Jed dialed the number Leo had given him. He was still shaking from the news that Abbey had been found alive. It was so hard to believe. She had been abducted a little over a week ago with absolutely no news either way so it had been hard to believe that she was even alive. And to be found in what seemed to be in fairly good shape, that was even harder to believe.

"Ron Butterfield."

"Ron, this is the President. Leo just told me the news. Is it true? Is Abbey really alive and in fairly good shape from her ordeal?"

"Yes, Sir. I have talked to the doctors. They are amazed themselves. She is severely dehydrated and has lost a great deal of weight, but all in all she is in amazing shape. She has some bruises and minor cuts, but someone has taken care of her for most of the time she has been missing."

Jed sighed with relief. But there was still something he had to know. "Ron, I have to ask this. I have to know. Was she… was she...?" Jed couldn't get the words out.

Ron interrupted him. "Sir, as far as the doctors were able to detect, no, she was not assaulted. To put it more bluntly, there were no signs she had been raped."

"Oh, God, thank you," Jed replied. He was saying it more to himself than to Ron. "Okay, is she awake? Can I talk with her?"

"I'm in the hallway outside her room. Let me go in and see. Wait a minute."

Ron opened the door and quietly entered the room. As he approached the bed, Abbey's eyes fluttered open. A small smile crossed her face.

"You back, already?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Ma'am, I have the President on the phone. Would you like to talk with him?" Of course, he knew she would but he asked the question anyway.

"Jed? Yes, please." Her voice was weak, but Ron knew her desire was strong.

"Here's the phone, Ma'am. I'll be outside. Take your time." He handed her the phone and left the room.

"Abbey, my God, is that really you?" Tears flowed down his cheeks.

"Yes, Jed. It's me." Tears flowed down her cheeks.

"I thought you were dead."

"I thought I was several times myself. But all I did was keep thinking of you and the girls. That kept me going through the bad times."

"I don't know what to say except I love you so much."

"I love you, too."

Silence on both ends as they each adjusted to knowing that the other was on the other end of the call. Finally, Jed broke the silence.

"I know you're tired. I'm going to hang up and you get some rest. Ron thinks you're going to be able to come home in a few days. I can't wait. And I know the girls will be here to greet you as well. I love you, Abigail."

"I love you too. Jed, one thing."

"Whatever you want."

"I just want you and the girls for the first few days. I need some time. I will appreciate the others, but later. Do you understand?"

"Absolutely. They will understand."

"Okay. We'll talk some more later."

"Get some rest. Bye."

"Bye."

The line went dead. Jed went over to Leo's office and knocked.

"Come in."

Jed walked in and Leo stood.

"Sit down. I just talked with her. She's tired, but sounds like herself. Ron says she was not sexually assaulted. Thank God. And she wants to see just me and the girls for a few days. Can you clear my schedule for a few days when we know she's coming so I can spend some time with her?"

"No problem."

Jed stood. "Now, I've got to call the girls. How do you tell them that their mother is really alive?"

"Just like I told you. Straight forward. With the facts."

"I guess. But this is one call that I will be happy to make. Leo, thanks again for everything. There are not enough thanks in the world for all you've done. You're bringing Abbey home. Alive."

The door between the two offices shut.

The friendship between the two men had just gotten deeper. Leo had vowed that, one way or another, he would bring Abbey home and he had kept his promise. Along with the help of many, many people. But it was the vision and drive of one man that had put the mission together and in so doing, put back together the life of his best friend.

Sequel:

Obstacles to Happiness