Reba scooted close to Narvel in bed and wrapped her arms around his waist as he read. She breathed in his scent deeply and relaxed her head under his arm on his chest. Narvel continued to read as his wife got comfortable. He finished his chapter and put his book down kissing the top of her head. "Narv, what are we gonna do about all this?" "I'm not really sure. But she's not going into an orphanage." They stayed silent a moment. "Everything makes sense." "What makes sense?" "When Charlie came to supposedly kidnap me." "Do you wanna talk about what happened? We never really discussed this." "I don't mind. I just forgot with the whole Susie thing." "Okay tell me."

"Well nothing really happened he just put me in his truck and we drove for miles. He said he was taking me back to Oklahoma." Narvel started laughing. "What? He told me he loved me and he wanted to give us a second chance."

Narvel couldn't stop laughing. "I'm sorry honey, that is just a little too funny to believe."

"It's true. I have men falling at my feet you know." "I do know. You're just way too sexy for any man but me." She hit him playfully. "Lies. Anyway he ended up admitting that he was only trying to take me so that you would give him more money. He didn't say why, or what for, but he seemed to want it for a good reason."

Narvel looked into space thinking.

"I told him we couldn't afford to give him any at the time because I had been out of work for so long. He seemed to take that okay. Then went on to apologize for everything, he admitted to treating me poorly, and owned his part in our divorce. He said he wanted to settle down with someone stable and be the husband that I always deserved. "You think he wanted the money to save for Kylie?" "It makes sense. She did say he was putting money away for her college." "We need to have a talk to him… Without him flying off the handle." "I think he's mellowed a little with age honey." "What's with all these cowboys? They're all such hard men." "Are not!" "Are too. Look at your Daddy." "Errr, okay. You win."

"What do you think Charlie's gonna do when he finds out Kylie wants to go into an orphanage." "Well that's just the thing. She doesn't want to go into an orphanage. She loves her father, she just wants him to look after himself and not worry so much about her." "Yeah right. Try telling a father not to worry about his little girl. I doubt you'll get very far." "I know, I know. But hopefully he will get the whole settle down thing. Maybe if he knows that's what she wants."

Narvel didn't say anything. He was thinking hard on how he would feel if he were in the same situation. He understood completely what was driving Charlie to work so hard.

The love one feels for their child is like no other. And the love a father feels for their daughter is something from the heavens. It's incomparable, and never ending.

How would he feel if he found out he had a daughter who was now a young lady and he never ever got to be a part of her earlier years? Lost. Lost, and like he would have to spend every waking moment trying to make up for lost time.

But how would he feel if he had worked so hard to make up for lost time, and the young lady decided to put herself into an orphanage because she was worried he was going to burn himself out? Broken. Broken, worthless, and lonely.

All these thoughts running through his head, they felt so real, it felt like he was losing a little girl again. It hit him like a truck. Right in the chest! He couldn't breathe, yet from his heart a twinge set out. It made its way to his eyes and settled there. The twinge so sharp caused his eyes to leak slightly. He didn't wipe the salty liquid from his cheek, and instead let it roll down and drop preciously onto his wife's flaming locks.

Reba felt the strange liquid and turned in her husband's arms. She didn't say a word, just held him tightly. "I'm okay." Reba nodded her head into his chest and continued to squeeze him. "It's amazing how a daughter can change her father's life." Sobbed Narvel. "Yes honey." "I know now why your daddy is so protective of you." "He loves me." "He sure does! And Charlie loves Kylie. Baby this is gonna destroy him. I just know it!" "Maybe we won't tell him the solution Kylie has come up with, and instead deal with why she came to that option." "I need to sleep on this. I tried to put myself in his shoes just then, and my heart couldn't handle it. But I think I know what to do." "You wanna share before we sleep?" "Nope. Sleep first." Reba sat up and kissed his lips. "I'm tired and sore." "Roll over, so I can rub my sexy wife's back till she sleeps." She kissed him big and then sunk down turning her back to him.

There was a knock at the door early in the morning. "I'll get it Red, you stay in bed." Reba stretched under the covers and then fixed the top sheet over the blankets nicely bringing them up under her armpits. "Morning Kylie. Come in." "Morning Narvel, sorry to wake you. Is Reba awake?" "Yeap, she's just in bed." Kylie sat down in her pj's on the chair stiffly. I'm sorry I'm so early." "No, it's fine. Would you like a drink? Or Maybe something to eat?" "No thank you." She looked a little sad. "You okay?" Narvel sat down on a chair in front of her. "Mmhmmm…I…I think I'm just a little homesick. I miss my Daddy." She had her head down, unable to lift it without letting a tear slip. "Oh sweetie, c'mere." Narvel gave her a little hug. "Why don't you go climb into bed with Reba, and I'll go out and get you two ladies some breakfast." She perked up a little and nodded.

"Excuse me Reba, can I come snuggle with you a while? I miss Daddy." "Sure you can! Let's watch somethin girly." She threw back the covers for Kylie to climb in and switched the television on.

Reba saw Kylie miles away and not really paying attention to anything that was on the tele. She turned the volume down and just left the picture rolling. Kylie didn't notice a thing. Reba reached her arms out and wrapped them around Kylie snuggling her small body into her. Kylie started crying uncontrollably soaking Reba, and the sheets around them. "You know you can talk to me about anything right honey?" Kylie shook her head and pulled away. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. I promise, I'm not usually this weak. I'm fine, really." "No you're not. You're not weak. You are a strong young lady." Reba got out of bed and walked around to Kylie's side. She sat down next to her on the bed. "Even the strongest of people need a chat and a cry every now and then." "Not this one. She just needs to get out of your hair for a little while." "Honey, I promise I want to help you." "I really appreciate the gesture. But I didn't realize. I have been so selfish. You have your own things going on right now. I'm so sorry. As soon as we get back to Oklahoma I will leave you and Narvel both alone and find another way." She stood up and started for the door. Reba had no idea what had just happened. At one point she was holding a young lady in her arms who was sobbing her heart out, and the next she was watching her walk to the door trying to be independent.

"Kylie wait. At least have breakfast with us. Narvel will be back soon, and he will have enough food for an army I just know it." "Good. Your body will need it." She kept walking towards the main door looking a little upset and agitated. "Pardon?" Reba was confused.

Was she saying Reba needed to put on more weight? Or did she just mean she would need the energy for the travel they had planned for that night? She had no idea.

"C'mon. Please stay for breakfast. We would really love the company." "You will have company soon enough, let me tell you."

She got a little sassy.

"I really don't understand what you're trying to say. But I can see you're getting a little upset."

"YOU'RE PREGANT!"

She yelled at Reba, then walked out the door slamming it behind her.