Come Away To The Meadow

Hi Friends! I’m sorry for being so late in publishing this next chapter. My husband and I have been overwhelmed with medical issues lately. But we’re doing well now. So here’s the next chapter.

Blessings,

Sheri Schofield

Chapter 11

"I'm glad you all could make it this evening," Sheriff Aaron Russell said. We were meeting once again at my parents' home. "We had an incident last night. Some man broke into this house and went after Skye, who climbed out her window and ran across to Ethan's place."

"Oh my!" Martha Barrett said. "You must have been terrified, Skye!"

Skye nodded. "I was. But Ethan heard me in time to stop the man."

"There's more. Skye said the man was driving a dark van. "Sheriff Bold Eagle said his niece's neighbors saw a dark van speeding away from the neighborhood the night Ramona White Swan and Jenny Little Bear were taken. It could be the same man who took those girls. He would have needed others to help him. It's possibly the same man--or men--who took the Crow girls."

Silence fell for a few moments as the group absorbed the information.

Pastor Barrett sighed. "What you're saying is that the kidnappers may be in our community."

"Yes."

Shirley Delaney, the store owner's wife, shivered. "Then our own children are in danger. Violet is twenty."

"They're taking young boys, too," Aaron said grimly. "Sheriff Bold Eagle told me that about one in four disappearing children are boys."

"We'll need to warn the town," said Cecilia Cottrell. "I can put a flyer on the town bulletin board and keep some on my desk at the library."

Pastor Barrett shook his head. "But won't that tip off the kidnappers?"

"We need to do it anyway, " Aaron said firmly. "We must tell everyone. If the kidnappers hear of it, they might leave. But regardless, we will be looking for a dark van. The town needs to be aware of that, too. I'll post one of my deputies where the town's exit road is. There's a streetlight there so he or she can see who leaves and enters. I'll post the deputies immediately. There's a good chance we'll catch him."

"I'll headline it in the newspaper," said Max Barrett, the newspaper editor.

"Good idea," Ethan said. He reached out and covered my clenched hands. "But don't tell about our surveillance plan. We must set the trap secretly. So we need to keep that information among ourselves.."

"Yes. The surveillance needs to remain confidential. It might work," Aaron said, "unless they have already fled the area."

"Sheriff, I think we need to pray about this," Pastor Barrett said.

For the next half hour, we prayed together, asking God's help, praying for the captured girls, and praying for the safety of our town's children.

Ethan put his arm across my shoulder and held me while we prayed and I gradually relaxed.

After everyone had left except for the two police, Aaron and Liam. Aaron said, "Skye, someone knows you are living here alone. You shouldn't stay here."

"She can stay with me," Ethan said. "She's babysitting Ramie. I wouldn't want the two of them here anyway. I'll come over to the house with her whenever she needs to check on anything or feed the horses. She won't be alone." He turned to me. "Is that okay with you, Skye?"

I nodded. "Yes. I don't want to be here alone!"

"Of course not. Why don't you pack what you think you'll need, and we can walk over to my place."

"Okay." I walked upstairs to my room and began packing while Ethan, Liam and Aaron discussed strategies and details.

A few minutes later, as I carried my suitcase and overnight bag downstairs, Ethan stepped up to meet me. Taking the heavy suitcase, he out and took them. "We need to go pick up Ramie," he said. "He's over at Aaron's and Annette's house playing with his cousins."

I followed Ethan outside. Aaron's patrol car pulled out and left. Alone in the dark, we walked toward the familiar farm road between our homes up to Ethan's place, his porch light shining ahead of us. Ethan carried my suitcase while I managed the smaller tote bag.

"Come along, Tatum," I said.

The dog fell into step behind us.

"I didn't ask if you would be okay with staying at my house," Ethan. "I should have asked if you were okay with the plan first."

"That's okay." I shivered in the cool night air. "I'll be safe with you."

"The neighbors might talk," Ethan said.

"Once they know the facts, I don't think so. And even if they do, I don't care." I shrugged. "I'd rather be safe."

"Good. I'll feel better about you if you're at my place."

Walking up the deck stairs, Ethan set my luggage down and unlocked the house. "Let me put these inside, then we'll go get Ramie."

I waited, looking out over the moonlit fields. How could something like this be happening in our little town? Oh, Lord! Please help Aaron and his deputies catch those men!"

Ethan came down the deck stairs. Putting his arm over my shoulder, he led me to his car.

"Tatum, stay." I put her dishes on the floor and filled them..

As we drove into the night to fetch Ramie, Ethan said, "You know, if this is the same man who kidnapped the Crow girls, he must live in this area. Otherwise, he would not know you were alone at your parents' house. I think he must have friends to help him, too. He could not have captured the Crow girls alone."

"The thought crossed my mind." I clenched my hands together, fear shooting through me.

"I'll keep you safe, Skye." He reached out and placed his free hand over my hands. "We're in this together."

***

 Sheriff Aaron Russell called his staff together the next morning. "We now know that a dark van was seen at the McMann ranch two nights ago, when a man broke into the house and tried to kidnap Skye. We need to be on the alert. I want us to find and check out the owners of all dark vans in the three local towns."

"I will check all the vehicles in town," deputy Wade Martin volunteered.

"Would you like me to investigate the outlying areas?" Liam Webster asked.

"Yes. You take the outlying area of this town," Aaron said. "Sandi, you check out the outlying areas of Bensenville. It's not very big, so after that, check out Twain. Ethan's going to be checking out all the medical people in the three towns. It's possible the kidnappers have a midwife or nurse or medic to help them with the delivery of any babies."

"Yes," Sandi nodded. "If those girls are in our area, I'm sure they will need help with any births that have resulted because of their capture."

Aaron walked over to the map on the wall. "We're going to be monitoring all the entrances to our town, too. There are plenty of trees around each turn-off from the main road. We have two roads to cover. I will want two deputies at those locations at all time. We will trade off. You'll each take a turn at one of the roads. I want them covered night and day. If the kidnappers are in our town, we will find them. You will take half a shift each day, trading off with each other. When you aren't monitoring the roads, you will spend part of you shift checking out the towns, identifying any vans in the area."

"It's probably going to take a lot of time," said Liam, "but we'll find the kidnappers if they're here."

John Hawk nodded. "I think you're right."

Aaron added, "I'm fairly sure the kidnappers are local. Only a local man would have known Skye was alone at her parents' home."

"We'll get 'em, Aaron," Sandi said with a nod.

Wade lifted an eyebrow and nodded. "Yeah. We will."

***

Ethan knocked on Dr. Sander's door the next afternoon. 

"Hi there, Ethan. How's the clinic doing?"

"Everything's going great there, Bill. Thanks for letting me use it."

Bill smiled. "You're perfect for the job. You have a good history with the town. Want some coffee?"

"Sure."

Bill led Ethan into a bright, cheerful kitchen and motioned to the table and chairs. "Find a seat."

As Bill filled two coffee cups and put cream and sugar on the table, he asked, "What brings you here, Ethan?"

"You've probably heard about the kidnappings at the Crow reservation, haven't you?"

Bill shook his head. "Wicked."

"Yes. But last night, someone broke into the McMann ranch and tried to kidnap Skye."

"What!"

Ethan nodded. "She escaped through her bedroom window and ran up to my place, and the perp chased her. I heard her scream and grabbed my rifle. But I couldn't see her pursuer clearly. I heard his vehicle start about the time she reached my house. The thing is, Skye saw it. She said it was a dark van. Sheriff Bold Eagle said the neighbors to the missing Crow girls saw a dark van racing out of the neighborhood. It's possible the kidnappers have moved here."

Bill thought for a moment and nodded. "Sounds probable. What is Aaron doing about it?"

"He's organizing a search for it. He's asked me to find out about any people in the area who may have medical training in delivering babies. That would be emergency techs, nurses, midwives--anyone you can think of."

"Off hand, I can think of a few. Let's see. There's Joey Carter, the EMT. DeeAnn Jones is a retired RN who once worked in the neonatal unit. Leah McArthur is a midwife. Then there's Brad Taylor. He's a LPN. He retired last year. Used to work in the emergency room over in Sheridan. Hm. Can't think of anyone else."

"Thanks, Bill. That will do for starters."

"I'll try to see if I can remember anyone else. At my age, I don't have as sharp a memory as I once did. Which is why I retired." Bill grinned. "And I must say, I'm enjoying my garden these days. Say! Would you like to take a zucchini home with you?"

"I'd love one. I'm sure Skye will know what to do with it."

"Skye?"

"Yes. She's been babysitting Ramie. Since the attempted kidnapping, I've put her in Aaron's old room. It isn't safe for her to be alone. And this way, we can walk over to her place to care for the horses and cattle together. Until we find the kidnapper, I'd feel a lot better if she stayed at my place."

Bill nodded, his eyes twinkling. "I see."

Ethan blushed and grinned. "She's handy in the kitchen, too."

"Uh-huh." Bill raised an eyebrow and sipped his coffee. "You gonna hold onto her?"

"She's planning on returning to Denver in the fall. We've been friends since we were just kids."

"Well, maybe you can talk her into staying."

"Maybe." Ethan finished is coffee. "I'm going to pass along your info about the medical people in town. Aaron's making a list of people to check out. Let me know if you think of anyone else." He stood. "Take care."

Bill stood and shook Ethan's hand. "You too, Ethan. Thanks for stopping by."

"Sure."

Ethan climbed into his Rav4 and headed home. Skye would have dinner on by the time he arrived. Could he talk her into staying? Since the first time he saw her at Christmas, she had been on his mind. But with Jodie's recent death and the new responsibility of his son, life didn't seem simple anymore. He sighed and spoke aloud. "God, my heart is full of emotion these days. Help me to know what to do. Would Skye even consider a life with me? Is it too soon? I just don't know. I'm trusting you to guide me. In the meantime, please keep her safe!"

Come Away To The Meadow

Hi friends. Today I will move into the heart of this story. The problem of missing children from the USA native American reservations is 10 times worse per capita than it is elsewhere in this country. When I interviewed some of the staff at Little Big Horn College, I asked if the missing children were only girls. Emerson Bull Chief and the others thought the missing girls were the largest group, but thought maybe one in four of the children were boys. I’m hoping this novel will raise awareness and maybe produce some protections for the native children.

Sheri Schofield

Chapter 10

Ramie fell asleep on the short drive home. He felt warm in my arms as I lifted him out of the car seat and carried him into the house. While he slept, I peeled and sliced apples then arranged them in the pie crust I'd just rolled out. I added the top crust, carved a design of apples and leaves on the top, and slid it into the oven to bake.

Pouring a tall glass of iced tea, I walked out onto the porch, leaving a window open so I could hear when Ramie awoke. I sat back in one of the lounge chairs and looked out over the meadow and hills where our livestock grazed. Ethan's cattle and horses grazed just the other side of our fence. He was a weekend cowboy. A neighbor boy helped him move the herd around once a week. The frequent rotations allowed the grass to recover from the grazing.

I thought back to the meeting with Sheriff Bold Eagle. As I prayed for the missing girls, thoughts came into my mind.

If the girls are in our area, then they are probably being abused. They've been gone for six months now. They are probably pregnant. Lord, help Ramona and Jenny during this time of great trial! They belong to you! They have followed the teachings of the Bible. Be close to their hearts. Protect them from whoever stole them. Help us to know how to find them. I don't have any idea where we should even begin looking. Guide us, Lord.

I sighed, contemplating the kidnapped girls. What would their needs be?

"They will need medical care when their babies are born." It was as though Jesus had spoken clearly to me.

"Of course!"

When Ethan came to the ranch after work, I waited until after dinner to broach the subject. Ramie was playing with our dog Tatum on the lawn below us.

"Ethan, those kidnapped girls must be pregnant by now," I said.

"Yes, I've thought of that." He sighed and shook his head as he sipped his iced tea.

"They're going to need medical care at some point. Who would be most likely to help them, knowing they were captives?"

Ethan frowned. "We have two nurses and three paramedics in town. We have a midwife or two. We may have some retired medical professionals. I don't know any of them well, except for Dr. Bill. He might know." He shrugged. "I can talk with him and with Aaron about it. They might have some ideas. Plus, Aaron has the personnel and authority to investigate anyone acting suspiciously."

"Okay. That sounds like good start." I shook my head. "The sooner we find those girls the better."

***

Later that night as I lay sleeping, I heard Tatum, who slept next to my bed, let out a low growl.

Looking down at her, I saw her head was up.

The front door squeaked. Someone was in the house!

I jumped out of bed, locked my door and rushed toward the open window.

The sound of stealthy footsteps reached me as I slid out onto the roof over the downstairs bedrooms.

Tatum growled again, louder this time.

"Tatum! Come!" I whispered loudly.

The golden retriever turned and followed me out the window.

I dashed toward the front edge of the slanted roof. Below me was the raised flower garden about six feet below.

Hearing the bedroom door crash open, I turned, grasped the edge of the roof, and dropped into it.

"Come, Tatum!" I whispered.

Tatum whined.

A man cursed above. He must be at the window!

"Come girl!" I held up my arms.

Tatum jumped. I caught her and together we fell into the flowers. Jumping up, I turned to toward the road through the aspens to Ethan's house. The moon came out from behind a cloud, flooding the parking area with light. The intruder's van was parked alongside my car! 

Skidding to a halt, I turned and headed for the nearest trees separating our homes. If I could just get into the trees and find the old pathway we'd used as children, I'd have some cover. Though the path was somewhat overgrown, I was able to find it.

The front door of the house slammed against the side of the house behind me, sending jags of fear through my body. I heard a man curse, then the sound of him running toward me.

Low branches slapped at my body as I struggled through the trees, some catching at my light cotton nightdress. I heard my pursuer trying to find his way behind me. Reaching down, I grabbed Tatum's collar and whispered into her ear. "Guard, Tatum. Guard!"

Tatum stopped, turned around, and began barking loudly at the man behind me. A light came on at Ethan's place.

"Get out of my way, dog!" a vicious male voice shouted.
            Tatum yelped, but she must have grabbed his pants leg. I could hear the scuffle.

"Ethan! Ethan!" I screamed. My pursuer was gaining on me when I broke out of the trees and made a dash across the open area.

The front door opened. Ethan stepped out, a shotgun in one hand.

Behind me I heard my pursuer's feet halt then turn and run the other direction as he cursed briefly.

"Ethan! Help!" I gasped.

Without hesitation, he raced down the porch steps and across the lawn toward me.

I flung myself into his arms.

With one arm he held me, with the other he held the shotgun. "Skye! Are you okay?"

Tatum raced out of the woods toward us and barked.

"Good girl! Good girl!" I said over my shoulder as she crowded close to me and whined.

I was trembling too hard and out of breath, so I simply nodded against Ethan's shoulder, his flannel robe feeling warm and comforting beneath my cheek.

A moment later, we heard an engine rev. No headlights. The van backed up hurriedly and raced out to the road, disappearing into the night.

"Who was that?" Ethan demanded.

"I don't know!" I clung to him. "I heard Tatum growl, then I heard someone coming up the stairs. I climbed out onto the roof with Tatum, and we jumped off into Mom's flower bed." I paused, catching my breath. "I ran here as fast as I could. Tatum helped slow whoever it was down. Otherwise, he would have caught me."

I shivered involuntarily.

"Let's go inside," Ethan said, turning me toward the house, his arm across my shoulders.

The lights seemed bright after my nighttime dash. I blinked and crossed my arms over my thin nightdress.

"Wait here." Ethan headed straight for his cell phone, which he'd left in his bedroom then returned to me and held me close.

"Aaron, it's me. Some man tried to kidnap Skye....Yes, she's okay now....she's at my place....Okay. I'll leave the porch light on for you. Skye's place is in complete darkness. Sure. 'Bye." He clicked the phone off, put it in his pocket, and came toward me.

"Thank God you're safe!" he said. "You're cold. Let me get you something warmer. Aaron's coming over." He released me and strode toward his bedroom, emerging shortly with one of his long flannel shirts. "Here. Put this on." He draped it over my shoulders and I slid my arms into the sleeves. It fell almost to my knees.

"You said you came through the aspens. Let me look at your arms and legs." He held me away and gave me a once over. "Okay, it looks like you have some scratches." He led me to the couch. "Sit here. I'll be right back."

I looked down at arms and legs. There were a few places where blood had risen to the surface in the long scrapes from the brush beneath the trees.

"Here. Let me take care of those scratches," he said, entering the living room with a small medical kit. He dabbed my cheek with a cotton ball soaked with medication.

I looked up at him. "Thank you, Ethan."

"Sure." His eyes met mine, a grim look on his face. "Did you see who it was?"

"No. But I did see a dark van."

Ethan's eyes met mine, startled at the implications.

Lights flashed outside as a police car pulled into the drive silently, stopping close to the house. Ethan gave a quick look at my arms and cleaned some more scratches.

"Let me see the rest of you." He opened the shirt he'd lent me. "Just what I thought." He put medicine on another cotton ball and cleansed a scratch just above my neckline. It was a bad one. He reached for a bandage and taped it to the skin. "Okay. That will do for now."

I pulled his shirt tightly around my body.

He was cleaning the worst cuts on my leg when Aaron walked in with the new deputy, Liam Webster. Aaron walked over and knelt in front of me next to Ethan.

"Are you okay, Skye?" he asked.

"Yes," I heard my voice waver. "Um, I'm mostly scared." I shivered.

Tatum whined. She couldn't reach me.

"Good girl, Tatum," I said. "It's okay."

"Tell me what happened," Aaron demanded.

Aaron took over everything in detail. When I mentioned the dark van, he stopped and exchanged glances with Ethan. "A dark van, huh. Okay. Liam and I will go over to your place and check for fingerprints inside the house. You said he came in the front door, and it sounded like he put his head outside your bedroom window, so his fingerprints might be on the sill. Unless he wore gloves. Tomorrow we'll come back to look for footprints outside." He stood and turned to Ethan, who rose next to him. "Skye should stay here tonight."

"Of course."

"Skye, I'm glad you're okay. But this is serious. I don't want you walking over to your house until we've checked and dusted the areas you mentioned. And I don't think you should be alone at your house, at night especially, until we catch this intruder."

"I have Tatum. She's the one who warned me."

Aaron shook his head. "She's not enough."

I shrugged helplessly.

"Try and get some sleep. You can figure out what to do tomorrow."

"Okay."

Ethan walked Liam and Aaron out to their car. "Thanks for coming, bro."

"Not a problem. See you in the morning."

Coming back inside the house, Ethan sat on the couch beside me and pulled me close. "I'm putting you in Aaron's old room for the night. I know you're wound up. Let me make you a cup of hot chocolate. It will help you sleep."

"Daddy?" a sleepy voice sounded. Ramie stood in the bedroom doorway rubbing his eyes.

"Ramie, Skye is here. She needs to sleep at our house tonight."

"Okay." Ramie said. He yawned and walked over to where we were sitting. "You have scratches." He looked at my legs and face. "Did Daddy fix your scratches?"

"Yes, honey."

"I need to put a few band aids on some of the cuts." Ethan released me and reached for the first aid kit. "You want to help me, Ramie?"

"Yes," Ramie's eyes lit up.

"Okay. When I take the wrappers off the band aids, I want you to hold the wrappers."

Ramie nodded importantly. "I'll help fix Skye."

Watching them bandage my wounds, I smiled and began to relax. What a team! I was still smiling as I fell asleep in Aaron's bedroom later, after having a hot cup of chocolate milk.

***

"Boss was late getting in last night," Cara said softly. "He was cursing when he came in, but I pretended to be asleep. I don't think his plans went well."

"Do you think he tried to capture another girl?" Ramona whispered.

"Yes."

The three girls moved around the kitchen as quietly as possible, trying not to wake the men. Jenny was flipping pancakes before their kidnappers staggered out into the kitchen and dropped into chairs around the table.

"What happened?" Mac asked Boss.

"She heard me and escaped to a neighbor's place." He cussed freely.

Jenny set the stack of pancakes in the center of the table. The men each grabbed a couple and began buttering it and passing the syrup around.

Ramona placed a bowl of scrambled eggs on the table and Cara added the coffee pot, then returned to the kitchen to help prepare their own breakfast, which they wouldn't eat until the men were finished and had left.

Mac took a long drink of coffee. "You gonna try again tonight?"

Boss shook his head. "No. Gotta wait until things calm down a little first."

"Maybe you should try someone else," Chet suggested.

"No. I want this one. I'll just have to wait awhile. But I'll get her." Boss stuffed a big bite of pancakes into his mouth.

Mac stared at him for a long moment, looking at a long, thin cut along his jawline. "Maybe we should head south for a few months."

Boss shook his head. "No. We'll be fine. Nobody saw me."

"You girls need to weed the garden again today. There's still a lot of weeds," Chet said. He looked over at Boss. "I'll call in sick and keep an eye on them."

"Okay." Boss glanced at his watch. "Gotta go. Don't want to be late to work."

"Me too," Mac said, rising from his chair.

When the two other men had left, Chet went out to tool shed to fetch shovels, rakes and hoes. Leaning them against the house, he went over to the burn pile and tossed a garbage bag on it. Returning to the house, he poured himself another cup of coffee and watched the girls eat.

"Soon as you're done, you'd best get busy outside."

Ramona looked up hesitantly. "It's close to Cara's time. Could she sit in the shade and let us work?"

Chet ignored the question.

After they'd washed the breakfast dishes, the three girls headed out the front door and walked toward the garden. Chet lounged in the doorway for a few minutes, then went back inside.

Ramona walked over to the burn pile with some weeds and tossed them on top. As she started to turn back, she noticed an old tire laying in the sun beside the house. It hadn't been there the last time the men had let them out into the sun. She glanced up at the house to see if Chet was watching, but she didn't see him. Walking over to the tire, she carried it back to the burn pile and put beneath some of the rubble.

Cara looked up as she returned to pull weeds. "Good idea. That should catch someone's attention when they light the pile."

Ramona nodded. "We'll have to be ready to run and hide when they do. If the fire fighters come up here, we'll be locked inside the house so they won't find us."

Jenny, who had been watching, shivered. "I hope we can get away. How much longer before they burn the pile?"

"Probably not until the pile is bigger. Maybe a couple weeks. But you'll have to be ready to run." Cara said. "That black smoke will get the fire department up here fast."

"So which way should we run?"

"Hey! Get back to work!" Chet yelled from the house.

"Take the path along the creek. Follow it down the mountain," Cara breathed. "It's your only hope. I won't be able to go with you. My baby is due any time now. Bring help. I'm counting on you."

Come Away To The Meadow

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 a rate ten times the national average per capita. 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

Come Away to the Meadow

Hi friends. I’ve struggled with how to approach the subject about which I’ll be writing. Where to begin? How much to tell? But the reality of this subject is too important to put off any longer. I’m introducing it here and will address it more in the chapter after this one.

To learn the details about what has been happening on the Crow reservation in Montana, I interviewed some of the staff at Crow Agency’s college. Emerson Bull Chief contributed a great deal of information, as did the other three men in the interview. The Sinaloa and the Jalisco cartels have established themselves on the reservation, bringing harrowing danger to the tribe—particularly to the children. But the cartels are not the only danger. Interstate 90 runs through the reservation, exposing the people to predators passing by as well. I hope that as I share in fictional form, you will gain an understanding of the dangerous realities faced by the tribe, who are mostly Christian. But more than that, I hope to show you ways you can help alleviate this danger.

May God give you insight and inspiration as you read!

Sheri Schofield

Chapter 8

I laughed softly against Ethan's chest then stepped back. “I’m glad to help, Ethan.”

“Skye, I’m a mess emotionally right now,” he said softly, looking apologetically into my eyes. “I’ve just learned Jodie died. I’ve learned I have a child, a son she didn’t tell me about. Part of me is furious about that, and part of me is so grieved about her death, and I don’t know how to manage the pain. Yet when I look at Ramie’s face, I feel overwhelmed with joy.” He shook his head.

“I can only imagine what you’re going through. I know it cannot be easy.”

“It isn’t. But I want you to know how much I appreciate you, and how you’ve helped.”

“Daddy?” a sleepy voice made us turn together toward the bedroom. Ramie stood there, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

Ethan reached him in three long steps and swept him up into his arms. “Hi there, Ramie. Have a good nap?”

“Uh-huh.” He yawned again, leaned his head against Ethan’s shoulder and wrapped an arm around his neck.

“I’ve made spaghetti for dinner. Anyone hungry?”

“Yes!” Ramie said, raising his head eagerly.

“I thought you’d like that. All my nieces and nephews like it, too.”

Ethan nodded. “Good choice, Skye. I like spaghetti. Anything I can do to help?”

“Yes. There’s a highchair in the upstairs closet by Jason’s room. It’s wood and kind of awkward for me to carry. Could you fetch it for Ramie? I think he’s a little short for the dining room chairs.”

“Sure.” Ethan turned and dashed up the stairs, returning quickly with the highchair and planted it next to the table. “Up you go, son,” he said as he lifted Ramie into it.

Once we were all seated and the food was on the table, Ethan stretched his hands out to Ramie and me and bowed his head. “Father in heaven, thank you so much for bringing Ramie to me. Thank you for the food you have provided, and which Skye has prepared for us. We are blessed beyond measure with your generosity. Amen.”

The spaghetti, salad, and whole wheat rolls slathered in rich butter and honey, with strawberries and cream for dessert, topped off our day.

When we’d finished, Ethan looked over at me, grinned, and began clearing the table. “If you wash, I’ll dry these dishes.

“Thanks.”

“Me too!” Ramie insisted.

“Okay. Let’s pull a chair over to the sink. You can stand on it and inspect the dishes while I wash them to make sure they’re clean.” I grinned at Ethan. “I like this teamwork.”

After I washed the first plate, I dipped it in the hot rinse water and showed it to Ramie. “Is this one clean?”

He nodded.

Ethan reached over and took the clean plate and dried it with one of Mom’s dishtowels with its cheerful sunflower design. I made sure there were a few dishes with a little food clinging to them before showing Ramie. He’d crow with excitement when he found the food and ordered the dish back into the wash water. By the time we were finished, we were all just a little wet and laughing together.

“I putted a punkin in the garden today,” Ramie announced, glancing up at Ethan with glowing eyes.

“You want to show me?”

“Yes.” Ramie reached out his arms and Ethan swung him up, heading toward the door.

I hung up the dishtowel and followed them out to the garden, hanging back a bit to watch their interaction. Ethan looks so happy. Thank you, Lord, for bringing Ramie to him. His broken heart will heal now.

“Time to head home,” Ethan said as the sun dipped low. He scooped Ramie up, kissed his cheek, and smiled.

The precious picture of the two of them in that moment imprinted itself on my mind forever. I know they will be fine as long as they have each other.

“Are you still okay with the meeting at your house Sunday evening?” Ethan asked, searching my face.

“Yes. I am looking forward to it.”

“Good. Can I … we … see you tomorrow?”

“Sure. Come over after breakfast around eight. Would you like to take some of the leftovers from supper home with you?”

“Thanks. We’d love to, wouldn’t we, Ramie. You like spaghetti, right?”

“Yes.” He nodded, smiling happily.

As I packed the cooled spaghetti and bread rolls, Ethan came over, Ramie on his arm. With his free arm, he pulled me close in a quick hug, a smile lighting up his face. I put the leftovers into a paper bag and turned to give it to him. “Here you go. That should help if you get hungry later. I noticed the store has plenty of cans of spaghetti, ravioli, and other noodle products.” I looked up into Ethan’s face.

His eyes studied mine for a moment. “Thank  you, Skye.” He dipped his head down and brushed my cheek with his lips.

I smiled up at him, recalling the times he used to kiss my cheek or hair when I fell down and was injured. My tears had brought a quick hug, a kiss on the cheek and comforting words. It recalled a simpler time when Ethan had been like one of my older brothers--caring, protective, kind toward the youngest child in our group.

“Me too!” Ramie demanded, holding out his arms to me.

Ethan smiled. "Okay, son." He turned to bring Ramie close to me.

I laughed, leaning toward the child. He lifted his head and kissed my cheek, then his arms came around my neck and he hugged me tight. “Bye-bye, ‘Kye.”

My heart was moved by his kiss and trusting affection so soon after my coming into his orbit.

Ethan smiled broadly. "See you tomorrow, Sky." He carried Ramie out to his jeep and set him down next to it, then turned toward my car to fetch the car seat.

I watched Ethan transfer it into his jeep and lift his son into the car. I waved as he left glad to see the happy smile on his face.

He's beginning to heal. Lord, thank you for bringing Ramie into Ethan's life. You have lifted him out of the pain he was living in.

***

"My sister's daughter, Ramona, was one of the girls who was taken," Sheriff Bold Eagle from the Crow reservation said.

It was Sunday evening and our group had gathered in my family’s living room. It was a chilly evening and Ethan had lighted a fire in the fireplace, creating a pensive mood.

"She and her friend, Jenny Little Bear, were walking home from youth group at the time.,” Bold Eagle continued. “A neighbor heard their screams and rushed to the door. He saw a dark van speeding away. The first two numbers on the plate were four-six. It doesn't match anything on our tribal computer. I believe the van was from outside the reservation. Ramona is only fifteen, and Jenny is fourteen."

"Do you have pictures of the girls?" Aaron Russell, our own sheriff, asked.

"Yes. I have a few pictures. The clearest ones are school photos. But their mothers had some which showed the girls in action. I've made copies for you." He handed a sheaf of papers to Aaron, who glanced at them and passed them out to us.

"Crow Nation follows Jesus. Ninety percent, that is. We as a people felt it was important to make our allegiance know. We have posted a sign along the highway saying, "Jesus is Lord on Crow Nation." He shook his head. "Only about ten percent of our people do not like this. They still hold to their own ways. Drug cartels operate on our land. I and my deputies are not strong enough to push them out. They also take our children, and we do not know where they are. It is a grief to us. I came to you after your new deputy, Liam Webster, stopped at my office to greet me. I told him of our struggle. He had heard of it and told me he had been praying for us."

Sheriff Bold Eagle tapped his chest and looked down. "I feel in my heart that our girls are near. I do not believe the drug cartels were involved in this kidnapping. I do not know how to explain this feeling. I am coming to you asking for prayers and for help in finding Ramona and Jenny. I believe prayers will guide us all."

Aaron cleared his throat and spoke. "Thank you for honoring us, Sheriff Bold Eagle. We will be glad to pray for you and your people as though you were our brothers and sisters. For in Christ, we are family."

Bold Eagle nodded solemnly. "As you pray, the Lord will tell you what to do. Of this I am certain. He is the God who answers prayers and gives directions."

Ethan nodded. "Yes. He will do that. God helps his own who ask."

"Let's spend some time praying for Sheriff Bold Eagle," Pastor Barrett said.

For the next half hour, we poured our hearts out to God, asking for his guidance and help in finding the missing girls from Crow Nation. By the time we had finished, I felt my heart had bonded with the Crow Nation believers and Sheriff Bold Eagle. Surely God would help us. He must!

After everyone had left, I stood alone on my porch in the twilight. I wondered about the missing girls. They were just children! Were they frightened? Where could they be? I shuddered as a wave of fear for their lives swept over me.