The Truth Will Out
Chapter 28
Lee went to Barney's and letting him in Barney asked, "What's happened now?"
Lee sighed and went to the fridge getting a beer stating, "I know their hearts are in the right place but when will they learn to just ask before diving into a situation that's only going to cause trouble?"
Barney shook his head as Lee sat on the couch and put up a hand replying, "Whoa! Slow down and tell me what you're going on about?"
Lee chuckled looking at Barney's confused expression and remarked, "I'm sorry. First Dotty wanted to help with the Colonel's and my relationship, then Amanda-"
Barney sat down and queried, "Amanda? How?"
Lee took a sip of his beer and then set it down on the coffee table responding, "Well, after her therapy she told Dotty she wasn't up to having lunch because she was too tired. So Dotty went back to her hotel. Meanwhile, I've just finished talking to the Colonel and we're slowly making headway but we agree to still work on things. As we're leaving the hotel he was heading for some meeting when I get a message at the desk saying that Dotty needed to see me."
Barney shrugged stating, "I didn't know he knew anyone but me out here-"
Lee responded groaning, "Wait. It gets better. He told me it was a base out here that needed his imput on something and that his sergeant gave him that message. Anyway, I get to Dotty's hotel and mention the message that was left for me while I was at the Colonel's hotel. She had no idea what I was talking about but we wound up having lunch since she didn't eat much breakfast. We're looking at menus and it hits her suddenly that it was Amanda that kept us away because she was actually talking to the Colonel herself."
Barney sighed and commented, "Oh, boy."
Lee nodded, "You said it, Pal. I decided to finish lunch and then we'd go back to the hospital. Dotty was a little panicked leaving Amanda alone like that but I had to first of all calm down and second, figure out how I was going to fix the situation as I knew I would ultimately have to do."
Finishing his beer he put it down and sighed as he got up and went to the phone and dialed stating, "I know we're probably going to be back at square one here, but I have to try."
When the person on the other end answered Lee stated, "Yes, this is Lee Stetson. I wonder if you can put me through to Col. Clayton?"
There was a long pause and then the person came back and as Lee listened to the response he nodded and remarked, "I see. When he returns, would you please have him call Barney Dorsey's place? That's where I'll be, Sergeant. Yes, he has the number. Thank you. Goodbye."
Lee hung up and sat down on the couch again shaking his head. Barney queried, "What is it, Son?"
Lee muttered shrugging, "Oh, he's out with his men and it's gonna be a while before he gets his messages. He wasn't gone that long from the base so he shouldn't have too much to catch up on."
Barney stated, "You know how busy he can get with flight detail-"
Lee cut in angrily and responded, "Yeah. But I've known the man almost thirty years now. He's not only working, Barney. He's off licking his wounds someplace too. No. He just needs to cool off for a while."
Getting up he looked at his watch and commented, "I'm gonna head back to Amanda."
Barney asked, "What are you going to tell her?"
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly Lee stated, "I'm going to tell her that although her heart was in the right place this shouldn't have happened and that we'll have to give the Colonel time to calm down before I try talking to him again."
Barney nodded and getting up from the couch patted Lee's shoulder responding, "Good man."
Lee chuckled as he opened the door and remarked, "I was just trying to remember the last time he was this ticked off-"
Barney shook his head and joined in his chuckling as he stated, "The time that visiting colonel brought his daughter along and you were showing her around while the men were working but you two were caught dallying in your uncle's quarters? Whew! I thought you were gonna be booted from the base!"
Lee nodded and stated, "Me too, but luckily I was just put on KP for the next month doing the dishes and helping you cook."
Barney then asked, "There was this stew you made for the men one time when I had the flu. They fussed at me for a week after I got back. I can't remember what it was..."
Lee thought for a moment and then smirked at Barney responding, "Well, one of the guys said at least they wouldn't have to have liver and onions for a while. So as a joke, I made a stew with liver, onions, and cauliflower-I couldn't stand spinach."
Barney guffawed and gasped remarking, "I never could convince the Colonel that it wasn't my recipe! But you never had to eat it. Why not?"
Lee stated shuddering, "Because the Colonel fixed me pork and beans for that whole month-he knew you didn't fix the stew- that was my punishment. Now you see why I hate beans!"
When the two recovered from laughter Lee left replying, "I'll see you later."
Barney stated, "Good luck."
Lee returned to the hospital and entering Amanda's room, found her reading. He stated, "Hi."
Amanda said solemnly, "Hi. So, are we friends again?"
Lee sighed as he kissed her and replied, "We weren't enemies at all here. Look I know what you were trying to do Honey, but you just gotta let this go for now."
Amanda protested, "But-"
Lee put a finger to her lips and responded, "Please stop, okay? I've already called him but he's not ready to talk yet so let's leave it alone, huh?"
Amanda nodded but Lee noticed her sad expression and asked her, "What is it?"
Amanda stated slowly, "Well, I kinda feel like it's the old days. You know when you wouldn't talk to me much and you acted like I was an intrusion in your life-"
Lee sighed again and sat next to her bed remarking, "Sweetheart, I didn't know you that well then and if you remember, I didn't want a partner at the time-"
Amanda spoke softly as she replied, "Well, I didn't ask you to pick me out of a crowd at that train station. Why did you?"
Lee shrugged and answered, "You looked like someone I could trust in a split second decision. And I'm very glad I did pick you after all. We wouldn't be here otherwise."
Amanda nodded and stated, "Right."
Lee cleared his throat and responded, "While we're on the subject of that day, you were at the time dating that weather guy?"
Amanda shrugged and answered, "You know I was. What about it?"
Lee asked earnestly, "Do you think you'd have married him if we hadn't met?"
Amanda thought for a moment and then shook her head stating, "No. I mean, he cared about me and the boys but it just wasn't there."
Lee looked puzzled and queried, "It?"
Amanda sighed and commented, "That spark. That certain something that brought you and I together. I mean, I had something with Joe of course but it was different with you and I never had it with Dean at all."
Lee narrowed his eyes at her and responded, "What do you mean, different?"
Amanda smiled at him as she held his hand and remarked, "That I would never need to look for anyone ever again because I found my true happiness."
They kissed and Lee smiled answering, "Me too. Okay, let's talk about dinner. How about I get us something from that seafood place near Barney's? You've gotta be sick of the food here by now."
Amanda shrugged and replied, "Yeah, but the doctor has a food list-"
Lee nodded and responded, "Right. So where is it?"
Amanda pointed to the nightstand drawer and stated, "In there. Why?"
Lee opened the drawer taking the list out and glancing at it made a face and threw it in the trash!
Amanda shook her head commenting, "You shouldn't have done that. They have guidelines here that state-"
Lee sighed and responded, "I know, I know. But one night of pleasure isn't going to hurt you, trust me."
Amanda swallowed at the statement remarking, "The actual one was very nice from what I remember."
Lee smiled and replied, "Our wedding night...yeah. But I promise when you get better, we'll have more of those as well. So, how about that seafood?"
Amanda answered, "What about my meds? Won't they interfere with the food?"
Lee shrugged and stated, "We can ask the doctor if it'll make you feel better, okay?"
So Dr. Neely came in a while later when Lee asked for him and Amanda mentioned the seafood place where Lee wanted to pick up some dinner.
Amanda responded, "Would it be all right just this once?"
Dr. Neely nodded after a moment stating, "I was going to say no if you thought about taking her there."
Lee shook his head replying, "No. I understand she's not ready for any outings yet, Doc. But thanks for switching out the menu for tonight anyway. Oh, and could we maybe have a little bubbly to go with that? A nice wine perhaps?"
Dr. Neely sighed and stated, "Just for tonight. Look, I realize how hard this has been for you being newlyweds and all but she still is a patient here and we have to monitor her condition carefully and make sure she isn't overdoing anything. So enjoy but get plenty of rest afterwards all right, Amanda?"
Amanda smiled and sighed stating, "Thank you, Dr. Neely. I will, I promise."
The doctor left and Lee kissed Amanda remarking, "Fabulous! Now, let me just go get our treats and I'll be back soon, huh?"
Amanda nodded and yawned replying, "Go ahead. I'm just gonna read a bit until you return."
Lee nodded and left with Amanda thinking, Yeah, I think we're gonna be fine. It'll be nice when he gets to know the boys, too. Wonder when I should bring up the subject of Lee to them?
She pulled the latest Ladies Home Journal out of the nightstand drawer and began to read. She hoped Lee wouldn't be too long. She was beginning to get hungry...
TBC
