Tory started to speak, couldn’t and cleared her throat. “I wonder if there are others like us.”
“I feel sure there are. Brandon Clayton is a sick man. He was handsome and charming on the surface, but that was as far as it went. You were the only brave one of us to come forward. And for that I thank you. May God bless you for many years to come.”
* * *
Despite the heat outside the car, Tory switched off the air conditioner and rolled down all the windows. She wanted to feel the wind, to smell the fresh air. She wanted to remember she was alive and well with a husband and daughter waiting at home. She had a family whether she had any biological children or not.
Brandon Clayton hadn’t taken away what she wanted more than anything in the world. God had brought to her doorstep a man who loved her even knowing her past. Why had she been so afraid to give herself totally to him? Yes, Brandon had taken her virginity away, something she’d wanted to give to her husband. But that was only a small part of her.
The wind felt warm against her skin, and Tory cherished the feeling as she headed her car toward Cimarron City and her ranch—their ranch. She’d spent another hour with Susan Conway, talking about their ordeals, emotionally washing themselves clean of Brandon’s mark. They had prayed afterward, then hugged good-bye. When she had left Susan’s house, she’d felt like a new woman, a free woman.
Suddenly the months with Slade took on a new meaning. He’d never once tried anything she hadn’t wanted. He’d become her friend and confidant. He’d taken her house and turned it into a real home while she’d held on to her fear and shame. She’d let Brandon Clayton rule her life for the last time.
When she pulled into the lane that led to her house, her heart quickened its beating. Her mouth went dry. What if he and Mindy weren’t there. What if he’d decided their marriage wasn’t worth it? What if—? She shook the doubts from her mind. She was through doubting herself. She would fight for what she wanted most—to be Slade’s wife and to have a family.
She parked in front of the house, hopped out of the car and hurried toward the porch. The sun’s last rays were fading in the western sky. Dark shadows crept closer, but the lights on in the living room attested to someone being home. Her foot took the first step. The screen door flew open and Mindy came out.
“Mom, you’re—home!” Mindy rushed at her, throwing herself into her arms. “I—missed—you.”
Tory tousled the child’s hair. “It was only a day. I had to make sure Mom would be all right before coming home.” The word home rang in the warm summer air, loud and clear, a declaration of her feelings.
When Tory looked toward the door, Slade stood framed in the entrance to the house, his face hidden in the shadows of evening. “The doctor said Mom’s operation was a complete success. She should be getting better each day. She sends her love.”
“Mindy, it’s been a long day and you have school tomorrow. You need to get ready for bed.”
Mindy spun about, her hands on her waist. “But— Dad-dy.”
Slade held the screen door open and moved to the side. “Scoot, young lady. Now. Tory and I will be in to say good-night in a few minutes.”
When the screen door banged closed behind Mindy, Slade said, “I’m glad your mother is getting better. Judy called earlier to tell me you were on your way home.”
“I asked her to let you know.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
Even though she’d sat in a car for the past four hours, she needed to sit down to stop the trembling in her legs. She eased onto the swing, leaving enough room for Slade. He took the chair across from her, his expression still obscured by the growing darkness.
Tory clasped her hands together. “What I have to say to you can’t be done over the phone.” She glanced out into the yard, barely making out the dark line of trees to the west. “No, that isn’t the complete truth. I was scared.”
“Why?”
There was no emotion in that one word and it sent a tremor down Tory’s length. “Because I thought you might not be here. Because I didn’t want to hear the anger in your voice. Because I’ve become a coward.”
“Coward? You aren’t a coward.”
The incredulous tone to his voice prompted a smile. “Oh, yes, I am. Four years ago I stood up for myself and it nearly destroyed me. I’ve been running ever since, hiding from the past, hiding from my feelings. Not anymore.”
“What happened to change your mind?”
She saw the stiff set to his body, as though he were frozen. “You and Mindy. It took the threat of losing you two to force me to do some thinking. I had a long talk with a woman who helped me to see what I’d done. She thanked me for going to the police about Brandon Clayton. She hadn’t been able to, but she was glad he was serving time for what he’d done.”
Some of the tension drained from Slade. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his face cast in the light streaming through the partially open drapes in the living room. “He’d raped another woman?”
“Yes.”
Slade’s hands curled into fists, then flexed. “Good thing he’s in prison.”
“She made me look at the whole ordeal of the rape and trial in a new light. I was wronged and I fought back. I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Slade surged to his feet and sat next to her on the swing, gripping her hand. “Ashamed? There is so much about you I admire. You have no reason to feel that way.”
“That’s easier said than done. I never shared everything with you. But that’s gonna change
