The Strains Of An Old Love Song Haunts Allie

 Josh and Haylee were quietly talking about K.R. and where he could be. Josh was so upset that his own father could be so mean to his grandfather.  Josh told Haylee that he'd better get going to the hospital to see how his grandfather was so they said goodnight. Haylee told Josh not to worry she was sure that Rex would be fine, but to call her if his health was worse than they thought. She had read a text on her phone then said, "I have some work to do then hit the road. Good to see you." They didn't notice when the sheriff said, "Good luck" to Pat and gave her a little wink as he walked out the door to supposedly go to his office. They also didn't hear him whistle the only wedding song he knew as he 'two-stepped' his way out to the patrol car. He was probably going to get fired for this, but at this point in his life he just didn't care. He had been thinking about retiring for years. He just might hand in his papers sooner than later. Rex had talked him, the nurses, and the ambulance drivers into taking him to the airport, not the hospital. He had faked passing out so he could dodge K.R. if he showed up at the nursing home. "Lucky dog." Laura and Paul were even in on it. They all were going to fly to Vegas and find a cute little chapel and come back to town as a Mr. and Mrs. live happily ever after married couple "If I know Rex he will probably pick out an Elvis Chapel. He laughed out loud and thought, "Whatever works, old man. Whatever works."

As he drove home he thought, "I'm happy for them. I'm happy for me. Maxine said, "Yes!" Soon we will be a happily ever after couple too. I love the idea of getting married on horseback on the ranch. It will be the perfect beginning for a happily ever after. Nothing is going to stop us, not even K.R. I have to tread lightly when it comes to him. Maxine loves him for some reason even after all the times he has conned folks out of their money. I can't believe she was considering opening up that old mine on her property. That would finish things for us. Allie wants her ranch to be a haven for troubled and tired children and adults. She doesn't need any more money to achieve that. Bill left her well off, however, how he did that I'll never know. I had no idea he had that kind of money. Whatever, leave well enough alone and marry the love of your life. Time to go to bed and get rested up. I think we will work on her old pick up that she's been restoring. That will be fun." 

With that he went home oblivious to what was happening out on the Double D Ranch.

When Allie got out of her car she thought she heard music coming from the bunkhouse. It was old time music, but it seemed to her that there was more than one guitar playing. The music was soothing to her. After the dance in town ended badly she thought she wouldn't ever want to hear country music again, but this was nice. She decided to walk over and listen to the cowhands play and sing. It might just be what she needed tonight.

As she listened she thought, "I've never heard this song before. But the words are something I'd always thought that I might hear from the man I was going to marry. Josh's face came to her as she heard the cowhands sing 'Now you talk about tomorrows I can see one, There's no mountain we can't climb if we reach one, If you believe in forevers we could start one, If you want to be together we could be one.' She could feel her eyes fill as she listened to the sweet song, but she didn't care. "Why him? I can't get it right ever! Maybe I'm just not met to be with anyone. Maybe that's why Uncle Bill left me this ranch. Maybe I'm the one that needs friends and peace and some wide open spaces therapy." She shook her head and walked back to the house. The last strains of the melody would haunt her; 'If you want to be together we could be one...'

Virginia and Edward watched as the sad young woman opened the door and turned out the lights. "Well, isn't that just great? Now what do we do? Why can't they get along? Oh no! Look who's out here! K.R. is messing around Maxine's cabin. What do we do now?"

Virginia said, "You have no choice. You have to turn back into that puppy she shooed away. Maybe bite him in the ankle so he will leave."

"No I can't do that, or he will yell and wake up Maxine. Can't you see? Her lights are out. Turning back into a puppy is not something I do with much pleasure. She doesn't like me at all." Well, you have to do something to scare him off," said, Virginia.

They soon knew that their problem was solved. Headlights were shining brightly then suddenly went dark as a car came down the driveway and stopped. They watched quietly as they saw a young woman approach K.R. and heard her say, "Well, I guess this just isn't your lucky day, K.R. You have just broken your parole. You have to serve out the rest of your sentence. Put your hands behind your back. You are once again under arrest and heading back to prison. Get in the car."