She hung up the phone. Turning to the group she said, “There’s nothing we can do now, but wait.” When nobody said anything, she asked, “Did I hear somebody say you brought some of your chicken salad, Mavis?” Mavis nodded and Kay went on. “I’d like a sandwich and some of your special blend tea, Gilbert.”
“The sandwiches are right here on this table, Ms. Kay and I’ll get you the tea.” Gilbert was beaming as he jumped out of his chair. “And I agree, Ms. Mavis makes wonderful chicken salad. I snitched a sandwich myself.”
“I know she does, Gilbert. I’ve had it before.” Kay reached for a sandwich.
“Thank you, Kay.” Mavis looked at her with awe.
“Well, after I went to make sure the mare’s foot was okay this morning, I’ve sat here all this time and not opened my mouth. Now, you all know that’s unusual for me, but I’ve got to say one thing. You impress me little lady.” Neil pointed a finger at Kay.
“I’m not trying to impress anyone, Neil. I just want to get my boy home. Of course, I want other mothers and wives to get their loved ones home, too.” She grinned at him as big tears rolled down her cheeks. “If the truth be told, of all the people in this room, you’re the one I want most to impress, because you’re the one who told me I could handle this big fellow, here.” She dropped her arm around Jude and sat on the arm of his chair. “I just want to prove you’re right.”
“You’ve sure done that. I’m glad you married Jude instead of me. I couldn’t keep up with you.”
“And you’d better not try, old man.” Mavis laughed and swatted at him.
“See, this is all the woman I can handle.”
Jude looked up at Kay. His eyes shone with pride. “I may be in for it, but I know already marriage to this woman will never be dull.”
She swallowed a bite of sandwich, then leaned to kiss him on the cheek. “I don’t intend to ever let it get dull, my love.”
Jude reached up and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “You hang in there, baby. This is all going to work out. You’ll see.” He pulled her closer to him.
“I’m glad to hear you’re going to put some excitement in Dad’s life, Kay. He has been dull long enough.” Cole frowned. “Oh, Lord, I just thought of something. When my in-laws hear that my dad married a senator, they’ll hop the first plane they can get to North Carolina.”
“Son, look at it like this, it’s the first time our family has ever done anything to impress your in-laws. Enjoy the attention.”
Kay smiled at her new stepson. “Your in-laws must be fools if they aren’t impressed with a wonderful young man like you, Cole.”
He grinned. “Thanks, Kay.”
Jude looked at Doby, “By the way, how did you know Kay and I were at the cabin this morning?”
“Wh…wh…Moon…Moonflower’s foo…foot…so…soaked. I red…read pa…paper about wed…wedding. When Red and Co…Co…Cole came by, I he…heard them ta…talking b-b-bout wh…where…you were.”
“Oh, I see. You also saw Kay’s name in the paper and knew she was the one you wanted to get in touch with, right?”
Doby nodded.
She turned to Doby. “I know you tried to see me and call me, but why didn’t you just write me, Doby?”
“I…d…did, M…m…Ms. Kay. Y…you w…wrote back.”
“I did?” She looked puzzled. “What did I say?”
“Tha…thank…y…you for wri…writing.”
“Is that all I said?”
“It bo… boiled d…down to th…that.”
“That sounds like one of the form letters.” Kay looked at Jude. “Honey, hold my sandwich and let me have your cell phone. I want to leave the other line open for the president, but I’ve got to check into this.”
He gave her his phone and she dialed her secretary. “Michelle, I have to ask you something.”
“Sure, Kay. What is it?”
“Did you see a letter to me from a POW named Doby Martin in the last couple of months?”
“No. If I had, I’d have given it to you. I know how you feel about the military. Why do you ask?”
“I’ve met the POW, and I’m upset that his letter never reached me.”
“I’m sorry, Kay. You know I wouldn’t have done that. It must’ve been stopped by one of the readers.”
“I’m not blaming you, Michelle. As you said, you know how I feel about the military, but I need you to do me a favor. I won’t be there this week, so I want you to get to the bottom of this. Find out if a form letter went out as an answer to Mr. Martin’s letter because the person reading my mail thought it wasn’t important enough to send to me, or see if someone simply snipped the address and sent the form without reading the POW’s letter. If the latter occurred, I want new readers. If it was the first, I want to talk personally with him or her.”
“I’ll get on it first thing Monday.”
“By the way, Michelle, while I have you on the phone, do you remember the cowboy who came into the office last Monday? The one you thought was so handsome and sexy?”
“Of course I remember him. He was too sexy not to remember.”
“I agree with you on that point. His name is Jude Winslow and he’s from North Carolina.”
“How about that. I figured he was from your home state because he was so typically western.” When Kay said nothing she went on, “You never did tell me what he wanted with you.”
“He said he came to DC to get his woman.”
“He what?”
“You heard me. He came to get his woman. He got her, too.”
“That’s good, I guess, but I don’t understand it.”
“Let me put it this way, Michelle. It’ll be in the papers tomorrow, I’m sure, so I want you to be the first to know. Last night in Coverton Mills, North Carolina, I became Mrs. Jude Winslow.”
“You’re shittin’ me.”
“Watch your language, girl. That’s why I won’t be there this week. I’ll be on my honeymoon with my cowboy.”
“Kay Littleton! You’re…”
“See you soon, Michelle.” She hung up before Michelle could finish her sentence.
“So,” Jude said as he handed her back her sandwich and took his phone. “Michelle thinks I’m handsome and sexy, huh?”
She took a bite, then put her face close to his. “Don’t go getting the big head about it. Michelle thinks any guy who comes in wearing jeans and a cowboy hat is sexy.”
“As long as I’m sexy enough for you, nobody else matters.”
“Honey, you’re the most—”
The telephone on the table rang and interrupted her sentence.
The room went silent when Kay picked it up.
CHAPTER 24
Everyone stared wide-eyed as Kay talked to the President. It seemed almost surreal, yet their banter was light and congenial. At first, they could tell the president was refusing to do what she asked. They knew he’d said it was up to the military, when Kay told him he was head of the military and it was his responsibility.
She surprised everyone when she said, “Mr. President, how bad do you want this budget bill of yours passed? I thought so…You’ve been a senator, so you know how the system works…That’s right. That’s why you know I have the wherewithal to get that bill through for you or get it defeated by a large margin…A lot of my colleagues owe me, and you know all I have to do is call in the markers…You’re damn sure I’ll do it. The life of my son and those other POWs depend on it…That’s not good enough, Mr. President. I’ll give you until noon on Thursday. I know you can handle it by then…No way will I give you until a week from today. I know you want the vote to take place Friday, and you think I wouldn’t have anything to bargain with if it passes…Yes, I’m tough when I have to be…Thursday’s the deadline…I want a confirmation that the rescue is taking place by noon…On Thursday afternoon I’ll start calling…Yes, Mr. President, if the rescue is in progress you’ll have more than enough votes for passage. It’ll be an overwhelming victory for you. Proba
bly raise your approval rating several percentage points…I’m assuming the men will be sent to the Landstuhl…I thought so. I want to be there…No, I’m not kidding. I expect an Air Force jet to take me there…You can bet anything you own if you get my son out of there, I’ll be happy to make a speech for you at the convention…No. I won’t run for senator again, but I’ll campaign for you. How’s that?” Kay chuckled. “No, I can’t take a cabinet post, but you know you’ll have my eternal gratitude and I’ll let everyone know that…There’s one other thing…No, this will be easy for you. When they return and are all in good enough physical condition, I want them feted at the White House along with Private Doby Martin. He’s the young man who brought the message back to me from my son…Yes, sir. I’ll get all the information about him you need, and I’ll personally get it to you…Mr. President, I appreciate your time. I’ll be expecting that call…Oh, by the way, I got married yesterday. My husband will be going with me…He’s from North Carolina, and he raises beef cattle…Jude Winslow…” Kay laughed out loud. “No, Mr. President, I don’t expect you to give me a bridal shower, but yes, dinner at the White House will be nice…I think you’re the first person to call me Mrs. Winslow and I thank you. Good-bye, Mr. President.”
She laughed. “He called me Mrs. Winslow.” She put the phone down and turned around. “Now, all we have to do is wait until Thursday.” She looked at Jude. “Honey, do you mind that I changed our honeymoon plans? Germany is really a pretty place, too.”
“I don’t mind at all.” He held out his arms to her.
She went to him and sat in his lap. “I don’t have to play senator now,” she whispered.” Tears rolled down her cheek. “Think of it, Jude. There’s a possibility I’ll get my son back.”
“It sounds like a real good possibility to me.”
She cuddled next to his chest and whispered, “Hold me, Jude. I need you to hold me and let me cry.”
“I’ve got you, baby.”
Kay sobbed into his chest as Jude’s arms held her close.
The others in the room were staring at her and thinking their own thoughts.
•♥ •
Mavis thought, I was concerned about getting close to Heather because she was a famous writer. How am I’m supposed to be friends with a woman who orders the President of the United States around? I’ve got my work cut out for me.
•♥ •
Red was grinning so big all his dimples showed. Darlene isn’t going to believe what’s happened here. I’m really proud of my Aunt Kay.
•♥ •
Cole smiled. Dad has hit the jackpot. Kay is quite a woman. My in-laws are going to pop a gut to be friends with me now. Wonder if Alisa will let me tell them to kiss my butt?
•♥ •
Doby took a deep breath, happy that he didn’t stutter when he thought. Me, at the White House. I can hardly believe it. Ms. Kay actually told the President she wanted me to come to the White House. She knows how I talk, so she must not be ashamed of me. The captain was right. His mother is special.
•♥ •
Neil gave Mavis a wink. Hot damn. Jude has got himself a dynamo. I’m sure this little woman will keep their marriage lively for the rest of his life. It’s going to be interesting being friends with these two.
•♥ •
Gilbert was neither surprised nor awed by the way Kay talked with the people in DC. He’d heard her before when she was determined to have her way. He slipped into the kitchen and bowed his head. “Lord, I can’t wait until tonight to ask You this, but please let Mr. Jimmy be alive when they rescue these people. Ms. Kay will never be the same if he isn’t. Now that she’s found the husband she’s always deserved let them be happy for the rest of their lives. It’ll be perfect if You’ll top off her happiness by bringing her son home. Thank You, Lord. We’ll talk again tonight.”
•♥ •
In Germany, the hospital intensive care room was dimly lit by a small light behind the bed. The skeletal form on the starched white sheets was unmoving. Tubes attached to bottles of fluids ran in his arms and there were monitors attached to several locations of Jimmy’s body. It was almost all Kay could do to keep from screaming as she sat by the bed and looked at the pitiful man who was her son. His weight had dropped from his usual one-eighty to almost a hundred pounds. There were sores and scars on his arms and his thick, light brown hair was dull. She wondered if his aqua eyes had also dulled.
When they first talked with the doctor, he’d told her, “Another week or two and there would have been nothing we could do. Now, it’s iffy, but he’s alive.”
“Please, doctor. I can’t lose him twice.”
“We’re doing all we can, Senator,” the doctor replied. “He’s in pretty bad shape.”
She’d turned from the doctor to seek comfort in Jude’s waiting arms. He held her for a long time, not once mentioning they should leave the hospital to rest, not that she would have. Somehow, he seemed to know this and he didn’t argue with her.
Later, she’d tried to get him to go to the hotel to get some sleep. He refused to leave her, only going to the waiting area for an occasional cup of coffee.
That must be where he is now, she thought as she looked back at the bed, “Jimmy,” she whispered. “Please get well, son. I need my boy back. There’re so many things I want to share with you. I want you to meet Jude. I want you to come back to North Carolina and live on the farm with us. I know you’ll love it. Your friend Doby is there. You’ll also love Jude’s son Cole and his family. He says he can’t wait to have a brother.”
Kay knew she was rambling, but she couldn’t help it. Her nerves were stretched to the edge, and talking helped to settle her a little. She began telling Jimmy about Jude. About the way they met and about all the things that happened to them. She talked for a long time, then ended with, “I can’t wait for you to meet him, Jimmy. He’s a wonderful man, and I love him with all my heart. He loves me, too, and I know he’ll be faithful to me. He’ll never treat me the way your father did. He’ll also love you. I know the two of you will be good friends.”
Jude, who’d been standing at the door listening, came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “She’s right, Jimmy. We’ll be the best of friends and I know my son and you will be friends, too. In fact, the whole family is anxiously waiting for us to get back so they can get to know you. The grandsons are already calling you Uncle Jimmy.”
Kay reached up and put her hands on top of her husband’s. “He’s going to get well, Jude. Deep in my heart, I know he will.”
A nurse came in. “We’re going to change some of his medicines. Why don’t you go to the hotel and rest for a while? We’ll keep you posted if there’s any change.”
Kay shook her head.
“We’ll be in the waiting room,” Jude said reaching for Kay’s hand. “Come on, honey. Let’s let them do their work.”
She kissed her son’s forehead then followed him down the hall to the deserted waiting room. They took a seat on the lone sofa.
She tucked her feet up under her, and Jude pulled her to him. “Try to doze a little,” he whispered. “I promise to wake you in a little while.”
“But you need to sleep, too.”
“I grabbed a nap this afternoon. Now, it’s your turn.”
“Promise to wake me.”
“I promise.”
Kay didn’t think she’d go to sleep, but she was so exhausted she couldn’t resist now that she was still. Jude held her tight and glanced down at her strained face.
He couldn’t help it. He started praying. “Lord, I know I’ve asked You for some big things lately and here I am again asking for another biggie. This time, it’s mainly for this wonderful wife of mine. You know how much she’s grieved over the loss of her son, and now she’s found him again. Please don’t take him away a second time. I don’t have the flowery words or the reverent prayers You hear in church, but God, I’m sincere. I’m asking You to do this for this special woman. That�
��s about all I know to say, but You know what’s in my heart. Thank you.”
An hour later, Jude had almost dozed off, too, when a nurse came into the waiting room. “Is she asleep?”
He nodded. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s about the same.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to give the senator false hope, but a couple of us think we saw her son move a little. Just kind of wiggled a finger, but since two of us saw it…”
“That’s great news. I’ll wake her in a little while and we’ll be back in.”
The nurse nodded and left.
Though Jude would’ve liked to let Kay sleep longer, he knew she’d be mad if he didn’t wake her as he promised to do. Within the next hour, they were both back in Jimmy’s room sitting next to the bed. Time seemed to drag, but Kay wouldn’t give up the vigil.
•♥ •
It was almost daylight and Kay knew they had to leave the hospital soon. She was asking too much of Jude to stay here with her, and she knew he wasn’t about to leave her here alone.
She took hold of Jimmy’s hand and said, “Darling, I’m so glad you’re back with us, but I’ve got to take Jude to the hotel and let him get some sleep.” She kissed his hand and stood and gave Jude a weak smile. “Are you ready to go?”
“Are you sure you want to?”
She went toward the door. Jude followed She paused and turned. “I can’t leave him, Jude. I just can’t.” She burst into tears.
He put his arms around her. “You don’t have to, my love.” He led her back to the chair.
Another thirty minutes passed and the sun was trying to break over the horizon. Kay flexed her shoulders. Jude stood and began to rub them for her.
There was a movement on the bed. “Jude, he moved his hand. I saw it.”
“I saw it, too, sweetheart.” He sat down as Kay reached for Jimmy’s hand.
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