Leonard and Sheldon fell fast asleep as soon as they climbed into their berths in their cabin. Leonard was the first to wake up. He gathered up his toiletry bag and headed into the bathroom to shave and shower. By the time he returned, Sheldon was just stirring. He waited till Sheldon was done with his shower and they headed to the dining car.
It was dinnertime and found out there were already halfway across Nebraska and would be pulling into Omaha just before dawn.
Leonard called Wyatt and told him to expect them at his ranch before lunch.
Wyatt sounded worried, "What's going on son? Penny called crying; she said you had left and that the wedding you two were on your way to was abruptly cancelled."
Leonard let out a disgusted laugh, "Yeah, she would tell you half of the story. Listen Wyatt, I don't want to discuss it over the phone. If you and Susan could be there when we arrive, I'd like to sit down and tell you the WHOLE complete story."
Wyatt nodded, even though he knew Leonard couldn't see him, "Sure, I understand, but please, don't give up on her Leonard. If she doesn't know it or not, you're the best thing that ever happened to her and you have to at least try."
Leonard didn't want to say any more over the phone, "Wyatt, I'll explain when we get there, talk to you soon. I have you address plugged into my phone and we are renting a car and we should be there before noon." "Okay Leonard, be safe and see you tomorrow."
Leonard had a restless night and finally fell asleep a couple hours before pulling into the station in Omaha. He got a car and they stopped for breakfast before heading out to the ranch.
Sheldon was rather quiet; he knew the turmoil Leonard was going through. His break-up with Amy was bad, but he knew Leonard's was much worse seeing it was just hours before they were set to say "I Do". He turned to Leonard, "I wish I could comfort you, Leonard. I know how much you care for Penny and I know I added to the problem sleeping with her."
He stared at Sheldon, "It wasn't so much that she slept with you. What made it worse was when she tried to deny it, even after I knew everything you told me."
Sheldon nodded, he didn't know what to say and for the first time, he kept quiet rather than making it worse by saying the wrong thing.
They pulled into the ranch and both of them were shocked by the expanse of the ranch. Leonard was unaware it was such a huge estate. From what Penny told him, it was small, but he could see the fence line go on for as far as the eye could see. He got out and Sheldon trailed behind, not wanting to interfere with what Leonard had come to say.
Wyatt and Susan came rushing out to greet him and he broke down and crumpled into Wyatt's arms.
Susan came around beside him and tried to console him. She looked amazing and Sheldon could easily see where Penny got her good looks from.
Susan was dressed in a modest shirtdress that hugged her large breasts and the skirt flared out around her ample hips. The dress ended at her knees and she was wearing sensible flats. Her longer than shoulder length auburn hair was neatly done and her bangs made her look at least ten years younger than her age.
Wyatt finally got Leonard under control and the four of them headed into the large ranch home.
Susan offered them drinks, but they ended up with just water. Wyatt and Susan sat back, an uncomfortable silence filled the air and Leonard hoped Sheldon wouldn't put his foot in his mouth as he usually did.
Leonard removed his glasses and dried his eyes. He looked from Wyatt to Susan and it struck him, just as it did Sheldon how beautiful she looked. He tore his eyes from her and gave Wyatt a weak smile, "I can see where Penny gets her good looks from."
Wyatt chuckled, "Well thank you Leonard?"
It made Leonard laugh, "No I was talking about your wife."
Wyatt nodded, "I know, I was just trying to ease the tension in the room."
Susan giggled, "Why thank you Leonard, I can see how Penny could fall a nice gentleman like yourself.'
Wyatt scoffed, "She doesn't have the best track record Susan. Just think back at all of the losers she's been involved with."
She chastised him, "Wyatt, I don't think Leonard wants to hear about her old beaus."
She looked to Leonard, "So tell us Leonard, why did you turn around and call off the wedding? I know we would have liked to be there, but the happiness of the two of you is the most important."
He took a deep breath and stared down at his hands, "Well, we were headed to Vegas and I wanted to start our marriage together with a clean slate. I had one misstep while I was on the ship out in the North Sea well over a year ago. I told her about it and even though she was upset about it, she accepted it, especially seeing we were not engaged at the time."
In a gruff voice Wyatt replied, "Yeah, she told us about it. I wasn't happy to hear you cheated on her."
Leonard finally looked up from his fists and glared back at him and scoffed, "Of course she would tell you about that. Did she happen to say what happened next?"
Susan licked her lips and crossed her legs. Everyone could see Leonard was upset, but didn't know why. "Um, she said some things were said and that you flew off the handle; turned around and headed back to Pasadena."
He nodded, "Yes, some things were said. I asked her if anything like that happened while I was in the North Sea. She told me, "No, nothing." I pressed her on it and she continued to stick to her story, but I knew differently and I called her out on it. Before I even left California air space, she was in Rajesh Koothrappali's apartment. He was going through a rough patch and one thing led to another and they slept together."
Wyatt cleared his throat, "Well, it sounds like she was comforting him and things sorta got out of hand."
He let out a disgusted laugh, "Yeah, maybe, but she denied it, even after I was told by Raj that it happened."
Susan spoke up, "Who do you believe, your future bride or one of your friends?"
He glared at her and he pointed to Sheldon, "Okay, so how about the countless times Penny and Sheldon here hooked up while I was away. Who am I to believe? How about the numerous texts I received from Bernadette telling me about how Penny hooked up with the cast of NCIS, the numerous black men she had while the girls were in Vegas, how about the Gorilla she fucked while doing her movie, played by Wil Wheaton. Should I stop there or would you like more?"
Wyatt and Susan sat there, stunned. They knew Penny was a loose woman, but hearing the countless affairs she had while engaged to Leonard, they had no defense. Susan stood and came over to him and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead she bit her lip and stared down at him, "If you knew all of this, why did you stay with her? Why did you even attempt to elope and marry our daughter?"
He had tears in his eyes again and looked up at her, "Because I love her! I wanted to wipe the slate clean and start our life together going forward with an empty page to begin with. When she told me there wasn't any, I was furious. How could I marry her if she was going to keep it all a secret? How many more would there be after we were married and would she deny them too?"
Wyatt came over and stood beside Susan. He hugged her lightly and stared down at Leonard, "We are so sorry Leonard. We didn't know she was still doing the crazy things she did when she was living here. We thought she loved you and turned over a new leaf, I guess we were wrong."
Susan sat down beside him, "So tell us Leonard, why are you here? What do you want us to do?"
He shrugged, "I don't know, I still love her. I'll always love her, but if she can't admit to these affairs, how can I go forth thinking they will continue?"
She hugged him, "I think we were too lenient with her. I don't know what you should do." She looked up at Wyatt, "Any suggestions?"
He shook his head, "I don't know, maybe some time apart will help. Maybe living there without you, she'll wise up and realize you are the best thing in her life." He turned to Sheldon, "Listen, I have to be in Omaha." He chuckled, "I know this sounds funny, "But I have to see a man about a horse. I'd love some company. Would you mind tagging along with me, Sheldon?"
Sheldon looked from Leonard and then to Wyatt, "I wouldn't have to touch the horse, would I?"