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Copyright 2004

True to Rob’s prediction, Terry was released mid-morning of the following day when the ballistics report came back. With a clean report on Terry’s gun, the police had no evidence to with which to charge him. As soon as Ron called, Rob left to go pick Terry up.

“You survived, it looks like,” Rob remarked as they got in his truck.

“I’ve been through worse,” Terry smiled, “How’s my girl?”

“She’s fine,” Rob assured, “It helped that Dutch got to go home last night. He stayed home with her today.”

“How’s Lin?” Terry gazed out the window as they traveled.

“Very quiet,” Rob reported, “She was pretty upset yesterday because they wouldn’t let her see you.”

“I’ll go see her after I get cleaned up,” he remarked, “and after I go see Chelsea.”

“Terry,” Rob requested, “I need you to be straight with me. Did you have anything to do with this?”

Terry looked at Rob, surprised at the question, “How can you even ask me that?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time a man killed for a woman,” Rob reflected, “and it wouldn’t be the first time you took matters into your own hands.”

“I didn’t do it,” Terry stated, “But I think Linda knows who did.”

“Then she’s got to go tell the police,” Rob insisted, “Terry, you’ve got to talk to her.”

“I will,” he vowed, “Leave her to me. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

~*~

When Mitch came to pick Jenny up after work, Linda wasn’t with him. Rob wondered fleetingly if leaving this to Terry was wise. He pulled his son aside to inquire what had happened.

“Uncle Terry came right after lunch,” Mitch told him, “He said Linda needed to go with him. Dad, he told me you asked him to come and get her. Did he lie to me?”

“Not exactly,” Rob shook his head, “But he wasn’t quite honest either. Mitch, I’m worried. He’s my brother, but I’m not sure I trust him right now. I have a feeling something else is going on.”

“You want me to go look for him?” Mitch offered.

“No,” Rob shook his head, “I want you to stay here with Paula and Jenny and the kids. I’m going to go look for them.”

“Dad…” Mitch started to protest.

“No, Mitch,” Rob insisted, “He’s my brother. You stay here…and promise me something.”

“What’s that?”

“If something happens…If I don’t come back,” Rob looked straight at him, “You take care of my family for me.”

“Dad,” Mitch grabbed his arm, “You know I will…but you’ve got to tell Mom where you’re going…if there’s even a remote chance things are going to fall apart and you’re never going to see her again…you owe her that, Dad.”

Rob nodded. He knew Mitch was right. He went to the kitchen to find his wife. She was putting dinner on the table. His beautiful, loving Paula. He caught is breath at the thought in the back of his mind. If Terry really had killed Bob, he might do anything. Rob might not ever see his family again…He might never hold her in his arms again…When she saw the look on his face, she went pale.

“What is it?” Paula sat the dish down and came over to him.

“Probably nothing,” Rob took hold of her shoulders, “Terry took Linda with him this afternoon. Something’s just not right, Paula. I’m going to look for them.”

“Rob, no,” Paula wrapped her arms around him, “Please don’t do this.”

“Mitch is going to stay here,” Rob continued, “You’ll be fine.”

“I won’t be fine,” she told him, “if you don’t come back.”

He tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes, “I love you, Paula. If I don’t come back, Mitch will take care of you and the kids. You’ll be OK.”

“Rob, no,” she started to cry, “I’m begging you not to do this…”

He bent to kiss her. If he didn’t leave now, he wouldn’t be able to walk away. He was doing this for her…for his family…he had to remember that.

“I have to do this, Paula,” he whispered, “I love you…more than life itself. Don’t ever forget that.”

“I love you, Rob,” she let him go, “no matter what.”

He was walking out the door, pushing himself to make every step, when that tiny little voice called after him, “Daddy! Daddy! Pick me up!”

He turned to see Emily at his feet, reaching for him. She had that big smile on her face that made those cute little dimples and her eyes were twinkling with mischief. He picked her up and held her tight. He could feel his resolve melting. First Paula, now Emily. How could he walk away from this?

“Dad,” Mitch came up to him, “Stay here. Let me go.”

Paula walked up and put her arm around him, “Please Rob…Terry won’t hurt Mitch.”

Jenny was standing nearby, “I’m coming too, Mitch. She’s my mother.”

“Jen…” Mitch started to protest.

“No,” Jenny shook her head, “We’re doing this together.”

~*~

When the phone finally rang, Rob jumped. He grabbed it before the Caller ID could display the source.

“Hello?” He answered.

“It’s me, Dad,” Mitch replied, “They’re up to something, all right. It’s not what we thought, though.”

“What is it?” Rob asked.

“Uncle Terry told Chelsea he’d be gone over night and not to worry,” Mitch reported, “He asked Dutch to take care of the stock. This was all before he came to the clinic to get Linda. Jen had a hunch, so we came back over to our house. Sure enough, Jen was right.”

“About what?”

“Linda has a strong box where she keeps important papers,” Mitch explained, “It’s sitting out. Jen got it open, because her mom gave her a key too. Linda’s birth certificate is missing. Dad, they ran off to get married. Probably to Arkansas, wouldn’t you say?”

“No waiting period there,” Rob sighed, “You’re probably right. You know how it looks?”

“Like he’s marrying her,” Mitch agreed, “so she can’t testify against him. I don’t think that’s the case, though. Do you?”

“No,” Rob muttered, “I think they’re just being stupid. OK, Son. Thanks for calling. Let us know if you hear from them.”

“I will,” Mitch chuckled, “I thought it was just kids that did this kind of stuff, not parents.”

“Yeah well,” Rob remarked, “these two have already demonstrated their maturity level, you know. We shouldn’t be surprised. How’s Jen?”

“Madder than a wet hen,” Mitch laughed, “Should I call Chelsea?”

“Call Dutch,” Rob advised, “Let him decide whether or not to tell her.”

“Gotcha,” Mitch hung up.

“Well?” Paula was standing there, waiting for a report.

“It looks like they ran off to Arkansas to get married,” Rob told her.

“Oh wonderful!” Paula was sarcastic, “That just makes them both look innocent, doesn’t it?”

“When this is all over,” Rob remarked, “Remind me to kick my brother’s butt, will you?”

“You’ll have to stand in line,” Bill remarked. He’d been standing in the living room, listening.

“I thought I was the trouble-maker, Dad,” Rob chuckled.

“Terry was a late bloomer,” Bill observed, “And now he’s just a blooming idiot.”

~*~

Rob had just gone down to the arena office the next morning when Sam started barking. He came out to see Ron’s car parked there and Ron waiting for Sam to let him get out.

“Sam,” Rob called him back, “Hello, Ron. I think it’s the uniform. He knows you’re OK to be here, but he doesn’t like the uniform.”

“It’s OK,” Ron grinned, “I’d worry if he let me get out.”

“What’s up?” Rob asked, “Come on in to the office.”

Ron followed, “I thought you’d like to know everything’s been cleared up. I got a call from Wichita this morning. Seems the information your friend Davey gave them was what they needed. They found the real guy this time.”

“Muscle man for the loan shark?” Rob wondered.

“Yep,” Ron nodded, “And he ratted out the whole bunch of them. They busted the whole operation.”

“So no one’s coming after us now?” Rob was relieved.

“No,” Ron assured, “You’re safe now.”

“Thanks, Ron,” Rob sighed, “You just made my day. Terry and Linda ran off to get married and I was afraid that might land him back in jail.”

“That brother of yours,” Ron shook his head, “He just don’t think before he acts, does he?”

“Nope,” Rob remarked, “But I guess he dodged the bullet again. If I did something stupid like that, I’d pay for the rest of my life.”

“Me too,” Ron laughed, “But you know, he’s got to live with Linda now. He may pay more than you can imagine!”

~*~

There was just a light dusting of snow on the ground and a few flurries in the cold November air. There were cars parked all around the Jackson house and the aroma of turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie teased everyone’s noses. The furniture in the living room had been moved back to make room for all the tables and chairs for Thanksgiving Dinner.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please,” Rob quieted the crowd, “I’m pleased to say that our family has grown so much, we can no longer all crowd around one table for Thanksgiving Dinner. So, before we eat, let’s all gather around and make a circle to give our traditional thoughts of thanks, shall we?”

Everyone did as Rob directed, then he continued, “As most of you know, my grandfather started this tradition, reminding us how much we have to be thankful for on a daily basis. This year I feel thankful for many things. I am especially thankful for this dear sweet child I have in my arms, and for the love and support I have from the wife at my side. But most of all, I am thankful for the mercy and grace of the good Lord above. He has blessed me richly in ways I never could have imagined and certainly never deserved. Paula?”

“I am thankful to have my family here,” she looked up at him, “healthy and safe and happy. And I’m so very thankful for you, Rob.”

He felt a lump in his throat. He had Paula’s hand in his and he squeezed it. He was holding Emily in his other arm and she kissed his cheek.

“I’m thankful,” Jason was next to Paula, “to have a father who trusts me and loves me and teaches me.”

“I’m thankful,” Keith looked at Emily, “to have a new baby sister. I love you, Emily.”

“Love you, Keef,” Emily giggled.

“I’m thankful,” Kevin winked at his sister, “for Emily too. And I’m still thankful for Mitch and everything he’s teaching me.”

“I’m thankful,” Mitch was next, “for the wonderful family that I am a part of. For my brothers, my new little sister, and the best parents a man could ask for. But most of all, I am thankful for the beautiful loving wife God has blessed me with and for the news we have to share today…but I’ll let her do that.”

Jenny grinned, “I’m thankful for you, Mitch. And for being a part of this family. And for the news we have to share…It wasn’t our plan, but it was obviously God’s will. We just found out that we’re expecting a baby.”

Everyone gasped and then cheered. Babies were always welcome in this family. Rob felt a swell of joy. He was going to be a grandpa.

Linda hugged her daughter, “Well, it sounds like I have something else to be thankful for! A grandchild. I’m also thankful for everyone here. You all went through a lot on my account. I certainly don’t deserve the grace you’ve shown me. And I don’t deserve the love that Terry has shown me, either. But I’m very thankful for it.”

“I’m thankful for you, Lin,” Terry kissed her cheek, “I never thought I’d want to be married again. And now I have a wife and I’m expecting a grandchild of my own. I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Last Thanksgiving,” Chelsea recalled, “I said I hoped to be expecting a baby this year. Well, my wish came true. And I’m thankful that my cousin Mitch is providing her with a playmate!”

Mitch blushed and winked at Chelsea, who giggled.

“I’m so thankful for you, Chelsea,” Dutch put his arm around her and kissed her temple, “And for that precious little angel you’re carrying. I promise I’ll always take care of you both.”

Jack was next to his son, “I’m thankful that my son finally has a family of his own to love and care for.”

Bessie stood next to Jack, “I’m thankful to be included in such a wonderful family.”

“I’m thankful to still be here another year!” Hazel smiled.

“Hazel,” Bill laughed, “I’m with you. At this point, I’m just thankful to still be kicking!”

Next to Bill stood Sonja and Trevor. Rob had invited them to join their family this year.

“Wow,” Sonja looked around, “I’m amazed to be invited to such a wonderful occasion. I’m very thankful that Rob has been such a good friend and model to my son.”

“I’m thankful,” Trevor stated, “That I am now not only passing, but making an A in algebra! And that is all because of Mr. Jackson. Thank you, Sir.”

“How about you call me Rob?” He grinned, “And I’m glad you’re making an A now too. Emily, is there something you’re thankful for?”

Emily grinned and giggled, then nodded and in her own little vocabulary announced, “Jathon, Kebin, Keef, Mish and Jemmy…and Mommy and Daddy!”