by Gay N. Lewis
“That’s a strange combination. A dog who is a mother hen. Is that another one of those oxymorons?”
Josiah’s shoulders twitched and then he turned to face Sarah “No, it’s just another figure of speech. Old Shep is an Australian sheep herding breed and Tuesday is a border collie. Both are trained to herd cattle, and they do it well.”
“I like that. Reminds me of a Scripture. Jesus once said He’d like to gather the children of Jerusalem and hide them under His wings like a hen gathers her chicks.”
Edie’s lifted her chin in an unreadable expression and smiled at Sarah as though she knew a secret.
Hmmm. Why did she look at me that way? She often gives me a peculiar, scrutinizing look. Does she not like talk about God? What’s her deal, anyway? I think she likes me. Maybe she can’t figure me out. I goof up a lot with what I say.
Sarah decided it might be best to ask a safe question. “Why did you name your dog Tuesday?”
Edie removed the muffins from the oven. “We got her on a Tuesday, couldn’t think of a name, so that one stuck.”
Appearing in the doorway, Emily looked stunning in jeans and a red sweater. She’d swept her brunette hair into a ponytail and wore only a hint of mascara and lip gloss. Even without an abundance of makeup, the woman would knock the socks off a guy.
“Morning, everyone.” Emily produced a megawatt smile. “I called my parents this morning. They extend their gratitude for your hospitality toward us. They said some roads in Austin are passable and others aren’t.”
“We’re glad you’re here and you’re just in time. Please sit down. I promised a Texas breakfast, remember?” Josiah delivered eggs, sausage, gravy and biscuits to the table. Edie added the blueberry muffins.
After everyone was seated, Josiah bowed his head and the others followed suit.
“Lord, thank You for protection from the storm. I appreciate the generator we have and the food we’re about to eat. We thank You in advance for the answers you’ll give us today as we go about business, and don’t let us forget You as we do it. Amen.”
Sarah glanced at Emily and cocked an eyebrow.
Emily answered the unspoken thought with a slight nod. Both realized the truth in Sarah’s earlier statement. Josiah was a spiritual man.
“Josiah, you’re a right good cook.” Sarah buttered a biscuit. “Chef Andrew is the only one I know who does as well.”
Josiah swallowed a bite of eggs. “Who’s Chef Andrew?”
Oops. Poopty doopty! Now why did I mention the chief cook in The Heavenlies?
“He prepares food for a lot of people, me included.”
“At the nursing home?” Emily picked up a mug of coffee.
Josiah widened his eyes. “You live in a convalescent center? And they let you out? In this weather? I didn’t think a resident could come and go at will without supervision in those places.”
“Oh, pshaw! I don’t live there. Just visit a lot of friends.”
Emily grinned and her eyes glinted with mischief. “Estella likes to meet new boyfriends in those homes.”
Josiah choked and covered his mouth with a napkin. Edie merely laughed out loud.
Emily guffawed too. “I love teasing her. She told me earlier that she changes beaus as often as underwear.”
Sarah hoped her face didn’t show dismay. Good grief! Would she ever get through this assignment without a lot of whoppers and embarrassing goof ups? Might as well throw in another tidbit—for what it was worth.
“I say if ya get a bad apple, throw it away and get a better one. Don’t miss an opportunity. A new man is kinda like a pair of new undies. The brand-new drawers come without holes and they look and smell nice. They’re comfortable and do an excellent job of shielding important body parts. A good man is the same. Ya gotta find one that fits your faith, lifestyle, and beliefs. One who is balanced with no gaping holes in his character. One who’ll defend and protect. Ya never know who God has for ya until ya check him out to see if he fits.”
“Sounds like good advice to me.” Edie turned to gaze at Josiah as she spoke.
* * *
Josiah began picking up dishes to take to the sink. His grandmother waved her hand.
“No. No, I’ll tidy up the kitchen. You do what you need to do.”
Emily rose from the table. “I’ll rinse these dishes for the dishwasher.”
“I’ll help ya, dearie.” Sarah arose too.
“I’d appreciate it. Grandmother should take a breather.” Josiah kissed his grandmother’s cheek, then donned his jacket and Stetson. He nodded to Sarah and Emily and headed for the door. “Y’all stay warm.” He lowered his head as he stepped outside into a frigid wind.
Edie rubbed her chest. “Thanks, ladies. If you don’t mind doing dishes, I’ll lay down for a bit. The doctor insists on my resting whether I want to or not.”
Edie made her way from the kitchen while Sarah and Emily began the clean-up process.
“Josiah is a good cook and a hard worker too, don’t ya think?” Sarah asked her question as she brought mugs to the dishwasher.
“Yes, he is.” Emily paused as she sprayed a plate. “I liked the way he asked God’s blessing on the food as well as our day’s activities.”
“Me too.” Sarah handed Emily the knives and forks.
“I wonder why he isn’t married. Do you suppose he once was and is divorced?” Emily glanced out the window as she soaked the silverware in water. Josiah was leading a saddled horse from the barn.
“I don’t know if he’s ever had a wife, but I’m guessing he hasn’t. He must’ve come close to a wedding in the past, but God prevented it—he’s too good looking and wealthy not to have had a close call. Probably a lot of young women set a cap for him, but he was too smart to be captured. I have a feeling he avoided some sort of wedding catastrophe, and don’t forget, his parents died when he was young. He’s seen his share of hardship.”
Emily turned to face Sarah and propped her hip against the sink. “Why do you suppose God prevents some disasters and not others?”
“I wish I knew the answers for ya, but no one can fathom the mysteries of God. Have ya ever read the book of Job?”
“Part of it. I hate to admit it, but that account in the Bible is sad and oppressive, so I never finished it.”
Sarah nodded. “How do you think Job felt? Poor guy—he lost everything—kids, wealth, health—even his friends. Lost all except for a complaining wife—and she dealt him wretchedness too. Yep, miserable and troubled are two words that fit old Job, but at the end of the book, God asks His servant a few questions.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, stuff like, where were you when I formed the earth? Do you know how I flung the stars in place and did ya hear the angels sing when they saw it? Or how about this one. Job, do the lightning bolts report to ya?” Sarah shook her silvery head. “He knows about all creatures in every place—heaven or earth. Sometimes, He intervenes, and other times, He lets us creatures do garbage to hurt ourselves.”
Sarah raised her hands and embraced Emily’s face between her palms. “One thing I know for sure is this. He loves each of us and allows all things for our ultimate good. Maybe one day He’ll reveal the mysteries, or maybe not, but we must trust Him with the entire ambiguities of life. Just remember this. At the moment you’re down to nothing, so God must be up to something special for ya.” She dropped her hands from Emily’s face and grinned. “Now, dearie, if I were you, I’d be thanking Him for that restraining order and an ice storm. Without those two things, ya wouldn’t know that fine young man out there.” She gestured to the window.
Emily hugged Sarah. “Estella, you are truly a godsend.”
“Thank ya, honey. Ya got that one right.”
Emily giggled and released her.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“I’m going to see if I can help Josiah. Want to come?” Emily asked her question as she finished wiping counter tops.
“No, no. You go on. It’s too cold o
ut there for my bones. I’ll sit here and have another cup of coffee.”
Emily donned her coat, gloves and boots and returned to the kitchen. “Is he still out there?”
“He rode off on that huge horse, but he’s back. I know he’d welcome some company. Go on, now, and have fun. Ya deserve it.”
Sarah watched as Emily approached Josiah. She twirled her fingers in the air to hear their conversation.
“Hi, Josiah. Anything I can do to help?”
“Can you ride a horse?” He gave Emily a once over—as if to make sure she was dressed appropriately.
“I took lessons as a kid.”
“Want to gallop out and check on the cattle with me?”
“Thanks, I’d love to, but is it possible to ride in these conditions?”
“Sure. We must be careful. We’ll avoid the deeper places, but the horses love the exercise, and at the moment, they’re the best transportation to the area where I need to go. We’ll stop at intervals and I’ll check to make sure no big balls of snow have collected and fastened to their feet. Wet, packing snow can do that. Fluffy stuff doesn’t do it so much, but we have a combination of snow and ice today. We’ll stay out of areas that might hurt the horses.”
The two strode into the stable, and Sarah became invisible. This might be an ideal time to make sparks happen between those two. If only something would come to mind.
Arriving at the barn, Sarah peeped through the door. Josiah saddled a smaller version of Pedro.
“His name is Pablo.”
“You named your horses Pedro and Pablo? Peter and Paul. Comical but nice, especially since Pedro is the bigger horse. Looks to me as though they should switch names.”
“In the Bible, Peter was a firebrand—even after conversion. Paul was a bit more stable after his transformation and never wavered, but Peter did a few times. That’s the way these horses are.
“They aren’t named for size. Pedro is highly spirited and Pablo is more consistent. I’m the only one who can ride Pedro. Both these Appaloosas are smarter than the average bear.” Josiah chuckled. “Heck, they’re smarter than most people. Here, I’ll help you up on Pablo.” He cupped his hand and Emily mounted the stallion.
Such stunning animals. Sarah had never been around them in real life. She misted through the closed, wooden door, approached the animals, and stood nose to nose with Pablo. You are beautiful.
Pablo didn’t seem too happy about a winged, vaporous woman floating near his head. He reared his front legs. Pedro followed suit. The two horses stirred up hay and dust as they stressed their revolt at seeing an angel. As fast as a greased pig caught by a kid at a rodeo, Sarah shot backward out of reach.
Before Josiah could stop him, Pablo snorted, lowered his head and lifted his rear into the air. He tossed Emily off his back as if she were a feather.
Right into the arms of Josiah.
Josiah held tightly to Emily while he stepped back to give the horses space and gazed about for an answer. “What on earth? Both horses bucked at the same time. Something spooked them. They act as if they’ve seen a ghost.”
Or an angel. Sarah was invisible, but they must have been able to see her in her natural form. “I must’ve scared the willies out of them. Must be their first time to see someone like me. Young children can often see me, but I didn’t expect horses to have that ability. Josiah said they’re smart and exceptional.” Sarah whispered her thoughts, but Pedro must have heard. He twitched his ears and snorted at her.
Turning her gaze to Josiah and Emily, she smiled. Well, how do you like those apples? By hook, crook, or accident, I got her into his arms. Looking to the heavens, she executed a happy dance.
Both horses neighed again and pawed the ground.
“Poopty doopty! I guess they don’t approve of my dancing style either. This is the second time my boogying has caused bedlam on this mission. First with Gabriella, and now the horses. Ugh. Should I give up free style and take ballroom lessons?”
Pedro stared at her with big, brown eyes. He seemed to dare her to dance again.
Backing all the way to the exit, Sarah glanced at Josiah. He continued to hold Emily in his arms.
“You’re trembling.” Josiah had his attention focused on the horses as he spoke to Emily, but with Sarah out of range, the animals had settled down but still seemed restless. They glared at Sarah as she stood statue-still at the far end of the barn. Even though she’d made herself minuscule, she knew they could see her.
Josiah spoke in soothing tones to the horses. “Relax, Pedro. Cool it, Pablo. I don’t know what got into you, but all is well.”
“You can put me down now.” Emily spoke softly as she too kept her glance on the chargers.
Josiah finally took his glance from the animals and focused on Emily’s lips while he hugged her close. “You sure?”
Emily made eye contact with Josiah. “I suppose it would be best.”
“For whom?” Josiah grinned but made no move to deposit Emily on her feet.
“You have cattle to see to.”
Josiah heaved a breath. “Oh. Right. But holding you is more fun.” He lowered her to her feet.
“Do you realize this is the second time you’ve rescued me?”
“What will you give me if I rescue you a third time? I hear three is a charm.” He stood looking down at her with a twinkle in his eye.
Emily’s cheeks grew pink until they reached a rosy hue. “I’ll think of something.”
“If you fail to come up with an idea, I have one.” He grinned. “Or two.”
* * *
Sarah soared to the sky for fear of terrifying the horses again as she followed the couple. She could see and hear them from up here and it was safer for all below.
Listening to Josiah and Emily flirt and tease with each other was such a pleasure, but most of the time, they rode Pedro and Pablo in contented silence. After checking the herd, they came back to the barn and worked well together as they loaded hay into the tractor trailer.
“My tractor has two seats. Want to come?” Josiah sounded wistful as he tested Emily’s response.
“I’d love it. This is the most fun I’ve had in ages.”
Josiah placed strong hands around Emily’s waist and lifted her onto the tractor and then took his place on the other side. Sarah grinned from far above.
* * *
Laughing like two teens at a carnival ride, Emily and Josiah returned from the feeding chores with rosy cheeks.
Sarah darted inside the house, checked to make sure Edie was nowhere around, and materialized. She stood in the kitchen when the couple came inside.
“How’d it go? Looks to me like ya had fun out there.”
Emily hugged Sarah. “It was wonderful. I’ve never enjoyed anything so much. The cows are beautiful and the horses are too.” She pirouetted in the kitchen. “This ranch is magnificent in winter. Can you imagine the beauty out there in spring and summer?”
“Each season is filled with splendor.” Sarah patted her white hair as she spoke. “Even old age has its blessings.”
Josiah nodded. “I hope to show you ladies what it looks like in April with the bluebonnets.” He gestured to the window. “You’ll think I have an ocean with whitecaps out there. Are y’all hungry?”
Sarah and Emily both said “starving” at the same time, and then laughed simultaneously.
“Sandwiches coming up, but let me check on Grandmother first.”
Emily strode to the refrigerator and began removing ham, cheese, and other ingredients.
Sarah opened cabinets to gather plates and utensils as she’d seen humans do. “Josiah is a real humdinger, isn’t he?”
Emily chuckled at the old-fashioned description. “Yes, he is. We’re going to put up the Christmas tree after lunch.” She pointed at Sarah. “And you get to help.”
“I love Christmas trees. I met my best friend hanging on one of ’em.”
Emily furrowed her brows and stared at Sarah. “You were hanging
on a tree?”
“No, Gabriella was on the tree.”
“Your friend was hanging on a Christmas tree?”
“Oh, pshaw! That didn’t come out right. I was admiring the branch of a tall evergreen, and Gabriella was nearby. She looked just like an angel.”
“Oh.” Emily narrowed her eyes and shrugged as if trying to make sense of the conversation.
Merciful heavens. I forgot again who I’m talking to. I told the truth about Gabriella. She was masquerading as an angel ornament on a tree at Beth Marsh’s house—but humans wouldn’t understand how angels can assume various images and disguises. I hope the Commander overlooks my bungles.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sarah opened boxes of ornaments. “Oh, look at all the angels. Your family has quite a collection.”
As she sat in a chair, Edie removed several figurines from containers. “I’ve collected them for years. I’ve believed in them always—even had my special guardian when I was a child.”
Sarah scrutinized her hostess carefully. “Really? What did she look like?”
Edie’s eyes took on a distant expression as she remembered. “She was beautiful, with platinum hair, and wore a garment that sparkled like snow in sunshine. I called her Sparkly. I saw her most often at night.” Edie smiled. “She’d say, ‘Go back to sleep, Edie, I’m here.’ I’ve been collecting angels ever since.”
“That’s a lovely story. Innocent children can see the supernatural.” Evidently, horses can too. Need to remember that for the future. Sarah kept that thought hidden and picked up another ornament.
Josiah mounted a ladder as the ladies handed him objects. The tree was pronounced a masterpiece after he placed the angel topper at the helm. The evergreen towered over ten feet tall, sparkled with white lights, and was covered from head to toe with angels of all sizes. Red poinsettias filled the branches with a central color.
While he put the ladder away, the ladies chatted about their favorite past Christmases and didn’t hear Josiah return.
“Notice anything?” He stood a few moments in an arched doorway with one hand propped against the frame and a Cheshire Cat grin on his face.
