Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) (16 page)

Chapter
Seventeen

Mary

Busying
myself cooking was helping me take my mind off what they were looking at in the barn. When the voices in my head got to overpowering I found relaxation in cooking. I put my iPod in my ears and focused on music. There were no lyrics, only music that I had played and recorded. I wasn’t sure at the time what lyrics I wanted with it, but the melody spoke to me. 

Mixing
the meat together, I started to sing. Realizing in that moment that I had lyrics to the melody, it made my heart soar. I may have gotten into the song writing by default but I think I do a decent job at it. As much as my heart was music, my soul is not. I love singing and performing but not as much as I love being
me
.

Who
would have ever thought that someone would rather be a nobody than a somebody?  I never pictured myself in this light. Never with this much success. I was good at something. Don’t get me wrong I have truly enjoyed it and loved all the beautiful people I meet. The feeling you get when someone tells you the difference you’ve made in their life, it’s priceless and a feeling that will never be matched.

A
hand touched my shoulder and I screamed and dropped to the floor. In the process of falling the iPod fell pulling the earplugs out of my ears.

“
Mary, it’s just me,” Joel says.

“
Fuck, Joel! You scared the shit out of me.”

Tobey
comes bursting in the door and flying into the kitchen. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” He reaches down and helps me stand.

“
I’m fine. Joel just scared me is all.” Tobey glares at Joel. “Hey, it wasn’t his fault. I had my iPod in and didn’t hear him.”

I
bent down and picked up my iPod only to find it broken. “Damn. I broke it.” Shrugging my shoulders, I tossed it in the trash. Then I rose up on my toes and kissed Tobey lightly. “I’m going to go call Colleen. I haven’t checked on her in a few days.”

Once
I got into Tobey’s room, I dialed Colleen and waited for her to answer. Colleen and I had grown pretty close over the time she’s been with my brother. It was nice to have someone to steer off my brother when I needed some space.

“
Hey Stranger.”

“
Hey you! How’s my niece doing?”

“
What makes you so sure it’s a girl?” She laughs.

“
Because my brother would have a heart attack trying to watch over both of you. And that distraction would free me from his scrutiny.” I laugh.

“
You are probably right. Though I think he’s going to be that way no matter what sex it is. The baby isn’t even born yet and you should see him. I have to constantly remind him that he
was
a fierce kickboxer that knew no fear.” She laughs. “Then he’ll say that was before I had a reason to be scared.”

My
brother was a great big brother and a great all around guy, but since he met Colleen he’s shown me that no matter what we plan for ourselves, fate has a way of stepping in and taking charge, changing things around.

“
Glad to hear you are still keeping him on his toes. Seriously though, how’s my niece or nephew doing?”

“
Good hun. Kicking like crazy. I swear this little one is already part kick boxer.”

We
both laugh. “Any day now and you’ll be so bombarded with everyone showering love over you and the little one that you’ll wish you were pregnant again.”

“
What’s wrong hun? You seem off to me. You happy there?”

“
I’m beyond happy here. I’m in love Colleen. How amazing is that?”

She
squeals. “That is great! I’m so glad to have another looney on my side. Have you told him? Has he told you?”

“
What makes you so sure he loves me?” I tease.

“
Come on now! Mary you are amazing. There is nothing about you I don’t love. Well except for the fact that you are letting your employee walk all over you and beat the shit of you in the process…Yeah I don’t love that too much.”

I
gasped. “How did you…”

“
Know? Easy hun. Who do you think that Nate came to when he needed help with some of the injuries you had. I was even there one time when you were completely out of it. Helping Nate the best I could to mend you. You know how hard that is to keep from your brother?”

“
I’m so sorry. I had no idea that you even knew. Damn it!”

“
Honey don’t get upset. I want to be there for you no matter what. We’re family and that is what we do. So tell me about him. The same guy I met at the dinner right?”

“
Yes the same guy. Tobey. He’s amazing Colleen. I can’t even begin to describe the way I feel when we’re together. I just feel whole when I’m with him.”

“
Aww hun, I’m so happy for you. He’s a sexy man too. How’s the ranch life treating you?”

“
Oh I love it! I work from sun up to sun down practically. He asked me to move in with him. I said yes.” I told her hesitantly.

“
Oh my gosh hun! It’s that serious huh?”

“
Yes, I think so.”

“
Oh hey you’re brother just walked in. I’m going to let you go for now, but don’t be a stranger okay?”

I
hear my brother say hi in the background. I say goodbye and that I loved them before hanging up the phone. I miss my family. Being out here this long without seeing them has been hard. The reason I don’t make much contact is so if Kyle is watching them I don’t want him to know how to find me. Shaking my head, I change into my running clothes and head out the door.

“
Going for a quick run. Won’t be long.”

Before
Tobey could stop me, I hurried out the door and down the drive. If I had stayed and listened to him, he would have tried to stop me. Thing is, I was done letting Kyle rule my life. Out here on this ranch, it was a fresh start, my new life. I planned on keeping it that way. The fear that gripped me before was gone out here. I wasn’t tense and scared out here. Out here I could actually breathe.

Feeling
the cool air against my face rejuvenated me - almost settled me -and I knew I was where I belonged. But when I heard an unexpected noise, a chill ran up my spine.

The
scattering of rocks followed by thuds pounded into me with an almost physical force. It was coming from somewhere in front of me.

Crunch
.
Thud
.

It
was the sound of someone else walking. By the time I realized what that sound was a figure appeared before me. In an instant, I knew who it was; it was Kyle.

Fuck!

I screamed loudly as he lunged for me. Trying to back away, I lose my footing causing me to fall to the ground. The rocks dug into my elbow causing me to scream again. Kyle stood over me, pressing his foot into my chest. Seeing only one thing I could do, I hit him hard in his knee. It knocked him off me long enough that I could get up.

Just
as I was about to run, I was spun around ducking just in time to get out of the way of Kyle’s fist.  I screamed loud.  Just as I started to turn and run back toward the house, he grabbed me. He hit me, then threw me to the ground.  I screamed again.  Knowing how far I was out, I worried that I was too far for anyone to hear me, but I couldn’t give up hope. All I knew was I needed to get closer so I know they could hear me in the house.

“
You stupid bitch!  You think you can run from me and get away with it?  You have cost me money so now you are going to pay the price.”

As
he kicked me in the ribs, my breath shot out of my lungs.  Oh God!  Judging by the look in his eyes and his hand going to his belt, I knew what he had planned to do.  There was no way that was going to happen.  Not this time.  He started to lower himself down and I took my chance and kicked him in the groin as hard as I could. 

“
YOU BITCH!”

He
fell sideways holding himself.  Getting up, I ran the best I could. I needed to get help.  From behind me I could hear him coming after me.  Oh my ribs hurt; hell my face hurt.  Suddenly I was hit from behind.  I wasn’t sure how far I got, but I screamed again.  Kyle whirled me around and hit me with something hard on the forehead.  I felt the blood dripping down my face.

“
You are not getting away from me.  You are-” He was cut short by me kicking his knee and he buckled.   I stood and looked down at him.

“
You don’t control me anymore!!”

Then
I turned and ran.  I was real dizzy and my vision was cloudy.  It hurt to breath and my face ached, no it hurt like hell.  As I ran, I kept screaming for Tobey. It killed me with every scream but I had to try and get his attention. It was all I could do and hoped that he could eventually hear me. 

Please
God, let him hear me!

Chapter
Eighteen

Tobey

When
Mary hadn’t made it back yet and the food was done, I began to worry. Walking outside, the sun was being hidden behind clouds. It looked like a big storm was rolling in. It almost looked dark outside. There was a chill to the air. It wasn’t a temperature chill. It was something far different. It made the hairs on my arms stand on end.

I
turned my ear to the direction she ran. I swore I could hear what sounded like my name being called. I kept listening. Hoping to hear the sound again, but didn’t hear anything. The guys walked out on the porch just then.

“
What’s up?” Joel asked.

Waving
my hand at them to keep quiet, I listened again. “You guys hear my name being called, don’t you?”

They
nodded as we saw a figure slowly coming into view.  The closer the figure got, the louder and clearer the voice became.  It was female.  It was Mary’s.

“
It’s Mary.  What is she-” I watched as she stumbled and fell to her knees and to the ground.

“
MARY!”  All of us went running.  I was the first to get to her sliding on my knees at her side.  “Oh my God!  What happened?!”

“
Kyle…” her voice was barely a whisper. 

My
eyes shot up to the guys, “Go down the drive! Take the guns.  Find the bastard!” 

They
nodded and left.  Picking Mary up in my arms, I carried her inside. 

“
I’m so sorry sweetheart.  I’m so sorry.” 

Laying
her on the couch carefully, I got a washcloth to try and clean her up a bit to see how bad the damage was.  Knowing I couldn’t do this alone, I grabbed her cell phone.

“
Now which one was the doctor?” I mumbled to myself.  “Ah! There you are.”

The
phone rang several times before a woman answered, “Dr. Williams’ cell phone.  This is Racheal, how can I help you?”

“
I need to speak to Jack now.  Tell him it’s an emergency.  Family emergency.”

“
What can I tell him the emer-”

“
Get him on the phone NOW!” 

The
woman said ‘yes, Sir’. With some jumbling and crackling noises for a few moments, Jack came on the line.

“
Mary?  What’s wrong?”

“
Uh, Jack this is Tobey, uh, Mary’s boyfriend.  He found her.  He found her out here on my ranch.  She went for a run and he found her…” I rambled off.

“
What do you mean he found her?  Is she okay?”

“
You need to come out here fast.  You are the only person I can call that I know I can trust.  Please get here FAST.”

“
Okay tell me how to get there I am on my way.”  I rambled off the directions to my ranch and it turns out that Jack was only about a half hour away.  “I will be there as fast as I can.  I’m not going to alert the rest of the family until I know what we are dealing with.  You shouldn’t either.”  With that Jack hung up.

             
Walking back over to Mary, I ran the cold wash cloth over her head again.  She stirred from pain.  Then the guys came back inside and said they couldn’t find him.  Rage boiled in my veins. That asshole was not going to like it when I get a hold of him. The guys offered to get on horses and look for him, but I told them no, “I need you here in case he comes around the house.  I’m going to be preoccupied with Mary.  I won’t be looking out for anything.  Watch out for Mary’s brother Jack, he’s on his way here, should be here soon, in fact.” 

Guns
in tow, they went out on the porch and watched for anything suspicious.  I turned my attention back to Mary.

“
Baby, besides your head is anything else hurt?” 

She
pointed to her ribs and the back of her head.  Lifting her shirt, I could see a bruise already forming. “Shit!” 

Next
thing I heard was a car zooming down the road skidding to a stop in front of the house.  Walking over to the door, I see the guys pointing guns at Jack.  Jack froze next to his car.

“
Relax guys that’s Mary’s brother.  In here Jack.” 

I
watched as Jack grabbed a bag from the back seat of his car and ran up the steps.  Ushering him inside quickly to Mary I said, “She has several injuries to her head front  and back and then her ribs.” 

Standing
back, I watched Jack kneel next to his sister and run his hand down her face. “Hey sweetie.  You know if you wanted to see me this wasn’t the way to do it.  You could have just called.” 

She
tried to laugh and winced in pain.  I moved over in her line of sight. “I’m so sorry, baby.  I didn’t think he could find you out here.  I shouldn’t have let you run alone like that.  God this is all my fault.  You’re hurt because of me, baby.  I asked you to stay with me. Maybe…”  Kneeling down next to her, I kissed her cheek. “I love you, baby. I’m so sorry.” 

Mary
lifted her hand and touched my cheek and mouthed “I love you too.”

Jack
looked up at us.  “You asked her to stay here with you?  As in move in?  You guys serious then?” 

Never
taking my eyes off Mary, I replied, “We love each other and didn’t want our time together to end.  She loves working on the ranch and I love having her here.” 

Jack
simply smiled and went to work. “Mary, you are going to need stiches over the gashes on your forehead and in the back.  Your ribs are not broken, thankfully, but they are going to be pretty sore for a while.  You are going to need to take it easy for at least a week.”

Jack
looked up at me then and I nodded saying “She will not be doing anything, I promise you that.”

Jack
finished stitching her up, then sat with her and watched over her until she fell asleep.  Watching the two of them makes me long for siblings of my own. I watch as Jack brushed her hair off her face and kissed her cheek then watched her as she slept.  I saw the pain in his eyes as he looked at his little sister beaten and bruised and laying on the couch of a virtual stranger, at least in Jack’s eyes that was what I was.  Mary knew me, she knew me like no one else knew me; on a level I could not explain.  Jack kissed her cheek one more time and walked over to me. 

I
knew this conversation was coming the minute I placed the call to Jack.  However, I didn’t care, Mary made her money on her appearance and if she was willing to kill herself to attain that image then she needed someone that could stitch and not leave a scar behind.  I also figured that having her brother there would bring her some comfort as well.

             
Staring at the off white walls and wood floors of my living room, I assessed everything. It housed a couch and two chairs; all of which have seen better days.  There was an entertainment center of sorts in the corner of the room near the big picture window.  The more I looked around the more I realized what was missing, and not just from this room but my life, and that was love.  I have lived in this house and owned this ranch for years but there was no love here or was there any in my heart.  Now I had love in my heart and I realized how much it changed the way I viewed the world.  When I moved into this house and took over the ranch, I had a goal. That was to build a new house within a year with a wife in hand to make the decision.  Since the wife never came neither did the house.  Turning my gaze to Mary, I finally found someone that I would want to spend the rest of my life with.  Maybe now is the time to make the plans for that new house; with Mary by my side.

“
Tobey, we need to talk.” Jack said pulling me out of my thoughts.

“
I figured as much, sir.  Talk.”

“
I don’t know what your plans are with my sister, but she has had enough people walking all over her. So if that is your game then leave now before she gets anymore hurt than she is already going to be.”

“
I love your sister with all my heart.  When she is around my life is different; better.  I love her because she is funny, determined, beautiful, intelligent and talented.  She cares about others and I have noticed that she often puts their needs above her own.  She works hard and never complains.  I, however, also notice that she feels she is not worth any of that love that I give her.  She thinks I don’t notice but I do; that is why I caught on to her starving herself within a day of her being here.  I’m not using your sister.  I don’t give a damn about her celebrity status, social status, or even family status.  I love her; just her, plain and simple.”

Jack
stared at me for a good long time.  It was like he was assessing my meaning behind the words.  If I truly did love her or was I just trying to blow smoke up his ass for an ulterior motive?  There was no hidden agenda; well not anymore.  Once I found out the truth, that was gone and I got to know the real Mary Williams.

“
Okay,” Jack nodded. “I believe you.  Take care of her.  You are right; she puts herself last always.  She needs someone to think of her first and does whatever he can to make her happy because that would make them happy.  Are you that kind of guy, Tobey?  Are you selfless?” 

I
was only able to nod before Jack continued, “She has always felt like she was not equal; like she never measured up.  No matter how often we tried to convince her she kept that thought process.  When Kyle became her manager, she really went downhill.  We all felt like we were losing her.  She was depressed all the time, rarely laughed or genuinely smiled.  When she did laugh or smile it was forced.  She got so bad that she began to just have sexual relationships with men rather than trying to date.  You know how hard it is to watch your little sister being used by guys for her body and her offer it willingly.  It
killed
me every damn time, I would call her and some guy would be there.” He shuddered. “She needs love and values and…support.  If that’s you, Tobey, then step up and stand by her.  Do not back down!  It won’t be easy because my guess by looking at her, we have not heard the last of Kyle Hall.  Protect her or you will need to be protected.  Do we have an understanding?”

“
Yes, sir.  I’m not going anywhere.  I’ve gone so long without having love or someone to share my life with, being an only child and having lost both my parents, I’m not going to give up when I finally found someone that not only fills that void but also the areas I didn’t even know were empty.”

             
A few minutes later, after explaining that she was going to need to be woke every two hours to ensure that she didn’t slip into a coma or anything like that, Jack left giving me his blessings.  Walking outside, I tell the guys to come in and eat. The food was finished and I know the guys were hungry. No sense in them starving.

A
few hours before dark, Harry and Joel pulled up in the truck. It was time for many of the horses to go to the market and some out for studding. So they’ve been gone most of the day. The minute they got out of the truck, they immediately questioned me because I had blood on my shirt, I wasn’t out rotating the horses and Mary was nowhere to be seen.  So I explained everything to them.  They all cared about her. She won all of us over the first day meeting her.  Harry and Joel hopped on their horses and rode off to help Scott and John finish.

It
was nearing nightfall, so I made my way inside to get the casserole warmed that Mary had intended to finish up for supper.  When I got inside I found Mary at the stove.

“
What do you think you are doing?  You need to lie down.”

“
I was just going to try and make supper.  You guys need to eat.”

“
I’m going to warm the casserole you started in the fridge.”  I led her back to the couch and got her settled.  Walking back to the kitchen, I popped the casserole in the oven and went back to sit next to Mary.

“
Hey beautiful.  How are you feeling?”

“
My head feels like a train ran over it and it hurts to move, other than that…peachy.”

I
couldn’t stop myself from laughing.  “You scared me to death today.  I thought I was going to lose you.”

“
I’m a tough girl and have been through worse.  You’re stuck with me. Besides I’m fine really. No need to worry over me. Just sore it’ll pass soon.”

“
Good, because you are stuck with me, whether you want to be or not.”  I kissed her lightly on the lips. 

The
front door opened and the guys walked in.  They all came to see Mary.

“
Hey you, are you okay?  We tried to find the son of a bitch but he wasn’t there.  I’m sorry.”  Scott rambled on. 

Out
of all of them I noticed that he and Mary had gotten close.  She said he reminded her a lot of her brother Nick.  Mary told everyone what happened.  It was first time I was hearing the whole story.  I tensed and was angry all over again.  Getting up, I went to the kitchen to pull the casserole out of the oven.