DOWN THE ROAD

Kaye Leigh and Jeff were sitting on the porch; they had a wonderful afternoon being together. Their baby was going to come any day and Kaye Leigh could not wait to see Jeff’s face when their child was born. She could not believe that she was this happy again.

“Jeff are you happy?” she asked him. He laughed.

“Happy, no Kaye Leigh I am not happy. I haven’t been for a long time now.” He replied. Kaye Leigh looked at him.

“What do you mean?” she asked devastated.

“I mean that you must realize I don’t love you anymore. We are not even married remember, I signed the divorce papers just like you wanted. You’re not my wife and I have a girlfriend who I am going to be marrying soon.” He said.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she said crying.

“Kaye Leigh stop your crying it’s getting so old. We were having fun, but the fun had worn off for me. I get the ranch, the money and you get to leave. I think it’s a pretty fair deal don’t you?” Jeff said laughing.

“What about our baby?” she cried.

“You raised two by yourself what’s one more right?” he replied.

Jeff went into the house and started taking her stuff and throwing it into the back of the truck.

“Jeff, please don’t do this. I love you!” she cried.

“I don’t love you Kaye Leigh.” He said. “You need to leave before the police come.”

“How could you do this to me?” she cried.

Jeff, Becki, and Curtis were in the living room watching television when they heard Kaye Leigh screaming.

“What’s that?” Becki said. They all rushed into the bedroom where Kaye Leigh was.

Kaye Leigh was tossing and turning, crying uncontrollably and still apparently asleep.

“Kaye Leigh.” Jeff said going over to the bed. “Kaye Leigh honey wake up.” He shook her gently. She was still thrashing about in the bed.

“Kaye Leigh wake up.” Becki said.

They finally got her to wake up, she was shaking and crying.

“What were you dreaming about?” Becki asked. Kaye Leigh did not answer but ran into the bathroom where she was sick.

“Kaye Leigh honey are you ok?” Jeff asked. He got down on the floor next to her. She was still shaking and crying. Kaye Leigh shook her head. Jeff wondered what she was dreaming about that would cause this.

“I’ll be out in a few minutes.” She said when she had calmed down a little.

“Do you need some help?” He asked.

“No thanks.” She replied.

Jeff went out into the living room with the others.

“What was that all about?” Curtis asked.

“I’m not sure yet.” Jeff replied. Kaye Leigh brushed her teeth, put on a robe, tried to calm down more and went into the living room.

She sat down next to Jeff. He put his arm around her.

“Here Kaye Leigh drink this.” Becki said handing her a glass of water.

“Thanks.” She said taking the glass with a shaky hand.

“Do you want to tell us what you were dreaming about?” Jeff asked gently.

“About you and I.” she replied.

“What about the two of you Kaye Leigh?” Becki asked. She told them the whole dream through tears.

Jeff laughed

“Honey it was a dream, none of it is true.” He told her.

“You signed the papers Jeff; I got a phone call from Mr. Fisher.” She said.

“Well about those Kaye Leigh and Jeff, um Jon sort of talked to Mr. Fisher and he was going to sort of “lose” the paper work, so even though you’ve both signed them, you’re still very much married.” Curtis said.

“Call Mr. Fisher.” Kaye Leigh said desperately. “Tell him to tear up the papers.” Jeff looked at her.

“Kaye Leigh its ok.” He said reassuringly.

“Please do it now Jeff.” She said.

“Ok.” He said looking at the fear in her eyes.

Jeff got Kaye Leigh’s cell phone and dialed Mr. Fisher’s home phone number.

“Hello?” he answered.

“Mr. Fisher, hello, this is Jeff Rutherford.” Jeff said.

“Oh hello Jeff how are you? How is Kaye Leigh?” he replied.

“We’re both good, Kaye Leigh would like you to tear up the divorces papers and so would I.” Jeff told him.

“I’ve already done that, Jon came in the day you went to get Kaye Leigh.” He said. Jeff laughed.

“Thank you very much, just send a bill to the house.” Jeff said.

“There’s no need.” Mr. Fisher said. “You just take care of that wife of yours.”

“I’ll do that.” Jeff replied and hung up.

He sat back down next to Kaye Leigh. “It’s already done, Jon went in the day we left to come here.” He said. “Do you feel better now?” Kaye Leigh smiled a little.

“You guys must think I’m crazy.” She said shaking her head.

“Yeah we do but what does that have to do with this?” Curtis asked smiling at her.

Becki and Jeff laughed. The kids had come upstairs to say goodnight to everyone.

“You ok mom? You’ve been crying again.” Josh said looking at her.

“She had a bad dream.” Jeff said. All the kid hugged her tight.

“Thanks guys. You sleep good.” She said.

“Night everyone.” They said. Kaye Leigh watched them go.

“We have such great kids.” She said.

“That we do. Are you ready to go back to bed?” Jeff asked.

“I’m not sure.” She replied.

“Come on, I’ll go with you.” He said taking her hand.

“Good night guys.” Jeff said to Becki and Curtis.

“Night.” They replied. Jeff could feel Kaye Leigh trembling. When they got into the room, he shut the door and pulled her close.

“That would never happen Kaye Leigh; I wouldn’t chase you all over the country just to leave you. I love you way too much to let you go.” He said kissing her. He wiped a tear away. “And you’re crying never gets old.” He smiled at her. She smiled.

“I’m sorry Jeff.” She said as she went to her side of the bed.

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for.” He told her.

“Not just for this but for everything I put you through, for leaving again.” She told him.

“It’s all forgiven Kaye Leigh.” He said getting into bed. He laid down and she turned on her side to face him.

“Thank you.” She said. “I love you Jeff.”

“I love you too Kaye Leigh.” He said kissing her. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer.

“I don’t ever want to be away from you again Jeff.” She said. He smiled.

“Does this mean I won’t have to visit another state to fetch you?” he asked. Kaye Leigh laughed.

Kaye Leigh fell into a peaceful sleep safe in her husbands’ arms. Jeff held her as she slept and laughed to himself. His wife was crazy at times, but he would be lost without her. He kissed her check and then fell asleep himself.

Curtis and Becki had gotten up early to get the Thanksgiving dinner going. Jeff was letting Kaye Leigh sleep as long as she could.

“Good morning.” He said coming into the kitchen.

“Morning, how’s Kaye Leigh?” Curtis asked.

“She slept fine last night, no more dreams. I’m letting her sleep as long as she can this morning.” He said.

“Good, she needs it.” Becki said. “I think last night’s dream really terrified her.”

“I think so too, she told me she never wanted to be away from me again. So I guess my days of visiting different states to get her are over.” He said laughing.

“She still has some work to do on forgiving herself but I think we’re coming along.” He told them.

“Good, you two make a perfect couple.” Becki said. Jeff laughed.

“She does keep my life interesting.” He said. Curtis laughed.

“Better you than me.” Curtis told him.

It was almost noon when Kaye Leigh came hurrying into the kitchen.

“What’s wrong Kaye Leigh?” Becki asked.

“I didn’t get up to start dinner; it will be midnight before we eat.” She replied.

“Don’t worry honey everything is under control.” Jeff said.

“We’ve got dinner going.” Curtis said smiling.

“I decided you needed sleep more than we needed you to cook.” Jeff said.

“Thank you, you are way too good to me.” She said kissing him.

“I know it.” He replied laughing. Kaye Leigh shook her head.

“Where are the kids?” she asked.

“The girls are in Grace’s room watching the parade, and the boys are in Josh’s room watching the football pre-game show.” Jeff said.

“They can’t get enough football can they?” Kaye Leigh said.

“Jeff lets go down to the ocean and walk on the beach.” She said.

“Isn’t it kind of cold for that?” he said.

“No, it’s a beautiful day.” She told him. He smiled at her.

“Ok then go get ready.” He told her.

“Be back in a little while.” She told him.

“You two have fun; we will stay here with the dinner and the kids.” Curtis said. “It’s nice to see some of the spark back in the boss’s eyes.” Becki nodded in agreement.

“It’s good to hear her laugh again.” She said.

“Ok Jeff, I’m ready.” She called to him.

“I’m coming.” He replied. They went out the door, got in the car, and drove down to the beach. When they got out, they could smell the salty air.

“See isn’t it beautiful out here?” Kaye Leigh asked taking his hand.

“You’re beautiful.” Jeff replied.

“Jeff I want you to know that I want to go to the court when Tim, Morgan, and Sam are sentenced.” She said. He stopped walking.

“Why?” he asked.

“I need to; I need to see this to the end to put it behind me.” She said looking at him, hoping he would understand.

“Do you want to do this alone?” he asked thinking he knew the answer.

“No Jeff, I don’t want to do anything without you again.” She said kissing him. “You are my life Jeff.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

“I love you Kaye Leigh.” He whispered.

“Come on let’s go.” She said taking his hand and walking again.

“We need to decide on names. I would like to pick out two of each, so when the baby is born we can tell which name will fit.” He laughed.

“You don’t think the name will fit?” he asked.

“You never know, I had a different name picked out for Grace but when I saw her, it just didn’t fit.” She said smiling.

“Ok then we will have to get two names for each ready. Do you have a feeling of what you’re having?” he asked.

“No not really.” She replied.

When they got back to the house, their cheeks were rosy from the wind.

“You guys look like you had a blast.” Becki said.

“We did, although I didn’t run along the beach and let Jeff catch me. It was more like a waddle.” Kaye Leigh said. Everyone laughed.

“You are the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.” Jeff said.

“You have to say that.” She said laughing.

“Who says I do?” he said. Kaye Leigh laughed.

“Dinner is just about ready guys.” Curtis said.

“Ok, I will go wash my hands and I will set the table.” Kaye Leigh said.

“I’ll help.” Jeff said.

“Thank you for the walk Jeff it was wonderful.” She said kissing him.

“It was a lot of fun; we should try to do it again before we leave.” He said. “Do you like walking the beach or riding the range better?” Kaye Leigh smiled,

“Give me a horse any day.” She replied laughing.

“That’s what I figured. Me too though, you’ve got me hooked on those horses.” He said.

They went and set the table. The kids were washing up. Kaye Leigh went to help put things out on the table.

“Let me grab something.” She said.

“You can grab the butter.” Curtis said.

“Gosh do you think I can handle that Curtis?” she said smiling.

“Really I don’t think so but I want you to feel useful.” He said laughing.

When everything was ready, they sat down. Jeff prayed and he thanked God that Kaye Leigh was coming to terms with everything. When he finished he noticed Kaye Leigh was wiping her eyes.

“Mom are you going to cry over everything until the baby is born?” Faith asked. Jeff laughed.

“Probably, I seem to be really good at it.” She replied.

“No kidding.” Josh said.

“Ok I want everyone to say one thing that they are thankful for.” Curtis said. “Jeff you can start.”

“I need to go last.” Kaye Leigh put in.

“That’s fine.” Curtis said.

“I’m thankful that my family is together, that my wife is getting better, that she’s carrying our child, and that we’re going home soon.” Jeff said. Kaye Leigh took his hand.

“I’m thankful for our family, that we have a bigger house than this one, and that I have the world greatest mom and dad.” Dan said.

“I’m thankful that my mom loves me no matter what I do, that we are all together, and that we get to go home.” Josh said. Kaye Leigh smiled at him.

“I’m thankful we’re all together again, I’m thankful mom’s having a baby, and I’m thankful dad never gave up on us.” Grace said. Kaye Leigh and Becki both were wiping their eyes.

“I’m thankful for our family, I’m thankful that we have a great dinner to look forward to, and I am thankful everyone loves each other.” Faith said.

“I am thankful for all of you guys, I am thankful for you allowing me to be part of your family, and I am thankful that Kaye Leigh makes life so interesting.” Curtis said.

“I’m thankful for all of you guys too, I am thankful that Kaye Leigh allows me to do a wonderful job that I absolutely love, and I am thankful for you Curtis.” Becki said. Kaye Leigh laughed.

“Your turn boss.” Curtis said, his face was red.

“I am so thankful for my great husband, for my awesome children, for our new addition. I am thankful for Becki, my closest friend, for Curtis my best foreman. I am thankful that no one got hurt worse than they did during the whole incident with Sam and Morgan. I am thankful that God does not give up on us when we give up on ourselves. But this year I am most thankful that God gave me Josh, who brought us together again.” Kaye Leigh said through tears. Becki was crying too.

“I love you mom.” Josh said.

“I love you too kid.” She said. Josh got up and hugged her.

“Ok, now we’ve got pretty much everyone crying.” Becki said laughing.

Kaye Leigh looked around at everyone and said, “Finally I’m not the only one!”

Everyone started serving themselves.

“Everything looks great Curtis and Becki.” Kaye Leigh said.

“Now let’s see if it tastes good.” Jeff said. Everyone laughed. The food was delicious and Kaye Leigh ate until she was full.

“You did well today.” Jeff said.

“Yeah well someone was upset that I missed breakfast today.” She said patting her stomach.

Kaye Leigh’s cell phone rang. She went to get it, she opened it up and seen that it was Jon.

“Hi there big brother.” She said.

“Kaye Leigh you are sounding much better.” Jon said.

“I am much better Jon.” She replied.

“About time so now I can yell at you for taking off.” He said. Kaye Leigh laughed.

“You can yell at me in person, it’s so much better that way.” She told him. “How is everyone?”

“Good, mom and dad are a little upset with you. You should call them.” He told her.

“I will call sometime today.” She said.

“So when are you guys coming home?” he asked.

“I think Saturday.” She told him.

“Call and let me know for sure. I love you sis.” He said.

“I love you too Jon.” She told him.

“So what did your brother have to say?” Jeff asked.