Jacqueline C. Thomas - Romance Novelist

McKinley Park

McKinley Park is Coming Back!

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I think each writer holds a special place in their heart for the characters they write. When you are a romance writer, you also hold a special place for the relationship you write. Out of all of the romance novels I’ve written up to this point, I hold Ben and Rachel’s story nearest to my heart. I am continually touched by Ben’s gentleness towards Rachel. I get swept away everytime I go back to reference something in it, and realize three chapters later that I am still reading it.

The other day as I was sitting in traffic I was thinking about this story and how much I love it. I know for many who read it, the ending left a sour note. It was the first time as a writer where I took some real heat for the original ending. I’ve often imagined what their lives would’ve looked like if the book had ended differently. As I sat parked in traffic, and my imagination running wild I had a moment of clarity. Why not release McKinley Park as an actual book, fully edited and ….. WITH A TRUE HAPPY ENDING?

I bounced this idea off of my husband. He is my most honest critic and can be absolutely ruthless in his feedback, which is why I value it so highly. He asked me why I had not done it yet. It was one of those simple things that was sitting right in front of me, that I had not recognized. Even if I am the only who ever enjoys this story of true love and triumph in a book form, it will have been so worth it.

I have spent the past few weeks combing through the manuscript, changing and tweaking small things based on all of the amazing feedback I received as I published it back in 2019. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all of you who read it each week and were honest in your feedback. While I may not have agreed with all of the feedback, I certainly did listen. In addition to taking in the comments, I have went through and given it the copy edit it deserves. I want to thank my fellow writing community member from Twitter, Joe Garland, for all of the early help with editing, thank you Joe!

Aside from getting to live in the book again, my MOST favorite part of writing, where I am completely engrossed in the world and characters, I got to write Rachel and Ben’s HAPPY ENDING!!! Yep, you read that right. While I may not agree completely that romance must have a happily ever after to be considered romance (we can argue about that later) I did recognize the need for one here. I think a lot of the readers really felt cheated by the ending and for that I am sorry. The happy ending will appear in the book format only.

It is my hope that by self publishing Rachel and Ben’s story more people will have the opportunity to fall in love with their love story too. I’ll keep you all posted on the progress of self-publishing this novel, my first published novel. I plan to launch it on Amazon where Quarantine Stories was published as well.

Again, thank you to all of you who read it back in 2019 and I hope you’ll all stay tuned for the launch!

McKinley Park: Chapter 26 (The Final Chapter)

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“Ben go home. Go see the boys. You haven’t been home in days.” Marty said, looking at Ben who had not left the station since he had got back into the city.

“I am not going home until she comes home too. I already told you.”

“Ben, you’ve been here for two days when was the last time you showered, ate, or slept. You aren’t any good to her like this.”

Ben knew this speech; he had given it many times himself to anxious family members of victims. To make matters worse his chief had heard about the interrogation in Michigan with Rhett and Ben had been placed on leave. He couldn’t work in an official capacity. Ben looked up at Marty, staring right through the bullshit.

“A nap at least? You can crash in the break room. I am not going anywhere; I will wake you if we hear anything. You have to get some sleep before you collapse.”

Ben nodded, he was so tired his vision was blurry, and his hand hurt like hell. He had it cast back at the hospital when he went to check in with the boys before heading back into the city. Becky had taken the boys back to Rachel’s and was staying with them. He could not go home and face the boys without the news that their mother had been found. Ben wanted to be where he had resources actually to help Rachel. He laid down on the old tweed couch in the break room. The sofa smelled, but Ben didn’t care, he was too tired to care. He closed his eyes and saying a silent prayer that Rachel was still alive and fighting. He fought off sleep but it overcame him and he slept deeply.

“Ben, wake up,” Marty said, shaking him awake.

Ben’s eyes shot open; it was completely dark outside. He had been out since evening.

“Did we find her?”

“We have the car. A traffic stop, they have the driver over at the 10th. He gave them an address.”

Ben shot upoff of the sofa.

“Where?”

“The FBI is the lead on this; we need to hang back, their orders.”

“What the fuck is the address, Marty?”

“413 Polk. Ben, we can’t go.” Marty shouted as Ben ran out of the office.

“Stephen Duke’s address.” Ben shouted back “Son of a bitch!”

Marty ran to follow Ben and caught up to him as Ben slid into the driver’s seat of their unmarked car.

“Maybe you should let me drive, man,” Marty said, as he got in on the passenger’s side.

Ben stepped on the gas and flipped the sirens before Marty had even finished closing the door.

“Slow down. You aren’t going to be any help to her if you’re wrapped around a pole. Ben, we don’t know if she’s even there.”

“She’s there.”

“How do you know?”

“She has to be.”

They rode in silence through the loop.

“Ben, I know you want to be there and you need to be there, but you are going to have to let the FBI run this. You go running in there like a crazed teenager; you are going to get people killed, lose your badge or get Rachel killed. You have got to calm down, man. I know..”

“You don’t have a fucking clue what this has been like. I promised her I would protect her.” Ben said as he cut Marty off.

“Ben, I would be a terrible friend and a worse partner if I didn’t bring this up. You know there is a chance that..” Marty paused.

“Stop. She is alive. I know she is. She’s a fighter. She’s strong.”

Ben switched off the siren when he got a few blocks away. The street looked erily quiet, the FBI had to be staking out the house. Ben drove two blocks past Polk street and parked the car on the street. Marty grabbed Ben’s arm.

“I can’t leave her in there, while the FBI sits around with their thumbs up their asses.”

“Ben.” Marty didn’t know what to say; he knew he’d be in the same position if it were his wife in that house. “Shit this is going to cost me my badge too, damn it.” Marty rubbed his forehead. “How do you want to play this?”

Ben patted his partner on the shoulder.

“Go, make sure the feds don’t shoot me but give me a head start okay?”

Marty let out a deep breath.

“Be careful; you can’t help her if you aren’t here anymore.”

Ben nodded. He got out of the car and shut the door quietly. It was around 11:30 pm and Ben was grateful for the darkness. He slipped through the abandoned lot and the yards behind the house as he crossed into to the back yard behind the Duke’s house. The house was dark. Ben walked up and pulled his gun as he walked to the back door. He expected it to be locked. He spun the knob, and to his surprise, it opened. People in this neighborhood did not leave their back door’s open. Ben stepped inside and left the lights off. He was still and listened for any signs of life in the house.

Meanwhile, Marty pulled around and spotted two undercover agents. He got out of this car and walked up to the driver’s window and introduced himself. He explained that Ben was in the house, which set off a flurry of phone calls.

“Just don’t shoot him, okay?”

Agent Yee came around the block on foot, “Are you guys fucking kidding me?”

“It’s his fiancé.”

“I don’t care if it was the Pope himself,” Yee said.

Ben continued to make his way through the house as quietly as he could. He checked the rooms on the ground floor and then went to the back of the house to take the stairs up to the second floor. He stopped when he thought he heard a whimper. He froze and listened for it again. In his gut, he knew it was Rachel. It sounded like it was coming from below the kitchen. Ben opened the basement door. There was a dim light coming from somewhere in the basement. Ben crept down the stairs, careful to not make a sound. He stepped onto the poured cement floor and saw a door to a room in the back corner. The basement looked like your typical old, unfinished basement, complete with a washer and dryer and a workbench. Ben followed the noise. He walked up to the door, seeing a dim light coming from underneath. He bent down and got on all fours to see if he could see anyone standing in the room. There was only a mattress.

“Rachel?” Ben whispered. “Rachel, are you in there?”

Ben didn’t wait for her to answer. He stood up and opened the door slowly.

Rachel laid naked on a dirty mattress with her hands tied behind her back. She had bruises and cuts all over her. The sight of her took the air out of Ben’s lungs. He ran over to her and bent down. She recoiled, not realizing it was Ben.

“Rachel, it’s me, it’s Ben. You’re safe now. Look at me, honey.”

Ben reached out for her and she pulled further back, pressing her body tightly against the wall. He took off his flannel shirt and covered her with it.

“Rachel, honey, we have to out of here. Come on. Please give me your hand.”

As soon as Ben said, it a hail of gunfire broke out in the floors above. Rachel screamed, and Ben laid over her to protect her. Ben could hear footsteps above. They were going to have to get out of the basement if they stood a chance.

“Rachel, look at me. We have to get out of here now.”

“Ben?” Rachel asked, finally recognizing him.

“Yes, it’s me. Rachel, I am so sorry, I am so, so sorry!” Ben kissed her forehead repeated as he said it. “We have to go now. Do you think you can walk?”

“Untie me, please.” Ben could hear her trying to hold onto her sanity. He reached into his pocket and cut the zip-ties on her wrists. He pulled her hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss into the center. She reached out and clung to him, as she began to sob. He held her tightly against him, she felt so small and frail in his arms. He never wanted to let go of her again but he knew that they had to get out of the basement, they were trapped down there.

“You’re safe. Come on, we have to go now. You’ve been so strong; I need you to be strong for a little while longer. Come on; I know you can do this.” Ben said softly, as he looked into her deep brown eyes.

Ben stood and helped Rachel to her feet. She was so weak her legs gave out from underneath her. Ben caught her before she fell. He lifted her up into his arms and carried her out of the room, keeping his back close to the wall. He stayed close to the wall, as gunfire was still roaring up above. He walked up the stairs with his back along the wall. Rachel clung to him tightly.

“Honey, I have to put you down to check if the kitchen is clear. I will keep ahold of you, but you have to stay behind me. I won’t let you fall.”

Rachel nodded as Ben set her down, her feet landing on the top step of the basement stairs. The kitchen miraculously seemed to be clear. Ben took a deep breath as he scooped Rachel back up into his arms and walked quickly across the kitchen. He opened the back door, which was tricky with Rachel in his arms and his casted hand. He stepped out onto the back porch, Rachel hands dug into his shoulders as she clung to him. He pressed a kiss onto the top of her head as he started down the stairs. He heard a loud noise he couldn’t place and Rachel scream. Ben felt Rachel fall from his arms. The world went black.

 

After

 

The morning Rachel was to be discharged, Ben slept on a couch in her room.  It was still early when she slipped out of bed and shuffled across the linoleum floor. She bent down and wiped the hair from Ben’s forehead.  His eyes shot open.

“Why are you out of bed?”

“Because you are over here. Come climb in with me.”

“I’m okay. Come on I’ll tuck you back in.” Ben said as he sat up.

She stood back up, a little shaky on her feet. She held his hand as he helped her back into her bed and pulled his hand gently.

“Climb in with me.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t, look there’s enough room.” She patted the space in the bed next to her.

Ben climbed in and Rachel rolled onto her side to face him.

“Hold me.”

He pulled her body in close to him and nestled her head under his chin. He kissed the top of her head.

“Ben, I want to do something a crazy little today when we leave.”

“We can do whatever you want.”

“I want to marry you today.”

“What? Why today? Wouldn’t you rather wait until you are more healed?”

“No, today is the first day I will be strong enough to marry you. Just the boys, and me, and you, and a preacher. I just held onto that while I was captive and promised myself that I would marry you as soon as I was able. That is what I was fighting for, to be with you.”

“Rachel, will you marry me today, at the farmhouse, with our boys there?”

Rachel began to cry, this time, happy tears.

“Yes, Ben Carter I will marry you at your farmhouse today.”

Suddenly, it was afternoon as Rachel walked out onto the back porch with Tommy at her side to give her away. The air was crisp, and the leaves just began to change, on a beautiful autumn day as the sun started to set  She walked the ten feet where Ben stood next to the local reverend, as a small group of family and friends had gathered to see Ben and Rachel marry. They exchanged vows as the boys looked on happily.

 

Rachel shot up in bed, in a pool of sweat, her nightdress soaked through. It was cruel to dream things like that, and she hated herself for it. To be so happy and then to wake up to reality, alone. Everything in her body craved Ben’s touch, his presence, but he had died that night, the night he came to rescued her. A bullet had hit him in the head and had killed him instantly. Six months had passed since that awful night. Rachel put her hand over her mouth; she didn’t want the boys to hear her sobbing. Felix, Ben’s cat, jumped up onto the bed and nudged her. She grabbed ahold of the cat and held onto him. This was going to be another sleepless night for Rachel, just one of many she cried through since Ben had died.

Life had changed drastically for Rachel, with Rhett and Andrew behind bars. The FBI had busted the poker game. There were 104 arrests; two prostitution rings broken up, an illegal trafficking operation stopped and the largest drug bust in Chicago history, all as a result of the poker game in Jim Danwood’s garage. Everyone was shocked by the ways the poker game weaved a web of crime through the city. The city had awarded Ben the Police Medal, the Chicago Police Department’s highest honor. While Rachel began to work through all of the trauma she had endured.

Rachel sold her house on Lilac Lane; she couldn’t live across the street from Ben’s house. His brothers had sold his house as well.  It was too painful to stay there for her. She had rented a townhouse out near Becky in Oswego, and had set to making a new life for her and the boys. They took Ben’s death hard too. Rachel had found a good family therapist, and they were all working through Ben’s death, and her kidnapping. Ben’s death was a broken promise of happiness for them as well.

Rachel got up out of bed and walked over to the record player it, and the one record she kept were the only things of Ben’s that she had asked for. The boys insiseted the they take Felix and Ben’s older brother Joel was happy to let the boys have the cat. The one record she had asked for was the one they had danced to in Ben’s office. She turned the knob as the turntable began to spin and she gently picked up the needle setting it in the right spot. The music begain, but she kept the volume low, not to wake the boys. The warm voice radiated from the player as sat on the bed listening to the song waft through the room, instantly transported back to Ben’s office. If she focused really hard she could almost smell him.

Startled she heard a knock at the door, she perked up and wiped the tears off of her cheeks.

“Come in.” She cleared her throat.

Evan walked in.

“Why are you up, buddy?” She asked as she reached out for him.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Me either.”

“Are you missing Ben again, Mom?”

“I am sweetie. How about you?”

“Yeah, I was thinking about how he took care of us in the hospital when you were gone. He was really nice to us.”

“He loved you, boys, very much.”

“Mom are we going to be okay?”

“What do you mean sweetie?”

“Will the bad guys ever come back?”

“No, they won’t ever come back. Ben may have left, but he did what he promised you boys, he made sure those bad men would never come back to hurt any of us.”

Evan reached out and hugged Rachel.

“You need to get back to bed sweetie, it’s late, and you have school in the morning. Come on; I’ll tuck you back in.”

Rachel stood to walk Evan back to bed. She took two steps but didn’t hear him behind her, so she turned around to look at him.

“Mom want to dance?” Evan held out his hand. “We have this good music.”

Rachel let out a little chuckle as she took Evan’s hand.  She gave him his first slow dance in her bedroom, to the Etta James song that had meant so much to her.

McKinley Park: Chapter 25

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Ben walked out of the hospital as the sun was setting. The weather had turned colder, and it had rained.  Ben’s gut churned, thinking of Rachel. Daylight was their friend when looking for someone. He got into the chief’s marked SUV.

“Right now we are just holding him for questioning. We are most likely charging him with child endangerment after we get phone records we can charge him as an accessory for kidnapping and the whole lot.  I will suggest the DA throw everything they can at this guy and see what sticks. If he is responsible in any way, you have my word Carter, he will not walk out of Sagnqwa county a free man.”

“Thank you. He has a list of priors; his crime of choice was beating the shit out of my finance and their son.”

“He hasn’t strayed far then.”

They rode the ten minutes to the station in silence. They pulled up to the suburban police station, it still had lamps on either side of the staircase, like out of an old detective movie. Ben followed Chief Sanders in, and no one questioned him.

“Hey Anderson, where is Lawson?” The chief asked as they crossed the station room.

“Room 2.”

The chief turned back towards Ben.

“Ready?”

Ben nodded.

They walked to Room 2, and the Chief knocked. The door opened, and a detective who wore the same questioning face Ben had worn so many times looked out.

“Snyder step out for a minute.” The chief said as he waved him out. “This is Detective Carter from CPD and Mrs. Lawson’s finance.  He is going to speak with Mr. Lawson for a minute. I want you to please step out. Have you gotten anything out of him?”

“No. He’s a slippery fucker. You know I have been at this for a long time, and this guy doesn’t give two shits about what’s going on. He doesn’t even really seem to care that his sons were involved. I can spot a shitty acting job when I see one. He knows a whole hell of a lot more than he is saying. Good luck, Carter.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“Now Detective Carter, up here in the country, the cameras don’t always work so well in our interrogation rooms..” The chief tapped his nose. “You have forty-five minutes, before this asshole’s attorney gets anywhere near here. You read me?”

Ben nodded, “yes, sir.”

Ben reached for the doorknob.

“And Carter, don’t kill him.”

Ben nodded again.

Ben stepped into the small white room that resembled a box more than a room. There was a small table in the corner with two chairs. Rhett looked up and Ben saw the faintest glimmer of panic. Had he not been trained how to read people, Ben may have missed it. Ben walked up to the chair and sat down without saying a word.

“You aren’t supposed to be in here. I am not talking to anyone until my attorney gets here. You don’t have jurisdiction to question me here.”

“I am not here in an official capacity.”

“I know. Get the hell out of here; I am not talking to you.”

“You are so fucked. It doesn’t matter who you talk to or don’t talk to.”

“I had nothing to do with anything.”

“Really, that is why you are in a police station in Southern Michigan, your ex-wife is missing and your sons are in the hospital? You expect anyone to believe this is all a coincidence?”

Rhett stayed quiet.

“In case you were wondering. Your boys are going to be okay. I know you aren’t going to tell me where Rachel is, but I have to wonder something?” Ben stopped talking.

He let the silence grow uncomfortable. Rhett took the bait.

“What?”

“A big powerful man like you, lets some guy rough up his ten-year-old son. I mean a man’s son is his pride and joy.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You don’t know or was it part of the plan?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“I am talking about the thugs who took your ex-wife beat the shit out of Tommy. He’s in bad shape.”

“Bullshit.”

“No, I am telling you the truth, kid’s eye is swollen shut, lip split open, his whole face is bruised. I mean, I know that’s normally your job, guess someone beat you to it.”

“Fuck you.”

“No fuck you, you are going to prison for this. So is your dad. You two will fucking rot away. I will cut right to the chase, tell me where Rachel is, and maybe you will get out while your cock still works.”

“You don’t have shit.”

“ We have phone records Rhett, lots of phone records. We can prove that your dad called you to tell you where the boys were. You had to have known that they had Rachel.”

There was that flash of panic again.

“Bullshit, if you had phone records you’d know where they were.”

“It’s only a matter of time. I thought you didn’t know who “they” were?”

Ben knew Rhett couldn’t handle the pressure, he was soft inside, used to having his dad clean up his messes.

“You know you are on your own now; your dad won’t be able to help you, he’s going away for this too. You will probably never see him again. Neither of you will ever be free men ever again. Tell us where she is before it is too late. I believe they still have the death penalty here in Michigan. You will die with a fucking needle in your arm. The clock is ticking; it’s your funeral.”

Ben stood up to walk out; it was all theater. He wasn’t leaving that room without Rachel’s whereabouts. Rhett stayed quiet.

“She’s not worth all of this, she’s really not,” Rhett said coldly. “I die one way or another. This is out of my control.”

Ben wanted to ask so many questions, over time he had learned when to shut up and listen.

“Is Tommy going to be okay?”

“He looks pretty rough.”

“The boys were not part of the deal. I cannot believe my dad would let someone rough up Tommy; he’s his grandson.”

“Tommy told me your dad was there and didn’t stop it.”

Rhett’s resolve crumbled a little more. Ben pounced.

“If he would let that happen to his grandson, imagine how you are going to fare in this, over a woman who you don’t think is worth it. Are you going to spend the rest of your life in prison for someone who isn’t worth it?”

Ben sat there quietly. The air in the room grew thick with tension again.

“I need protection if I talk.”

“I’m out of jurisdiction here, I can’t make a deal, but I can help you if give them real information, like where Rachel is. Like you said, your dead either way, but it’s your choice. You have to give me something real to go on.”

“My dad runs this poker game. All sorts of shit is waged over this table, vice, women, drugs, sex, favors, you name it. My dad only has two rules, the first; all bets are final and the second; you must pay up. I got fucked up one night and Derek, who was like a brother to me, joked that I should wager Rachel. I didn’t think he was serious so I did and I lost. He won her. I really loved her. I know I was a shit husband, but never would have thought my dad would have made me go through with it, he did. I couldn’t stand her after that. Knowing she had slept with Derek, she should have fought harder, said no more, gone to you guys… I can’t stand the sight of her. She belongs to Derek; my dad has to do what he says, that’s the way the game works. If someone reneges on a bet, that’s it you die.”

“Derek is behind bars; what can he want with Rachel?”

“I don’t know; I don’t care.“

“Yet, you can’t seem to leave her alone. You’re pathetic. Need your daddy to keep your wife in line and clean up your messes for you. You will definitely be the bitch in prison. You can get fucked every night until the day they stick that fucking needle in your arm, you piece of shit.”

“Whatever. How do you even enjoy fucking her? She is a used up whore.”

“You must not have been doing it right then.”

Rhett stood up.

“You going to hit me? I’m not Rachel; I’ll hit you back. I will knock every fucking tooth out of that perfect smile you have. Where is Rachel?”

Rhett took another step towards Ben.

“Fuck you! Go get me someone who can make a deal. I want to get out of this shithole.”

“Not until you tell me where Rachel is.”

“Probably dying under some creep while she calls out for you, knowing you didn’t do shit to save her. I’ll make sure all of your favorite pieces of her are mailed to you one at a time. I remember the address.”

Ben lost it; he hit Rhett in the face as hard as he could. Ben felt the bones in his hand break as he smashed his hand into Rhett’s face but he didn’t care. Rhett stumbled backwards, blood instantly pouring from his nose.

“Now who’s fucked? You can hit me; you’re a cop. I am going to sue you so fucking hard; your grandkids will still be paying me.”

Ben took a step towards Rhett again, and hit him again, with the same hand, not feeling the pain from the broken bones, the anger raging through him masked the pain. Rhett stumbled against the wall and this time swung back. Ben dodged the punch an hit him again. Rhett tried to swing again, but Ben grabbed ahold of his throat and pulled his gun from his holster. He put it to Rhett’s head.

“I could give two shits whether you live or die. I am only going to ask you once, where is Rachel?”

Rhett spit blood in Ben’s face. Ben pulled the hammer back on the gun and stared Rhett down.

“They’re taking her back to the city. I don’t know where I swear to God I don’t know where.”

“What’s the plan?” Ben pushed the gun against Rhett’s skull a little harder

“I don’t know whatever Derek wanted to do with her. I swear, I don’t know. The boys weren’t supposed to be involved. It was only Rachel.”

There was a knock at the door. Both men stayed frozen as Detective Snyder and Chief Sanders walked in.

“This asshole is an animal, he attacked me. Arrest him!” Rhett called out, still in Ben’s grasp.

“Detective Carter, can I have a word please,” the chief asked.

Ben held his ground.

“Seriously get this crazy fucker off of me!” Rhett shouted.

“Detective Carter.” The Chief said more sternly.

Ben released his grip on Rhett and moved like he was stepping away, but turned and hit Rhett with the butt of his gun. Rhett stumbled again back into the wall and fell down. Ben turned and walked out of the room. Chief Snyder followed him.

“Was that necessary son?” The chief asked.

“I have to go back; I was close.”

“We spotted a blue car. It’s a blue Infinity with Illinois plates. We have a plate number.”

Ben swallowed hard as he felt bile rising in his stomach. Ben sunk down his knees, feeling like the breath had been sucked out of him. The chief knelt down to look Ben in the eye. They stopped for gas in Indiana; we have the car on camera.

“Rhett said they were headed back to the city. He didn’t know where. I have to go back in.”

“I can’t let you do that. His attorney will be here soon. Snyder is going to take over. He’s good; he’s been at it for a long time.”

“I have to do something. I can’t just sit here and wait. Did we pinpoint Andrew Lawson’s phone?”

“Yes, but the phone that he called Rhett on was a burner, he left in the car. Probably by mistake. Was there anything else in the car? Can I see the car?”

“No, I don’t want a contaminated crime scene.”

“Please, I have to do something.”

“Why don’t we go sit down in my office?”

“I want to see the car.”

“Go back to the hospital to the boys; they need you right now.”

“I need to be helping to find Rachel.”

“The boys are asking for you; you need to let us do our job, and go see you’re soon to be sons. They need you. You aren’t going back in the cage with Rhett.”

McKinley Park: Chapter 24

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Ben sat with Luke out on the dock; he didn’t want the little boy to see what was happening any more than he already had. Luke swung his feet off the end of the dock.

“Detective Carter” one of the uniformed officers came off the porch.

Ben got up, “Luke, you stay right here, buddy. I am going to go talk to the other police officer. I will stay where you can see me, okay?”

Ben walked up the lawn, thirty feet away from Luke.

“Detective we have found the black SUV and the boys, but we don’t have Mrs Lawson or the men who took her. We think they got into another vehicle.”

“Where are the boys?” Are they okay?”

“They don’t appear to be hurt, they’re upset but not hurt. They are in Lakeridge.”

“I am going to go to the boys. Her sister is on her way here, but I don’t want the boys to be alone right now.” Ben turned back towards Luke. “Come on, buddy we are going to go see your brothers.”

Luke bounded up and reached up for Ben to carry him. Ben lifted him, forgetting Luke’s shoes on the dock.

“Detective would you like an escort?”

“Yes, please. Luke, you will like this.” Ben said as he buckled the little boy into his seat.

“Are we  going to go fast?”

“Yes, and the police are going to come with us to get your brothers.”

Ben took off down the road, and the local squad car got in front of him to escort him. Luke loved the squad car in front. They made it to Lakeridge on the Michigan – Indiana state line in forty-five minutes. The boys were at the hospital for check-ups. They had been left at a gas station. Ben grabbed Luke out of the SUV and ran into the hospital.

The local police chief was waiting for him outside Tommy and Evan’s room.

“Detective Carter?”

“Yes. How are the boys? Is there any news about Rachel?”

“No I’m sorry, we have video of the car though, she’s in a blue infinity sedan with Illinois plates. We will find her. We ‘ve called in the Indiana state police and FBI. We will find her. The boys are really shaken up. We haven’t been able to get too much out of them. The older boy has a black eye and split lip. Someone roughed him up pretty good, why don’t you leave this little guy with me and you go in to see his big brothers?”

“No. I want to stay with Ben!” Luke shouted.

“Buddy, you need to stay with this nice police officer while I talk to your brothers, okay? I will only be a minute.”

“We can stay right outside the door, alright?” The police chief said.

“No, no, I want to stay with Ben!” Luke screamed as he began to cry.

The door to the room cracked open, and Evan peeked outside. He was in a hospital gown.

“Evan!” Luke pushed out of Ben’s arms.

Evan turned back around, “Tommy, it’s Ben and Luke.”

Luke ran to his big brother and hugged him. Evan wrapped his arms around his little brother.

“Is Mommy in there?” Luke asked.

Evan looked up at Ben, not sure what to say.

“No, I’m sorry buddy, she isn’t.”

“Do you know where our mom is?” Evan asked.

“We’re looking for her son. We have every police officer in the state of Michigan and Indiana looking for her.” the chief said.

“I should go in and see Tommy,” Ben said.

“Me too.” Luke sad, very sternly.

“Um why don’t you hang out here with me buddy,” Evan said to his little brother.

Evan’s statement scared Ben, who nodded to the chief and stepped inside.

Tommy was laying in the hospital bed with his back turned towards the door. Ben could see an I.V. running. He walked around the bed to see Tommy; he didn’t want to scare the boy. Ben pulled a stool close to Tommy and sat. Tommy was awake but didn’t say anything. His left eye was almost swollen shut, and his bottom lip had split. Inside Ben seethed with rage, whoever had done this to Tommy would pay dearly for it. Ben reached out for Tommy’s hand and the boy took it.

“Did they find mom yet?” Tommy asked.

“Not yet, but we will I promise. Can I ask you a few questions about what happened?”

“No.”

“Why not? It will help us find your mom sooner,” Ben said softly. “Did they threaten to hurt you if you said anything?”

Tommy nodded.

“There is an armed police officer outside of your door, and I have my gun right here. NO one will hurt you, Tommy; you have my word. I need your help, you and Evan both. Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Who hit you?”

“A friend of Grandpa Andrew’s.”

“How do you know it was one of your grandpa’s friends?”

“Because Grandpa Andrew was there. He got really mad at the man who hit me.”

“Did your grandpa say he would hurt you?”

“No, the other guys did.”

“How many guys were there?”

“Three plus Grandpa.”

“Do you know where they were taking you and your mom?”

“No.”

“You are doing well bud. Do you know why they left you at a gas station?”

“Mom woke up, and she went crazy. They told her if she didn’t stop they’d hurt us.  Grandpa called dad and told him to come get us, that they were going to leave us. I think they’re going to kill my mom.” Tommy sobbed.

Ben stood up and kissed Tommy’s head.

“I promise you I am going to do everything in my power to see that that doesn’t happen.”

“Did they talk about anything in the car?”

“They kept talking about this game, and about dad, and how this guy won mom in the poker game. Like she belonged to him. I didn’t understand it. Grandpa kept saying, that is how the game worked.”

“Did they say where they were going?”

“No. They just kept hitting mom.”

“I told them to stop, and that’s when the guy in the back seat hit me. Grandpa got really mad and said they were dropping us off,  leaving us for dad to pick us up. The guy in the back seat said he’d kill us all if I said anything.”

“Tommy, they won’t. They’d have to come through me to get to you and your brothers; I would never let that happen. You are doing so well. One last question, did you see them get into another car?”

“No, they just drove off and left us. They told mom it was her choice, we could go with them, and they’d kill us, or they could leave us for my dad.”

“Did you know any of the other men besides your grandpa, or hear any names?”

“No. Ben, I think they are going to kill mom. They were so mad at her.” Tommy cried.

“Why were they so mad? Do you know?”

“Something about that card game and some guy named Derek. He wasn’t in the car. It was confusing.”

“Tommy, you did so well. I am so, so proud of you. You and Evan are safe.  I have to step outside to check on your brother’s I will be right back.”

“No, don’t leave!”

“I am just going to go to the door then; I won’t leave the room, okay?”

Tommy nodded.

Ben signalled to the chief to come closer to the door. He relayed all of the information Tommy had given so far, making sure to tell him that Rhett would be at the gas station where the boys had been left. Evan and Luke walked back into the room with cups of jello. Luke brought a cup of jello to Tommy and was scared when Tommy rolled over.

“It’s okay, Luke. I just got an owie like you get on your knees.” Tommy said, trying to calm his little brother. “Here come see.” Tommy sat up and patted the bed.

Luke tried to climb up but couldn’t quite make it. Evan walked over and helped him up. Luke inspected Tommy’s face, completely forgetting about the jello. Ben nodded to the chief and stepped outside, leaving the door open so the boys could see him.

“I need to call their aunt and let her know they’re here, and the boys are safe. Can you please step inside with them. The eldest is afraid the guys who took them are going to hurt him.”

The chief nodded while Ben stepped further away from the door to call Becky. Her husband answered, and Ben relayed all of the information he had. He gave them the address to the hospital. They suggested calling Rhett, but when Ben shared that Rhett was most likely involved, it wasn’t mentioned again.  It was painful not to have good news about Rachel yet. Ben hung up the phone and went back and waited with the boys. It made his skin crawl that he was not out looking for Rachel, but he knew he was needed to be with the boys. It is what Rachel would have wanted.

Forty minutes later, Becky and her husband, Jack, arrived. Ben stepped out of the room to prepare them to see Tommy. The boy’s face had bruised substantially, and it looked worse than it actually was. Becky took a deep breath and entered to see the boys. Ben waited outside to give them some time together. A minute later, Becky’s husband stepped back out.

“So I hear you are to be family. The boys said you asked Rachel to marry you last night?”

“I did.”

“ The boys are crazy about you. Do you have any new information on Rachel?”

“Not yet. I will go check back in with the chief; I haven’t wanted to stray far from the boys. They’re terrified.”

“Hey, I know you can’t go on a hunch, but I wasn’t exactly surprised when Rhett’s name came up in this. He’s a real piece of shit.”

“I know. Believe me, he’ll get what is coming to him. I’ll be right back.”

“I hope so,” Jack called out, “because if you don’t, I will. That son of a bitch is involved in this somehow. He could never deal with Rachel moving on.”

“I understand what you are saying, but as a detective, I am going to pretend I never heard you say that.” Ben looked at him.

The chief came walking down the hallway, like a man who had something to say. Ben braced himself for the worst.

“Detective”

“Chief Sanders, this is Jack Cline, the boy’s uncle. Do you have news?”

“I do. We have Rhett Lawson in custody. I am sorry we do not have Rachel yet.”

“He isn’t talking.”

“I want to talk to him,” Ben said.

“I don’t know if that is such a good idea.”

“The man is a loose cannon, with the right enticement, he’s explosive. I am the right enticement. Please let me try.” Ben said.

“Chief, Ben’s right. Rhett is a maniac. Nothing would get under his skin like Rachel’s finance and a cop questioning him.”

The chief scratched the top of his head.

“You are way out of jurisdiction here. But it can’t hurt. Come on.”

“Give me a second to say goodbye to the boys. Can I ask another favor? I know I am racking them up?”

The chief’s face, signalling for Ben to ask.

“Can you please leave an armed officer here with the boys. We all know they are safe, but it will make them feel safer.”

“Of course. I will send in Bill Tearny; he has sons too. He’s good with kids.”

“Thank you.”

McKinley Park- Chapter 23

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Rachel looked at the antique engagement ring on her finger as she and Ben snuggled up together in bed. The boys could not have been more excited at the prospect of Rachel marrying Ben, much to Rachel’s surprise and relief. The ripples of the lake reflected on the ceiling of the upstairs bedroom. She laid her head on his shoulder as he stroked her hair.

“I am so happy tonight. I love you, Ben.”

She leant up and kissed him.

“I love you too. I promise you; I will always love you and protect you and the boys.”

“You are such a good man. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

“I am the lucky one, not only do I get to spend the rest of my life with the woman of my dreams, but, I get three sons in the mix too. I think I am the one who hit the jackpot.”

“Would you ever want to have more children? We’ve never discussed it.”

“If you want to.”

“You don’t want one of your own?”

“As far as I am concerned, those boys will be mine.”

Rachel kissed him again.

“I’ve always wanted a little girl.”

“What if we get another boy?”

Rachel laughed

“Four boys, wow.”

“Why don’t we practice?” Ben said with a playful tone in his voice.

Rachel lifted the blankets off her as she climbed on top of Ben, straddling him. She lifted her nightdress, the moonlight illuminating her pale skin. Her dark hair resting over her shoulders. She was the most beautiful thing Ben had ever laid eyes on. He reached up and brought her mouth to his.

She reached down between them and guided him in. Ben sat up and pulled her into his lap as he held her tightly. She began to rock her hips, the sensation of being so tightly connected, only added to the intimacy. She was slow and deliberate in her movements as they made love. She could feel Ben wanted to hold her from below. She pulled out of their kiss.

“Here,” she whispered, “give me your hands.”

She grabbed his hands, and she guided them to the underside of her butt. Ben felt her body tense.

“I’m okay; kiss me.” She instructed.

Ben did as he was told. He grabbed her butt harder than he had intended and felt her tense again. He began to move his hand away.

“No, don’t, please. She said. “I need you to touch me there.”

Ben smiled at her.

“You are so beautiful.” He kissed her again.

He could feel the tension leave her body as he kissed her.

“Ben, I’m close.” She said.

“Me too, you go first.”

“I love you, Ben.”

He could feel her body finish before he could hear her quietly moan, careful not to wake the boys. The noise of her in ecstasy pushed him right over the edge. He held onto her tightly as their orgasm raged and slowly wained. She kissed his shoulder and then laid her head on it, as they both caught their breaths. They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms. Rachel picked up her head and listened. Ben heard it too, a crying child.

“It’s Luke,” Rachel said. “He probably had a nightmare.”

Rachel let go and climbed out of Ben’s lap.

“Let me try?” Ben asked.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Ben put on his boxers and a t-shirt and walked out of the bedroom. Rachel got up and put her nightdress back on as she walked to the bathroom to freshen up. She stopped outside Luke’s bedroom door and listened to Ben talking to Luke. She had been right; it was a nightmare.

“Nope, nightmares aren’t allowed in this house. It is a very special house, you know? Nightmares are afraid of this house because it is where happiness lives. Did you know that?”

“No. Then why did I have one, the monster was so scary.”

“No, he was scared, not the other way around.”

“Are you sure?” Luke asked sceptically.

“Yes, you are safe here. I promise. No more nightmares. Here I will turn on the closet light for you.”

Rachel heard Ben get up and pull the cord for the light in the closet.

“I used to sleep in here with this light on. Go back to sleep and maybe we will go fishing tomorrow.”

“For real?” Luke asked.

“Yes for real.” Ben chuckled.

“I want to catch the biggest fish!” Luke said excitedly.

“Well then you need your rest, go back to sleep, okay bud?”

Rachel heard Ben’s footsteps come closer to the door.

“Ben wait!”

“What bud?”

“I can’t go back to sleep without a hug.”

Rachel heard Ben turn back around. She took the chance to scurry back to bed herself. She climbed back into the bed she and Ben were sharing. Ben joined her a minute later.

“Did I do, okay?”

She looked over at him.

“I’m busted, huh detective.” Rachel said playfully. “You were great with him. Thank you.”

Ben laughed, and Rachel curled up next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair as they watched the ripples of the lake reflect on their ceiling. They both drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms, content and happy to be with each other.

Ben woke to the sound of the boys running through the house and the smell of coffee wafting up from the kitchen. He instinctively reached over Rachel, knowing that she must have been in the kitchen making coffee. He pulled her pillow over and buried his nose in it; her scent clung to it.

“How about the real thing?” She said, standing next to his side of the bed with a cup of coffee in her hand.

He rolled over and wrapped his arm around her. She quickly set the coffee on the nightstand.  Ben pulled her into bed. She landed on top of him. He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“You are even more beautiful today than you were yesterday, and I don’t even know how it is possible, but it is,” Ben said.

Rachel leant down and kissed him, feeling his body fully wake.

“The boys are awake and already outside.” She said.

“They’re outside, you say?” Ben had a mischievous grin.

He kissed her again. She got off of him and went and opened the large double doors to the upstairs porch so she could hear the boys.

“Hey guys, stay out of the lake. I am going to get dressed, okay? I’ll be down in a minute. Tommy watch Luke, I mean it.”

“Alright, mom.”

Rachel turned around and walked back inside, leaving the doors open so she could hear the boys. She slipped her nightdress up overhead as she walked to the bed, with a mischievous grin on her face. She laid down, and Ben came up over her. She put her hands around his neck and kissed him. He made love to her as quietly as they both could for the second time in under twelve hours.

Rachel freshened up and threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She would get properly cleaned up for the day after breakfast. Ben walked in as she finished brushing her teeth.

“We need milk so that I can make breakfast.” She said.

She kissed him on the cheek.

“I’ll go get dressed and go back into town to get some.”

“Thank you. Do you want pancakes, crepes or French toast?”

“Someone worked up an appetite.” Ben joked.

Rachel laughed.

“It doesn’t matter to me, whatever is easiest. It won’t take me long to run into town. Black coffee is a little rough; I won’t lie.”

“Okay.”

Ben heard Rachel bound down the stairs to start breakfast. He pulled on his jeans, t-shirt and slipped his sandals on. They had been blessed with another hot day.  Ben walked downstairs to see Rachel setting the table for breakfast while the boys played. The had found frogs at the edge of the lake and were enthralled with them.

“I’ll be right back. Is there anything else we forgot?” Ben asked.

“Just this.” Rachel tapped her cheek.

Ben walked over and pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him, really kissed him.

“Hey now, kiss me like that, and these boys are never going to get breakfast.” Ben joked.

Rachel laughed, and the sound melted Ben.

“If I don’t go now..”

Rachel pushed him out of her arms.

“Don’t be long.”

Ben drove into town with the windows down, and his radio turned up. He had not been that happy in a long time. He walked into Margo’s small grocery store and picked up two gallons of milk.

“Hi, Ben.” Margo said, “you forgot the milk yesterday. I was going to run it out to you, but I wasn’t sure with your company.”

Ben knew talk of Rachel would be all over town by lunch. It was a small town.

“It’s okay. Do you know if there is a florist in town?”

“Rae’s opens in about twenty minutes. Are you looking for anything special?”

“No just wanted to get some flowers.”

“Are they for your lady friend?”

Ben smiled shyly.

“Yes.”

“Well, I will tell you what, you tell Rae I sent you over. He’ll take good care of you. That girl of yours is very pretty, Ben. Were those her boys with her yesterday?”

“Yes.”

Margo smiled and rang up the milk.

Ben set both gallons of milk on the floor in the front seat and the bouquet of pink roses from the florist on the front seat as he headed back towards the house. He passed a black SUV on the way back to the house, and a few old pickup trucks hauling fishing boats. He drove back without a care in the world, thinking about taking the boys fishing out on the lake later in the day. He pulled back up to the house and grabbed both gallons of milk and the bouquet of roses. He walked into the house and noticed it was quiet. He walked into the kitchen, to a scene of chaos.

There was broken glass everywhere, and the kitchen table had been flipped over. Flour was scattered across the floor, showing that a struggled had happened in the room. There were bloody handprints on the floor. Ben dropped the milk and the roses in the hallway outside of the kitchen. The two glass jugs shattered as liquid exploded out in every direction. Frantic, Ben started screaming for Rachel and the boys running through the house. No one answered. He ran out onto the back porch and called out for Rachel and the boys. Silence.

Ben’s hands shook as he pulled out his phone to call the local police. He dialled 911 on his cell, he put the phone to his ear but didn’t hear anything. He pulled it away to see that he didn’t have a signal. He walked back into the kitchen watching where he stepped, careful preserve the scene for any clues. He picked up the receiver from the phone on the wall; it was dead. He hung up and took off for his car. He was going to have to go back into town for help. Ben got out onto the porch when he heard whimpering. He stopped.

“Boys? Where are you guys? Come out right now. You’re safe.”

Lukas emerged from underneath the porch.

The boy was dirty and red in the face from crying. Ben reached out for Lukas.

“Come here man. Where are your mom and your brothers?”

“The bad guys took them.”

Ben knelt to Luke’s eye level, “What bad guys, do you know who they were or where they were going?”

“No.” Luke cried.

Ben hugged the little boy tightly.

“Mommy told me to hide when the bad men came.”

“Good job buddy, you did good. Come on we are going to go get some help.” Ben helped Luke into the SUV and buckled him in. Ben turned the SUV around and headed back into town.

“Luke, did you see what the bad guys looked like?”

Luke shook his head.

“They make mommy fall asleep. They carried her.”

Ben pushed his foot on the accelerator a little harder.

“Luke, did you see bad guy’s car?”

“Yes. I want mommy.”

“I know, buddy. What color was the car?”

“It was black.”

“The same color as your daddy’s?”

“Yes.”

Ben remembered the black SUV he had passed on the way back to the house from town. It had seemed out of place now that Ben thought about it.

“What it like a truck?”

“Yes. I want mommy,” Luke sobbed.

“I know, buddy.”

He reached back and touched Luke’s leg.

Ben pulled up to the police station and grabbed Luke out of the back seat. He carried Luke in with him. He identified himself as a detective and recounted the story for the local police. The police put out an APB for a black SUV.  He called Rachel’s sister to let her know what was happening. She was going to set off to meet Ben in town. He also placed a call to Marty. Ben and Luke went back to the house with the local police so they can gather evidence from the scene.

McKinley Park-Chapter 22

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Four hours and six rest stops into what should have been a two and a half-hour drive; Ben pulled off of the two-lane highway up a dirt road. Rachel had agreed to go away for a few days while Derek’s face was all over the news. Becky was too close to her due date to leave the boys behind, and leaving them with Rhett was not an option for the moment. Rachel hoped that a road trip with the boys would not be too much for Ben, but he seemed to be enjoying himself most of all.

“I used to come up here with my brothers and my dad when I was a teenager for a few weeks every summer.  My grandfather built this house. My grandparents lived here their whole married life. It’s tranquil up here, peaceful. My brothers usually grab it on weekends in the summer.” Ben said as he pulled into the long driveway.

The old farmhouse came into view around the bank of trees. It stood proudly with its sharply pitched roof and a big wrap-around porch. Although it was old and full of character, it was well kept. Ben pulled Rachel’s new SUV up to the front of the house. He grabbed the luggage and Rachel grabbed the box of groceries they had stopped to buy back in town, five miles back down the road as the boys ran off towards the lake behind the house.

“No swimming guys. Tommy, please hold Luke’s hand.” Rachel shouted towards the boys.

Ben smiled.

“What?” Rachel asked.

“I used to do the same thing. The lake is pretty shallow for about twenty feet.”

“Luke has only just learned how to swim; it just makes me nervous.”

“I get it. Why don’t we go settle in? We are the only ones up here; no one will bother them.”

“Okay.”

Rachel stepped up onto the old wooden porch, noticing the well-worn porch swing. Ben opened the front door and stepped inside as Rachel followed. The old farmhouse had a welcoming, lived-in feel with a tall staircase off to the left that led up the second floor, and to the right was a living room, the furniture, clearly second hand. Directly opposite, the front door, were a set of double doors. Ben put down the suitcases and walked across the foyer to open them both. Two old screen doors sat in front. Rachel walked up next to Ben and looked out at a small lake behind the house. From the front of the house, you couldn’t see it. The water reflected on the ceiling of the foyer, as the breeze blew threw the house. It was late-September, and one of the last properly hot days.

“Ben, this is so beautiful.” Rachel said as she looked out over the lake. Seeing the boys splashing and looking at the small fish in the lake.

“It is, isn’t it? I don’t come up here a whole lot, I never find the time. What would you like to do first swim, unpack, relax?”

“How about see the rest of the house and put the groceries away?”

“Okay sounds like a plan.”

Ben showed Rachel the three bedrooms upstairs along with the bathroom that had a clawfoot tub, large enough for her and Ben to fit into. Ben grabbed the small box of groceries they had bought as he made his way down the hallway to the kitchen. Most of the appliances would be considered vintage at this point, but Rachel found it charming. As they put away the few groceries they would need for the weekend, Rachel took stock of what they had bought.

“I think we forgot the milk at the store.” Rachel said, looking around for it.

“Maybe I left it in the SUV.” Ben turned and walked out to go to find it.

He returned a minute later empty-handed.

“I must have left it on the counter at the store. There’s a chance Margo might run it up here after the store closes, if not I will run into town and get some tomorrow morning. Do we need it for dinner?”

“No, I bought lamb chops we could cook them on the stovetop or grill them. Is there a grill?”

“Is there a grill? There is a grill. It’s so old and so well seasoned, I think it is as old as I am. That is the granddaddy of grills.”

Rachel laughed.

“I didn’t know grill talk got you so hot, pun intended.” She laughed again.

Ben laughed too, from the gut.

“Well we only have one rule here, everything stops to take in the sunset on the back porch. We have about 25 minutes or so. Are you game?”

“Absolutely, let me just marinate these lamb chops.”

“Do you want some help?”

“No, thank you. How about you go start that sexy grill. It will time out perfectly.”

Tommy and the boys ran into the kitchen.

“Mom, can we swim? Please?”

“I’ll keep an eye on them, while I am starting the grill,” Ben said.

“Alright. Just for a little bit, it is going to get dark soon.”

“Come on, guys; I’ll show you your rooms. I put your suitcases up there already.”

“Such service!” Luke said, very matter of fact.

Everyone laughed.

Rachel set to starting dinner watching the clock that hung on the wall; she wanted to see this amazing sunset that everything stopped for. Hearing her boys squeal and laugh was like salve to her wounded soul. She finished just in time; after the sunset, they would be ready to grill. The veggies she had bought to go with were cleaned and chopped, and the lamb chops were marinating. She washed her hands and walked out of the kitchen out onto the back porch.

Ben had transformed the porch from charming to luxurious; There was another swing that faced the lake, it now had cushions on it, so did the deck chairs. The citronella candles had been lit as the particles floating through the air above the lake glowed orange. It was like stepping into a dream. Ben turned as he saw her walk out of the back door.

“Ben, this is gorgeous!” Rachel said.

“Wait, wait.” Ben handed her a glass of red wine as he gestured to the swing.

Rachel sat and sunk into the plush cushion. The air had cooled considerably as the sun began to set. Ben grabbed the blanket he had hung over the back of the swing and set it over her lap before he sat next to her. Rachel leaned into Ben and looked up at him. He stroked the side of her face and kissed her gently.

“My grandfather started this tradition. No matter what were doing here at the lake, everything stopped for these ten minutes or so. It brought everyone together before the night’s festivities got started. Usually, the grown-ups would have a drink or two. I remember the first time I was offered a drink; I felt like a man. My grandfather handed me a scotch, it was more water than scotch, but man, I didn’t care. I’ve had a lot of great memories out here.”

“That’s sweet. How old were you?”

“Maybe fifteen. As I got older, there was less and less water. I can’t smell scotch till this day without thinking of my grandfather out here on this porch.”

“That is amazing. It is a treasure.”

“It is, and so are you. Before you came into my life, I thought I had everything, and then you came along, and your boys and now I couldn’t imagine life without you.”

“I love you, Ben.”

“I love you too.”

“We should call the boys up; it’s getting chilly.”

“Nah, let them play. They’ll come up when they get cold.”

Rachel smiled and took a sip of her wine and laid her head on Ben’s shoulder as she watched the sun setting and her boys having the time of their life, she was so very happy.

As the last of the daylight faded, Rachel called the boys up to wash up for dinner. She went upstairs with the boys to get them washed and redressed as Ben set to grilling dinner. Rachel changed into a cotton sundress for dinner and pulled her hair down, so it fell softly around her shoulders. She came out onto the back porch hearing music playing. She recognised the artist right away. It was Etta James; it was the first song they had danced to in Ben’s office, back in Chicago. Rachel smiled; Ben’s sentimentality warmed her heart.

He walked up to her taking her into his arms.

“You look amazing. Will you dance with me?”

“Thank you. Of course.”

They began to sway to the music.

“This is how we do things “lake style,” Ben said before he leant down and kissed Rachel.

Before they knew it, they were standing still in the middle of the back porch not dancing but kissing. It was the type of kiss that made the whole world float away.

“Ewww Mom,” Evan said.

Rachel pulled away embarrassed as the boys came back up onto the porch. They had come down before Rachel and had already been out in the yard catching lightning bugs. Luke brought the jar up onto the porch proudly.

“Look, mommy; we got so many!” He said proudly.

“Wow, that is super cool.” Rachel said as she bent down to inspect the jar of insects.

“Dinner’s ready,” Ben said as he put the lamb chops onto the big plate and finished pulling the vegetables off of the grill.

“Go wash up again, guys.” Rachel said as Luke handed her the jar of bugs.

She set the jar down on the railing of the porch.

After dinner, which they ate out on the back deck with the noise of the frogs and crickets serenading them. Ben and Rachel curled back up on the swing, as the boys went back to catching bugs. It was getting late, but the boys were having so much fun. Rachel swung her feet onto Ben’s lap as he happily rubbed them for her. They were both completely relaxed. The moon reflected off of the lake as they swung slowly.

“Thank you for bringing us up here. Look how happy the boys are. You are a good man; I love you, Ben Carter.”

“Rachel, I love you too. I was hoping that I would get to bring you here someday. It means a lot to me. I have spent some wonderful and some tough times here. I know it sounds stupid, but it feels like this house was magic for me, it seemed to heal broken hearts, cures loneliness, and so much more.”

Rachel leant forward and rubbed the side of Ben’s cheek.

“My brothers and I would camp out on this porch when it got sweltering. We had so much fun out here.”

Rachel lent back as Ben rubbed the arch of her foot and Rachel moaned.

“That feels great.” She said.

“Rachel, I want to ask you something.” Ben looked at her.

“Okay?”

“Sitting here on this porch with you, the boys playing the yard, this is what life should be. I’ve waited for a long time for the perfect woman to come along. I didn’t think she existed until I first saw you. The more time I spend with you, the more in love with you I fall. I want to spend the rest of my life falling for you every day. Rachel, will you marry me?”

Rachel was speechless.

“Ben, I don’t know what to say.”

“I know I sprung this on you. I’m sorry, it just felt right. You don’t have to answer right now.”

“Okay”

“Okay, you’ll think about it?”

“Okay, I will marry you, under one condition, the boys must consent too. If they aren’t ready, then we will have to wait.”

“Are you serious? You’ll marry me?” Ben could not believe Rachel had said yes. It was his dream come true.

“As long as the boys are okay with it, yes.”

Ben slid Rachel’s feet off of his lap and stood up. He reached out for her, and she stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ben pulled her close as he kissed her.