DOWN THE ROAD

The rest of June, July and the first part of August passed without any major incidents. The weather stayed dry and hot, football practice started for the boys four days a week. Josh and Dan both made Varsity, along with a couple of their friends. Kaye Leigh was getting ready for her trip to Denver. Becki was going of course; she was the one who put these things together. Speaking engagements, book signings, interviews, they were all part of her job. Jeff had said that he was going too, Kaye Leigh knew why he was going, but she was excited to spend some time alone with him.

When they got back, they would need to get all the kids registered for school. School starts the first Tuesday in September, and the first football game was that Friday.

Becki was sitting on Kaye Leigh’s bed as she was finishing her packing, they would be leaving the next day.

“So let me get this straight, you are going to help Morgan keep Sam, the same man who made you miserable. The same man who abused you and was unfaithful to you, all against your husband’s wishes?” Becki said.

“Yes, I am hoping that Jeff will understand when everything is done. I’ve prayed about it Becki and I know what Sam did to me and I feel this is part of the forgiving part of it.” She said. Becki rolled her eyes.

“Just don’t say anything to Jon.” Kaye Leigh said.

“I hope that Jeff talks some sense into you between now and then, Sam is bad news all the way around Kaye Leigh, and if Morgan loses him I say good.” Becki said. Kaye Leigh laughed.

“Thanks for being so understanding.” She said sarcastically.

“I support you no matter what I think Kaye Leigh you know that, but don’t expect me to keep my opinion to myself ever.” Becki replied.

“I never expect you to keep your opinion to yourself; life wouldn’t be as fun without it.” Kaye Leigh said laughing.

The next morning Kaye Leigh was packing the last minute items when Jeff came in and said, “Are you almost ready?”

“Yes, I’m all packed; I just need to say good-bye to everyone.” She replied as she zipped the suitcase shut. Jeff carried the suitcases downstairs and put them in the truck, Curtis had already put Becki’s in there.

“You guys be good for Uncle Jon, Alexis you make sure your dad behaves.” Kaye Leigh told them. Jon and Alexis were staying with the kids since Miranda had taken the other kids to visit with her sister for a couple of weeks.

Jon gave her a hug and said, “Have fun.” Kaye Leigh and Jeff both kissed and hugged the kids’ good-bye.

“Make sure the ranch stays in one piece.” She told Curtis.

“Sure thing boss lady.” He said giving her a hug.

“Bye Curtis.” Becki said.

“Bye Becki, be good, don’t go falling in love.” He said pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek.

Kaye Leigh waited until they were on the plane before she told them that she was meeting Sam Monday night at a restaurant called Breckman.

“Are we going to be there?” Jeff asked trying to remain calm.

“Sam and I are meeting alone. You guys can go to the restaurant but you’ll be in another part of it.” She replied. Jeff was silent and she could tell that he was not happy with her.

“I don’t think that is a good idea Kaye Leigh.” Becki said.

“I’ll be fine.” She said. Kaye Leigh took Jeff’s hand and whispered, “Please don’t be mad.” He did not say anything.

Morgan was watching Sam open his letter; her man in Texas followed the plan exactly as she wanted him to. Sam’s eyes were bright with pleasure.

Sam could not believe it; a letter from Kaye Leigh, now he knew she wanted to be with him. He could feel Morgan’s eyes on him; he could not wait to flaunt his relationship with Kaye Leigh in Morgan’s face. He opened the letter and started to read.

My Dearest Sam,

It has been too long and I have missed you so much, you have to know not a day goes by when you do not fill my thoughts. I am coming to Denver and will be there for a week and was interested in meeting you, catching up on old times, and seeing where things go from there.

I know that you are married, but we both know that you and I are meant to be together. I still love you Sam with all my heart, it took me too long to realize this, and I do not want to lose you again if I can help it. I will be at Beckman’s at seven August twenty-first and I really hope to see you there.

All my love,

Kaye Leigh

Sam re-read the letter, he would definitely be there, he has wanted her back for a long time, but especially since, he saw her picture in the paper. He was not sure that it was exactly love yet but it would be he was sure. Sam looked up, Morgan was watching him.

“What’s that about?” she asked nodding to the letter.

“None of your business.” He snapped. Tomorrow he would be seeing Kaye Leigh face to face again and he could not wait. There was a knock on the door. “Answer it!” He snapped at Morgan. She looked at him then got up and went to answer the door.

“Can I help you?” she said to the man at the door.

“Samuel Thomas please.” He said.

“Just a minute.” Morgan told the man. “Sam it’s for you!” she yelled.

Sam folded the letter and put it in his pocket, he did not want Morgan to see it, and she was far too nosey.

“Yes?” Sam said when he got to the door.

“I have a package for you, I need to see some ID and have you sign for it.” The man said handing Sam a clipboard. Sam signed the clipboard, handed the man his ID and then took the package. He looked at the envelope it said “Samuel Thomas only”

“Thanks.” Sam said as he shut the door. What is this he wondered?

Sam took the envelope, went into the bedroom, shut the door, and locked it so that he could be assured of some privacy. Opening the envelope, he dumped the contents out onto the bed. He picked up a piece of paper, turned it over and looked at it. It was a receipt for a few nights at Peace Ridge Inn in Peace Ridge Texas. Sam knew that Peace Ridge was where Kaye Leigh was living now. A Jeffery Rutherford signed the receipt, Sam had to think for a minute before he remembered that Rutherford was Kaye Leigh’s married name now, so Jeffery must be her husband he assumed.

He picked up another thing from the envelope and found himself staring at a picture of Morgan and some guy kissing. In the next one they were standing together so Sam could see the guys face, he assumed that the man was Jeff. He looked at the rest of the pictures, his smile getting bigger after each one. Most of them were of the two of them half dressed in each other’s arms.

So, Sam thought, Kaye Leigh’s new husband was not the upstanding person she had thought. Sam laughed aloud; he had no doubt that after Kaye Leigh sees the pictures she would be his again.

Kaye Leigh and Becki were talking about Sam. Be careful my daughter. The voice sounded like it was whispered in her ear, Kaye Leigh looked around at Jeff, but he had his eyes closed.

“Something wrong Kaye Leigh?” Becki asked.

“No sorry.” Kaye Leigh said quickly. “What did you work out for this engagement?” she asked.

“You won’t sign books until after the last session, they thought that would be best and you won’t meet people until then either.” Becki told her. “We don’t have the normal meeting today, because it’s Sunday and we worked out all of the details ahead of time, so you just need to show up at the civic center about an hour prior.”

“Great.” Kaye Leigh said.

She looked over at Jeff again; he had not said a word to her since she had told them that she was meeting Sam alone.

“He has a right to be upset.” Becki said looking at her.

“I hoped that he would understand, I am doing what I feel I need to be doing.” She said. “I hope he will forgive me.”

After they landed and had left the plane, they went to get their luggage then Jeff went to get them a taxi to their hotel. When they got to the hotel Kaye Leigh checked them in and they took their things up to their rooms.

“We’ll meet back down in the lobby in an hour for dinner.” Jeff told Becki.

“Sure thing.” She replied.

Jeff opened the door and they went inside. Kaye Leigh set her suitcases down and turned to Jeff.

“Please talk to me Jeff.” She said.

“What do you want to talk about Kaye Leigh?” He said.

“I want you to not be angry with me.” She said putting her arms around him.

“I am trying Kaye Leigh, but it’s very hard, I can’t help the way I feel.” He said putting his arms around her.

“I love you very much Jeff.” She said kissing him.

“I love you too.” He replied.

They met Becki in the lobby and took a taxi to a restaurant that the hotel recommended. They had a nice dinner; Jeff danced with both of them. Kaye Leigh was watching the other two dancing; she could not wait to see Curtis and Becki dancing at their wedding reception. She was sure they would end up married.

“Excuse me but may I have this dance?” a man asked her. Kaye Leigh looked up at him and smiled.

“I’m sorry but I’m married.” She replied. He looked disappointed but smiled and said

“Just my luck.” Jeff and Becki had come back to the table.

“Who was that?” Becki asked.

“Someone who wanted to dance.” She said.

“Why didn’t you?” Jeff asked. He was still cool towards her.

Kaye Leigh looked at him. “You want me to dance with someone else?” she asked him shocked.

“I wouldn’t have minded, I danced with Becki.” He replied.

“What if Sam asks me to dance?” she asked looking at him. Jeff laughed.

“You’re going to do whatever you want where Sam is concerned anyway so why not.” He replied. Becki sighed.

“Come on guys don’t do this; this is a vacation for the two of you, don’t let him ruin it.” Becki said looking between the two of them.

“Jeff I’m sorry that you don’t agree with my decision.” Kaye Leigh said quietly.

They walked back to the hotel and said goodnight to Becki. Their room was beautiful; it was a suite with a balcony. Jeff had gone out on the balcony while Kaye Leigh changed into her nightgown.

“Come out here Kaye Leigh.” Jeff said. She walked over to the doors, but went no farther. “Come out here with me.” He said holding his hand out to her.

She shook her head and said, “I’m not going out there.” He looked at her again; he could tell that she was frightened; fear was all over her face.

Jeff remembered another time when she was this frightened about going somewhere with him. When they were dating, they went for a walk and over a bridge, he had stopped and went to the edge to look down at the water, but she stood in the middle not moving an inch. It took a while but he finally convinced her that he would not let anything happen to her and she came to the edge with him. She had been shaking like crazy so they did not stay long, but she had trusted him enough to go out there.

“Take my hand Kaye Leigh.” He said. Kaye Leigh shook her head. He came closer and held out his hand again. “I promise Kaye Leigh I won’t let anything happen to you.” He told her. She looked at him and seen the promise in his eyes. She took his hand and slowly walked out onto the balcony. “See it’s not so bad out here. It’s a beautiful night and you’re safe in my arms.” He said wrapping his arms around her. He could feel her tremble every now and then. “I never knew you didn’t like balconies.” He said.

“I don’t like heights, that’s why God made me so short.” She said. Jeff laughed.

“Jeff you know I love you right, and you also know that I am not meeting with Sam just to upset you right?” she asked him as she tried to relax in his arms.

“I know you love me Kaye Leigh and I love you more than anything, I just don’t understand your need to help Sam, the way he treated you and the kids you owe him nothing.” Jeff replied.

“I know that I don’t owe him anything and I’m not doing it just for him, but for Morgan too, just please don’t be mad at me.” Kaye Leigh said. She hugged him tighter.

“I am trying Kaye Leigh, I really am.” He said hugging her back. “Let’s go back inside now.” Jeff too her hand and let her back into the room.

Kaye Leigh sat down on the couch so that they could do their devotions. When they finished Jeff went to bed. Kaye Leigh had been praying when Joshua 1:9 came to her mind again. She wondered how she could be strong and courageous with Sam now when she had never been able to before, automatically her hand went to her cross. Kaye Leigh reminded herself that she was not the same person that had been married to Sam.

“Are you coming to bed Kaye Leigh?” Jeff called.

“I’m on my way.” She replied.

When she got into bed she kissed Jeff goodnight, he wrapped his arms around her and said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow you will be great as always.”