Becoming Wild:A Tale of Two Sisters Part 2

Chapter 193 Unexpected Consequences

It took Bear and Gabe over an hour to get to the jail. They walked until they were able to hitch a ride into town. When they arrived,  they found that bail had been set at $1,000 a piece for their wives.  "Bear, what are we going to do? I didn't bring that kind of money along.", Gabe looked to his older brother, hoping he either had money or a solution.

"Gabe, I didn't either. The only thing I can think of is to try and find jobs, or radio home, and see if they can wire us some cash."

"That sounds like it could be faster.", Gabe reasoned, "I don't know about you, but I don't want my wife sitting in a swimsuit in jail for very long."

A police officer interrupted their conversation. "Which one of you is Solomon Brown?"

Bear stepped forward. "I am.", he answered.

"Mr. Brown. I'm terribly sorry, but we are taking your wife to the local medical center. If you come with me sir, we will arrange some transportation for you to be with her."

"Stormy!", Bear cried out in anguish. Lauren was devastated when she saw the look on his face. She realized he was very much in love with his wife. "

"I can give him a ride to the medical center," she offered. Bear wasn't so sure, but she looked at him, pleading," Please, I'm so sorry about what happened. "

Bear followed her to her vehicle and climbed in." Do you know what is happening to my wife?", a very shaken Bear asked.

"I'm so sorry, Bear, but we think she may be having a miscarriage.", Lauren said softly.

Bear said nothing the whole way as they followed the ambulance to the medical center. He sat as still as a stone, letting the tears flow freely down his cheeks. Lauren felt very guilty about her part in this whole escapade. True she had always harbored a crush for Bear, but now to see the love and concern he had for his wife and the heartbreak of losing his child, she knew what she had done was wrong.

Bear paced back and forth in the waiting room. He felt so alone and devastated. He wanted so badly to hold his wife, but couldn't get to her until the doctor finished his examination of her.

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Gabe's spirit was equally crushed. His heart ached for his brother and Stormy. He also knew he better get his wife out of jail, and fast.  He walked toward the park where they had been staying, figuring he had better get a move on. He was lucky to find a ride that would take him close, so he only had to walk another mile or so, giving him time to try and sort things out in his mind. The day had started out so perfect, he couldn't believe what a fiasco everything had become. He stopped at the rangers station to see if they would allow him to radio a message home to his parents to ask for a loan to pay for bail and to let them know about Stormy. He was grateful when they did. He asked if he could fetch their belongings from their cabins, explaining that they would be leaving as soon as he paid bail, and Stormy was released from the medical center.

Entering his cabin without his wife felt very sad and lonely. He felt so bad for her, knowing how betrayed and angry she must be feeling.

Gabe was shaken from his thoughts when a woman's arms snaked around his waist from behind. "What the...?", he said in surprise, turning around to find Melissa standing there in nothing but her underwear. "What are you doing in my cabin?"

"I've been waiting for you, Silly? And you've kept me waiting long enough.", she cooed. She took a step closer and tried to kiss him, but he pushed her away.

"Don't you think you've done enough damage to my marriage for one day? Why did you lie like that and get our wives arrested?"

"Because, Gabe, she was in my way. You promised me that you would come back to me, and I've been waiting for you all these years. I was just taking back what's mine."

"Melissa, I am not yours. My heart belongs to Augusta. I love her and our son with all that I am."

"But, Gabe, you promised."

"I was 15 years old. I meant it at the time, but things change, life goes on. I don't love you. I love my wife. Please leave."

Melissa dressed and left in a huff. She went back to the bunkhouse that she shared with Lauren. She broke down and cried out her troubles as Lauren tried to soothe her.

"Just let him go, Melissa. He belongs to someone else. He's married now. You will easily find another man."

"Lauren, I don't want another man. I only want Gabe. He's all I ever wanted. If I can't have him, I will make sure no one else can have him either!"

Sorry by Tracy Chapman