Her Cowboy's Love

Cole knocked on the back door to the house. He was summoned to come up. He was promptly let in by the housekeeper Millie. She smiled and motioned for him to have a seat at the table and she would get him some iced tea and maybe a slice of pie. He said that would be nice but i am expected. She smiled nodded her head and said that boss said for him to wait here for him. He got a phone call that he had been waiting for. He nodded his head and took the seat she had pointed to. As she set the plate and glass in front of him. she asked how his day was going. he went to answer her when a young woman ran into the room and stopped dead staring at him. Her eyes got huge and she looked terrified. she turned ran out of the room. Millie said excuse me and went after the young woman. He was puzzled why she looked so frightened. he started eating his pie and drinking his tea when a few minutes later millie came in with the young woman clinging to her. She said Megan this is Cole he works with the horses. cole this is Megan carson jeff's younger sister. cole smiled at her and started to rise he saw her begin to tense up. Millie quickly said please dont get up. Millie went on and said Megan would like to apologize for running away. cole looked at her and smiled and nodded his head and saying its ok. he did notice that she didnt talk or smile or do anything but look scared. He smiled and said i have seen you working in that beautiful garden out there. did you do that all yourself. Millie looked down at Megan waiting for her to say something anything but when she didnt she softly Megan did it all herself been working on it for the last six months havent you baby girl. cole noticed that she didnt even acknowledge the answer she just watched him. Millie then kissed the top of her head and said why dont you go on out there and tend to your roses baby, ill bring you something to drink. Megan looked from her then back to cole she stood just for a moment more when a look crossed her face that confused even cole then she turned and left the room. they heard the door leading out to the porch and garden open and close. Millie said i am sorry about all of this. cole smiled at her and said its ok. She did look frightened. Millie sat down and said after everything she had been through im surprised she is not locked up in her room. cole gave her a confused look and before he could ask her what she meant Jeff walked in and said whats going on. Millie filled him in on Megan's actions. Jeff said im sure your remember about the girl that had been missing for ten years and was found when she walked into a police station and never said a word to anyone. well that's Megan and she still hasn't spoke so please don't take offense to it. cole shook his head and said i don't. She really did seem all bottled up inside of herself. I heard very little about the girl. Jeff sat down and said when she was twelve years old she went missing and no matter what we did to try and find her we couldn't. Eventually my mother died of a broken heart from missing her. I'm not even sure how i kept on going the only thing i can think of is that i knew in my heart i had to be here waiting for her to come home. No body even knows where she was or what she went through in those ten years. she hasn't said a word to anyone since she has been back. we hear her talking or even singing to her roses but when anyone tried to talk to her she clams right up. I just wish she would talk to us tell us what is bothering her what happened to her. i just want to help her to heal. I want my sister to be whole again. cole didn't know what to say to the man. he could feel his pain with his sister. Jeff looked at him and said if your finished with your pie we can go into the office and talk business. cole nodded his head carried his plate to the sink kissed millie on the cheek thanking her. then he followed his boss into the office.

cole finished with his meeting a couple hours later when he walked out the door onto the porch. He heard the most beautiful sound. He looked in the direction of the sound and then smiled. He remembered what jeff said how she talked to her roses. He heard her say something but didnt catch it then she let out a little laugh. he smiled and softly asked if her flowers always bloomed this beautiful when she talked to them. she turned around so fast that she stumbled. cole had moved quickly and caught her before she fell. he felt her gasp and stiffen. he saw the fear on her face. However she didn't pull away from him but he knew that she was scared. he smiled at her and gently touched her face and softly said it's ok i wont hurt you. he saw her confusion so he let go of her and took a step back. he saw her relax a little he and said your roses really are beautiful he leaned in and smelled one saying and they smell just as beautiful. He saw a hint of a smile cross her face then disappear just as fast. He smiled and said well i better get back to work. He headed out of the garden and back toward the barn when he suddenly stopped as he heard his name called. He looked back and she was standing at the gate watching him. He smiled to her and gave her a wave then went on.

It was week later when cole was in the office of the house he was inputting the information in the computer that Jeff asked him to do. He knew that Jeff was out, he had asked cole if he would use the house computer so that he could keep an eye on things. cole wasnt sure but he was a long time friend of jeff's. They had met in the army and went on through the service as friends. When they got out Jeff told him he had a job when ever he wanted one and a month ago he took him up on it. But he didnt know about his little sister. Jeff never talked about her. He knew that jeff left the army to come home when his mother died but that was all. He was working on the last of the information he was imputting and shutting it down when he heard a scream that came from up stairs. He ran out of the office and took the stairs two at a time. He went down the hall till he found the room that the screaming was coming from. He went inside and he found Megan sitting in the corner screaming. He went to her and squatted down in front of her telling her sh baby its ok your safe no one is going to hurt you. she seemed to stop screaming but she pulled her knees to her chest and started shaking and crying. He wasnt sure what to do so he moved next to her and put a comforting arm around her. She was very tense but she didnt pull away from him. He pulled her close to his side. he felt her body shaking in fear. He started softly talking to her telling her telling her that it was ok that no one was going to hurt her that he wouldn't let them. He wouldn't let anyone near her that was going to hurt her or take her away again. She was still so very tense. Millie said that she could take over. cole looked up at her and shook his head then turned his attention back to Megan. He wrapped both his arms around her and just kept telling her that it was ok. He felt her begin to relax against his side. He was able to move her so that she was laying in his lap. she had stopped crying. He started talking to her about the puppies that had been born a few weeks ago. that seemed to relax her even more, so he kept it up. He also told her about the little filly that was born. He mentioned that she should come to the barn and see them all. He was brushing the hair from her face and just kept talking to her. He talked to her about her roses. It was a while later when he realized that she had fallen back to sleep. Millie whispered she is asleep now you can put her in bed. He went to move and she began to whimper, he told her sh its ok baby we can stay right here. He looked up at millie asking her to hand him the blanket then covered her up. they had been sitting there for about an hour now and his back was starting to hurt so he slid down and she curled up in his arms. He smiled at least right now she was trusting him not to hurt her. He didn't know how long later it was when he to finally fell asleep.

cole woke the next morning. He looked at Megan who was sitting next to him just watching him. he smiled at her and said good morning beautiful. she shly smiled and blushed. He did notice that she was sitting a little from him. He sat up and asked her how long she had been awake. she tilted her head a little and when he thought that she wouldnt answer she softly said not that long. he smiled and said ok. He asked her if she slept ok. she just slightly nodded her head. He told her that it was good. He asked her if she was ready to go down to breakfast. SHe stood up and went into her bathroom. It was a few minutes later when she came back out and walked right over to him and held her hand out to him. he smiled and put his hand in hers. He knew that she couldnt lift him but the fact that she reached out to him told him that she trusted him even a little. When he was to his feet he didnt try to let go he was going to let her make all the moves and when she didnt let go of his hand he smiled down at her and softly said lets go see what millie has cooking.

The two of them walked into the kitchen to a shocked jeff and millie who watched them walk in. He knew that millie must have filled jeff in on what happened last night. but to not only see her walking in with cole but holding his hand. They watched cole hold out a seat for her and she smiled at him and softly said thank you as she sat down. cole took the seat next to her. He didnt wait for an invitation because he knew that jeff would like to keep his sister talking and it seemed that cole had that happening. Millie who cole saw had tears in her eyes said well lets have ourselves a good breakfast. Jeff asked Megan how she slept. she looked at him but didnt say anything. cole leaned over a little and said tell him darling let him hear you. she looked at him then back to her brother and softly said i slept fine thank you for asking. cole saw the tears come to his eyes as he heard his sister speak to him for the first time in ten years. Millie put the food on the table they said grace and then enjoyed the meal. It was sometime after it was cleaned up that cole asked her if she was going to work in her garden. she nodded her head. He smiled and said that sounds like fun. He kissed the top of her head and softly said dont work to hard and wear a hat cause its going to be a hot one. she smiled at him and softly said you do the same. He laughed as he softly said i promise. Then he walked out of the house.

He ran down to the bunkhouse and changed his clothes quickly then went out to start his workday. It was an hour later when he noticed that jeff was standing by the fence. He walked over and said that pepper is coming along another couple weeks and she will be ready to go home. Jeff nodded his head and said that's good. cole leaned against the fence. He knew that his friend had something to say but was having a hard time. cole said its ok man take your time. He watched as jeff watched the horse trotting around the corral. Jeff then said thanks cole, thanks for being there for her last night thanks for not leaving her while she was scared but most of all i want to thank you for this morning when she spoke right to me. I have heard her talk to her roses but the most beautiful sound of all was when she talked to me. cole looked at him and said i completely agree when she spoke to me this morning for the first time it was just beautiful. Jeff said I know that i have no right to ask this and i should really be warning you but i want to ask you if you can keep being her friend. But please whatever you do don't hurt her. cole smiled and said the last thing on earth that i ever want to do is hurt her or let her get hurt. there is something about her that draws me to her i dont know what it is or how to explain it. Jeff just nodded his head. I called her therapist this morning. megan hasnt even talked with her. She comes out here ever couple of days but megan never says anything. She is coming this afternoon. she would like to meet you. Have you maybe sit in on the session. So that she can see how megan is reacting to you. cole looked at his friend. and then said what if the therapist says that i should stop what am i doing is that something you will want. Jeff just looked at him. he smiled and said is that something you will let happen. cole thought about that for a moment then shook his head and said hell no. like i said there is something that is drawing me to her. She makes me want to protect her from the bad world and yet show her how there is so many more beautiful things out there as well. Jeff said fair enough if the therapist suggests it we will just find another one. cole laughed and said this is good. Jeff asked him how things were out in the bunkhouse. cole knew what he was talking about. One of the other reasons cole was there was because he knew that someone was stealing from the ranch and cole was to find out who. cole said i have a few ideas. Jeff nodded and said come up to the main house for dinner and then afterwards we can talk about it. cole nodded his head and said sounds good to me.

cole walked up to the main house after he showered and changed. He walked through the gate and looked over to the garden. He smiled when he saw megan stand up and smile at him. He walked over to her and asked her how her day went. she softly said it was ok. He leaned down and put a kiss on the top of her head. He heard her soft giggle. He then asked you ready for dinner. She nodded her head then he held out his arm and she slowly slipped her hand in his arm. He asked her if she was waiting for him. he saw the smile cross her face before she looked away. He let out a little laugh and said good. He whispered i missed talking to you today. They walked into the house and jeff met them and said ready for dinner. He motioned them not toward the kitchen but toward the dining room. cole walked in with megan on his arm and they noticed that there was someone else there. HE felt megan tense up and move closer to him. He looked at her and whispered what is it. She looked over at the woman that was sitting there. Just then jeff introduced her as the therapist. cole nodded his head and said its nice to meet you. cole held out a chair for megan and as she sat down he whispered its ok baby i'm here. he wasnt sure but for some reason megan was afraid of this woman. He sat in the chair next to her. He saw her fidgeting with her hands in her lap. He reached over and took her hand stilling it. She looked up at him and he smiled. she smiled back at him and then jeff got their attention and said grace. They passed the food around and everyone took what they wanted. cole noticed that megan didnt take a whole lot and she seemed to only be nibbling on her food. He leand over and asked are you ok. she just nodded her head a little. there was something going on that was making megan uncomfortable. but he didnt want to say anything right now. when dinner was over Millie told them all to go into the family room she would clean up. cole smiled at her and said megan and i will help wont we darling. megan just nodded her head. Jeff ushered the therapist into the other room. he to had noticed that megan was very tense sunddenly. when they were gone cole looked at megan and said honey what is it, what's wrong. megan looked down at her lap. cole reached accross and lifted her chin so that she was looking right at him. He then said there is something that is frightening you. she swallowed and nodded her head. He said ok then lets help millie and then we will go in there and see about getting the therapist to leave and then we will go from there. they made quick work of the cleaning and then cole took her hand and they walked into the family room and took a seat.

The therapist said its good to see that you are interacting with people again megan. How do you feel about that only megan did as she always did and didnt say anything. They all sat there for a bit and then Jeff said well now that you have met cole and seen her with him. I think that maybe we should call it a night. She nodded her head and said i think that it's good she if finally making progress. She stood up grabbed her things and said megan could you walk me to the door. megan didnt say anything. cole said why dont i. he looked at megan said ill be right back. He got up and escorted her to the door. She turned to him and said your something of a miracle worker i just hope that it isn't all for nothing. she smiled and it sent a chill down his spine. she said bye then left the house.

He stood there as he watched her to get into her car and drive away. He turned shut the door and walked back into the family room when megan saw him come into the room she got up and ran into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her and she softly cried as he held onto her shaking body. when the tears began to subside. He guided her over to the sofa and sat her down without letting go of her. He said tell me baby what's going on. She looked from him over to jeff and whispered i can't. He pulled her to him kissed the top of her head and said does the therapist frighten you. She nodded her head he then asked her does she have something to do with your abduction. she nodded her head. cole closed his eyes and held onto her. cole softly said she is to make sure that you keep quiet isn't she. she started to shake. cole looked over at Jeff an told him without saying a word that something was wrong here. Jeff nodded his head he then got up and went to his office and went to make some calls when he stopped and decided to wait till he knew that he was secure just in case this went deeper. He went back out into the other room he pulled millie in and softly said can you sit with megan for a bit. she nodded her head and went over to her. cole kissed the top of her head and said you sit with millie i need to talk to your brother. she nodded her head and millie took over for him.

cole walked across the room with jeff. Jeff said i was going to call in some contacts but i was not sure if the lines were secure. cole nodded his head and said i have an idea. you remember art. Jeff nodded. cole then went on with i have an open invitation to come to his ranch. he has several men that is on his payroll that are mercenaries. since he runs a training facility there. Jeff nodded he remembered that as well. Jeff said your going to take her there aren't you. cole said i think that it would be best. I know that you will keep this between us. I promise that i will keep in contact on a secure line with you the whole time. While we are gone you need to go about business like you know nothing. Jeff nodded his head. He looked over at his sister and said you think she is going to go with this. cole looked at her and said i sure hope so but i can tell you this i am going to stick close to her and i will protect her and not just because she is your sister. maybe if we get her to where she feels safe she will open up more to us. Jeff nodded his head he just hoped that this worked and didnt do more harm.

cole walked over to megan and sat down next to her. He softly said megan you and i are going to go away for a while. she just looked up at him with a frightened look. She looked over at her brother who tried to give her and encouraging smile. cole softly said megan i am going to protect you. I am going to take you to a friend of your brothers and mine. he has people there that will help to protect you. until we can get to the bottom of this, baby we have to keep you safe. then maybe if you feel safe you can help us help you get the bad guys. He touched her cheek and softly said do you trust me. she looked at him and nodded her head. He smiled at her. He knew that took a lot for her to trust. He kissed the top of her head and said ok you and millie go pack a bag we are going to leave tonight. He watched the two women go. He went to the bunkhouse and began to pack a bag. one of them men asked him where he was going. He looked over at him. He had noticed that he was the one that was always watching the house. he said i am taking megan on vacation. maybe getting her away will help her. The man said i see. cole packed his bags quickly then he left the bunkhouse. once he was inside he quickly filled jeff in on the curious ranch hand. Jeff nodded he knew that cole would be checking him out as well as the others. It also put jeff on alert so that he could keep an eye on him as well. Just then millie and megan walked into the room. Jeff took her bag as cole took hold of megan. Millie softly said maybe i should go along to. cole looked at her and softly said business as usual. as far as anyone knows im taking her on vacation. MIllie hugged megan and said you do what cole says he will keep you safe baby. megan hugged her back for the first time and softly said thank you. Millie wiped the tears from her eyes. cole put his arm around megan and they all walked out to the truck. He put her inside before he shut the door jeff walked up to her, he touched her cheek and said i love you megan and i will do anything to help you, you know that right she nodded her head to him. Jeff went to walk away when she called out to him and he stopped and turned back around megan jumped down went to him and gave him a hug. He held her tight and whispered i love you, he hear her softly say i love you to jeff. He helped her to get back in the truck and nodded to cole as he climbed in himself. He then drove them out of town.

He drove to the next city and pulled into an auto dealership. He took her hand and they went inside. He told them that he wanted to buy a new truck. He said he would trade his in as well. When he told the man what he wanted they wrote up the papers and then made the sale. cole grabbed their bags and put her in the new truck. no one had seen them near it before the sale was over so he knew that it was clean. He began the drive down to texas to arts ranch. He just hoped his friend would understand once they got there.

Art more than understood. He had heard about jeff's little sister. He immediately put everyone on a alert. puttting the security measures into play. He showed them to a room that they would be staying in. cole told megan that he was her shadow no matter where she went he went. then he said i will sleep on the floor so that you would have a reason to be afraid. she nodded her head. then they went down and art took them into his communication room so that they could make a secure call to jeff.

Once they got jeff on the line jeff had gave of a few clues that the therapist was there at the ranch that she wanted to talk with megan. cole completely understood. so they acted like there was a dispute on jeffs end like he didnt approve of cole taking her away on vacation. cole said things are in play and art has us secure. He told him that background checks will be well on its way as soon as he has names. That he already has him working the names we got now. cole told him that this first couple of days will be the roughest till she feels safe and comfortable. cole hung up with jeff and looked at megan. He smiled and said they send their love. He touched her cheek and said you ready for bed. She nodded her head. he said ok go on up ill be there in a minute. He was giving her a chance to get things ready.

He turned to art and said we start with the therapist. I think she has something to do with this and megan has indicated so. Art nodded and said ill get on that. she is safe here. You should also know that my wife margret is a therapist as well and you can trust her. cole nodded his head and smiled and said id apreciate anything she can help with but lets not tell megan that margaret is a therapist. art agreed. cole thanked him and told him good night.

cole then went up the stairs. He knocked on it and slowly went in. He saw her sitting on the bed. He walked over and sat on it. He motioned for her to scoot down and he covered her up and told her you are safe here so please try and get some rest. she nodded her head. He kissed the top of her head and said sleep well. she smiled shyly. He then made a bed on the floor next to the bed. It was a while when he finally let himself drift off to sleep. He had been asleep for about and hour when he suddenly woke to someone touching him. He looked over and saw that megan was crawling under the cover with him and curling up. He smiled and put his arm around her. He didnt say anything as she settled down to sleep. he should have moved them both up to the bed but he didnt want to frightened her since she was the one that moved down to him. He just held onto her and waited for her breathing to even out and then let himself drift off to sleep.

THe next morning he woke with megan in his arms. he smiled she really brought out his protective insiticts. ANd it made his heart race that she trusts him so much after what she had been through and aparently was still going through. He watched her for a moment she seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He touched her cheek and she jumped then she saw him. she relaxed and smiled shyly at him. he said next time i think we use the bed. She let out a little laugh. He tapped her nose and said how about we get the day started. she nodded her head.

They walked into the dinning room where art and his wife margaret were at. Art introduced them all. they didnt tell megan what margaret did and she had agreed that considering everything she should be kept in the dark about it. Margaret then smiled and said i hear that you have a beautiful rose garden at home. cole saw megan blush and look down. He bumped her shoulder and said i have never seen one as beautiful as hers. Maragret said boy i could use some advice on mine maybe after breakfast we could go out in it and you can tell me what i am doing wrong. megan looked at her smile she looked at cole who was smiling at her. When she looked at the other woman who smiled at her and reminded her of her mom she softly said id love to thank you. Maragret just said good.

Once breakfast was over Maragret asked if she was ready she looked at cole he smiled and nodded his head saying go on you will be safe. she got up and followed the other woman out the door and into the garden. cole watched them go. art said she will be ok out there maragret will work with her and maybe help her to feel safe. and between you and me she really does need help with her roses. cole laughed and said any word on those names yet. they went into the communication room and sat at the computers.

megan wasnt sure what was going on in her life. she was scared all the time. she was held captive for ten years told all the time that her family didnt want her. they did things to her that made her afraid of people especially of men. she didnt know why she was targeted. But her guards did things to her that hurt her in so many ways. But cole made her feel safe. He wouldnt hurt her and he wouldnt let her get hurt. Dr. mary tamlin was one of the people that kept her captive. When her mother died she told her and showed her the picture in the paper. she then said that if she talked to anyone her brother would die as well. she didnt want to lose him to. so she kept quiet. when they took her to the police station that woman came in she got real scare she wouldnt talk to anyone when they finally found out who she was she was returned to her brother. But she was still scared and wouldnt talk. It wasnt until cole came along that she finally felt safe enough to even say somehting like hello. but then then she came back and as always frightened her. cole then took her away to keep her safe. He brought her here and for the first time she actually felt same. cole wouldnt let her get hurt. Margaret reminded her of her mother most of all and really wanted her help with her roses. for the first time since she came home she could really relax. Margaret brought her from her thoughts. She asked megan you know that you can talk to me and if not me definately cole. megan looked at the woman then she turned to the roses she was tending. she said if i told you then you might not like me anymore. Margaret touched her hair and said baby there is nothing you could say that would make anyone that cares about you hate you and that is including me and art. she smiled at megan as she looked up. megan then said at first after they took me they said that they were just going to keep me till my mother did what she was suppose to do. it wasnt until i got older that the men guarding me started trying to do things with me. at first they would stop them. but eventually let them do whatever they wanted. they hurt me. megan started shaking as the tears rolled down her cheek. Margaret hugged her and said its ok you are safe now. she shook her head she softly said they are going to hurt jeff. that was when cole walked out he saw megan crying in margarets arms. cole walked out and asked her what was wrong. megan looked up at him. He wiped away the tears and said its ok baby. Margaret said jeff is in danger. cole looked at her then back at megan. he said megan i know that it is hard for you but you have to tell me everything so that we can protect you and jeff. Margaret softly said its ok megan you can tell him. megan looked at him and said you won't hate me afterwards. cole touched her face and said no baby i wont hate you. i promise no matter what you tell me.

Margaret said lets go inside and talk ill get art that way he knows what is going on. She saw the look on megan's face and said its ok. once they were all seated. Margaret said megan its time. cole saw her she was shaking a little. He didnt want to frighten her so he took only her hand. He said its ok baby take your time. they sat there for about an hour while megan told them everything that happened to her that was told to her over the last ten years of her life right up to the lady that was put in place as her therapist to keep an eye on her. she then said the only reason that they released her was they didnt think that they could get to jeff like they did her mother they figured that if they put her back at home that he would be to occupied with her not to cooperate with them. cole lifted her chin so that she was looking at him. he smiled and said you are so brave baby. do you know that. she just looked at him. He smiled at her and he did the only thing he could think of to show her he didnt hate her he leaned in and placed his lips on hers. she was shocked then frightened and then she began to melt into his kisses. He wasnt demanding like the others. His were soft and sweet and they made her feels things she never felt before. that was shocking enough for her. When he pulled back he leaned his forehead against hers and softly said wow i knew youd be amazing. she blushed and got shy not like before thou.

Art cleared his throat and the two of them looked over at the other couple. Margaret was smiling and art said we had better think of something and get jeff some help. cole nodded. He turned back to megan and said you stay with margaret. He kissed her head and followed art. Margaret got up and hugged megan and said see. megan nodded her head. Margaret said i hear you like to bake as well. megan nodded she then said well if you make desert ill work on dinner how about that. megan smiled and said id love that. the two women went into the kitchen to go about their work.

cole told art to secure the line he needed to bring jeff in on this. Once they got him on the line. They filled jeff on what was going on and then what was going into play. Jeff gave the evasive answers on cue. as far as anyone was to know he was taking on more ranch hands. he was also told how his life was in danger. in one of his responses he let them know that he wasnt backing down this ends now cole said for megan's sake i completely agree. When he we have a plan in play and who was all in play on this we will let you know until then business as usual and then art gave him the name of the men that were coming and the code word so jeff knew who they were. jeff acknowledged them and signed off. cole and art went to work putting it all into play and finding out what was going on. He wondered exactly what happened to megan's mom. He started digging into her life before she died and things that were happening before and after megan was taken. He then decided that he was going to go back farther to her father and see what was going on with him. it was then that he found out just what was going on. There was a drug cartel that was using the land to smuggle in drugs her father was completely against it and it was then that he found out that he died of suspicious causes it was something that no one knew about. That was why they went after megan because they knew that another death would get the wrong people involved so they took megan instead. From what megan said they didnt hurt her just left her loney but eventually they let those men hurt her that angered him. she was just a little girl who grew up in darkness and pain. it was a wonder that she even survived. There plan almost worked with jeff because they kept him distrcted with megan and the thefts that were going on. What they didnt count on was cole coming along and megan opening up to him. He was going to keep her safe with his life if he had to. he wasnt going to see her hurt again.

Just then megan knocked on the door and slowly opened it and when he looked at her she smiled at him. He reached out his hand to her and pulled her into his lap, she let out a little squeal but it wasnt one in fear. He touched her face and asked her how her afternoon went. she said that it was good. He smiled and said that's good. she grew sad and asked is jeff going to be ok. He tapped her nose and said jeff is going to be just fine. we are taking care of him and we will get this all taken care that she didnt have to worry about it for much longer. she suddenly hugged him at first it shocked him the only time she made any move with him was when he was suppose to be sleeping. when she pulled back she got all shy. he laughed and said dont get all shy on me now baby i like it when you are open and free. she softly said can ask you to do something, he smiled and said anything she softly responded will you kiss me. he looked at her and touched her face. He asked her is that what you want. she slightly nodded her head. He said id love to kiss you then leaned in and gently put his lips on hers. at first she didnt respond he realized that she wasnt sure how so he whispered open your mouth baby and when she did he deepened the kiss. his body went taunt on him and he hoped that she didnt feel it or realize what was happening. but he kept on kissing her and he groaned as his body responded he realized that hers was as well she was feeling desire for the first time in her young life and he was pretty sure she didnt know what was happening. He slowly reached up and slid his hand over her soft breast first she stiffened and then as he moved his thumb over her already erect n****e she whimpered in pleasure. he smiled. When he pulled back he leaned his head against hers. she had a look of confusion on her face. He smiled and said you dont know what is happening do you. she slightly shook her head no. he reached down and took her hand and placed it over her breast so that she could feel the difference in it. she gasped he smiled and said that is desire its what happens when your body wants to be with my body. he moved her a little so that she could feel the difference in his body and she gasped again and then she grew frightened. he moved again so that she relaxed he then said that is what happens to my body when it wants yours. what happend to you before yes the mans body grew hard like mine but yours probably didnt respond like it is now. He said as long as you get pleasure from your partner then the desire is good. do you understand baby. She nodded her head and softly said i think so. He knew that she really didnt but he hoped that at least right now she didnt run away in fear. he kissed her quickly and then said so what brings you in here. She giggled and said dinner is ready. He said oh yea thats good because im starved. He asked her as they got up did you help make it. she nodded her head and said that she made desert to. he said mm cant wait then.

they walked into the room. Margaret saw the flushed look on both of them and their swollen lips and smiled that shy young girl who went through something no one should have gone through sure she is coming out of her shell and it was all due to this one tough soldier who is normally a loner. He met his match in megan and he is helping her to become the person she should have been the whole time. they all enjoyed the dinner and then margaret brought out megan's desert it was a peach cobbler. they all enjoyed that and cole raved about it the whole time. megan blushed and ate up his attention. after dinner cole said that since they cooked him and art would clean up. margaret laughed and said she would take them up on that she then said megan come with me and then the two of them went up the stairs. she took megan into her room she said megan i would like to try something with you. megan didnt know what to think she knew that this woman wouldnt hurt her. She watched her as she went to her closet and pulled out a dress she then said go in there and change. megan wasnt sure if she was ok with it but she did it anyways. she walked out and margaret smiled and said i knew that it would be perfect she then motioned for megan to sit at the vanity and began to brush her hair out. margaret asked megan how do you feel about cole. she shrugged her shoulders. she then said margaret could you tell me something. she told her sure anything. she shyly said would you tell me about desire. margaret said i thought that you might need to talk. megan was biting her lip as the older woman began to give her a talk that she should have had with her own mother but that to was taken from her. She told her that when there is desire between a man and a woman that pleasure is sought after. if both people feel something for each other and they both get pleasure then it is right. but when only one person recieves pleasure then it is not good. megan what happened to you when you were held captive that is not something that is right. what you feel with cole do you feel pleasure does it feel good. megan blushed and nodded her head. margaret smiled and said that pleasure is good as long as you both get something out of it. Margaret reached up and touched her hair and said megan cole would never push you into something you are not ready for or want just be honest with him. megan hugged the older woman and thanked her. She then margaret said you are beautiful and cole is one lucky man. megan smiled shyly as margaret turned her around to look at herself in the mirror megan gasped at the way she looked. margaret said come on lets go downstairs the men should be done by now.

they walked down and into the family room and cole looked up. he stood up as the most beautiful vision walked in wearing a summer dress. He just walked up to her took her face into his hands and kissed her right there in front of the other two. when he kissed her breathless he leaned his head against her and said wow you take my breath away. she blushed and smiled she reached up and put her hand on his face he smiled and put his hand over hers. just then art cleared his throat. cole pulled back but didnt look away from megan. He then said i think i will take her for a walk.

He took her hand and they went out the door. he knew that they were constantly watched so he had to be careful what he did. he led her down a path that led to the barn he knew that he was watched but could get a little privacy there. He led her up into the hay loft. He led her over by the door and swung it open so they could look out over the land at the moon and the stars. He stood behind her. He whispered you ok. she smiled and nodded her head. He said the new look does that have something to do with a talk between you and margaret. she nodded her head again. He touched her hair and she turned her head to him. he leaned in and kissed her then turned her around and kissed her more. he guided them to the floor where he sat and leaned back against some hay bales. He moved her so that she was leaning back against him. he wanted her but he knew that it was to soon and to new for her. He placed little kisses on her neck as they sat and watched the sun set.

It was a few hours later when cole woke. They both must have fallen asleep. she was sleeping in his arms. He loved that feeling of waking up next to her. He kissed her awake. she woke up and smiled up at him. she touched his face. he kissed her again. just then there was an explosion outside. they got to there feet and looked out just then cole saw several dark clothed men lurking around. He grabbed hold of megan and pulled her out of view of anyone that would look their way. just then his phone text went off. He silenced it. and read it, it was from art. he asked if they were in a safe location. He typed back for the moment. he then told him where they were. art coded a message that said get to a safe zone. cole knew where they were and that there were weapons there. He looked at megan and he saw the tears running down her cheeks. he pulled her close and said it will be ok just do everything that i tell you to do. she nodded her head. He took her hand and motioned for her to stay low as they worked their way down from the loft and into the darkness of the stall. just then he saw one of the men walk in the door he backed her into a corner and motioned for her to stay there. he then disapeared around the corner. just then the horses in the barn started fussing. megan knew that something happened she jumped when cole came back to her. He touched her cheek and kissed her forehead. He took her hand and led her on when they went around the corner he turned her into him and said dont look as they moved on. When they got to a location on the ranch. He opened a door and they slipped inside. he closed the door and told her that this was a safe zone. He led her to an area where he said that he wanted her to stay. He then went to a cabinet and put and ear piece on and a throat mic. he clicked it then it clicked again and he heard art saying glad you made it there. As cole was taking weapons out as art said that he got hold of his men a couple of them were taken out but the others were in place. cole said good then they hashed it out what was going to happen. He turned to megan and softly said honey you are gonna have to stay here. I dont want you out there in the firefight. she started shaking her head and softly saying no. he put his hands on her face and said you will be ok here. you will be safe baby. im gonna lock you in here so that no one can get to you that was when she started to panic. telling him no she was crying and her breathing was erratic. He put his hands on her face and wiped the tears away and told her to listen to him she needed to calm down. he kissed her soft mouth. he tasted her tears there. he knew that she was frightened. when he deepened the kiss he heard her whimper and he groaned. he pulled back and said later we need to talk. she just looked at him. she was so frightened. He clicked his mic on and said i cant leave her here alone art. after being locked away so long she wont survive it. Art then told him to get her over to the safe zone in the house if he could then she could stay with margaret. he told that to megan and asked her if that would be better. she just nodded her head. He moved to the door and looked through the monitor there was no one that would see them slip from the room. they rounded the corner. He pushed her back behind him as he aimed his gun. He sent off a shot and the man went down and she let out a soft gasp. He looked back and her hand was over her mouth. he nodded to her as they moved on. They were almost to the house and to the safe zone there when they were suddenly surrounded. megan was grabbed and she cried out as cole was hit over the head. she started pulling from her capture she wanted to get to cole. when she heard a voice in her ear saying you miss me megan. she froze it was the man that would hurt her. she began to struggle more and when he finally let go of her she fell to the ground she quickly crawled over to cole. he started to come to she was crying. cole sat up and saw the men around them. One of them said you better behave cowboy if dont want to see her hurt. cole got to his feet with her and pulled her close to him. The guy said oh no you dont. He grabbed her and pulled her to him putting his arm around her neck cole went to go after him when he raised a gun to her and he stopped. he put his hands up saying ok just dont hurt her. then another guy pulled his arms behind his back and ziptied his hands. He looked at megan and told her it will be ok just be brave. Just then the man held up a phone and said its your brother. megan cried out jeff and he asked her if she was ok. she said yes. he told her it will be ok baby ill make this ok. just then there was several little pops as the men around them started to fall. things seemed to happen all at once. she saw cole jump then his hands were in front of him and he had a gun in his hands and the guy holding onto her snapped backwards as he fired the gun. the gun in his hand went off megan felt the pain at first in her shoulder then everything went numb. cole ran over to her and asked her if she was ok. she shook her head as she started to fall to the ground. He caughter as best he could and they hit the ground. just then art came running up to them cole said get these off me. art cut the ties and cole started holding the wound that was bleeding. He kept telling her to hold on baby. just then sirens started blaring as the sherriff department showed up and the ambulance. cole looked at art and said they had jeff on the line. art said jeff knows and he is ok. The emergency people took over cole didnt want to let go but he knew that they had to work on her. when they loaded her up he got in with her holding her hand.

cole was pacing in the waiting room waiting to hear some kind of news on megan. art and margaret showed up to wait with him. it was a couple hours later when jeff finally showed up and things at the ranch had been taken care of and the threat was over. she will be safe. cole looked at him and said good if she survives. art looked at margaret who then whispered do you think that he even knows. art shook his head and said no but if she dies he is going to want to jump right in there with her. Margaret softly said yea he will and megan wouldnt want that. Just then they were all interrupted when the doctor came out and told them she made it through surgery and they got all the bleeding stopped. she was in icu and the next 24 hours would be the true test if she comes out of it or not. cole nodded his head and said can i see her. he said ok but only two of you. Jeff said cole and i will go in.

They were let into megan's room. he went to her and took her hand and whispered its ok now megan you are safe. baby you have to wake up now come back to us. He brushed his lips across hers. He softly said come back to me baby please open your eyes. you got to be brave and fight just a little longer. please come back to me, i need you megan i cant go on without you. as he realized what he just said he looked at her and that was when he realized just how deep his feelings were for her. HE smiled as he realized he fell for her the first time that she smiled at him. He brushed the hair from her face and brushed his lips across hers and whispered i love you megan come back to me. the nurse came in and said they had to leave they could come back in a few hours. cole didnt want to leave but the nurse insisted. Jeff kissed her forehead and cole brushed his lips across hers and they went back out to the waiting room.

art was the one that said he got them all hotel rooms across the street that they were still all over the ranch. He then shook jeff's hand and said you know what to do. jeff nodded. He knew that he had to be strong for megan and if that meant that he had to take care of cole for her then he would. He smiled. he was pretty sure that cole hadnt ment for him to hear what he said to her but he did. He was also pretty sure that cole had just figured it out. He said come on cole they will call us if there is a change of any kind. You need to get cleaned up so she doenst see you covered in blood. cole looked down at himself and realized that he was in fact covered in her blood. he just nodded and like a zombie followed jeff across the street and to a room. cole took a shower and changed clothes. when he came out he asked if there was a call. jeff shook his head. He said that he was going to go back to the hospital. jeff then said first have a drink. cole took the drink and as he drank it he began to relax until he was completely asleep. Just then jeff's cell went off. It was art asking if the senative took effect. Jeff said yea it was a good call he was going to camp out in the waiting room.

It was several hours later cole woke up he heard jeff on the phone with someone. he put his hand to his head. He then asked the other man what the hell was in the drink. He then said you needed your rest for her. cole then asked if that was the hospital. jeff nodded his head he smiled and said she's awake and asking for both of us. cole jumped to his feet and said what are you waiting for. They got to the door and jeff stopped him. He then said cole you are one of my best bud and you put your life on the line for her, but you hurt her and i will kick your a*s. cole smiled at him and said i dont plan on hurting her. jeff smiled and said well then tell her what you said last night now that she.s awake. she has had so little of it in her life while she was being held captive. cole smiled and they headed back to the hospital.

cole walked into the room and saw megan sitting there she saw him and smiled at him when she reached out her arms to him he walked over and sat on the bed and wrapped her up. he felt the tears on his cheeks and on hers as he began to kiss her. he put her face in his hands and he said it is so good to see you awake baby. dont ever scare me like that again. she touched his face and said so much worry. he kissed her again. He softly said into her lips marry me megan. she pulled back from him and said what did you say. He smiled and said i know its sudden baby but i love you. i fell in love with you when you smiled at me that first time in the rose garden. marry me baby. she touched his face. she wasnt sure what to say. she was scared and her body hurt but she wanted so much to say yes. He touched her mouth and said its ok baby i know its too soon. you just think about it and when you have an answer you can tell me until then we will just get to know each other more.

It was a month later and art and margaret was visiting and margaret asked her how she was doing. megan said she wasnt quite sure. the older woman said what is it megan. she then said he asked me to marry him in the hospital. i couldnt give him an answer. i want to i want to marry him. I love him but i'm scared. Margaret put her arm around her and said you dont know if you can be a true wife to him. He is the first man to come into your life that didnt hurt you. megan nodded her head. Margaret said you know i think you knew that you can be everything you want to with cole that first time you called out to him. It's normal to be scared even without going through what you went through. the only thing that you can do is have faith and do what your heart tells you. megan hugged her and told her thank you. The two of them walked out of the garden and into the house.

after dinner megan asked cole to walk with her. he took her hand and they walked out into the rose garden. She stopped him and turned toward him. She reached up and touched his face. she then said the first time i smiled at you was right here. it was also the first time i felt safe and free. that was why i called out to you. He touched her face he smiled and said megan i know your trying to tell me something here and i am being impatient arnt i. she laughed and said yea a little. she smiled and said I love you cole. he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up as she kissed him. she whispered ask me again. he kissed her again and then set her on her feet. he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring he kept there then he got down on his knee and took her left hand and said i love you megan from the first smile to every being in me. i love you always and forever until they lay me in the ground i will still love you. please let me have the honor of being your husband to love and take care of you for now and always. she touched his face and nodded her head. he slipped the ring on her finger and stood taking her into his arms and kissed her. Just then there was an applause. cole and megan turned to look up at the four people standing on the porch watching. she smiled at all of them each of them helped her to this point. they help to complete her she looked at cole and said you make my heart whole. he kissed her again.

cole and megan stood in the rose garden watching the sunset it was where they fell in love, where he proposed and where he married her. it made perfect sense that a year later that they be standing there when she looked up at him and said i love you cole. he touched her face and said not half as much as i love you. she said how would you feel if there was more people around the house. he looked at her and said what do you mean. I know jeff has been seeing someone did he say anything. she smiled and shook her head. she then moved his hand down to her belly. it didnt register at first and when it dawned on him he looked down at his hand and then back into her eyes. he said are you trying to tell me that your going to have a baby. she smiled and nodded her head. he lifted her into his arms and kissed her then yelled out in joy. she smiled down into his happy face and said thank you. he set her on her feet and said what for. she touched his face and said for makeing me whole. He kissed her and said thank you for making me whole. THen he kissed her.

six months later as cole held his daughter in his arms surrounded by his beautiful wife and family and friends celebrating the christening. he looked up and saw her watching him and she smiled he asked her what that smile was about. She shook her head and softly said from pain to pleasure. He leaned in and kissed her and said from tears to joy. life is full of many blessings. she said more than there is sand in the ocean. He leaned down and kissed her.

the end.