Chapter 23
It was a little over an hour before Mark came back. The doctor was right behind him. “Mark, Katie, it will be a little while longer before I have all the results, but as soon as I do, I’ll be back.”
They immediately went back to the wedding plans. It would be a simple wedding yet perfect. There would be only family and close friends, maybe fifty people. Mark would have Jeff as his best man, and Katie would get her best friend Marie to be her maid-of-honor. They had been friends since college and talked almost everyday but hadn’t seen each other in over a year because Marie lived in Florida. That would be all of the wedding party. It would be very simple.
About thirty minutes later, the doctor returned. “Okay you two, here it is. Everything looks good so far. Mark, we will keep you until tomorrow. After lunch we’ll run the test again. If everything is fine, you can be home in time for dinner.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Mark and Katie said almost in unison.
“Well, you two enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Mark and Katie kissed and then Katie called the ranch to share the news. They had pretty much finalized the wedding plans over dinner. After they finished eating, Mark looked at Katie, “Honey, you look worn out. Why don’t you go home and get some real sleep?”
“I’ll be okay. I want to stay with you.”
“Katie, I am fine. Please go home and get some rest.”
“Are you sure Mark?”
“Yes sweetie, please.”
“Okay, I’ll be back first thing in the morning. I love you”
“I love you too hun. See you in the morning.”
Katie gave Mark a kiss and headed home. She didn’t realize how tired she was until she got home. She headed straight for bed and didn’t wake up until 8:30 the next morning. Very quickly she got ready, grabbed a bite to eat, and went back to the hospital. It was almost 10:30 when she arrived. Mark had already finished his breakfast when she walked in.
“Well, good morin’ beautiful. Sleep well?”
“Yes, I slept like a log.”
“You look much better. The doctor was just in. He stopped by to see how I was feeling.”
“How do you feel?”
“I feel wonderful and that’s what I told him. He said that was a good sign, and he’d see me after lunch.”
“I am glad. You are ready to go home I guess?”
“You better believe it.”
Mark and Katie just kept talking and before they knew it their lunches were brought in. Just like he promised, right after lunch the doctor came in.
“Mark, you ready?”
“Ready? I have been waiting for this ever since yesterday.”
“Okay, well off we go. Katie, I’ll have him in back in an hour or so.”
“Please take care of him.”
Katie decided to go for a walk while she waited. She walked around for about an hour before returning to the room. They were just wheeling Mark in when she got back.
“Well, that was good timing,” the doctor said. “Give me about thirty minutes to get all the results.”
Mark began telling Katie what all they did to him and that he thought everything went well. Then he started telling her a joke the doctor told him. Mark said the punch line just as the doctor walked in.
“Stealing my material I see.”
“Yeah, sorry doc. It was a good one.”
“Hey, laugh on. Mark, my friend, you have passed with flying colors. I can’t believe that I am saying this only six days after the accident, but you are going home. Now don’t get all excited yet. There are rules”
“That’s fine Doc. Anything you say, just get me out of here.”
“Okay, here goes. Katie, will make sure you follow them. Number one, no heavy lifting or hard work until I tell you differently. Second, no more riding horses for a while, especially Coal Miner. Also, you must keep the neck brace on at all times and the sling for you shoulder. Last, I want to see you again in two weeks for your check-up.”
“Doc, I can handle that and you are right in saying that Katie will make sure I follow them. You won’t have to worry.”
“Good, now just sign your papers and you can get dressed and go.”
Mark signed the papers and told the doctor bye. Katie helped him get dressed. Together they slowly walked out of the hospital. Mark was glad he was going home and so was Katie. Everyone back on the ranch was waiting for him also. They had planned a big welcome home dinner. Mark knew now more than ever that there was no place like home.
Chapter 24
Mark slowly recovered from the accident. He endured several months of therapy. Finally about two months before the wedding, he was released from doctor’s care and had made a full recovery.
As the wedding grew closer, Katie knew she had to do something about Billy’s will. She decided to take it to his parents. That part of her life was behind her, and she was ready to move on. They were grateful to get it and thanked her for all she had done.
Finally, the day of the wedding arrived. It was a perfect fall day. The sun was shining, the leaves were spectacular, and everyone was ready. Katie couldn’t wait. She was ready when her father knocked on the door.
“Well Princess, it’s time. Are you ready?”
“I have been waiting for the day Daddy.”
“Everything is in place. Let’s go”
Katie walked with her father down the steps and out the front door. As they reached the aisle, Katie looked at Mark who was already crying. She knew this was the perfect day.
The ceremony was beautiful as Mark and Katie expressed their love to each other. Everyone could see they truly loved each other, especially at the reception during the first dance. There was just something about the way they looked at each other. There was no doubt they were truly happy.
On their honeymoon, they went on a five-day Caribbean Cruise. This had long been a dream of Katie’s. They had a wonderful time. It was all Katie had ever dreamed. Her life was now complete.
The cruise soon ended, but Mark and Katie’s love didn’t. They returned to the ranch as much in love as ever. Even there everyone could tell they were deeply in love.
Mark did little things for Katie that she just loved. He brought flowers for no reason, cooked for her, and all the little things that a woman just loves. Katie knew she had found the perfect man for her, and now they could live happily ever after.
About six months after the wedding, Mark decided that it was time to get back in the saddle and finally break Coal Miner. He hadn’t ridden him since the accident. Katie, of course, didn’t like the idea but knew there was no changing his mind.
It was January and it was rather cold outside. Shortly after lunch, Mark kissed Katie and said, “It’s time.” Katie reluctantly let him go and followed him out on the porch to watch.
Mark slowly walked into the ring with Coal Miner. He worked with him for quite sometime before trying to ride him. When he finally did start to climb on his back, Katie begins to pray that it wouldn’t happen again. Mark got on and hung on for dear life.
Coal Miner began running, jumping, and bucking just as hard as before. Mark somehow managed to stay put. After about twenty minutes, Coal Miner began to settle down and Mark broke him. He told Katie that he was going to take him for a ride and started off across the meadow.
It was dinnertime before he returned. Mark told her that Coal Miner was going to be the best horse he ever had. Katie was just glad Mark didn’t get hurt again or even killed trying to break him. Now they could live in peace and have a happy life.
Chapter 25
The next day after lunch, Mark and Katie were sitting by the fire. Suddenly there was a pounding knock at the door. Mark opened the door to find Katie’s father in a frantic state.
“Hello Mark. Is Katie here?”
“Yes, please come in. Are you okay?”
Mr. Warren ran over the Katie. “Katie honey, they know!”
“Daddy slow down. Who knows what?”
“The police, they know Katie!”
“Wait Daddy. The police know what?”
“Katie, do you remember the trouble I was in with that case? Well that was only part of the story. There never really was a trial. I tampered with evidence and some other things to keep my client out of court and the case from continuing. They found out and I was put on trial. Now they continued with my client’s case and they know the truth.”
“Well Daddy, you have had your punishment and you are okay.”
“No, Katie, you don’t understand. Katie, they know the truth about Billy’s death. They know who did it. I am sorry, Katie. I tried to stop them but I couldn’t. They found everything. The plans, the letters, the money receipts. EVERYTHING! They are on their way here. That’s why I came here as fast as I could.”
“Daddy, they can’t know. It is impossible for them to know.”
“No, Katie, believe me, they know. They found more evidence just before I was discovered. They made sure it didn’t get out. Katie, I am sorry. I never meant it to end up like this. I hope you can forgive me.”
When he finished there was another knock at the door. Katie slowly made her way to the door. As she opened it, she saw several police officers and even some military police.
“Hello, ma’am I am Lt. Matthews of the FBI. Are you Katie Warren-Dean?”
“Well, yes sir, I am. What can I do for you Lt.?”
“Ma’am, I am sorry to have to do this. Mrs. Dean, you are under arrest for the plotting and masterminding the murder of Lt. William Jones.”
**As a side note. I originally ended the book here but after thinking it over decided I didn't want it to end like that. So, Luckily there are now several more chapters. I'll post them soon as I already have several more edited and have time to finished them myself!
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