Stepping from the SUV, Bevis took in the enormous stone garage with floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed natural light into the space, bringing a view of the river with a backdrop of forest and mountains. Bevis could have taken that view in all day. It was beautiful. Following the line of the stone walls, she found they held metal racks which contained a fantastic variety of tools. A carpentry bench and pottery wheel stood adjacent in one corner, and nearby shelves displayed each work in different stages of completion.

"Come on," Jason said, "there is more to see upstairs. If you like the view, you should see it from upstairs."

She followed him toward the narrow wooden stairs rising through the ceiling to the next floor, watching him take them two at a time as though he was anxious to get to the top to join in whatever may be happening upstairs. Bevis followed slowly, taking in the smells of wood and polish before seeing the beautifully arranged open floor plan of the next level, a large sitting room with a double-sized stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows, followed by a long wooden dining room table and chairs, and the kitchen taking up the remainder of the long room. Wondering toward the gathered family, Bevis could feel the love in every part of the house, something unusual, yet she liked the sensation. Turning in a circle taking in the high wooden ceilings and the views from every possible angle, she finally made her way to where they all stood at the kitchen counter sipping at chilled glasses of light-coloured liquid or condensing beer bottles.

"What would you like a drink?" Caroline smiled and asked, pointing at a nearby trolley, "Soda, wine, beer, or if you need something a little stronger, we have choices there as well."

"White wine?" Bevis asked.

"Absolutely," Josiah said, "coming right up," he lifted a large wine glass from a nearby tray and headed for the wine fridge to the side of the trolley. Bevis watched as he selected a bottle and poured a large amount into the glass before returning to the counter and sliding it and the container of ice cubes toward her, "Enjoy."

"Thanks," she said, adding an ice block or two before sipping her wine, "nice wine," she smiled, glancing at the three as they watched her, "um ..." she cleared her throat and frowned as a thought drifted through her mind, "if Jason had a place on this land," Bevis said, starting tentatively, "do Jake and Candy have their own places as well?"

"Of course, even Josiah and I have a place," Caroline said, "we all live here, and we love being together, but every now and again, we need our own space."

Bevis turned to Jason, a frown puckering between her eyes, "Then why are you selling your cabin and land?"

Jason shifted as his parents turned to look at him, "Told you why," he said quietly, "to help out a friend."

"Do I know your friend?" Bevis asked, narrowing her eyes as she began to suspect what this was all about, "does your friend have a name?"

"Of course, my friend has a name," Jason chuckled, "and no, you don't know my friend ..." he put up his hand to stop any further questions, "and no, I'm not telling you any more about my friend," he glanced at his parents, "besides I very rarely use it and it's a beautiful spot that should be appreciated."

Bevis stared at him unblinkingly as his parents looked between the two of them. She heard his rational words, but there was something about his expression she couldn't put her finger on.

"Why did you give me the address?" Bevis asked, "I'm sure someone more appreciative of what can be done in that space would buy it?"

"Perhaps, but a person like that probably already has a place like mine," Jason said, "meaning they don't need mine."

"You think I do?" Bevis asked, frowning at him.

"I think you need a space to be yourself," Jason said, "besides, you loved the décor."

"You did?" Caroline asked, surprise and joy spreading across her face, "really?"

Bevis glared at Jason before facing Caroline and smiling, "Loved everything about it."

"Then you'll buy it?" Josiah asked, looking between Jason and Bevis.

"I would love to, but it's way below market value," Bevis said, looking at Jason, "why is that?"

Caroline chuckled, "I like her."

"Me too," whispered Josiah, "yes Jason ... why is that?"

Jason shook his head, smothering a laugh, "It's a fair asking price, and since I don't need to

buy another place with an exorbitant price tag attached to it," he sighed, "that is what I'm asking for it."

A tall, well-dressed man appeared at the side door near the river and waved his hand. Caroline nodded and picked up her wine glass.

"Looks like lunch is ready," she said, "we can talk about this some more."

"If you mean about Bevis signing the paper," Jason said, "I agree."

"We're not forcing her into anything," Josiah said, "if Bevis would like to buy it, she will talk about the subject when she is happy to sign the papers ..." he raised his eyebrows at his son, "but we're not going to chat about reasons why she needs to buy them or not."

Bevis sat back; the view was inspiring, the food was delicious, and Jason's parents were surprisingly just themselves, and she liked them. The conversation had been on various topics, but they had never spoken of her buying Jason's cabin; Josiah had kept his word.

"While the men do the dishes," Caroline said, smiling at the two men, "why don't you and I," she looked at Bevis, "take our drinks and wander down to the river," she pointed to where a swing chair sat under a large tree, "it's the best place to enjoy the view and its cooler than up here."

Bevis smiled, "I'd like that."

"Great," Caroline smiled, picking up her drink, "you can tell me all about that river rafting trip."

"You told them?" Bevis asked, looking at Jason.

"Yes, it is where I met you," Jason said, collecting the dishes, "go ... mom is waiting."

Bevis shook her head, picked up her drink and followed Caroline to the bench. The breeze playing through the trees was cooling, and the closer sound of the river reminded her of the nights sleeping on the river banks. Bevis was silent for a long time, sipping at her drink and feeling herself relax even more. Caroline shifted a little turning toward her and resting her arm along the back of the swing as it moved slowly back and forth.

"Jason has never brought home someone from a trip before," Caroline said, "he must really like you."

"I don't know about that," Bevis said, "perhaps pity me, but like ..." she frowned before sighing, "I know that I'm grateful for changing his plans and leading our group. I don't think I would have gotten through the trip if Brad had led it."

"I've never met this Brad, but what I've heard of him, he seems ..." Caroline frowned, "difficult."

Bevis laughed. It felt good to be able to without explaining why every time. Turning a little to face Caroline, she grinned.

"You don't need to be polite," Bevis said, "Brad is a psychotic, psychopathic sociopath."

"Wow," Caroline nodded, "as bad as that?"

Bevis nodded, "I was desperate enough to go on this trip to get away from him. I didn't ask the questions I should have," she sighed, looking out at the river, "it was only until the night before we left that Chelsea and I realised what it was all about. I knew there was a fifty-fifty chance I wouldn't make it."

"Oh, come on," Caroline chuckled, "you can't be that bad."

"I'm not really an active kind of person; for instance, I took canoeing lessons at a community centre," Bevis said, "it capsized, and I was trapped under the water ..." she shook her head, "...if it hadn't been for an alert instructor at the pool's edge, I would have drowned."

Caroline stared at her, "You're serious?"

"Yes," Bevis said, "I tried rock climbing to surprise Brad with a weekend away on a couples rock climbing retreat ... I broke my wrist when I slipped on the way down."

"What did Brad say to all of these events?" Caroline asked, her brows tightly puckering between her eyes.

"He laughed and called me pathetic and useless," Bevis whispered, "in the year we dated, I tried other things as well, but I never told him about them. Every time something happened to prove to myself, I was not as outdoorsy as other women. Chelsea is even more outdoorsy than I am, and she was in a panic attack the night before as well, but she fared better than I did."

"Who is Chelsea?" Caroline asked.

"My best friend since I can remember," Bevis said, "more like a sister than a friend."

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"What about your family?" Caroline asked, "Where are they?"

Bevis stared out at the river, not knowing how to say the words she had never spoken of her family. Not since ... it ... happened. Inhaling, she cleared her throat and closed her eyes; perhaps it was time she braced herself and said the words.

"I was an only child," she said, locking her gaze on the trees across the river, "my parents were the best, and we had a wonderful life together. They were fun to have around and had many friends; everyone seemed to love them. They were generous, kind, giving and forgiving people. Helped everyone and anyone who asked them or simply needed it. We had so many strays in our home or all species of animals; sometimes I would sleep sitting up, so everyone was comfortable," she smiled at the memories, "we kept in touch all the time."

"You keep using "were", what happened?" Caroline asked.

"Unfortunately, my father was killed in a car accident three years ago, and my mother ..." Bevis shook her head, "my mother locked herself away in her grief ..." clearing her throat before continuing, "she ... um ... she died six months later."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Caroline said, gently placing her hand on Bevis' arm, "I would have loved to ask them why they named you Bevis and not a female version of the name."

Bevis chuckled, "Oh, that was my Dad," she said, "he was convinced it was a unisex name, and when he discovered it wasn't and wanted to change it, I was already a teenager and loved the confusion it caused."

Caroline smiled, "I can imagine that," she looked across the river, "this spot is my favourite. You can see the mountains in the distance, the fork of the river up there and with little effort, what is also happening in the other direction."

Bevis watched Caroline momentarily before smiling, "You like to be in control of every point of your life. Why?"

"You are correct, but why do you sound so surprised?" Caroline asked.

"You have outstanding protection here on this land," Bevis said, "you have a family around you that adores you and would do anything for you. Why the need for control?"

Caroline smiled slightly, her sparkling gaze clouding with worry. She was quiet for so long that Bevis thought her question would go unanswered. Eventually, Caroline met her gaze.

"Before I met Josiah," she whispered, "I was ..." she hesitated, cleared her throat, "I lived on my own in the city, had a good job, friends, a social life," she shook her head, "everything that was supposed to mean something."

"I know what you mean," Bevis said, "but somehow, it's never enough."

"No, it isn't, and I think that is how I ended up the subject of a stalker's obsession," Caroline said, "I've never been able to pinpoint the exact thing that caught his attention. It was subtle at first, but as I continued to ignore him and what he was doing ... or trying to do, he began to make it more clear that I was the object ..." she looked away, cleared her throat again and swallowed hard. "I had been to the police about him; according to them, there was nothing they could do unless he physically attacked me and suggested I get a restraining order."

"Did you?" Bevis asked, her attention fully captured with Caroline's story.

"Oh yes," Caroline nodded, "but it meant nothing; he continued doing as he wished. Tormenting, torturing, following, leaving notes for me ... I cannot remember feeling so scared before it started, but after it ended ... I was too scared to be in a crowd where he could get to me easily. I was too scared to be on my own ... every moment of my day was filled with fear of what he could do," she said, frowning and sighing, "I had to work one night at an event for a company founded by Josiah's family. It was a huge celebration, and I was asked to put it all together as an event planner and decorator. It was the big break I was waiting for, something that could launch my career and company into making those coveted big bucks."

"I bet it was the event of the year," Bevis whispered, "what happened?"

"It was going well," Caroline said, "the décor was tasteful and yet beautiful, the food was outstanding, and the pieces fitted together like a well-oiled machine," she sighed, "it was after the speeches and the dancing had begun when I was called away for a phone call. Looking back, I should have known what to expect, but I was in my element and went to take the call, except there was no one on the other side, as I was returning to the function ..." she swallowed, closing her eyes and inhaling, "he tried to physically assault me ..." Caroline shuddered, "it came out of nowhere. To this day, I don't know if he wanted to abduct me or kill me. I tried to fight him off, and apparently, I screamed," she frowned deeply, "the next thing I remember is him being pulled off me and flung against the opposite wall. I barely remember getting away from them; I have a hazy recollection of locking myself in the office and calling the police," she sighed, "I don't know how long I sat staring blankly or the length of time it was before they knocked on the office door. They coaxed me to unlock the door. Josiah stood there protectively watching everything and wouldn't leave me along with them even though they requested it a few times."

"What happened to your stalker?" Bevis asked.

"He was arrested," Caroline said, smiling tightly, "did his time of five years and got out again. Josiah had made it a mission that I was protected, and he had stayed in touch since that night. We became ... friends," she smiled, "he arrived home with me one night to find the man sitting in my living room."

Bevis gasped, "No. What happened?"

"Well, Josiah told him to leave," Caroline said, matter-of-factly, "the man pulled a gun and tried to shoot me," Caroline swallowed hard, "there was a struggle, and the gun went off," she blinked rapidly as though the memories were still fresh, "I thought Josiah had been shot, but it was ... him. I called for an ambulance and the police. I don't know if they were close, but they arrived simultaneously. He was taken to the hospital under police custody, and I was told my home was a crime scene. I had nowhere to go. Josiah had been asking me to move here for some time, which seemed logical after my tormentor broke in. I packed my things, took my company and moved out here."

"And you stayed," Bevis said, smiling.

"At first, it was hard to get used to," Caroline said, "there are restrictions in place dictating what can and cannot be done with and on the land, but as time passed, I learnt I was safe here, and no one could get to me without someone knowing about it."

"What is so special about this land?" Bevis asked.

"It's part of an ancient trust managed by Josiah's family. It was created to protect those in trouble or needing a place of refuge from persecution," Caroline said, "the only reason I was able to stay here was because of the danger I was in," she said, "the kind you are now. The only reason I could remain here and eventually marry Josiah was that my tormentor lived," Caroline said, "if he had died, I could have gone home, and life would have continued."

"Is that why Jason is selling me his cabin?" Bevis asked.

"I'm guessing it may be one of the reasons," Caroline said, "but I think it may be more than that ... Jason genuinely requires funds for his business. He doesn't stay there often any more," Caroline said, "he is at the main house a lot ... it's as though he has lost the need for solitary tranquillity and needs people around."

Bevis nodded, turning to the river and taking in the beauty around her. She needed to think, time to process all of this; she could feel Caroline watching her, waiting.

"You spoke of restrictions," Bevis said, still watching the river flow past them, "what are they?"

"There are many," Caroline said, "but it comes down to the basics ... you cannot use the cabin or the land for any kind of revelry. It's to be honoured, used for living on, healing, growing and moving forward."

"But there are more," Bevis whispered, "if I agree to buy the cabin will I need to agree with all of the restrictions?"

"Yes, you will," Caroline said, "do you want a copy to read through?"

"I think that will be a good idea," Bevis said, nodding, "I have much to think about."

"Yes ... you do," Caroline turned as a heavy tread was heard, "something's happened."

Bevis turned to see Jason and Josiah heading toward them. The severe expression in their eyes and faces had Bevis pushing from the bench as she watched them approach. Locking with Jason's gaze, Bevis felt her blood run cold.

"What's happened?" she asked, looking between the two men, who glanced at each other, "no ..." she stepped backwards blindly, heading for the bank of the river, "not Chelsea."

Jason sprung forward, grasping her around the waist and pulling her toward him, "You'll be in shock and wet if you take another step."

Bevis glanced behind her, gasping at how close she was to the cold water, "Thank you," she whispered, allowing Jason to move her toward the swing again and pushing her to the wooden surface, "what happened to Chelsea?"

"Jake is with her," Josiah said, "she is a little shaken but okay."

"That is good to hear," Caroline said, taking Bevis' shaking hand in a gentle grasp, "but that is not what she asked."

"He was waiting for her," Jason said, "Jake said he was furious he couldn't locate you and wanted to know where you were. Chelsea wouldn't tell him, and he ..." Jason cleared his throat, "Brad attacked her."

Bevis closed her eyes, "This is never going to end."

"Yes, it will," Jason whispered, "it is going to end because Jake and I are going to make sure it will."

Bevis looked at Jason, her eyes filled with tears, "That is sweet, but you cannot be there every moment of every day."

Jason smiled before looking at his father and mother, "Actually, I can and will."

Bevis frowned, shaking her head, "I don't understand."

"You buy my cabin, and I'll use a bedroom," Jason said, "I'll be your bodyguard."

Bevis chuckled, "You're not a bodyguard."

"For us to keep with the code required of the family managing this land," Josiah said, "we have to be everything that is required for the protection of the land, and people allowed to live off it."

Bevis absently nodded, "Where is Chelsea now?"

"She is being checked out at a hospital," Josiah said, glancing at Caroline, who nodded, "once she is allowed to leave, Jake will be bringing her here."

"Where is Brad?" Bevis whispered.

"Since he attacked Chelsea ... and Jake when he stepped in to protect her," Jason said, "the police have arrested him, we're hoping they will be able to hold him indefinitely, but it may not be possible."

Nodding, Bevis stared at the river flowing by; the yearning to keep moving past all the problems rose again, slamming into her. A gentle hand on her knee drew her gaze to Jason's as he crouched before her.

"Considering what has happened," he said quietly, "we all think it would be best for you to stay here tonight. Both Chelsea and yourself."

Bevis stared at him as his words sank in, flinching as she looked at his parents, "I can't."

"Why not?" Caroline asked, watching every move she made.

"I don't have anything with me," Bevis said, "no clothes, toiletries ..." her words trailed off as the severity of her situation became very real, "I have nothing ... and nowhere to go."

Caroline groaned slightly, moving closer and pulling Bevis into a gentle embrace, "You always have somewhere to go and as for clothes and toiletries ..." she kissed the top of Bevis' head, "I'm sure we can find a toothbrush and other things for you," she sighed, "please stay here at least for tonight. I would feel easier if both of you were safe."

Bevis slowly straightened, nodding, moving out of the gentle grasp; she felt disjointed, as though she was looking at everything through someone else's eyes, hearing what was happening through someone else's ears. She felt ... numb ... shocked ...lost.

She could see who was around her and heard what was happening and what was said, but nothing seemed to penetrate past the numbing wall of shock. It would have been one thing if it had been herself attacked by Brad, but that he focused on Chelsea was something she could not comprehend, not compute ... it wouldn't sink in and allow her to process what was happening. She felt herself being led back to the house by Jason, his gentle touch and care were nearly her undoing, but she forced herself to hold the emotion at bay. She needed to clear her mind, think, process, and plan ... but nothing seemed to work. Something was pressed into her hand. Looking down at the object, she found a chilled glass of water and absently wondered what she had to do with it.

Caroline spoke from her left side; looking up, she stared blankly at her, "Drink the water," the words came to her through the fog in her mind. Looking at the glass again, she lifted it to her lips, blindly drinking the contents until it was finished. Someone took the empty glass and wrapped her in a soft blanket. A fire was lit, she could smell the wood burning, and she was settled near its warmth.

"Is there anything I can get you?" Jason asked as he knelt in her line of sight. She stared at him, blinked twice in confusion as his words entered her mind, and slowly shook her head, "I'm here if you need me."

Bevis nodded and stared into the flames.