DOWN THE ROAD

“We’ll see you when we get home.” Jeff said kissing her.

“I love you Jeff.” She said.

“I love you too Kaye Leigh.” He said. She watched them pull out of the driveway and wondered what was going to happen to them.

She was sitting on the swing trying to drink some tea when Tim came up.

“Not going to church today?” he asked.

“No, I’m not feeling so great this morning.” She said.

“Feel up to a ride?” he asked.

“I can’t go riding; I’m pregnant so I won’t be riding for a while. But if you give me a few minutes to change my clothes I will go for a walk with you.” She said.

“You’re having a baby huh? Congratulations.” He said. Kaye Leigh went into the house to change.

Jeff, Curtis, Becki and the kids got to church, went in and found places to sit. Jon, Miranda and their kids came in a few minutes later.

“Where’s Kaye Leigh?” Jon asked.

“Home sick.” Jeff said.

“Mom’s pregnant.” Dan said.

“Really?” Miranda said.

“Yes.” Jeff said smiling.

“That’s great.” Jon said. “Now if we could get this whole mess cleaned up things would be great for you two.”

“Excuse me.” Jeff said and went out for a few minutes.

“Hello?” Morgan said.

“It’s me.” He said.

“Hey you, I didn’t expect to hear from you with church and everything.” She said.

“I don’t have long but I wanted to let you know a couple of things. First Sam called last night and he said he’s coming for Kaye Leigh, second Kaye Leigh’s pregnant.” He told her.

“What?” Morgan yelled.

“I’ve got to go we’ll talk more when I come again hopefully later today.” He said and hung up.

“About time you got back, the service is about to begin.” Curtis said when Jeff sat down next to him.

“Sorry I had something I needed to do.” Jeff replied. “Can you tell Kaye Leigh when you get home that I will be a little while and make sure she eats something?” Jeff asked Becki.

“Sure but what are you doing?” she asked.

“I had some test results come in and I want to go over them since I was out of the office for those couple of days.” He said.

“Ok, I will let her know.” She replied.

Kaye Leigh and Tim had walked to the stable; she went straight to Skye’s stall.

“Hey girl how are you?” she said patting its head and neck. Kaye Leigh laughed when Skye nudged her hand towards her pocket. “No sugar cubes this time.”

“You love that horse don’t you?” Tim asked her as he climbed onto the side of the stall.

“Yes, she’s one of the first ones I bought.” She said. He laughed.

“Where are you originally from?” he asked.

“Michigan.” She replied.

“I didn’t think you were born in Texas, not a strong enough accent.” He said smiling at her.

They talked for a while, and then Tim looked at his watch and said, “Hey boss I wish I could continue talking with you but I need to get some work done before Curtis gets back, I don’t think he likes me too much.” He said.

“I’m sure he does, guys are just a little jealous.” She told him.

“I’d like to spend some more time getting to know you.” He said.

“I’d like that too.” She said. She stayed in the stable with Skye for a while after Tim left.

When the service was over Jon dropped Curtis and Becki off as he headed for work. Jeff waited until everyone had left before he pulled out of the parking lot.

Morgan went to answer the door.

“I’m so glad you came.” She said throwing herself into his arms.

“Missed me huh?” he said laughing. He steered her back inside and shut the door behind them.

“Always.” She said.

“Good, just what I wanted to hear.” He said kissing her.

Jon pulled in and was surprised.

“Hey sis, congratulations on the new addition.” He yelled out the window. Kaye Leigh smiled and waved.

“How are you feeling Kaye Leigh?” Becki asked.

“Better.” She said. “Where’s Jeff?”

“He said he would be a while, some test results came in, and he wanted to go over them since he was off those two days.” Becki told her.

“Trust him Kaye Leigh.” Curtis said watching her. The doubt she felt must have shown on her face.

“What did you do today?” Becki asked.

“I had a nice conversation with Tim.” She replied. “I also went and visited Skye.”

“Kaye Leigh you really need to stay away from Tim, especially by yourself.” Curtis said. “Jeff, Jon, and I don’t trust him; he seems to want to get awfully friendly with you.”

“Just drop it Curtis, he hasn’t done anything inappropriate, and he obviously thought I could use some company. Besides what about Jeff, he can “read” some test results but I can’t talk to someone?” she said. Curtis just shook his head.

“What are we going to do about Kaye Leigh?” he asked Morgan.

“We’ll have to get rid of the baby; she doesn’t deserve another one to keep from its father like Josh and Grace.” Morgan said.

“That’s a little extreme isn’t it?” he asked with concern.

“No its not, why should she be allowed to have another baby?” she asked heatedly.

“Calm down Morgan, I’ll go along with whatever you decide.” He said kissing her.

“Good, because I am really going to need your help.” She said.

“I need to be getting back; I’ve been gone longer than I planned.” He said. “See you again soon.”

Becki had made a late lunch, Jeff pulled when they finished setting things up outside.

“Hi everyone.” He said.

“Hey dad.” Josh said.

Kaye Leigh looked at him and said, “Where were you?”

“Didn’t Becki tell you?” he said looking at her.

“They said that you went to the office to go over test results, but I want to know where you really were Jeff?” she said. Jeff looked at the kids who were watching them.

“I was at the office Kaye Leigh.” He said.

“Let’s sit down and eat guys.” Becki said. The kids were sitting on the ground on a blanket and the four of them were at the patio table.

“Eat something Kaye Leigh.” Jeff said pouring her some tea. Becki put a plate of food in front of her.

“Looks great Becki.” Curtis said.

“What did you do today Kaye Leigh?” Jeff asked.

“I spent the morning talking with Tim and visiting Skye.” She replied watching him.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I hadn’t seen her in a while.” She said.

“Why were you talking with Tim?” he asked.

“Because he felt that I could use some company and he was right, we had a nice talk.” She said still looking at him.

“Sounds like you’re enjoying his company.” He said glaring at her. She smiled.

“As a matter of fact I do thank you.” She replied.

“Well then it looks like I will have to get rid of some competition.” He told her.

Kaye Leigh laughed.

“You can’t hire or fire anyone on this ranch without my permission Jeff, so he’s here to stay as long as I want him to be.” She said angrily.

“Maybe not Kaye Leigh, but I can and certainly will make him want to leave.” He said.

“You can certainly try.” She said picking up her plate and throwing it at him. She got up and went to the stable.

She could not believe she had thrown her plate at him, she did not realize that she had done it until it was over. She was sitting in an empty stalls thinking about everything that need to be done this week. The kids had to be registered for school, they had to go shopping, and the divorce papers would be ready for her to sign.

Kaye Leigh would bet that Jeff was not in his office today; she could not understand how everyone else could continue to believe his lies so easily. He was gone a lot lately; Morgan had her rings, and knew about things that had happened at the house. How obvious was it? Be still and know that I am God. That voice was back, she had not heard it in a while, and she did not want to hear it now.

“Kaye Leigh?” Becki called.

“Over here.” She replied. Becki’s head appeared over the side of the stall.

“Why are you sitting in an empty stall?” Becki asked.

“Just thinking.” She replied.

“I know what you’re thinking Kaye Leigh.” Becki said.

“Really Becki what am I thinking?” she snapped.

“You know Kaye Leigh you don’t have to be angry with everyone around you; we’re just trying to help.” Becki told her.

“You want to help Becki; do you really want to help? Then stop believing whatever lies Jeff tells you, quit telling me things are going to be fine, quit telling me that he loves me, and tell me that I’m not pregnant, that it’s just the stress.” She said. Becki sighed.

“I won’t do that Kaye Leigh.” Becki replied.

“Then just leave me alone.” She said. “Fine!” Becki yelled.

“Kaye Leigh doesn’t believe I was at the office today.” Jeff said.

“Were you?” Curtis said.

“Yes I was.” He said indignantly.

“Kaye Leigh doesn’t believe anything right now.” Becki said as she sat down next to Curtis.

“What did she say to make you so angry?” Jeff asked afraid he would not like the answer.

“She wants everyone to stop believing your lies, stop telling her things will be fine, stop telling her that you love her, and to tell her that she isn’t pregnant, that it’s the stress of everything.” She finished.

“Is that all?” Jeff said sarcastically.

“Maybe I should just leave so she isn’t under so much stress.” He said.

“No Jeff that would only reinforce her thoughts of you being with Morgan.” Curtis said.

“Go talk to her.” Becki said.

“You ok boss?” Tim asked, he had heard her and Becki talking.

“Yeah thanks.” She said from inside the stall.

“Want to talk; I’m a really good listener.” He said looking over the side of the stall. Kaye Leigh looked at him, and then started crying and laughing.

“My life is quickly falling apart.” She said.

“It can’t really be that bad.” Tim said with concern.

“Really what would you call my husband having an affair with my ex-husbands wife?” she said laughing.

“Ouch, sorry boss I had no idea.” He said.

“I have no idea what to do.” She said.

Jeff had heard her telling their problems to Tim, he grabbed a hold of Tim and pulled him off the side of the stall.

“You’ve got one minute to get out of here and a half hour to get off this ranch.” Jeff said furiously.

“Jeff stop it.” Kaye Leigh yelled getting up quickly and coming out of the stall.

“Are you ok Tim?” she asked.

“Get away from him Kaye Leigh.” Jeff yelled.

“Shut up!” she said

“You don’t have to leave Tim.” She said.

“Yes he does.” Jeff said grabbing the front of Tim’s shirt.

“Stop it Jeff!” she yelled again. “Get out of here Jeff.”

“Fine Kaye Leigh.” He said turning on his heel and leaving.

“Are you ok Tim?” she asked.

“Yeah boss I’m fine.” He assured her.