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.
“He wanted to
yell at me but I told him to wait until I get home, because
it’s more fun in person.” She replied. Jeff laughed.