The light in the center of my darkness

I moved around the blanket frantically floundering for my clothes. I grasped a piece of clothing when I found myself being pulled back by my ankel. I started to scream as I dug my nails in the ground with uncertainty. I felt heat wrap around me as I came back to myself. I smelled the familiar scent of horses and leather. I turned around in the familar arms and felt his face. My ears were still ringing and I couldn't hear a word he said. I was just glad he was alive. My thought then turned to Molly and I started to panic. I wistled for Molly and waited. She didn't come and I started to get worried. I felt myself lifted up and my pants handed to me. I slipped them on as my shirt was handed to me. I quickly dressed and then followed as Rick guided me towards Molly. He stopped me short and then stepped away from me. I stayed very still as I had no guidence. I felt so lost in the alone feeling without Molly by my side.

I felt a hard thump on the ground in front of me and jumped back. It wasn't until I felt the fur of my companion that I dropped to my knees and hugged her tightly. I had never felt so relieved in my life and I couldn't have expressed it in that moment. I knew that both Rick and Molly were safe. It then hit me that somehow the ranchhand had been hurt. I sat hard on the ground and started to cry. I had my life threatened and almost lost someone I cared about over some random person's jealousy. I could have lost more than Rick and Molly, I could have left my children without a mother. I felt my body get lifted from the ground and I was carried over to my horse. I could send that Molly was nearby and everything seemed so right.

It wasn't too long before we headed back to the ranch and I felt a bit safer. I heard the commotion in the yard and sighed. I knew Molly would keep me out of the fray, but I was still worried about Rick.

"Rick, what's going on?" I guess he could hear the worry in my voice.

I felt a movement up beside me and knew that he came over to touch me. I grasped his hand. "I called the cops while we were back by the lake. Didn't you hear me?"

I shook my head. "I didn't hear anything, just the ringing in my ears. About half way back I got my hearing back. That shot was really loud."

He reached over and hugged me tightly. "I am so sorry Mara, I hadn't a clue that you couldn't hear me. I told you that I called the cops and that everything would be alright. He is injured, not dead. I hogtied him to the saddle so he couldn't do any damage. I am going to hand him over and do what must me done, but Mara they are going to want your statement.

I nodded my head. "I am going to get off the horse then and have Molly lead me to the porch. I don't want anyone to know about my so called 'disability', I do fine without help. Plus, I don't need anything getting back to my boss. I could lose my job and then what would the kids and I do." I moved out of the saddle and whistled to Molly.

She came over to me and put my hand on her back. I petted her as we slowly walked towards the porch. I heard hellos and good days come from around me and I nodded my head and smiled. It seemed that no one noticed and I was glad of that. When I heard steps behind me I sighed and sat down on the swing with Molly at my feet.

"Ma'am is that dog of yours tame?" The female voice sounded a bit pensive.

"Oh she is friendly,she just likes to be close to Momma is all. How can I help you today Miss?" I heard the sound of a chair scrape the floor and knew the woman was pulling a chair close.

"I need to know what you saw out there. I know it must have been difficult for you, but whatever you remember could be very helpful."

I sighed. "Well, Rick, Molly here and I were down by the lake enjoying the day when I heard a rustle in the bushes and then the guy started to tell us that that he was going to kill us. I got scared and then heard the gunshot. I was really worried because two people I care about were in danger. After that it was just a jumble and I don't remember too much."

"You can't remember anything after that?" Her voice held a hint out doubt.

"Look to be honest with you I really don't. My mind was going too fast and I kinda lost it. The next thing that I do remember is riding back with Rick and him having a hogtied ranchhand on the back of his horse. If I do remember something I will let you know though."

She was silent for a moment as her pen went a mile a minute on something I could only guess was a pad of paper. I got up off the swing and looked at her. "If you need anything else leave your info with Rick and he will make sure I get it. I am going to go in and lay down now." I held my hand out to her. "Have a good day Miss."

She shook my hand and I whistled to Molly who led me to the door. I opened it and walked in without a backward glance. Somehow or another I was going to get through this with my secret in tact.