DASHED DREAMS

by Worley-Bean, Susan

  “Yep, let’s go out and see how the campout’s coming along?”

  “What if they see us?”

  “They won’t. We’ll just stay in the trees and watch.”

  Lynda questioned, “Isn’t it too dark, riding and all?” She wasn’t the horsewoman the other three ladies were.

  “Nah, the moon’s out and we’ll stay on the road.”

  Emma said, “I’m ready.”

  “I’ll go, if you’re going, Grace,” Lynda said.

  “I might as well. No use rambling around in a empty house.”

  The three ladies gathered their coats and headed to the barn. Miguel was still awake in his room in the horse barn and came out to see who’d turned on the interior lights. He helped the girls saddle their horses.

  Just a few minutes into their ride Grace said to her daughter, “I’m glad you had this idea. We haven’t been on a moonlit ride in years.”

  When they reached the campsite, they found it quiet. The only the lights were from the fire and the lanterns shone against the night’s sky. No voices. It was obvious that everyone was asleep.

  “So much for party animals. They’re all asleep.” Grace said.

  All the girls snickered. Emma dismounted and tied her horse to the wire.

  “Hey, girl whatcha doing? I thought we just came out to spy.” Lynda said.

  “I just want to get a closer look. Come on.” Emma said, standing on the ground looking up at Lynda.

  “Well, we could just take a peek.” Lynda said, dismounting.

  Jillian was the last to dismount and tie off her horse.

  They’d just turned and started into the campsite when they heard, “Well, what do we have here, spies?” Dan whispered as he rubbed his face awake. He’d sneaked up to where the girls were standing. He startled the four party-crashers, but they held their screams.

  The four ladies hugged him and told him they’d come out to see how the bachelor party was going.

  “Well, see for yourselves. The party animals are all partied out. You can go back home now. We’re all okay, present and accounted for,” he whispered.

  Dan saw Jillian’s eyes searching out RJ’s sleeping bag. He put his arm around his daughter’s shoulder and said, “I talked to him, he’s okay. He loves you.” He looked at her. Tears rolled down her cheeks. He whispered something in her ear and pointed to where Robert slept.

  Emma crept over to the sleeping forms on the ground and found Gary. She silently unzipped the sleeping bag, sat down on the edge, slipped off her boots, and snuggled in. Gary wakened, kissed her, and they snuggled down.

  Lynda followed Emma’s lead and did the same. When she climbed in and rezipped the bag, she looked over. Jack was still asleep.

  Jillian sat down on the edge of RJ’s sleeping bag and looked at her sweet prince, once country music’s heartthrob. He’d changed, looking different. He was sleeping in peace, not sleeping off a drunk. She touched his face. RJ opened his eyes and thought he was dreaming.

  “Doc?”

  Dan and Grace stood with the horses. “Well, looks like we’re staying,” Grace said as she started to unsaddle her horse.

  “Let me help,” Dan said, unsaddling the girl’s horses.

  As both were working, they intently watched into the campground. Their daughter sat down on the edge of the sleeping bag, as she touched the cowboy’s cheek, he hugged her, she removed her boots and crawled into his bag.

  After they got the horses taken care of, Dan showed Grace to his bag. She took off her boots, and crawled into Dan’s bag. “See, aren’t we glad we decided to get double bags. What were you doing up?” she asked her half-asleep husband.

  “Bladder ain’t what it used to be.” They chuckled, said their prayers, kissed each other good night, and settled into the bag.

  Grace could hear nothing from the other two bags. But quiet, muffled voices came from Robert and Jillian’s bag.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I came out here. I had to see you. I couldn’t wait a minute longer.”

  “I know how you felt. I was aching to see you, too.”

  “How are you?” Jillian whispered as she touched his cheek.

  “I’m doing okay. My question to you is how are you?”

  “I’m okay, now. I see you’re okay. You’re still you, the man I fell in love with.”

  “Jillie, I’m not the man you fell in love with. I’ve changed.”

  “Stop. Yes, you are. You’re the same soul I fell in love with. I know you’ve changed…in fact, we’ve both changed.”

  He touched her cheek. “I love you, I never stopped loving you.”

  “RJ, I never stopped. I just had to have space…space from everything. I’m sorry I didn’t answer your letters.”

  “When my mother found the ring, I knew. When I didn’t hear back…the whole time I was in hell, you were the one who got me through. I figured if we were never ‘we’ again, it was my fault and I could live with that. What I couldn’t live with was knowing that I broke your heart.”

  “You did that, alright. But you know, I knew it was coming. I probably knew the first time I told you I loved you.”

  “Jillie, would you please think about giving us another chance? I’ve crossed some bridges and know I have more to cross, but with you by my side, I can handle anything.” the rabbit

  “Isn’t it quite obvious? I’m here with you. That should be some indication.” She gave him the rabbit back.

  “Oh, my love, my sweet love. You’re never going to regret it. I pray to the Lord above for His blessing, for our new beginning.”

  “Amen.” Jillian said, tears again flowing. She quickly realized that they both were shedding tears of joy, tears of relief. After all the tears were shed, promises were promised, a new beginning was in the sunrise.

  Morning came quickly. Dan and Grace wakened to the smell of fresh coffee and a renewed fire blazing. Grace looked around and saw that she and Dan were the last to waken. All the children were sitting at the table eating breakfast. She slipped on her boots and headed off to the wash basin.

  “Good morning, Mom,” she heard from Jillian. From the tone of her daughter’s voice she knew all was right in her world. All she did to acknowledge her was give a back-handed wave in the air.

  “Well, here we all are. I have to tell you, I was shocked to find someone in my sleeping bag this morning. What brought you girls out?” Jack said to the group.

  “Love,” Emma quickly replied.

  “It was Jillie’s idea! We were just going to come out and spy, then go back. But Em changed that. She’s the one who sneaked over and crawled into the bag with Gary. Are you complaining?” Lynda asked Jack, touching his face.

  “Not in the least,” Jack said.

  “Hey, you two are really quiet this morning. Is there anything that all of us should know?” Emma asked, shaking a piece of toast at them while talking.

  “Mind your own business, Em. Today’s YOUR wedding day,” Jillie said.

  “Wow! I’d almost forgotten. I was having so much fun! Jillie, doesn’t this seem like old times when we were teenagers, we used to come here and camp?” Emma asked.

  “Sure does. But then we wished we had boys to climb into our sleeping bags. We sure had a lot of good times here.”

  “Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see his bride on the wedding day?” Gary asked, shielding his eyes from Emma.

  Lynda said, “Only the bride in her gown.”

  “What time is it, anyway?” Jack asked.

  “It’s seven. What’s for breakfast?” Dan asked, as he came around the table and sat down beside his daughter.

  “Cookie said anything you want, he could arrange. We all had blackened prime rib and eggs with all the fixings. Dad, do you want me to put in your order?” Jillie asked.

  “Sure, honey, order your mother a plate too. She’ll be here in a second.”

  Jillian squeezed RJ’s hand and left the table to place her parents’ breakfast order.
/>   Robert looked over Dan’s way and saw him looking at him.

  “Good morning.” Robert said, tipping the bill of his ball hat.

  “Morning. Well, is everything a-okay in your house today?”

  “Yep. Thanks for asking.”

  “Good to hear. Let’s keep it that way. Wouldn’t want to get after you again.”

  Both men smiled at each other. Jillian came around the chuckwagon carrying the coffeepot and two empty cups. She placed the empty cups in front of her father and poured coffee all the way around.

  She sat down. “You’re order is in and so’s Mother’s.”

  She leaned over to Robert and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and in a quiet voice, said, “I saw you and Daddy talking. Everything okay?”

  “Yep.”

  “I was thinking, the wedding isn’t until 4, so do you want to take a ride before we get back to the house? I’d like to show you some of the ranch.”

  “That’d be nice. Do you plan on asking the others?”

  She glanced at Robert with a questioning look, raising her eyebrows to let know he could ask if he wanted. He nodded yes and then the rabbit.

  “Hey, everyone, after breakfast RJ and I are going to ride over to the ridge on our way back to the house. Anyone up for more riding? We’ll be a couple of hours longer than just going back to the house.”

  Grace answered, “Dan and I are going back to the house as I’ve got some things to get ready for this afternoon and I think Dan has a couple of horses to check on. You kids go along and we’ll see you later.”

  The other two couples agreed that an extended ride would be nice. Emma added that she wanted plenty of time to get ready, not wanting to be late. They all agreed that they had to clean up, so they’d return in plenty of time.

  After breakfast, Dan and Robert saddled the eight horses. Jillian looked out where they were working. They were talking. She nudged her mother and motioned for her to take a look. Her mother smiled, then took her daughter into her arms, hugging her as if her life depended on it.

  “It’s going to be okay. Mother, he’s back. And he’s wonderful.”

  “I’m so happy for you, honey. Maybe now you can have your dreams.”

  Her father yelled to Grace that he was ready.

  “Have a good ride, and we’ll see you back at the house.” They kissed and walked to where everyone was waiting.

  The ride was one of the most enjoyable that Jillian had experienced. The six riders rode over to ridge, spent time looking at the lake below. When they started back home, the subject was changed to the upcoming wedding. Once they were not in open country where a running horse could trip in a chuckhole; RJ, Gary, and Jack galloped ahead.

  “So, are you and RJ back together?”

  “Emma, don’t be so nosy.”

  “Hey, Lynda, I was asking what all of us are wanting to know.”

  “We have a lot to work on, but we are.”

  As soon as that was said, Jillian shifted her weight. Sugar bolted sideways, and she fell off with a thud. She brushed herself off and got back on, feeling rather foolish.

  By the time the riders arrived back at the ranch, everyone must’ve asked Jillian a dozen times each if she was okay. When they told what happened to Dan and Grace, the story grew. Jillian assured everyone that she was okay and to drop it.

  After lunch, Jillian took her glass of ice tea and found her favorite rocking chair on the porch. Jillian’s dad was already sitting on the porch, sipping a beer.

  “Hey, is this chair saved?”

  “Yes, I saved it for you. Jillie, are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yep. You know how it is when you fall, just stiff and sore.”

  The kitchen screen door opened, and Dan saw his daughter’s eyes light up. Robert came out carrying a pitcher of iced tea.

  “Grace sent me out to see if anyone wants a refill?”

  “Sure,” Jillie said, holding up her glass; RJ filled her glass.

  “Dan?”

  “Sorry, I’m having this.” Dan said, embarrassed when he held up the bottle of beer.

  “No need to be sorry, sir. Grace said you’ll want to bring this pitcher in to her.”

  “I’m sure glad she knows what I want.” Dan chuckled, took the pitcher, and left.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi, back. Jillie, is this seat taken?”

  “Sit.”

  “You really scared me out on the trail. When I saw you lying on the ground, I thought I’d lost you again.”

  “Nah, I’m okay,” Jillie said, looking out towards the pool area, which had been transformed into a wedding chapel. “You know, today should have been our day.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. You have no idea how badly I feel.”

  Jillian said, “Let’s make a promise right here and now. We need to quit apologizing to each other.”

  “And I promise you I’ll never disappoint you ever again. Tell you what, why don’t we sneak out and spend a couple of days away together?”

  “We can’t miss the wedding ceremony. We’re the ‘best’ people.”

  They both chuckled.

  “Well, what do you say about right after the I do’s?”

  Jillie nodded yes.

  “Deal. I can’t wait. Let’s not tell anyone we’re going.”

  She agreed.

  They spent the next couple of hours together talking. They were surprised that the time had passed so quickly when Grace came out to the porch to remind them that it was time to start getting ready.

  Emma and Gary’s sunset wedding was magnificent. Grace had thought of everything, right down to the horse-drawn carriage for the bride and groom.

  During the ceremony Jillian looked over to the best man and found him staring at her. He smiled and the rabbit. She blushed, smiled back, and then quickly focused her attention on the bride and groom.

  The indoor riding arena was transformed into a country dance hall. That was Dan’s assignment from Grace and he’d accomplished his task with flying colors. He had a wooden floor built for half of the arena. The tables and chairs were set up, and he’d decorated the head table himself.

  After the ceremony, after the wedding pictures were taken, and after the bride and groom had left for the reception via the carriage, the rest of the wedding party and guests walked down to the reception. Jillian and Robert walked hand-in-hand. Jack and Lynda walked a few paces ahead of them, Robert yelled, “Hey, Jack you’re next.”

  “Yeah, isn’t that great?”

  Lynda and Jack stopped, so the couple behind them could catch up.

  “Didn’t she look beautiful? I’m glad I could be involved,” Lynda said.

  “Couple of days, huh?” RJ asked.

  “Yeah, my son just happens to be a minister. It’ll be a small quiet wedding.”

  “I’m so happy for you both,” Jillie said.

  “Jillie, are you upset that I haven’t included you and Em?”

  “Lynda, it’s what you and Jack want.” She hugged Lynda.

  The ‘best’ couple left soon after arriving at the reception. They weren’t missed until later. But no one was concerned, as the couple needed the time together.

  Since Robert was still checked into the hotel in Fort Worth, that’s where they landed. They spent the next few days getting reacquainted, going to the movies, walking, shopping, but most of all, talking. The nights were spent in bed together. The first night, he said, “You know, it’s hard for me to keep my hands off you. I love you and I respect your wishes, but it’s all I can do not to make love to you.”

  “Thank you. RJ, I love you. You have no idea how much I love you.”

  Each night before bed, they knelt and said their prayers together. They thanked the Lord for each other and as Jillian had every night, prayed for peace in Robert’s life.

  Chapter 31

  Robert John Montgomery returned to Los Angeles, energized and ready to revive his career. Luckily, he’d had the foresight to keep much of
his earnings while on top, as his grandfather said once, “You know, son, you can be standing in the bread line as quickly as you can say I’m on easy street.”

  While at Gary’s wedding, Jack told RJ that he’d welcome him back into Tucker’s showroom anytime he was ready. He was ready. Time to get back to work.

  RJ had been home only one week after the wedding and the wonderful days spent with Jillie. Early Monday morning, Jack Morgan called, “RJ, this is Jack and I’m kind’a in a predicament. The headliner I had for next weekend cancelled and I was wondering if you could appear in his place? I realize it’s only eleven days’ notice, but I can give you a day or so to make your decision.”

  RJ could hardly contain his excitement. “The answer’s yes. I can get the guys together. Does the offer include the house orchestra?”

  “You got ‘em.” They’re already on the scheduled.”

  “Do you want to be use the Star Suite or are you going to stay at your house? Lynda and I would like to have you and Jillian over for dinner while you’re here. You know, I highly advise married life. I can’t believe how different I feel…my outlook on life and not to mention that now I have someone to tell me when I’m wrong.”

  “Oh, the house. But maybe the suite for the days I’m on stage. I’ve been thinking moving up there permanently.”

  “Okay, sir, it’s all set. Robert John Montgomery, you’re coming back. Thank you.”

  “No, I, thank you. I’ll be up to the house in a couple of days. See you soon. And Jack, thanks again. I’m going to call Jillian right now.”

  He called the back line at her office.