Jeff went to
get some coffee while Kaye Leigh was still sleeping; the
doctor had been in and said when she wakes up if her exam goes
well and she’s feeling ok she would be able to go home.
“Hi Jon.” He
said when he walked into the cafeteria and saw him sitting
there.
“Hi, how’s Kaye
Leigh?” Jon asked.
“She’s still
sleeping.” Jeff said. He took a sip of coffee. “The nurse was
in a couple of times to wake her up and check her vitals, she
wasn’t happy and the last time told the nurse to get out of
her room.” Jon laughed.
“That sounds
like her, never wake her up.” Jon said. “Curtis is on his way,
if she isn’t released then he’s going to stay here.”
“The doctor
said if she feels good and her exam is ok then she can go
home.” Jeff said.
When they got
back to the room, Kaye Leigh was awake and the police were
interviewing her so they had to wait in the hall.
“Thank you for
your time Mrs. Rutherford.” An officer said when they opened
the door.
“Call me Kaye
Leigh please.” She said.
“You rest and
get better.” He told. “Thanks.” She replied.
“Good morning
beautiful.” Jeff said kissing her.
“Morning
guys.” She said. “The doctor said I am good to go as soon as I
eat all my breakfast.”
“So let’s get
her fed.” Jon said.
“I’m going to
see Tim first.” She said.
“I’ll come with
you.” Jeff said.
“No, I want to
go by myself this time.” She said getting up; she had to hold
her side so she could move.
“If that’s what
you want.” Jeff said.
“Thank you.”
She replied. They took her IV out so she was able to walk down
to Tim’s room, but it was a slow walk.
Tim was awake
and sitting up when she went in, she noticed that one of his
arms were handcuffed to the bedrail.
“Kaye Leigh.”
He said smiling.
“Good morning
Tim, how are you?” she asked.
“Better today,
still sore they say a couple more days here then I’ll be off
to jail. How about you?” He replied.
“I’m sore,
broken ribs don’t heal too fast. It hurts to move, breath
deep, or laugh. My lip will bleed again if I laugh or smile.”
She said. “I’m going to see what I can do to help you Tim.”
“I don’t
deserve your help Kaye Leigh. But thank you, Jon was here last
night and is offering to help me too.” He replied
“Jon should be
able to help. You don’t deserve to spend your life in jail for
one mistake; if that was the case we would all be in jail.”
She told him.
“If I ever get
out I would really love to work for you again, I know that it
would be asking a lot to trust me.” He said quietly.
“You never know
Tim, but I don’t think I will own Silver Creek anymore.” She
told him.
“Why?” he asked
shocked.
“I’m leaving
Texas.” She replied.
“You and Jeff
are leaving because of this?” Tim asked.
“No I am
leaving Jeff, and Texas.” She said wiping her eyes.
“He didn’t have
an affair right?” he asked shocked.
“No he didn’t
he’s a great man, but Morgan won, she destroyed my world and
it will never be the same. Jeff deserves someone who always
believes in him.” She said.
“Kaye Leigh you
love him, don’t let Morgan do this to you.” He pleaded with
her.
“I’ll talk to
you again soon; I need to go eat breakfast if I want to get
out of here.” She said getting up.
“Take care of
yourself Tim.” She gave him a hug.
“You too Kaye
Leigh and I hope you reconsider leaving.” He said sadly.
When Kaye Leigh
got back to her room, her breakfast tray was just being
delivered. She sat down and took the lid off the plate.
“Great hospital
food makes me hungry just looking at it.” She said pushing the
food around her plate.
“If you eat the
toast and drink the milk then we will stop on the way home for
something better.” Jon said. Jeff laughed.
“How is Tim
today?” Jeff asked.
“Better, he
will be here a couple of more days and then they will take him
to jail. Thanks Jon for offering to help him.” She said.
“You’re
welcome, he did help you after all, and made sure you didn’t
get shot.” Jon said. The doctor came in with her release
instructions and told her to get to an OB doctor soon. She
signed the forms and then the nurse insisted she ride in the
wheelchair to the lobby.
Curtis and
Becki were waiting in the lobby for them. Becki looked at Kaye
Leigh and started crying.
“It’s great to
see you too.” Kaye Leigh said. Curtis gave her a hug; she
winced when he squeezed a little too hard.
“How are you
feeling?” he asked.
“Great.” She
replied.
“Whatever you
can’t fool us Kaye Leigh.” Becki said hugging her.
“Let’s get out
of here.” Jon said.
Jeff opened the
door of the truck and helped Kaye Leigh into the back. He
climbed in after her, while the other three rode up front.
Kaye Leigh didn’t talk much just looked out the window and was
thinking about how she was going to get out of Texas with the
kids without a confrontation with Jeff or anyone else. She
looked over at Jeff; he deserved so much more than her; she
was a fool to ever believe that she would be good enough for
him.
“Are you ok?”
Jeff asked.
“Yeah, I’ m
fine.” She said trying to smile.
“Hey sis tell
us the whole story.” Jon said. Kaye Leigh started from the
time she heard the commotion in the yard and talked until she
told them about the cops coming into the restaurant. She left
out the part when she realized just how stupid she was, she
did not want them to suspect anything.
“Kaye Leigh you
could have gotten yourself killed! Morgan isn’t stable.” Jon
said.
“I was angry
and beyond caring, I believed her whole story.” She said.
“Don’t hate
yourself or beat yourself up boss, anyone would have believed
those pictures.” Curtis said. She shook her head.
“You guys
didn’t, even Becki had more faith in Jeff that I did.” She
said sadly.
“Kaye Leigh you
have a great marriage, a good husband who loves you
unconditionally. He doesn’t blame you anymore than anyone else
does.” Becki said firmly.
“That’s right.”
Jon said. Kaye Leigh looked out the window again and wiped
tears away.
They stopped
about half way home for lunch.
“Afternoon what
can I get for you?” a young man said when they sat down.
Everyone ordered and started telling Kaye Leigh that she
needed to eat something.
“I need to use
the restroom.” She told them.
“She’s going to
run.” Becki said.
“No she won’t
she’s angry at herself but she will be fine when she realizes
that no one blames her.” Curtis said. “She’s a lot tougher
than that.” Becki was not so sure; Kaye Leigh was withdrawn
from everyone.
When they got
back on the road Kaye Leigh leaned against the window, she was
still tired; closing her eyes, she fell asleep. Jeff noticed
she was asleep so he gently pulled her so that she could lean
against him. He knew that she was angry with herself and he
was going to do whatever it took to make sure she realized
that it is ok, and that everyone makes mistakes.
“Kaye Leigh
we’re home.” Jon said. Kaye Leigh opened her eyes and sat up.
“We have a
couple of surprises for you.” Jeff said. He helped her out of
the truck.
“I’m fine Jeff
really I don’t need help all the time.” She said.
“I know, but I
want to help you.” He replied.
Kaye Leigh
looked up at the house; on the porch were her parent’s, Jeff’s
parents, along with Miranda and her kids, and Rich and Brook.
She stopped, starred at them, and then started to cry again.
Amanda, Anna, Miranda, Alexis, Brooke, and Becki were all
crying.
“We’re so glad
you’re home and safe Kaye Leigh.” Anna said as they all came
down the stairs.
“We love you
honey.” Her mom said hugging her.
“I love you
guys too.” She replied. Her dad pulled her into a big hug.
“I am so glad
to see you Kaye Leigh, I love you.” He said.
“I love you too
dad.” She said.
“Let’s go
inside so she can sit down.” Jeff said.
“I need to get
cleaned up.” She said and went straight upstairs. Jeff watched
her go. “I’ll be back down in a few minutes.” He told
everyone. When he got up there Kaye Leigh was looking at the
bed.
“The one that
you picked out was a little small.” He said as he came up
behind her. She smiled at him. “Get cleaned up and come down,
everyone wants to see you and we can tell them our news
together.” He told her.
“Not yet Jeff,
I don’t want to tell anyone yet.” She said quickly.
“Why?” he
asked.
“I just need to
wait a while. Is that ok?” she said looking at him.
“Sure if that’s
what you want. Just hurry back down ok?” he said hugging her.
“Thank you
Jeff.” She replied.
“How is she
doing really?” Amanda asked when he got back down.
“Physically she
has two broken ribs, a concussion and some bruises and cuts.
Emotionally she is very angry with herself right now for not
believing me.” He said. “I think that she is thinking she
doesn’t deserve me.”
“We need to
make sure she doesn’t decide to run.” Jon said.
“I’m going to
have Pastor Mark come out in a couple of days to see her.”
Jeff said.
“That’s a good
idea and we all need to reinforce the point that she’s human
and she made a mistake.” Anna said.
“We’ve seen the
pictures and anyone of us would have believed them.” Adam
said.
“That’s true.”
Brent and Rich said together.
Kaye Leigh came
down about an hour later, she had cried so her eyes were red.
She had her hair up in a ponytail and jeans and a shirt on.
She went into the living room where everyone gathered. Kaye
Leigh went to sit down and as she walked past Jeff, he pulled
her into his lap.
“You can sit
here.” He said.
“I really would
rather sit next to you not on your lap Jeff.” She said
quickly. He let her slide off her lap but did not let go of
her hand.
“When did you
guys get here?” she asked.
“We came as
soon as we could after Jon called us.” Brent said.
“We came after
Jeff and Becki called.” Adam said.
“I came in
yesterday morning.” Rich said.
“Thank you very
much for being here for Jeff.” She said.
“We’re here for
both of you.” Rich said.
“We wouldn’t be
any other place.” Adam said. Tears were filling her eyes
again.
“I don’t think
I am ever going to stop crying.” She said smiling at everyone.
Jeff hugged her.
“You’ve just
been through a very stressful time Kaye Leigh you’ll be ok.”
Anna said.
Anna, Amanda,
Miranda, and Becki started getting dinner ready.
“We’re going to
cook out tonight.” Brent said.
“Great.” The
kids yelled.
“You really
need to eat tonight Kaye Leigh.” Jon said. She smiled at him.
Jeff came up beside her and took her hand in his. Becki
brought her a glass of tea.
“Thanks.” She
said.
“Want to talk?”
Becki asked.
“No, not
really.” She replied. She walked over to the railing, leaned
against it, and watched her family and friends, praying that
God would help her to let them all go.
Kaye Leigh
quietly went out to the stable, Jeff watched her go and
decided to give her a few minutes, and then he would join her.
She went to
Skye’s stall, held out a carrot she had brought with her and
said “Skye, how have you been? I have to let you both go, he
deserves so much more.” Tears were falling again.
“Not thinking
of running are you Kaye Leigh?” Becki said. Kaye Leigh jumped.
“I’m sorry; I
didn’t mean to startle you.” Becki added quickly.
“I just didn’t
hear you.” She said.
“So are you
planning on running?” Becki asked again.
“I’m not
planning anything Becki.” She said.
“Why do I get
the feeling you’re not being exactly honest?” Becki said
suspiciously.
“Just drop it
Becki.” She said.
“I’m not going
to let you run away.” Becki told her.
“You’re going
to just drop it and not say anything to anyone what you think
I may or may not be doing or you can leave Becki, and I am
very serious.” Kaye Leigh said looking at her.
“I might have
to leave but don’t expect me not to say anything Kaye Leigh,
you know me better than that.” Becki said.
“What’s going
on?” Jeff asked when he came in. He looked between the two of
them.
“Nothing we
were just having a discussion.” Kaye Leigh said turning back
towards Skye.
“Kaye Leigh is
planning on running.” Becki said.
“Becki shut up,
you don’t know what you’re talking about.” She yelled.
“No, I told you
that I will go but I wouldn’t go quietly.” Becki said.
“What is she
talking about Kaye Leigh?” Jeff asked.
“Nothing.” She
replied.
“She said that
she had to let you and Skye go, that you deserved more.” Becki
said.
“Get out of
here Becki.” She yelled.
“Just go up to
the house so I can talk to Kaye Leigh.” He said watching her.
“Get off my
property Becki.” She said.
Becki turned
and left.
“I deserve you
Kaye Leigh and no one else. I want to spend the rest of my
life loving you.” He said quietly, putting his arms around
her. “Please stop blaming yourself and please don’t think of
leaving me. It’s over and done Kaye Leigh I love you so much.”
“It’s not over
and done Jeff, everyone else believed you and trusted you, not
your wife.” She said sadly. Jeff turned her around lifted her
chin so she was looking at him.
“It’s done Kaye
Leigh, I’ve forgiven you for any doubts that you had, and
seeing those pictures anyone would have believed them. I love
you Kaye Leigh and I’m not letting you go ever.” He said and
kissed her. “Now let’s get up to the house and feed this baby
of ours.” He took her hand and led her out of the stable.
Curtis sat a
plate down in front of Kaye Leigh that was loaded with food.
“You really
don’t think I’m going to eat this much do you?” she asked.
“Yes you are.”
He replied sitting down next to her.
“It’s not going
to happen.” She said just looking at it.
“Just try to
eat Kaye Leigh please.” Jeff whispered.
Becki had come
over and sat down next to Curtis, Kaye Leigh ignored her.
“Don’t be mad
at her she’s just trying to help.” Jeff said.
“I don’t need
hers or anyone else’s help.” She replied. Jeff just shook his
head.