by E A Chance
As she aimlessly wandered the meadow, poking that ridiculous stick into the grass, she struggled to find a way to travel to Colorado but came up empty. She stopped at noon for lunch, and as she unwrapped her jam and butter sandwich, Mitch’s truck rumbled up to the meadow and stopped twenty yards from where she sat. Her gut tightened as she stood and dusted off her jeans, fearing what could bring her uncle to the meadow at that time of day.
A man who wasn’t Uncle Mitch jumped out of the truck and started toward her. Visions of bad guys attacking the ranch raced through her mind. As the man approached, something in his gait sparked recognition in Riley. She tossed her sandwich in the grass and sprinted for him, tackling him to the ground and kissing every inch of his dirt-smudged face.
He rolled her onto her back and buried his face in her hair. “Is it really you, Riley Poole, or is this some cruel dream?”
“It’s no dream, Coop,” she whispered. “I’m as real as you.”
He raised his head and flashed that smug grin she’d missed every second since he disappeared. “I love you, and I promise never to leave your side again for as long as I live.”
She wove her fingers into his hair and said, “Let me see you try.”
He leaned down and kissed her with a hunger to match her own. When he rolled onto the grass in exhaustion, she propped on her elbow and took a good look at him. He was as thin as a scarecrow and his clothes were worn and filthy.
Resting her hand on his chest, she whispered, “Tell me what happened to you.”
“Can that wait until I’ve eaten and had a long shower? Please, tell me they have food and clean water here.”
She brushed her lips on his. “We have everything you need here.”
He took her hand and pressed it to his cheek. “Truest words I’ve ever heard.”
Julia was in the family room doing schoolwork with Katheryn and her cousins when her mom poked her head into the doorway, grinning like the Cheshire cat. “I have a surprise for you,” she said and moved aside to let a man in ratty, stained clothes step past her. Julia crinkled her nose at his smell and wondered who her mom had dragged in off the street. As she studied his face, he smiled, and she let out a shriek as she ran to him, nearly knocking him over.
“Coop, you’re not dead! How did you get here? Where have you been?”
Riley threw her arms around them and said, “He’ll tell us all about it after lunch and a shower.”
Coop stepped back and wiped his eyes. “Look at that face. And no crutches.”
She did a little spin and beamed at him. “This is the best day of my life.”
He swayed and grabbed the back of a chair to keep from falling. Julia braced her hand on his elbow and said, “Come on. You need to eat. You’re too skinny, and Aunt Beth makes the best food ever.”
Her mom took his other arm as they helped him to the kitchen. Julia couldn’t take her eyes off him as he wolfed down his food despite her mom’s warning that eating too fast would make him sick. Having him sitting at their table was a miracle.
She hated to let him go when he finished eating, but he was filthy and stinky and begging for a shower. She waited at the bottom of the stairs until he came down looking like the old Coop, only skinnier. Her mom introduced him to the family, then insisted he take a nap. Katheryn herded the kids back to the family room, but Julia was too antsy to study. Coop showing up was the best thing to happen since Bryce rescued them.
At dinner, the family peppered him with questions until her mom shushed them, and said, “Let the poor man speak. Coop, start from the day you left the cabin to go searching for food.”
He swallowed his bite of apple pie and said, “I’ll start by telling you I should have listened to you, Riley, and not gone out into the snow. I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll agree to whatever you say from now on.”
“Like today, when I told you not to eat so fast, or you’d get sick, and you got sick?”
Julia waved for her to be quiet. “Let him talk, Mom.”
“The storm started an hour after I left the cabin, and I couldn’t see ten feet in front of me. I stumbled on to an abandoned gas station with a damaged roof, but it provided enough cover and heat for me to survive the night. I woke to a clear sky, so I decided to risk pushing on instead of returning to the cabin.”
“Wish you hadn’t done that,” Riley said.
“Me, too,” Julia said.
“I make three. I walked for hours without passing a single house or store until I came to a small cottage with smoke rising from the chimney. I knocked, and an emaciated elderly woman answered. When I explained who I was and asked if she’d let me in, she started to cry and hugged me. She was living there with three other elderly women. They hadn’t eaten for two days and were almost out of wood. Their families had been looking out for them until the snow started, but they hadn’t seen any of them for days.”
Julia watched him as he rubbed his forehead, knowing what a hard decision he’d had to make. He’d probably wanted to get back to the cabin more than anything but never could have abandoned a house full of old ladies.
He straightened and took a breath. “I promised to stay and help in exchange for lodging. After chopping enough wood to last that day, I went to search for food. The women were all lifelong residents of the area and knew where to direct me. I scavenged enough canned and boxed goods from an old diner to get us by for three days.
That third morning, one of the lady’s sons and grandson came bringing boxes of food. They thanked me for my help and gave me enough food to last on my journey back to the cabin. I hiked back that day, only to find the cabin collapsed and buried in snow. I was sure Riley and Julia were dead inside.”
His voice caught, so he stopped and took a breath.
Julia put her hand on his arm. “But didn’t you see the message Mom scratched on the door?”
“Not at first. I blamed myself for your deaths and seeing no reason to go on, I collapsed in the snow to wait for mine. Luckily, the weather warmed that afternoon, and all I got was wet and cold. When I got up to go to the shed, I saw Riley’s note carved into the door. With renewed hope, I salvaged what I could from the cabin and went back to stay with the friendly grandmas until the snow melted.”
Riley wiped her eyes and smiled. “So like you.”
“After that, I followed the trail of the fiery little red-haired doctor, hiking and hitching rides with kind strangers. I ran into an enthusiastic group of college students who’d taken it upon themselves to form a rescue squad for anyone in need. They drove me to Wytheville and dropped me on Main Street. I asked anyone I passed for directions to the ranch, and here I am. By the way, Mitch, Pastor Bennett says hello and hopes to see your family in church on Sunday. ”
Mitch chuckled. “We’ll see, but I’ll be sure to thank him for directing you to us.”
Julia’s eyes brimmed with tears. “You almost died like us. Another miracle.”
Riley squeezed Coop’s hand. “Carving the note on the door was Julia’s idea,”
Coop pulled Julia into a bear hug. “Brilliant. You saved my life, WP.”
“WP?” Beth asked.
Julia pulled away and smiled through her tears. “Warrior Princess. That’s Coop’s name for me. I owed you, Coop. How many times have you saved me?”
“Let’s call it even,” he said. “I want to thank all of you for welcoming me into your family. I didn’t know what I’d find at the end of this trail. It’s better than I could have dreamed.”
Mitch stood and shook his hand. “Glad to have you, son, if for no other reason than to see Riley and Julia smiling.”
Riley and Coop stayed awake long into the night filling in the gaps of their harrowing adventures and took their time getting up the next morning. Riley woke before him and watched him sleep, trying to convince herself that he was alive and lying in her bed.
Not wanting to disturb him, she wrapped herself in an afghan and moved to the window seat. Her window faced west, and each m
orning she’d savored the grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains spreading in majestic rows as far as her eyes could see. That morning, they held a new promise.
Since recovering from the shock of Coop’s return from the dead, her hopes of going to Colorado had sparked to life. She wouldn’t have to travel alone. She’d have the man she loved by her side and the only obstacle would be convincing him to leave the comfort of the ranch to face a harrowing cross-country journey.
She heard Coop stir behind her and turned to him with a warm smile, delighted to see the contentment in his face.
“You weren’t just a dream, then. What are you doing way over there?” He threw the covers back, and she returned to the bed, snuggling up beside him. He brushed his lips on her neck and said, “Do I even want to know what you were thinking so hard about by the window?”
She gave a small laugh. “You can’t read my thoughts yet?”
He stopped kissing her and looked her in the eye. “You’re evading. Spill it.”
“I was wishing I had a way to tell my family in Colorado about you. They would love you as much as Julia and I do. And I miss my babies, Coop. I begged Uncle Mitch to lend me men and horses to make the trip home, but he unequivocally refused. The whole family thinks my plan is insane. Bryce agrees. But that’s all changed now that you’re here. Look at what we each survived to get this far. I know we could make the journey together. All I need is for you to agree to join me.”
He rolled onto his back and tucked his hands behind his head. “Riley Poole, I haven’t been here for twenty-four hours, and you’re asking me to turn around and leave on a cross-country trek?”
“I’m not asking you to leave today. Two or three weeks would give you time to put weight back on and get your strength back. It would also give us time to secretly gather supplies and plan our strategy.”
“Because our plans are always so successful? And what do you mean secretly gather supplies? You’re not going to ask for them?”
“Uncle Mitch will never agree to outfit us. He just found five horses abandoned on a nearby ranch to replace the ones he lost. They’re in bad shape, but he says they’ll survive. If I take three of his healthy horses, he’ll have more than enough to run the ranch.”
“Who have you become? You’ve gone from making us leave cash for supplies we took to being a horse thief. They used to put people to death for less.”
“I’m not stealing them, just borrowing. I’ll return the horses when I come for Julia. It tears me apart to do it, but I have to leave her here. I can’t dare put her in danger a second time, and she’s safe and loved here.”
“You think you’ll be able to just walk away from her?” Riley looked away, not sure she could say yes. “She’ll never forgive you for leaving.”
“She will when I show up to take her home. She may be off the crutches, but she’ll have a limp for months, if not permanently. My options are to either forget Emily and Jared in Colorado, living out my life, never knowing their fate, or leave Julia here with a loving family. I’ve had months to ponder this, Coop. As gut-wrenching as it is, my choice is clear. You may have to throw me over your shoulder and haul me away when the time comes, though.”
He studied her for a moment and sighed. “I gave my word yesterday that I’d agree to whatever you said from now on, but more than that, I’d move heaven and earth for you. I’ve learned the hard way what hell it is being separated from you. I can’t go through that again, so I’ll take you to Colorado, against my better judgment. And how else am I going to ask your dad’s permission to marry you?”
Riley gave him a playful slap. “What are you talking about, silly man?”
He wrapped the sheet around his waist and knelt on the bed. Taking her hand, he said, “Those weeks we were separated were the worst of my life. Only the hope of seeing your face again kept me plunging ahead, day after excruciating day. Now we’re together, I want us to be a real family, committed for life. So, Dr. Riley Kate Poole, will you marry me?”
“That was a moving speech, but who do you imagine would perform the ceremony? And are you planning to wait until we get to Colorado when you can ask Dad for my hand?”
“Pastor Bennett has already agreed to marry us, so no, I don’t plan to wait until we get to Colorado. I’m sure your dad will grant me leniency for asking after the fact, given that the world’s gone to hell. Marry me before we leave, if your answer’s yes.”
“You know how much I love you and the whole idea’s absurd, but if it makes you happy, Dr. Neal Xavier Cooper III, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He bounded off the bed and started rummaging through one of the drawers Riley had given him in the dresser. When he found what he was searching for, he jumped back onto the bed and held up a gorgeous two-carat diamond ring set in what looked like platinum.
“Think this will fit?”
Riley raised an eyebrow. “Who did you steal that from?”
“Not stolen. One of my sweet grandmas named Mary gave it to me one night when I told her about you. She said she didn’t have anyone to pass it on to and wanted you to have it.”
Riley stared at the ring for several moments in stunned silence. When she was able to speak again, she said, “I thought this was one of your seat-of-your-pants, impulsive acts, and I didn’t take it seriously. Way to go and melt my heart. So, let me answer again. Coop, it would be my honor and greatest pleasure to become your wife.” She raised her hand for him to slip the ring on her finger. “Perfect fit.”
“Just like us.”
Julia was beside herself with joy when Riley announced her engagement to Coop, but Riley got the bigger surprise when Holly showed her their notebook full of wedding plans. Their ideas were a little elaborate, given the state of the world. Riley relented when they pestered her to ask Russell for a ride into town to search for a wedding dress. Mitch jumped into action to make the arrangements with Pastor Bennett. The good pastor only agreed to perform the ceremony on the condition that Mitch start bringing his family to church. He grudgingly agreed.
Riley was plagued by guilt as the family enthusiastically prepared for the first happy event on the ranch since the CME disaster. She and Coop manufactured a fake honeymoon at Uncle Mitch’s fishing lodge when in reality, it was a way to deflect suspicion as they made their getaway on their wedding night.
Mitch agreed to loan them three horses to carry their food, water, and gear, so Riley and Coop spent the two weeks leading up to the wedding concealing provisions near the gate that they’d retrieve on their way out of the ranch. With their exit strategy in place, all that was left to do was wait.
After a tender and unforgettable ceremony in the garden behind the house, the family enjoyed a lavish spread that Beth had orchestrated, right down to the beautifully decorated cake. As the sun began to set on the gathering, Riley slipped away to Julia’s room. She fell on the bed and buried her face in the pillow, soaking it with tears and imprinting the smell of her precious daughter on her brain.
Leaving Julia behind was torture but Riley had no choice. It was Julia’s only hope for a stable future in a safe place surrounded by a loving family. Taking her on the road with them would be irresponsible.
When Riley had her cry, she replaced the pillow and picked up the envelope she’d carried in with her. Her hands shook as she pulled out the letter tucked inside and began to read.
My dearest Julia,
This is the most difficult letter I’ve ever had to write. For reasons I hope you’ll understand someday, I’ve been keeping a secret from you. By the time you read this, Coop and I will be many miles away on our journey to Colorado Springs. I’ve planned to go home since the day of the CME strike. I need to do whatever it takes to find out what has happened to Jared and Emily, and let them know we’re alive. After seeing everyone thriving at the ranch, I have to hope that they are, too.
Leaving you is tearing my heart in two and is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. If you don’t believe me, ask Coop when you see him
. And you will see him again. We’ve shared so many extraordinary experiences on this journey, my sweetheart. I couldn’t have survived them without you by my side. You’ve been my spirit guide and warrior princess. Please believe it when I say you are one of the most remarkable young women in the world.
As soon as I get to Colorado, I’ll start making plans to return to you. (Please tell Uncle Mitch I’m sorry for taking his horses and that I promise to bring them back.)
Be brave! Be happy. You are my heart and my life. I love you more than you’ll ever know.
With my deepest love and devotion,
Mom
She replaced the letter and slid the envelope between the covers, hoping Julia wouldn’t find it until she and Coop were long gone. She kissed her fingertips and pressed them to the pillow, praying her angel girl would forgive her someday.
Coop found her in their bedroom, changing into her clothes for the road. She lovingly hung her wedding dress in the closet with tears streaming down her face. Coop came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“There’s time to change your mind. It’s your call.” Shaking her head, she turned and quietly wept on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair and said, “You’re the unhappiest bride I’ve ever seen.”
She gave a teary laugh and blew her nose on the handkerchief she’d tucked in her shirt pocket.
“Don’t take it personally. I just needed to get that out of my system. I’m overjoyed to be your wife, and leaving Julia is right, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
He nodded and kissed her forehead. “We’d better leave if you’re determined to travel tonight.”
Riley shouldered her backpack and made one last check of the room. “I am determined. Let’s head to the stables before I lose my nerve.”
