He stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. The force shook the foundation of the huge building. He fumbled for the keys in his pocket, his feet hitting the pavement. He made his way to the golden parked SUV. he was so angry he could hardly stick the keys into the lock of the door. Finally getting through, he unlocked the door and jumped in. No sooner than he had slammed the door shut he had the engine going and way backing the vehicle out of the driveway.

“Damn Woman!” He growled as he peeled down the road leading away from the estate. he broke every traffic law that had ever been passed. The evening played in his mind over and over.

“This is it! I can’t take this anymore.” He yelled as loud as his voice could go. he continued down the deserted road. Oblivious to the world outside. his mind was on the events of the day, leading up to why he was now on a lonely road to who knows where. He had no idea how long he had been driving or where he was at this time.

A deer ran across his path. he swerved to miss it, slamming on his brakes, which caused him to slide from side to side, then veering towards a tree. Everything went black after a pain went through his body on impact.

Dale always took a long nights walk. She hated the day. Too many folks out she thought. She lived out in the secluded part of the woods away from everyone and thing. Except for her two dogs, Duke and Banshee. She had ventured closer to the road then usual, when she heard the distance screeching of the car. And then the horrible crash. She stopped in her tracks. Duke and Banshee cocked their ears, then began to bark excitedly.

“GO!” She yelled. They immediately obeyed taking off like hound dogs in pursuit. She ran behind them, trying to keep up with their fast pace. She broke through the brush they had previously went, stopping in her tracks. She slowly walked towards the wreckage before her. She couldn’t see how anyone could have survived such a accident. The dogs were busy sniffing at something and whining, look over to her to come see what they had found.

She rushed over, seeing as the gas tank was busted and looked as if it was going to explode any minute. She came over to the where the dogs were pacing back and forth. That’s when she saw him lying half in and half out of the truck. His seatbelt still intact.

“Lucky he had sense enough to fasten the, or he would be a goner by now. Man, he‘s a big one.” She said softly to herself, feeling his neck to find a pulse. Now to figure how to get him out there before he is. She lifted herself up and attempted to release the latch on the belts without luck. She dug in her pocket and pulled out her knife. She sawed through without much resistance.

Then she began to pull him until he fell out of the vehicle. She began to pull him towards the brush to safety. Duke and Banshee began to pull with her. The three had him away from the area when the heard the explosion and saw the flames light up the sky.

“That was close wasn’t it/” She told them scratching each of their heads, for being such good friends. She told them to guard him while she ran back to the cabin to get something to help them pull him home.

The sun rose above the horizon. It’s beams traced across his face, causing him to stir from his sleep. He shifted his body slightly trying to get comfortable.

“OH SHIT!” He yelled out. His eyes shot to the movement coming form the room at his side.

“Hey, lay still!” The woman commanded him pulling the covers back to check that the ace bandaged wrapped around him mid section was intact. He looked her over. From his assessment, she was short, medium built. No Diva, but no man would be ashamed to be seen with her. Her hazel eyes were wise. Her hair sandy brown and pulled back into a short ponytail. Rounded face. She looked about late twenties or early thirties.

“Who are you? And where am I?” He asked, still staring at her. She slightly smiled. His voice was deep, with a hint of a southern accent.

“My name is Dale. And you are in my cabin.” She explained to him. he looked around the room. It certainly wasn’t familiar.

“Do I live here with you?” He asked, still trying to see something her remembered.

“No! You were in an accident. I was out taking a walk when I heard the crash. My dogs and I rescued you. Don’t you remember?” She stared at him, seeing he was confused. He began to rub his head.

“Headache?” She asked and went into the bathroom, emerging with something in her hands and opening the bottle. She took his hand into hers and poured tow pills in it. He immediately popped them into his mouth. She handed him the glass of water standing on the table by the bed.

“Thank you. No I don’t remember anything.” He answered after swallowing the medicine. Then Dale thought of something. She went over to his clothes and began to search them for maybe a wallet or something that may be able to jog his memory. He watched, wondering what she was doing. She stopped when she found something and stared at it for a long time.

“You find something?” He asked as she turned and came towards him.

“It just says Mark. I can’t make out the last name. Seems to start with a C.” She handed him the piece of paper, thinking maybe he would recognize it.

“Mark huh? Maybe my name. Looks like some kind of cleaners slip.” He tossed the paper aside.

“Well I don’t know if the police will be able to identify you either. Your car is trashed and nothing could survived that. You barely did.” She told him. He looked over to her.

“I’m going to call the Sheriff and let him know you did get out of the wreck. Maybe he h\can put in a call and see if there’s a missing person report out.” She turned to leave the room. Then a panic came over him.

“Wait! Do you really have to do that?” he asked, sensing there was something eating away in him and there was a reason he was on that road.

“They’ll see the wreckage. Then they’ll be coming out here to ask me if I heard or seen anything. Wouldn’t be surprised if he ain’t heading this way right this very minute.” Dale paused to study his face. Something was playing in his mind.

“You remembering something?” She asked, coming back over to the bed. He looked at her like a scared rabbit caught in a trap.

“No. Just feeling weird in my stomach.” He told her, digging his head into the pillow and covering his eyes with his arm. She sighed softly. Why did she get the feeling he was running form something. No one comes down this road unless they were passing through. And that he was, nearly passed on.

“Well, I guess. You haven’t ate anything. let me go get you some breakfast.” She smiled down at him. He looked into her eyes and thought, what a Angel.

Mark walked in the huge house. It had been a long tiring day. All he wanted was a hot bath, a beer and shot of JD to soothe his nerves. He looked over the mail that was lying on the floor. He guessed he had come home first. He went into his office and threw them on his desk. He would deal with them later. He walked up the stair and down the hall to his room. He paused for a moment. He thought he heard a noise.

Mark was woke from the savoring aroma of food placed under his nose. His eyes shot open to feel the tray just being sat over his legs. He looked at the beautiful smile that greeted him.

“Here let me help you sit up. Just move slowly.” She told him, coming to stand next to him and place one hand on his arm and showed him how to scoot upwards, by pushing his feet. He moaned and groaned his way up into a sitting position.

“Thank you, Ma’am!“ He said looking at the plate of food before him. He was indeed hungry.

“Please, what ever you do. Don’t call me Ma’am. I hate it with a passion. Dale will do. Eat, you need to get your strength back. I’ll leave you to eat.” She turned to leave.

“No! Please, stay!” He asked. She looked at him then to the ground, then back up to him. She made her way to the chair next to him and sat. She felt something growing in her. It had been a long time since she had been so close to a man. Not since.......................................................

“I was wondering. Couldn’t we just hold off telling anyone that I’m here.” He took a big bite of food. Dale just stared and wondered if he was suppressing something.

“As I told you before Mark! The Highway patrol may have already spotted your wreckage. They’ll be out here asking questions. I have never lied to them before.” She stood and walked away from him. Mark continued to chew on his food.

“I ain’t askin you to lie, Dale.” She snapped her head around to him. It was the way he said that. It sent memories in her mind.

“Okay! But until you get on your feet and we can figure out who you are. I’ll have to think of who you will be to me.” Dale felt if he wasn’t wanting to reveal himself, he must be remembering something and didn’t want to tell her. Or maybe he was running from something or someone.

Chapter Two

Dale was just finishing up with cleaning the dishes, when she heard Duke and Banshee barking. She went to stare out the window and saw the Sheriff’s car approaching. She wiped her hands with the dish towel and went to the door. She pause there for a moment trying to get her story straight. She glanced over to where Mark was sleeping, then opened the door going out on her porch to greet the man.

“Hey Dale!” He said, getting out of his car and stopping for a moment to pat the dogs.

“Hiya Sheriff. What brings you out here?” She asked innocently. The Sheriff came up to her and seem to be searching for something.

“While you were on your walk last night. Did you see or hear anything?” He asked, taking his hat off and wiping his head with his handkerchief.

“I didn’t take my walk last night. Was feeling kinda under the weather (cough).“ She told him, and acted like she was coming down with something. The Sheriff looked at her strangely. He had never known Dale to let something as little as a cough keep her from making her nightly walk.

“Really?” He asked with a tone of disbelief. Dale caught it.

“Why Sheriff! (cough, cough) (sniff). You have a sense of not believing me in your voice. Anyways. What’s so important that you needed me to have taken my walk last night?” She diverted things. The Sheriff paused, realizing he had hit a nerve. Then thought better knowing Dale wouldn’t lie to him.

“There was a accident near the road here. Thought maybe you heard or something that might be useful.” He told her and looked off towards the two dogs playing in the yard. Dale thought she should be a little helpful. It wouldn’t look right if she said she neither heard or saw anything.

Shoot, Duke and Banshee had the keenest ears in the country. They would’ve kept up a racket.

“You know Sheriff. Duke and Banshee were barking like mad dogs last night. I thought I was going to have to call ya’ll. But figured it was nothing after they calmed down.” She told him.

“That would have been about the time it happened. Thanks Dale for your help.” The Sheriff said and began to walk to his car. Then Dale added more to clear things.

“Did the poor person survive?” She asked, coming partly off her porch. The Sheriff stopped and turned to stare at her.

“Don’t know. Didn’t find anyone. You be careful. never know what’s up with that.” He told her then opened his car door and got in. Dale waved at him and he waved back as he backed. Then he left. Dale smiled pleased with herself. She thought she had done a very good job. She slowly backed onto the porch, making sure the Sheriff was gone. Then went into the cabin closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door, trying to catch her breath.

“Never lied to him before, huh?” The voice so near startled her. She grasp her breast as if to keep her heart from jumping out of it. Mark was standing be the window. He had heard the dogs barking and her go out the door. He got out of bed to see what was going on.

“What are you doing up? You nearly scared the devil out of me.” She sat down in a chair, trying to calm her breathing. Mark walked over and sat on the couch, staring at her.

“I heard the dogs barking, didn’t know what was going on.” He explained, watching her breathing hard.

“You haven’t ever done this have you?” Mark realized he hadn’t scared her as much as what she had done. She looked over at him.

“I told you so. I just hope I can regain his trust if he finds out I lied.” There was some sadness in her voice. Mark could see this was playing with her.

“Look! You don’t know me. You don’t owe me neither. I’ll go up to the road and fan someone down. Or if you can take me near the Police station I can act like I lost my memory. Which I have.” Mark told her. he didn’t want to see her so upset. She had been so good to him. He owed her.

“No Mark! I made you a pact, we’ll see it through. Besides it’s already in motion. Can’t turn back now.” She told him, her head leaning back in the chair.

“Are you sure? How much sleep did you get last night anyways?” He asked, coming over to her. He could see she was really out of it. She looked at him and saw he was in his undies.

“Oh!” She said and turned her head. Mark smiled. Modest too.

“I’ll go put my clothes on.” He said and began to walk away.

“Wait! You can’t wear those clothes. Their dirty and ripped up. I have some things that may be able to fit you.” She rose from the chair, shielding her eyes. It was a lot different last night when she took his clothes off. He was out like a rock. But now here he stood, fully awake.

She went into a room and moved around a bit. Mark stood in the doorway of the room he had slept and, listening to her. She soon emerged with a stack of clothes. She walked up to him and handed them to him.

“These belong to my late husband. I hope you don’t mind wearing a dead person’s clothing.” She explained. Mark Looked at how sad she became. He would have to press her later.

“Not at all!” He told her, taking them into his arms and went into the room and change. Dale went out onto the porch and sat in her rocker.

Chapter Three

Dale sat on the porch, staring into space. Her mind began to wander, as she rocked back and forth. It was a happier time. She thought of what once had been and could have been. But won’t.

~~~~”Sandy, hon! I ‘m sorry to have to ask you on such notice. But I’m going to need you to stay after closing to help me do the count. Dave had to leave on a family emergency.” Dale walked up to her assistant. The girl did a soft moan, but new any protest wouldn’t make a difference. There was always had to be at least two to count, along with a security guard.

“Alright! Let me call my husband and tell him it’s going to be a late night.” She reached for the phone on her desk, to make her call. Dreading to here her husband’s mouth. He would have to pick up the kids from school and prepare dinner. Oh, not to mention help with their homework. After thinking all he would have to do, Sandy grew a smile on her face. Yeah! She thought and proceeded pushing the buttons.

She finish with the drill of him griping about how he would have to leave early to get everything done, until she finally said goodbye and blew him a kiss. That should make him feel better. Dale stood near, biting her lip. She didn’t want to cause family conflicts. But being the Operational Manger of the bank and Sandy her assistant. These last minute changes happened.

“Did he take it okay? Dumb question.” Dale came up to Sandy as she placed the receiver back in the cradle. Sandy looked up to her to answer, then her eyes moved passed her, growing large. Dale’s eyebrows crinkle a little then turned her head to see what had Sandy’s undivided attention.

He stood about 6’6”, short cut blonde hair, ocean blue eyes that could make your legs melt. he was what you would call a TALL glass of water. Dale clutched her chest, holding her beating heart in. He was coming their way.

“WOW!” Is all Sandy could get out. As he came to stand directly in front of Dale. Dale’s eyes traveled up from his mid section, which was face to face with her. Up to those beautiful eyes, that were now locked in on her.

When John walked into the bank, inquiring about opening a new account, he was shown who to talk too. He turned and saw the little woman standing away from a desk, biting her lips. She was a cutie, he thought. About 5’3”, sandy brown hair, cut just above her shoulders. Medium built, nice wide hips.

Good for carrying babies, he thought. She wasn’t the tall slinky women most men like. She was just what the doctor ordered. His kind of woman. And when she turned to face him, his eyes automatically locked in on those mesmerizing hazel eyes. He was hooked.

“Hiya! I‘m looking for Dale Sayers!” His voice was deep and soft, with a hint of a southern accent. Dale breath.

“Hello, Sir! I‘m she! What may I do for you?” She sturdy herself against Sandy‘s desk. Who was now hiding her face in her hands, chuckling quietly. Dale was more than her boss, she was a sister. And she was hoping from Dale‘s reaction, something may come from this.

“Well for starters, I need to open up an merchant account. I‘m new here in town and plan on opening up an business.” He explained to Dale, who hung on his every word. His smile was so soothing.

“Okay Mr.?” She was asking for his last name.

“John Banner! But you can call me John. I hate that Sir and Mr. stuff. Kinda makes things to formal for me. You know what I mean?” He raise a eyebrow to her. She felt she could just die and go to heaven. Sandy peeked around to look at Dale‘s face. Yep! He had her. She smiled and sat back down.

“Okay, John. Follow me.” She said and walked pass him heading for her desk. He watched her hips move from side to side, like a pendulum. Oh yes! He thought, following her.

They finished up with the transaction. Dale found it hard to concentrate. he never took his eyes from her. He smiled all the time, sometime he seemed distracted. Causing her to call to him a few time or repeat what she had said.

“Okay, John! That‘s it in a nutshell. I hope you enjoy yourself. We‘re not a BIG town, like the city you may have come. But we’re okay!” She told him. He sat back in his chair, and began to contemplate. Dale could see the facial expression was intense.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” She asked.

“Yeah! You could go out with me>“ He asked. Dale nearly popped out of her seat.

“Oh John........I don’t know if that’s a GOOD idea.” She stood and walked around to the back of her chair. John stood also. Being the gentlemen that he was.

“Oh I see! Husband!” He said.

“NO! No husband are anything like that. It’s just you’re a customer and all.” She tried to convince herself too. Because deep down something told her, this was it.

“I won’t be when we leave here. And I’m new. Don’t know where to go OR not!” he said sadly feeling he had lost this round.

“Oh Dale! Dave is on his way back! Why don’t you show the good man around town. We wouldn’t want something to happen to on of our customers. Now do we.” Sandy grinned from cheek to cheek. John turned to Sandy and thanked her. Dale balled a fist and made her some promises.

“Anytime, John! Anytime!” Sandy turned and bounced away.

“Well I guess we’re going o a date!” John turned back to Dale. She was biting her lips. John took note of it. Whenever she is nervous about something, she bites her lips.

“Not a date! But I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen. So yeah. I’ll get off at 7 o’clock. See you then.” She said, extending her hand to complete the deal. His hand covered hers. he brought it up to his lips and pressed down on it. His lips were so soft. No denying that. Dale watched his every move and caught her breath. He released her hand, turned and walked away.~~~

“What?” A gentle had touched her shoulder. Bringing her back to the future. And the pain of her loss.

“You were so far away! I didn’t want to call out and scare you.” Mark said softly. He could see something was deeply on her mind.

“Oh, okay! Thanks!” She said trying to gather her thoughts. She was never one to show weakness.

“Want to talk about it?” He asked, taking a seat on the porch and staring at Duke and Banshee playing.

“No!” Is all she said. Mark knew when to press and when not. He leaned against the pole and sat silently. Dale continued to rock, freeing he mind. She watched the sun moving to wards the west. Preparing for it’s descent.

Dale looked up in the sky and began to count the twinkling stars. Except for the crazy driver, this was pretty much a quiet road. She looked up ahead. Something became familiar. The place Mark had his accident. She began to speed up into a small trot. She stopped just in front of the tree. She walked over into the area and looked around.

She still wondered how he had escape with just a few bruised ribs. At least she hoped that’s all. He refused to go to the hospital to get checked out. She figured she had stayed out long enough. She began to make her way back towards her cabin when she heard movement behind her.

“Hey Dale! I see ya out on yer nightly walk.” The man’s voice called to her. She spun around to look into the face of the deputy.

“Hi Matt! Yeah, you no me. Same ole, same ole!” She smiled. He walked up closer to her and patted the dogs, as they greeted him.

“I heard ya didn’t have yer walk last night. Somethin’ about ya not feelin good. I’m glad yer better now. Ya takin’ yer walk and all.!” Matt was giving Banshee a good scratch on her head. She loved him doing that.

“Yeah, feeling a little better. Didn’t want to miss another night.” She answered, trying to retrace what she had told the Sheriff.

“Yeah. Ya sho did miss the big accident tho. If ya hadda been out here, ya would’ve seen it.” He told her, excited something happened in their town.

“Yeah, I probably would have. Well I guess I better be going back in now. Don’t want to over do it. You know with being sick yesterday and all.” She explained.

“Sure! Oh and Dale. I got something to tell you........” he began. Dale planted her feet and stared hard at him. Then he pulled up and stared back. He knew why.

“Now Matt! You know how I am about gossip.” She scolded him. He looked down at the ground and began sliding his foot left to right in the dirt.

“I know. But this is official business, not gossip!” He looked up at her. She crossed her hands over her chest.

“Which makes it even worse!” She said to him. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Okay Dale! Good night!” He told her.

“Goodnight Matt! Take care!” She turned and walked away. She always made him feel like a kid. hell he was 28 yrs old. Only a few years younger than her. But there was something mature about her. That’s why he never acted on his impulse to ask her out. Fearing she would shoot him down just as she had done.

“Oh well, she didn’t want me to tell her who this missing guy is.” he whispered to himself and started back to his car.

“Hey you! We need some rooms. NOW!” Darlene yelled at the young woman behind the desk. She looked around, sneering at the hotel. She was expecting a five star establishment. But seeing how quaint the tow, she knew better. And right now, luxury was the farthest from her mind. Finding Mark was the up most importance.

“How many rooms, Ma’am?” The young woman asked. She looked at her like she had just crawled form beneath a rock.

“How many people do you see here?” She waved her hand from Kevin to George, then herself. The young woman looked at all three then to Darlene. She looked as if she would cry.

“Three, Ma’am!” She answered.

“That’s how many rooms we want.” Darlene leaned in over the desk and stared down at her, eyes dark.

“Yes, ma’am. Sorry ma’am.” The young woman, fumbled through the registry and found three rooms close together. She had them sign it and gave them each their keys. George and Kevin shook their head through the whole incident. Darlene could be very intimidating. They made their way up the stairs.

“All I want is to take a nice hot soothing bath. Then I’m going to find that Sheriff. And he better have some answers.” She ranted. Kevin agreed with her, glad she was pointing that attitude towards someone else. George just wanted to get out of ear shot of her mouth. He had some plans of his own.

Chapter Eight

Dale walked through the woods heading back to her cabin. Her mind was deep in thought. Mark’s presence, had brought back very painful memories. As well as ones that were happy. After three months of dating, John and her knew. They were connected and wouldn’t. No couldn’t live with the other. So they set a date to get married. A hard nine months. Marking one year to the day, of their meeting.

~~~Dale sat impatiently as the car they rode in cruised down the street and headed out of town. She watched in great anticipation. John had been building their Dram Home and wouldn’t allow her anywhere near it. Until the day of their wedding. This will be the new beginning of the first day of their life.

Night had fallen. The guests were left far behind to party until they dropped. She looked up to the dark sky only illuminated be the moonlight and stars. It was a very electrifying night. All forces were working in their favor.

“Oh, John! I could just kill you. I’m dying with suspense. Please tell me how far are we away from our new home?” She turned and looked him in his face. He smiled widely.

“No lil’ darlin’! I ain’t tellin’ ya a thing. Just hold yer horses.” He pulled her to his side. She lead into his chest looking straight ahead.

“I can’t wait till we get there. This is driving me........” At that moment the car turned off the road and winded around. Wooded area on each side. Dale thought where in the world are they going? Her question was answered as the made one more twist and came to an open area. She sat up in her seat, neck stretching as far as it could.

“Oh My, John!” She said quietly. The nears swelling in her yes. The driver exited the car and opened the door. John got out first and offered his hand to his new wife. She was still star struck.

“Dale, baby! Ya have to leave this car if ya want me to carry you across the threshold of our new home. Ya know, make it all official.” He told her leaning into the car. Her head turned slowly and she gazed into his eyes. She never in her life felt so much love for one person, as she did for him at this moment.

“Oh yes, my darling Husband. Let’s do make it official.” She placed her hand into his and he closed his own, engulfing hers. She slid over and with his assist, exited the car. He sent the driver on his way, thanking him. Dale looked over to see the moonlight dancing on the lake.

“John! You took everything I told you about what I thought was a dream home and made it come true.” She did a complete 360 of the place. Yes, this is what she had wanted.

“I sure did!” Is all he said and lifted her up into his arms and walked up the steps and carried her into their new home.~~~

“DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!” She screamed. Those were the happiest of times. And yet the most heart wrenching. She fell to the ground, squeezing some dirt between her fingers, gripping anything she could. And broke down and cried. Duke and Banshee lied next to her, whining.

“Are you the Sheriff of this place?” Darlene stomped into the little office, coming to stand in front of the desk. The Sheriff looked up from his newspaper at the tall, slim blonde. He immediately rose to his feet.

“Yes, Ma’am! What can I do fer ya?” he asked. She place her hand on her hip and bent one knee.

“What you can do for me is tell me where in the HELL is my husband for starters?” She snapped at him. The Sheriff tilted his head to side and figured everything out.

“You must be the missing stranger. Mr. Callans?” He asked.

“Damn straight. And two things. He isn’t a stranger nor is he better be missing.” She stared daggers at the small town Sheriff. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, scratching his head. Why did this man come to his town to turn up missing. Better yet, why did he have to have this woman for his wife. He knew from instinct, she was trouble.

Dale had stopped crying and sat poised up against a tree, trying to gather herself. She looke dup towards the sky. The moonlight shone down with the stars twinkling. Everything seemed strange to her. The atmosphere warned of something approaching. As if after tonight, nothing would ever be the same. She rose to her feet and began to brush the ground off her pants.

She made her way home, her dogs close behind. She came up the back way her of her cabin. Duke and Banshee had ran on, knowing she would joined them. She was holding a small twig in her hand, playing with it. Her mind was deep in thought, as she rounded her cabin. She turned the corner and walked up the steps. She paused, her eyes catching something flickering.

“Oh My!” She said, staring in shock.

Chapter Nine

Dale had just rounded the corner of her cabin after her nightly walk. The dogs were getting a drink of water. She tossed the twig she had been playing with, as she tried to make sense of everything going on in her life. She went to walk up her steps when she was stopped in her tracks.

Her porch had candles lit at each corner. The table was beautifully set, with one candle and a single rose place as the center piece. She didn’t know whether to cry of ..........what?

“Oh My!” She said, staring in shock.

“All for you! As a thank you for everything!” Mark said, walking over to her.

He had decided to give her something she probably hadn’t had in a while. Some tender loving care. He found a nice tablecloth and some candles. And picked a rose from one of her rose bushes. He placed one candle and the rose on the table. And set the other candles on the porch at each corner.

He wanted to make it nice and serene. It was a beautiful night. And a lot of forces working together. Both good and bad. But for this space of time, the forces were in favor of them. And there was nothing either could do to curtail where this will lead into.

“Oh My!” Is all she could say, as she looked deep in his happy green eyes. He put his hand in the small of her back, guiding her to her seat.

“Tonight, Sweet Lady! I will wait on you hand and foot.” He told her and disappeared into the cabin. Dale could hardly contained herself. No one had been this nice to her, since John.

Mark reappeared with a platter and set it down, then he went into the cabin emerging with the rest of the meal. He had taken what she made and place it neatly on dishes. After everything was place properly, he sat down across from Dale.

“Thank you Mark! This was really sweet of you!” She said, her voice breaking. Mark gazed into her eyes.

“No thank you Dale. You took a big chance on a stranger. And you protected me. I will always remember your kindness.” He told her.

“This is amazing. How did you know to set everything up like this?” Dale asked as she took a bite of food. Mark was chewing, when something in the back of his mind ran through.

“I don’t know. Just seemed to come to me as I began to put it together.” He said, taking a sip of wind he had found.

“Well it’s all nice. I like it very much, Mark!” She told him and smiled. She took a sip of wine and felt the warmth of it flow through her body. She hadn’t taken a drink in years. She heated drinking along.

“Well the night is not over yet. Because I have a bigger surprise waiting for you after you finish eating.” he said smiling slyly. Dale took another sip and her whole demeanor changed. She hoped he didn’t think just because they were along out here and he had did all of this that anything else would happened. Mark could almost read her mind from her expression.

“Dale! You’re a very sweet lady. One a man would be proud to bring home to momma. I would never do anything to disrespect you ever!” Mark told her and leaned back in his chair. He then looked off into the night. Dale looked own at her plate and felt like a fool. She had hurt him so.

“Please accept my apology. It’s just been a long day. I didn’t mean........” She couldn’t finish.

“Yeah you did. Why wouldn’t you? You don’t know me from Benny Hill!” He said. Dale’s eyes shot up to meet his. They stared at each other for a few moments. Then simultaneously broke out in a laugh. The night and wine was taking an effect.

George asked the young woman at the desk where was the nearest car rental. She told him the name of the place and gave him the directions. he tipped her a nice fifty dollar bill. One for her patience with Darlene and the other because he felt like it.

He had went in his room, glad to be rid of Darlene’s ranting. He then took a shower and sat waiting for Darlene to leave. She did with Kevin right at her side. He didn’t ant neither to know of his plans for the next day. He knew what time she got up, late. By that time he would have left time and did his investigation without any distractions.

“Hiya! You one of them stranger in town lookin fer the guy in that accident last night?” The guy came from out of his office. George kept a blank face.

“I’m looking to rent a car. And if possible, maybe you can give me some information. I can make it worth your while.” George knew his type. He dug in his pocket and brought out his wallet. The man looked back and around to make sure they were along.

“What ya need?” He came straight out. George smiled and began to run his thumb over the bills. The man wiped his mouth. He had never seen that much money in his life.

“I saw someone walking along the road near the accident. You wouldn’t know who they were, would you?” George asked, bringing out a couple of bills.

“Yeah I know her.” He told George. George’s head lifted up. He stared at the man.

“Her?” He repeated. The man nodded.

“Her name’s Dale! Dale Banner! She’s lived out thar by herself fer years. Comes into town only to get supplies. In fact she’s due in tomorrow.” He told him. George thought for a moment.

“How do you know it was her. Could have been anyone.” George cross examining the witness.

“Everybody knows she takes her walk same time every night.” The man informed him.

“So she could have saw or heard something?” George basically talking to himself.

“Naw! Not last night, said she was sick in bed. That’s what she told the Sheriff.” He added. George looked at the man and handed him a couple of bills for the help. He took them and smiled happily.

“Oh, then she wouldn’t have seen anything.” George looked at some of the cars for rent.

“She said her dogs barked at some noise then calmed down.” The man looked over to George. he looked back at that added information.

“Oh, but she didn’t actually hear anything?” He asked the man.

“Yer know, the deputy wasn’t convinced of that. Dale has never missed a walk before. Sheriff felt as if she was holding back on something.” The man relayed to George. He looked blankly at the man.

“I think I would like that car if I may and a map of this area.” George told the man. then paid for the rental car. He told the man he would pick it up in the morning early. And also explained this conversation never happened. Then gave him another bill to keep his mouth shut.

Mark and Dale had finished eating. Mark cleared the table and told Dale not to move a muscle, that he would take care of everything. He went in the cabin leaving her to her thoughts and her glass of wine. She rose form her chair with glass in hand and took a seat on the top step. She looked out of her land, please with it’s serenity. She heard the movement behind her and turned to look at Mark.

“Sweet Lady! Follow me please.” He extended his hand. She laid her hand in his and watched him close his around hers.

Chapter Eleven

George sat in the corner of the small diner, staring out the window. He had made some progress. The guy at the car rental may have been more helpful then he knew. This Dale woman. She walked faithfully every night. But by coincidence, she didn‘t last night. Even the Sheriff found her story suspicious, according to the guy. She’s due into town for some supplies. Maybe he could secretly follow her out to her place and ask her some questions in private. Too many people could spook her. Then they‘ll get nowhere.

“Oh this place is just the most backwards of anywhere I have ever been!” George had retreated into his thoughts due to Darlene’s mouth go on and on. He was snapped out of them as she growled out this last part.

“Darlene! Don’t make them anymore than you have. I don’t want them doing anything to my food.“ Kevin told her and smiled at the waitress, who return one back.

“They wouldn’t dare!“ She looked from Kevin then to George. Who raised an eyebrow to confirm what Kevin had said.

“Yeah they would!“ He said under his breath and took a sip of water. She took a huge swallow. She had heard about people coming up missing in small towns like this. She then gave the waitress a phony smile. The waitress turned and walked away. The damage had been done.

“Anyways, I spoke to the Sheriff, George!” She turned to him trying to play off the fact the waitress brushed her off.

“So what did he have to say?“ He humored her.

“Nothing we don’t already know. I tell you of ALL the places in the owrld, why did Mark have to pick this God forsaken place?“ She dug in her purse and pulled out her compact. All this excitement was too much for her looks. George looked at her with some annoyed.

“This ‘God forsaken place’, as you called it. Had nothing to do with the death and/or disappearance of Mark and you know it!” He bent in close to hiss this out. Kevin looked over at him then down to his plate. He knew when George hissed like that, he had had enough.

“I have no idea of what you’re talking about?” She looked at him with wide eyes.

“Mark left my office, heading home. What happened when he got there, Darlene?” He drilled her. She leaned back in her seat and stared blankly at him. Kevin shifted in his seat.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t there, remember. He wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow. So I left and took myself a little down time while he was gone.” She said, calmly. George stared into her eyes. He had known her for years and also knew what a good actress she was.

“Fine! Have it your way. Because I sure in Hell am.” He said looking up to the waitress who had arrived with their food. She smiled as she set his plate and Kevin’s before them. The told her thank you.

Darlene eyes grew narrowed. He had something up his sleeves. She’ll have to keep an close eye on him. She turned to see to the waitress who was setting her plate before her. And the look the waitress gave, convinced her, she wasn’t so hungry anymore. George chuckled inwardly. He was going to have to pull off a slick move tomorrow. Darlene was no fool. He took a nice bite of food and ate it.

Darlene looked over to Kevin who was enjoying his meal also. She looked down at hers, thinking maybe they hadn‘t done anything to it. Then her eyes caught the waitress, who was now behind the counter. She raised a glass, with a smile on her face. Darlene knew then, it was a good idea to leave it. She took a sip of water, thinking maybe she could get something somewhere else. And this time she’ll be nicer if it kills her.

Mark put a blindfold over Dale’s face, to hide her surprise. Dale giggled as he led her through her living room and too another room, which she knew was the bathroom. But she humor him. She heard the door squeak open and the warmth hit her face. There was a wonderful aroma of peach flowing into her nostril. Mark untied the blindfold and pulled it from her face. Her eyes were still closed.

“Open!” He said to her. She slowly allowed her eyelids to part. She gasped, looking around the room. Scented candles where lit. And a bath was drawn for her.

“Mark!” She turned to look at him. He had a smiled stretched across his face from ear to ear.

“I have everything you need. So ALL you have to do is, enjoy it. I’m going to turn in now. It’s been a long day. Now go and relax.” Mark told her and began to turn to leave.

“Mark! Wait!” She caught his arm with her small hand. He looked down at her hand place on his arm and then his eyes went to hers. His whole body went numbed. Seeing in them, what mirrored in his heart. A burning Desire.

“Yes?” He replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned fully around to face her. Her hand slowly moved from his arm. For a moment in time, they stood there silently, gazing into each others eyes. Only the pounding of their hearts and the heavy breathing, was the only movement.

“I wanted to thank you for ALL of this. It’s been a long time since........” She stopped and turned away, not wanting him to see the tear filling her eyes. He place his hands on either side of her shoulders, turning her back around to him.

“I know! Since John. He seemed to have been a very good man. I’m glad you had someone like him in your life. You deserve the very best.” He told her. He was feeling something else. jealousy for John to have had such a woman as her.

“Thank you for your kind words.” She fought back the tears.

“No thank you. You took a chance and helped me. So this is nothing in compare.” He said to her, Still with his hands on her shoulder. His heart was aching at this time. He knew he had to leave before he did something he would regret. Or not.

He let his hands fall to his side and smiled at her. Then he attempted to make his escape once again. Only to be stopped by her. His looked own at her. She moved into him, lifting her hand up to touch the side of his face. Mark closed his eyes, savoring her touch against his skin.

She let her hand trail down his face, coming to rest on his goatee, under his chin. Mark could feel her moving next to him. His eyes shot open, to see her face moving closer to his own. He bent his knee to meet her partly, only stopping due to a slight twinge of pain.

His arm went around her waist, lifting her partly. He stared into her eyes one more time, assuring himself what they were saying was true. Then he captured her lips with his, kissing her with all that was in him. Her body relaxed against his own, returning his burning kiss.

Chapter Twelve

Mark wrapped his arm around Dale’s waist, pulling her into him. His mouth had covered her in a intense kiss. One that she initiated. Her arms encircled his neck, as she lifted herself up to receive more of him, relaxing her body into his own.

The pain once prominent in his ribs subsided. Replaced with the passion filling the room. His kiss was like a person starving. And that he was. Starving for everything she had to offer. Love, passion, kindness and desire.

Yes, he knew now as he tasted of her. Felt her in his arms and everything she had within her, she gave to him freely. John truly had been a lucky man to have had her in his life. And now he had this one opportunity to feel the love this beautiful woman possessed.

He wanted her. Mark ran his tongue feeling, tasting her inner linings. She moaned into his mouth, sending a vibration through his body. He pulled up off the floor, ravaging her lips. His tongue moved to that tender spot into the back of her throat. She felt her fires igniting. She wanted him, she needed him. She began whimpering for more than the kiss, feeling his engorged member pressing against her pelvic.

Then something in the back of his head sent off a warning. No, don’t do this. It’s wrong. He pulled his mouth form hers quickly, just inches from hers. He stared into her passion darken eyes. Then looked away as he gently set her on the floor.

Her feet touched the floor, feeling his arms release her, he moved slowly back from her, staring into the ceiling. She was confused. Not sure what had just happened. His eyes met hers once again, filled with something other than what she had saw at the beginning.

“I can’t do this, Dale. Not to you!” His voice breaking up. She shook her head, still bewildered.

“I don’t understand! Did I do something wrong?” She asked, the tears washing over her eyes.

“No Sweet Lady! You did everything right.” He said sadly, seeing her eyes glistening from the candle lights.

“You’re confusing me. I thought!” She paused, running her hands over her head, pulling her hair back. Her eyes wonder the room, coming to rest on a candle, staring at the flame.

“You thought this is what I wanted? Oh, Baby! You don’t know how much I do. But I can’t! I can’t do this to you!” He told her, his arms limped at his side. She looked over to him and into his eyes. Then she knew.

“But I want you to! I don’t care about tomorrow. We have tonight, Mark!” She pleaded.

“No! I couldn’t live with myself, knowing I made sweet love to you and then find out who I really am. Where would that leave us? I can’t give you a Damn thing Dale. I can’t promise you anything.” He replied. He knew this was hurting her. Because it damn sure was killing him. He wanted to throw inhibitions aside. Scoop her up in his arms and take her far away, so no one could ever find them.

She began to cry as she watched him slowly back out of the bathroom, leaving her standing there. He closed the door behind him and listen through the door as she began to cry. He felt like a heel, but she would thank him someday. Not this day. He walked away from the door and went into his room. He would leave tomorrow. That would be the kind thing to do.

He sat on the side of the bed, pondering how he would leave. He laid back across the bed, thinking of something that had ran through his mind. His memory may be resurfacing. While he was with her, he felt as if he hadn’t been loved in a long time. And that there was someone in his life, but they weren’t anything like Dale. She was one of those ladies, if you ever met. Can count it an privilege.

He realized lying there, he was exhausted. The last two days had taken their toll on him, physically. Not to mention the mentally and emotionally. He let out a huge yawn and drifted off to sleep. Dale prominent in his mind. He whispered her name. as the darkness took him over. He never noticed the figure standing in the doorway.

George, Darlene and Kevin made their way back to their hotel rooms. Darlene chattered on, but observed George with great interest. He was too quiet, usually that meant a plan at hand. George knew he had to make some plans with Darlene or she would get suspicious. So he stopped outside door and turned to her.

“Can we come in for a minute? We aren’t getting anywhere with this Sheriff. He doesn’t know anything. Maybe some of the townspeople can help us better.” George began. Darlene was thrown off guard. That’s what he wanted.

“Sure! I was beginning to wonder about you?” She said, turning to unlock her door. She opened the door and walked in, followed by George and Kevin, who wanted to go to bed.

“I was thinking. Do you have a picture of Mark?” he asked, taking a seat on a chair next to the bed. Kevin threw himself on the bed, grinning sheepishly. Which got a glare from Darlene.

“Yeah! Why?” She asked, digging into her purse. Finding one stared at it for a moment. Then she handed it to George. He waved her off.

“What I need you to do, is get copies made. Sort of like maybe like posters. We can circulate them through town. Maybe someone has heard or seen something.” George told her. She looked at him for a moment, then nodded her head.

“Okay! That sounds like a great idea. But in the meantime, what are you going to be doing?” She walked away from him and stared out the widow, then turned to him.

“I’m going to be dealing with the Sheriff and maybe light a fire under his butt. Then I’m going out to the accident site and see what I can find. I trust these guys did a thorough job.” He told her. This will keep her busy and off his butt for a while, giving him time to talk with Miss Dale.

“Okay! Well Gentlemen, I’m going to turn in. Got a long day ahead of us.” She said and glared over towards Kevin. He had went to sleep while the talked. George gave him a kick on his foot, walking him with a start. The two men left Darlene’s room. She went over to the window and stared out over the small town.

“Where are you Mark?” She whispered, then looked down at his picture.

Mark was nearly passed out. It had been a long day. But something was causing him to drift out of the slumber that had claimed him. That something was sending sensations through his body. Slowly his body became aware. And stunned was an understatement, to what his body was experiencing.

Her mouth was clamped over his and her tongue was deep inside. His body was alive before his mind could catch up. Dale laid on top of him, finishing what they had started. Mark, went to move her away and stare into her eyes. He knew then, he could resist the longing flowing through those eyes.

“My darlin’ Dale! Are you sure this is what you want?” He asked, already knowing the answer. This feeling was bigger than the both of them. Each had been denied. And now both will not.

“More than anything in my life. If I lose you tomorrow. I will have no regrets. But if I don’t, I will!” She said. He didn’t say a word. He just lifted her off him and place her in his bed next to him. Then he laid sideways, bringing her to him. She laid her one leg over his hip. He found her mouth and then they began the kiss that would start the process of the rest of their lives.

Chapter Fourteen

Mark kissed Dale deeply, causing her to moaned. His tongue danced with hers, as they entwined each other. Her taste was so satisfying. Her warmth so comforting. His hands cradle her face, as he continued kissing her.

Dale could hardly contain herself. There was a burning in her, that needed to be quenched. And from what she felt in his pants, he had just the equipment to do the job. His tongue was moving around in her mouth, setting off sensations that had laid dormant for years.

Mark pulled his mouth from hers and stared into her eyes. Those beautiful pleading eyes. How could he not give to her what she wanted? And, what he needed. He pulled open the robe she had wore to his room, revealing her completely bare skin. His member twitched, from the sight of this beautiful hungry body. She positioned herself on her back, eyes fixed on him. Her heart racing and breathing ecstatic. As she anticipated his next move.

Mark didn’t know where to start. But this hands did. One went to her full rounded breast, engulfing them. Then began to knead it, causing her to shift her body. She groaned in pleasure. He was touching her in the right place and in the right way.

He moved in and took the delicate nipple in his mouth. She let out a small Oh! He knew he was making her feel good. His tongue ran over it a few times, getting a more voiced reaction. He loved the noise she was making. It just made him desire her the more. Knowing when they finally joined, it would be a night to remember.

His other hand began to massage her other breast, preparing it for his assault. Then his mouth captured it, delicately licking and sucking it. She moved beneath him, groaning loudly. His hand began slowly moving downwards, as he continued ravaging the other nipple. making it‘s way towards her belly button. She was moving more now. This excited him the more.

It passed the navel, only to play for a moment there, arousing her more. His hand brushed over her dark patch, causing her hip to buck. She longed for him to touch her there. He obliged. His hand began to move up and down, massage the area. She spread her legs, inviting him in. She felt the vibration of his groan sending electricity through her body.

His finger slid into her slit like a snake into his burrow. She squealed once again. She was throbbing now. He felt the warm moistness of her. Her lining smooth and tight. It pulsated, signaling to him how much she needed him. Mark couldn’t, no wouldn’t be denied. He left her breast and move down to her sweet intoxicating flower. She hollered out, know what he was going to do.

He lifted her legs over his shoulders, cuffing her butt with his hands. Dale raised her hips higher, allowing him easier access. She dug her head into the bed, feeling his warm tongue roll over her harden nub. He held her tightly. His tongued moved in and out of her slowly. Her head thrash from side to side, her audible response to what he was doing to her grew louder. Only making him feast more.

“Oh God!“ She called out. Her eyes opened, to stare up to the ceiling. She clutched the sheets. She had forgotten how good this felt. It comes with not having anyone around for years. Her heart felt as if it was going to jump out of her chest. Her body was alive with emotions, she wasn’t able to control. She felt herself being lowered. Then a pause.

“Ohhhh!” She yelled, feeling his finger slide in her only to come out. Then he added another finger. And last he added a third finger. He stopped, feeling her swollen linings. She was ready.

He slowly went on hands and knees. Dale’s head turned downward to look into his dark green eyes. She knew what he was going to do. He raised up and began to unbutton his pants, pulling his zipper down. He discarded his pants on the floor. He was bare underneath. Her eyes widen. She could only had imagine something so huge and beautiful. She closed her eyes. He came over her, spreading her legs with his.

“Dale, my darlin’! I’m giving you me tonight. And hoping you will do the same.” She looked up to him, wrapping her arms and legs around him. That was all the confirmation he needed. He lowered his hips and positioned himself at her opening.

Slowly he eased himself into her, she let out a small yelp. Oh, he was huge. But damn he felt so good there. He waited as her walls moved back, getting use to something inside of them. He continued this until he was fully in her. Then he moved outwards to come back in. At a slow pace. She began to mimic his every move. This let him know she wasn’t one to waste time.

His hips began to pick up the pace, she began to gyrate around his member. This was his undoing. She was a gentle lady out of the bedroom. But a wild thing in. She began to dictate the speed. Mark had all he could do to keep up with her.

Their pelvises pounding against one another, the heavy breathing and definite sounds that filled the air. Sent them into a upstream. His body was reaching its limits. She was like a dam bursting at its seam. He gave a hard thrush. Causing her to release all the built up emotions she had contained for so long.

He felt her walls throbbing and milking his gorged member. He yelled out, unloading everything ounce of himself into her. They both collapsed on the bed, drained. He pulled her into him, spent. He brushed her wet hair back off her face, kissing her cheek.

She pulled his hand to her mouth and gave it a gentle peck. He had given her more than expected. She would always remember this night. And more, she will always love him. They fell asleep in each other’s arms. Waking a few times in the night for a repeat performance. Each better than before.

Chapter Fifteen

Mark slowly surfaced from the slumber that had claimed him in the early morning. After a very active night. He stretched his muscles and sinews, allowing a huge yawn to escape his mouth. Then he relaxed back in the bed and began to scratch around his friends. He smacked his lips together, trying to moisten the dryness now present along the lining of his mouth.

His ears could hear in the distance birds chirping and dogs barking. The sound was slowly coming clearer. He was almost fully awake. His eyes opened, letting in the brightness that engulfed the room. He quenched, allowing his pupils to become accustom to the sunlight.

His mind brushed away the cloud that had surrounded it. Then his memories poured in. He remembered the night filled bliss he had experience, with the most beautiful woman in the world. He turned on his side to the spot next to him, hoping to watch her as she slept. But found the area vacant. He shot up in a sitting positioned and searched the room.

“Dale!” He called out, pausing to see if he could hear any movement to detect her whereabouts. Silence.

He threw his legs over the side of the bed, hitting the hard floor with all of his weight. He looked over the room to see a clean pair of jeans and shirt neatly draped over the chair in the room. But no signs of her robe she had wore, that night. He grabbed the jeans, pulling them up his legs and over his hips. Exiting the room.

“Dale!” He called once again, making his way into the living room. He stood there poised, sensing she couldn’t be in the kitchen or he would have smelt the aroma of her good cooking.

He went to her room and stood at the door, listening. Nothing. He then realized she wasn’t in the house or she surly would have answered by now. He ran his hand through his hair. One night and he was whipped, he laughed to himself. He was hoping to get an early morning treat. But from the way things looked, that ain’t happening. Then he thought maybe she was out front.

He went to the door and opened it to a nice warm lovely day. He walked out on the porch and saw Duke and Banshee sleeping under an old oak tree. Then he knew, Dale wasn’t around or they would have been with her. He took one last sweep over the grounds, then went back into the cabin. He wondered where she had gotten off to so early.

Dale drove into town, a place she really hated. But she needed supplies so it had to be done. She pulled up in front of the grocery. It was one of the older establishments, even though newer supermarkets had moved into town. She still preferred the smaller place.

“Hey Hank!” She called to the man behind the counter, as she came through the screen doors.

“Hey Dale!“ He replied, leaning over the counter and reading a newspaper.

“I’m doing just great!” She said and removed a piece of paper from her pocket in her shirt.

“You seem chipper this morning. I heard you were a bit under the weather. Don‘ seem that way now.” He straighten up, looking at her as she moved through the store. She paused, knowing where this was going.

“Hank! I never figured you for a gossip!” She came back to him, but knowing he was one of the biggest in town.

“Oh no! Just concerned that’s all. I’m glad to see you doin’ okay!” He cleared his throat then went back to reading.

Dale breathed. She began picking up things she needed and bringing them over to the counter. He would give her a quick glance over the paper each time. He so badly wanted to question her on what was going around town. That she may know what happened to the missing man and was holding back.

The little bell above the screen doors, signaled that someone had entered the store. It was the Sheriff. He had watched Dale drive in and go into the store. He wanted to ask her a few more questions, to get that city woman off his back. She was pressing him concerning her husband. Dale turned along with the man to see who had joined them. She felt her heart fall into her stomach. Her day had just gone from joy, to dread.

“Heya Hank!” The Sheriff sauntered up to the counter, then leaned on it with one arm. He pulled out a pipe and stuck it in his mouth. He didn’t smoke anymore, but when pressed he would bring it out as a security.

“Hey Craig! What can I do fer ya?” The man greeted him. They were old friends. And the few people in town that addressed him by his first name. He was staring towards Dale moving about. She tried to ignore him.

“Nothing right now. But maybe later. Hi Dale! See yer feeling much better. That was a little sudden don’t ya think?” He started on her. Dale exhaled, then turned to him. He just couldn’t leave well enough alone.

“Yes, it was. But it just could’ve been something I ate.” She tried to be cordial. He stood straight up, his eyes never leaving her. She took a stance.

“But I thought it was a cold or somethin‘. Ya did have the sniffles.” He reminded her. Dale could see this was going to get bad. She searched her mind. It only traveled back to the glorious night she spent with Mark.

“Dale! What’s wrong?” He asked seeing her facial expressions. His voice brought her back to them, who were staring holes in her. She became desperate, she couldn’t let Mark down. Not now. Not ever.

“Sheriff, I am insulted. I have lived here how long? Nearly eight years. And in that time, have I ever given you cause to doubt anything I have done or said?” She spoke in a calm, but angry voice. She slowly walked up to him, glaring at him. The Sheriff put the pipe back in his pocket and swallowed hard. No she hadn’t. But this time his gut told him better.

“No you haven’t Dale. But that don’ mean nuthin’. Sometimes people can get in situations that may make them do things that they’ll regret. I’m yer friend, Dale. And I don’ want to see that happen to ya.” He told her. She backed away, seeing in his eyes something she hadn’t noticed before. She didn’t know. She was speechless for a moment. Then her emotions overruled.

“I told you everything I know. Stop badgering me! Hank here, have my stuff sent out to me.” She yelled at the Sheriff, then threw the piece of paper to Hank.

She quickly ran out of the store and fumbled to get her keys into the lock. Once she had gotten the door open. She jumped in and tried to gather herself, before hitting the road. She looked up to see the Sheriff standing in the doorway, staring at her. He was hurt, but mostly concerned.

This wasn’t the Dale he knew. She turned on the Jeep and backed up, nearly getting hit by an oncoming car. Who honked to warn her. She slammed on brakes, being tossed forward. Only to be saved from going through the window shield, due to an habit she had acquired. To buckled up as soon as she hit the seat. She waited a moment, catching her breath. Then seeing that the coast was clear, backed up and sped away. The Sheriff came all the way out, watching her as she moved out of town.

“What’s up with her?” Hank asked. He came to stand by Craig, the Sheriff. They watched Dale disappear out of sight. He also noticed something else.

“I don’ know, Hank! But I aim to find out.” He said, stepping down into the streets and walking away from the grocery store. Hank scratched his head and went back into his store.

“I tell you George is on to something. That’s why he sent us on this little distraction. To get us out of town.” Darlene told Kevin, as they watched George leave the car rental. They had gotten up early and went to get some copies of Mark’s photo, so they could pass them out. George thought they were still sleep. So he didn’t disturb them. His mistake.

“Well, maybe he’s keeping a tight lip, until he gets more information. So not to get your hopes up high.” Kevin tried to calm her down.

“I don’t give a damn! He’s never considered my feeling before. Why start now? No, he’s on to something and he’s keeping me out of the loop. Mark is my husband. I need to know everything that there is to know. And I promise you this, I will.” She yelled. Then she made her way to the car rental to get her own information. Whatever it is he’s trying to keep from her? Kevin looked up to the sky, wondering why him.

Dale drove down the road, fighting back the tears streaming down her face. Why didn’t she see this before? She had no idea. She had been so caught up in her loss of John, she had tuned out everything and one.

“Damn you Craig! Why didn’t you tell me? Why?” She cried out. She just took him checking in on her, because John and him were such close friends.

“Why didn’t I see this before?” She yelled at herself. Then her mind began to talk to her.

‘You wouldn’t have saw it, if last night hadn’t happened. Mark made you remember what it looked like for someone to gaze upon you with love. Or how it felt to be love. So what does that tell you?’ She thought.

“It didn’t matter what Craig felt about me. I couldn’t see it because that’s not what I feel for him. But Mark is different. He’s in the same league as John. He’s the type of man I need in my life.” She consoled herself.

Mark! She needed to get back to him quickly. She needed to feel his body neck to hers. She needed to feel his lips on hers. She just needed him period. She pulled off the road unto the winding road that led up to her cabin. She came around the bend, her eyes immediately falling on the beautiful site in front of her.

Mark stood in the open area, playing with Duke and Banshee. She brought the Jeep to a stop and jumped out. She ran into his waiting arms. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him as far as she could go. That had been the longest wait he had ever experienced. As far as he knew.

“Where did you go?’ He asked, pulling her away from him and staring down at her. She smiled.

“I’m sorry. I had to go into town for some supplies. I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so out of it.” She smirked. He nodded his head, pointing his finger at her.

“Yeah and you know why.” He reminded her. She began to blushed and buried her face into his stomach. His chuckle vibrated against her face. It was so comforting to be here with him. Everything was right with the world again.

At that time Duke and Banshee had been lying down relaxing. Suddenly they came to their feet and began barking fiercely. Dale pulled her head away from Mark and looked around. She heard it before she saw it. Mark stared down at her then in the direction her eyes were focus. That’s when they both saw it. A car diligently making it’s way around the last curve and into the grounds where they stood holding each other.

George couldn’t believe his eyes. But yes, there he stood. Mark, his old friend. He wasn’t sure how he was going to take seeing him again, but it was a chance he had to take. He pulled the car up to the couple. There was something else he noticed. Mark had a peaceful expression on his face, as he held the woman he had followed form time. He had never seen that look on him before.

He cut the car off and hesitated to leave it. One due to the two huge dogs at his door barking, like they wanted to rip him apart. Second due to the fact, Mark was a live and hadn’t tried to contact them. The woman seemed to have good control on them. She yelled for them to go lie down, they obeyed. Then Mark came up to the car and looked him over, with some caution. George opened the door and exited it.

“How did you get here? Not many people know this place.” Dale came over to the man. Who was staring at Mark, confused.

“Mark? Is that you?” He asked. Dale looked from the man to Mark. He knew Mark. Her heart ripped. Here was what they had feared.

“You know me?” Mark asked. The man leaned on the car. Mark didn’t recognize him.

“Yes, I do. I’m a long time friend, as well as your lawyer. We have been going crazy looking for you. What happened?” George explained and asked.

Dale turned and walk away. This was more than she could bear. She knew it was just a fantasy they were living. Sooner or later they would be found out. She was just hoping on later, rather than sooner.

“Well as far as I know. I was in an accident and woke up here.” He explained, from as far as he could remember and was told.

“Why didn’t you contact us to let us know you were all right? Or something?” George asked.

“Who was there to contact. I didn’t know who I was. I found a piece of paper with the name Mark. I assumed it was me.” He told him. George looked over to Dale.

“That explains why he didn’t let anyone know that he was alive. What was your reason?” George walked pass Mark, towards Dale. Mark turned on his heels and grabbed George‘s arm.

“Don’t ever speak to her in that manner again. For your information, she urged me to let her tell the Sheriff I was here. I made her promise not to. If you want to jump down someone’s throat. Jump down mine.” Mark explained in no uncertain terms. George felt a little fear rise. He knew about Mark’s temper and what usually happens to the one it’s directed towards.

“Okay! Calm down Mark! Please except my apologizes.” George looked from Mark to Dale. She turned to him, when he confronted her. She nodded, her arms wrapped around her. Te strain becoming more visible.

“Sure no problem.” She said with a hint of sadness. Then George understood. There was something special between these two. Just that quick. The dogs began to whine. Dale quieted them

“Okay! I don’t understand Mark. Why didn’t you want us to know where you were? Or that you were alive?” George asked.

“I would like the answer myself.” The Sheriff said, walking up the back way of the cabin. All head snapped in his direction.

Dale felt her legs wobbled under her. The Sheriff walked up and stopped in front of her. She looked in his eyes and saw the betrayal he felt. She couldn’t bear it any longer, she slumped to the ground.

The Sheriff grabbed her before she touched the ground. Mark raced over and took her away from him, scooping her up into his arms. He walked up the steps and into the cabin. George came up to stand beside the Sheriff.

“You found your man. When will ya’ll be leaving these parts?” The Sheriff never looked at him.

“That’s going to be left up to Mark. As far as I can see. It may not be that easy.” George could see Mark was deeply smitten with this woman. Whether he could recall anything or not.

“I beg to differ.” The shrill voice came up behind them. Darlene and Kevin had drove up just in time to witness Mark carrying Dale into the house. The man at the car rental was easily persuaded. Three bills worth.

Chapter Seventeen

“Dale! Dale!” The voice called to her. She fought her way through the dense shroud of Darkness that engulfed her. The voice grew nearer. She felt something wet and cool on her forehead. Her eyes opened, then strained to see between the slits that shielded them from the bright lights.

“Mark!” She called just able to make out his outline.

“Yes, Sweet Lady! It’s me!” Her eyes began to widen. They had become adjusted to the light in the room. They darted around, as her mind remember everything that had happened.

“Where is your friend?” She asked, knowing their time together had run it’s course.

“Right here with me!” He told her. She looked at him with such love, it nearly broke his heart. He knew what she meant. But he didn’t know that man outside. But he knew her.

“That is so sweet of you. But you and I both know it. This is they end. You must go home and get your life back together.” She lifted her hand to touched the side of his face, gazing deeply into his eyes. He took her hand into his own, then lifted it to his lips and kissed it gently.

The tears filled her eyes. He turned away from her, not able to bear this pain shooting through him. He walked through the door, leaving her. She turned over on her side, facing away, not wanting to see him walk out of her life. She broke, the tears spilled over, streaming down her face.

“Darlene! What the HELL are you doing here?” George turned to glare at her and Kevin walking towards him.

“What am I doing here? Did he just asked me what am I doing here?” She looked at George in disbelief then turned to Kevin. Kevin nodded his head, then looked over to George shrugging his shoulder.

“I had this under control. You need to leave or you will blow this right out of the water.” George growled at her. Darlene raised her eyebrow and stared him down, taking a stance. George shook his head, and raised his arms in surrender.

Then Darlene’s eyes grew large, becoming locked onto something pass him. Then she slowly began to walk pass, him headed for the cabin. George looked up to see Mark coming out of the door. Kevin’s mouth hung opened.

“Mark! Mark! Is that you baby?” Her pace increasing as she headed towards the cabin. Mark looked at her like without any emotions. He didn’t know her. She ran up the stairs and threw her arms around his neck, holding him tight. He stood there motionless. He looked over to George, confused. He was the only other person he knew in this whole charade. George looked down towards the ground.

“Darlene! Let him go!” George walked towards her trying to salvage the situation. She pulled away from Mark, staring at his blank eyes. Her eyebrows furrowed, as she could see there was something different about him.

“What is going on George?” She snapped her head in his direction, releasing her arms from Mark! George moved up on the porch beside her.

“That’s why I wish you had let me handled this. He doesn’t know you. His memory is gone.” he told her. Her mouth slid open and looked from George to Mark, who just stared at her. Then something caught her eyes. The woman who he had carried into the house was standing just beyond the door. Her anger nearly erupted.

“His memory is loss huh?” But I bet that doesn’t include how to screw, now doe it Mark?” She spat at him. George try to calm her down.

“Look lady and I’m being kind in calling you that. What I do in my personal life doesn’t concern you.” Mark informed her. Darlene’s mouth fell open. George quickly grabbed her and walked her off the porch before she said something she would regret. Mark just about had enough of this farce. The Sheriff slowly walked pass George talking to Darlene and stepped up on the porch, facing away from Mark.

“If ya cared as much as I think ya do. You’ll go with yer people and get yerself straighten out. Ya cain’t possibly give anythin’ only half of yeself. And how can ya give up anythin‘, if ya don’ know what yer givin’ up. People deserve to know, there ain’t no demons chasin’ them.” He said this and looked to Mark. Mark was staring over to George and Darlene, watching with amusement.

“I understand. But I had already figured that one out, Sheriff. Thank you anyway. Please do me a favor?’ He asked, his voice nearly breaking.

“I know and I will. Always have. Just get yerself whole.” He replied and stepped off the porch. Mark never looked back to see Dale standing wiping the tears rolling down her cheeks. He moved from off the porch towards the two screaming at each other.

“You two can stop the bickering. I’m going with you.” He told them and went to George’s car and got in. Darlene looked at him, confused.” She looked up at the cabin and made a vow to come back and deal with the whore who obviously slept with her husband. She turned and beckon for Kevin to come on. They got into the car and followed George.

Dale slowly came out of the cabin, watching Mark leave her life as quickly as he had entered. The Sheriff looked over to her and watched her with great sympathy. He knew how much she missed John. It’ gets lonely out here. But that’s the way she wanted it. Well at least she use to.

“I’m sorry Dale! So sorry!” He stepped back up on the porch. She flew into his arms and began to cry uncontrollably. Craig pulled her close to him, feeling her body movements as a result.

Chapter Eighteen

Mark watched the car drive up into the driveway. Something was very familiar about all of this. De ja vu! He’s been here before. Maybe his memory resurfacing. The car came to a stop. George got out of the drivers side closing the door behind him. Darlene and Kevin left the back seat. It had been a quiet trip home. Mark and took a room next to George, which infuriated Darlene. She felt he was her husband and he should have slept in the bed with her. But mark protested and got his way. Mark got out of the car and closed the door. He went to take a step, but became very dizzy. As if the world was turning upside down. Then a flashback.

~~~He was running from the house. He slammed the door behind him. He remember the house shaking from the force. He was fumbling into the lock. It was an golden SUV. He was so angry about something. He finally got the door unlocked. He jumped in sped out of the driveway.~~~

“Mark?” George touched him on the shoulder. Mark came out of the trance and looked at him.

“I think I remembered something.” Mark told him. George’s eyes darted around, then rested on Mark.

“What was it?” he asked nervously. Darlene and Kevin were nearly at the house when they realized Mark and George were still standing near the car.

“Come on you two, I need to get out of these clothes.” She barked, turning to go into the house. The tow men looked over to her then back at each other.

“Just that I was rushing out of the house and speeding out of here. I was very angry.” mark told him. George listened very intensely.

“Do you remember what it was you were angry about?” George asked concerned.

“Naw! Maybe being here was an good idea. It may trigger my memory, then I can get back to Dale.” He said. George shook his head and raise his finger to Mark.

“Look Mark! I think mentioning her name is not a god idea. If you want to live in serenity around here.” Mark looked at him, then to the house and hunched his shoulders.

“Let me get something straight with you and the rest. I’m only here to get back my memory. Then I leave, so I can be with the woman I love. She is the one in my heart, not that siren in there. She’s the one I want. Not that one! Got it?” He walked up into Georges’ face. George took a step backwards.

“That may not be so easy, Mark! Legally, you’re still married. And knowing Darlene, she’ll make your life a living hell.” George began counseling him. Mark straighten up and glared at him.

“I can deal with that, as long as I’m with Dale!” Mark told him, taking a definite stance. George ran his hand over his face, looked over at the house the to Mark.

“Let me say this in terms you may understand. She can make it hell for Dale more. Is that what you want?” George looked at him and saw by the expression on his face, he understood.

“Fine!” He snapped, turned and walked away. George exhaled. This was going to be the most stressful ordeal yet.

Mark made his way into the house, he would call home now. As he came through the front doors, he paused. Something about this area. His eyes scanned it over, coming to rest on the floor. He stared down, as images began to fill his mind.

~~~He had just walked in. It had been a long tiring day, because he felt exhausted. All he wanted was a hot bath, a beer and shot of JD to soothe his nerves. He looked over the mail that was lying on the floor. He guessed he had come home first. He went into his office and threw them on his desk. He would deal with them later, he thought.~~~

“Mark! You alright?” George touched him. Mark came out and looked at George.

“Yeah! I’m fine!” He said and headed for the den. George watched him navigate through the house without his assistance. How much was he faking or how much was he recalling?

Kevin was sitting at the bar, drinking a can of beer. His eyes shot up when he saw Mark walk in, followed by George. He hadn’t said anything to mark since they found him, he felt awkward around him. Mark looked at him with interest.

“Who are you?” He asked, going over to the bar and pulling out a can of beer. Kevin watched him as he poured some JD into a shot glass. Just like he always. George observed from the doorway.

“I’m Kevin! Your best friend.!” He told him. Mark stared at Kevin with a curious look on his face, which made Kevin more nervous. Mark threw down the JD and chased it with a swig of beer.

“But I thought you told me you were my best friend?” Mark looked over to George, standing in the doorway.

“No! I told you I was your friend, as well as lawyer.” George moved from his observation post and came over to join them at the bar. Mark stood staring at the two men. In the back of his mind, one wasn’t as much as a friend, as he claims to be. Is it just gut feeling or memory?

Mark sat looking over information given to him by the private detective he had hired to find her. He had told him the townspeople wouldn’t have any problem telling him anything he needed.

The detective came back with the information. He wasn’t able to find anything about her present residence. The townspeople weren’t as helpful as he had thought. They didn’t seem to know anything. Mark paid him and thanked him for trying. He slumped down behind his desk, dejected.

“Did he take it bad?” Darlene asked, holding the package the detective gave her.

“Just as you felt. I convinced him. I wasn’t able to find out anything. But as you will see, I did.” He told her, staring at the package. She walked over to the desk and picked up and envelope. And tossed it to the private detective.

He opened it and made sure it was the amount they had agreed on. He decided after Mark contacted him to inform Darlene, who he knew too well. They made an arrangement. He find out the information, pass on to Mark he wasn’t able to find Dale. Then give her the information.

“If I were you, I would leave here and never come back. Because if Mark ever find out you double crossed him, it won’t be pretty. And needless to say, don’t even think about crossing me.” She warned him. He stared at her, as if his mind was trying to fathom what she was saying. Now registered in his mind, he took a long swallow. Mark was no little man.

“Yeah, I get the picture.” He said nervously.

“I hope you do.” She smiled deviously. He bid her goodbye and made a note to leave the country for a while.

Dale held her newborn son in her arms, breast feeding him. He was seven days old. He had red hair and green eyes like his father. She named him Marcus Dale Sayers, using her maiden name. She never new Mark’s last name.

He had drifted off to sleep, full. She slowly as not to disturb him, rose from the chair and laid him in his basinet by her bed. She kept him near, partly because of the loss of her little girl and partly because of her loss of Mark. She couldn’t bare to lose another thing. Stood staring down at how peaceful he looked lying their sleeping.

That’s when the doorbell rung. She looked toward the bedroom door then back at him. He continued sleeping. She quickly walked through the door and closed it gently behind her. Hoping to get to the door before it rung again.

She looked through the peep hole and stood back. The person on the other side looked familiar but she couldn’t place her. She open the door partly and looked and took a good look at the tall slender woman. She looked like a model on the magazines.

“Yes, may I help you?” Dale asked.

“Are you Dale Banner.” Darlene asked. Dale opened the door more and face the woman. Yes, she looked very familiar, but she couldn’t place her. Yet, she knew her name.

“Before I answer, may I ask who are you?” Dale was being very cautious.

“You may! I’m Darlene Callans. My husband is Mark. You saved his life.” She informed her. Dale’s heart sunk. She felt as if she would faint. If she found her, then Mark surly would.

“How did you find me?” Dale snapped, gathering herself. Darlene eyes began to darken. How dare she talk to her like this? Then she calmed herself, she needed to get inside so as not to make a scene. Dale had moved into a quaint community, a lot different form being secluded in the back woods.

“I had to find you, it’s something I have to tell you about Mark. But I don’t want to do it out here. If you don’t mind?” She was a very good actress. Darlene had gotten her with the ‘something about Mark.’

“Come in, please!” Darlene could sense the worry in her voice. She moved into the house swiftly. She sauteed and stared down Dale as she closed the door. Dale turned to face her, waiting for the worse. She got worse, but not what she had thought.

“What is it about Mark? Is he alright? Did he get his memory back? Excuse my manners, please sit.” Dale ramble on nervously. Darlene just glare then took a seat. She looked around the cute little house, Dale now lived in.

“Cute house.” Darlene sneered. Dale sat down at could sense something not right.

“Thank you.” Dale said politely, but her patience was thinning. She got the feeling this wasn’t a courtesy call.

“To answer your questions! Mark is fine, no he hasn’t regained his memory. And what about Mark! None of your business. That’s why I am here. I want you to stay away from him. Enjoy that little night you spent with him, because there will be no more.” She growled. Dale sat back in her chair, shocked. She stared long and hard before responding.

“Okay, let me first start out with something. How dare you bring your long lanky butt, in my house by false pretense. You made me think something was wrong with Mark!” Dale started in on her. Darlene eyes grew wide, she didn’t think the country bumpkin had it in her.

“You listen here!” She tried to interrupt.

“No you listen! You wanted in my house? Okay, you’re here and now you’re going to hear me out. I haven’t seen or heard from Mark in nine months. Nor do I expect to. If he hasn’t contacted me by now, he won’t. So go back, enjoy your husband and stop hounding me.” She let in her. Darlene stood up towering over the other woman. But Dale took her stance.

“I’ll say this once again, stay away from my husband.” She had to get the last word in, no matter how feeble.

Dale looked up in the air rolling her eyes. Then she went to the door and beckon for her to leave. Darlene stood there for a moment, the headed for the door. She paused when she heard something. Little Marcus crying. Dale looked at her then to the room, where he laid in his bassinet. Darlene tilted her head, looking where Dale’s eyes rested. Then she looked over to Dale, who stared back at her.

“A baby? You have a baby?” Darlene asked and made a step in the direction of the room. Dale blocked her. And pointed to the door.

“Get out of my house. You have Mark, now go! Now!” She screamed. Darlene stepped backwards, seeing this was not a good time to pursue the matter. One thing you don’t do, is try to challenge a mother protecting her baby.

She’ll find out if that’s Mark’s baby or not later. She turned coat and rushed out of the door and to her car. She got in, looked up to see Dale closing the door. She sped away to find that private detective. There were some things he omitted in his investigation.

She never saw the car pull up into the spot she had just left. Or the man who exited the car, who then stood and watched her drive away. He then walked up to Dale’s house and knocked on the door. The door swung open and allowed him in.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Mark sat in the lounging room. He had just finish his nightly drinking binged when he felt the house vibrate. He groaned. He knew what that meant. She was home and she was angry. He got up to make it to his room before she found him. Which wasn’t hard, this is where he was every night. Trying to drown out his sorrows.

“MARK!” Her voice rung through the house. He fell back in his eat, as he struggle to get up again. She flew into the room and began beating on him. He tried to black her licks.

“You Bastard!” She yelled. He finally caught her hands and got a good grip. he glared into her angry eyes.

“Do not ever raise your hands to me again!” His voice was low and deep. She could see he was very serious.

“Let me go!” She yelled. He released her arms and rose form the chair. He looked her up and down, then shook his head, making his way up to his room.

“I hate you! I hate that little whore of yours too!” She yelled at him, which made him stop in the door way. He turned his head towards her and looked at her. She was crying.

“Whore? Who are you talking about? I haven’t been with anyone.” He said. She was never one for diplomacy.

“Dale!” She snapped. Rubbing her wrists. Mark turned, fully facing her.

“Dale? Why are you bringing up Dale? I haven’t seen her in nine months.” He told her. She was sniffling.

“No but three months ago you tried.” She told him. His face went through a chain of expressions, finally coming to one that told her something. He was angry.

“How would you know that, Darlene?” He took a few steps towards her. She slowly walked backwards, seeing as she had over stepped her boundaries.

“I had you followed!” She said defiantly. Mark walked closer to her. She retreated behind the bar. At least she got his attention. Any attention is better than none. Even if it is negative.

“You had ME followed?” He yelled. He tried to contain his anger. She wasn’t worth it.

“Yeah! I did! Then you know what else I did, Mark?” She taunted. He stared blankly.

“I slept with Craig! You know, the sheriff!” She reached over, got herself a glass and herself a drink. Mark felt his head pulsating.

“And he was a good lay! Man can have you walking funny. Yeah, I felt like a new woman!“ She continued. He was getting dizzy. He watched her throw back her drink and pour another. He turned and walked towards the door.

“Yeah, you do that! You go scurry off to your little room, like you do every night. I don’t need you!” She yelled as he disappeared through the door.

The dizziness was getting worse with the oncoming headache. He had just made it to his door, when he felt as if he was going to pass out. He open the door and looked into the room, feeling the wall for the switch. That’s when he passed out.

~~~He had just gotten back from a business trip and stop by to see George. He was redoing his will. He decided he wasn’t going to leave Darlene anything. He knew about her unfaithfulness. And felt her and Kevin were banging each other. But he didn’t care, Kevin was never a friend of his anyways. He was her ‘childhood friend’. Yeah, right. He thought.

He was going to leave for another trip, but the flight was cancelled and the next wouldn’t be for another three hours. It had been a long tiring day, so he decided to go in the morning. All he wanted now, was a hot bath, a beer and shot of JD to soothe his nerves.

He looked over the mail that was lying on the floor. He guessed he had come home first. He went into his office and threw them on his desk. He would deal with them later. He walked up the stair and down the hall to his room. He paused for a moment. He thought he heard a noise.

He went up to the closed door and listen. Yeah, there was a noise coming from the other side. He placed his hand on the door knob and slowly turning it. Pushing the door simultaneously. The noise grew louder as the door widen.

It was dark. He could barely make out anything. He brushed his hands up the wall, searching for the light switch. Finding it he clicked it on. He couldn‘t believe his eyes. His Darlene butt up and George striped bare, humping her like no tomorrow.

“WTF” He yelled. George pulled out of her and fell on the bed scooting back into the headboard. he grabbed the covers and tried to shield himself from Mark. Darlene moved next to him, also covering herself.

“Mark, baby! Listen to me!” Darlene started. Mark looked passed her and to the man he had trusted all these years.

“SHUT UP! I don’t want to hear your lying mouth. I know what you’re about and don’t give a damn! But you George! You!” Mark pointed an accusing finger, then overwhelmed with everything. He thought it best he left the house, before he did something he regretted.

He stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. The force shook the foundation of the huge building. He fumbled for the keys in his pocket, his feet hitting the pavement. He made his way to the golden parked SUV.

He was so angry he could hardly stick the keys into the lock of the door. Finally getting through, he unlocked the door and jumped in. No sooner than he had slammed the door shut he had the engine going and way backing the vehicle out of the driveway.

“Damn Woman!” He growled, peeling down the road from the estate. He broke every traffic law that had ever been passed. The evening played in his mind over and over.

“This is it! I can’t take this anymore.” He yelled as loud as his voice could go. he continued down the deserted road. Oblivious to the world outside. his mind was on the events of the day, leading up to why he was now on a lonely road to who knows where. He had no idea how long he had been driving or where he was at this time.

A deer ran across his path. he swerved to miss it, slamming on his brakes, which caused him to slide from side to side, then veering towards a tree. Everything went black after a pain went through his body on impact.~~~

He slowly came out of the dream, nightmare whatever you could call it. He laid there motionless. Then his recollection of that night illuminated his head. From start to finish, he remembered everything.

He lifted himself off the floor and made his way to the bed. He sat down on the edge, sorting things out. He pulled his feet inside of the bed and stretched out. He would sleep tonight, in the morning will bring a new day.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Mark woke from a good night’s sleep. Different from the last few months. Because, this morning marked the first morning, in that many months. He woke fully aware of where and who he was. He looked around his room, comfortable with everything. And he knew this had been his room for the last year.

He rested his feet on the plush carpet, sitting on the edge of the bed. He thought out his plan on how to teach, both his wife and so called friend a good lesson. He made his way into the shower, stopping to look in the mirror. Yes, he was back and it felt great!

Another memory filled his mind. Dale! He hadn’t forgotten her nor what she had come to mean to him. His heart still desired her. He stepped into the shower, washing away the old and replacing it with the new. A new day has come.

Every step he made, confirmed his memory loss was a thing in the past. He moved around his room with ease, knowing where everything belonged. And a few hidden things, only he would have known, but he hadn’t. Like a stash of money he had put back for a rainy day.

He moved through the hall looking at everything and knowing when and why they had bought them.

He made his way down the stairs, whistling a tune he hadn’t whistled in the last few months. As he entered the kitchen, whistling. He headed straight for the breakfast area. Something he use to do. The cook looked at him strangely. Her head had popped up from what she was doing when she her the whistled tune.

“Mr. Callans? You’re eating in here?” She asked. He sat down at the table and began opening the newspaper. He looked up at her standing there, with this stunned expression paste on her face.

“Yes, Glenda! I am!” He smiled at her like he use to. Then his eyes went back to the newspaper. She went into the kitchen, picking up a couple of platters and brought them over. She placed them on the table, not being able to take her eyes off him. He laid the newspaper down and began placing food on his plate. Glenda slowly walked away, scratching her head.

“Glenda. I remember that I use to eat in here for breakfast. Before my memory loss. But that’s over. I’m back! And with a vengeance!” He called to her. She turned to him. He looked at her, giving her that eye they always shared between them.

“Good Mr. Callan! It’s good to have you back!” Her face lit up! He was definitely back. She went back into the kitchen, getting her a ringside view of the events to unfold on this day.

Darlene had heard him up and decided to come down, to get on his nerves before he left for the restaurant. She headed for the dining area where he usually would eat. But didn’t see him there. So she went to the kitchen to ask Glenda if she had she seen him this morning. She walked through the door, coming to a screeching halt. Something caught the corner of her eyes. Her head snapped in the direction of the breakfast area. The look on her face, priceless.

She stood there staring. Not believing what her eyes were sending to her brain. Glenda peeked out of the kitchen, smiling from ear to ear. Yes, this was going to be a good day. Darlene slowly made her way over to where he sat, staring. He knew she had come in, but never acknowledge her. As he continued eating his breakfast and now reading the newspaper.

“Mark!” She called. He lowered the paper slightly peering over the edge, looking at her.

“Yes, Darlene?” He answered. Then folded the paper and began to eat his breakfast.

“You’re eating in here?” She asked. Looking around, as if searching for the answer. He sipped his, then sat it down on the table. His eyes went up to take her in. She stared back at him.

“Yeah, and?” He put a spoonful of eggs in his mouth and began chewing. She pulled out a chair across from him and sat down, resting her elbows on the table.

She was hesitant to reply to that question. She watched him enjoying his meal. He looked over to Glenda, who was still peeking out of the kitchen. And gave her a thumbs up, like he use to when she had prepared his meals. Glenda smiled back, acknowledging and thankful he had regained his memory. She left the kitchen for other parts of the house, to start her cleaning. And to find the gardener. He needed to know the good news.

“You just gave Glenda the thumbs up!” Darlene eyes were enlarging by the moment. Mark stopped eating for a second, glared at her. Then shoved a half eaten toast into his mouth, washing it down with some orange juice.

“You are so observant of things this morning, Darlene. Is there something you want to ask?” He toyed with her. She took in a deep breath then slowly let it out.

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” She came back at him. He continued eating his breakfast, never looking at her.

“No!” He said between chewing. She shifted in her chair. She was pass being afraid of the possibility he has his memory back and was playing a game with her.

“Okay, have it your way. Do you remember anything?” She finally asked. He took the last bite of food, not looking at her. And swallowed it.

“I remember a lot of things. Is there any particular memory you want to discuss with me?” He began to wipe his mouth with his napkin and looked up at her. She bite her lips. His eyes told her what she wanted to know. They were strong and determined. Unlike they were just yesterday. Wide-eyed and innocent.

“Your memory is back, isn’t it?” She snapped at him. He folded his arms and rested them on the table, leaning in to look her dead in the eyes.

“I remember enough. Like the night I left here angry and speeding down the road so fast, I didn’t know how far I had gone. Only to wrap my auto around a tree and lose the thought for nearly ten months.” He said to her. She sat back in her chair. Listening to him as he began to rant, fearing where this was going.

“That night, I was suppose to go on a trip, but since the flight was delayed until the next day. I came home to get some rest. George was the only other person that knew about the trip, but not the delay. So what does my trusted friend do? He came over here and banged my wife! That’s what I walked in on and that’s what I tried to block out of my head. Until your confession of yet another banging, with the local Sheriff.” He rose from his seat and began to pace back and forth. She felt her body trembling, from how his voice was going into an crescendo.

“Mark, wait! Let me explain!” She left her chair and stood a distant from him.

“NO!” He yelled. She looked at him blankly, as if he had knock all thoughts out of her head.

He took a seat, trying to calm his nerves. He feared what he may do to her. He leaned back looking up to the ceiling, arms crossed over his chest. He began to stroke his goatee, as if in deep thought.

She stood there breathing hard, feeling her heart pounding against her chest. DIVORCE! Came to mind. Then she panic, she couldn’t stand the idea of losing all of this. She didn’t care about him, but the lifestyle she would definitely miss.

Yeah, she was a model. But at 28, she was nearing at the end of her career. They were looking at girls between sixteen and twenty-five years old. And twenty-five was on the borderline. Her mind came to settle on one thought. Darlene! She would be the deciding factor in all of this. She gather her courage. She couldn’t let him have the upper hand. She reclaimed her seat, glaring long and hard at him.

“Does your memory include that woman?” She asked boldly. He lowered his head to glare back.

“If you mean Dale? As a matter of fact, it does!” He came back at her. She stiffen, trying to keep her composure. She had to stay calm to win this round.

“And what exactly do you plan to do, Mark?” She began to lead him. He straighten up in his chair and once again leaned in, resting his folded arms on the table.

“Whatever I want! You were the adulteress. So unless you don’t want this to get ugly, don’t fight me on this.” He warned her. Her eyes grew dark with anger.

“You Son-of-a-Bitch! You listen to me and listen good. I don‘t care how ugly this gets. But you should. After I tell my story of you being missing and that woman hiding you from us. Not to mention sleeping with you. We‘ll see who gets dragged in the mud. She won‘t be able to show her face anywhere.” Her voice loud. His eyes narrowed. He didn’t want Darlene hurt no matter what.

“No my dear! After they hear the recount of me fleeing the scene of my wife and best friend having sex in our bed. And me winding up in an accident, that left me brain damaged. Then how this brave woman risked her life to save me and at my request, fearing that there was a danger to my life. Kept me safe.” He left his chair and began to relay to her the scenario, of how convince the court will be of who was the victim and who wasn’t.

“You think you got it all figured out, don’t you?“ She said to him. He just stared at her.

“You can’t prove she slept with me.” She rose from her chair and came to face him off. He looked down at her, eyebrows raised.

“Oh but I can! Let’s see! DNA test should do it.” She said and walked over to pour herself a glass of water. This was making her thirsty. She was going to enjoy lowering the boom on him.

“DNA? You make me laugh. I’m pretty sure anything left from that night has either been flushed away or died. That is if there were something to flush or die.” He began to laugh. She leaned against the kitchen door and took a sip of water, smiling.

“No, I disagree. This didn’t get flushed or die. So much can develop in nine months. And DNA from that, can give me the proof I need.” She sipped more water and looked at her confused.

“Nine months? What the hell are you talking about Darlene?“ He shook her head, thinking she was talking out of hers.

“Oh, you didn’t know did you?“ She covered her mouth and began to laugh. He wasn’t laughing now.

“Don’t play with me Darlene! I’ve had it up to my throat with your antics.” He warned her. She sat the glass down and slowly walked over to him. She wanted to get an up close view, of the expression on his face when she tell him.

“Well, Mark! Yesterday I went to see your little girlfriend. You know the one you hired a detective to find for you? ” Marks face muscles tighten. When he catches up with

that weasel, he’s going to wish he was never born.

“You sabotaged my investigation? Typical!” He told her. She smiled, knowing she now had the upper hand.

“Don’t you want to know what else?” She asked. He shifted from one leg to the other, his hands placed on his hips. She could see it wasn’t a very good idea to prolong the torture.

“You know I do. And I figured since you let me know you went to see her, you were dying to tell me what else.” He told her. She smiled and went to sit down, crossing her leg over the other. She was smiling. He turned to face her.

“Actually, I basically told her that you were looking for her. And that I wanted her to stay away from you.” She began.

“You little.......!” He started to say, making a step towards her. She stood and raised her hands up to stop him.

“Wait Mark! There’s more.” She said. He paused, staring at her. His eyes were darken then she had ever seen them.

“You would have been proud of her!” She told him, walking away and looking through the glass door. His head followed her every movement.

“She told me to get the hell out of her house and I knew she would have thrown me out!” She continued to stare out the window, at nothing particular. She was trying to recall the events of the day before. Mark listen intensely. Hearing about Dale scaring Darlene out of her house, made him feel a little better.

“I knew she meant it, because as I was going to leave initially. Then I thought I heard a baby crying. I asked her about it. That’s when she grew hysterical, telling me to leave. And you know me. I went to go see for myself, that’s when she grew into this protect my young mode. That‘s when I thought it would be a good idea to leave.” Darlene finished. She could hear nothing but silence behind her and then the flop of a big body in a chair. The smile on her face grew into a Cheshire cat.

Twenty-Six

The target set, the sword was drawn and driven, piercing the heart through. Darlene smiled, staring out the glass window, knowing she had won this battle. There was nothing he could say or do, to superior this moment. Basking in her victory, she turned to scowl at the man.

The blow was exact. The damaged had been done. Mark sat paralyzed from what he had just been told. Dale has a baby. His baby. And she never told him. All these months, his one hearts desired had been her. She had given him the strength to go on and see this thing through. That he may be complete, to start a new life with her. But now, it appears. She was no different from the she-devil standing before him. His eyes rolled up, locking in on the one who had cut him so deeply.

“You are sure, she has a baby?” Is the only words that could come out of his mouth. His voice was low and strained. She slowly made her way to the table, the smile her trophy. For a job well done.

“Definitely! What’s the matter Mark? Didn’t she let you know she was pregnant? Oh, I know! Maybe you forgot she told you.” She taunted. Mark jumped from his seat and quicker than quicker, his hand was around her throat. She grabbed his hands trying to pry them away. She felt herself being pushed against the wall and lifted off the floor. Her back pressing hard into it, as her legs dangled in the air.

“I have did nothing but given to you. And all you have done is taken and taken and taken, from me. The one thing I had to give me some ray of hope out of this hell, you have managed to rip that away from me also. I have nothing to lose. You may have won this round, but I will win the war. The gloves are off. Be forewarned!” His voice deep and filled with rage, his whole body trembling. She could feel his hand tightening around her throat, as she gasped for breath. Her air being cut off.

Perhaps, she went to far and overstepped her boundary. He released her. She fell to the floor with a thump. Her hands immediately flew to her throat as she tried desperately to fill her lungs with air. She watched through a daze as he turned and walked away, disappearing out of the kitchen. Her thoughts, this won’t be good!

Dale sat holding her son. Waiting! Waiting for a call or appearance. She didn’t know what was going to happen next. She knew Darlene couldn’t wait to get home and inform Mark he had a son. No one knew of the child, but Craig. He had come by, just in time to see Darlene leave. Dale told him of their confrontation and of her fears Darlene would tell Mark.

Now Mark will feel she betrayed him. But that’s not the case. She did it to protect the baby and him. Oh, she didn’t care what people said. She would have been the topic for a while until something worst came along to wag their tongues. She just felt it would be better for Mark, to get back to his life, with no strings attached. He didn’t need to be torn between his marriage, her and the child.

It was a night that shouldn’t have happened. Heck, he didn’t even want to do it, because he was uncertain of their future. But she wanted him and didn‘t care about anything else. Only for that moment. He complied. He shouldn’t have to pay the consequences. He didn’t know who he was or where he was from. She was fully in grasp of her right mind. Yes, this was her mess and she had to clean it up. For Marcus and Mark. They deserved to be happy.

Darlene had managed to pull herself off the floor and crawl over to the table. She lifted herself into a chair. She slumped over on the table, her breath slow and deep and heart beating rapidly. She had never seen him this angry. This paled in comparison to the night she discovered George and her.

In the years of their marriage, he had never raised a hand to her. No matter what she had done to piss him off. This thing ran deep. She had to warn both George and Kevin, Mark’s way was a good place to stay out of. Her head shot up, hearing the doorbell ringing. She could hear Glenda talking to someone. It was a man. Good maybe George or Kevin. Saves her the task of contacting them. They were coming her way.

“Mrs. Callans! Someone to see you.” Glenda led the man in. Darlene looked up and froze. Craig! Glenda picked up on the reaction and waited to be dismissed.

“Sheriff! What are you doing here?” She finally came to herself, waving Glenda away. Glenda looked from one to the other, then slowly left the room, still taking in things. Humph! Another one of her things, she thought. She was well aware of her mistress’ extra marriage curriculums.

“It seems, that’s the same thing I told ya, when you showed up uninvited. Seems that’s somethin’ yer good at.” He was short with her. And she could see in his eyes, this wasn’t a social call.

“Oh, I see that woman couldn’t wait to call you and tell you I came by.” She said, rubbing her throat. Sheriff came over to the table and took a seat, though she hadn’t offered one.

“No! I was driving up and saw ya leavin’. She don’ know I’m here. This is my doin’s.” He informed her. She leaned back in her seat, raising her eyebrows.

“Oh! I see! Should I be afraid. After all, I’ve already been attacked once this morning.” She told him, removing her hands from her throat. Revealing the black and blue marks, imprinted there. Craig stared hard and long.

“Yer husband did that?” He asked, feeling his blood boiling. One thing he has never been able to stomach, a man harming a woman. No matter what the case. And inadvertently, Darlene found an golden opportunity to salvage the battle. This will assure, Mark will never be with Dale. Or the baby.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Yes!” She said, bringing up tears as an special effect. Craig blew out a long hard breath.

“What happened?” He asked. She acted like she was trying to gather herself.

“I told him about us!” She informed him. Craig sat back in the chair, surprised.

“What ya go do that fer?” Craig saw she was getting upset calmed himself down.

“He was thinking about going to Dale, after I told him about the baby. He didn’t know. I was angry. So I told him!” She covered her face with her hands, then peeked through her fingers to see his reaction.

“Well still, that ain’ no way to treat a Lady! Or woman in yer case!” He added. She snatched her hands from her face and glared at him. He shrugged.

“You don’t know how angry he can get.” Darlene began to pour it on. Craig looked stunned.

“This is weird. He seemed like a pretty nice enough fella!” Craig prided himself on knowing people. This one had him baffled.

“Yeah, the one you knew. He has his memory back.” She got comfortable in her chair. Craig tilted his head to the side.

“Oh! So he remembers everythin‘. Does he remember why he was racin’ down the road and gettin’ into that accident in the first place? I will need to finish my report.” The Sheriff informed her.

“Yes! But I wouldn’t try to get it out of him right now. He’s a little of today. You know what I mean?” She pointed to her throat. He stared and then nodded.

“You should make a police report. He shouldn’t be able to get away with that.” He told her.

“What about Dale and the baby? He may go after her and I wouldn’t want that on my conscious.” She cast her eyes downward, cradling her head in her hand.

“Don worry about Dale and her baby. I won’t let him within ten feet of ‘em.” He assured her, then rose form his chair. he walked out of the kitchen with an purpose.

Dale watched him leave and a smile spread across her face larger than before. Mission accomplished. Mark was never a challenged for her. He couldn’t beat her on a good day, she thought. She headed for the lounging room for a drink, this warrant a celebration.

Mark sat behind the desk of his office. He was making plans. Plans that will have a great impact on his so called loved ones. He was just putting some paperwork to the side and picking up more, when a knock was heard at his door. He looked up from his desk and wondered who was bothering him. He had told the staff he didn’t want to be disturbed.

“I thought I told all of you not to disturb me unless it’s an emergency!” He hollered through the door. Then looked surprised when he saw the nerve of the person to open the door anyway. But surprise turned to wonder, when he saw who had come through.

“What are you doing here?” Mark said, rising form his chair. Craig took a stance, he wasn’t going to bully him. He wanted to make things plain and clear to him. Dale and baby are off limits to him.

“I came to talk to you Man to Man, if that’s possible?” Craig said. Mark’s eyebrows twitched slightly, then he offered Craig a chair. He was more curious to why he had come to see him. But was pretty much sure of it.

“Go ahead!” Mark told him and sat back down. Craig sat in front of the desk, leaning back in the chair.

“I went by to see you at yer house. Saw yer wife instead.” Craig started. Mark stared at him blankly. This man has an death wish.

“I saw what ya did to her. She told me everything and why you did it.” Craig looked at him for something. Mark sat motionless, with no signs of emotions.

“Get to the point. You know, she knows and I know. So what is it you want to talk Man to Man about. Banging my wife?” Mark hissed. Craig straighten up.

“Okay, I admit that wasn’t a good idea!” Craig said. Mark let out a breath and turned his head to the side, trying to remain calm.

“She came lookin’ fer Dale. She said she had ya followed and thought ya had come to see Dale. She wanted to tell her to stay away from ya. She was so broken up about yer rejectin’ her. And I was about Dale’s rejection. We got caught up in the moment.” Craig tried to explained. Mark’s head slowly turned to him when he mentioned Dale rejecting him.

“What were you doing at Dale’s anyway?” Mark asked. Craig took in a breath and let it out.

“I bought her place from her when she sold it.” He told him. Mark looked, thinking. Then nodded his head.

“You know where she is?” Mark came out and asked. Craig stiffen.

“Yeah I know! But I ain’ tellin’ ya!” Craig shot back at him. Mark leaned back in his chair, staring daggers at Craig.

“I didn’t ask, now did I? I just asked if you knew where she was.” Mark said calmly.

“No ya didn’. But still! Seein’ as how ya got yer memory back and all. And seein’ the type of person ya really are. I think it’s best fer all if ya keep yer distance from Dale and the baby!” Craig came out and said what he had to say. Mark lifted himself up in his chair and leaned in on his desk.

“You sanctimonious piece of crap! You sleep with my wife then tell me it’s not good for me to see Dale or my BABY! Get it! My baby. Not yours!” Mark’s voice was growing deep with anger.

“And he’s Dale’s son too! She has rights!” Craig stared him in the eye. Mark eyes soften some.

“Son? It’s a boy?” Mark’s voice was almost a whisper. Craig’s eyes narrowed. This was the man he knew from the cabin. Mark, rose from his seat and walked around the room, thinking.