Jarod is walking down the highway. A truck driver stops to
pick him up.
"Where are you headed?" the trucker asked.
"Anywhere." Jarod replied.
"Hop in." said the trucker.
Jarod hopped in and they took off. The trucker turned to the
radio up. An old familar Cinderella song begin to play.
Just close your eyes to the heaven above
I'm coming home I'm coming home...
I'm coming home
Where your love tonight can shine on me
I'm coming home
Where your love can set me free
Jarod was listening to the words and thinking. Then he said,
"Can you drop me off in Blue Cove?"
"Sure" the trucker replied. "But there is nothing there."
"I know, except my wife and baby." Jarod responded.
"Oh, you have a family. Why aren't you with them unstead of
out here on the road?"
"It's a long story." Jarod gets out his cell phone and says,
"Do you mind if I make a phone call?"
"No, go right a head."
"Thanks."
**********
It is the middle of the night. Parker is laying awake
thinking of Jarod. The phone rings.
"What?"
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Thinking about you. What are you doing?"
"I'm on the road. I was thinking about you and the baby. I
didn't wake you, did I?" He didn't want to tell her he was on
his way home. It was going to be a surprise.
"No, I can't sleep much anymore."
They talked for awhile. Then he said, "I have to go. There is
my exit. I will talk to you soon. I love you."
She replied back, "I love you too." She didn't want to let
him go. She hung up the phone and cried into her pillow.
***********
The trucker let Jarod off a few blocks toward his house.
"Thanks. I really appreciate it."
"No problem. I wish you well."
"Thanks again. See you around."
"Bye." the trucker said as Jarod shut the door.
**********
Jarod slips into the house, careful not to make a sound. He
climbs in bed with his wife. He puts his arms around her and
said, "Don't cry."
She rolls over and said, "I missed you."
"I miss you too."
She gave him a kiss. "Just keep your arms around me."
"You won't have any complaints here."
He held her tight and they slept through the night.
**********
The next morning, she awakes to him gone. Jarod is sitting in
a chair by the window, watching her sleep. She raises up and
finds him by the window.
"What's wrong?" he asked her.
"I thought you were gone."
"No, I just watching you sleep."
"Why don't you come back to bed?"
He gets up and crawls into bed. He gives her a kiss. The baby
starts to move. She takes Jarod's hand and puts it on her
stomach.
Jarod replies, "When are you leaving the Centre?"
"Actually, I'm on leave now. I was going to head for Sydney's
cabin today."
"That's good. What did you tell your father the reason you
were leaving?"
"Don't me be mad. He knows." There was a short pause. Then
she said, "He wants me to have the baby at the Centre and I
refused. And when I did that, he offered to put me away til
the baby is born. You know, not to embarass the family name,
like he hasn't already."
"Good, I don't want you to have it there. I want to be there
when my baby is born. You didn't tell him I was the father,
did you?"
"No, I didn't. I hope you really didn't think I would have
considered having the baby there. Do you? I wouldn't take the
chance of him taking my baby like my brother."
"I have an idea. Why don't we get ready for the cabin then,
you go with me? You still have at least four more months
before the baby comes."
"I don't know."
"Listen, that way we are together."
"What if the Centre finds us and what am I suppose to do
while you are helping people?"
"They won't find us. We won't let them. Besides you can be
the happy mother to be and my wife. Meet new people. You
might enjoy it. What do say?"
"Well, I would be able to spend time with you. Okay, When
do we leave."
"See thats the spirit. Besides I want to get you far away
from the Centre as I can."
They loaded up some things and headed out. Jarod left her car
at Sydney's cabin. He thought it would be better to leave
town in some else car than hers. They drove through the
country. They came into Arkansas.
Jarod said, "I heard that Hot Springs is a nice place to
visit. What do you say?"
"I don't care as long as we are together. I need to get out
and walk around."
They get into Hot Springs and Jarod got them a room in the
Arlington down town. After they got settle in, they went for
a walk in the park across the street. He made her a take a
tour in one of the bath houses. Then he replied, "Are you
hungry? We could get something to eat."
"I don't care. I say we go back to the room and order
room service."
"That sounds good to me." he replied as he gave her a kiss.
Back in the their hotel room, Parker laid on the bed from
exhaustion.
Jarod replied, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am tried. I get tired easy from carry around all
this extra weight. I'll be fine."
Jarod walked over to his wife and begin to massage her
shoulders and back. She let out a soft moan and said, "You do
that so well."
"Well, thank you." he replied.
Then he begin to kiss the back of her neck. His hands moved
from her back to around her waist. She turned to face him and
gave him a kiss. He pushed her down on the bed. He kissed her
lips then her neck. She wrapped her arms around his neck,
then they wondered down his chest and up his shirt. She
pulled his white T-shirt off of him and held him tight. Her
lips touched his right nipple while his lips were moving from
her neck to her ear. They spent the rest of the evening
holding each other tight like they did in Mexico.
**********
The next morning Jarod pulled her out of bed.
"Come on, we still have things to see."
"Can it wait until later? I'm not through with you yet."
"It probably can but I want to see to city before it is late.
We can turn in early."
"Okay, we will do this your way."
She got ready and they left the hotel. They walked down
Bath House Row.
"Look, there is a duck. Come on, let's ride it."
"I don't want to ride a duck."
"Come on, it is a great way to see the city." he said as he
grabbed her hand and pulled her over that way.
Jarod gets the tickets and they sit on the duck for there
tour of the city. As the duck takes off, Jarod looks around.
They go by the race track, the malls, and into the lake.
After the tour from the lake and back to land, the duck stops
at a shop before heading back down town. Jarod goes in and
looks around. He buys some rock candy. He puts a piece in his
mouth and offers her one.
"No, thanks. That is pure sugar. I don't think the baby
needs that."
"Okay suit yourself."
"How can you eat that stuff?" she replies as she watched him
eat another piece.
"It's good. You should really try it."
She doesn't say anything else. They head back toward down
town. When the duck stops, Jarod drags her into the wax
museum and every little store down there. He buys the baby a
doll.
Parker replies, "You are buying a doll. You don't even know
what I'm having."
"The doctor said she thought it was a girl. Besides I have a
feeling she is right. If by chance it is boy you will have a
new doll." he replied with in a loving voice. "Come on, let's
get some lunch."
They walk out the shop and into a cafe on the corner. Jarod
sits besides her in a booth.
"What would you like?" he asked her.
"I would really like a cigarette but since you won't let me
have one I guess I will have hamburger."
The waitress comes to the table and Jarod orders two
hamburgers and a coke for him and water for her.
"I don't want water." Parker replies.
"Okay, then she will have milk." he tells the waitress.
"I don't want that either. I want a coke."
Jarod looks at the waitress and says, "Can we have a coke, a
water, and a glass of milk?"
The waitress looks at Parker and Parkers says, "That will be
fine."
While they are waiting on their food, Jarod takes his wife's
hand and says, "What are we going to name her?"
"I don't know. What do you like?"
He looks down and sees her ring on her finger. "You are
wearing your ring."
"Yes, I thought it was safe."
Their food arrives and Jarod says, "Catherine. I like Catherine."
"What are talking about?"
"I think we should name her Catherine after your mother."
"And if it is a boy."
"I like Sydney. He is our best friend. I think what ever we
come up with the name Parker should be part of the name."
"Why? I thought you didn't want my father's name part of your
child."
"I am not fond of your father. I won't deny that but I think
Parker should be a middle name. That way he will think it is
the baby's last name because she will have my last name."
"I think it is only fair. You are her father." Parker
replied while she gave him a kiss. They didn't say much after
that. When they got through eating, they headed back to their
room.
Jarod opened the door. He picked up the newspaper as he
walked in. He saw on the front page where a horse and it's
trainer got killed at Oaklawn Race track.
Parker walked up behind him and said, "Let's go."
"What?" he asked.
"Let's go to the track. I know you and you want to help."
They get to the track. Jarod walks around and finds them a
sit. "I will be back. Promise me you will stay here."
"Where will I go except the bathroom?" she responded.
Jarod heads down toward the stables. He walks around and
meets a man standing by a horse.
"You must be new here. I don't remember seeing you before."
the man says.
"Yeah, I just came into town a couple of days ago. I'm Jarod."
"I'm Dr. Baker. I am one of the vets here in town."
"Oh, I see. This one is a pretty one. Is she one of your
patients?" Jarod asked the doctor.
"Well, sort of. I have seen her before but she belongs to a
friend of mine. He is a vet also."
"I see. Who is that man over there?"
"Oh, that is Mr. Davis. He owns a several of the horse that
are racing today. One of his horses got killed along with his
trainer. He is looking for another trainer."
"Oh, really. I happen to be one."
"Here he comes, if you like I could introduce you."
"Thanks, I would appreciate that."
Mr. Davis walks up. "Hey, Dr. Baker. How is my horse today?"
"She's fine. I think she is ready for the next race. Mr.
Davis I would like you to meet Jarod. He's a trainer."
"Oh, really. I am looking for another trainer." Mr. Davis
replied.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Jarod answered.
"Where are you from?"
"I'm from Kentury. I trained several horses for the Debry
up there."
"I see. You are not working right now."
"No, I took the this time off. My wife is having a baby and
I wanted to stay home with her. We came down here to get away
before the baby comes. Then we are headed back up there in a
month or so."
"I see. Is your wife here today?"
"Yes, she is up at the track. She doesn't like it much down
here. In fact, I better get back up there. It was nice to
meet you."
"Jarod, I tell you what. I will bring you out to my stables
tomorrow morning and you show me your work. If I like it, I
could use a trainer."
"That sounds like a deal."
"Where are you staying?"
"I am at the Arlington right now. I just into town a couple
of days ago."
"If this works out, you and your wife can stay at my condo."
"Okay, Mr. Davis. I will see you in the morning in the lobby
at the Arlington."
Jarod walks back to his wife. "Hey, I'm in."
"What?" she said as she was watching the horses run around
the track.
"I meet with Mr. Davis in the morning. If he likes my work
we will be staying here longer. I hope you don't mind."
"Whatever." she answered as she kept watching the race. "Will
you get me some ice cream?"
"I guess so but you're not listening to me. Are you?"
"Yeah, I'm listening. What did you say again?"
"Nothing." he replied as he got up to get the ice cream. He
came back and watched the race. He had a lot to learn before
tomorrow morning.
***********
The next morning, he left Parker in bed. "I will see you
later today. I am leaving you the car." he said as he handed
her the keys and some money.
"What is this for?"
"I thought you might want to do some shopping."
He heads out the door. He meet Mr. Davis in the lobby. They
drive out to his ranch. Mr. Davis likes what he sees.
"Jarod, I think I just hired a trainer."
Jarod pleased, "Great."
"Come on, let me take you out to your new place to live."
Mr. Davis takes Jarod to a condo on Long Island Dr. "It out
on the lake. It's beauitful. Your wife will like it."
Jarod thinking to himself, 'I hope so. You haven't met my
wife yet.'
Mr. Davis shows him the condo. "You think you and your wife
would like to have dinner with us tonight. I would like to
meet some of the people you will be working with."
"Sure, what time?" Jarod replied hoping she will go along
with the idea of meeting people.
"Say around 7:00."
"That sounds good to me."
Mr. Davis takes Jarod back to his hotel. "Here are the keys.
You can start bring your things anytime."
"Thanks, Mr. Davis." Jarod said as he shut the car door.
**********
Jarod gets back to the room. "Honey, I'm home."
Parker comes out of the bathroom. "Well, how did it go?"
"You are looking at a horse trainer. Start packing we are
moving into a condo."
"What? We are living in a condo."
"Yes, by the way, you might want to dress nice for tonight."
"Why what are we doing tonight?"
"We are having dinner at Mr. Davis' house. We are to be there
at 7:00."
"What am I suppose to wear? I look fat in anything."
"No. You don't. You look beautiful." Jarod said as he kissed
her on the neck then her lips.
"You are just saying that. You are the reason I look this
way." she replied.
"Hey, I didn't do it by myself. I believe you are the that
seduced me." he responded.
"I couldn't help it. You should come home more often." she
responded softly.