Making New Memories Read Free Page A

son, Damian that day. He swore then he would never let
himself care for another woman. Now don't think he is a monk
because he's not. He seeks his pleasure with a few well chosen
women who only want what he wants, no strings attached sex.
Besides, this woman obviously has a truckload of baggage.
    He had married his high school sweetheart,
Elena, right after he retired from the Marine Corp. She swore she
would wait for him when he left for the Marines and she did. He was
the happiest man alive until he returned home from work early one
day and found her in his bed with a man from the bank where she
worked. His son had only been three months old at the time. He
packed his things and left that day and has not looked back. He
filed for divorce and pays his child support on time every month.
The worst part of being divorced from her is that every time he has
asked to spend time with his son, Damian, Elena has not allowed it.
He probably should have carried her back to court years ago, but so
far he hasn't. It's been eight years and he thinks often about
Damian. Maybe he will take Elena to court after he gets Skye back
to the ranch. The illicit visits he shares with his son at the game
room in the mall in Amarillo are no longer enough.
    Both Dylan and I are quiet during breakfast
lost in our own thoughts. When Dylan begins cleaning up the
campsite and smothering the fire, I pack up my sleeping bag and get
ready for the long walk.
    Dylan turns to me and asks, "Skye I found a
loaded pistol at the cabin. Do you know how to use it?"
    "Yes, Bear taught me and I have been
practicing every day. I caught or killed my own food for the past
three years so I had to learn to shoot."
    When he hands me the pistol he teases
smiling, "Just don't shoot me all right?"
    I retort smiling, "Don't give me a reason
to," and fasten the holster around my waist. A sense of security
surrounds me and I feel safer knowing I can protect myself should
the former Marine turn out to be untrustworthy.
    Dylan's breath catches in his lungs when he
glimpses her beautiful smile. Wow! What he would give to see that
smile again. She is absolutely stunning!
    We head through the woods walking in silence.
The terrain is rough, the snow is deep, and we are steadily
climbing. Finally I ask, "Where are we headed anyway?"
    "I saw a burn area on the map about twenty
miles north that is clear enough for the helicopter to land. Once
we get close, I'll radio Goose to pick us up. We'll go from the
pick area directly to the ranch in Wyoming."
    "H..H..Helicopter? Are you telling me you
expect me to willingly get on one of those things and fly out of
here? Why can't we just drive?" I ask shakily.
    "My instructions were to get you out of here
without being seen. Flying out is the logical way. Driving would
expose you to recognition every time the car slowed or stopped. Are
you afraid of flying?" asks Dylan curiously.
    "I'm not exactly afraid of flying, just of
being in a helicopter with two men I don't know," I answer
honestly.
    Dylan stops, turns toward me and studies my
face. I'm sure he can see the fear reflected in my eyes. He asks,
"Skye, are you afraid of me?"
    "I'm not so much afraid of you but I don't
know this Goose person and in a helicopter I can't just open the
door and get out," I reply shakily.
    Dylan remembers Barry's warning about a bad
experience during her teenage years so he asks "Skye, I would
really like to understand. Would you tell me why you are
afraid?"
    I drop my sleeping bag on the ground and sit
on top of it before looking up at him with tears in my eyes, "I
can't. I'm sorry, but I can't talk about that ... that time."
    Dylan squats on his haunches in front of me
and clasps my shaking hands in his. "It is all right Skye. You
don't have to tell me anything. I promise you I will protect you
with my life from whatever danger we encounter. Will you trust me
to do that?"
    "Even from your friend Goose if it becomes
necessary?" I ask. Warmth emanating from his eyes