped near the fencing. He deftly dismounted and put his hands on the fencepost. He was listening to Matt and Becca but handling his work at the same time. The post was still seated firmly where he had planted it. “Good, good.” He murmured and then led his horse down to the next post.

Matt had been hoping for just that answer. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a packet of papers that had been folded in half. He scratched his head. “To be honest, Becca, I hoped you would read ‘em and let me know what they say. I really can’t make head or tails of it. What I think it says is that my brother and sister want to cut me out of the loop on the farm. I think they want to be able to sell it.”

Dan looked up to see the pain on Matt’s face. He personally had a small nest egg saved up. Since he didn’t have to pay for anything, except clothes, he had been able to save up about five hundred thousand dollars. Now that the old man was gone, he didn’t figure that there was anyone out there, besides his broker that knew his full net worth. He found himself wondering if it would be enough to buy out one of Matt’s siblings, or both.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca guided Samson closer to Matt and took the court documents from him. Her eyebrows furrowed together as she briefed what had been written. She found herself gnawing on her bottom lip as she usually did when she was focusing on legal papers. Shaking her head, she folded the papers up and stuck them in her back pocket.

“We’ll find a way around it. I need some time to study what they’re proposing and come up with a way to not only counter it, but put this whole issue to rest. Do you have a copy of your father’s will I can get a hold of?” Looping a lazy finger around the reins, she walked alongside Matt, her mind planning out different scenarios.

“Yeah, sure. I’ve got one at the house I can get for you.” Nodding, he brought his horse to a stop and jumped down to give Dan a hand. “Hey Danny, a bunch of the guys are coming over tonight for poker. Kaelyn’s spending the weekend with her mother. You up for it?”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Danny had been listening to the two as they spoke about the legal issues regarding his friend’s farm, at the same time; he was performing minor repairs that could be done within a few moments of time. Finally, he decided that it would be more beneficial to simply make a list of the repairs that needed doing and setting the crews to them when he returned to the barn.

“Poker? That don’t sound half bad. It has been a while since I have done some serious damage to my change jug..”. Dan threw a glance at Becca, knowing they had nothing planned. “What do ya say hon? Spare me for the night?”

Matt looked at his friends and laughed, “Aww bud, you know she can replace you with a blow up doll if she gets lonely…”

Danny wasn’t thinking so much of her loneliness as he was her safety. He knew that the odds were growing daily of her ex showing up. Nevertheless, he waited for her response before committing himself to the game. She had barely even looked up from the paperwork in her hands, so he figured that on some level she had missed the rigors of her old life in the legal realm. He looked back to Matt, “Sure thing bud, I’ll be there – ‘bout 8? I’ll bring some beer.”

He finished his notes for this section of fencing and they moved on to the next set of fields along the path of the twister. The twister seemed to have skipped along the fields and very little fencing was actually damaged. They had gotten lucky, the damage could have been all inclusive.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca stared off as the two men conversed, her eyes roaming the farm. The sky was beginning to gray over slightly, and she wouldn’t be surprised if they got more rain. As long as the rain came without any destructive twisters. It took her a moment to realize that Daniel was addressing her. She turned and looked at him, her face still carrying that peeved expression she’d had since the previous day.

“Please do.” Speaking in a clipped tone, she looked at him curtly. She knew all of her frustration with Dan wasn’t solely due to his neanderthal attitude. Becca’s tension was growing by the day. She felt like she never had any time just for herself anymore. A night alone would be beneficial. Not to mention that it had hit her this morning how careless they had been in the storm shelter. They had gotten so caught up in each other that neither one of them had taken the time for any type of protection. Becca knew she was in a grouchy state.

“Guys, I’m gonna ride on in. I think the sun is getting to me and I need to run to the grocery store.”

 

[pa1ndru1d]

Dan was surprised by the look that was still upon her face. Anymore, it seemed that she was bouncing back and forth between emotions like a ping pong ball in a tornado. He chanced a glance toward Matt briefly and spoke up, “If that’s what you want, darlin.” Dan said. At this time, he was assuming that the stress of her parents poking around was the culprit.

Matt piped in, “We’ll finish up here. Thanks again, Becky. I mean it.”

They parted ways with Matt and Dan heading farther into the fields and Becca heading back to the cabin. As they worked the fence line, Danny found a moment to send Becca a text. keep the phone close by, k? Love ya babe. Short and sweet, Dan hoped the message conveyed his concern.

*

It was near 7 by the time they had finished working and Matt headed back to his farm to prep for the evening events while Danny went to clean up. He entered the cabin and called out “Becca? You here? Sorry it took so long, the western line was tore up pretty bad.” He kicked on the shower, allowing it to build a head of steam as he finished walking through his home. The house was empty so Dan assumed she had gone to the store. His clothes fell to the floor and he stepped into the shower.

Hot water streamed over his body, sluicing through the grime and sweat of the day. Danny lingered in the steam for a bit before stepping out and toweling off. He put on some jeans and a clean shirt and stopped in the kitchen. He jotted a quick note for Becca before heading over to Matt’s place. Sorry I missed you babe, send me a txt when you get home, K? Love you. Danny

*

Soon enough, Matt and Danny were elbow deep in cards and chips. The poker five-some included three other members of long standing. Pete and Gus had worked a neighboring farm for as long as Matt could remember, and Justin was the owner of the nearest country store and gas station. Cigars were lit and the beer flowed freely. Dan found himself losing chips quickly, his mind preoccupied with Becca. He kept checking his phone thinking that he had missed Becca’s text.

 

[TabascoKV]

Becca trotted away from Matt and Dan before bringing Samson up to a run. Leaning down close to Samson, the smell of wet field whipped past her as the two tore across the countryside. They rode hard for about fifteen minutes before slowing the old man down. He whinnied impatiently with her, and tried to pick the pace back up himself.

“No, sir.” Speaking firmly she slowed him back down, shaking her head. “You aren’t as young as you used to be. And you don’t call the shots.” Patting Samson’s neck, she walked him back to the stables. Jon was just finishing up with one of the new mares when she walked in, Samson in tow.

“Hey, Becca. Want me to finish him up for you?” A boyish grin crossed his face as he ran his hand down the horse’s nose.

“That’d be great. How are things looking up here?” There hadn’t been any real damage by the barns, but debris had blown everywhere.

“Nothing major. Oh hey, there’s a new buyer that wants to meet with you sometime. He’s new in the horse buying business. Said he saw you at the rodeo and was impressed and felt you would be a trustworthy source of knowledge in the equine universe.” As he quoted the man, Jon spoke in an ill-fitting British accent. Shaking his head in amusement, Jon shook his head. “Not quite sure what a guy from England is doing out here.”

Becca’s stomach tightened as Nick’s face momentarily flashed before her eyes. Shaking her head, she handed over the reins to Jon, convincing herself she was paranoid and it was coincidental.

“Did he leave a number or anything?” Trying her best to make her voice sound as normal as she could.

“Nah. He said he’d try you later.”

*

By the time she had showered and changed, Becca had calmed herself down. She focused her thoughts on the work at hand. There was a horse show in a little over a week, and while nobody from the farm was competing, they were taking some of the new stock to sell. Towel drying her hair, she grabbed her purse and keys off the table. Stepping through the kitchen, she grabbed the shopping list off the fridge and left.

She was thankful that she had beat Dan out of the house. Her nerves were on edge and she just needed to be alone. Casting a wary glance at the darkening sky, her stomach cringed at the thought of enduring another storm.

*

Becca took her time at the grocery store, trudging along. She had heard the rain storm through town, but it was done by the time she left the store. Carefully avoiding puddles on the way to her truck, she loaded up and left. Her radio blared and she sang along, losing herself in the sounds of the latest Country hits.

It was dark when she pulled back into the driveway, and she groaned to herself as she realized that a light hadn’t been left on for her. Grabbing a few bags, she unlocked the door. Reaching out, she flipped the light switch in the hallway up, but still remained in the dark.

Great. Just what I needed. A power outage. Sighing, she walked blindly to the kitchen, careful not to run into anything. Just for good measure, she tried the light in the kitchen, also to no avail. Setting the bags down, she started to fumble around, looking for matches or a lighter to light a couple candles before getting the rest of the groceries. It didn’t take her long before she had two stick candles lit on the table.

*

The groceries were all put away and Becca had a fire going in the fireplace. Grabbing a bottle of water, she closed the fridge, trying to preserve the cold air.

“Daniel would like for you text him when you get home.” Nick’s crisp, British accent broke through the silence. Becca was so startled she dropped the bottle of water, the clear liquid splashing all over the floor. She whipped her head around to see Nickolas Jakobek standing before her, an eerily serene expression on his face. He held up a piece of paper for a brief moment before crumbling the paper and tossing it to the ground. His features were shadowed in the flickering candlelight, and Becca found herself unable to react.

“Come now, love. No I missed you or it’s great to see you?” As he spoke, he moved closer to her until his height towered over her. Reaching up, he delicately ran his fingers down the side of her face. Images of a recent nightmare nearly overwhelmed her, but she swallowed thickly and took a step back.

“Rebecca…” Shaking his head, Nick reached out and grabbed her arm tightly, his lips forming a frown. “I should have hoped that I would get more of a welcome from you. I think it’s time for you to come home. Don’t make things difficult.” Not interested in wasting time, he pulled her effortlessly back in the direction of the front door.

When she felt herself being dragged, the reality of the situation hit her.

“No.” Halfway screeching, Becca lashed out and kicked him hard on the side of the knee. His moment of pain was enough for her to pull out of his grip. Moving quickly, she took off running towards the front door and pulling her cell phone out of her pocket. Beeping Dan’s phone, she reached the front door as the phone sprang to life.

“Danny!” Screaming into the phone, she was cut off as Nick tackled her to the porch. Crying out, the phone slammed out of her hand as her face smashed into the hardwood. She felt dazed for a moment, and she was roughly turned over by Nick. The calm and collected expression was long gone, now replaced by the maniacal beast she had dealt with too many times before. She could feel the tears beginning to sting her eyes, and the taste of blood made her nauseous.

“Have you lost your mind, Rebecca Elizabeth?” Nick spoke through gritted teeth as he tried to deflect her attempts to hit him. Grabbing both her wrists in one hand, she back handed her across the cheek.

“Get off me.” Sobbing through her words, Becca refused to lie still and let him lead her meekly to slaughter. She tried to kick and hit as much as space would allow, not making it easy for Nick.

Nickolas finally lost his patience. Balling up his fist, he connected with her left eye before pulling back and punching her across her jaw. Rage surged through him, and he wrapped his hands around her neck, squeezing as he shook her.

A panic unlike anything she had ever felt blackened her thoughts as she tried to pull his arms away from her. She fought the darkness as long as she could, but she finally gave up the fight, and allowed herself to be pulled downward.

Nick regained control of himself and pulled back, sitting on his haunches and breathing hard. Closing his eyes, he shook his head, trying to salvage his demeanor. When he opened his eyes, he looked down at Becca before reached a hand down and caressed her face, ignoring the trickles of blood.

“My love…why do you make things so difficult?” Repeating his earlier sentiment, he stood up before lifting Becca in his arms. He tried to move quickly. Too much time had passed between her attempted call for help.

*

Groaning, Becca’s body awoke with a start, and the pain hit her like a lightning bolt. Opening her eyes, she had to blink a few times before anything came into focus. They were in a car, driving between trees. She looked over at Nick briefly before trying to sit up. She realized at that moment that her wrists were tied together.

“No worries, Rebecca. We’ll be done with it all soon enough.” Speaking calmly as he maneuvered through the trees, Nick’s eyes never flickered from the path in front of him.

*

Jon furrowed his brow as he picked up his phone and dialed Daniel.