A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Fifty One
The guys were the first ones to get back to Company. Sitting down at one of the tables, Richard asks. "Do you want to order before the ladies get…?"
"I think we'll need a bigger table." Jeffrey says, looking at the front door as Richard turns to look.
The girls walk over to the table as the guys stand up. Sam goes to Jeffrey, while Cassie goes to Richard. They hug and then kiss before Richard Jeffrey told their chairs out. Josh holds Reva's chair but neither one of the touch as they sit down and Buzz walks up. "Ladies." He says, looking at all of them. You're beautiful."
"Thank you." They all reply.
"What can I get you?" Buss asks, talking out his pad.
Everyone orders and then Richard asks. "Where's Harley?"
"She had to go in to work." Cassie replies.
"Oh, okay. Did you all get the final fitting?" Richard asks.
"Yes." Cassie replies.
"Jeffrey what's doing to happen with the accident?" Billy asks.
"Nothing." Jeffrey replies.
"You're not going to press charges against the parent." Josh asks.
"No, I think losing their son is enough punishment." Jeffrey says, looking at him.
"We should do something about that." Reva says.
"It's not just teens. I'm ashamed to say this but I've found myself texting while I'm driving." Cassie says.
"I think we've all done it." Richard says.
"Maybe we should make a city ordinance preventing texting while driving." Billy says.
"I think a program at the youth center will help." Josh says.
"It'll help the kids, but what about the parents." Cassie asks, as Buzz comes with their food and drinks.
"Jeffrey what are you doing to do about your truck?" Billy asks.
"It's probably totaled so I'll have to talk to the insurance and see what my options are."
"So, I guess we'll see you driving Sam's mustang." Cassie says, looking at him.
"If she'll let me." Jeffrey says doubtfully.
"You can drive it, but if you wreck it."
"She'll have my head." Jeffrey says, translating as everyone laughs.
"Sam, how did you get the car?" Billy asks.
"My grandfather saved it for me. It was my uncles And when he died my grandfather inherited it for him. My brother wanted it, but granddad left it to me."
"It's a beautiful car." Reva says.
"Thank you." Sam says.
"Richard, have you spoken to William?" Josh asks.
"No, I only heard the announcement that was on CNN."
"I think Ava said he's going to be up here sometime tomorrow." Jeffrey says.
"How's that going?" Cassie asks.
"Good." Jeffrey says.
"Is he going to move up here?"
"Yes." Jeffrey says.
"How do you feel about that?" Billy asks.
"I'm fine." Jeffrey says.
The conversation continues until they are all through eating. Josh, Reva and Billy leave first. When they leave, Richard turns to Jeffrey. "Are you going to be at the rehearsal dinner?" He asks as they walk out of Company.
"Yes, I'll be there." Jeffrey says, as Sam and Cassie walk up to them. He puts his arm around her.
"We need to go home." Sam says, putting her arm around him as she looks up.
"Okay."
"But before we go." Sam says tuning to Richard and Cassie. "I didn't want to say anything in front of the other, but Jeffrey told me about being godparents. Are you sure you want us and not Reva or Josh?"
"Yes." Richard says, taking Cassie's hand.
"You know that this may cause more problems between Josh and Reva." Sam says.
"Because of Jeffrey." Cassie asks.
"Yes. Are you okay with that?"
"I don't think that will be much of a problem. Josh's problem isn't with Jeffrey himself. He's worried that he'll loose Reva."
"We all know that he doesn't want Jeffrey included in this family, for whatever reason he believes is appropriate."
"Why is he worried about loosing Reva?" Richard asks.
"He's afraid he'll loose her to me." Jeffrey says.
"What, why?"
Cassie looks at Richard. "I thought I told you this. He's afraid that Reva will want Jeffrey and leave him."
"But he's married, they both know that."
"You might as well explain it all to him." Jeffrey says, looking at Cassie.
"You know that Reva was married to both Billy and HB, so Josh is worried that she'll decide that she want him instead of Josh."
"What! That makes no sense." Richard says.
"I know, Reva knows and she's tried to tell him that, but he won't listen to her." Cassie says.
"Reva and I are only friends. I've never given him any indication that…." Jeffrey says.
"We all know that.' Cassie says, reaching for him.
"About the baby." Sam says, bringing them back to the original subject. "We don't mind being godparents to your baby, but we don't want to cause more issues between you, Reva, and Josh. And we don't want to push him." Sam says, as Jeffrey nods.
"Well, we can push him a little bit." Jeffrey says.
"No, we can't. He's your brother." Sam says, looking at him.
"Maybe we should talk to Josh and Reva about this." Richard says, looking at Cassie.
"Is the problem with Josh the only reason you're hesitating?" Cassie asks, looking at Jeffrey and Sam.
"Yes." Sam replies.
"Then Josh will need to understand that we picked you because we think that will be best for our baby. This is only if something would happen to us."
"We can't make him understand." Richard says.
"No, but we can't let his fear dictate how we raise our child." Cassie says, looking at Richard.
"If you're sure about this then we'll be godparents to your baby." Jeffrey says.
"Thank you." Cassie says, hugging him.
"You're welcome." He says, hugging her. He releases her before taking Sam's hand.
"Don't worry about Josh." Cassie says, as he nods.
"We'll see you both, tomorrow night." Richard says. They leave with Sam helping Jeffrey into her car.
When they get back to the loft, Jeffrey goes to the bathroom while Sam goes to change. He comes upstairs as she comes out of the closest. "How do you feel?" She asks, walking over to him.
"I think I'm going to lie down for while."
"Okay, do you need anything?"
"There are a lot of things I need." He says, his voice going smoky.
"Not until you're released."
"We did…."
"And we shouldn't have, you could have been seriously hurt. I'm not risking you for sex." She says, leaning up to kiss him.
"You're making this way to hard."
"Think about the rewards for later."
"Sam."
"Never mind, don't think about that." She says, looking up. "Go lay down and I'll be downstairs if you need me."
"Alright." He says, with a sigh, releasing her.
He lies down on the bed as she goes downstairs.
Richard and Cassie drive back to the farm, as they are walking in the phone begins to ring. Richard reaches for it as Cassie puts her purse on the counter. "Hello, Winslow residence."
"Richard, its Chris."
"Hello."
"Listen, I'm calling because I spoke to Hank yesterday and he's countered your offer."
"What did he counter?" Richard asks as Cassie turns to him.
"$1800."
"Okay." Richard says. He's silent for several minutes before he says. "I want to speak to him."
"Are you sure about that? The reason we didn't…."
"I know that reasons we didn't tell him that I was trying to buy this horse, but I think I can talk him down." Richard says. "Could I meet with him today?"
"That should be fine."
"Good, I'll be there in about an hour." Richard says, looking at Cassie.
"Okay, should I contact…?"
"No, it's better if he doesn't know we're coming."
"Okay, I'll see you in an hour."
"I'll be there." Richard says, hanging up. "Is that okay?"
"Yes, it's fine. I have a little bit of work I can do for the Beacon and the boys will be home in a few hours."
Richard leans over, kissing her. "I'll be back with Blue."
"Okay."
He leaves. An hour later, he pulls up to auction barn. Chris is coming out as he pulls up. He walks over to the truck. "I figure it will be better if we go in my truck." He says.
"That's fine." Richard says, turning his off and getting out.
"I'll be right back." Chris says, walking towards the barn. He returns a few moments later with his truck and a trailer.
"A bit confident." Richard says, nodding to the trailer as he gets in.
"And you're not a bit confident." Chris asks, pulling out of the parking lot. They've driven for a few miles when Chris asks. "Why do you want this horse so much? I know you want it for your son."
"The horse used to belong to my wife and my son. He inherited from his biological father. Cassie had to sell it to cover some expense several years ago and I want to give it back to RJ."
"Okay." Chris says, turning into a long driveway.
A few minutes later, they pull up to a white Victorian type house. As Chris parks a woman comes out of the barn to the left of the house. "Chris." She calls, getting his attention.
Chris starts towards her with Richard following. When the reach the women, they hug and then Chris turns to Richard. "Jesse, is Hank in?"
"No, he went to Chicago this morning. He won't be back until tomorrow night." Jesse says, looking at Richard.
"Jess, this is Richard Winslow. He's looking to buy one of Hank's horses." Chris says, as Jesse holds out her hand.
"Hello." She says, as Richard takes her hand and shakes it.
"Hello." He replies.
"Which horse are you looking to buy?" She asks Richard.
"Blue." Richard replies
"He's a good horse, getting old though."
"The horse is for my son." Richard says.
"How much did Hank say he'd sell it for?"
"I offered $1200, but he countered with $1800." Richard says.
"Sounds like Hank, trying to get more than it's worth."
"Can I see the horse?" Richard asks.
"Sure, he's in the barn. We don't use him for much anymore. We used to breed with him but he's stopped producing reliable foals." Jesse says, walking towards the barn with Chris and Richard following behind her. "I have to say $1200 is very generous for the horse."
"I started out with $800." Richard says.
"That's more reasonable." Jesse says, leading them to one of the stalls. She takes a couple carrot and apples and then clicks her tongue. A beautiful bay horse puts his head over the stall. "Let him get your scent." Jesse says, rubbing the horse's nose as Richard steps forward.
He slowly moves his hand over the horse's nose and he nudges him looking for more carrots and apples. Richard laughs as Jesse gives him another carrot and apple. "He's quite beautiful. You've take good care of him."
"He'll be a good horse for your son. How old is your boy?"
"Seven." Richard says, running his hands over him.
"A bit big for him, though." Jesse says, rubbing the horse's nose. "Since your last offer was twelve hundred, we'll take it." She says, as Richard looks at her.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, that's more than he's worth really, it's sad to say, but I'm not going to make you pay more."
"Hank's not going to be…."
"I've got the right to sell horses here too Chris. $1200 is fair."
"I don't want to get you into trouble with you boss."
"My brother will be fine. $1200 hundred is more than fair." Jesse says, holding her hand out."
"Okay." Richard says, shaking her hand before taking out his wallet. He had stopped at the bank in Springfield before going to Laurel Falls. He pulls out a cashiers check for the amount of $1200. He hands it to Jesse.
After loading Blue up, Richard and Jesse shake hands again and then he and Chris leave. As they pull onto the main highway, Chris asks. "How did you know that they would take the $1200?"
"I didn't." Richard says. "But if they wanted more and could have gotten it for them."
"I'll drop you at the barn and then follow you back to Springfield."
"That will be fine." Richard says.
Frank and Mallet left the police station after talking to Detective Rossi and checking on Schultz. Frank explained about what happened with the taser before they left. Walking out of the station, he turns to Mallet. "Any place in particular you want to go?"
"Umm no, thought we were going into DC."
"Alright." Frank says, walking over to the car. They leave a few seconds later.
Cassie is in the kitchen when Richard and Chris pull up. Turning the water off, she goes out to meet Richard at the barn. "You got him." She says, as Chris backs the trailer up to the barn.
"Yes."
"How much did you have to give him?"
"$1200."
"He took your last offer."
"I didn't speak to Hank." Richard says, as Chris gets out and walks back to the trailer, opening the doors.
"Then how did you buy him."
"We spoke to his foreman and she sold him to us for $1200." Richard says, as Chris brings Blue out.
"So, he doesn't know about the sale?" Cassie asks, walking back to the trailer.
"No, he doesn't. But it was legal and we have the proof of sale." Richard says, holding up the papers that the foreman gave him. "He can't come back and demand more money."
"And if he tries, Richard has that to prove the sale. And if Hank tries to say that Jesse didn't have the authority to sell Blue to you then Richard can call me as a witness because I know for fact that she does." Chris says.
"So he's ours." Cassie says.
"Yes, he's ours." Richard replies, as Cassie walks over to Blue, slowly moving her hands down his neck and he turns to nuzzle her shoulder. "Do you think he realizes where he's at?" Cassie asks, as he neighs softly.
"I think so, but the boys will be home soon so maybe we need to get him inside so RJ doesn't see him." Richard says.
"I want to do it." Cassie says taking the halter as Chris reaches for it. He steps back as Cassie turns Blue towards the barn. He and Richard follow her into the barn. "Welcome back, Blue." She says, leading him into a barn and opening a stall. It's the same stall that he had used before. He nuzzles her neck before he walks slowly into the stall.
He turns around in the stall and then comes back to the stall door, hanging his head over it. Cassie rubs his nose before giving him some carrots and apple. "It looks like he feels at home." Chris says.
"Yes." Richard says, watching Cassie before he goes to get some oats, water and hay. They feed both horses before they all leave the barn. Holding his hand out to Chris, he says. "Thank you for the help."
"You're welcome." Chris says, shaking Richard's hand. "Mrs. Winslow." He says, nodding to Cassie.
"Chris." She says, putting her arm around Richard.
Chris gets into his truck, waving once he pulls away from the barn. Richard turns to Cassie. "Are you okay?" He asks, looking down."
"Yes, why?" She asks, looking up.
"Because you seem a little upset."
"I didn't realize how it would affect me having him back." Cassie says, looking back at the barn. "I didn't realize how much I missed having him here." She says, looking back at Richard.
He pulls her into his arms, wrapping his arms around her. "He's a part of Hart, and I understand that." He says, softly kissing the top of her head.
"Why are you like this?" Cassie asks, looking up at him.
"Like what?"
"So giving, why aren't you jealous that I feel a connection to my former fiancé's horse?"
"He's a horse, Cassie, not a man."
"So, if Hart came back, you would be jealous, a little bit." She asks, looking up and smiling at him.
"Would you want me to be jealous?" Richard asks, staring into her eyes.
"Maybe a little bit, as long as you knew I wouldn't leave you." She replies, leaning up to kiss him.
"Then I promise if Hart comes back from the dead, I'll be jealous." Richard says, breaking her kiss.
"If I think Hart's come back from the dead, put me in Shady Brook, please." Cassie says, leaning up to kiss him softly. "The boys will be home soon." She says, taking his hand, they leave the barn and walk into the farmhouse.
The next morning, Frank and Mallet are in the lobby of the hotel. Frank is at the front counter checking out when he notices the woman from the day before walking across the lobby but then the clerk gets his attention to finish checking out and when he turns around, he notices that she's gone again. He walks over to Mallet. "We can go."
Mallet gets up and they leave the hotel. "Are you going to the police department before we go?" Mallet asks, but Frank doesn't answer. "Frank." He says, looking at him. Frank's attention he soon realizes is on something else and he looks to see what it is. "Is that the lady you saw the other night?"
"Yes." Frank says. "I'll be right back." He says, walking towards her.
"…I didn't do this. You did." Megan says.
"You abandoned us."
"No, I didn't. I went back to school. A deal we made. You're upset because…."
"Are you okay?" Frank asks, walking up to them.
Patrick and Megan turn to him. "She's fine." Patrick snarls.
"I'm fine." Megan says.
"Is this you new boyfriend? My attorney will be happy to see you're taking this so seriously."
"Grow up Patrick and I've never seen him before. But if you want to talk about new boyfriends, maybe you would like to explain why there's another woman living in my house, with my children."
"She had no business telling that."
"Sam would tell me anything, you know that."
"She always was a noisy bitch." Patrick says, as Megan raises her hand.
Frank realizes what she's about to do, and he steps between them. "You need to leave." He says, turning to Patrick.
"Why? She's my wife."
"Now I'm your wife." Megan says, sarcastically.
"You were until you ruined everything by going back to school."
"I'm sorry, excuse me for thinking my husband would honor his word." Megan says.
"Please this is a public place. You both could be arrested for disturbing the peace and I don't believe that would be good for either of your children." Frank says.
"I'll see you in court." Patrick says, staring at Megan.
"Yes, you will and I'll get my boys back." Megan says, staring at him.
"Don't count on it." Patrick says, turning away.
When he's far enough away, Megan turns on Frank. "Why did you do that?"
"You were about to hit him." Frank says.
"He deserves it. I have every right to hit that man for the stuff he's done. It's not the worse thing I could do to him."
"You don't want to say anymore." Frank says, calmly.
"Why? What are you going to do, arrest me?"
"No, but I would have to report you to the police department."
"Who the hell are you?"
"Frank Cooper…." Frank says, holding out his hand.
"Well, Frank Cooper the next time you have the urge to stick you nose into something you know nothing about, don't. I can handle my future ex-husband with out any interference from the rest of the world." Megan says, turning and walking away while Frank watches her.
When Megan enters the lobby, he walks over to Mallet who is standing by the car. "Are you ready to go now?" Mallet asks.
"Yes." Frank says shortly, getting into the car while Mallet smiles.
"Don't smile." Frank says shortly when Mallet gets into the car.
"What did you think would happen?" Mallet asks buckling his seatbelt as Frank backs out.
"I only went to see if she needed any help. She didn't have to be rude about it."
"Some women don't like white knights riding up to save the day." Mallet says. "Did you at least tell her who you were?"
"Yes, I told her. She's Sam's cousin. She was at the wedding."
"Did you tell her that?"
"I didn't get a chance to. She was too busy chewing me out for interfering."
"She didn't recognize you."
"I guess not. She didn't act like it anyway."
"Maybe this will teach you not to be so chivalrous."
"I don't want to talk about it." Frank says, looking out the windshield as Mallet smiles. "And wipe that grin from your face." He says, pulling onto the freeway.
Megan walks back into the hotel before she realizes what she was doing. She turns around and furiously walks back to her car. Her mind was on the man that just left instead of the confrontation with Patrick. He had just received the papers her attorney had filed petitioning the court to move the court date up.
She blindly makes her way to the school. Going to the library to research a paper she needs to finish, she quickly realizes that she's not going to get anything accomplished today. Putting her books away, she leaves the library. The only thing that worked when she was this keyed up was to clean. She drives over to the salon, going in she flips the lights on and then walks to the back. Pulling out the cleaning supplies, she starts working on the back room.
Alan is in his cell when his attorney comes in. "I need to speak to Mr. Spaulding." He tells the desk Sergeant.
"We'll bring him up. " He says walking towards the back of the station as Alan's attorney walks into the interrogation room.
A few moments later, they bring him in. Alan sits down across from his attorney. "Mr. Spaulding." He says, opening the briefcase.
"What did the judge say?" Alan demands.
"He denied the petition. We got to court Monday."
"How could he deny the petition? You said…."
"I said that there was a chance that the judge would deny the petition to move this to a federal court. "
"I needed this moved. Maybe I should have another attorney brought in." Alan says, leaning in.
"You can do that Mr. Spaulding, if you think that's what's best but it won't change the decision."
"We can appeal."
"That was our last one. The trial will start Monday morning."
"Do you have the witness list?"
"Yes, and they have everyone under protection, including your former wife, the DA."
"She's a co-defendant."
"She also turned over information on you to cut a deal. She'll be prosecuted but she's not going to face life in prison."
"I'm not facing life either." Alan mumbles.
"If you're convicted, you will be Mr. Spaulding. Now we will fight for everything but the state has a strong case."
"So, what are my best options?" Alan asks.
"In my professional opinion, see if you can get a deal. If you can get the state attorney to give you a deal, you might be able to avoid federal prison for life, or longer."
"Alright, contact the state attorney, see if he'll deal."
"Yes Sir. Do you want me to tell your sister?"
"That's fine, Alex needs to know she might be the one running Spaulding for several years." Alan says.
"I'll make the necessary preparations."
"Thank you." Alan says, as he attorney gets up.