by Karen Ward
When the prosecutor asks me questions on re-cross examination he asks, "You said you can't positively identify any of the defendants. Can you tell us what you do remember about them after you were drugged?"
Nodding I answer, "I remember six different men taking turns with me. Two were blonde, one was black, and the other three had brown hair. One of the blondes had a crooked front tooth and had green eyes. I remember thinking that was an odd combination. The other blonde had blue eyes and was so drunk he couldn't perform even though he pretended that he had. One of the men with brown hair was wearing a Rutgers t-shirt and had really bad teeth and bad breath. One of the others with brown hair had on a shirt with Greek letters on it, Sigma Chi. That was Richard Thomas. The third man with brown hair had two missing front teeth. The black man was big, he hurt me the most and they all laughed when I screamed. When they dumped me in the alley they kicked me over and over laughing. I couldn't breathe and I wanted to die."
Dylan's heart is breaking hearing these explicit details of what Skye went through as a young girl and he wipes tears from his eyes. It is a miracle she survived. It is an even bigger miracle that she has healed enough to love him so openly and so thoroughly.
As soon as I am told to step down from the witness chair, Dylan hurries back to the waiting room and pulls me into his arms and holds me while I cry.
He croons to me, "You did good Sweetheart. It's over now. You don't ever have to tell that story again." He gently strokes my back and cradles me tenderly in his arms.
Barry is next and he tells the jury how he found me almost completely hidden behind the dumpster. He explained how he thought I was dead at first. Only after finding a weak pulse in my neck had he realized I was still alive. He carried me to my home where my father called in doctors and nurses to care for me around the clock. They transformed my bedroom into an intensive care unit. He told them how for years I cringed every time a man came near me. He explained how when my father died the Paparazzi terrified me with their relentless pursuit and how I fled to Montana to escape from them.
Then Bear testifies about my state of mind when he first found me in Montana. He tells them how it had taken him months to convince me I was safe with him. He explained how he camped just out of sight of the cabin for months so he could keep an eye on me and protect me from any intruders. He explained how I wouldn't even look at another human being on our first few trips into town for supplies. Then he explained how I finally started to come out of my shell as time passed and how I finally confided much of the story to him.
The defense team called a few character witnesses for their clients. In closing arguments they tried to say their clients were just college boys having a little fun that got out of hand. They portrayed them as fine upstanding citizens that shouldn't have to pay for a college stunt.
The prosecution portrayed the defendants as cruel and inhuman and asked they get the maximum sentence for their crime, ten years in prison.
When the jury goes into deliberations, Barry suggests we find a place to get some dinner. I tell them I would rather just get a sandwich delivered to the courthouse. As we are finishing our sandwiches, the jury reaches their verdict.
Sitting in the back of the courtroom, we observe as the verdict is read. GUILTY. During the penalty phase of the trial the judge limits testimony from the defenses character witnesses. When the jury goes back into deliberations, it doesn't take but thirty minutes for them to decide. They sentence all of the men to ten years probation and require they all register as sex offenders.
I am pleased with the sentence and I am relieved that it is all finally over. Now perhaps I can move on with my life.
EPILOGUE
In just a few short months the population on the Rock Springs Ranch more than doubled. Jesse and Clarence Kincaid Sr. relocated from Phoenix to a new log home at the ranch. Clarence, more commonly known as Bear, is now a valued member of the Drake Security Team and Jesse helped plan and organize a new PTSD recovery program at the hospital in Cody.
Evelyn and Reginald Willingham, along with Jeff and Janie Smith relocated from Cody to a new home on the ranch during November. Ron and Randall Willingham, twin boys born just before Christmas are the latest additions to their home. Evelyn's little boutique in Cody has grown into four little boutiques located in the surrounding area and at Yellowstone National Park.
Dylan and I moved into our new home with Damian in October. Benjamin Reynolds Drake is scheduled to arrive in just a few months.
Along with the population growth at the ranch, Drake Security has become the premier security consulting firm in North America. Corporations large and small across the United States and Canada are vying for their time and attention and paying top dollar for their expertise.
On a cold winter evening we all gather in front of a crackling fire in the huge stone fireplace in the great room at Barry's home. We are joined by the Murrays and Barry's mother, Virginia and her husband Bob as well as Mark and Patricia Brentwood. Everyone is surprised when Barry calls for everyone's attention. Standing before the fireplace and surveying the group Barry has come to think of as his expanded family, his heart is full of happiness, love and respect. He thinks back over all of the stories behind the happy families in front of him and wonders what the next year will bring. He smiles and says,
"I want to propose a toast. To love ... to life ... to new beginnings!"
Calls of "Here, Here!" ring out among the group.
Sitting in the corner of the room Pinky and Stump look at each other with a hint of sadness in their eyes both wondering when their time will come. Stump's life has certainly changed in the last year. He found out his father is still alive, living in Montana and he brought him together with his Mom after nearly forty years. He is extremely happy he was able to orchestrate their reunion. He loves his Dad and has cherished getting to know him, to work side by side with him. But he is lonely. He longs for the happiness he sees in his buddies, Barry, Goose and Scoot. He longs for the love their wives and children have brought into their lives.
Pinky is just plain sad. Don't misunderstand, he is happy for his friends and the happiness they have found, but he knows he won't ever be so lucky. His life is cursed in that way. No matter how much he wants that happiness he knows he will never find it, and even if he thinks he does, it will all slip away, just like last time. It all goes back years to the bayous of Louisiana and an old Creole woman. She cursed his grandfather and after nearly a hundred years no one has been able to break the curse. It is the reason, he joined the Marines.
About the Author
Karen Ward is the pen name used by Glenda Hays.
Glenda grew up in Texas but traveled the United States as a healthcare consultant for many years. She has over twenty years in the healthcare industry and has spent many hours on airplanes and in hotel rooms reading the stories of her favorite Romance writers.
A few years ago she found herself one of the millions of Americans on the unemployment rolls and after a few months began to put some of her own stories down on paper. She loves the challenge of writing and plans to spend every spare moment sharing her love of her heroes and heroines with the world.
Glenda is divorced with two grown children and three grandchildren. She lives in a small town in the DFW Metroplex.
From the Author
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it and will recommend it to your friends. Please don't forget to rate the story before you leave.
Be sure to read the other stories in the Wounded in Wyoming Series:
FINDING DIAMOND GIRL
SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOME
SEEKING SAFETY
RENEWING LOST LOVE
UNCOVERING HIDDEN TREASURE
COMING SOON!
TEXAS LOVING SERIES
LOVING MR. CREEP
LOVING THROUGH THE PAIN
LOVING MY CATLOVING CINDERELLA
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