DOWN THE ROAD

Morgan was wakened by pounding on her door, she looked at the clock it was almost eight-thirty.

“Just a minute.” She yelled. She had had a lot to drink last night and did not remember what time she finally went to bed. “Just a minute!” she yelled. She got out of bed, threw on her robe, walked over to the door, and opened it.

“Hi beautiful.” He said grabbing her.

“What are you doing here so early, don’t you have to work?” she said, not that she minded.

“I was able to get away for a little while, but I can’t be too long I will need to get back to work.” He said as he started to take his shirt off. Morgan had gone into the bathroom.

“I look like a mess.” She said.

“You’re beautiful to me.” He said going into the bathroom.

“When will you be able to stay for a while?” she asked while brushing her teeth.

“I’m hoping this weekend.” He said reaching around her waist and untying her belt on her robe. He pushed it off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. When he finished she turned to face him.

When he was getting ready to leave, she handed him an envelope.

“These things need to be mailed on the dates I’ve written in there ok? I can’t mail them from Colorado that would be to suspicious.” She said

“No problem.” He told her taking the envelope. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.” She said.

Curtis was driving, he had insisted, Kaye Leigh did not mind though, she hated driving long distances.

“I can’t wait to see Becki.” She said.

“I’ve noticed that.” He said laughing.

“You’re excited too I know it Curtis.” She said smiling at him.

“Yes I am excited, not hopeful, but excited.” He replied.

“Just tell her exactly how you feel Curtis.” She said watching him.

“We’ll see.” He replied.

Jeff had just got back to the office; he was gone longer than what he expected so he was running behind. He had wanted to get out of the office early, but now he would be lucky to get out on time. Becki was coming so he did not schedule afternoon appointments. He was thinking about his appointment, and he was wondering when Kaye Leigh would find out about it.

Kaye Leigh and Curtis were waiting for Becki to get off the plane. Curtis was laughing at her; she was as excited as a kid was at Christmas.

“Becki!” she yelled when she saw her.

“Kaye Leigh!” Becki yelled. They hugged each other with everyone looking at them as if they were crazy.

“I’ve missed you so much.” Kaye Leigh said.

“I’ve missed you guys too.” Becki replied.

Curtis had walked over to them.

“Hi Becki.” He said.

“Curtis, hi how are you?” she said hugging him. Kaye Leigh could tell that these two belonged together; their love for each other was obvious.

“I’m good, how have you been?” he replied.

“I’ve missed this place and you guys so much.” Becki said taking his hand.

“Let’s get your luggage and get out of here.” Kaye Leigh said.

When they gathered all of her luggage, she had brought a lot since she did not know how long she would be staying. They took it out of the airport to the front curb where Becki and Kaye Leigh waited for Curtis to get the truck.

Becki watched Curtis walk away, she had fallen for him the minute she had seen him on her first visit. She had hoped that something would come of it, but after a dozen visits, nothing had. Kaye Leigh thought they would get together, but she had her doubts even though she prayed about it. She prayed that God would prepare her and the man she would spend the rest of her life with; she just had hoped it would be Curtis. When Curtis pulled up, they loaded the luggage into the back and climbed in. Kaye Leigh made Becki sit next to Curtis.

“Where’s Jeff?” Becki asked.

“Working, he should be home by the time we get there though.” Kaye Leigh replied.

“Great I can’t wait to see him, the kids, Jon and Miranda.” Becki said.

“Becki I was thinking that while you’re here we could do something like dinner or a movie.” Curtis said casually. Kaye Leigh looked out the window so they would not see her smiling.

“That sounds great Curtis.” Becki said smiling. Curtis smiled back at her. They caught up on the way home.

Jeff’s truck was not there when they got home; the kids were not back from the lake either, so the three of them unloaded the luggage and took it up to Becki’s room.

“I’ll unpack later.” Becki said.

“Well ladies as much as I would love to stay I need to get out and make sure my guys are working.” Curtis said hugging each of them.

“Thanks for going with me.” Kaye Leigh said. “We will see you at dinner.” He nodded and headed out the door.

“Now tell me you two don’t like each other.” Kaye Leigh said smiling at Becki.

“You are impossible you know that?” Becki said laughing.

After Kaye Leigh started dinner, they went out to the stable. Tim was in there but Curtis was not.

“Afternoon boss.” He said nodding to her.

“Hi Tim, this is Rebecca Stevenson.” Kaye Leigh said introducing them. “This is Tim Grant.”

“Nice to meet you Ms. Stevenson.” He said tipping his hat.

“It’s nice to meet you too and please call me Becki.” She said.

“Becki it is.” He said smiling at her. Tim left the stable.

“Not bad.” Becki remarked.

“Now don’t go causing jealousy between my workers.” Kaye Leigh said laughing.

They walked to the stall that held Becki’s favorite horse.

“You haven’t sold him yet?” Becki asked.

“Nope I am keeping him.” Kaye Leigh replied.

“Have you named him?” Becki asked.

“He’s your horse you name him.” She replied.

“Really you’re giving him to me?” Becki asked excitedly.

“Yes he’s all yours.” She told her.

“Well then what will I call you?” Becki said looking the horse over.

“Lightning.” Becki finally said.

“Lightening it is then.” She said laughing.

Jeff got home just as dinner was being finished and the table was being set. He gave Kaye Leigh a quick kiss on the cheek and gave Becki a big hug.

“It’s great to see you again.” Jeff said smiling at her.

“It’s great to see you too, I’ve missed you.” Becki said hugging him back.

Jeff went upstairs to change without even looking at Kaye Leigh.

“Everything ok?” she asked, she had followed him upstairs.

“Yes.” He said shortly.

“Ok, I was just concerned when you didn’t say anything to me.” She told him. He sighed and turned to look at her.

“What did you want me to do Kaye Leigh, pull you into a passionate kiss and carry you up here?” he said. Kaye Leigh just looked at him.

“No Jeff you just seemed distant and I was worried.” She said getting angry. She was stung by his attitude.

“Then it must mean that I want to be left alone and not nagged doesn’t it?” he said. She did not say another word just turned and left, he noticed tears forming in her eyes but he ignored them.

Kaye Leigh was getting supper put on the table. She wondered what she had done to make Jeff so mad at her. She tried not to cry, but it was hard.

“You ok Kaye Leigh?” Curtis asked looking at her with concern. She nodded and went into the kitchen. When everything was ready, she called everyone to the table.

“Becki why don’t you sit here next to me.” Jeff said indicating the chair Kaye Leigh normally sat in next to him.

“Great.” Becki said.

“You don’t want me to sit by you?” Kaye Leigh asked hurt.

“You’re fine down there.” He replied.

Kaye Leigh looked at Jeff but he would not meet her eyes. After they said prayers, everyone started talking. Kaye Leigh continued to watch Jeff but he did not once look her way. Curtis was sitting across from Becki and Kaye Leigh was at the other end of the table with the kids in the middle.

Kaye Leigh had enough; she could not hold back the tears any longer. She got up and headed towards the kitchen.

“Where are you going mom?” Dan asked.

“I’ll be back.” She said smiling to him. Jeff looked at her as she walked into the kitchen. Kaye Leigh went through the kitchen and out the front door. She went to the stable and got Skye ready for a ride.

“Need some help?” Tim asked coming in.

“No thanks, I’ve got it.” She replied. “If anyone looks for me tell them you don’t know which way I went.”

“No problem, you ok boss?” he said.

“I’m fine. Thanks just need some time alone.” She said. Kaye Leigh took off out of the stable, she did not go to the meadow because she knew that would be the first place anyone would look for her, and she did not want to be found for a while.

After about five minutes, Curtis asked, “Where did Kaye Leigh go?”

“I’m not sure; I thought she just went into the kitchen.” Jeff said. “Kaye Leigh?” he called and no answer came. He got up and went into the kitchen but she was not there and he noticed that her hat was missing from the spot she had it when he came in. “Apparently she left.” He said when he came back into the dinning room.

“Why would she just leave?” Josh asked.

“She looked upset.” Curtis said.

“Maybe she needed some air.” Jeff said.

They finished eating, cleaned up the kitchen, did devotions and Kaye Leigh still was not back. Jeff went out to the stable, but Skye was gone. “Tim did you see which way Kaye Leigh went?” he asked. “No sir I didn’t.” Tim replied. “When she gets back let her know we’re waiting up at the house for her.” He said. “Yes sir.” Tim said.

Kaye Leigh ran Skye at a full run letting the wind pull the tears from her eyes. She and Jeff had had disagreements before but he was never like this with her and she did not like it. Angry with her for no apparent reason and then ignoring her like she did not exist. Kaye Leigh did not understand and that made her angrier. She rode south of the main house where they had some horses, when she got there; she dismounted, tied Skye’s reins to the fence, sat down, and watched the horses. Grasping her cross, she cried and prayed.

She was watching the horses eating and running, every now and again, a wild horse would get into the fence, they were beautiful to watch but nasty to get near. Tears were filling her eyes again, she wiped them away impatiently. They would not find her until later if they even looked for her and she wanted Jeff to be asleep before she went back. She could not handle being yelled at or ignored again today.

The kids had watched a movie and gone up to bed and Kaye Leigh still was not home. Jeff was worried about her and he knew that he was the reason she was gone.

“Where do you think she is?” Becki asked with concern.

“Probably her meadow.” Jeff said.

“We should go look for her.” Curtis said. They got up to go.

“Would you stay here Becki and if she comes back will you call my cell phone?” Jeff asked.

“Sure you guys be careful.” She said.

They went to the stable, saddled two horses, and headed out to the meadow. When she was not, there Jeff called the house but she still was not home.

“Where else would she go?” Jeff asked.

“Just out on the range, but the question is which way? I want to know why she just up and left without a word.” Curtis said. Jeff told Curtis what had happened. “Well when we find her you need to apologize.” Curtis said.

“I know I do, I don’t even know why I did it.” He said shaking his head.

“I thought Kaye Leigh was tougher than a few words though, I didn’t realize they would set her on the run.” Curtis said.

“She is tougher, but she doesn’t want to cause scenes if she can help it.” Jeff said.

“Oh well then now I understand.” Curtis said. “Let’s go back and if she’s not there we can each take some men out and go in different directions.”

“It’s after eleven I hope she’s back.” Jeff said.

When they got back Kaye Leigh was unsaddling Skye.

“Where have you been?” Jeff demanded. Kaye Leigh glared at him.

“I was out riding, I didn’t realize I needed you permission, guess next time I just might ask. But right now I’ve had enough of your attitude.” She replied.

“You had us all worried.” He said a little more calmly.

“I’m sure you were, I’ve felt the love and concern all night.” She snapped putting the saddle back in its spot. When she finished she turned and said “Good night Curtis, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then left the stable without a word to Jeff.

“Good luck with all of that.” Curtis said laughing.

“Thanks.” Jeff said shaking his head.

“Tell Becki I will see her tomorrow please. Night Jeff.” Curtis said.

“Night Curtis.” He replied.

Kaye Leigh went into the house and put her hat on the counter.

“Kaye Leigh you’re ok.” Becki said coming into the kitchen.

“Of course I am.” She replied.

“We were worried.” Becki said wondering what was wrong.

“I’m sorry Becki I didn’t mean to worry you; I just needed to get away from Jeff. I’m really tired so I am going to go up to bed, I’ll see you in the morning.” She said.

Kaye Leigh wanted to be upstairs in bed by the time Jeff got in, she had never considered locking Jeff out of their room, but tonight she was seriously considering it. When she got up there, she quickly changed and got into bed. She had separated the blankets so she would not have to use the same one as him. She lay on her side and shut her eyes hoping sleep would come quickly, but knowing it would not.

“Did she go upstairs?” Jeff asked when he came in.

“Yes, she said she was tired. What did you do that she wanted to get away from you?” Becki asked. Jeff looked at her. “Sorry I didn’t mean to pry.” She said quickly.

“It’s ok Beck, I just wasn’t really nice to her tonight. Curtis said he would see you tomorrow.” He said.

“Ok, now go make things right with Kaye Leigh.” She said giving him a hug. Jeff hugged her back and smiled.

He went upstairs not sure what to expect, the lights were off so he knew she was in bed. He turned the lights on; Kaye Leigh was in bed on her side wrapped in a blanket with her eyes shut. Jeff smiled to himself.

“You can stop pretending you’re asleep now Kaye Leigh.” He said loudly, just in case she was asleep, she would still hear him. She did not say anything or move. “You’re mad at me K I get it.” He said.

“I am mad and hurt. Now please be quite so I can sleep.” She finally replied without opening her eyes. Jeff laughed, which he realized too late that it was not a wise move. Kaye Leigh sat up and glared at him.

“What’s so funny Jeff? The fact that you hurt me? Yep, that’s just hilarious isn’t it?” she yelled.

“Keep your voice down or you’ll wake everyone up, I didn’t mean it.” He said.

“I don’t have to keep my voice down, if I want to yell it’s my house too and I will yell.” She said getting out of bed. He was finding it hard not to laugh again; he always thought she was beautiful when her temper was up.

“Calm down Kaye Leigh, I’m sorry, please forgive me.” He said. Kaye Leigh just glared at him. “I’m sorry I upset you this afternoon.” He told her reaching for her, but she pulled away from him, walked over to the window, and looked out it.

“Come on Kaye Leigh, I am truly sorry.” He said again coming up behind her and putting his arms around her. He felt her stiffen. “Kaye Leigh I’m sorry I was wrong, I had a rough day, and I took it out on you.” He said quietly.

“Yes, then you hurt me some more and completely ignored me.” She said.

“I know I didn’t want to see the pain I caused you, I’m sorry please forgive me.” He said. When she did not reply, he said, “I was an idiot I can admit it.”

“I can admit you’re an idiot too.” She said. Jeff laughed, and then kissed her neck.

“I’m very sorry Kaye Leigh, I love you so much.” He whispered in her ear.