Just then, a gunshot rang out followed seconds later by a second shot and a woman's scream coming from the last car, from the last car. "Move in!" Robert shouted in his walkie talkie, as he took off in a dead run toward the sounds. Six officers came out from hiding to surround Sean and his men.
Robert was not prepared for the sight before him as he stood in the train doorway. Two bodies were lying in a heap near the forward of the compartment. In the middle seating section sat Holly, curled up in a ball, sobbing, her wrists handcuffed to the arm. She was wearing the same dress as when he last saw her. In two strides, he was by her side, gathering her in his arms. "My God, Holly! Are you alright?" Shock and relief crossed her face, as she struggled to embrace him. Robert quickly took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the cuffs. Immediately, she threw her arms around him and sobbed, "Robert, oh Robert!" as she buried her face in his chest. "Shhh...Luv. I'm here." Tears of relief were in his eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked again. "Did they hurt you?" "No," she said weakly, "but Prescott was going to hit me with his pistol, but Marty stopped him. They struggled for the gun when it went off. I don't know who shot first." "Darling, I have to check them out. Will you be okay for a minute?" Unable to speak, she nodded her head, with hiccupping sobs. Robert went over and checked both men. Prescott was dead, but the man Holly referred to as Marty was still breathing, but barely. "We need to get you and him out of here! Can you walk?" "Yes, but don't leave me. I don't want to let you go." "I'm not going anywhere," he said, as they exited the train, their arms tightly wrapped around each other. "Bert!" he called. Bert came running over. "Call an ambulance and the coroner. One of them is severely wounded." Turning back to Holly all he could do was look in her beautiful eyes, still red from crying, and lower his lips to hers. The kiss started out tenderly, but soon the relief both felt gave that kiss a sense of urgency and need. They were both breathless when their lips parted. "I was sure I was never going to see you again. If I had any idea you had never left town, that you were being held against your will, I would have moved heaven and earth to get to you." "I know," she said, a light beginning to burn brightly in her eyes. "I dreamed every night that you were trying to rescue me." "I was such a fool, Holly. Can you ever forgive me?" "Yes, darling, but I need to get my head wrapped around everything that's happened these last few weeks. I'm so tired." "You need to go to the hospital to get checked out," he said leading her to a waiting ambulance. "Wait here, I need to wrap things up here, and then I'm riding to the hospital with you." Holly was too relieved to protest. "Okay," she simply said. He stopped and gave his keys to a nearby officer instructing him to drive it to the hospital. Then he went looking for Bert.
"Robert, I'm glad Holly is safe..." Sean started. "Save it, Donely! You've held her since the day she was to leave. The day I came into your office and smelled her perfume. I didn't buy it then, I'm not buying it now! Bert, add accessory to kidnapping to the charges. Make sure you inspect every inch of that train for the treasure. I'm going with Holly to the hospital to have her checked out. You handle the rest of this. I'll be back in the office tomorrow." "Sure, Robert. You take care of Holly. I'll see you in the morning."
Later that afternoon, while Holly was sleeping in the hospital, Robert discussed her condition with Alan. "How is she?" "She's slightly dehydrated and undernourished, but physically she'll recover." "Physically? What about mentally and emotionally?" "Look, Robert, she's been through a lot from what she told me. And witnessing the shooting may affect her overall health. I recommend that she see Gail. She'll be better able to diagnose how Holly will cope with what's happened to her." "Thanks, Alan. I'll discuss it with her when she wakes up." He went back to her bedside to stand vigil over her, remembering the last time her physical, emotional, and mental states were under attack. He wasn't as fully invested in her well being as he was now. He didn't think he could stand it if she withdrew into herself again this time. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. He turned around to see Celia coming through the door. "How is she?" "She's been through a lot. I'm just hoping she can recover from all that's happened." He didn't want to disturb Holly, so he motioned Celia to talk outside her room. They went to the lounge to talk.
"How are you doing? Grant told me what happened yesterday. I'm sorry." "I am still angry over it. To think I believed I was in love with him. He was so charming, and made me feel special by encouraging my artistic aspirations. He even set up an art show for me. Now I know he did it to buy my loyalty and divert my attention from his real goal. I remember accusing Grant of the same thing when I found out that Edward and Lila paid for the reception. Looking back, I realize that if he could have, he would have paid for it. Maybe if Grant Putnam wouldn't have shown up, we could have rebuilt our marriage. Now I realize how my wealth created a wedge between us." "Celia, I know my love for Holly is so much a part of who I am, that I would give up everything I have and everything I am just to find myself worthy enough in her eyes. I'm thankful I have a second chance to earn back her love and trust. We acknowledged very early in our marriage that trust is its bedrock. I lost sight of that. I don't intend to make that mistake again." "You've given me a lot to think about. I had breakfast with Grant this morning. I felt comfortable and relaxed with him. I remember how little I came to trust him during his DVX days, but when he put that life behind him, I felt a new level of love from him and for him. Maybe I should give us a second chance to rebuild our relationship." "Just remember, one day at a time. That's how love is truly built and that's how I plan on moving forward with Holly." "Thank you, Robert. You are a true friend. Give Holly my love and tell her I'll visit her in the morning," Celia said as she kissed his cheek before walking to the elevator.
Robert went back to sit by Holly's bedside, putting her hand in his. Looking down at her hand, tears sprang to his eyes as he lifted it to his lips and tenderly kissed the inside of her wrist where her soft, delicate skin was marred by an angry, red reminder of her recent ordeal. That action awoke Holly as she turned to look at the abject love flowing from his eyes. "Robert," "I'm here luv." He bent over her and kissed the tip of her nose, suddenly unsure as how to proceed. "Hold me." He gingerly wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer to him as he sat on the side of the bed. "I can't believe what you told me about Grant and what he found out about Jimmy Lee. He must love Celia very much to stay by her side through the fight for her family's fortune." "For the record, Grant doesn't want her to find out he knew before her. He didn't know how to let her know without it seeming like he had an ulterior motive. He truly just didn't want her hurt. In the end, it didn't matter. Jimmy Lee outed himself and Grant just happened to be at the right place at the right time. By the way, Celia stopped by to see you and we talked for a few minutes. I think she may reconsider giving Grant a second chance." "I'm glad. When they were married you could tell how much he loved her." "Almost as much as I love you. You do know how much I love you?" "I think I realize that more now than I ever have before. I suppose sometimes it takes a terrible ordeal, having your back up against a wall, to really realize that love is all that matters." "I promise you'll never have to go through that again. I found out something about my past with Anna that I didn't know before you left. Do you feel up to hearing about it? It's not something that I want to keep from you, but it may hurt you very badly." "In the spirit of the conversation we had about starting with a clean slate, I want to know." "Our short marriage produced a child. I have a daughter. Anna couldn't live with herself knowing all the poor choices she made in her life, including not acknowledging herself as Robin's mother, as a way of protecting her from her past. She committed suicide after asking me to raise her, instructing me to be honest with her about her mother's past when she's ready. Do you think you can find it in your heart to raise another woman's child? "No," she said, watching his reaction. His hopeful look fell, pain and disappointment crossing his face. Holly raised her hand to caress his cheek. "But I could raise/spanspan style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';" emyour /em/spanspan style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"child." Robert couldn't believe his ears. "Are you sure?" he asked, his grin the widest she'd ever seen. He scooped her into his arms and lowered his lips to hers. The passion they each had held in check for too long exploded in that kiss. How long the kiss lasted neither one could guess. When they finally broke apart they were gasping for air. Robert, buoyed by her response, continued. "I've also made a decision about our future, if you approve." "What is it?" "All my life, I've lived for the adventure, the thrill of the chase, but lately that has palled next to having you in my life. I'm also not as young as I used to be, and I don't want to keep up the pace. I'm ready to settle down and concentrate on us. I'd like to show you the life I had before the WSB and all that went with it. Say you'll come with me and let me share my homeland with you." "Australia?" Yes, Australia. Uncle Frank has been asking me to come visit. I'll tender my resignation as soon as Sean's case is closed. What say we start that clean slate with a clean start?" Holly wrapped her arms around his neck, and with a sly smile, said "What are we waiting for?"She found his lips once more.
