by Gay N. Lewis
Emily flashed her lights to bright. “These roads are a shortcut, but also darker. No streetlights out here. Does that scare you?”
Sarah waved a hand as she dismissed the idea. “No, honey. You know the way, and I trust ya.”
“I failed to ask. Where are you going in Austin?”
“I get directions mixed up. What side do your parents live on?”
“The southwest side—on the far area of Austin from here.”
“That’s where I need to be too. Since I lost my fella, I’ll look for a boyfriend closer to me. The nursing home has plenty of ’em.”
Emily nodded and wiped her mouth with a tissue as a smile teased her lips.
“Looks like a city coming up.” Sarah gestured toward the windshield. “Are we in Austin already?”
“No ma’am. That’s Waxahachie.”
“Never heard of that one. Sure is a funny name.” Sarah stared at various buildings as Emily drove through the small municipality.
“It’s an old county-seat town, but I have no idea how the name came about.”
The small city didn’t take long to drive through, and the two women resumed their trek on a dark road with one lane going in each direction.
“You’re right. Sure is black out here.” Sarah glanced out the passenger window.
“This route parallels I-35, but there’s less traffic. When we get to Waco, we’ll get on the interstate. Old Girl goes slower than the new cars, so I try to stay out of their way as much as possible.” Emily kept driving.
Sarah ventured an opinion. “Old Girl coughs a lot.”
Emily laughed. “My dad will make sure she gets a tune up. There’s a convenience store coming into view, and it’s the last one for miles. I need a pit stop. How about you?” She asked as she slowed down.
“Don’t mind if I do, dearie. Us old folks gotta go to the restroom more often than you young’uns, don’t ya know?”
Emily parked the car and waited as Sarah crept along toward the entrance. Once inside, Emily insisted that Sarah use the ladies’ room first.
As Sarah approached the washroom’s exit, she heard someone whisper her name. She turned to find a miniature Gale of the Four Winds waiting for her in midair.
“The Commander sent me to give you information. I’m set to blow a heavy winter storm to this area. Texas has never seen anything like what I’m prepared to do. People will be talking about it for years. A winter forecast has been on the news, but the prognosticators have no idea how bad it will be. They are predicting snow, but they’re in for a surprise with the blast I’m bringing them. Roads will be icy and closed. Find shelter for you and your charge.” Having whispered the news, Gale of the Four Winds disappeared.
Sarah placed hands on hips. Find shelter? Fine and dandy. How could she do that? She had no idea where she was, and no towns seemed nearby. Stars above in the galaxies. Why couldn’t the Superiors be more specific, and why hadn’t they mentioned this situation sooner?
Wandering outside the ladies’ room, Sarah motioned to Emily. “Your turn, honey.”
While Emily visited the restroom, Sarah noticed an attractive, tall man buying batteries. She tuned into the conversation between the tall man in the Stetson hat and the man behind the register.
“The weather is about to get really dangerous. Thought I’d better stock up on supplies. I may be cut off at the ranch for days.”
Sarah drew closer to the man and gave him a once over. The cowboy!
Heavenly Days! God provided in the most unusual fashion, but how could she get Emily and this dude together?
The cashier grunted. “Yeah. I’m going to close the store and get outta here myself. The roads will be too icy for travel when this thing hits. I don’t want to get caught in this store. It’d be a bummer to wait out the storm in this place.”
“You’d have food and water.”
“Yeah, but power lines will probably go down. It’s gonna get cold as kraut in the store and dark as pitch. I wanna be home.”
“Don’t blame you. Not a good night for driving, either.”
Sarah ambled to the counter. “Excuse me. Did I hear ya say a storm is moving our way?”
The customer nodded. “Should hit anytime.”
“I’m with my friend. We left Dallas and are traveling to Austin. Are there hotels nearby?”
The cashier spoke up. “Afraid not. What are you doing on the back roads? You should’ve stayed on the interstate.”
“My friend is in a hurry to get to Austin. She figured this route would be faster, plus her old car goes slower than new ones. She wanted to stay out of the way of whiz jalopies.”
“She’s right, this road is a shortcut, but you’re out in the boonies. You won’t find a hotel until you get to Waco—or you could turn around and return to Waxahachie.” Cowboy tilted his huge, black Stetson back from his forehead and smiled down at Sarah.
Sarah craned her neck as she glanced up. She made her voice wobble as an older woman might do. “Are we close to Waco?”
“You’re about an hour away from either Waco or Waxahachie, but the roads are narrow and the trenches along the road are deep both directions out here in the country. If ice comes with the blizzard, you might end up in a ditch.”
Emily rounded the corner with more snacks in her hands. “Estella, I overheard the conversation. What should we do? Should we return to Waxahachie or go on to Waco?”
Sarah gazed up again at Cowboy. “What do ya think? Ya seem to know the area.”
Cowboy lifted an eyebrow. “It’s the same distance either way. I’d go on to Waco. It’s a bigger city, and you may be stuck for several days. I’d suggest calling to make a reservation before you start in either direction. Rooms may not be available in either place.”
Emily nodded. “Good idea. I’ll look on the Internet for hotels in Waco. Excuse me.” She turned and sat down in a booth near the coffee station, removed the cell from her purse and began a search.
Sarah lifted her scrutiny to the towering cowboy. “I’ve never met a cowboy before, and I assume you are one. What do cowboys do? Ride cows?”
Cowboy grinned. “No. I’m not a bull rider. I’m a rancher. I spend time on horseback when I round up cattle around the spread. I also barrel race in the local rodeo.”
“Sounds dangerous. Has a horse ever kicked you in the head?”
Cowboy and cashier laughed.
“No, ma’am. Do I look or sound as if a horse kicked me in the head?”
Sarah gestured with her right hand. “No. No. Didn’t mean that. The thought recently came to me that a man might die that way. Truth be told, I’ve never been around horses, but I saw one from above once. The animal lifted his rear and tried to throw the rider off.”
“They do that until you break them.”
“Huh? What’s that ya say? God wouldn’t approve of you breaking a creature’s bones or other body parts. That’s not nice.”
Cowboy and cashier chuckled again.
“No, ma’am. No worries. It’s a term. A trainer begins a lengthy process when the horse is a foal. Once the colt grows confident with people, a man then mounts and rides. In a way, the horse’s fear is broken or removed—not his bones.”
Sarah placed a hand on her cheek. “Oh. pshaw! How about that? I’ve got a few fears I’d like broken. Could a horse trainer work with me?” She closed one eye. “On the other hand, the Almighty has the power to break and mold me—I just don’t allow Him to do it too often.”
Cowboy and cashier glanced at each other as if to say, “We’re talking to a real piece of work with this little granny.”
CHAPTER SIX
Sarah sighed. Why hadn’t she applied herself in Angel School? Introductory subjects had been given on human activities, but most of the information zoomed over her head. Now here she was on Earth, trying to fit in as a human and doing a poor job of it. Expressions on the men’s faces made her realize she was inept with her comments. But what she’d said was true. The Almighty
could alter fears and behavior if creatures allowed it. So why should Cowboy and Cashier grin at her as if she’d said something odd?
Emily approached with cell phone in her hand. “I found a room in a hotel in Waco and reserved it. We need to leave.” She opened her wallet and paid for the bottles of water waiting on the counter.
Cowboy spread his lips and touched his hat to Sarah and Emily. “I’ll be on my way.” He turned to the cashier. “Jeff, if I were you, I’d close the store. The wind is howling already.”
Jeff nodded. “I’m shutting down now.”
Sarah inhaled deeply. Her assignment was to get the cowboy and Emily together, but how? She glanced about looking for solutions. Old Girl! That might do it. From her vantage point in the store, she nodded at the ancient vehicle, twirled her fingers in the air, and then smiled. From this distance, she’d been able to remove a few things under the hood. She had no idea what she’d eliminated, but she knew the car couldn’t go without a few of those doohickeys.
Cowboy held the door for Emily and Sarah. “Y’all be careful.”
A blast of air blew Sarah’s dress up around her knees. “Pshaw! That wind is fierce—not good for old bones.”
“Let’s hurry.” Emily took hold of Sarah’s hand and pulled her swiftly toward Old Girl.
They buckled belts and Emily turned the key in the ignition.
RRRRRR. Nothing but a strange growling sound came from under the hood.
“Oh no! Not now, Old Girl. This isn’t the time to quit on me. We had an understanding, remember? You were going to be okay until my dad could work on you.”
RRRRRR. Old Girl made the same noise.
Cowboy tapped on Emily’s window and she rolled it down.
“Car trouble?” His voice was muffled in the wind.
“Looks that way.” Emily groaned and laid her head against the steering wheel.
“I’ll have a look.” Cowboy strode to the hood, opened it, and then shut it. He returned to Emily’s side of the car.
“You won’t be driving this car anymore tonight. Your engine belts are cracked and hanging in shreds.”
“All of them?” Emily voiced disbelief at Cowboy’s answer.
“Yes, ma’am. Afraid so.”
A watery shimmer filled Emily’s eyes. “What else can go wrong?” She lowered her lashes as tears dripped down her cheeks.
Sarah patted Emily’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, dearie. We’ll be fine.” She leaned across Emily to speak to Cowboy.
“Is there any place we can go around here? Any Good Samaritans handy?”
“I don’t know that I’m a Good Samaritan, but you two are coming home with me. I’ve got four bedrooms and two of them are empty.” Cowboy sounded firm.
Emily gazed at the man. “Oh no, we couldn’t do that. We don’t even know you.”
“My name is Josiah Kenyan. I’m a bachelor, and I take care of my grandmother. You two are safe with me.” He nodded toward Jeff, the cashier who was locking the door. “Hey, Jeff, come over here for a second.”
Jeff zipped his leather jacket. He slid across ice on the pavement as he approached the car.
“This car won’t start and these ladies need a place to stay. I’m taking them home with me. Would you vouch for me please?”
“Ladies, y’all have no choice with this storm blowing in, but I can guarantee Josiah. He’s a man of his word and well respected in these parts.”
Ice began pelting both guys as they stood beside Emily’s car.
Sarah touched Emily. “Dearie, let’s take a chance. Josiah is offering shelter, and we need it. I believe this man is a good one—not at all like our other fellas.”
Emily focused on Sarah and Sarah nodded encouragement. Emily turned to face Josiah and her eyes focused on his. “Thank you.”
“Jeff, help me get the ladies’ luggage to my truck.”
Sarah smiled as Josiah and Jeff gathered their belongings. So far, so good. The intended couple would be under the same roof, and she’d play chaperone and instigate romance at the same time.
* * *
After the men had tucked the ladies inside the cab, the threesome introduced themselves. Emily seemed shy and reluctant as she gave her name, but Josiah responded in a gentle way. He said that Emily was one of his favorite names.
“This sure is a nice truck. First time I’ve ever ridden in one.” Sarah had purposefully chosen to sit in the cab’s backseat, forcing Emily to sit in the front next to Josiah. From her position, she could see Josiah’s eyes in the rearview mirror and gauge Emily’s reaction to the conversation.
“Miss Estella, where are you from?” Josiah’s eyes sought Sarah’s in the mirror.
Sarah made a circular gesture. “Up, way up, north of here.”
Josiah lifted his brows. “You have a unique accent and an unusual way with words. You said you’d seen a horse once and you mentioned you’d watched it from above. I assume you meant in an arena of some kind.”
“Oh my, yes. Where I live we have giant arenas and get to admire all sorts of things below us.”
Emily turned her head to look at Sarah. “You live in Austin now, right?”
“Yes.”
Emily focused on Josiah. “We met in Dallas a few hours ago. Estella missed her bus and I offered to take her to Austin, but all I managed to do is get her stranded.”
Sarah waved a hand. “Oh, pshaw! I’m having the time of my life. I’ve never been stuck in a storm before. I didn’t know Texas had weather like this.”
Josiah gipped the steering wheel. “Central Texas usually doesn’t, but in other parts of the state, we can and do.”
The truck skidded sideways across a lane and Josiah righted it.
“These roads are dangerous and super-slippery. You ladies wouldn’t have made it in your car.”
“Look at all those snowy swirls. Aren’t they pretty?” Like a child, Sarah placed her nose against the glass as she spoke. Worrying about snow wasn’t on her mind. She was where God wanted her to be. Why not relax and enjoy? Most of the time, she witnessed snow from above the clouds. Seeing it below was breathtaking.
“Pretty deadly. Do we have far to go?” Emily smoothed her hair after she spoke.
“Not too much more.” He flipped a switch and turned up the heat. “Emily, why did you decide to venture to Austin tonight? You must have important business to have set off when a big snowstorm with ice was predicted.”
“I’ve been busy—didn’t know one was coming. I should have checked before leaving home. Not too bright, am I?”
“Wouldn’t say that. You were preoccupied with absorbing thoughts. All of us do that from time to time.”
Emily raised her brows but said nothing. She merely gazed straight ahead.
Sarah removed her nose from the window. “Oh sure, dearie. A lot of people get stranded in storms. Happens all the time. You can put money on it.”
Boom! A crash of thunder vibrated the truck.
Poopty doopty. They’re always reminding me. Don’t the Superiors know that’s just a term humans use? I’m not really suggesting gambling down here. I don’t know much about some of their strange idioms, but I understand their everyday jargon.
Emily shivered. “My goodness! I didn’t know thunder and lightning would occur in a snow and ice storm.”
“I reckon it’s a bit unusual, but it happens. I heard a meteorologist explain that thundersnow develops when the temperature is below freezing at ground level. The TV guy went on to scientifically explain it, but that’s about all I remember.” Josiah shrugged as if he didn’t wish to appear nerdy as he spoke.
Emily frowned. “But this storm came suddenly, and it was cold outside, but the temp didn’t drop to freezing until a few minutes ago. The ground couldn’t be frozen yet.”
Josiah nodded. “That’s true. Hard to explain, isn’t it?”
Sarah gave an inaudible sigh. Not really. Not when they had a naughty angel in the backseat. One who couldn’t remember she shouldn’t use
mortal, everyday gobbledygook—like bet, wager, or put money on it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Josiah pulled into a narrow asphalt lane. After he progressed in a safe manner for about a half mile, a magnificent house with a circular, concrete drive came into view. With the porch and yard lights blazing, Sarah could see a covered veranda built completely around the exterior. The porch would welcome rocking chair conversations—in better weather, of course.
From her position in the backseat, Sarah determined the house was large and had at least one room upstairs, but the majority of the home was on one level. Although sight conditions remained inadequate, Sarah surmised a large portion of land accompanied the house.
This cowboy must have big bucks.
“We’re home.” Josiah parked the truck on the circular drive. “I’m going to take you ladies inside, introduce you to Grandmother, and then I’ll come back to park the truck in the garage.”
Josiah unlocked the front door and the trio stepped into an amazing entry hall—more of an art gallery than a mere vestibule. Several sizes of Texas Bluebonnet paintings hung above a Queen Anne console. An archway flanked each side of the pictured area. To the right, Sarah noticed a large, traditional dining area, and to her left, she found a charming sitting room decorated in shades of blue and brown.
“This is a welcoming entry. Did ya design it?” Sarah directed her question to Josiah as she took in one wondrous sight after another. She’d been in human homes before, but this had to be one of the most magnificent.
Josiah nodded as he stood dripping on an area rug covering hardwood. “Yes, I worked with an architect but most of the ideas were mine. I had Grandmother in mind when I designed it.” He began removing boots, and then added leather jacket and hat to a pile on the floor. “There’s a closet on each side of the arches. While I check on Grandmother, y’all are welcome to hang up your coats. I’m leaving my boots and coat out. Got to move my truck in a few minutes. Excuse me, ladies.”
He disappeared through one of the archways.
