Hi! I hope you all are having a happy new year. For those of us in the frozen northern plains, we had a short reprieve from the cold and were able to enjoy sunshine and warm temperatures lately. We were able to visit both our kids and their families at Thanksgiving. Christmas was quiet. We decorated outside our house for the first time since the children were small. The little girl next door loves Christmas lights and tried to decorate our trees a little last year, so we decorated a lot for her this year. She’s a sweet child.
Here’s more of my book, Come Away To TheMeadow. I hope you will enjoy it!
Blessings,
Sheri Schofield
Chapter 5
We began a pattern of dinner and horseback rides that day, a pattern I hoped would last the summer. I wanted to find out more about this older, adult Ethan, my childhood friend and hero. Tall and muscular at age thirty, he still resembled the high school football running back for whom I’d cheered many years before.
“Skye,” Ethan said after dinner a few days after I’d returned home. We were sitting on the deck pulling on our riding boots. “Aaron said he wants some of us from church to meet with the leaders of the Crow reservation about their missing children. He’s has been wondering where to have the meeting. He suggested my place, but I’m not much of a host.”
I could see he was unsure about this. “Would you like me to have the meeting here?”
Ethan relaxed. “Could you? I’ll help.”
“Sure. I’d be glad to.”
“Good. I’ll let Aaron know. He said he’d like to have the meeting Sunday evening. Is that too soon?”
“Not at all. Do you know how many are coming?”
“Let’s see. Mayor Brooks and his wife Lenore. Pastor Barrett and his wife Martha. Max, their son and our local newspaper editor. Eli and Shirley Delaney, who own the general store. And of course, Cecilia Cottrell from the library. John Red Hawk and the new deputy, Liam Webster, will be there, too.”
“That’s ten, plus Aaron, you, and me. Is Annette coming?”
“Yes. She’s lined up a babysitter for the evening.”
“Good. I look forward to meeting her. I’ll bake some cookies for snacks.”
“Okay. I’ll bring some soft drinks.”
“Do you know what the meeting is about?”
“It’s about the forming a group to pray for and look into the problem of the missing children from the Crow reservation. We want to help solve the problem.”
“Oh. I am eager to hear about that. I can’t imagine the pain those families are feeling.”
Ethan gazed out across the pasture and shook his head. “What’s happening is purely evil.”
“Out here in all this beauty, it’s hard to imagine how this can be going on.”
Ethan stood and reached his hand out to me. “Come on, Skye. Look at Rio and Buck over there, pining for a ride.
I looked toward the pasture. Sure enough, Rio and Buck were looking toward us, ears pricked, waiting impatiently for us. Ethan had left his horse at our ranch the night before, waiting for the ride we would take today. Tatum wagged her tail and dashed ahead toward the barn, eager for her evening outing.
Stopping under the May tree, its white blossoms filling the air with perfume, Ethan turned to face me, still holding my hand.
“Skye, I’m so glad you were able to come home this summer. It doesn’t feel so lonely anymore. Having you here brings back the good memories of childhood, when we all used to play together. You are a blessing to me. I was feeling alone and kind of lost when your parents reached out to me after Christmas, and now you’ve reached out, too. Thank you.”
Suddenly, I knew in my heart that God had brought me here to help Ethan, my good friend.
“Ethan, you have always been the one I ran to for help when I was a child. I’m happy to be here for you now.” I smiled up at him.
A car drove past the ranch slowly. I watched it turn into Ethan’s place. “Um, Ethan?”
“What?”
“A car just pulled into your place.”
He looked up. “Huh. I wonder who that is? Guess we’d better ride over and see.” We mounted our horses, cantering across the meadow and through the aspen grove, Tatum running on ahead checking out smells along the way and barking once at a squirrel. As we reached the house, the car door opened, and a dark-haired young woman stepped out. I didn’t recognize her.
“Becka?” Ethan was clearly startled.
“Hi Ethan.” Becka’s solemn face prepared him for the news.
He dismounted. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She shook her head then dashed a tear from her cheek.
“Jodie?” I heard the pain in his voice.
Becka nodded. “She was in a boating accident with a friend three weeks ago and drowned.”
Oh no! Jodie is—was—Ethan’s wife. I caught my breath.
“Why didn’t you call me?” His voice was soft. I could hear the hurt in it.
“I wanted to, but Mom wouldn’t let me.”
“I see.”
“But now she’s had a breakdown, and I have to make all the decisions. She’s in a rehab center and we don’t know how long it will take her to recover.”
“I’m sorry, Becka.” He stepped forward and hugged her gently.
She stepped back after a moment. “There’s more.”
“What?”
I dismounted and remained at a discrete distance, not wanting to interrupt their shared pain.
Becka turned and walked back to the car. Opening the back door, she reached inside and gently pulled a little boy from a car seat. “Come on, Ramie. We’re here.”
The child seemed to be about three, with ash blonde hair and green eyes. The resemblance to Ethan was unmistakable.
Ethan froze, speechless, unable to process what he saw.
I stepped forward, sensing Ethan’s shock.
“Ramie, this is your Daddy.” She looked up. “Ethan, this is your son, Ramie.” She placed the little boy in Ethan’s arms.
“Why didn’t Jodie tell me?” Ethan asked his voice anguished. His eyes fastened on the child who gazed up at him uncertainly.
“I wanted her to tell you, but she refused. She said she wanted to keep him all to herself. And Mom backed her up. Jodie was very bitter, Ethan.”
“I see.” Ethan looked up at her quickly, then back down into the face of his son, who was looking up at him. “How old are you, Ramie?” he asked gently.
“Aw-most fwee,” he said, holding up three fingers.
“I have his birth certificate and health files with me.” Becka ducked into her car and pulled out a box with papers and stuffed animals in it. Setting it on the ground, she opened a file and pulled out a birth certificate.
“I see she put my name down as his father, at least.” Ethan’s voice sounded gruff.
“Yes.”
He looked up. “Thank you for bringing my son to me, Becka. I hardly know what to say. Or think. But would you like to come inside? I have iced tea if you’d like some.”
“I can only stay for a few minutes. But yes, I’d like some iced tea.”
Ethan turned to me. “Skye, this is Becka, Jodie’s little sis. Becka, Skye is my good friend from across the pasture. Please come inside. You too, Skye.”
Leading Rio over to the hitching post near the house, I looped the reins over it, feeling helpless. I followed Ethan and Becka into the house, telling Tatum to wait on the deck. It was the first time I’d seen the inside of the Russell house since coming home. His parents’ furniture was familiar, but the kitchen was bare, as though he rarely used it.
Ethan turned to me. “Skye, would you take Ramie?”
Reaching out, I took the child in my arms. Looking into the little boy’s apprehensive eyes, I smiled to try to reassure him. “Hi, Ramie. I’m Skye. I live across the meadow.” I walked over to the big picture window. “See that house? I live there.”
“Horsey?” he asked, pointing to the dapple-gray.
“Yes. That’s Rio, my horsey.”
“Dat?” He pointed to the tan horse.
“That’s Buck, your daddy’s horsey.”
He looked solemnly at the horses. “I like horseys.”
Ethan opened a cupboard and brought out three glasses, filled them with ice, and added tea. “I don’t have any juice,” he said glancing at Ramie, not certain what the child would drink.
“That’s okay. I have his juice in the car.” Becka slipped outside to fetch it.
“Skye …” Ethan’s voice trailed off helplessly, his eyes on my face.
I walked toward him carrying Ramie. “Everything is going to be okay, Ethan.”
Becka came into the room carrying a sippy cup. “Here, Ramie.”
The little boy took the cup, turned his head toward Ethan and offered it to him. “Dwink?”
For the first time, Ethan smiled. He took a quick drink from the sippy cup. “Yum. Apple juice.”
I sat Ramie down on the floor and took the ice tea Ethan offered. Together with Becka, we sat around the table. Ramie climbed up on his aunt’s lap and leaned back against her shoulder as he sipped his juice.
Ethan asked about Ramie’s health records. Were his shots up to date? Was he prone to colds? What kind of foods did he like?
I can’t remember everything about the conversation, but I noticed Ramie watched his dad and his aunt intently, not wanting to miss a thing.
Finally, Becka stood, Ramie in her arms. “I need to get back on the road. I’m sure you will do just fine, Ethan.” She glanced at me and smiled sadly. With a sigh, she looked into my eyes. “You will help, too?”
“Yes, Becka. I will help.”
She turned. “Can I visit once in a while, Ethan?”
He nodded. “Just let me know when you can come for a visit. We’ll all be glad to see you.”
“I have some things in the car that you’ll need.”
“Let me help you unload.”
Becka handed Ramie to me. “Go to Skye now, honey.”
I held Ramie in my arms while Ethan and Becka unloaded the car.
A stroller, diaper bag, small suitcase, and miscellaneous blankets and toys ended up on the couch and floor. A box of food and juice landed on the counter. Ramie looked on solemnly.
“He’s not using diapers anymore except at night,” Becka said. “Soon he won’t be needing them at all.”
“Thanks for the information.” Ethan nodded.
Together we walked out onto the porch. Becka reached out and took Ramie for a moment. “Honey, I’m going to leave you with your daddy now. But I’ll come back to see you sometimes. Okay?”
Ramie’s lip trembled and eyes filled with tears. Becka’s eyes nearly flooded over, too. She hugged her precious nephew and handed him to Ethan. “Your daddy is going to take good care of you now, Ramie.” Kissing the little boy on the cheek, she turned quickly and walked out to the car.
“Bye, Auntie Becka,” Ramie called, his lips trembling.
“Bye, Ramie. See you later.” She waved and started the car.
We watched her drive away. Ramie began to cry loudly. “Auntie Becka!” He reached his hands out toward the retreating car.
“It’s okay, Ramie,” Ethan murmured as he drew his son closer to his shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay.” He stroked Ramie’s hair, comforting him. But Ramie sobbed louder.
After a couple minutes, Ethan looked over at the horses and asked, “Do you want to ride a horse, Ramie? We need to walk Skye home.”
The little boy hiccupped and looked up with interest. He nodded. The tears began to slow down.
When Ramie was calm, Ethan lifted his son onto his saddle. “Hold tight to this,” he said, patting the saddle horn.
Ramie gripped it with both hands, his eyes wide with wonder, still a little tearful.
Together we walked the horses back to the M-bar. When we reached the edge of the porch, Ethan put his hand on my shoulder. “Thank you for being here for me, Skye. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Ethan?”
“Yes?”
“It’s only Thursday. You have to work tomorrow.” Would you like to bring Ramie over in the morning on your way to in?”
“Oh!” Ethan looked startled. “I was so overwhelmed, I forgot.” His eyes sought mine.
I nodded at his silent question. “Yes, Ethan. I’d love to have Ramie visit me tomorrow while you work.”
“Are you sure you want to take Ramie for a whole day?”
“Yes.” I smiled up at him and at the child in the saddle. “I’ve always loved children. That’s why I went into teaching. Besides, I’m an experienced auntie.” Turning to Ramie I asked, “Would you like to help me with the horses and the garden tomorrow?”
His face lit up and he nodded solemnly.
“We’ll be fine, Ethan,” I said. “We can talk tomorrow after work.”
Giving me a quick hug with his free arm while keeping his other hand on Ramie, he murmured softly, “Thank you, Skye.”
Ethan looked up at Ramie, who was still sitting in the saddle. “Mind if I come up there
and sit in the saddle behind you, son?”