Hi Friends!
Here’s the next chapter for Come Away To The Meadow. In this chapter you will learn more about our Native American neighbors living on reservations, and how we can become involved in helping them. The number of kidnapped/missing Native American women and girls in 2020 was 5,487. (No figures available for 2025 yet.) The majority of these were under the age of 17. This is ten times the national average. Partly, this is because of a complex jurisdictional system, and because many reservations cannot afford adequate law enforcement. The unemployment rate on many reservations is 80%, and paying for law enforcement is difficult. Part of the problem is that Mexican cartels have moved onto some of our reservations, and child trafficking has increased. I’m hoping this fiction story will call attention to the need, in addition to providing an interesting story for you.
Blessings,
Sheri
Chapter 9
High in a mountain valley, Ramona White Swan felt the warm morning sun on her back as she knelt in the garden pulling weeds with Jenny Little Bear and Cara Grey Coyote. Scraping together the small pile of weeds, she stood and carried them to the edge of the garden and threw them onto a pile they had started that morning. Cara had been captured before Ramona and Jenny. She'd been there two years, or at least that's what she thought. There were no calendars in the old run-down house where they lived now.
Raising her head, Ramona studied the surrounding mountains. Where were they? The mountains looked like the Big Horns, south of the Crow reservation. When she and Jenny had been taken, the men had driven into the night. She had seen nothing but distant lights, except for one instance of driving through a small town. But the man named Chet had pushed her head down. Jenny hadn't seen anything either. She had been sobbing on Ramona's shoulder and had fallen asleep there, exhausted by her fears.
The van had driven into the night for a long time, made even longer by her fear. Ramona remembered traveling uphill on a rough dirt road surrounded by trees for what must have been at least twenty minutes, maybe longer, before arriving at the run-down house. She quickly turned her thoughts back to the garden, not wanting to remember the horrors of that night.
Cara walked awkwardly toward her, pausing for a moment and grimacing before she threw some weeds onto the pile. Straightening up and rubbing the small of her back, she sighed tiredly. "The men will be up soon. We'd better get back to the house and fix breakfast."
Ramona nodded. She walked over to Jenny, who knelt on the ground pulling at a stubborn weed. She touched the other girl's shoulder. "Jenny, it's time to fix breakfast."
Jenny looked up and sniffed. Ramona could see she'd been crying. Together the three girls walked back toward the house.
"When is your baby due?" Ramona kept her voice low as they neared the house.
"Soon, I think." Cara said. "I'm having some pains. Like the last time." Her eyes filled with tears. Cara had been taken from the Northern Cheyenne tribe located next to the Crow reservation.
Ramona knew about Cara's baby. Cara had been taken from the Northern Cheyenne tribe located next to the Crow reservation. The man who came to deliver her baby had kept it from her afterward. Cara had seen her child briefly--a little boy. But the man had taken her baby away and she didn't know what had happened to him. The man told her the baby had died. But Cara didn't believe him. She still broke down in tears when she thought about her baby. Cara had been taken from the Northern Cheyenne tribe located next to the Crow reservation.
Walking quietly into the kitchen, they took turns washing their hands in the sink, trying not to awaken the sleeping men.
"I'll fry the bacon and eggs. Jenny can start the pancakes. Cara, you should sit down." Ramona motioned toward the chairs around the table.
"Thanks," Cara said, sitting down with a sigh. "I peeled the potatoes earlier. They're in the bowl. If you'll drain the water and bring them here, I'll shred them."
Working quietly, the tired girls prepared breakfast for the three men. They had almost finished when a bedroom door opened. Chet stood there yawning. He stretched and rubbed his eyes. Shuffling over to the table, he pulled out a chair and slumped into it. "When's breakfast?" he demanded.
"Five minutes, probably." Ramona filled a cup of hot coffee and set in in front of Chet.
Chet reached out toward her and pulled her close, running his hand down her back.
Ramona, her eyes downcast, moved back toward the kitchen.
"Hey! Come back here!"
She froze. Stifling a sigh, she turned and walked back toward him.
Chet put one hand around her waist and slowly moved the other hand over her swollen belly. He buried his face against her breasts, keeping one hand on her belly. "The kid ain't kicking this morning," he muttered.
"I have to turn the potatoes, or they'll burn," Ramona said stiffly. She was now five months pregnant. So was Jenny.
"Oh, alright." Chet let her go.
She broke away and darted back to the stove where she quickly turned the hashbrowns. Good. They weren't too dark. Another half-minute and they would have burned. She shuddered. It was never a good idea to serve the men burnt food. She'd suffered more than one beating for cooking mistakes.
Jenny poured pancake batter onto the griddle while Ramona scooped the hashbrowns into a bowl and put a lid over it. She heard a door open and cringed when Mac stomped into the room. He'd beaten her the night before when he was drunk.
"Hey, girl. I'm hungry." Mac walked toward Jenny and slapped her backside before burying his face in her hair and kissing her neck.
Jenny suffered in silence while Mac ran his hands over her body and nuzzled her ear.
"How about some coffee?" Ramona said, trying to draw Mac away from the frightened girl.
Mac released Jenny and took the coffee. "Um." He took as sip and moved toward the table.
Cara stood, moving toward the kitchen as the last of the three men entered the room.
"Hey, Boss." Chet nodded and sipped his coffee.
None of the girls knew the third man's name. The others simply called him Boss. He was tall, with wavy black hair, and good-looking. Charming when he was sober, he was also the most violent of the three men when he was drunk.
Boss stomped over to the table and sat down. Cara brought him coffee and sat it in front of him. He sampled it silently as she moved away.
Ramona and the other two girls served breakfast to the men before taking food for themselves. Ramona noticed Cara didn't eat much. She just pushed the food around on her plate, eating a small bite or two.
Boss looked across the table at the other men. "I've got another project tonight. But I'll go alone. You two head into town and shop while I scout the job."
"Sure, Boss."
"I'll get a side of bacon this time," Mac said. "We're low on it.
"Might get some extra food while you're at it," Boss said with a grin. "Chances are, we'll be having some extra company by tomorrow morning."
Cara caught her breath and looked away. She knew what was coming.
While the girls were washing dishes, Cara whispered her fears to Jenny and Ramona. "I think Boss is going to capture another girl. He said the same thing last time...the time they all went out to get you."
"How can we stop them?" Ramona asked, her voice filled with anxiety.
"We can only pray." Cara shook her head. "I don't know if God is listening or not. But we can at least try."
Drying the last dish and putting it away, Ramona hung the damp dishtowel on the hook and retreated toward her bedroom to make the bed and straighten the room.
"God, why did you let this happen to us? To me?" she whispered as she worked. "I was saving myself for the man you have for me! I gave you all my heart, all my devotion, like Pastor said. But you let these wicked men take me! I'm their prisoner. I don't understand."
Tears coursed down her cheeks. She wiped them away impatiently. What use it is to complain? There is no help for me. Or Jenny or Cara. God did not stop evil from happening to us. Why? Why? Why?
She sank onto the freshly made bed and sobbed into her pillow.
"I will never leave you nor forsake you. I am near to those whose hearts are broken." The words came to her heart, and she knew it was Jesus's message to her. "Until I come again, this world will continue to be ruled by Satan, who is the god of this world. But a day will come when I will return. I will destroy those who are evil, and I will rescue all those who belong to me...who trust and obey me. But before that day comes, I will rescue you and Cara and Jenny. I want you to believe this, for it is faithful and true. Dry your tears. There is still hope and joy ahead for you."
"But what about this baby I'm carrying? I did not ask for this!" Ramona protested.
"Your baby is just as helpless and just as much a captive as you are, Ramona. He did not choose to be born. But I have chosen him! He will grow up to serve me, just as you do. So I want you to love him."
"But Cara lost her baby! The men took him away and told her the baby was dead!"
"He is not dead," Jesus assured me. "He has been sold. But I will reunite Cara with him soon. I want you to tell her. She needs this hope now."
"Thank you, Jesus," Ramona whispered. "I will tell her. And I will tell Jenny, too."
"Yes." The voice in Ramona's mind fell silent.
Rising from the bed and drying her eyes, Ramona went in search of Cara. She found her resting on the couch in the living room.
"Cara," she said softly, "Jesus spoke to me."
Cara looked up and saw Ramona's glowing face. "Really? Are you sure you didn't imagine it?"
"No. It's true. Jesus said we will be rescued. And he said your baby is not dead. He has been sold. But God will bring him to you again."
Cara sighed. "If only I could believe that!"
"I know. It seems hard to believe. But it is true." Ramona's hand went to her heart. "I felt Jesus speaking to my heart. He filled me with such joy! I didn't think I could ever feel joy again."
Looking at Ramona's face, Cara believed. "We must pray for the other girl Boss plans to take!" she said.
"Yes. I will." Ramona smiled and went in search of Jenny. "Lord, please let Jenny believe!" she prayed softly.
***
The morning sun rose over the mountains as I took my cup of tea out to the covered deck and sank onto an upholstered deck chair. It was still very early. Ethan wouldn't be coming over for another hour, which gave me time to read my Bible and talk to Jesus before the day began. I couldn't get my thoughts off those kidnapped girls from the Crow reservation.
"Lord, those girls belong to you. They are my sisters in your name. Please, please help us find them! Rescue them from evil."
Just then my cell phone began buzzing. I pulled it out of my pocket to see who it was.
"Hello, Dale." My heart wasn't ready to hear from him, and it must have shown in my voice.
"Skye, I need to talk with you." I heard the pleading in his voice.
"I'm listening."
"I made an awful mistake. I should never have gone back to Sandra and hurt you like that!"
"Dale, it doesn't matter anymore." I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"It does! It does! I'm so very sorry! I want you back!"
"It's over, Dale."
"No. It's not over. I love you! I just didn't see it until yesterday. It was like I was caught up in a delusion about Sandra. I do so want you back, my love."
"Dale, forget it. Move on. I'm not going back to Denver. I'm staying here with my family."
"You're at the ranch?"
"Yes."
"I'll be there by this afternoon."
Click. The line went dead.
"No!" I shouted at the phone. But he was no longer there.
I went back inside and sat down at Mom's piano and played the most dramatic classical music I could find, pouring my frustration out on the keys. By the time Ethan brought Ramie over, I had mostly calmed down.
"Hi beautiful," Ethan said, looking me over. "Your cheeks are sure rosy this morning."
"Dale called." I said abruptly. "He's changed his mind. He's coming up here in a few hours from Denver."
Ethan watched my face curiously. "So what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I'll think of something. I told him not to come! But he didn't listen." A sigh of exasperation escaped me. I shook my head and forced myself to relax and smile. Holding my hands out to Ethan's son, I said, "What do you want to do today, Ramie?"
"Ride horseys!" he said with enthusiasm.
"Sounds good to me. But for now, let's go inside. I have to bake some cookies. You want to help?"
"Yes." He nodded his head decisively.
"Okay." I looked up at Ethan. "If you don't mind, I'll bring lunch over to your office and we can eat at the picnic area again. It will help me get away from the ranch about the time Dale shows up. I told him no, but he's persistent."
Ethan laughed. "If you could see how beautiful you are with those rosy cheeks and red-gold curls, you wouldn't wonder why."
I laughed. "Thank you, Ethan," I called over my shoulder. "See you at about noon."
"Okay. And if Dale does show up, I'll put my arm around you. If that doesn't convince him, I'll sweep you off your feet and kiss you. So be warned!"
I laughed and went inside.
By noon, the chocolate chip cookies were cooled and ready to go, along with a picnic lunch. Ramie and I had even found time to ride the horses for a little while. Together, we put the picnic lunch into the car and headed into town.
Ethan had removed his lab coat and was washing his hands in the clinic sink when we arrived. "Be right there," he called when he saw us.
"I see Ramie is turning brown from all the sunshine," Mrs. Lovel said, leaning over her desk to peer at my charge.
"Yes, he's browning nicely. We've been spending time riding horses and caring for the garden," I said. "He's laid claim to Mom's horse, Dottie. She's the paint, of course."
"I like Dottie," Ramie declared. "She's my favorite horsey. I ride her lots and lots."
"I'm ready." Ethan walked into the room and swept Ramie up high over his head. "Are you hungry, buddy?"
"Yes!" Ramie said.
"Okay, let's go." Ethan dropped Ramie down into the crook of his arm and headed for the door. Holding it for me, he said, "After you, Skye."
We walked happily down the street and crossed over to the small picnic area. After a satisfying meal, Ethan stayed at the table while Ramie ran to the slide, his favorite past time at the park. Ethan smiled at me. "Maybe Dale won't find you here."
"Don't count on it," I said, looking over his shoulder. "He's here.
"Hello, Skye," Dale called, getting out of his car and heading our way.
"Come on," Ethan said, taking my hand and pulling me up from the table. He slipped one hand around my waist as we turned to face Dale together.
Dale paused, uncertain what to think or say when he saw us together.
"Uh, can I speak with you alone, Skye?" he muttered.
"No."
"Please?"
"You might as well tell him, sweetheart," Ethan said softly, leaning down and kissing me soundly.
I melted into his arms for a moment, then stood to look at Dale, Ethan's arm around my waist. "Dale, I told you it was over and not to come." I said calmly.
"But...but...I don't believe you!" Dale said. "It's too soon! You've barely been here for a few weeks!"
"Yes," I said. "However, I have known Ethan for many years. We were sweethearts long before I met you, Dale."
"But you said you loved me!" Dale insisted.
"I was wrong." I shrugged and looked up at Ethan with a smile.
"Give me another chance, please," Dale said, his face clouding.
"Why? Did Sandra leave you again?"
Dale was silent.
"Dale," I said, taking pity on him, "there are plenty of other girls in Denver. You will find someone else soon. Trust me."
Dale sighed. "But they won't be you."
"No, they won't. But whoever you choose, I'm sure you will come to love her in time. Now you need to drive back to Denver. There's nothing for you here. Good-bye, Dale."
He sighed and looked at the ground. "Good-bye, Skye." He turned and walked dejectedly to his car.
We waited until we were sure he was gone before talking.
"Well, that was nice," Ethan said, looking down at me. "Can I try it again?"
"Try what?"
"This," he said, leaning down once again and drawing me up toward him.
My arms rested on his chest as he kissed me and swept me off my feet.
"You should put me down," I whispered, feeling my face grow red.
"I like it this way," he said, amusement in his eyes. "But if you insist..." he let me back down onto the ground.
"Woo-hoo!" came a shout from a passing car with its windows down.
Ethan laughed. It was the first hearty laugh I'd heard from him since coming home.
I laughed too.
But where did we go from here?
If you have been enjoying this story, I invite you to read my book Before You Find Me available at www.sherischofield.com