JAY AND SARA'S HOUSE
Sara arrived home just a few moments before she wanted to start dinner. She had been at her dad's house, cooking him dinner.
"Honey?" she called as she walked in.
"Kitchen."
"Whatcha doin?"
"Making dinner for us."
"Slow afternoon?"
"A bit." He dried his hands and directed her to a chair.
"Don't you want help?"
"No. You need to rest." Ever since Sara had figured out she was pregnant, he had been even more attentive than before. It was very sweet and she appreciated it but it wasn't necessary. She felt fine. She wasn't even nauseated yet.
"I can help set the table or something."
"I've got it covered. It will be about an hour if you want to take a nap or something."
A nap sounded heavenly. "Will you join me?"
"I need to finish up here."
"Jay."
"Yeah?"
"Can I get a kiss hello before I go take a nap?"
"I'm sorry." He walked over and kissed her.
"You seem distracted, babe."
"Not really."
He was distracted. And sad. She could see the look in his eyes. "Jay." She took his hand and led him to a chair and then sat on his lap. "Tell me." She played with the hair that curled a bit at the base of his neck to hopefully relax him.
"I lost a calf today."
"Oh, sweetie. I'm sorry." It had to be killing him. Animals meant everything to him.
"I got to Richard Henderson's just out of town and the mother was having trouble. She couldn't get the calf out. It was twisted inside her. We tried and tried but…. It's hard when that happens."
"Of course it is." She kissed him gently and then hugged him.
"You should rest, Sara."
"I am resting and there is nowhere I'd rather be than right here in your arms."
….
Kiki sat against a fallen log enjoying one of the last late summer days. It was breezy and sunny and perfect for eating lunch. Cam walked over and sat beside her. "Hey," he said with a kiss to her temple.
"Hi."
"Wanna come over for dinner tonight?"
"Sure."
He took a bite of his sandwich and watched her. She seemed different lately. Ever since they broke up and then got back together. She didn't seem as happy.
He put his sandwich down and grabbed her hand. "Babe, what's going on?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"Kiki, I know you. You're my best friend. We grew up together. I know when something bothers you. You wear your heart on your sleeve."
She supposed he was right. She had been thinking more lately about their future. She was pretty positive she wasn't ready to get married. "Cam, I don't think we should get married right away."
"You don't?"
"No." She stared at their hands and felt a tear trickle down her cheek.
"Are you breaking up with me? I don't mind waiting but I don't want to lose you, Kylie. I love you."
"I'm not breaking up with you. I just don't think I'm ready to get married. I'm sorry that I made such a big deal out of getting married next summer. I guess that's part of being unprepared. I want to wait."
"Ok. Then we will wait."
"I'm sorry." She wiped her tears away but wouldn't meet his eyes.
"Hey," he said gently, lifting her chin up so she would look at him. "There's nothing to be sorry for. I wouldn't want us to rush into something that both of us aren't ready for. I want you to be happy above all else."
She nodded. "I love you, Cam. Thank you for being willing to wait."
"I love you too."
…..
That afternoon….
Abbie finished up cleaning the rooms on the top floor and was about to start on the next floor down when she heard two loud pops. She didn't know what it was but she ran down the stairs, hoping it wasn't her grandma. "Grandma?"
"In the kitchen. Stay away from the windows. Those were gunshots."
"What?!"
"It sounded close. I don't know where it came from though." Abbie sat down on the floor with Charlotte.
"I hope it wasn't at the bank. Grandma, what if Harry…."
"Sweetie, don't worry yet. We don't know anything about where it came from." She took Abbie's hand and squeezed. "Let's talk about something else."
"Like what?"
"How is married life?"
"Good," she said shyly, her cheeks blushing.
"Good. I'm glad. You seem really happy."
"I am. Grandma, he's wonderful. I can't believe he's mine."
"Well he is, honey, and you are very fortunate. Don't ever forget to let him know that."
Abbie looked at her grandma closely. She seemed sad. "Grandma, are you ok?"
"Yeah, just missing Jake, I guess. I loved him with all of my heart, you know?"
"I do and he loved you back."
"I don't have any regrets though. We never hesitated to show each other love or tell each other."
After that short conversation, Abbie wanted to know so badly if Harry was ok. "I need to go see if I can find out where that came from."
"Please stay here, Abbie. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Abbie!" Holly ran in the room. "Abbie, is Harry ok?"
"I don't know. Have you heard what happened?"
"No, I saw the constable riding out of town really fast so maybe he was chasing someone."
Abbie stood up. "Will you keep Grandma company while I go try to find him?"
"Of course." Holly sat down next to Charlotte. "What are we making for dinner, Nana?"
Abbie smiled and then went to look out the front window. No one seemed to be overly concerned about anything in relation to the bank. People walked in and out of the office like normal. That helped Abbie feel a little better.
Then she saw him. He looked both ways before he walked across the street and then made his way to her. She said a prayer of gratitude and rushed to the door and into his arms.
"Hey," he said as he held her. "I'm ok. Everything is just fine, Ab."
"I was so scared you were hurt."
"It wasn't even at the bank, hon. It was the store."
"No! Is anyone hurt?" Now she was worried about Uncle Travis and Ben and Carlie.
"No. The guy was thankfully a bad shot."
"Harry!" Holly rushed over and hugged him too, tears streaming down her face. "You're ok?"
"I'm ok. That's why I came here. I knew you would both be worried."
…
Abbie snuggled up to Harry on their bed that night. She couldn't sleep and it wasn't because of his snoring either. She hadn't even thought about how dangerous his job could really be. Of course, it was a bank and banks got robbed all the time but to have the uncertainty that she felt this afternoon…now she got it. Anyone could be at risk wherever they worked or lived.
"Hon?" Harry kissed her forehead. "Aren't you tired?
"Yes. I can't sleep though."
"My snoring? I'm sorry. Maybe I should see a doctor."
"No, not your snoring."
"What then?" He rubbed her back and sighed.
"This afternoon… Grandma told me how much she missed Papa and she told me to make sure I always let you know how much I love you. I do, Harry. I love you with all of my heart. When I didn't know if you were hurt…"
"I love you too. I'm sorry you were worried, babe. But, I'm ok."
"Thank goodness." He pulled her closer and moved his fingertips up and down her bare arm, back and forth, hoping to relax her. He was going to stay awake until she slept soundly. She took a deep breath and slowly released it and he felt her body relax.
"I love you, Abbie Yates."
"To the moon and back," she mumbled as she drifted off.
….
LATER THAT NIGHT
Ben stared at the bullet hole in the wall about a foot left of where he had been standing. He could have been killed if the guy had aimed. Thankfully, he hadn't and thankfully Ellie had still been at school and Carlie had taken Eddie and Faith to her parents for the afternoon.
Carlie walked down the stairs. "Honey? It's late."
"Yeah."
"Aren't you tired?"
"Exhausted."
"Come up to bed. I'll give you a massage."
"I'm just going to toss and turn. I might as well stay awake."
"Hmm." She walked over and slipped her arms around his waist. "You, Ben Harris, don't want my massage?"
"Sorry, I'm just not in the mood. Do you realize how close I came to dying today?"
"Yes, I do. I'm choosing to just be grateful you're standing here with me."
"How? I don't understand how you just put it out of your head."
"Because I look at you and I see a strong man that I love more than anything. I see a wonderful father and a hard worker. I need you with me, Ben, and I'm so grateful that I can say this to you right now instead of wondering if I told you that I loved you enough."
He thought about that for a moment. "You did. I won't ever doubt it." He smiled down at her. "I love you too, babe." She pushed up on her toes and kissed him softly.
"Let's go to bed," she offered again. "You know you love my massages."
"Mmhm. I do."
…..
The next day…
Carrie rocked Tory and Haley on the porch swing, enjoying the sunshine and cool weather. "Mama?"
"Shhh.. Haley, time to rest your eyes."
"Daddy!" Haley got up off the swing and ran to Drew who had just walked out onto the porch.
"Hi, Hales. Are you supposed to be resting?"
"Yep. Want you."
"Come on, let's sit next to Mama and close our eyes." Drew walked over and sat gently next to Carrie. "Hi, beautiful."
"Hey." She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad you're here."
"Why's that?"
"I missed you today."
He kissed her forehead and then tipped her chin up just a smidge so he could kiss her. "I miss you every day." He kissed her again and then decided to tell her his reason for coming home early. "I have an idea."
"Ok."
"Mom told me last week that they are moving to Hope Valley next summer."
"Yeah, she told me too. I will miss her so much."
"What do you think about us moving into their house?"
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's larger than ours and it's a working ranch. I wouldn't have to put any more work into this place to get it up and running."
"I think that's a great idea. You need to finally have your dream, hon. I messed that up for you and…"
"No, don't even think that. I did what I needed to do to support you and our family. I didn't give up anything."
"I know how hard you've worked at the store and…" He gently stopped her words with his finger to her lips.
"It doesn't matter. What matters is we are together and you and the kids are happy."
"But are you happy, Drew?"
"Of course I am. Nothing makes me happier than you and our kids."
She believed him. He had always been sincere and loving. She was very lucky but she felt like all those years after they lost Natalie had been wasted. She could have been happy with him but instead she couldn't move forward. Like she was stuck.
"Carrie, do you believe me? I wouldn't change anything about our life. I just want to make it even better."
"I believe you."
"Good. Let's go put the girls down and maybe take a nap of our own." They stood up together and walked to the girl's room to lay them down. Drew had a good feeling about the changes that were going to come their way.
