Deadly Inheritance (completed)

Chapter 23

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One month after the kidnapping

Ryan

We've been back home for a month now. Charlie is still recovering from what her father and Steven did to her. She has barely talked to anyone else about what happened and won't leave the house. I know she's scared of him finding her here, but she's hiding from everyone like she's still a prisoner, she can't live this way. It's like we're starting all over again with her. She's not eating or sleeping again and she panics over little things worse than before. I can't babysit her. I have to run the ranch, we have to make this place work or when our ninety days are up, and if we can't pay, we lose everything.

I'm out here riding along the fence line doing my job and thinking about it all and what we can do to fix this. When we first got back, I kept my distance and helped her with her wounds. Her back was really in bad shape from what those monsters did to her. I've kept my hands to myself so I wouldn't hurt her, it just looked so painful every time I went to touch her I had to stop myself. I didn't want to be the one to cause her more pain. I've not pushed or even mentioned sex. I'm dealing with it, but it's not easy in fact, every day it gets harder.

Now I'm worried. I want my girl back. Charlie hasn't bounced back like I thought she would and it's got me worried, really worried that maybe he pushed her too far this time. Maybe I lost her inside herself because that's where she feels safe. I wasn't the person who could save her, I couldn't love enough or give her that sense of security Charlie needs to feel she can move forward. I don't know what else to do. I just don't know anymore.

"You know anyone could sneak up on you when you daydream this way!" Natalie says as she walks over to me from the side of the road. I didn't even hear her drive up. Shit! That's not good. I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. Getting down off my horse I tie her to the tree and walk over to her.

"Sorry, I was just preoccupied. What are you doing out here? I thought you were going into town to help Baxter today?" I ask trying to avoid the subject of why I'm preoccupied. I really don't want my sister all up in my business. This is between Charlie and me.

"I was." Natalie says climbing up on to the fence. "Baxter wanted to come over. He's got a lead to Charlie's money and he knows how to get it. He just needs Charlie's signature and we are off."

"What's the plan?" I ask, now she has my full attention. I cross my arms over my chest and wait to hear it.

"He found Charlie's mother. She can sign over the trust to Charlie. It only takes one parent to approve her getting the trust, then Charlie can get her money and the ranch plan will be golden." Natalie grins at me. "Why are you so worried? Don't you think she'll do it?"

"It's not that, it's nothing. If you can make this happen then that's great maybe it'll take some of the stress off of her." I tell her.

"Stress? What stress? What's wrong with Charlie? Ryan what aren't you telling me, are you two fighting?" Natalie suddenly threw questions at me.

"No we aren't fighting! She's not saying anything to me! I haven't even touched her to get mad at me." I growl at her.

"Wait! Go back, We've been back a month and you two haven't..." I shake my head no to her question. "Why? Did he hurt her that badly she's still recovering?"

"Nat, it's Charlie emotionally. She's not getting better. She's not eating or sleeping, I can't even get her to cook. I don't know what to do. I think I lost her." I admit my fear to my sister in hopes she can help me. There's a brief look that floats over Nat's face and before I can read it, it's gone.