Free Making New Memories by Karen Ward Page A

says,
"Hello?"
    "Dylan, it's Skye. Are you all right?"
    A feeling of warmth flows through Dylan at
the sound of her voice, "Skye, I am so glad you called. I'm all
right. It's been a trying day but Jacob seems optimistic. At least
one good thing has come out of this mess. My sister and I have
cleared up our differences. We've been estranged for years."
    "I'm glad. You should never waste time
carrying grudges against your family. They are too precious and you
never know when they will be taken from you. How is your shoulder?
You don't have any sign of infection do you?"
    "No, my shoulder is fine. I miss you Skye. I
constantly think about holding you in my arms, kissing you. When I
close my eyes I can almost feel you curled up against me like in
Montana. I can taste you on my lips."
    Tears flood my eyes, "I miss you too Dylan."
I brush the tears off my face and take a deep breath, "Oh, I had my
first counseling session today and I think it went really well. I
was able to tell her some things about that night. Don't give up on
me Dylan, please?"
    "I'm not going to give up on you. Don't give
up on me Skye. I'm innocent, I didn't kill Elena," he pleads.
    "I know you didn't. I never for one minute
thought you did. Good night Dylan."
    "Good night Skye."
    ******
    When Stump and Bear arrive in Phoenix,
Stump's mother, Jesse is at the airport to meet them. Stump called
her from the ranch the night before to let her know they would be
coming.
    Bear spent a lot of time at the ranch
cleaning up. He shaved off his heavy beard and cut off his long
pony tail so that his hair now just brushes the collar on his
shirt. Without the beard, it is amazing how much Stump resembles
him.
    Jesse feels like she is dreaming. The only
man she has ever loved, Clarence Kincaid is coming to Phoenix to
see her. She has loved him for so many years and now she is going
to get to hold him again. She is so excited she didn't sleep at all
last night. Sometime around dawn the worry started. What if he
doesn't love her anymore? What if he can't get past his flashbacks?
What if he doesn't want to be with her? Will she be able to bear
it?
    Bear is a nervous wreck. He has loved Jesse
for more than half his life and he is worried that she will be
disappointed when she sees him again. When the helicopter lands it
takes all of his willpower just to step out onto the tarmac. Just
riding in the bird again brought back horrible memories of Vietnam
and he is afraid the dreams will be back in full force again.
Sometimes he thinks he is losing his mind.
    When he sees Jesse emerging from the airfield
office his heart stops, then starts back at a slow pounding rate.
She is so beautiful, just like he remembered. With tears in his
eyes and his hands shaking he walks toward her. As he gets closer
he can see the tears streaming down her face and he opens his arms
to her. She flies into his arms and he wraps her securely in his
embrace and the tears run freely down his face.
    "Oh Jesse! I can't believe you are here in my
arms again! I have dreamed of this moment for so long."
    "My Clarence, I love you so. Please don't
ever leave me again," begs Jesse tears streaming down her face.
    Watching from the sidelines, Stump's heart
pounds heavily and his eyes fill with tears when he sees the joy on
his parent's faces. He is so happy he was able to bring them
together again after so many years. He sees his half brother Johnny
coming out of the office and he smiles. Johnny was five when Bear
left for boot camp and he remembers things about Bear that Stump
never had the opportunity to know. The recording of the bedtime
story Bear left for him was played over and over for the boys as
they grew up. In fact, his mother had paid to duplicate it at least
twice to preserve it for them and so each one could have a copy of
his own.
    When Jesse realizes Johnny has arrived she
says, "Clarence, this is Johnny."
    Opening his arms he encloses both boys in his
big bear hug.
    From the airport they all head to