Come Away To the Meadow

The winds of Wyoming winter are blowing fiercely today in the run-up to Christmas. We’re glad we were able to visit our kids and grandkids early so we won’t be driving as Wyoming slips into winter storms. I wish you all a blessed, merry Christmas!

Sheri Schofield

Chapter 4

            By mid-May I was packed and ready to go. I quit my tutoring job. I wasn’t planning on returning to Denver. The memories were too bitter. Maybe after I’d been home for the summer I’d move to Loveland. Maybe they needed tutors. I gave up my apartment, put my furniture and household goods in storage, and headed north.

            On Friday afternoon, I turned off the highway and headed toward Chisum. The town itself held almost a thousand people, still a small town by most standards. But with the outlying ranches and the nearby towns of Wild Horse Bend and Cougar, the area warranted a medical clinic and two grade schools, and a high school.

            Our town lay in a winding valley tucked up against the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains. The hillsides along the road which led home were covered with velvety green grass and crested with golden balsam root blossoms interspersed with deep, blue-violet lupines, dandelions, and several other wildflowers. The sky was mostly blue to the east, but I could see a thunderstorm advancing from the west.

            As I drove into town, I heard the vague rumble of the coming storm. I hope I can reach home before the rain. Those storms can drop torrents of water at a time, and the creek between the ranch and town could flood quickly. I breathed a sigh of relief after crossing the bridge over the creek before the rain hit.

            The winding dirt road led to our ranch. The old log home with its high, rock foundation rose in a clearing, and I felt a rush of warmth. Home. Comfort. Freedom from the emotional pain I’d left behind me in Denver, at least for a time. Nearby spruce and aspen trees provided a natural fit with the rustic beauty if the warm brown logs and red metal roof at the end of our driveway. The honeysuckle bushes next to the house and the green leaf flowering May tree were in bloom, filling the air with sultry perfume. My homecoming was complete when I saw Dad and Mom step out of the house onto the wide covered deck as I pulled into the driveway.

            “Mom! Dad!” I called and waved through the open window. Pulling up into the parking area, I stopped the car, hopped out, and walked swiftly into their welcoming arms. “I’ve missed you so much.”

            “We’ve missed you, too, honey,” Dad rumbled in his deep voice.

            “We’re so glad you’re here. It’s good to have you home again, Skye.” Mom held me tightly for a long moment.

            “Let me get my things inside before the storm hits.” I turned and dashed back to the car. Dad helped me carry my luggage and bags into the house.

            “I made some lemonade for you.” Mom handed me a chilled glass filled nearly to the brim.

            “Thanks, Mom.”

            Lightning slashed across the sky as I took the glass. “Just in time,” I said looking out at the sudden burst of rain as thunder crashed outside, shooting nitrogen into the earth to sustain life and green up the grass and trees. The meadows needed both the nourishment and the rain.  “I would have hated to bring things inside during a storm. I glanced out the big, picture window and took a sip of the lemonade.

            We moved into the living room to catch up on recent events in our lives between rolls of thunder.

            “So tell me. What’s been happening in town since Christmas.”

            Dad shrugged. “Not a whole lot.”

            “We do have a new deputy on staff at the sheriff’s office,” Mom said. “He’s helping John Red Hawk on some cases. His name is Liam Webster, from Montana. He wants to become a detective. Since he’s native American too, John thinks Liam can help him search for the missing Crow children. He’s sure the Crow will feel more open with having a native officer helping with the search.”

            “Have more children gone missing?”

            Mom sighed. “Yes. With the drug cartels traveling through Crow nation and following back roads north through other reservations all the way to Canada, it’s likely the children are being taken for trafficking purposes.”

            “Oh, no.”

            “John said sometimes they find the children’s bones on back roads. There’s no way to know for sure what has happened to them.”

            “Doesn’t the FBI or the US Marshall help find the children?”

            Mom shook her head. “They’re too short-staffed. So’s the tribe. That’s why John is trying to help.”

            My heart ached for the missing children and their families. “How many children have gone missing recently?”

            “Three this year,” Dad said, shaking his head. “So far.”

            I had no words. The shock stunned me.

            “But let’s not leave on that note,” Mom said. “Your dad wants to show you what’s happening here on the ranch.”

            “Come along, Skye,” he rumbled. “I can show you from the deck. No point in going out into this downpour.”

            The sweet scent of rain on the earth and lawn welcomed me as Dad pointed out the various improvements and projects he had going on the ranch.

“I planted the garden yesterday, too. There’s carrots, radishes, peas, and broccoli. I’ve marked the rows in the garden. If you’d like to plant squash and tomatoes, the nursery in town has starter plants.”

            “There’s nothing better than fresh veggies. I’ll love it, Dad. I didn’t have a place for gardening in Denver. This will be great.”

            “I’ve asked Ethan to check in on you after work every day.”

            “Dad!”

            “He told me about Joe Alders. I’ll feel better if Ethan keeps an eye on you, honey.”

            I thought about Joe for a moment and nodded. “You’re right. I guess I’ll feel safer with Ethan around, too.”

            “Good.” Dad smiled and hugged me. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my girl.”

            “Doug, could you help me with our suitcases for a minute?” Mom called.

            “Coming.”

            We both turned and tackled the job of lining up the suitcases and last-minute extras on the deck, waiting for the rain to stop before putting them in the RV. Twenty minutes later, the storm had passed, and we loaded the RV.

            “Well, we should probably head out now,” Dad said reluctantly. “I’d rather stick around another day, but your grandma has plans for us out there in Kentucky.” He hugged me and climbed up into the driver’s seat.

Mom put her arms around me and whispered, “You take care of Ethan for us, Skye. We’ve been trying to cheer him up by being hospitable. He needs looking after. I don’t think he knows much about cooking, so we’ve had him over to dinner a lot. I told him to drop by when he gets off work to check on you. That’s around five.”

“Come along, Suzanne,” Dad called.

            “Have a safe trip.” I smiled and waved as they pulled out of the driveway onto the long dirt road to town. Standing on the deck, I looked around at the ranch. I felt lonely with everyone gone. But I’d manage.

            If Ethan is coming by later, I should probably bake a pie. He’ll be tired after a long day at work. I’m glad Mom has been taking care of him. Maybe he’d like to start having dinner with me, too. I’ll ask.

Opening the fridge, I checked the possibilities. There on the top shelf was a package wrapped in butcher paper containing two steaks. I looked at my watch. There’s just enough time to bake a pie if I use Mom’s canned cherries and the rolled pie crust she left wrapped in wax paper for me. I turned the oven on. Checking the cupboard, I took out two potatoes from the bag of russets. The fridge held lettuce and tomatoes. Everything I needed for dinner was there. I turned the oven on, washed the potatoes and set them on the counter for later. Pulling out the pie crust, I filled the bottom of Mom’s glass pie plate. Mixing a jar of Mom’s canned cherries with some spices and cornstarch, I poured the mixture into the shell, added the top crust, cut some slits in it, crimped the edges and slid it into the hot oven.

***

By the time Ethan’s truck pulled into the driveway, the coals in the barbecue were just right and the potatoes were staying warm in their foil wraps inside the oven, while the pie cooled on the counter.

“Hello Skye,” Ethan called, climbing down from the truck. He pulled off his white clinic coat and his tie, tossing them into the truck before closing the door. His blonde hair, no longer hidden by a cowboy hat, brushed his eyebrows in front. I liked the look.

“Hi Ethan.” I walked out to greet him. “Mom said you’d be dropping by to check on me when you’d finished at the clinic. I have baked potatoes in the oven and cherry pie cooling on the counter. I hope you’re hungry.”

“You didn’t need to do that!”

“Yes I did. Mom said you needed looking after and gave me the assignment. As long as you’re going to be checking on me every day, I’m going to meet you with supper, just like Mom did. Besides, I like the company.” I grinned up into his face and pulled him toward the house. “Mom left steak, and the coals are hot in the barbecue. You want to oversee that part of dinner while I fix the salad?”

Ethan’s eyes twinkled. “I surrender. You’re just as persuasive as Suzanne.”

“Good.”

I brought the fluffy potatoes, butter, and salad out to the deck as Ethan finished barbecuing the steaks. We sat down to a leisurely meal facing each other across the old round table. With the pleasant evening breeze  blowing over freshly washed grasslands, we caught up on each other’s lives while we ate.

“Your dad said you were home for the summer. Any chance you’ll stay longer?” Ethan asked.

“I don’t know yet. I’m going to ask Mrs. Cottrell if there’s a need for tutors. If there isn’t, I’ll check out jobs in Loveland for the fall.”

“Um. I see. I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you with the guy you were dating.”

“Don’t be. I’m not.” I paused, looking out over the pasture. “What you told me about recognizing love helped me see the truth about Dale. He was really in love with someone else. I guess that’s what I was sensing. Yes, it hurt at first, but I’m happy to be home now and far away from him.”

“Well, it’s his loss,” Ethan said. “I’m personally glad you are here, Skye. I’ve missed you. Having a good friend across the pasture will be nice.”

I grinned. “Yes. It will be nice to have a good friend here. Any of our other friends home now?”

“There’s Aaron and Annette. I don’t know if you remember Wade Martin or Sandi McCoy. They’re deputies working with Aaron now.”

“Didn’t remember Sandi graduate with your class?”

“Yes. Wade graduated a year earlier.”

“I don’t remember Annette.”

“Aaron met her at the county fair one year. She was in charge of the Wild Horse Bend 4-H girls. I guess one of the kids accidentally let a pig out, and Aaron and Annette chased it down. The way he tells it, they tackled the pig at the same time, and they’ve been together ever since.” Ethan grinned.

I laughed. “I can picture it. What a hoot!”

He shook his head. “Doesn’t sound very romantic, does it?”

I shrugged. “I guess romance comes in many disguises.”

Ethan stood. “Let me help you with dishes. If you’re up to it afterward, would you like to join me horseback riding?”

“I’d love to. I haven’t had a chance to even say hi to Rio yet.”

Come Away To The Meadow

Chapter 3

Crow Reservation

            “We saw them leave the church together,” Jay Stuart said. “It was dark, but it always is this time of year.” Jay shrugged helplessly. He was the youth pastor at the small, native church, and he felt responsible, though he could not have walked each of the youngsters home.

            Mary White Swan moaned and covered her face, swaying back and forth. Fay Little Bear sat stone-faced beside her, staring straight ahead with a blank look on her face from which all color had drained.  

            Sheriff Bold Eagle looked down at the pad of paper in his hand. “George Mac saw a dark van speeding down the lane headed for the freeway. He saw the first two numbers on the plate, four-six. It’s not much, but I’ve checked it against the license plates here, and nothing matches it. So it was someone from outside.”

            “I’ve called the family together,” Fay spoke softly. “We’ll need to pray about this and decide what to do.”

            Sheriff Bold Eagle bit his lip and held back the words. Until the family met and decided what to do, he could do little. He could contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but their resources were limited, as were his own. The tribe couldn’t afford to hire enough law enforcement to manage all their problems. They would need outside help. He thought of the young native deputy who had stopped by his office recently. Liam Webster. He was on his way to Chisum to take up a position there. Yes, maybe he would help….

Chisum

            After Jason, Chuck, Jill, and Skye left Chisum with their families, Ethan remembered every moment they had spent together. Especially the moments he had spent with Skye. She surely has grown into a real beauty. Her skin has the Scandinavian undertones, and she has that slight upward slant to her almond eyes, like Suzanne does. But her blue eyes and copper hair are  like her dad’s. His hair’s turning white at the sides now I noticed.

            Skye was always kind as a child. I’m glad to see she had retained that same gentle spirit. She’s beautiful, not just in her looks, but in her heart as well. I hope her boyfriend smartens up and realizes how fortunate he is. But from what she said, I think he’s probably self-centered. Skye needs a man who will treasure her.

            Memories of their ride up to the ridge, the confrontation with Joe Alders still bothered him. Something was wrong, but he didn’t know what. He remembered the phone call his brother had mentioned…about the youngsters on the nearby Crow reservation disappearing. Were they being trafficked? The evidence was piling up. His brother Aaron thought something unusual was happening there. The Crow were mostly Christians. But there was a small percentage who were into drugs and alcohol. Drug trafficking on the reservation was a known problem. The missing children? Maybe they were part of the same problem.

His thoughts turned back to Skye. He remembered the confidences they had shared and treasured those thoughts in his heart. The time spent with the McCann family had helped him pull out of the depression he’d been struggling with.

            After the younger generation left at the end of the week, Suzanne invited him to start coming by for dinner after work. Ethan was relieved. He hated going home alone to the house on the hill overlooking theirs, seeing the warm lights, and hurting because he had nobody with whom to share his life. He insisted on sharing the cost of food with them, though they’d protested at first. But times were difficult across the country, and he wanted to help. After a little friendly wrangling, they’d agreed to let him help some with the food.

            Sometimes he and Doug would go fishing together as spring melted the ice from the creeks and lakes. It helped to have another man to talk with. When he was alone, he often remembered the good times he’d had with his friends at Christmas. Especially with Skye. Their childhood friendship had blossomed sometime during the Christmas holiday, and he was fiercely glad, even if it hurt to think she would probably marry Dale.

***

            Two weeks after Christmas I was back at my apartment in Denver. The Christmas break had been just what I’d needed. Refreshed, I looked forward to seeing Dale again. Had he missed me? Remembering Ethan’s advice, I now knew what to look for in the relationship, and I hoped this short time apart would have increased Dale’s commitment.

            He had been away for a few days and was due to arrive at the airport Saturday evening. But at three in the afternoon, he called.

            “Hey, Skye, my flight has been delayed because of a snowstorm here. I won’t be arriving in Denver until midnight. I’ll just take a cab home from the airport. I’ll see you at church tomorrow morning. Okay?”

            “Oh, Dale. I’m sorry you’ll be late. But it’s okay. I’ll save you a seat at church.” I felt disappointed, but I understood.

            “Good. See you soon, sweetheart.”

            “Okay. Love you.”

            “Ditto.”

            Why does he always say “ditto” instead of I love you? Why must I always say it first?

            The next morning, I took extra care getting ready for church. Dale had always liked my blue sweater. He said it made my eyes look crystal blue. A navy skirt, midi length, went well with the sweater. High-heeled black boots completed my Sunday attire and gave me a little more height, a little more confidence. I was five-foot-three, a little on the short side. Since Dale liked seeing my hair down rather than up, I brushed my hair until it shined like burnished copper and left it cascading down my back in loose curls. A dash of the perfume he had given me before Christmas would please him.

            A few minutes later, I was on my way to meet him at church, eager to spend time with him.

            We’ve been dating now for almost a year. I wonder what Dale will say about Dad’s request for me to spend the summer in Wyoming. Will he be okay with it? There he is. Waiting for me at the edge of the parking lot. His face just lit up. He’s headed my way. Oh, I’ve missed him so much!

            Dale came toward me with confident steps, hugged me close to his heart, and gave me a quick kiss. “That’s a taste of things to come,” he teased. “Let me take you to lunch after church and we can catch up.”

            “Sure. Sounds good. I’ve missed  you, too.”

            His hand dropped to the small of my back. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s cold out here.” He ushered me into the building to our usual seats.

            As he removed his coat and turned to help me with mine, he froze.

            I looked up, wondering what had stopped him. His eyes were fastened on someone behind me. I turned to look.

            It’s Sandra Lehman, his old girlfriend. She broke up with him just weeks before Dale started dating me. He said it was over. But from the look on his face, I don’t think it is. Look at him. His face is flushed, his eyes are bright. He’s totally forgotten me.

            Sandra glanced at me, tossed her short golden hair, and looked away.

            My heart sank. All through the service, I felt Dale’s tension and excitement. After the benediction he excused himself and made a beeline for Sandra. The look on his face told me everything.

            This is the woman on whom the sun rises and sets in his heart. Not me. It’s over for Dale and me. We’re finished. No matter what he says, I know the truth now.

            Trying to hold back my tears, I made my way back to my car and drove home, where I spent the afternoon crying. The phone did not ring. Dale did not come over to explain. It was as though we had never been in love. At least he hadn’t. My own heart was broken, for I loved him and knew it was hopeless.

            I didn’t see or hear from Dale afterward. He ghosted me. It was as if we had never even met. I cried often in the days ahead.

            I threw out the perfume he had given me, along with every other gift, photo, and reminder of him. But everywhere I went in town, I saw his face in my mind. The restaurants where we’d dined. The mountains we’d climbed together. The parks where we’d walked hand in hand. All were reminders of the illusion of love Dale had created.

            I will never trust another man. All they leave me with is broken promises and a crushed heart.

            Three weeks later, I called Dad. “I’ll come home for the summer, Dad. It will be a pleasure to ride horses and move the cattle around. I need the break.”

            “Is Dale okay with you being gone so long?”

            “Dad, it’s over. I’m coming home and moving on.”

            “I’m sorry, Skye.” I could hear the compassion in his voice. “Are you going to be okay?”

            “Yes. I’ll be fine. I’m going to focus on spending time with friends in Chisum.”

            “I’m sure you’ll enjoy reconnecting, honey. You’re overdue for a break from the city. Rio will love having you home again, too.”

            “Oh, Dad, I have missed Rio. We’ll have a good time together.” Rio was a pal I could count on.

            “Cecilia Cottrell said there’s a need for tutors in Chisum, if you decide to stick around.”

            “Is she still running the library?” I asked.

            “You bet. Age hasn’t slowed her down in the least. I’m sure she’ll be happy to fill you in on just about anything you need to know. Her brain is encyclopedic. When will you be home?”

Come Away To The Meadow Chapter 2

            “I’m probably being stupid, but I keep wondering whether Dale is serious about me or not. I suppose I shouldn’t worry about that, but …”

            Ethan stopped and motioned me to ride up beside him. “What is he doing to make you wonder?” He searched my eyes.

            “I’m not sure.” I shrugged. “It’s probably just me. But whenever we’re in a crowd, he seems to forget I’m there. He talks to everyone else in the room. He’s outgoing and he’s usually the center of attention, which drew me to him in the first place. We’ve been dating about a year now. When we’re alone, he talks about our future together, but he hasn’t asked me to marry him yet. I just don’t know if he’s a stayer.” I used a western word for horses which do not wander off when the rider dismounts. A stayer won’t leave its owner stranded. The same goes for a faithful partner. If Dale was a stayer, he wouldn’t leave me emotionally stranded, like Jodie had done with Ethan.

            “I see.” Ethan thought about it for a moment. “Skye, if you have any doubts, trust your gut. Don’t commit to him until you are sure he loves you. It sounds to me like he’s one of those outgoing leader types. Many times, leaders are so focused on their goals, they forget about the needs of those around them. But regardless of his personality, unless he thinks the sun rises and sets on you, he’s not the man you should be waiting for.”

            “Oh. You mean real love is like that?”

            “Yes. Unless he reaches that point, keep him at arm’s length. He may simply need more time to fall in love. Right now, he may be in love with the idea of being in love, which is different.”

            I could hear the pain in his voice. He had loved Jodie like that. “Thanks, Ethan.”

            He reached out and touched my shoulder. “Anytime, Blue Eyes.” He smiled, a dimple showing in his cheek.

            Blue Eyes. He used to call me that when I was a kid. I smiled at the memory. Growing up, I was the youngest of the kids on our two ranches. Chuck and Aaron were the oldest. They always wanted to play games involving teams. When I was five, I wanted to play, too. Chuck said I was too young. He said I’d get hurt because the games were too rough for me.

            But Ethan spoke up. “She can be on our team. I’ll look after her.” And he did. He was five years older than me, but he was never too busy to watch out for me.

            One day when we were racing through the aspen grove in one of our games, I tripped and fell, skinning my knee. I must have cried out because Ethan turned and came back to help me. Kneeing in the grass and leaves, he examined my knee.

            “It’s not bleeding. Does it hurt?”

            “Yes,” I said, choking back tears and trying to be brave. But I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

            “Don’t cry, Blue Eyes,” he said hugging me close and kissing my cheek.

            “Why do you call me that?”

            “Because your eyes are the bluest ones I’ve ever seen.”

            From then on, whenever he felt I needed encouragement, Ethan would call me Blue Eyes. I liked the way he always smiled when he used the nickname. The closeness I felt with him now made me smile too.

            When we reached the gate to the M-bar, Ethan opened it for me then fastened it after I went through.

            “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Skye. Thanks for asking me over.”

            “I’m glad you can come. See you.”

***

            Ethan watched Skye ride across the snowy pasture, making sure she reached her home safely. Checking his watch, he decided now was probably an okay time to call his brother. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he hit Aaron’s number.

            “Hey, Ethan. What’s up?”

            “I was riding up to the ridge a little while ago and came across Joe Alders bothering Skye. She’s home for Christmas. He was drunk. He was crowding her with his horse and trying to plant a kiss on her. I told him to leave. He argued with me, but he did go. He probably didn’t think he’d get caught making a move on Skye. I hate to think of what would have happened if I hadn’t been there. I thought you should know.”

            “Thanks for telling me. I’ll make a point to talk with him when I get back and warn him against bothering ladies. I’ll let him know I’m going to keep him in mind if I hear of anymore problems like that.”

            ”Good,” Ethan said. “How’s it going?

            “We’re having fun. The kids love the ski slopes. We’ve built a few snowmen, too. What about you? Are you taking a break for Christmas?”

            “No more than usual. People get sick on holidays too. But I’m going over to the McCann’s place tomorrow. Skye said her brothers are playing Kings & Nations and could use another player.”

            “I’m glad to hear that. Enjoy yourself, Ethan.”

            “Thanks. You too. Bye.”

***

            “What time will Ethan be here?” Mom asked, slipping another pie into the oven on Christmas morning.

            “I told him to come around nine for breakfast, just to be sure we’re all up. You know Chuck.”

            Mom laughed. “Yes indeed.” She straightened up. “I’m glad you’ve invited Ethan to join us. He needs his friends right now.”

            “He told me about Jodie,” I said, remembering the pain in his eyes.

            Mom nodded. “Good. He hasn’t said a word about it to anyone since he’s been back home. I’m glad he told you.”

            “Me too. But I’m not saying a word to anyone else. That’s up to him. It’s his grief.”

            “Yes.” Mom stirred the bacon sizzling on the stove. “You want to make some scrambled eggs for the three of us who are awake?”

            “Sure.” I glanced at the clock. It was only seven-thirty. “What are we doing for the kids? You know they’ll wake up soon.”

            Mom nodded toward the toaster. “I have some toaster waffles for them.”

            I smiled. Mom always had the meals under control, even though we all arose at different times now.

            Around nine, Chuck wandered downstairs yawning widely just as Ethan’s knock sounded at the front door. Chuck let him in.

            “Hey, pal. Come in and have breakfast with me.”

            “Breakfast sounds great. Thanks.”

            “Sure.”

            Food, games, laughter, and storytelling filled our morning. After lunch, the men saddled up and rode into the hills in the fresh air while Jill, Tammy, and I helped Mom in the kitchen, preparing ahead for lunch. We usually ate supper at four-thirty on Christmas Eve, giving everyone time to put in some exercise afterward before the winter dusk turned to night.

            “The turkey looks store-bought this year,” Jill commented.

            “It is,” Mom assured him. “We splurged.”

            “Nice.”

            Chisum was blessed with an abundance of wild turkeys wandering around town and through the meadows this year. I think we had three separate flocks. We even had signs along the street to accommodate them. “Caution: Turkey Crossing.” Sometimes we’d see entire trees, bare of leaves, but filled with perching gobblers. Unlike domestic turkeys, the wild ones can fly. At first glance, they looked like vultures. With store prices being so high this year, some local families fell back on wild turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, so the flocks weren’t as large now.

            “I’m glad you went with store-bought. Those wild turkeys are tough birds,” Tammy said.

            That evening after supper, Jason stretched and looked around the table. “How about a snowball fight before dark?”

            “I could use the exercise,” Chuck said.

            “Me too,” several of us echoed.

            “Let’s do it.”

            “Can I be in the snowball fight?” Max begged.

            “He’s too little,” Tammy protested.

            “He’s big enough. He’s five,” I said in his defense, remembering how I hated to be left out at that age.

            “Okay. Max is on my team if his mama permits,” Ethan said, seconding me.

            Tammy looked doubtfully at her little boy, then at the tall men around the table. “Are you sure?”

            “I’ll look out for him,” Ethan said. “I used to watch out for Skye when she was five.”

            We donned our snow gear and headed for the field we’d always used for snow fights. Tammy stayed in the house to care for two-year-old Callie and to help Mom and Jill clean up. Linking arms with Ethan and holding hands with Max, I looked forward to the snow battle. Chuck was on our team, since Jason and Mel said Max handicapped us. They were too nice to add me to their handicap comment, but I knew they were thinking it. I was determined to prove them wrong.

            “You ready for this?” Ethan asked me, pulling on his beanie and gloves and grinning like he did as a kid.

            “You bet. This is just like old times.”

Each team built a snow fort before the first snowball sailed through the air, and the fight was on. Within minutes, we were laughing and shouting, squealing when snow slithered down our necks.

An hour later, Jason yelled, “Pax! We give up!”

I fell back into the snow laughing. It was a good game. Ethan landed next to me, spread-eagled in the snow. Chuck and Max wrestled together for a few minutes while Jason and Mel walked over and plopped down next to us.

“Well, that was exhausting,” Mel said. “I’m going to be sore tomorrow. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good snowball fight.”

“Me too,” Jason said with a nod.

“Daddy,” Max said, abandoning Chuck and kneeling next to Jason, “let’s do it some more!”

“The eternal energy of youth.” Chuck shook his head.

Dad rang the farmhouse bell to call us in. Just like when we were kids.

Ethan stood and reached down to haul me to my feet. “Come on, Blue Eyes. Let’s go.” His eyes met mine in merry pleasure.

“Who won?” Max demanded as we tromped back to the house.

“”We all did,” Ethan said, draping an arm over my shoulder like when we were kids and putting a hand on Max’s shoulder.

“What do you mean?” Max demanded. “We fought best.”

“Did you see a referee out there anywhere?”

“No,” Max grudgingly admitted.

“Well, that’s so we could just have fun and not keep score.”

“Okay.” Max didn’t look convinced.

“But if you want to tell Grandpa that you won, you can,” Jason pitched in.

“Great! Yay! We won!” Max shouted.

The rest of us laughed.

“I’ll bet there’s hot apple cider in the kitchen,” Jason commented.

And there was.

Jason invited Ethan to spend Christmas and the next two evenings that week with our family while we were all home. Three days later, as everyone headed home but me, I also urged Ethan to spend his evening hours at our home until I left for Denver. He needed cheering up, I thought.

***

Crow Reservation, Montana:

            “There’s a van following us, Ramona!” Jenny said, glancing over her shoulder again.

            Ramona White Swan and Jenny Little Bear were walking home from youth group at church. It was winter and the sun had already set. Nervously, they began to walk faster.

            “The van’s gaining on us!” Ramona said, fear growing in her heart. “We’d better run to the nearest house…now!”

            The two girls dashed toward the nearest house, but the van pulled up behind them and two men jumped out. Their long legs quickly closed the distance. They grabbed the girls, who both screamed, and capped their hands over their mouths. Both girls kicked and struggled, but the men were too strong. Within seconds they had the girls inside the van.

            “Put a gag on them,” growled the man holding onto Jenny.

            The driver of the van climbed in back and helped gag the girls, then roughly tied their hands and feet.

            Ramona tried to scream. The man who had gagged her slapped her hard across the face.

            “Shut up, kid, or I’ll kill you.” His eyes burned into Ramona’s. “Don’t think I won’t. I’ve killed before.”

            Ramona, petrified with fear, moved away from him as far as she could. But she didn’t scream again.

            “Good,” the man said. “Now just keep your trap shut.”

            Ramona moved as close as she could to Jenny.

            The van moved out of their neighborhood and headed to the freeway. The two Crow girls had now disappeared from the reservation. Who would help them?

Come Away To The Meadow, Chapter One

Hi Friends. It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I’m back now. I’m sharing with you the chapters of a book I’m working on which is not yet published. It’s a modern western which tells of current struggles faced by people in Wyoming as well as southern Montana. In preparing this book, I interviewed several faculty members at the Crow college at Crow Agency to learn more about the native American issues which will be featured as part of this book. I also researched a town near but outside of the reservation in order to keep the story real to life. I will be sharing the entire story with you. I hope you will enjoy it.

Sheri Schofield

COME AWAY TO THE MEADOW

By Sheri Schofield

Chapter 1

            Sometimes life throws us a curve when we least expect it. I didn’t see this one coming.

Our future seemed to be set. The night before we parted for Christmas with our families, my boyfriend, Dale, had said, “Skye McCann, you know I love you, don’t you?
            “Um. Yes.” I lifted my face to receive his kiss. “I love you, too, Dale Paulson.”

“Then dream of me while I’m away, and I will dream of you.”

I thought I knew just what would happen. We’d talked it over—in theory—when we were daydreaming together. Dale and I would marry, we’d buy a small house, we’d both keep working until the kids came, then I’d work part-time as a tutor while he continued building his carrier. Safe. Predictable. Satisfying.

One should never take anything for granted.

            The first hint of a curve hit me gently at Christmas break. At first, I didn’t recognize magnitude of the changes headed my way. It seemed innocent enough. Nothing dramatic.

Was I ever wrong.

I left Denver and headed back to my family’s Wyoming ranch for two weeks, since school was out, and nobody needed a tutor. My second day home, Dad and I went for a walk while my sister Jill, and Tammy, my sister-in-law, helped Mom with the baking.

            Snow covered the ground nearly a foot deep in the pasture, but along the creek, which was lined with trees, the walking was easier.

            “Skye, I need a favor.”

            “Sure, Dad. What is it?”

            “Well, it’s kind of a big ask. You see, your mother wants to spend the summer with her people in Kentucky. We’re planning to go east come the end of May. We won’t be back until the end of August. I’m wondering if you might consider coming home for the summer and looking after the ranch for us.”

            I looked out over the fields of snow stretching out toward the snowcapped mountains rising behind our fields in Chisum, Wyoming. Our ranch, the M-Bar—locals called it the Ember—was six-hundred-twenty acres. Dad and Mom raised black angus cattle—a hornless variety of cattle—and a handful of horses. Our neighbors, the Russell family, raised red angus—also hornless—so we could easily detect escapees which might want to go through the fences. I had always loved the ranch, but life had taken me to Denver for work and socializing. There wasn’t much for a young single person in Chisum.

            I walked alongside Dad, my breath rising in steamy puffs. The wind blew my copper curls across my face. Reaching up to capture the strands and tuck them back into my coat, I sighed. “Dad, I agree Mom deserves a break from the ranch. I’m just not sure if I can get away that long.”

            “I understand, honey. But think it over, okay? If we go back east it will mean I’ll either have to hire someone to carry on here at the ranch, or one of you kids will need to take over. I’ve talked with Jason, Chuck, and Jill already. Jason has a big lawsuit scheduled for mid-July. Chuck is spending six weeks of the summer on a mission trip with a team from his church, and Jill’s delivery date is late June. If you can’t come, I’ll need to hire Jerry Greyson.”

            “How soon do you need to know?”

            “End of March.”

            “Okay. Let me talk with Dale.” I sighed. “I’d love to come home for the summer, Dad. But with Dale—well, things are starting to get serious. I don’t know how he’d feel if I left Denver for that long. Let me think about it for a few weeks, okay?”

            Dad nodded. “Okay. I’m good with that. If you could let me know by March? I’d need to ask Jerry for help by then if you can’t be here.” He looked over at me and smiled. “So Dale and you are thinking about marriage?”

            I nodded. “Yes. But he hasn’t said it is so many words yet.” My thoughts went back to that last evening we’d had together before Christmas break. Dale’s eyes meeting mine. His lips on my lips as we parted for the holiday. His words about our future together. But I still wasn’t sure. Something seemed to be missing. I didn’t feel completely secure in our relationship.

            Dale was witty, the life of the party. He was masterful. His smile lit up a room when he walked in. So why was I still uncertain about him? I knew I was ready to commit. But was he?

            “Hm,” Dad said. “If you’re sure about Dale, then I’m happy for you, Skye. Keep me posted.”

            “I will.”

            The creek trail led past the pasture where the horses were kept. Dad had spread hay over the snow that morning. He’d built a shed near the fence line to shield the horses from the wind on cold days. But the sun was peeking through the clouds in places and there was very little wind.

            My horse, Rio, began walking toward us. The other horses lifted their heads and began ambling in our direction.

            “Hi, Rio,” I said, stroking his cheeks. “How ya doin’, buddy?” I climbed to the top of the rail fence and rubbed between the dapple-gray gelding’s ears and laid my cheek against his, breathing in his sweet, familiar scent.

            He blew softly in recognition.

             I’d raised Rio from a colt. I missed him in the city. It would be nice to come home for the summer to spend some time riding him through my favorite beauty spots in the mountains behind the pasture. But it wasn’t likely I could get away. Not with Dale hinting at a future together.

            I sighed.

            Dad was smiling. “You know, Skye, you’d have a blast here with Rio if you could get away for the summer.”

            “Yes. I know. But—” I shrugged.

            “Why don’t you take him for a ride?”

            “But Mom may need me to help with dinner,” I protested weakly.

            “There isn’t much room for all you girls in the kitchen. Go ahead. Enjoy yourself.”

            I smiled into Dad’s seamed face and twinkling eyes. “Okay.” Turning to my horse, I reached out my hand. “Come here, Rio.” I slid onto his back as he came alongside the fence. Holding onto his mane, I nudged his sides with my feet. “Home, Rio.”

            He headed for the barn.

            Fifteen minutes later, I had saddled Rio and was headed across the field toward the mountains, riding toward the trail upward.

            If only I could come home for even a summer. I wish it were possible, but I love Dale, and if I were to come home, maybe he would find someone else.

            That was my secret fear. Was it my own insecurities speaking? Or was it something else?

            The sound of the steady crunch of snow brought me out of my distracted thoughts. I turned to see who was coming my way. Oh no. Not Joe Alders, the Lothario from high school days.

            “Hello beautiful.” His eyes raked over my figure. He moved closer, blocking my way back to the ranch and guiding his horse close to mine. “How nice to see you’ve come back to me. How about a little kiss?” His eyes mocked me as his arm shot out to draw me toward him.

            I jerked back and tried to steer Rio around him. But Joe grabbed Rio’s halter, stopping my escape.

            “Get away from me, Joe Alders!” I hit at him.

            He laughed and caught my hand. “Aw, come on, Skye.” He pulled me toward him again and I smelled whisky on his breath.

            “Let me go!”

            He just laughed.

            “Joe, I don’t think the lady wants your attention.” It was Ethan Russell, our neighbor. He nudged his horse forward, forcing Joe’s horse to step away.

            “Thanks, Ethan,” I said, glancing over my shoulder. I guided Rio quickly away from Joe and moved back behind my friend from childhood.

            Joe swore. “Why’d you have to come along?”

            “Get out of here. If I ever see you on my property again, I’ll have you charged with trespassing.”

            “Aw, ya gonna call your own personal law enforcement, huh?” Joe taunted.

            “If I have to.”

            Swearing, Joe turned his horse and headed back toward town.

            We watched him ride away. He turned back once but kept going when he saw we were watching him.

            Still watching Joe’s retreating figure, Ethan said, “It’s nice to have you back home for a while, Skye.”

            “It’s good to see you, too, Ethan. Thanks for rescuing me.”

            “No problem. I was glad to be there when you needed help. I’m going to give Aaron a call when I’m back at the house and let him know, if you don’t mind.”

“Thank you. I’ll feel a lot better if Aaron knows what happened.”

Looking over at me, Ethan lifted his chin toward the trail. “Were you headed up to the ridge?”

“Yes. I thought I’d take a look at the valley from up there.”

            “I was headed that way myself. Mind if I tag along?”

            “That would be great. You lead.” I’ll feel safer with Ethan along. He’s always been a good friend.

            Ethan moved up the trail. His hair was a little longer than when he’d been a kid. Back then, his dad gave Ethan and Aaron buzz cuts, as most local parents did with their sons back then. Now light blonde hair touched his collar in back and brushed across the top of his ears. The rest of his hair was covered by a cowboy hat, as usual.

            I followed silently, still shaken from the encounter with Joe Alders. He’d always been forward, even back in high school. I’d avoided him whenever possible. But I never thought he’d come over to our part of the valley.

            “Joe’s been up here,” Ethan said over his shoulder.

            Looking down at the snow, I saw a single line of horse tracks besides our own. Had he come through the pass? If so, why?

            “Isn’t this a long way from home for him?”

            “I don’t know. Aaron said Joe has his own place back up in the mountains somewhere. There might be a side trail off this one.”

            “Aaron’s sheriff now, isn’t he?” Aaron was Ethan’s older brother.

            “Yes. He was promoted six months ago.”

            “Where’s Jade living now?” Jade, his sister, was a couple years older than me. We’d been good friends during childhood.

            “Jade’s married. Her husband’s name is Mark Sorenson. They’re living in Plano, Texas. They have two kids. Mom moved down there soon after I came home. The ranch was getting to be too much work for her. Since I was here, she felt okay about moving. She wanted to be near the youngsters. Jade and Mark, too. Mom babysits the grandkids in the afternoon so Jade can work at Mark’s office. He has a small repair business. She takes calls, does filing, and keeps the books for him part-time.”

            “I heard about your dad’s passing a couple years ago. I’m sorry for your loss.”

            Ethan nodded. “Thanks, Skye. Yes, it was a blow to all of us. I still expect to hear his voice around the ranch. And with Mom in Texas, the house feels deserted.”

            “You’re living in that big house all alone.”

            “It isn’t haunted or anything.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

            I laughed.

            A few minutes later, we topped the ridge overlooking the valley. Smoke rose from the chimneys in town. A few cars crept slowly down the winding roads as befitted a small town.

            “Is that a new housing development?” I pointed toward a group of houses without trees on the far side of town.

            “Yes. There are several new developments in the area now. That’s why I can afford to set up shop in Chisum. We serve three towns and some rural subdivisions.”

            “You’re a doctor I hear.” I looked at him curiously.

            “Yes. I’m in family practice now.” He seemed to clench his jaw for a moment and his dark-blonde eyebrows came together in a frown. Then he relaxed. “What about you, Skye? You were studying to be a teacher last I heard.”

            “Um. Yes. I decided to tutor instead of teaching classes. I prefer helping individual students over trying to keep a classroom in order.”

            Ethan looked at me curiously. “And personally?”

            “There’s Dale,” I said, smiling. “We’re talking about getting married.”

            He nodded. “I wish you well, Skye.”

            “And what about you?”

            He looked across the valley for a long moment and I wasn’t sure he would answer. Finally, he spoke.

            “I was married during medical school. Her name’s Jodie. I was crazy in love with her. But she couldn’t take the long hours I had to put into studies. Then I was faced with three years of family practice residency, which were also busy. When I was about half-way through my second year of residency, I came home one day to find divorce papers on the table and a note telling me she’d had enough. She was going home to live with her mother. I haven’t heard from her since the divorce.”

            “I’m so sorry, Ethan,” I said softly. “I didn’t know.” If Jodie left half-way through his residency, she would have left around Christmas. What a painful stain on the holiday for him.

            “That’s okay.” He shook his head. “Mom and Dad didn’t talk about it. Or if they did, they asked for confidentiality. My mom probably told yours, since they were such good friends. But your mom wouldn’t have said anything. Anyway, I’m on my own again, and when I came back to Chisum to practice, I didn’t mention it to anyone here, either.”

            “It’s no one’s business but yours.” I paused, feeling pain emanating from my childhood friend. “I heard you took over for Doctor Bill at the clinic.”

            “Yes. He wanted to retire. But if I need some time off, he’s happy to fill in.”

            We sat in silence, looking out over the valley. An eagle flew below the ridge, hunting for its dinner no doubt. Two does and their fawns walked across the hill below us, alert for danger.

            “It’s good to be home,” I murmured half to myself.

            He nodded. “It is.”

            “Are you celebrating Christmas with Aaron and his family?”

            “No. Aaron and Annette have left to spend Christmas with her sister Lori’s family. They live in Casper, but they rented a cabin up at Saratoga so they could go skiing and play in the snow over the holiday.”

            I thought again of how alone and sad he must feel on the anniversary of Jodie’s leaving him. “Why don’t you come over to our place tomorrow for Christmas Eve? We’d love to have you. I know the guys will be playing board games and cards after breakfast while we girls make pies. You’re welcome to come. It would be like old times.”

            Ethan turned and searched my face, his green eyes meeting mine for a long moment. “Thank you, Skye. I would like that very much.”

            “Good. Come over around nine for breakfast, then hang out with us. I’m sure we’ll all be out of bed by then. Even Chuck.”

            He laughed. “Yes. Chuck always did like to sleep late.” He turned his horse. “Let’s head back. The wind’s picking up.”

            We turned and headed homeward, Ethan in the lead.

            “Ethan?”

            “Yes?”

            “Do you think I’m the insecure type?”

            He looked back over his shoulder at me. “What on earth are you talking about? Even as a kid you were always right out in front, ready to go along with everything we older kids were doing. Why do you ask?”