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.
“Then please don’t shut me out
again.” She said quietly. He turned her around and held her.