chapter seventeen
A Sad Goodbye
The drive into Helena was quiet. No one was talking, Zach was the one who broke the silence, saying, “I don’t understand why I have to go back to Phoenix.”
“Because Susannah is your guardian and your place is with her,” Kyle said.
“What about you. You’re my Dad, why isn’t my place with you?”
“Your aunt took care of you all of the years before I knew about you. The law says she is your legal guardian. I’m not going anywhere. You have my cell phone number on your phone. You can call me anytime, day or night from your phone. I’ll call you more times than you want, probably. Your aunt and I will make arrangements for us to visit. You can fly up for visits too.”
“Do you promise you won’t forget me?” Zach asked.
“I give you my word of honor, I will not forget. That is a sacred thing to a West Point graduate.”
Kyle stopped at the curbside check-in outside the Delta passenger terminal. He checked their bags through to Phoenix and gave her the stubs.
“You don’t have to do this, Susannah,” he said.
“I do have to do it,” she said. “I wish you’d try to understand.”
“What I understand is I love you, and you’re taking my son and leaving me.”
“You sound like a petulant little boy. We’ll talk. I’ll call you in ten days like we agreed.”
“Goodbye, Susannah,” Kyle said.
“Goodbye, Zach. I’ll be calling you. I’m glad we found you. I’m proud of you, and I love you, son.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
“You take care of your aunt.”
They held the embrace, for a good two minutes. Kyle said, “You’d better go.”
Back at the TbarS, Kyle told his mother, “Putting them on the plane was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,”
Kyle immersed himself in work over the next ten days. He spent days on horseback with the ranch hands, leaving before sunup and returning late in the evening.
The day after they left, he called Zach from his cell phone. “How was the trip back? he asked.
“It wasn’t too good,” Zach said. “Aunt Susannah cried most of the way home. You shouldn’t have let us come, Dad.”
“I didn’t want you to but it was something your aunt had to do. What has she been doing?”
“Working. She’s not home much. She’s having a lot of meetings with clients and stuff.
“What have you been doing? Have you been flying?” Zach asked.
“Not since you left. I’ve been working with the hands and helping move the herd to a different range, and give the grass a chance to grow back. We have to do that often.”
“Are you on a horse now?”
“As a matter of fact, I am. We’ve been rounding up strays all morning, and will be moving them back in with the herd.
“I miss you, son. Tell your aunt, I miss her too, and your grandmother and grandpa miss you. We were talking about it at dinner last night. I have to go, I’m falling a little behind and I need to catch up. I love you, son.”
“Love you too, Dad. Bye.”
In Phoenix…
“Was that your Dad?” Susannah asked.
“Yes ma’am.”
“How’s he doing?”
“Missing us.”
“Did he say that?” she asked.
“Yes ma’am. Aunt Susannah? Why did we have to leave? I liked it there.”
“I liked it too, but I had to try and decide what I needed to do.”
“Do you love Dad,”
“Yes.”
“Does Dad love you?”
“He told me he did, and I believe him.”
“Then I don’t see what the problem is. He told me he misses us. When he called, he was on a horse out with the cowboys. I could hear them. I think you should get married.”
“It’s not as simple as that. Getting married is a big step. You are committing your life to the other person. I’m not sure I can do that.”
“Why not,” he asked.
“I don’t know the answer to that. It’s one of the things I’m trying to decide.”
“I hope you do.”
“I hope so too, but I want to be sure it will work before I get rid of everything I’ve worked so hard for here.”
“Did Dad ask you to marry him?”
“No.”
“He’s an idiot,” Zach said.
“You have no right to say anything like that. I won’t have you talking about your father like that.”
“He is an idiot if he doesn’t marry us.”
She hugged him. “I love you so much, it hurts sometimes.”
“Then marry Dad. Both of you will be happy, instead of the way you are.”
The ten days were up. Susannah had tried to make the call all day, but could not let her finger punch the Talk button to complete the call. This is silly she thought, and pushed the button. Kyle answered immediately.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call,” he said.
“I’ve been trying all day, but just couldn’t do it,” she said.
“I’m not sure I like where this is going,” he said.
“I have been trying. I really have. I only have one more job in process. I still don’t know.”
“Zach told me how hard you’ve been working. He said he hardly sees you.”
“He told me the same thing about you. He said you were out riding herd.”
“I was. The time has been really dragging by. I had to get out of the house.
“So you haven’t made up your mind about us yet, huh?” he asked.
“It’s not just that. There other things and people to consider.”
“Then I guess you don’t want me to come down? he asked.”
“I would rather you didn’t,” she said.
“I miss you Susannah. Mother looks at me as if I shot the priest. She thinks all of this is my fault.”
“I’m having the same problem with Zach,” she said.
“I’ll talk to him,” he said.
“No, don’t do that. He’s just showing his love and concern. He’s all right.”
chapter eighteen
If You Still Want Us
At 2:45PM, the doorbell rang. Kyle had just returned from a morning of wrestling with strays and was in the kitchen, looking for something to eat.
“I’ll get it, Mom,” he called out. He looked out the window as he walked to the door. No car, wonder who this is. He opened the door, and couldn’t believe his eyes.
“If you still want us, we’d like to come home,” Susannah said.
“I don’t believe it. Dreams do come true, and prayers get answered.” He said, as she walked into his outstretched arms. He kissed her, full on the lips, and then kissed her again.
He hugged Zach, who was wearing a grin from ear to ear. Kyle hugged them both. “I don’t see a car, how did you get here?” he asked.
“We took a cab. I didn’t want to wait until you could drive in to pick us up, and besides, we wanted to surprise you, she said.
“We did too, huh, Dad?” Zach said.
“Yes you did.
Kyle’s mother had walked into the living room. She asked, “Who was at the door?”
“You’re not going to believe this,” her son said. He motioned Susannah and Zach in ahead of him.
Catherine’s jaw dropped. “Well, praise the Lord,” she said and hurried to hug Susannah.
Kyle dropped to one knee, and said “Susannah, I love you more than life itself. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Catherine was crying, Susannah was crying, Kyle was choked up, and Zach was grinning. “Good job, Dad,” he said,
“When did you decide to come back?” Kyle asked.
“Yesterday. It all came together. A national home designing and decorating company made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. On top of that, I get the franchise for Helena.
&
nbsp; “I was afraid you wouldn’t want us after all of this, but I decided to take the gamble.”
“It was no gamble, it was a sure thing,” Kyle said. “I’ve been empty inside since you left.”
His mother said, “I’ll tell Callie to add some water to the soup. Our family’s come home. Your father is going to be tickled to death.”
“I’ll take your things upstairs. We kept your room open, hoping you’d want it back.”
“I don’t.” she said. “I want to be in your room. With you.”
“That works for me,” he said.
“I loved the way you proposed. In front of your mother and Zach,” she said.
He held her at arm’s length. “You are so beautiful, you take my breath away.”
“I want you to get in the habit of saying that. You’re the only one who’s ever told me.”
Holding her by the shoulders, he moved her in front of the huge mirror above the dresser. “Look in the mirror. That is one drop dead gorgeous woman.”
Her beautiful blue eyes smiling, she said, “I guess everyone would know if we made love right now wouldn’t they? I suppose I can wait until after I shower tonight.”
“Will you need someone to wash your back?” he asked grinning.
“I was hoping you’d ask,” she said.
He pulled her as close as he could, and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hungrily.
“Let’s go back downstairs before we do something scandalous,” he said.
chapter nineteen
A Wedding to Plan
“Well, Susannah, we have a wedding to prepare. First, where would you like to have it?”
“I’ve always dreamed of a church wedding. Is that out of the question?” Susannah asked.
“Good heavens no,” Catherine said. “We go to St John’s Lutheran. Would that be all right?”
“St. John’s would be good,” Susannah said.
“The next question is when?”
“I’ll have to ask Kyle about that. I will need to get my clothes and things in Phoenix.
Catherine patted Susannah’s hand and said, “You have him wrapped around your little finger. He’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t expect him to let you out of his sight for a while.”
“I hope not. It sounds so dull. I don’t want him to give in on everything. Accent on everything,” Susannah said.
“As long as we let them think they are in charge, we can do whatever we want,” Catherine said.
“Catherine, I’m shocked you said such a thing,” Susannah said laughing.
“I’ve been married a long time, and to the same man. I must be doing something right,” Catherine said.
“No doubt.”
“You don’t have family that will be coming, do you?”
“No, I’m sorry to say I don’t. Ashley was the only sibling I had.” Mom passed right after the bank thing, and Dad died several years later. It’s just Zach and me.”
“You’re wrong there. You’ve got us. You are already part of our family.”
Susannah’s eyes had moistened. “You’re the greatest. It’s going to be really nice to have family again. Ashley was Dad’s favorite, I was always just there.”
“Not anymore,”
Kyle walked into the room. “Mom, what are you doing to my girl? She has tears in her eyes.”
“I was just telling her how beautiful she is going to be as a bride,” his mother said, winking at Susannah.
“She’s already the most beautiful girl in the world. I don’t see how a white wedding gown can make her prettier.”
“Wait and see, son. Wait and see. We’re going to have the wedding at St. John’s. I’m going to talk to Pastor Gregory about getting the church. We need to plan a reception too. This is going to be the social event of the season for Helena.”
“He’s cute, but he’s dumber than a box of rocks,” his mother said.
Susannah burst out laughing. Kyle just looked at his mother, and asked, “I was adopted, wasn’t I?”
“You two are terrible,” Susannah said. “What kind of family am I marrying into, anyway?”
“The best kind,” Kyle and his mother said, almost simultaneously.
“And I love you both,” Susannah said. “On a more serious note, love of my life, we’ve got to talk about going back to Phoenix. I’ll need to get my clothes and make some arrangements for the house. And my car. ”
“Fine, whatever you have to do. I want to go with you though. You’re not getting away again.”
“Don’t want to,” she said. “I’m home.”
“What did I tell you?” Catherine asked her future daughter-in-law.
“You may not want to put the house on the market, and just keep it as an investment. You could have an agency manage it and screen any prospective tenants. As a general rule, we don’t sell land, we buy it. Our ancestor that started the ranch put a stipulation in his will that the TbarS never be sold. When was that, Mom, around 1850?”
“Thereabouts,” his mother said.
“Keeping it makes sense. We could lease it furnished to snow birds.”
“Snow birds,” Catherine questioned.
“People from the colder states that like to winter in Arizona,” Susannah said.
“I think I’ll take Zach flying in the 182 in the morning. Want to come along?” Kyle asked Susannah.
“I’d like to, but I need to go into Helena and do some shopping,” she said.
“Would you like some company?” Catherine asked.
“I was hoping you would ask,” Susannah said.
“Hey buddy, would you like to go with me and bore some holes in the sky in the morning?” Kyle called out.
“You bet,” came the answer from upstairs. “When?”
“Right after breakfast,”
“Cool.” Zach’s reply came back.
Kyle started upstairs. “Wait for me,” Susannah said. We’ve got some more talking to do.”
Catherine heard Susannah ask Kyle when he would like for the wedding to be.
His reply came floating back down the stairs, “Today, tomorrow, as soon as possible,”
In Kyle’s room, Susannah said, “Your mother wants to make this the social event of the season; I don’t think I can afford what she is describing.”
“Honey, she’s got one son, and he’s only going to be married one time. Let her take care of it. She’s in hog heaven.
“Are you sure you want to move your things in here?” he asked.
“Absolutely.”
“That’s out of the way. I want to make love to you,” he said.
“Good, I’d like that.” She began unbuttoning her top.
They both enjoyed the late afternoon romp in bed. Afterward, he asked. “Where have you been all my life?”
“Wasting time,” she said.
“If only…” he started, and she put her finger across his lips.
“Don’t even go there,” she said. “It’s now, and it’s us. We’re together now and I intend to make you the best wife I can.”
“I like the way you think,” he said.
“I need to take a shower and get ready to go into town.”
“Need someone to wash your back?” he asked.
“Is there no satisfying you?” she asked.
“Not where you’re concerned.”
“Go play with your son,” she said.
chapter Twenty
Boring Holes In The Sky
The next morning…
Kyle took Zach on an aerial tour of the ranch first. He pointed out different landmarks. A part of the ranch bordered the Missouri River. He headed the plane down river and showed Zach the waterfalls. They flew over a portion of a herd, and Kyle added some flaps and slowed the plane. As he neared the herd, he waggled the wings, and a couple of the ranch hands on horses waved.
“Those were cowboys, weren’t they?”
“Yes they were.”
“Then those
were Grandpa’s cattle.”
“Our cattle,” Kyle corrected. “You’re a Thompson. Someday, all of this will be yours. Look around, as far as you can see, this is our land.”
“Cool.”
Kyle pulled back on the yoke and climbed to 5,000 feet and leveled off. “Okay, we start your first lesson. See the little airplane in the middle of your panel? I want you to put your hands on the yoke. Don’t squeeze it. Look at my hands, see how relaxed they are?
Now, if you make a move, make it slow and easy. Move your hands a little to the left. Zach’s move was too abrupt and the wing dipped sharply. Kyle put one hand on his yoke and brought the 182 back level.
Okay. It’s your plane now. You’re flying it. Nice and easy, son. Nice and easy. Now pull it gently toward your chest a little. Look out the windscreen. See, we’re climbing. Now move it back until we’re level with the horizon. Easy does it. That’s good. Now just keep it level.
“Dad, are you moving the pedals?”
“Yes, I’m working the rudder. I’ll show you how they work another time. Now put us in a nice slow turn to the right, and let’s head back to the landing strip.”
Zach’s brow was furrowed with his concentration.
“See the hangar over there?” Kyle said. Look at the windsock on the roof. We always land heading into the wind. It gives us more control without adding power.
“I’ve got the plane,” Kyle said. “I’m going to fly down about a mile slowing down as I go and losing a little altitude. This is called the downwind leg, Then I’ll turn left on the base leg and then left again on final. The second left turn is going to line me up with the runway centerline. Now, we’re turning final, see the ground come up to meet us. I’ve got the throttle all the way back, so the engine is basically idling. Watch the yoke, see, I’m easing it back slowly. I’m going to hold it off as long as I can. When we run out of airspeed, we’ll touch down. Did you feel that? The wheels just contacted the runway. Now we’re going to add a smidgen of power and taxi to the hangar. We steer with the nose wheel when we’re on the ground. The rudder isn’t effective unless you have either wind or airspeed. They’re the same thing. Look down at the pedals. On the ground, they control the nose wheel and your direction.
Kyle's Modern Montana Bride (The New Montana Brides Book 6) Page 8