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===Melanie===
===Melanie===
Melanie is the youngest of the three Thorpe siblings. She is the director of the BlackThorpe Wellness Center (a facility sponsored by BlackThorpe, specializing in helping wounded veterans recover from their injuries), and a trained psychologist.
As a teenager, 14 years prior to the events of ''A Matter of Trust'' (BlackThorpe Security #3) where her story is revealed, she was abducted and held for eventual trafficking to the Middle East as a sex slave, one of 12 girls abducted from around the country. She was rescued from that fate. However, it has left an indelible mark: she dyes her naturally blonde hair a dark brunette color (with a pixie-style short haircut) and wears dark colored contacts, and is obsessed with diet, physical fitness, and personal self-defense (sleeping with a loaded weapon under her pillow). Most importantly, as the abduction came after having a relationship with a fellow teenager at church, she vows not to date again.
Melanie has been long-time friends with Tyler Harris, a double-amputee (below the knee) veteran who's prior marriage ended in divorce when his former wife Kelly walked out after his injuries. After recovery he also becomes a BlackThorpe employee, who often works with the Center. He is the only child of a single mother who gave birth to him at age 14 (his conception was the result of rape; the assailant was later killed by police) and who had no parental support for her decision to choose life over abortion. Interestingly, both Tyler and Melanie share the same birthday.
Tyler is asked to assist with the recovery of Simon, also a wounded veteran who also suffers from survivor's guilt. During that time the Center receives a $2 million donation from Henry and Shauna Wakeford, who have supported the Center in the past but not at this level (Melanie later learns that Shauna is Tyler's mother, and Henry -- who goes by Hank -- is his step-father and a British citizen; they donated due to how the Center helped in Tyler's recovery), and the Center expands its therapy to include dogs to assist those with PTSD. Meanwhile, Melanie receives messages from Jenni, another of the abductees; ultimately Jenni becomes suicidal and Melanie flies out to Seattle where she successfully talks Jenni out of ending her life.
Melanie and Tyler are both pressured by their parents to start dating, and eventually they do. But their entire relationship nearly ends when (after Justin is attacked and Alana is abducted by her ex-husband; their story is featured in ''Signs of Love'', BlackThorpe Security #2) Tyler discovers her natural hair color and eyes. Melanie, having already told Tyler about Jenni, reveals that she was also part of that abduction ring. The events involving Justin and Alana shock Melanie: if Justin (a much larger and more muscular man) couldn't protect Alana, how would the much smaller Melanie have a chance? It causes her to see psychiatric help, ultimately she becomes less obsessed with diet, exercise, and protection, and returns to her natural hair color (and length) and eye color as well. In the end Tyler asks Melanie to marry him.
==The Black/Morrell clan==
==The Black/Morrell clan==