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The Final Countdown
Chapter Nine

Jenny drove up to the stable Monday morning looking eagerly for Mitch’s truck. It wasn’t there. She felt a twinge of insecurity rise in her heart. It seemed like ages since he had dropped her off at home Sunday evening. He had intended to come back and tuck her into bed, but had called later full of apologies saying that he wouldn’t be able to return. She had slept very little that night.

She gathered her wits and headed in to check the class schedule. Now that spring was upon them, lessons had picked up and she had several regular students. Rob was at his desk like normal and she smiled at him when she entered the office.

“There you are!” He got up and walked over to hug her, “You just missed Mitch.”

“He’s already been here and left?” She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice.

“Yes,” Rob sat on the edge of the desk, “He asked me to tell you he was sorry he missed you. Lucy called with some sort of emergency that he had to go attend to immediately. He tried to stall, but she insisted he jump on it right then.”

Jenny had to smile, “Good ol’ Lucy. She’s the one that really runs the place, you know.”

“I know,” he grinned, “Paula taught her how. So, tell me about St. Louis. Mitch says you had a good time.”

“When’s my first lesson?” She avoided his question.

“Not until 9:30,” he answered, “So you can tell me all about it.”

“I’m sure Mitch already told you,” she shrugged, “Why do I need to tell you again?”

“Because Mitch’s isn’t my little girl,” he coaxed, “And St. Louis is not new to him.”

“It was fun,” she paced around, “We went to the zoo, the Arch, and Union Station…he took me to a carousel in…um…”

“Faust Park,” Rob helped her, “Paula loves that. She could spend all day there, I think.”

“Did he tell you about Mary?” She asked, “For a crazy lady, she seemed pretty sane to me. She certainly wasn’t the Wicked Witch of the West everyone made her out to be.”

“She has her redeeming qualities,” Rob smiled, “Mitch showed us the diamond necklace.”

“He was pretty amazed by it,” Jenny reported, “I think he was touched too.”

“I’ll tell you who was really amazed,” Rob chuckled, “Paula. She thinks Mary is the devil incarnate.”

Jenny grinned at him, “Well, obviously you didn’t always think so. You must have liked her once upon a time.”

He sighed, “That’s a long story. Maybe I’ll tell you sometime. I’m glad she was nice to you. I think she’s decided if she wants to be a part of Mitch’s life, she’d better behave.”

“Maybe so,” she nodded.

“For someone who had a great weekend,” he observed, “You seem awfully subdued. You OK, Squirt?”

“Yeah,” she sighed, “I think it’s just kind of hitting me today. The let down after the high, you know what I mean?”

“Um-hmm,” he nodded, “I have a feeling I know EXACTLY what you mean.”

Jenny’s eyes met his and she felt like he could see right through her. Her cheeks and neck went red and he shook his head slowly, as if he were terribly disappointed in her. It was as if he knew all her secrets. She fleetingly wondered if this was what it would be like standing before the Judgment Bar of God.

“You know, Jenny,” he sighed, “I’ve been asked the same question over the past couple of years repeatedly. By Chelsea…by Dutch…by Mitch. So, I tell you what—I’ll save you the trouble of asking it. How did Paula and I manage to wait for five years? That’s a long time, isn’t it? That just seems outright impossible, doesn’t it? Maybe we didn’t really wait, after all. Maybe, we’re just saying that, but it’s not really true. I mean, with a reputation like mine, how could I be expected to do that? Is it even humanly possible?”

The sarcastic, all-knowing tone of his voice was cutting her to the quick.

“Well, I’ll tell you,” he was settling in for a long lecture, “Yes, it is possible and yes, we really did wait that long. And it wasn’t what we did that made us able to wait, it was what we didn’t do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She knew tears were well on their way.

“It means,” he scolded, “that we didn’t go traipsing around the country sharing hotel rooms.”

Her mouth dropped open, shocked that he knew. She immediately got furious with Mitch for telling his father something so private.

“You know,” Rob continued, “I lived with Gramps and Paula lived with her folks, so we didn’t have a house to hang out in alone. You and Mitch spend way too much time alone at his place. Just like Dutch spends way too much time at Chelsea’s apartment. And there weren’t any weekends when Paula’s parents were gone that I camped out at her place for the weekend.”

“You know…?”

“About Dutch?” He finished, “That he spent the weekend here when we were gone. Of course, I know. I don’t miss much, Jenny.”

“How did you find out?” She tried to get him sidetracked.

“It doesn’t matter,” he assured, “I just know. Just like I know that you and Mitch shared a hotel room this weekend in St. Louis.”

“Nothing happened,” she got defensive.

“Right,” he nodded, “And Mitch slept in the other bed…Just like Dutch slept on Chelsea’s couch. Who do you think you’re talking to here?”

“Really…”she felt tears on her cheeks, “We just…”

“Save it,” he narrowed his eyes, “I’m only going to say this once. Paula and I were able to wait for five years because we didn’t tempt fate. She didn’t flit around in front of me in a bikini, and I didn’t go tuck her into bed every night. We never lay down in the same bed together, let alone spent the night in one. And we never, NEVER went below the waist.”

She couldn’t take anymore. Jenny ran out of the office, sobbing and almost blinded by her tears. She was both angry and ashamed, but most of all she was hurt. Hurt that Mitch had told his father their secrets. Hurt that Rob would scold her like this. Hurt that no one was there to defend her.

“Jenny,” she heard Rob calling for her as she ran.

She dodged into an empty stall and collapsed onto some bales of hay that were stored there. A strong hand came down on her shoulder and she knew it wasn’t the hand she wanted. As angry as she was with him, she still wanted Mitch there to protect her from Rob’s wrath. Instead, she knew that hand belonged to Rob.

He sat down next to her, “Jenny, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you so much. I think there’s a good reason God gave me sons. He knows I don’t have the tact to handle daughters.”

She raised up and looked into his eyes, “How could you talk to me like that?”

“Come here, Honey,” he pulled her up into his arms, “I’m sorry. I just want the best for you. I don’t want to see you hurt. Don’t want to see you make some of the mistakes I’ve made in my life.”

“You’re the one who just hurt me,” she accused, sobbing into his chest.

“I know,” he was talking softly now, “And I’m sorry. Jenny, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Mitch is living proof of that. I don’t want you to make that kind of mistake. He loves you, Jenny. He’s going to marry you. Wait for that.”

“We are,” she defended, “We haven’t done anything.”

“That’s not true, Jenny,” he told her, “and you know it. If that were true, you wouldn’t be upset right now. Honey, all actions lead to something. When our actions are wrong, they lead to consequences. Sometimes they are immediate, sometimes they don’t roll around for 20 or 30 years. But they always come. You couldn’t sleep last night, could you?”

She shook her head, “No.”

“Because you slept with Mitch two nights in a row,” he explained, “So you’re already paying for that action in a negative way. Jenny, there are things that should only happen between a husband and his wife. Sleeping together is one of them. And I mean just that, Jenny, sleeping.”

“But…” she started to protest.

“It’s a very intimate thing, Jen,” he expounded, “To sleep together is almost as intimate as actually making love. In some ways it’s even more intimate. When you sleep, you have absolutely no illusions or pretenses or guards. You are completely bare and open and vulnerable. I’ll tell you right now that you won’t sleep well again until you’re married.”

“I don’t want you to think bad of me,” she confessed, “To be disappointed in me.”

“I’m disappointed in Mitch,” he told her, “He knows better. He shouldn’t have let things get out of hand.”

“They didn’t,” she defended.

“Yes, they did,” he insisted, “And June is a long time from now. You’ve got two months of torture ahead of you. Because of the things you shared this past weekend, you are going to feel insecure and empty every time you’re apart. Just like you do right now.”

“Rob,” Paula called, as she entered the stable, “Are you out here?”

“Over here, Honey,” he replied and got up, “What do you need?”

“Chelsea needs you up at the house,” she came over, glancing down at Jenny, “She has a question about a plan you drew up for a client.”

“On my way,” he responded, then looked at Jenny, “Am I forgiven, Squirt?”

She nodded and he walked away, leaving Paula standing over her. Jenny braced herself for the next scolding.

“Are you OK, Jenny?” Paula asked, sitting down where Rob had been, “What did my husband do to hurt your feelings?”

Jenny was surprised at Paula’s concern, “It doesn’t really matter. He apologized.”

“Let me guess,” Paula commented, “He gave you a lecture about things that should only happen between husbands and wives?”

“How did you guess?” Jenny wiped her tears away.

“Chelsea got the same lecture after Dutch spent the weekend here,” Paula divulged, “Made her cry too. It’s not so much what Rob says, as it is the way he says it, right? Cuts like a knife, doesn’t it?”

“You say that like you know firsthand,” Jenny observed.

“I do,” Paula chuckled, “He’s my husband, remember? And I hate to tell you this, Jenny, but you think it hurts when he scolds you, just wait until Mitch does it.”

“What do you mean?” Jenny asked.

“I mean,” Paula explained, “I hated disappointing my father. I had a good relationship with him…a lot like you have with Rob. When Daddy scolded me it just broke my heart, like Rob broke yours just now. But the first time I disappointed Rob…well, there’s just no way to describe the pain.”

“I didn’t think Rob ever turned on you like that,” Jenny observed.

“Honey,” Paula confessed, “you can’t be married to someone and not let them down from time to time. Rob and I have a wonderful marriage, far better than most. It’s very rare that we hurt each other, but it does happen. The worst part is, that he has more power to hurt me than anyone else in the world, and likewise, he’s the only one in the world with the power to fix it. In its basest form, Jenny, that’s what love really is.”

“I don’t understand,” Jenny tilted her head.

“It is by Rob’s grace that I am happy,” Paula admitted, “And when that grace is withdrawn, it’s like trying to breathe in a room with no air. But it goes both ways. I have that same kind of power over him. That same ability to wound him so deeply he can’t function. And to be honest, I’m not sure which is worse, when he hurts me, or when I look into his eyes and see pain that I have put there.”

“When you hurt him, how do you fix it?” Jenny wondered.

“It depends,” Paula smiled, “on what caused it. Usually just honesty is all it takes to fix it. He’s pretty forgiving. Other times, it takes a little more…a bite wound or two.”

Jenny blushed and giggled, “So he was mad at you that night?”

“Furious,” Paula confessed, “He’s a very jealous man. But it matters not…I fixed it.”

“I’ll remember that,” Jenny grinned, “In case I really get into deep trouble with Mitch some day.”

“So,” Paula got up, “Mitch said you were going to call your mom and invite her to visit. What did she say?”

“She said she’d ask Bob,” Jenny moaned, “Which doesn’t give me much hope.”

“Would it help if I called her and invited them to visit?” Paula offered.

“I don’t think so,” Jenny shook her head, “We’ll see what Bob says. I was hoping she’d be here when I…Oh, that reminds me, I’m supposed to ask you to recommend a doctor. I need to have one of those exams.”

“Well,” Paula frowned, “I’m afraid my doctor isn’t taking any new patients. He’s thinking of retiring, so I’ll be looking around for a new one before long myself. Chelsea is using someone in the same practice, though, and I think she really likes him. Why don’t you talk to her and see what she has to say? Can I ask you something?”

“I guess,” Jenny shrugged.

“Are you and Mitch going to wait a while to start your family?” Paula asked.

“Yes,” Jenny informed, “Since we’re buying the practice, we felt like starting a family now wasn’t a good idea.”

“That sounds very wise,” Paula praised, “You’re young. Take some time to just be together and enjoy each other. You’ll be glad you did.”

Jenny had just finished with her last student of the morning and was about to go to the main house when Mitch walked in. She resisted her first impulse to run into his arms, reminding herself that she was angry with him.

“Hey, Princess,” he came up with open arms, “I’ve missed you…What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?!” She snapped, “Like you don’t know what’s wrong.”

“Didn’t Dad give you my message?” He let his hands drop, “Baby, he was supposed to tell you why I left.”

“Oh he told me all right,” she fumed, “He told me a lot of things! How could you do that to me, Mitch? How could you tell him all those personal things?”

“Whoa!” He reached up and grabbed her shoulders, “What are you talking about? He was supposed to tell you that Lucy called with an emergency. What else did he say?”

“He scolded me about our weekend,” she told him, feeling tears returning, “About us sharing a room and a bed and…”

“What?” He stopped her, his anger rising now, “Baby, I didn’t tell Dad those things. I didn’t tell Dad anything.”

Jenny looked at him incredulously. His eyes told her he was being honest. She let him take her into his arms.

“Mitch, he knew,” she cried, “He knew everything. He gave me a whole lecture about us doing things we shouldn’t have. He even knew about Dutch and Chelsea.”

“I’m sorry, Honey,” he comforted, “I’m sorry he fussed at you. I swear I didn’t tell him, Jen. I wouldn’t do that.”

“How did he know?” She looked up at him.

“Because he’s Dad,” Mitch sighed, “He’s like that. He just seems to always know things. I think he’s really good at reading people and he throws out bait, then goes by their reaction to it. It’s a Dad thing, I think. I’ll take care of it.”

“No, let it go,” she protested, “It’s over now.”

“I can’t,” he shook his head, “No one hurts my baby and gets away with it.”

“You know,” she informed, “I thought maybe that’s why you couldn’t make it back last night. That maybe you got stuck here listening to a lecture yourself.”

“No,” he explained, “They needed me to look at one of the boarding horses.”

“I’m sorry,” she cuddled closer to him, “I should’ve known you wouldn’t betray me like that. I’m sorry I got angry before hearing your side.”

“It’s OK,” he comforted, “I bet Dad insinuated that I’d already told him everything. He knows just how to play that game to get confessions out of people. Come on. Let’s go up to the house for lunch and I’ll talk to him.”

“I don’t want you to fight with him over this,” she insisted.

“I’m not going to fight with him,” he assured, “But he needs to understand that when he feels the necessity to lecture someone about our business, he’s supposed to come to me from now on.”

“Why?”

“Because, Jen,” he kissed her, “You are my responsibility now. He wouldn’t want me to lecture Mom about their private life, I can assure you. Just like he defends Mom, I will defend you.”

The boys and Chelsea were already at the table when Mitch and Jenny walked in. Paula was still making sandwiches and Rob was standing close by. He looked at Mitch, somewhat expectantly.

“Hello, Son,” he greeted, “Did you make it to your emergency on time?”

“Yes,” Mitch nodded, “Dad, I need to talk to you. Privately.”

Paula glanced at Jenny, then at Chelsea. Rob nodded and led Mitch down the hall and into the study, closing the door.

“Sorry,” Jenny came over to Paula, “I intended to help with lunch. I also asked Mitch not to fight with his father over this.”

“Don’t worry,” Paula patted her shoulder, “Rob was expecting him. They’ll work it out. They’re grown men, they can handle it.”

By the time Mitch and Rob returned, the rest of the family had finished lunch and the boys were starting back into their schoolwork. Rob quietly went into the kitchen and began fixing himself a sandwich and Mitch took Jenny’s hand and led her into the living room.

“Sorry, Baby,” he took her to the door, “I’ve got to get back to work now.”

“You haven’t eaten yet,” she reminded.

“I’ll live,” he kissed her, “Meet you at Grandma’s tonight after work, OK?”

“Is everything all right?”

“It’s fine,” he hugged her, “He won’t scold you like that again. We’ll talk tonight.”

~*~

It was a beautiful spring evening, so after dinner with Bessie, Mitch and Jenny went out on the front porch with Panyon. There was an old fashioned porch swing there and they snuggled up in it and let it swing slowly.

“So,” she asked, “Are you going to tell me about it?”

“About what?”

“You and your dad,” she expounded, “What happened between you two today?”

“I just told him that he needs to come to me from now on if he has a problem,” Mitch reported, “He won’t scold you like that again.”

“There had to be more said than that,” she observed, “You two were in there for a long time.”

“Well,” he chuckled, “After I told him that, then he felt obligated to give me the lecture. I really hope, Jen, he tempered it a bit for you. I hope he wasn’t as blunt with you as he was with me.”

“He was pretty blunt,” she recalled, “but I ran out on him. I think you must have gotten more than I did.”

“Probably,” he nodded, “It doesn’t matter.”

“Why do you say that?” She asked, “Don’t you care what he thinks?”

“Of course, I do,” he squeezed her shoulders and planted a kiss on top of her head, “But I’m not him and I’m not always going to live to suit him. Baby, I don’t want you to feel guilty or ashamed for anything that happened this weekend…or any other time, for that matter. I love you, Jen. As far as I’m concerned, you are my wife.”

She looked up at him, “I couldn’t sleep last night, Mitch. I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to sleep without you again.”

“I couldn’t sleep, either,” he confessed, “And if I hadn’t been afraid of waking up Grandma, I would have come over anyway. My bed was pretty empty without you. Listen, Jen, Dad does have a point about one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“We shouldn’t hang out at my place from now on,” he admitted, “It is tempting fate. We should either hang out here or at Dad’s until we’re married.”

“It’s not been a problem so far,” she pointed out.

“It will be now,” he predicted, “You don’t crave something you’ve never tasted.”

“Huh?” She scrunched her face.

“What’s your favorite food?” He asked.

“Out of anything?” She asked and he nodded, “Strawberry shortcake.”

“OK,” he posed, “Do you ever crave it? You know, really want it bad?”

“Sometimes,” she answered.

“Would it be hard for you to sit in a room alone with a dish of it,” he wondered, “at a time when you were hungry, and not eat it?”

“Yeah,” she giggled.

“What if you hadn’t ever eaten it before?” He asked, “Would you crave it then?”

“Well no,” she told him, “because I wouldn’t know how good it is.”

“That’s my point,” he smiled.

She fell silent and laid her head back on his shoulder. She knew he was right. She wanted to be lying in his arms right now, stroking him while his fingers led her to the ecstasy she now knew existed.

“So,” he asked, “Did you call your mom last night?”

“Oh yes,” she remembered, “She said she’ll ask Bob. He’ll say no, I’m sure. She’s supposed to let me know. I may call her back tonight, though. I talked to your mom and Chelsea today and I have a doctor’s appointment next Monday.”

“Hey, that was fast,” he was pleased, “Do you want me to see about taking the day off to go with you?”

“No,” she sighed, “If Mom’s here, she’ll go and if not, Chelsea said she would.”

“Honey,” he offered, “I don’t mind, if you want me there.”

“Don’t bother,” she informed, “Chelsea said they won’t let you go back there. Dutch went with her and they made him wait in the lobby. Only husbands are allowed and that’s only for certain things. Something about a new law that has made them change their office policy. Anyway, Chels called for me and explained the situation, so they squeezed me in. There’s a woman doctor that’s fairly new and she’s taking new patients. That’s who I’m going to see.”

“Cool,” he kissed her, “Jen, listen to me on this, OK? Before she does anything, you have to tell her you’re a virgin. Trust me, it’s important.”

“She’s a doctor, Mitch,” Jenny blushed, “Don’t you think she’ll be able to figure that out?”

“Trust me, Baby,” he insisted, “You don’t want her to figure it out for herself. Promise me, Jen. Promise me you’ll tell her.”

Jenny sighed, not fully understanding his insistence, but trusting him, “OK, I promise.”

“OK,” he nodded, “So maybe if you call your mom, this will help convince her to come, you think?”
“I’m hoping so,” Jenny admitted, “What do you think? Should I go call her now?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, “Give it a try.”

He followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table while she dialed. She was about to hang up when Linda answered.

“Hello?” Linda’s voice greeted.

“Mom,” Jenny said, “Did you talk to Bob yet?”

“Jen!” Linda brightened, “Yes, I did. He’s totally thrown out the idea of a week or two, but I convinced him to come for a weekend.”

“That’s all?” Jenny moaned, “Mom, I have a doctor’s appointment next Monday. I was hoping you could go with me.”

“Oh, Jen,” Linda told her, “I wish I could. He says we can drive up Saturday morning and then we’ll leave Sunday afternoon.”

“That’s no time at all, Mom,” Jenny complained, “We can’t plan a wedding overnight.”

“It’s the best I can do, Honey,” Linda informed.

“OK,” Jenny instructed, “At least do this for me. Pack enough stuff for you to spend the week. Don’t tell him; just do it. Then once you’re here, maybe we can convince him to leave you for a few more days. One of us can bring you home.”

“Jenny, I don’t know…” Linda was skeptical.

“Trust me, Mom,” Jenny assured, “Just do it, OK?”

~*~

It was the first Saturday of May and the sun was shining, coaxing everyone to come out and play. The stable was busier than usual that day, almost as if all the patrons had decided amongst themselves to come out for a ride together.

Rob had seen it coming and had asked Bruce to work the weekend, so he and Paula would have time with their guests from Wichita. Jenny had told her mother to come straight to the Jackson farm, since that’s where they would be staying. She had scheduled all her lessons early in the day, so she would be done working by the time they arrived.

The parking lot at the stable was full, the outdoor arena bustling with horses, and the trails through the property speckled with riders, as well. Hazel and Bill were sitting on the sprawling porch, visiting with Bessie and Jack, who had both come to spend the day.

The rest of the family was congregated on an open part of the lawn away from the house. The boys had been working on a model space shuttle rocket launcher assembly for a school project and all the engineers were gathered around to advise them. Dutch was putting in his two cents, as well. Jenny, Mitch and Paula were simply playing the part of interested onlookers.

From where they stood, the long lane to the house was mostly visible. They had been watching patrons come and go all day long, but now Jenny was beginning to watch in earnest for Bob and Linda. She noticed the dust rising and saw the familiar black car. She grinned at the thought of dust coating Bob’s pride and joy.

“Is that them?” Rob followed her gaze.

“That’s them,” Jenny confirmed.

“Why’s he going so slow?” Terry looked up, “Does he have to pedal that thing like a bicycle?”

Mitch chuckled, “I bet he’s not used to dirt roads.”

“What’s that he’s driving?” Terry asked, “Oldsmobile Cutlass? Low car on gravel. Lots of fun.”

“Too boxy to be a Cutlass,” Rob observed.

“Buick,” Dutch guessed, watching the car creep down the lane, “Regal, maybe.”

“Old car,” Rob nodded.

“It’s a 1986 Buick Grand National,” Jenny informed, “And he doesn’t want it to have a speck of dirt on it. No one is allowed to eat or drink or smoke in it. He thinks it needs to stay in mint condition.”

“You can’t drive a car and keep it in mint condition,” Terry laughed.

“Especially not out here in the real world,” Dutch grinned.

“Wait till he drives by the stable,” Rob pointed out, “The way the horses have been coming and going down there, you know the drive to the house is full of gifts they’ve left behind.”

“We could all go down to meet them,” Dutch suggested, “If we each took a corner and put it on our shoulders we could carry them the rest of the way.”

“They’d get here faster,” Terry laughed, “At this rate, he needs to turn around now just to make it back to work Monday.”

“Be nice when they get here, Guys,” Paula reminded, “We want him to let Linda stay for a while. He’s not going to do that if you tick him off first thing.”

“Is your mom pretty, Jen?” Dutch asked.

“Yes,” Jenny smiled, “Why?”

“Well,” he shrugged, “Then we’ll keep her here whether he likes it or not. I think we all like pretty women around here.”

“I think they call that kidnapping, Dutch,” Terry observed.

“Not if she likes it, they don’t,” Dutch argued.

“That’s enough,” Rob stopped the banter.

“Come on, Mitch,” Jenny took his hand, “Let’s go meet them at the house.”

She led him down to where their trucks were parked and they waited for Bob to stop. Jenny noticed that in spite of his reduced speed, there was a nice coat of dust on the entire vehicle. Rob had been right also, because she saw at least two tires with horse manure deeply embedded in the treads. Both Panyon and Sam ran to see who was there and immediately started their warning barks announcing strangers.

Linda was the first to get out, unworried and unhampered by the dogs. She ran to greet Jenny with a big hug, then greeted Mitch with equal enthusiasm. Bob started to get out, but Sam and Panyon both advanced on him, growling.

“Sam! Panyon!” Mitch ordered, “That’s enough! Back off.”

The dogs obediently backed away and sat down, but still kept wary eyes on Bob. It was obvious that neither of them trusted him.

“Hello, Bob,” Mitch reached out to shake his hand, “Glad you could make it.”

Bob nodded and shook Mitch’s hand, but he was glancing back at his car with an agonized look on his face. He was about to start complaining when the rest of the family descended upon them.

“Paula!” Linda exclaimed and ran to hug her old friends, “Rob!”

“Hello, Linda,” Rob picked her up with his hug, “It’s good to see you again, Honey.”

Jenny was watching Bob closely, and saw him bristle at Rob, but she also noticed his eyes were wide with awe. She flashed back to Mitch’s comparison of the musk ox and almost giggled.

“Paula, Rob,” Linda introduced, “This is Bob.”

“Hello, Bob,” Rob reached out with his bone crushing hand, “Welcome to our home. Glad to have you here.”

“Terry!” Linda suddenly noticed another familiar face, “How are you?”

“Hello, Lin,” Terry opened his arms and gave her a hug that equaled Rob’s, “You’re just as pretty as you ever were, Sweetheart.”

“Oh Terry,” Linda blushed and giggled, “You always were a charmer.”

“Here, Lin,” he motioned, leaving one hand resting on the small of her back, “I want you to meet my daughter, Chelsea, and my future son-in-law, Dutch.”

“Hello,” Linda smiled and Chelsea nodded.

Dutch took Linda’s hand and kissed it, “Jenny told me you were pretty. I see that was an understatement.”

Just then, the three boys made their way to the front of the crowd. Linda gasped at them. They were all getting tall like their father and already losing the gangly look, developing strong muscles from the farm work.

“Oh my!” Linda cried, “Paula these can’t be your boys!”

“Yep,” Paula smiled, “Jason, Kevin and Keith. This is Linda. I’m sure you don’t remember her. You were just babies when you last saw her.”

“Well,” Bessie came around, “I remember her! Hi, Honey! So good to see you again.”

“Oh, Bessie,” Linda hugged her, “Good to see you again too.”

“Hi, Linda,” Hazel stepped up, “Do you remember me?”

“I certainly do, Hazel!” Linda hugged her, then looked up at Bill, “And you’re Rob’s dad! Bill, isn’t it?”

“Good memory,” Bill embraced her.

Linda looked at Jack, searching her memory, “I’m sorry. I can’t place you.”

“Good!” Jack laughed, “I’d be worried if you did. I’m Jack Schwartz, Dutch’s dad. We’ve never met.”

“That explains it then!” Linda giggled.

Bob was still standing by his beloved car, looking a bit bewildered by the onslaught of people and their obvious affection for his wife. Jenny was enjoying the whole display immensely and noticed that Mitch seemed satisfied, as well.

“Boys,” Paula instructed, “Help Bob with their bags and we’ll show them to the guest room.”

Startled into action, Bob went to open the trunk. He suddenly noticed the horse manure on his tires. He got a horrified expression on his face and Rob read it immediately. He walked over, arms folded, with a very serious look on his face.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, Bob,” Rob offered, “Once it dries, it flies off pretty well once you hit about 80 on the highway.”

“Or,” Terry chimed in, “he could go home the long way and drive over that low water bridge. The creek is running pretty good right now. That’ll rinse it off pretty well.”

“I don’t know,” Dutch came over, hands on his hips, “I think as low as this car sets, it might drag on the big hill by the Davis place.”

“Oh yeah,” Terry mused, walking to the back and squatting to look at the exhaust system, “You’re probably right, Dutch. He’d leave his tail pipe behind for sure…maybe even his muffler. Is that a glass pack?”

Bob’s face had gone from bright red to ashen in a matter of minutes as these big men circled his precious car like vultures. Mitch strolled over nonchalantly, stroking his mustache, and stopped next to Bob. Bob looked up at him, suddenly hoping for an ally.

“Don’t worry, Bob,” Mitch assured, “If they break it, they can put it back together.”

“Come on, Boys,” Paula reminded, “The luggage, remember?”

Her sons waited patiently by as Bob handed them suitcases to carry in. He was still watching the other men cautiously, torn between following his wife and staying to protect his car. The other men were now going over it meticulously, making comments about different features they found. The car won out, and Bob stayed there.

Jenny left Mitch with them and followed the ladies inside. The boys set all the bags in the guestroom, then hurried back outside to join in on the fun.

“So, Mom,” Jenny asked, “Did you do what I asked?”

“Pack extra, you mean?” Linda grinned, “Yes, I did. Just for me, though. But I don’t know how I can convince him.”

“You don’t have to, Linda,” Paula assured, “You just leave that to us, OK? We can be very persuasive when we work together.”

“You can be persuasive all by yourself,” Linda remembered, “Gosh, it’s good to see you! I swear you haven’t aged a bit, girl!”

“Oh yes, I have,” Paula insisted, “Come on, let’s go back outside. Want to see the stable?”

“I’d love to,” Linda nodded.

Jenny giggled and nudged her mom when they came back outside. The hood was now up on Bob’s car with several heads looking under it. The doors were open and Dutch was pointing something out to the boys inside of it. Bob was standing to the side looking completely exasperated, listening to something Mitch was explaining to him.

“Rob,” Paula got her husband to look up from beneath the hood, “Let’s show Linda and Bob the stable, shall we? Boys, get back to work on your rocket.”

Bob and Linda both got strange expressions at the word rocket, but the boys hurried off and Chelsea went after them. Dutch followed her, as soon as he shut the car doors.

“Terry,” Rob asked, “I’m putting you in charge now.”

“Aye-aye, Sir,” Terry saluted, dropped the hood of the car, and headed for the project.

“In charge of what?” Linda asked as they went toward the stable, “And did you say rocket?”

“It’s a school project,” Paula explained, “They’ve almost got it ready to launch. It’s a model of the space shuttle on a rocket launcher and they’re rigging it to haul a video camera to take aerial footage of the flight.”

“We’ve just about got all the bugs worked out,” Rob told them, “It’s taken all of us to make it come together. All the disciplines of engineering are involved.”

“What?” Linda asked.

“They’re all engineers,” Mitch expounded, “You know, they all have degrees in different areas of expertise.”

“Oh!” Linda laughed, “That’s right! I forgot Terry was an engineer.”

“So’s Chelsea,” Jenny offered, “Her degree is in chemical engineering. She’s helping them make the rocket fuel.”

“Did you say make fuel?” Bob finally asked.

“Sure,” Rob grinned, “That’s the fun part!”

“I thought you ran a stable,” Bob remarked.

“We do,” Rob answered.

“Rob’s an architect by trade,” Linda reminded.

“And he’s got a minor in mechanical engineering,” Paula bragged, “Terry’s the electrical engineer. We have all the bases covered around here. Especially now that Dutch is in the family.”

“What’s Dutch?” Linda asked.

“He owns his own construction company,” Mitch answered, “He’s the one that built the stable and the duplex.”

Bob seemed to be shrinking as they talked, then when they walked into the new stable and arena, he seemed to almost disappear. Linda began asking questions that Rob and Paula answered, as they showed her different features they had included in the structure. There was a young blond woman using the arena, with the jumps set up, and her horse was refusing to respond to her commands.

“Rob,” she finally called out, “Could I bother you for a moment?”

“Sure, Susie,” he looked up, “What’s the problem?”

“You tell me,” she rode to the rail where they were gathered, “He’s refusing to jump.”

“Well,” Rob hopped over the rail with the ease of a man in his twenties, “Jump down and I’ll try him. We’ll see if the problem is with him, or with you.”

Rob got on the big black gelding and rode him around the arena once, then took him through the jumps flawlessly. The horse didn’t even hesitate to go over.

“Well,” Susie turned to the others, “Guess the problem is me.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Susie,” Paula confessed, “I’ve never yet seen a horse refuse him.”

“Or a woman either, I suspect,” Susie muttered.

“Not me, that’s for sure,” Paula laughed.

Rob rode the horse back to the rail and dismounted, “He’s just messing with you, Susie. Give him another try now.”

“It’s so beautiful,” Paula told them, “We thought we’d grill burgers for supper and eat out on the lawn. Is that OK?”

“Sounds great,” Linda smiled, “I haven’t had a good grilled burger in ages.”

“Jenny,” Paula requested, “Why don’t you and Mitch see if you can find Bruce and invite him to stay for dinner. We’ll meet you back at the house.”

When Jenny and Mitch returned to the house, with Bruce in tow, the rest of the family had already started setting up tables and chairs on the lawn. Bob was sitting on the porch now, with Hazel and Bessie, watching the rest of the men work. Jenny left Mitch and Bruce and went to the kitchen to help with food. She found the other ladies already busy there.

“Paula,” Linda was saying, “I love what you and Rob have done with the house. It doesn’t even resemble what you started with.”

“Guess this is the first time you’ve seen it all done,” Paula realized, “We’re pretty happy with it now. Just a matter of upkeep from here on out.”

“Is your house done yet, Chelsea?” Jenny asked, washing her hands.

“All except the carpet,” Chelsea grinned, “We’ve even got most of the furniture put back on layaway until the carpet is in.”

“So when’s your wedding?” Linda asked.

“Memorial Day weekend,” Chelsea answered, “Say, why don’t you come?”

“Yeah, Mom,” Jenny piped in, “That’s a great idea. You can come for the whole three days.”

“Jen,” Linda looked at her like she was nuts, “Did you just hear yourself? Do you think Bob is going anywhere on Memorial Day weekend?”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Paula asked.

“Oh, I forgot,” Jenny groaned, “The Indy 500 is that weekend.”

“The what?” Paula grimaced.

“Car race,” Chelsea informed, “It’s the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend every year.”

“Bob has to watch it,” Linda reported.

“So come without him,” Jenny suggested, “He’ll never even notice you’re gone.”

“Oh yes, he would,” Linda laughed, “He’d have to get up and fetch his own beer.”

“All right, Linda,” Paula asked, “You do want to stay here for a few day this time, right?”

“Yes, I do,” Linda admitted, “But, I don’t know…”

“Well,” Paula informed, “Get ready. We’re hitting him at dinner, so play along and follow our lead.”

“You sound like you have a plan,” Linda giggled.

“Linda,” Paula chuckled, “I always have a plan.”

Jenny looked around the crowded lawn and remembered the last barbecue here. How much things had changed since that day. Now, she was an integral part of the family, and Bob was on the outside looking in. It hadn’t even been six months ago and her life was completely different now.

“Penny for ‘em,” Mitch came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her.

“Mmm,” she snuggled back into him, “Just thinking how much has changed since the last barbecue here.”

“Now you don’t mind when I sneak up on you,” he laughed and kissed her neck.

“Mmm,” she shook her head and turned around in his arms, “Now I can feel you coming.”

He got a devilish grin on his face and whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait till you can really feel me coming, Baby.”

“Mitch!” She scolded.

“Oh,” he laughed, “No one else heard me. What are you worried about?”

“Let’s see where your mom wants us to sit,” Jenny led him by the hand, “I think she has a strategy.”

When the burgers were done and they were all settled down to eat, Mitch had landed next to Bob, and Terry was on the other side of Linda. Rob and Paula were directly across from them and Dutch, Bill, Jack and Bruce were strategically spread between them, so there were no gaps without big men every couple of people. It was no doubt an intimidating sight to Bob, who was barely taller than Jason was now.

“So, Linda,” Paula asked, “Are you going to be able to help Jenny shop for her wedding dress?”

“Oh,” Linda acted surprised by the question, “Gee, I don’t know when I’ll be able…”

“Speaking of wedding dresses,” Rob jumped in, “I was going to tell you, Squirt, that since you’ve asked me to give you away…”

“What?” Bob asked.

“I would be honored,” Rob ignored him, “if you’d also let me buy your wedding dress.”

Linda’s mouth fell open and Bob’s eyes nearly popped out. Jenny, on the other hand, jumped up and ran around the table to hug Rob.

“Oh, Daddy,” she kissed his cheek, “Thank you!”

“Did she just call him ‘daddy’?” Bob muttered.

“I think so,” Linda was shocked.

“You’re welcome, Honey,” Rob stood up to hug her, then looked down at Bob and Linda, “Yes, she calls me ‘daddy’. I hope that doesn’t bother you. I’ve sort of adopted her. I consider her one of my own.”

Jenny saw Bob swallow hard, his neck craning to look up at Rob. He obviously got the message loud and clear. One down, she thought, one to go.

“Mom,” Jenny began, as she returned to her seat, “you have to help me pick out my dress.”

“But when, Jenny?” Linda opened the door of opportunity.

“Too bad you’re not staying longer,” Paula remarked, “We’re all going this week to have the alterations done on Chelsea’s dress. You could come along and Jenny could pick out hers then.”

“What day?” Linda played this game fairly well.

“Tuesday,” Chelsea answered, “Why don’t you stay?”

“Yes,” Jenny got excited, “Just because Bob has to get back for work, doesn’t mean you can’t stay! You could at least stay for a couple more days.”

“Sure, Linda,” Paula offered, “One of us would be glad to take you home later in the week.”

“Oh!” Linda brightened, “Well, I…”

“Wait a minute,” Bob finally jumped in, “You don’t expect me to just go off and leave my wife behind!”

“Why not, Bob?” Terry challenged, “Afraid she’ll decide to stay?”

Bob went red with anger, “Not hardly!”

“Then what’s the problem?” Dutch wondered, “Surely a man like you isn’t so dependent upon his wife that he can’t get along a few days without her?”

“Bob,” Linda turned to him, “Please let me stay! I only have one little girl and she’s only going to have one wedding.”

“You sure about that?” He remarked sarcastically.

“Bob,” Mitch reminded, “Let’s not go down that road again.”

“It won’t be so bad, Bob,” Rob assured, “Microwaves are great little inventions…And think how happy you’ll be to see her when she comes home.”

“I bet you wouldn’t go off and leave your wife with a house full of strangers!” Bob defended.

“Well, Bob,” Rob leaned in, “To be quite honest, my wife has never asked me to let her spend the night with someone else. But I assure you, I have never denied her anything she has asked me for.”

“They’re not strangers, Bob,” Linda told him, “I’ve known them longer than I’ve known you.”

Jenny was silently cheering for her mother, glad to hear the spirit in her voice. Mitch winked at her, pleased with the way things were going. Bob was looking very flustered.

Rob seemed to decide it was time to put an end to the matter, “So, Bob, one of us will see to it Linda is delivered back home later in the week. I give you my word she will be safe in my home…As long as she’s under my roof, I’ll protect her like I would my own wife.”

Zing! Jenny thought, second point sent straight to the bullseye. No doubt now who was in charge of things.

Before Bob could recover for any type of rebuttal, everyone at the table broke off into their own little discussions, as if the matter was settled. He was left sitting there to lick his wounds and try to figure out what exactly had happened.

After things had been cleaned up and put away, Jack offered to give Bessie a ride home so Jenny could stay longer. She gratefully accepted. Bill and Hazel retreated to their duplex and Chelsea and Dutch left to go look over their new house.

“Well, Lin,” Terry came to her with open arms, “In case I don’t see you again before you leave, let me have a hug. I need to go check on the cattle.”

“It was good to see you again, Terry,” she hugged him, “And I’ll certainly see you at Jenny’s wedding.”

“Take care of yourself, Sweetness,” he kissed her cheek, “I hope to see a lot more of you now that you’re part of the family.”

“You will,” she smiled.

Jenny and Mitch exchanged looks and then looked at Bob. He seemed frozen, torn between his urge to react and his fear of repercussions. When he saw them watching him, he looked over at Rob and made his decision to remain quiet. He had obviously gotten the message clearly. Jenny and Linda were free to do as they pleased here and Rob would see to it that no one stood in their way.

~*~

It was late when Jenny and Mitch finally left. She hugged her mother and told her goodnight, then hugged Rob and Paula, as well. Bob was left watching, eyes red from staying up later than he was accustomed to.

Mitch followed Jenny home, so he could tuck her in. After she was ready for bed and crawled under the covers, he sat on the edge of her bed and smiled down at her.

“Are you happy, Princess?” He asked.

“Very happy,” she grinned, “Bob didn’t stand a chance, did he?”

“Nope,” Mitch reached down and kissed her, “Your mom was like another person, wasn’t she? A few more days here will do her good. Maybe she won’t be afraid to stand up to him now…And it can’t hurt that he knows now that she has a place to go.”

“What was up with your Uncle Terry?” Jenny wondered.

“I’m not sure,” Mitch shrugged, “Maybe he was just playing it up a bit. I mean, he has known your mom for years.”

“Too bad he didn’t do something about it way back then,” she reflected, “He would have made a much better step dad than Bob.”

“Remember, everything happens for a reason,” he reminded, “We don’t always understand it, but it does. Now, you get some sleep, OK?”

“OK,” she nodded.

“Shall I come get you in the morning?” He offered.

“Please,” she smiled, “You get a good night’s sleep too. I love you.”

“I love you, Princess,” he kissed her and turned off her light, then left her to her dreams.

~*~

Since the decision had been made for Linda to stay, Bob left Sunday morning. He seemed eager to get back to his own territory. Terry showed up for lunch and seemed quite at ease visiting with Linda. Jenny and Mitch started keeping a close watch on them.

It was after lunch that Linda surprised her daughter, “Jenny, while I’m here, I think I should visit your father’s grave. Would you like to go with me?”

“Yes, Mom,” Jenny stammered, “I don’t even know where it is.”

“Well,” Linda stood up, “Then it’s high time you learned.”

“Jen,” Mitch stood, “I’ll take you.”

“Here, Mitch,” Bill tossed him his keys, “Use my car. There’s more room.”

“Thanks, Grandpa,” he caught them.

“Linda,” Terry rose, as well, “Would you like me to go? My grandparents are buried there.”

“Thank you, Terry,” Linda nodded, “I’d like that very much.”

Mitch raised his brows and handed the keys to his uncle, “Since you know the way…”

Terry parked the car at the edge of the peaceful little cemetery. The trees were beginning to get their leaves and some of the graves had daffodils and tulips blooming on them. He opened Linda’s door and helped her out. Mitch did the same for Jenny, keeping his arm around her.

Linda took a deep breath, then led the way. Briefly, Jenny wondered how it was that Terry knew where her father was buried and she didn’t. She dismissed it and followed her mother. She stopped in front of a simple stone marker. It only had her father’s name, date of birth and death on it.

Linda knelt down and closed her eyes. Jenny went to her mother’s side and did the same.

“Mitch,” Terry spoke softly, “Would you like to see where your great grandparents are buried?”

“Sure,” Mitch followed, leaving the ladies alone to their thoughts.

“Mom,” Jenny finally spoke, “I know you still miss him. He loved you so much, Mom. I know he did.”

“I do too,” Linda wept, “And I’m sorry I never brought you here before, Honey. But I want you to promise me something, OK?”

“OK,” Jenny agreed, seeing the men returning silently, “What is it, Mom?”

“There’s an empty plot here next to your father,” she informed, “It belongs to us. Promise me that when I die, you’ll see to it that I’m buried there…next to him.”

Jenny nodded, “I promise, Mom.”

“Lin,” Terry walked up and put a hand on her shoulder, “You OK, Hon?”

She rose up and he took her into his arms. Jenny let Mitch help her up and gave him a questioning look. He shrugged and started backing away.

“Let’s go over here,” he led her to the graves Terry had just shown him, “Maybe we should leave them alone for a few minutes.”

“So,” Jenny looked at the stones, “This is your great grandparents? Bill’s mom and dad, right?”

“Right,” Mitch nodded, “The ones that were supposed to be like the perfect couple. I guess Dad’s supposed to be like the spit and image of him.”

“Hey, Mitch,” she pointed at the headstones, “Did you notice that?”

“Notice what?” He wondered.

“Read them,” she instructed, “Not as individual markers, but go across the lines and read them like it’s just one stone.”

He looked for a minute, then smiled and read out loud, “George Robert Jackson, Violet Pauline Jackson, Husband, Wife, Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, Faithful, True, Loyal, Eternally.”

“They did it that way on purpose,” Terry walked up, “They wrote it themselves before Grandma had her stroke. Interesting, their middle names, isn’t it?”

“Almost eerie,” Mitch remarked, “Obviously, Dad was named after him, but Mom…”

“Well,” Terry reminded, “It’s possible she was named after Gram. Her parents knew them well. You know, Paula spent a lot of her childhood at the farm. It’s amazing she and Rob never crossed paths until they did.”

“So is Dad really as much like him as everyone says?” Mitch asked.

“Very much,” Terry told him, “And so are you. Says a lot for genetics. For someone raised out of the family, you are very much like the men before you. You and your dad are a lot more like him than I am, and I spent more time with him.”

“What about Mom?” Mitch wondered, “She’s told me that she learned more about being a wife and mother from Violet than she did from her own mom.”

“Yes,” he smiled, “She’s a lot like Gram. She and Rob…well, he’s going to be lost without her when she goes, just like Gramps was lost without Gram. She’s his whole purpose in life.”

“Rob’s a pretty strong man,” Linda observed as they walked to the car.

“But she’s the source of his strength,” Terry told them, “Not like you, Mitch. You’re a strong man anyway; you were when you showed up. He wasn’t before Paula came along. No, there’s no doubt that he wears the pants in their family, but she’s definitely the one who controls the zipper.”

Jenny giggled, “I’ve got to remember that one.”

“You think I’m joking,” Terry smiled, “None of you knew him back then. He wasn’t the same man. And from what I’ve been told, it was the same way with Gramps. He changed overnight when he met Gram. I never thought my little brother would amount to anything when he was young. Now look at him. He’s on top of the world…and it’s all because of Paula.”

~*~

Time passed quickly with Linda there, far too quickly to suit Jenny. She survived her doctor’s appointment, grateful she had remembered Mitch’s instructions, and walked away with pills to start at the appropriate time.

The ladies all went to Chelsea’s fitting, acting like a bunch of giggling teenagers. Jenny found the dress she wanted and Paula paid for it, in spite of Linda’s protests. They also found a dress for Chelsea to wear as matron of honor.

Terry managed to visit at least some part of each day, and Jenny noticed he and her mother seemed to be getting very close. She saw them walking alone together through the property on several occasions. She was a little concerned, but happy at the same time. From what she knew, he could be trusted not to cross any lines, and he might be just the kind of friend her mother needed right now.

As the week drew to a close, they began talking about how and when Linda should go home. She hadn’t bothered to call Bob all week long and she was beginning to act more like the confident woman Jenny remembered from her early days.

“I’d be glad to drive you home,” Terry offered on Thursday evening at dinner, “I can get away to do that.”

“Bob would die!” Linda laughed, “It’d almost be worth it to see the look on his face.”

“I don’t think you should push your luck, Linda,” Mitch warned, “We laid it on pretty heavy when he was here. He may not be too pleasant when you get home alone with him.”

Linda’s face fell at the thought, “Yes, Mitch. I’m sure you’re right.”

“Linda,” Rob asked, “Are you afraid to go home and be alone with him? Do you think there’s any chance he’ll retaliate and hurt you?”

“No,” she shook her head, “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”