Kaye Leigh was wearing her sunglasses
inside. Her eyes were swollen and her head hurt from crying
all night.
“I’m telling Jeff on the way home
that he will need to leave when we get home.” Kaye Leigh said.
“Kaye Leigh you shouldn’t rush into
anything.” Becki said.
“I’m not rushing Becki, I am being
realistic.” She said.
“Kaye Leigh you haven’t had time to
sit down and think about the situation rationally and to deal
with things.” Becki said anxiously.
“Becki please.” She replied.
When their plane was called to board,
Jeff sat in the middle of them so Kaye Leigh and Becki could
not discuss things anymore.
“Jeff we need to talk.” Kaye Leigh
said as they were waiting for the plane to take off. She heard
Becki sigh.
“What about Kaye Leigh?” Jeff asked
cautiously afraid he was not going to like the answer.
“What’s going to happen when we get
home.” She said, she still had her sunglasses on and refused
to look in his direction because if she did she would lose the
fight not to cry.
“We can’t pretend anymore, at least I
can’t.” she said.
“We’re going home, find out what is
going on, and go on with our life.” He told her.
“No Jeff we’re not, when we get home
you will take Faith and Dan and leave the ranch. I will file
for divorce Monday.” Kaye Leigh said as a tear escaped from
beneath her sunglasses.
The plane was taking off; this was
going to be a long flight Becki thought. Jeff was looking at
Kaye Leigh, he saw the tear fall from beneath her glasses and
his heart ached for her. He closed his eyes and silently
prayed. “Help me to understand God, help me not to be angry
and please help us before I lose her.” Jeremiah 29:11 for I
know the plans I have for you.” says the Lord. “They are plans
for good and not for disaster, to you a future and a hope
was brought to his mind.
“Kaye Leigh don’t do this, let’s
figure it out together.” Jeff tried pleading with her.
“Jeff I love you but I believe you
had an affair and I can’t live with it. I tried to pretend for
a moment but the reality is it’s over between us.” Kaye Leigh
said her voice shaky as she fought to keep her emotions under
control.
“Kaye Leigh, how could I be with you
like we were the other day if I was having an affair? You are
and have been the only woman I love.” He said frustrated.
“Look at me please, take the glasses off.”
“People who have affairs are very
good at pretending with whomever they are with at the moment.”
She said still not looking at him or removing her glasses.
“You think I’m pretending with you?”
he yelled so loud that people turned to look at them.
“Guys this wont be solved here, let’s
wait until we get home.” Becki said. Jeff ignored her.
“Kaye Leigh look at me!” he said
angrily. Kaye Leigh turned her head toward him.
“Take off the glasses.” He said. When
she took off the glasses her eyes were full of unshed tears,
one look into his eyes let the floodgate of emotions open.
Kaye Leigh could not stop it, the
anger and hurt from the last few days still consumed her.
Becki was looking at her, Jeff tired to comfort her.
“Don’t touch me, just leave me alone
please.” She choked out as she put her sunglasses back on and
tried to get her emotions back under control.
Becki hurt for both of her friends,
she wanted to go back and make Morgan, and Sam hurt just as
Kaye Leigh was. Jeff watched his wife, he wanted to hold her
and comfort her, but she would not let him, she was already
cutting him out of her life. Kaye Leigh would shake every now
and then as she tried to control her emotions.
When they landed in El Paso, Kaye
Leigh and Becki grabbed their luggage and waited while Jeff
went to get the truck. They loaded their luggage in the back
and headed home. Becki had made Kaye Leigh sit next to Jeff
and she sat next to the window. Kaye Leigh was so tired all
she wanted to do was sleep, she kept trying to keep her head
from falling onto Jeff’s shoulder, but she was asleep before
they got on the highway. Jeff took her hand in his.
“What am I going to do Becki?” he
asked.
“Refuse to leave; it’s your house
too.” She replied.
“It’s Kaye Leigh’s ranch, she built
it.” He said.
“I know that Jeff, but I’ve been
thinking don’t make this easy on her. You did not have an
affair, you love her, and you want to fight for your marriage
so use it. It’s your house until a divorced is settled and you
have a right to that house as much as she does.” She said.
“What about the kids and all the
tension and fighting?” he asked.
“I’ll be there, Curtis will be there,
and Jon will help. He can always control Kaye Leigh.” She
said. Jeff laughed.
“Don’t worry Jeff with all of us
together and with God’s help we can handle Kaye Leigh.” She
assured him.
“Did you ever think that someone so
little would need so many people to handle her?” he said and
they both laughed.
They woke Kaye Leigh up when they
were a few minutes from home.
“We’re home Kaye Leigh.” Jeff said.
Kaye Leigh opened her eyes and lifted her head. Her eyes were
still swollen and they hurt.
“That was fast.” She said. Becki
laughed.
“You were asleep before we go to the
highway.” Becki said.
“Oh.” She said.
When they pulled into the driveway,
Jon and the kids had come out the door and down the steps.
“Mom, dad, Becki!” they called.
“Hi guys.” Kaye Leigh said hugging
each of the kids.
“What happened to your eye mom?”
Faith asked.
“I ran into a bathroom door when I
wasn’t paying attention.” She replied laughing.
“Are you serious?” Jon asked hugging
his sister.
“Yes the night I called you she went
out.” Jeff said.
“Shut up!” she said coldly.
“We’ll take your bags inside and put
them in your rooms.” The kids said.
“Thanks guys.” Kaye Leigh said
smiling at them.
“Are you going to tell me about it?”
Jon said when they sat down on the porch.
“I’ll go get some tea.” Alexis said.
“Thanks.” Jeff said.
“When my kids are busy, and Jeff and
his kids are gone I will tell you the whole story.” She said
closing her eyes and leaning her head back.
“Um, sis where is Jeff going?” Jon
asked.
“No where.” Jeff said firmly. Kaye
Leigh looked at him.
“We talked about this on the plane.”
She said quietly.
“No you talked Kaye Leigh, now I will
have my say, and you will listen. I’m staying in our house, if
you are going to divorce me…” Jeff was saying.
“What?” Jon cut it.
“Then you will have to make sure
everything is settled before I leave.” He finished.
“Why are you trying to make this so
hard on everyone? Haven’t you done enough already?” Kaye Leigh
said with tears in her eyes again.
“I’m fighting for our marriage, I’m
fighting for you, and I am sorry if this is hard on you.” He
said.
“Haven’t you put me through enough
yet?” she asked standing up.
“I’m sorry Kaye Leigh, but I’m not
giving you up that easily.” He said.
“Ok Jeff, you’ll be sorry you
stayed.” She told him walking away.
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” he
said to Jon and Becki. They laughed.
“I’ll go talk to her.” Becki said.
Becki headed in the direction of the
stable, the same direction Kaye Leigh went.
She passed Curtis on the way, “Becki,
what’s up with Kaye Leigh?” he asked while he gave her a hug.
“I’ll let Jeff explain everything,
their on the porch.” She said. “I’ll talk to you later.” He
nodded and headed towards the house.
“Hi guys.” Curtis said as he came up
onto the porch. Alexis was handing everyone a glass of tea.
“Thanks kid.” Curtis said taking a
glass.
“Where did Aunt Kaye Leigh go?”
Alexis said.
“Out to the stable, but I think she
needs some time alone ok?” Jon said.
“Oh ok, I’ll go watch a movie with
the others.” Alexis said.
“What’s going on?” Jon said once
Alexis was inside. Jeff reminded him of what he told him when
he called then told him the rest of the story.
“Becki decked Morgan?” Jon said.
Curtis was laughing.
“Yes by the time we got over there
she was sprawled on the floor with what was left of the
table.” Jeff said. Jon shook his head and laughed.
“Becki’s right don’t leave, but be
prepared for trouble, it comes in little packages.” Jon said.
“I’ve noticed that these past few
days.” He said.
“So the boss lady is pretty
entertaining when she’s been drinking huh?” Curtis said. Jeff
laughed.
“Yes, but she did realize that
drinking wasn’t the answer to anything.” He said.
“That’s good although I am going to
have to a talk with her about that among other things.” Jon
said.
Tim was in the stable when Kaye Leigh
went in.
“Hey there boss.” Tim said.
“Hi Tim.” Kaye Leigh said sounding as
if she had a cold.
“Are you ok?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m fine, or at least I will
be. How are things here?” she asked.
“Good.” He said looking at her with
concern.
“I need to go for a ride.” She said.
“Want some company?” Becki and Tim
said at the same time. Becki smiled at him.
“Not this time, I just need to be
alone.” She said. Tim had gotten Skye ready for her. “I’ll be
back sometime, not sure when Becki. Thanks Tim.” She said as
he helped her onto the horse. Kaye Leigh took off out of the
stable at a full run.
Becki headed back to the house to be
with the others.
“Where’s Kaye Leigh?” Jon asked.
“One guess.” She said.
“Riding.” The others said together.
“I’m glad you’re not leaving Jeff,
but I wonder what she is going to do.” Jon said.
“Drive him crazy.” Becki said.
“No doubt, you women tend to do that
to a man.” Curtis said. Becki pushed him.
“She’ll drive you crazy too Becki,
remember you’re not supposed to have anything to do with me.”
Jeff said smiling.
“Why’s that?” Jon asked.
“We think that Kaye Leigh thinks
there’s something going on between us.” Becki said.
“Between the two of you, is she
crazy?” Curtis said shocked.
“I think so.” Jon answered. The
others laughed.
“I asked if she wanted some company
but she said no and that she didn’t know when she would be
back.” Becki said.
“Becki, I heard you started a fight.”
Jon said chuckling.
“That’s not true, I told Morgan to
stay away from Kaye Leigh but she chose to ignore my advice
and then she ran into my fist.” She said, the guys laughed.
“What can we do Jon?” Jeff asked
seriously.
“I have some friends at work that
I’ll take the pictures to, and I will set up an investigation
for the credit card issue. I would do it but they would say it
was a conflict of interest.” Jon said. “We’ll figure it out
don’t worry, just don’t strangle her before we do.”
“Not even a little bit?” Jeff asked.
Jon smiled.
“Sorry but you can’t.” Jon said.