Ned gets hurt in an accident with the horses and falls into a coma. The family is upset and struggles to keeps things together until Ned recovers. Sean must step in and take over his father's duties. Sean begins to feel overwhelmed and begs his comatose father to come back to them. He goes to his mother's grave and pleads silently with GOD to allow his father to live. Marita follows him to the gravesite and bends down beside him. She caresses his back to let him know that he can lean on her. He accepts her offer and moves into her arms. She hugs him tightly and comforts him with her embrace. No words are spoken. None are needed.

************************

Marita is taking a stroll along the fence as Sean trots up next to her.

"We got a couple of meetings in town..." he begins.

"Yes" Marita says.

"which might keep me there most of the day." Sean explains.

"Oh well, we'll struggle through without you" Marita teases.
"I'll miss you today" MH

"That's a comfort to know" Sean laughs.

Marita smiles that sweet smile at him.

"Do me a favor would you?" Sean asks.

"Sure" Marita says.
"Anything for you" MH

"Keep an eye on Alice, would you" Sean says.

"What's going on?" Marita asks.

"I don't know. Maybe nothing." Sean says.
Sean leans forward just to get a little closer to her as he looks at his vision of loveliness.
"I want to get lost in those big brown eyes" SH
He hates to leave her but he has to go.
"I'll see you when I get home." Sean promises.
Translation: Wait for me.

"I'll be here." Marita promises
"I'm not going anywhere!" MM

"GOOD" SM

He gets one last look, waves goodbye and heads to town. Marita laughs and watches him leave.

"I love that man!" MH

***********************

Sean finishes his all of his meetings and stops by the bar to have a drink before he goes home. Clay and Tom Stanton, Sean's college friend are already there enjoying themselves.

"I wished they'd hurry up with this so I can go home" SM
"Home to Marita. I hope she waits for me" SH

The three finally make it to the Logan house, but they have already missed dinner. Ned greets them at the door and is not pleased with them.

"Hi Pa. I hope we're not late for dinner" Clay says as Sean rolls his eyes.

Ned can only look at his second son. Clay knows he should have just kept his mouth shut as he lets out a little laugh and heads for the kitchen.

Sean offers Ned a look that says "I don't know Pa".

"I'm going to find Marita" SM

He finds her in the great room reading a book.

"Hey" he says as he sits next to her on the sofa.

"Hey" she smiles as she closes her book. "How did your meetings go?"

"They went good. We got a lot accomplished" Sean says. "I see you all made it through the day without me" he smiles.

"Yes, we did, but just barely" Marita laughs.
"I'm glad you're home" MH

"I'm glad you waited for me" SH

They talked and laughed about the day's events.

*********************

Sean is about to travel to Frankfort for Assembly business. He is outside with Marita preparing the horses. He looks at her and wishes she could come with him.

"How long will you and your Pa be gone for?" Sean asks.

"Four or five days" she answers as she turns back to him.
"I'll miss you" MH

"Well, I'll be back before you will then" Sean smiles.
"I'm gonna miss you" SH

To Be Continued.........................