The next morning she woke to a soft knock on Forrest's bedroom door. They had made love several times through the night and after the first time, all memories of the fear was gone. She had collapsed, draped across his chest and slept through until the knock sounded a second time. Rose didn't move, she kept her eyes closed, feigning sleep. She didn't want this to end. Forrest lifted his head and reached down to pulled the quilt over her so she was covered.

Peter cracked the door a moment later. "Have you seen-" he started to ask but stopped his eyes widening for a moment and then he quietly pulled the door closed behind him.

Forrest rolled back to her, snaking his arms around her stomach he buried his face up under her hair and pressed feather light kisses along her neck just behind her ear. Rose curled her toes and fought to remain still. His lips were soft, and his fingers stroked lightly down the side of her hips. Desire rolled through her stomach and she squirmed back against him.

"Oh, are you awake?" he asked innocently.

Giggling she rolled within the circle of his arms so she could look up at him. His skin was warm and smooth against hers. She ran her hands up and down his arms reveling in her ability to touch him.

"Hmm," she said in mock agitation. "I was trying to sleep. Seems not much sleeping happens in this room. Might have to return to my own." And she sat up, letting the sheet pool around her waist. Something about the way Forrest looked at her made her feel beautiful and powerful. Bold.

He laughed and slung an arm around her waist pulling her back against him. "Sorry, that room is no longer available." Then he rolled over on top of her and slid is fingers down to tease her. "Did you still want to get some sleep?" he asked in a husky voice.

Rose didn't.

They got up about an hour later. Rose wrapped herself in one of his flannel shirts and skittered across the hall into her own room to get dressed. It was nearly nine in the morning and Rose headed down to make breakfast with a spring in her step. She couldn't remember the last time she was so happy. Even if she hadn't gotten that much sleep. Even the fire from last night seemed like a pale memory. She knew they would need to deal with the man from Chicago still, but thoughts of that couldn't bring down her good mood.

Peter and Arthur were both sitting at the counter when she appeared. They had cups of coffee already in front of them. "Morning boys," she said brightly. She scooped up the pot and refreshed their cups. Forrest stepped out of the kitchen with an empty cup. She gave him a shy smile and filled his cup.

"What can I get you boys for breakfast?" she asked.

Both Arthur and Peter looked exhausted.

"Hot cakes?" she asked.

They nodded.

The door slammed, and Rose turned to see the sheriff.

He tipped his hat. "Morn'in Miss Rose."

"Sheriff," she greeted.

"I came on up to check on y'all and see how you're gett'in on this morning," he said a little shyly.

"Well thank you," she said sweetly. "Can I get you some breakfast? I'm about to make some hotcakes."

"Why that would be lovely ma'am," he said and moved to the counter.

A few moments later the door slammed again. Rose peeked her head out of the kitchen again, this time with a mixing bowl under her arm. Floyd was standing in the doorway awkwardly. When he spotted the sheriff he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Just wanted to stop by and make sure y'all were okay. We saw the fire last night."

Rose smiled warmly. "Thank you so much for checking."

Floyd nodded, and turned a little pink behind his ears.

"Please, join us for breakfast. I'm just making hotcakes." Floyd sat on the far end of the counter next to the sheriff. Forrest stood and poured Floyd a cup of coffee. Floyd nodded his thank you but still seemed to lo intimidated to speak to Forrest. Rose gave him a reassuring smile before returning to the kitchen.

Rose came out of the kitchen a few minutes later, three plates balanced on her arms. "Just you boys wait; this is going to be amazing. I found a jar of Miss Lilly's applesauce."

There was a man standing in the doorway. He was tall and slim with short red-brown hair brushed flat to his head. He wore an expensive suit and shining black shoes.

He looked like he was from Chicago, but Rose knew he was from Memphis.

The plates hit the floor at her feet, but she didn't move, she couldn't move. All she could do was stare at the man in the doorway. He was dead, he had to be dead, how was he standing in front of her?

"Hello Lorelei."

Forrest had his back to the door, but when he heard the new comer say her name he rose to his feet and turned. He saw it immediately, if the use of her name wasn't enough, they looked a lot a like.

"I've come to bring you home," he said.

Forrest's eyes ranged to where Sheriff Avery and Floyd were sipping their coffee and then back to the man in the doorway. He stepped to Rose, and put himself between her and the newcomer. This must be the man the man from Chicago thought was their boss.

Rose still hadn't moved. She was swaying on her feet and he was worried about her.

"No words for me sister? Not even a hug for your big brother"

Forrest saw red at that and started for him. Rose snatched onto his bicep. "No Forrest," she whispered, looking at the sheriff who seemed to notice the situation for the very first time. "we can't do this like this. The sheriff will arrest you if you attack him."

Jon smiled at her words. "I see you found yourself a hillbilly to manipulate into taking care of you."

"She's not leaving, but you are."

Jon smiled again. "But I have the legal right to my sister," he said reaching into his jacket pocket. He held up a folded piece of paper. "My poor, poor, damaged sister. Just lost her mind when my parents died. I've got the doctor's orders right here. I'm legally responsible for her." His smile was all teeth, too aggressive. "She's crazy you know, I don't know what lies she has told you but I have taken good care of her all her life."

Arthur and Peter must have just realized something was happening because they rose to their feet and came to flank Forrest and her.

"That is the sheriff right there, isn't it sister?" he asked in a jovial tone. "Well, I will just present my papers to him and he will be bound by the law to help me get you on the train. Don't worry sister," he said in a low, serious voice. "I brought your medicine." He shook his jacket and there was a rattle of pills.

Rose shirked into Forrest a little, losing some of her bravado as horrible memories assailed her.

Forrest took a step forward but Rose latched onto his wrist.

"What do you want?" Forrest asked in a quiet voice. Glancing at the sheriff. The sheriff was watching them curiously but didn't interfere. He was too far away to hear their low voices and so he turned his attention back to Floyd.

Jon leaned in close to Rose, leering at her. "Lorelei knows what I want. And you will give it me," he glanced around the room thoughtfully. "Or I'm going to tear your new little world apart." Jon smiled again. "You're looking real good sister," he chuckled cruelly. "I'll be seeing you."

Rose fought to hold it together. She shook with her effort to hold her terror at bay. Arthur followed after Jon, not to engage, but he stood in the door and watched him drive away. Peter went to clean up the plates. Forrest wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Rose flinched and tried to move away. Memories of the past overwhelming her. But Forrest gripped her tightly and pulled her into his chest. She began to shake, but he ignored it and rubbed her back soothingly. He leaned down, so his lips were pressed against her ear, his breath warm against her cooling skin. "I will kill him before I let him take you anywhere."

Then he stepped back, placing his hands on her shoulders and forcing her to look him in the eye. "Okay?" he asked.

Rose sniffled and swiped at her tears. "Okay," she agreed.

Forrest nodded, "good. Let's have some breakfast then."