Making New Memories Read Free Page B

is filling me
with a sense of safety.
    "I promise, even from Goose if it becomes
necessary," answers Dylan. "Will you trust me to protect you?"
    "Y..Y..Yes," I answer with tears streaming
down my face.
    He pulls a clean handkerchief from his pocket
and gently wipes the tears from my face. Standing he offers his
hand to help me stand. Hesitantly I clasp his hand and allow him to
pull me to my feet. When I am upright, he briefly brushes a soft
kiss across my forehead.
    Shocked by the sensation of his lips against
my forehead, I shiver. I'm not exactly afraid but I don't know what
I feel.
    He continues to hold my hand in his as we
start off toward the landing site. After a few minutes, I ask,
"Scoot, what is your real name?"
    "Dylan, Dylan Drake," he answers.
    "Dylan, I like that. It's a strong name."
    Smiling to himself, Dylan relishes the warmth
her words cause deep down in his soul.
    *******
    Around noon Dylan stops and hands me a box.
On it I read MRE, Meal Ready to Eat. Looking at the package
questioningly I ask, "Is this suppose to be food?"
    Laughing, Dylan says, "That's what the
Marines tell us but we have never known for sure. It is nourishing
and will keep you from starving. Try to eat as much as you
can."
    I nibble at the contents of the package,
"Well, it's not too bad. I guess I could live on these for a little
while if I had to."
    When we head out again, Dylan says, "Let me
know if you need to rest. I'm sure you aren't use to walking this
far and the snow is making it tougher."
    I answer, "I'm fine so far. It's
invigorating. I'm in much better shape now than I was when I first
came to Montana. Chopping wood and hunting for food gives you a
good bit of physical exercise."
    Surprised and somewhat impressed by her
words, Dylan asks, "Would you tell me about why you came to
Montana?"
    "Sure, that's easy. I was trying to get away
from the Paparazzi. After my Dad committed suicide they were
relentless, like vultures picking at the bones of his carcass. I
couldn't stand it. Every time I ventured outside my house they
would appear out of nowhere stalking me, crowding me, snapping
pictures, yelling questions. It terrifies me.
    "Finally I got in my car and drove away. It
took me a long time just to lose them but with Barry's help I
finally did and I made my way to Montana where I have been living
in seclusion for three years. On my last trip into Kalispell for
supplies I ran into one of the reporters that covered my story in
Los Angeles and he recognized me immediately. I fled but he
evidently followed me because he showed up at the cabin two days
later. I knew he would only be the first and soon the others would
follow. I had to leave. I panicked though and I didn't take
anything with me except the sleeping bag and my cell phone. I was
stupid."
    "Can you tell me what happened to cause your
Dad to commit suicide?" he asks. He wants to keep her talking so
the miles will pass faster and he really wants to know more about
her.
    Thinking back I say, "Well, I'm not really
sure. I know he was putting together a big movie deal based on a
book about the mafia. He had been having a lot of meetings with
what appeared to me to be some shady looking people. Evidently it
all fell through and he couldn't take the financial loss. I know he
lost a lot of money, even the house. About all we had left was my
trust fund.
    "I was in my room that day and I heard the
gunshot. When I entered the study, Philip, our butler was leaning
over his body feeling for a pulse. At least that is what he told
me. He said Daddy had shot himself and to call the ambulance, so I
did. Everything is a blur after that. The police ruled it a suicide
and I really didn't have a reason to question their decision."
    "Didn't I read something about the insurance
money, didn't they refuse to pay off on his policies because it was
ruled a suicide?" he asks.
    "Yes, the insurance company wouldn't pay
because it was a suicide. It really didn't matter because I had my
trust fund.