this chapter was pretty long and very very very important. the main inspiration for this chapter was the stupidest conversation between me and my sister over what is a band

Me: the cataracs?
Amalia: I think it's a type of car.
Me: That's Cadillac!...stupid

Aye Vey. we are so freaking wierd. loll R&R

Chapter 14

I waited for his answer, which was agony. Pure agony. His face was as red as a tomato. Mine felt hot and definitely mirrored his in color.

He was sputtering for words. He tensed immediately and opened his mouth to say something then shut it quickly. He was at war with himself; much like the one I was in, only his was his speech.

I was in a struggle, a battle, with what I wanted and what was right and my fears. Each one trying to conquer the other. I wanted Ross; I wanted him and all his silent understanding and comfort. I wanted him for myself, yet I knew it was wrong to like him and want him. It was wrong in that he was so much older and, well that being mainly it. I feared the consequences; what it would mean for Ross and me if someone were to find out. All of these connected within myself; threatening to morph into reality and take control.

I didn't want to know anymore. I couldn't handle the rejection or even the feeling I might have if he said yes.

"Never mind. Do not tell me. I don't want to know. Just, let's go back to the ranch."

He considered this. "I…I," then he stopped and drove home."

…

Our truck was being blocked off by a tan Cadillac as we tried to cross the bridge. We couldn't get across it without running the Cadillac over, which I was not completely opposed to. I hopped out of the truck with Ross trailing behind me. I muttered, "Stupid car," as I passed it. We entered the ranch yard and noticed the police cruiser sitting off to the side. My eyes widened. Sam, Jen, and DJ came out of the barn staring at me. Wyatt, Brynna, the officer, and a big man with a potbelly were standing by the porch discussing something rather sternly. Sam looked worriedly at me. I questioned it for a second and then realized what she meant. They were here for Ross, well, both of us. We made our way over to them fearing the worst.

"There's your man right there heck," said the odd man with the paunch, as we approached.

"Wait, what is this about?" I questioned. I stepped calmly in front of Ross.

"Oh, don't you try and protect him Little Lady. He's…"

Brynna interrupted him. "Linc, I suggest you leave. You've done your part."

"Just being neighborly."

"Mrs. Forster please explain what's going on? I swear I haven't done anything illegal since I got here."

"Uh, Heck please explain."

"Alright. Well Linc here says he saw Ross…"

"…I saw him feelin' you up little lady. I was drivin' down to Clara's for some midday gossip and coffee and I saw Wyatt's truck pulled over to the side of the road. I stopped to help, ya know like a good neighbor, and I saw that there Ross touchin' you. Heck, that man should be arrested."

"Now Linc, relax. Let's not rush into something," said the officer, Heck.

Jen, DJ, Sam, and Jake had all come over, standing just off to my right.

"Now Wyatt, your man there needs to be arrested. You wouldn't want to be sued would you for the negligence of hiring a child molester would you?"

Mr. Forster looked like he could strangle him right then and there. I felt the same as he looked and couldn't stop myself from yelling at him.

"Really sir? Did you fail to notice the bruises he was checking or the bandage on his hand?" I rolled up my shirt to show them, all of them. "I would suggest sir that you get the entire story before jumping to conclusions." Anyone could hear the scorn in my voice.

"Come on now Little Lady, I was…"

"Excuse me sir, but do not call me Little Lady. I do not even know you." I was close to exploding at him for accusing Ross. I started clenching and unclenching my fists.

"Lea, please explain what was going on," said Brynna soothingly, knowing what would happen if I lost it.

"Okay." I took a deep breath, preparing for this. "Ross and I left for town this morning to pick up feed and everything on the list Mr. Forster gave us. Brynna consented to it and the items are in the truck, which is on the bridge because a Cadillac was blocking the entryway." I glared at Linc. "When we got to the store, we went in and paid Darrell and he took us around back. Ross and I started loading the truck along with one of the workers. The worker he gave me a bad feeling the moment I saw him. But he- he," I felt myself starting to tear up. He grabbed me and he tried to…" I shook my head and cried. I looked at Heck to make sure he understood. He looked at me and gave me a knowing nod.

DJ, Sam, and Jen came over to me then and wrapped me in a hug. I cried into them. I turned back to Brynna and Heck. "That's why I have the bruises and Ross' hand is bandaged because he punched the guy out to save me. What you saw sir, was Ross checking my ribs to make sure they weren't broken."

I wiped my tears. "So you see officer, Ross was only protecting me." I glanced back at Ross to see him blushing and looking relieved.

Brynna looked horrified to hear this and Wyatt showed his shock. Linc wasn't expecting this. I looked at him pointedly. Heck was the only one to speak. "Can you give me a description of the man? I would most definitely like to pursue this further."

My voice wavered. "He had dirty blonde hair and haunting gray eyes. He will have at least a broken nose and a black eye. Oh and he might be walking with a limp."

He looked at me questioningly.

"I, uh, stomped on his foot to attempt to break free of his grasp."

"She could still press charges and she should," announced Linc looking oddly disappointed at this situation.

That was it! I had had it with his snarky comments.

"Really sir, really? Why in the world would I press charges on someone who saved me? That checked to make sure I was okay? I'll tell you what, there's NO WAY in hell I would. Do you not see the heroic nature of his actions? Do you not feel any sort of sympathy at all?" I was advancing towards Linc with a curled fist. Ross caught my arm. And it was then that I realized I was about to hit him.

I stared into Ross' eyes, his calming, understanding eyes. There was something else there in them that I couldn't understand what it was.

I turned back to them. Linc was going to know the truth; they all were.

"Ross is the only one that knows. The only one who knows the real reasons for me being here. And he accepted it wholly and without judgment on me. Which is something I doubt your tiny, pea brain could understand sir." I continued to stare at Linc when I spoke.

"Lea, I think that's enough," Brynna warned. But I could see the amusement in all of their eyes.

"Little lady, you're really going to stand up for a man that can't even say his own name without stuttering?"

I was so done with him at this very moment and had the desire to smack that fake accent right out of his mouth. Ross sensed this and held me back for I was liable to run strait at Linc for what he said. "Yes actually I am. His words speak louder and greater than your fake ones ever will."

But I wasn't the only one that needed restraining. Mr. Forster was ready to take Linc out with one punch. Dallas and Pepper had moved to stand beside him. And Heck was in between Mr. Forster and Linc. "Linc I think you should get out of here now."

"Wait, I think he should hear this. Let him see the reality of it."

Jake scoffed at this and the others looked doubtful.

"Lea, you d-don't have t-to do this." I looked up at Ross.

"Yeah I do. I want everyone to know the truth, to understand."

Brynna came over to put her arm around me. I was grateful for her comfort.

"What Ross knows or what I confided in him are my real reasons for doing what landed me here." I took a deep breath and glanced at Ross. He nodded at me to go ahead and blushed. "I really was a good kid but I had a weakness, like any other teenage girl. I loved him, but he wasn't the best guy. We went drinking a lot and one time we stole a car, which was my first offense. The police found us there lying on the ground passed out."

I held my breath for this next part. "But one night it got way out of control. My boyfriend at the time was very, very drunk and high and he was getting aggressive and touchy and-and he wanted to, uh, have, uh, sex with me. I knew I wasn't ready but he kept pushing himself on top of me. And then he-he raped me." I was sobbing and could barely breathe. "I was horrified and like the walking dead for weeks and kept trying to run away, to escape this horrible reality. But every time I would be brought back to face it, to wallow in it. I couldn't tell the police I couldn't even tell my family. I was scared of HIM of what he would do if he found out."

They all stood in silence. Sam, DJ, and Jen all crying. Brynna pulling me into a comforting embrace. Wyatt, the hands, and Jake looking shocked and mad. Ross stood there with his hand on my shoulder rubbing my back soothingly. Heck was dumbfounded and writing down notes as I talked. But Linc, Linc stood there with a sly smirk on his face.

"So you told the guy who can't talk 'cause you know that he won't be able to tell your secret there Little Lady." We all turned to face him. "Looks to me like you had it coming your way and might'a deserved it."

I stared at him, thinking my ears have deceived me.

"If you didn't walk 'round like you were easy then you wouldn't have this problem. But you chose to be a (Insert loose woman synonym here)."

I ran from him. I needed to escape from this wicked, nasty, malicious man. He wasn't really even a man; he was more like a spineless, cold-hearted excuse of a man. A slimy snake inhabiting the body of a man. I ran to Misty. She saw me and came towards me her mane and tail flowing free. I wrapped my arms around her neck and cried into her. Breathing in the calming sent of her. She stood there understanding my pain, and stayed there listening.

um yeahh i tired to keep in PG13 :D with the whole um loose woman thing cause i dont want to pollute the minds of the youngin's hahaa. ummm yes Linc Slocum is in this story mainly because i can have him in it if i want ;D thank you to all that have read and reviewed this story i appreciate it greatly :D dont forget to review this one