by West, Cary
And just like that, he knew. Like a light flicking on in his head it all became clear. There wasn’t anything in the world he wouldn’t give her, and she wanted a proper proposal. He would give her that, seeing how much it meant to her.
A plan began to form in his mind, figuring the perfect time to propose. He would go all out by taking her to the fanciest restaurant in town. Maybe he would hire a band to play while he proposed. There would be flowers and lots of them, and he would buy her a ring; not a simple one like he’d done before, but an elegant one with brilliant diamonds. Nothing Jack McBride did was in a small way. He would sweep her off her feet, and Kate could only say yes to his asking her.
Kate looked over and saw him grinning from cheek to cheek. Though his eyes never left the road she could tell that behind those brilliant greens something was brewing. She leaned back against the seat and smiled with satisfaction knowing he figured it out.
She found herself dozing, drifting in and out of a half sleep state. She awoke when the truck slowed and turned onto a dirt road, feeling the bumps beneath her instead of the smooth road.
“How long was I sleeping?” she asked sitting up in her seat.
“About an hour or so.”
She felt another bump, lifting her from her seat as they traveled down the dirt path worn from previous trucks and off road vehicles.
“Where are we?” she asked surveying the flat dusty terrain.
“We’re almost there.”
Jack drove further down the beaten path until Kate could no longer see the road. They were smack dab in the middle of nowhere. Miles of dust and sagebrush scattered the dried up lake bed they journeyed over. Jack slowed the truck down and came to a stop.
“This is it,” he exclaimed leaning back in his seat as he looked over at Kate. “Are you ready?”
She nodded and they left the truck. Jack opened the back of the trailer, then Kate led Black Thunder down the ramp. The animal followed her onto the Nevada dust and onto the flat open land.
Black Thunder came to an abrupt halt. His ears perked back and his head lifted, catching a scent in the air. The stallion turned to Kate and nudged her with his nose.
She stroked his cheek and then placed a kiss to where her hand had just been. “This is your new home,” she said as tears filled her eyes. “Be happy and run free, Black Thunder.”
She hesitated for a moment, her heart breaking in two knowing this was the last time she would ever see him. She looked at Jack and gave him a sad smile.
She couldn’t do it alone and he sensed that. Jack walked up to her side and placed his hand on her shoulder while he ran his hand along the steed’s neck. He removed the rope from around Black Thunder as Kate clung to it fibers, squeezing it tight in her hand.
Black Thunder snorted and lifted his head. He looked at Kate as if to say goodbye then, as if wild instinct called to him, he turned to face the open land.
Freedom was at his feet and he accepted it, slowly moving away from Jack and Kate and toward the open range. He picked up speed and called to his new place bellowing a warrior like cry, claiming it as his own.
With speed and grace, Black Thunder charged across the lake bed floor, kicking up dust in his wake as his mane caught the wind and air streaking like lightning across the clear blue Nevada sky.
Jack placed his arm around Kate and they watched Black Thunder disappear into the terrain. “Goodbye, my friend,” she whispered as a mix of happy saddened tears cascaded down her cheeks.
“You okay, baby?” asked Jack feeling his own emotions stir as well.
“I think so.” She nodded. “We did the right thing, didn’t we, Jack?”
“We did.” He assured her then gave her a curious look as a thought crossed his mind.
Since Kate showed up his world had been turned upside down. He felt a little like Black Thunder, wondering how this sweet little gal had roped him in and tamed him too.
He was a different man now, changed for the better by a woman with different ideals and a wild stallion with the will to be free. Inside he was busting with pride, and at this moment he thought he could never love her more than he did right now.
“You ready to go home?” he asked.
“Yes, I think so,” she replied.
Jack closed the trailer and they climbed into the truck. As they headed back to the main road, Kate glanced at the rear view mirror hoping for one last glimpse, but he was gone.
Thirty-Five
Signs Plus Proposals
You and Jack released Black Thunder into the wild?” Clara poured a cup of coffee for herself and Kate, then sat at the kitchen table joining her friend.
“I know,” Kate beamed. “Can you believe it? It was an incredible feeling setting him free.”
“I can’t believe he would do something like that,” said Clara trying to wrap her brain around it. “The Jack McBride I know would never put himself out and move a horse three hundred miles just to free him.”
“He did it for me.” She felt a tug at her heart and her eyes got misty.
“I think you’re good for him Kate,” said Clara observing a change in her friend as well.
“He’s good for me too,” she smiled.
“I can see that.” Clara patted her hand. “Why, you’re practically glowing.”
Kate couldn’t help but laugh. Clara was right. She was glowing and it felt so good. “Jack asked me to marry him.”
“What did you say?” Clara’s eyes twinkled brightly at the thought of her friend engaged.
“Well, Jack’s kind of short and right to the point,” Kate giggled. “I told him he needs to ask me properly before I say yes.”
“Good girl,” she nodded her approval. “You need to keep that man on his toes.”
“I do try, but it’s hard to say no to a man like Jack.”
Clara took a good look at her friend. There was something different about her today, but what it was she couldn’t put her finger on. “You look happy for the first time in a long while.”
“I am happy,” Kate radiated with a special glow. “I love him so much it scares me sometimes.”
“Well, he’s crazy about you. It’s plain to see whenever you two are together.” It did Kate’s heart good to hear her friend say that. “Have you had lunch yet? I could make us some sandwiches or there’s cold chicken we could pick at.” Clara stood from the chair and went to the refrigerator.
“Oh, I couldn’t eat a thing.” Kate scrunched up her nose and almost turned green at the thought of food.
“You sick or something?” asked Clara knowing it was not like her friend to turn down a meal unless she was upset or ill.
“I may be coming down with a bug,” said Kate. “The last few days my stomach has been a little queasy.”
Clara sat back down in the chair and leaned back. She looked at Kate as a thought crossed her mind. “Kate, are you pregnant?”
“Oh, God no,” she laughed at the absurdity of the question. “You and I both know it’s not possible.”
“Are you sure?” Clara continued her inquisition. “When was your last period?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I don’t keep track of it since I’m not regular. Besides there’s no way I could be pregnant. You know I can’t have children.”
“You don’t know that for sure??”
“I tried for two years and went through all the hormones and tests.”
“Yes, but they found nothing wrong,” added Clara. “I think you should take a pregnancy test just to be sure.”
“I highly doubt I’m pregnant.” She laughed off her friend’s ridiculous idea. She had taken so many tests while she was married and remembered her disappointment each time they showed up negative. Kate didn’t know if she could go through it again. It was a crazy time in her life, and she didn’t want to become fixated on it again with Jack.
“Have you been using protection?” Clara grilled her not letting it drop.
“Why should I?” Kate was
getting a bit annoyed now. “You and I both know it makes no difference one way or the other. I can’t get pregnant, and that’s that.”
“Kate, for Christ’s sake, you two have been at it like rabbits,” spouted Clara. “Just take a pregnancy test, for me then.”
“Fine, I’ll stop and pick one up on my way home just to shut you up.” She said pacifying her friend.
Now Kate was stuck. She didn’t want to do the test knowing the result was going to be the same. But she promised Clara she would. Before going home, she stopped at the store and purchased two pregnancy kits. No research or decision was needed to decide which one was effective. She knew from past experience which tests were rated the best.
She tucked them in her dresser drawer not wanting Jack to discover them. The last thing she needed was for him to have false hope. It would be cruel to get his hopes up then dash them away when she confirmed she was not with child.
The next morning Jack left for work guiding a group tour along their trails. Kate lingered behind, calling work that she would be late. She made arrangements for Betty to watch her class until she arrived.
She went to her dresser drawer and retrieved the two pregnancy tests. She did the first one and sat along the side of the tub, waiting impatiently for it to display the minus sign, that cruel little negative which always made her feel sad and depressed.
She watched as the minus reading appeared first. Kate blinked several times. No, it can’t be right, she thought as the minus sign transformed into a happy pink plus sign. It had to be a false positive. She pulled out the second test and performed it again. Kate sat there stunned, almost in shock as the plus sign once more illuminated bold
“I’m pregnant!” She murmured aloud as the test dropped to her lap and tears of joy streaked down her cheeks. Kate just sat there and wept. The dream of becoming a mother was going to be a reality. The heartache of all those years not able to conceive was washed away in an instant.
She placed the evidence of her good news back in the bag and her dresser drawer. She didn’t want Jack discovering it before she told him herself. There was no doubt in her mind that he would be thrilled. She wanted to run and find him now, but she needed to go to school. Tonight, she would tell him when they would have time to share in the joy of her good news.
All through the day, Kate thought about how their lives were ready to change again. She wanted to call Clara and tell her, but she wanted Jack to be the first to know though the secret was bubbling up inside her.
The day dragged on forever and Kate couldn’t get home fast enough once school let out. When she got home, she found Jack’s truck was not parked outside the main house. She saw Dustin working by the corral and headed in his direction.
“Where’s Jack?” Kate called to him.
“He did a run to the feed store in Dayton,” Dustin replied.
“What time did he leave?”
“About an hour ago,” he stated. “Is everything okay, Kate?”
“Everything is perfect,” she said as she could barely contain her excitement. She returned to the house and waited in their bedroom, pacing the floor for Jack to come home.
Jack was running late. He stopped at the jeweler in Carson City and picked up the engagement ring; a two carat diamond on a white gold band. He made arrangements at Adele’s, the most exclusive Victorian style restaurant in town. During dinner he would propose to her while a violinist played in the background. Tomorrow night would be perfect, and one Kate would never forget.
The last thing on his agenda was to pick up his diploma. He would present it to Kate along with the ring. Tonight was the final class where the students would be presented with their diplomas. A small celebration was to be held for the last day of class at the Washoe Hotel. Jack would have liked Kate to be there, but that would have spoiled the surprise. He wanted to see her face when he handed her the ring and his diploma.
It was after six when Jack returned to Virginia City. Instead of going home he went straight to the hotel knowing Kate would never be the wiser since her class was the same time as his.
He pulled up to the hotel and parked his truck. He was the last of classmates to arrive. A small ceremony was held as each student was presented with their diploma. Afterwards, a reception followed along with a graduation cake and refreshments.
Jack sat at the table surrounded by his classmates as he held his diploma in his hands, reading his name etched in black ink. He was now a high school graduate, and he was filled with pride of his accomplishment.
“What are your plans now, Jack?” His teacher, Hanna asked him.
“I don’t know,” he smiled. “Maybe I’ll take a class at the community college.”
“I’m sure your girlfriend will be pleased,” said a classmate.
“I can’t wait to show Kate my diploma,” he beamed. “Tomorrow, I’m asking her to marry me.” His group of peers congratulated him. Jack pulled out the ring and showed them.
“It’s beautiful,” said his teacher, Hanna, and the other students agreed. “Your Kate is a lucky lady.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Jack smiled and returned the ring to his pocket.
They continued their celebration for the next hour. As the evening drew to a close, one by one the students said their goodbyes, leaving Jack and Hanna the last to leave. Jack looked at the time and knew Kate would be home soon.
“I’m much obliged for all your help,” said Jack to Hanna. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“I didn’t do anything,” she smiled and patted his hand. “You did this all on your own. You should be very proud of yourself.”
“You know I started out doing this for Kate,” he reflected. “But then something changed, and in the end I did it for me.”
Jack smiled to himself at the realization of his words. He had grown and discovered there was more to accomplishment than a hard day’s labor. Kate had opened his eyes to another world, but it was Jack who took the step to expand it. He felt a sense of peace, a strong foundation that he was not just the son of the town drunk who found security from his ranch.
He was more than that, much more. No longer did he feel shame and a sense of worthlessness. He felt pride in the man he was inside, and with Kate by his side he could accomplish anything.
Kate waited for Jack to come home but he never showed. It was well after six and still no sign of Jack. The least he could have done was called regardless if he thought she was at her poetry class or not.
She called his cell phone but it went straight to voicemail. It never went to voicemail and she felt an unsettling stirring deep in the pit of her gut. Where was he or more importantly who was he with?
She was driving herself mad with all kind of thoughts, pacing her room, rushing to the window every time she heard a sound outside only to find the empty parking space that held his truck.
Kate got worried, and after another thirty minutes she went to find Mark. To her disappointment he hadn’t spoken to Jack since before he left for Carson City but he assured her not to worry and that everything was fine.
She returned to the house and tried to call him again but got the same blasted message. What are you up to Jack, she questioned aloud bringing her hand to her hair and gripping it as if she could hold back the poison from spilling into her mind.
But it was too late. As the clock ticked, it dripped the liquid doubt, ‘til she was drowning in venomous thought and unable to breath. It was happening all over again, said all the signs of demons past. They were taunting her, almost daring her to turn a blind eye a second time around.
Kate knew she shouldn’t, but somehow she found herself picking up her keys and heading for her car. She climbed in and drove for Virginia City hoping to find his truck. She prayed there was a logical explanation and that she was not over reacting.
As she drove along the main street, she saw his dark green truck parked outside the Washoe Hotel. What was he doing at the hotel? Fear gripped her and her hands began
to shake, her mind jumping to all kinds of conclusions. She barely had the strength to park her car as she pulled in behind Jack’s truck.
Kate stepped from her car and headed toward the hotel. Boards creaking beneath her feet, she made her way to the entrance, fear ripping inside at what she might find. She stood in the doorway and took a deep breath then scanned the room, searching for his betrayal that could shatter her world.
And there she saw him. Her heart stopped, her breath stuck in her chest. He was sitting along the wall, and he was not alone. They were talking in a cozy like fashion, heads pressed together in an intimate way. A knife-like sensation pierced her heart when she saw the woman reach over and lay her hand on top of Jack’s.
Kate stepped back from the door, bumping into an incoming patron. She was in shock as her world crumbled before her eyes. His betrayal cut deeper than the blade of a sword.
Jack looked up and saw her. Their eyes met for a split second then Kate was gone- like a ghost.
“Oh shit,” cried Jack jumping to his feet. “Kate, wait!”
Kate ran down the wooden planks of the boardwalk, tears soaking her eyes and blurring her vision. She made it to her car and sank in trying to turn the engine over as sobs escaped her lips.
Jack grabbed his diploma from the table and ran after her. He chased her down the wooden planks, but he was too late. She slammed on the accelerator and sped away.
“Kate, stop,” he ran after her, but she either didn’t hear him or ignored him.
Jack jumped into his truck and went after her, barreling down the main street toward the ranch.
Kate came to an abrupt halt in front of the main house. She ran up the porch steps and entered the house, tears and sobs mixed together as she raced upstairs to her bedroom.
She opened all the drawers of her dresser, throwing the contents on the bed. She needed to be gone from this place, away from the memories and the man who destroyed her. Sobbing, she went to the bathroom, throwing her shampoo and conditioner into the trash can and returning to the bedroom with it, collecting her hair brush and jewelry.