by Mary May
They both turned when they heard the sound of Devon approaching the kitchen. “What would you like to drink, Mr. Devon?” Cleo asked.
Devon made a beeline around the bar, wrapping his arms around a very surprised Cleo, giving her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “Well, now…hello to you!” Devon winked at her before he turned and held his hand out to Eric. “Hi, I’m Devon Lane.”
Eric glanced at Cleo, who just shrugged her shoulders. “Eric Knight,” he replied then shook Devon’s hand.
Devon’s brow crinkled in thought. “Eric Knight, Evan’s friend from L.A.?”
Eric nodded as he crunched another chip. “That would be me. I’m here to help Sabrina get the permits she needs to start Lost Haven.”
Devon sat down in the stool next to him. “How is that coming? Have you been able to get the permits?”
Eric shook his head “Not just yet. They are throwing about as much red tape as I have ever seen at this project for some reason. But legally they don’t have a leg to stand on, so it’s just a matter of when, not if.”
Devon smiled. “That’s great. Lost Haven was originally my sister’s dream, but Sabrina has the passion for it now. I’m happy she has you to help her with that.” The guys sat there and chatted like old friends.
Cleo stood on the other side of the bar looking at Devon like she had never seen him before. He LOOKED like Devon, but he didn’t act like him. He didn’t even have the same vibe as before either. She turned to gather up some plates and smiled to herself, wondering if perhaps a little “Come to Jesus” meeting had taken place.
Devon heard Charlie racing toward him and turned in the stool just in time to catch her as she threw herself into his arms. He then stood up, lifting her high into the air and swinging her around as she squealed and laughed. He then brought her close and hugged her tightly, burying his nose in the crook of her neck and inhaling her unique “Charlie” smell. Oh, he had missed her.
She wrapped her arms and legs around him like a spider monkey. “Where have you been? You missed my birthday!” She looked at him and the look in her big blue eyes tore him up.
“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. I did miss your birthday, but I brought you something now. Would that make it a little bit better?”
She nodded. “Yes! Yes! What did you bring me?”
Devon sat her up on the bar. “Well, I couldn’t bring it with me because it wouldn’t fit in the truck, but if your mama don’t care maybe in a little while I can show you.”
Charlie jumped down from the bar and ran to meet Sabrina, who was walking into the kitchen. “Mama! Devon got me a birthday present, but it’s too big. Can he take me in a minute to go get it?”
Sabrina laughed in confusion and looked at Devon. “Huh?” she said.
Devon felt his heart shift in his chest when she smiled at him; it had been so long. “I told her that the present I got her was too big for the truck, but that maybe in a little while we could go see it?”
Sabrina frowned. “It’s not something you can bring here? It wouldn’t fit in a truck? What on earth did you get her? A pony?”
Devon just raised an eyebrow and grinned. Sabrina felt her mouth go slack. “You didn’t…Tell me… you didn’t!” Devon just kept grinning.
Charlie looked from Sabrina to Devon, then back to Sabrina. “What, Mommy, what did he get me? Do you know?”
Sabrina looked down. “Sweetheart, Mommy is going to talk to Devon out in the hall for just a minute, okay? Then we will eat some lunch and we will talk about your present.”
Charlie nodded then climbed onto a stool to start eating her tuna sandwich and cheesy curls.
Sabrina grabbed Devon by the arm, pretty much dragging him down the hall. “Okay, did you seriously buy her a pony?”
Devon propped himself up against the wall and smiled down at her. “Yes and no, depending.”
Sabrina crossed her arms. “What kind of answer is that? Depending on what exactly?”
She frowned at him and he laughed. “Sabrina, stop looking at me like that. Really this isn’t that big a deal; just hear me out.”
She motioned him on with her hand. “Okay, well, I told you I wanted to talk to you about something; the other I really need to show you.”
He could see she was getting aggravated so he went on with his confession. “First off, I want you to know that I am not the same man that left here nearly a year ago. I gave my life to Christ. I’m a Christian Sabr…Oof!”
Devon didn’t get to finish his sentence because Sabrina launched herself in his arms, hugging him tightly, “Oh, thank you, God! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been praying and praying! I just didn’t think…I thought you wouldn’t…” She stammered to a stop, looking up at him. The absolute joy was evident in her sparkling eyes that were bright with tears of happiness.
Devon brought her in close again, hugging her gently he rested his chin on top of her curls. “It’s unbelievable, I know. But it’s true. He is everything that I have heard of and so much more. I have never known such calm and peace before. He just washed everything away. He flooded my heart and soul with His presence and all the dark ugly twisted messed up crap was cleared out. I feel clean…it’s hard to describe but I feel… reborn, brand new.”
Sabrina nodded, her head against his chest. “I know. It’s the most amazing feeling. When Luke led me to the Lord, I told him we had to tell everyone so they could feel this, too.”
She heard the deep rumble in his chest as he chuckled. “What did Luke say to that?”
Sabrina smiled and looked up. “He said that had become his life’s goal from the moment he got up from the altar. I just never thought his life would be cut so short. He was such a wonderful person, Devon; I really wish you could have met him.”
She felt him nod against the side of her head. “I feel like I do know him, at least in a way. I see parts of someone that isn’t you in Charlie. I hear you speak of him so often that I know he was a truly good guy, and take it from me, guys like that are few and far between.”
Sabrina pulled away, much to his disappointment, but he told himself to give her time. “Ok, that was the best news I’ve heard in a very long time! I’m in such a good mood that now would be a good time to discuss ponies.”
Devon nodded and reached into his pocket and brought out a set of keys. “This is the part that I need to show you. Would you and Charlie care to take a little ride with me?”
Sabrina looked at him with curiosity burning in her eyes. She tilted her head at him. “What have you been up to, Devon?” He jangled the keys in front of her nose. “Only one way to find out!”
Charlie rode on Devon’s shoulders out to the dark blue Chevy that was parked in the driveway. “This is different. Did you sell your Harley?” Sabrina asked.
Devon looked at her in horror. “Watch your mouth, woman; that’s blasphemy! No, I didn’t sell it. It’s somewhere else…you will see. Now hop in.”
Sabrina grabbed Charlie’s car seat from her car and buckled it down on the seat between them. Charlie looked so happy to be with Devon again. Sabrina felt herself getting swept away again, too, and cautioned herself to be careful. Devon shot her a gorgeous smile and a wink then ruffled Charlie’s mop of curls before he backed up the truck and they headed down the driveway.
Cleo, Edgar and Eric watched as the blue truck turned around and sailed out of the driveway. Cleo had filled Edgar in on the wonderful news about Devon giving his life to Christ, and that he was showing something to Sabrina and Charlie. Eric had been very quiet and hadn’t offered much to the conversation. Cleo felt bad for him as he watched them leave together. She knew he had feelings for Sabrina, and that she liked him as well, but she didn’t believe that Sabrina’s feelings were as strong as Eric’s. Sabrina was still very much in love with Devon.
Gideon sat in the back of the truck wondering, not for the first time, just what Devon was up to. He had to admit that his whole demeanor was softer, and he was slightly more readable, but he stil
l felt a little closed off. He watched as Devon picked at Charlie as she laughed, but he also saw the fear and the concern in Sabrina’s eyes. He knew she was worried about getting hurt again. He was worried as well. He had learned one thing about Devon Lane: Never let your guard down.
They cruised down the highway with the late October sun filling the truck with warm rays of sunshine. Devon and Charlie chattered about everything and nothing at the same time, while Sabrina mostly kept quiet. She was trying so hard to keep from losing her self-control, but when this man showed up it usually all went flying right out the window. She watched and smiled at the way they would both talk with their hands, each one leaning in toward the other as they spoke. There was never any doubt that they adored one another. Charlie would light up when Devon walked into a room. Devon looked up and caught her watching them. He just smiled then went back to teasing Charlie about guessing what her present might be.
In a few minutes they pulled off the highway onto a gravel road. After a couple more minutes they turned into a driveway that was very steep. “My goodness, I see now why you needed this truck!”
Devon laughed. “My Harley can handle it but it isn’t for the faint of heart! Besides, this is more comfortable for the three of us.” He looked in the rearview mirror. “We made it just at the right time. The sun will be down a little and you will be able to see everything. Look to the right as we top the next hill.”
They topped the hill and Sabrina looked off to the right down into a valley that was now in the shadow of the tall ridge and saw a herd of horses grazing on the last green grass of the season. Behind the horses she saw a two-story log cabin that looked in need of some work but was lovely nonetheless. There was a small stream that ran the length of the pasture and disappeared in a small patch of woods. Devon pulled the truck over to the side of the road and killed the engine.
Sabrina turned and looked at him. “It’s beautiful,” she commented softly.
Devon nodded, his eyes roaming over the peaceful scene before him. “It’s mine. I bought it two months ago. I have been buying the horses and making some needed repairs. It’s my slice of heaven on earth.”
Charlie squealed and pointed. “Look at the baby pony!” Sabrina followed her daughter’s arm and saw a horse that was indeed a lot smaller than the others, although it didn’t move like a foal.
Devon whispered in Charlie’s ear. “Charlie girl, that little horse is called a Welch pony, and he is yours if your mama says it’s okay.”
Charlie’s eyes got huge and she turned, pleading with her mother to say it was okay.
Sabrina smiled. “Oh, not fair…really not fair! Tell you what, let’s go down and meet the pony while Mama thinks about it, okay?”
Charlie looked back at Devon, her smile stretching across her little face. “Mama is thinking about it! Can we get closer? I want to pet him! Can I ride him?”
Devon answered all her questions as he started the truck and drove the rest of the way down to the cabin.
They got out and a black and white border collie came tearing out of the barn, tail wagging so hard her whole back end was shaking. She went to Gideon first and assumed the exact same position that Moppet took. Head down, butt up. Gideon tried to shoo the dog away, but she wasn’t having it. Devon whistled and the dog bounded over to where he stood.
“This is Scarlett.” Charlie giggled and got on her knees, which was apparently the universal doggy sign for lick all over.
Sabrina smiled and looked around the small yard. The cabin had a wrap-around porch with rocking chairs and a swing. It looked and felt very homey. She pointed to the dog that was now chasing Charlie around the yard. “Scarlett?” she asked with a small grin. “Do you have a Rhett somewhere as well?”
He leaned against the truck, crossed his long legs at the ankle, and smiled. “Of course I do, but Rhett is a mite older and he takes his time, but if you look over there you will see him headed this way.”
Sabrina followed his line of vision and she did indeed see a dog, a very large dog with very long ears and loose skin. His nose was stuck to the ground and he seemed to be finding his way more by smell than by sight. As he got closer, she saw that was exactly correct, for the poor old dog was blind. “Oh, poor old guy! He is blind!” Rhett finally snuffed and smelled his way to her and sat down at her feet. She knelt down and stroked his head and mile-long ears. The dog was clearly a bloodhound.
Devon walked over and knelt down as well to pat the dog. “The pound was going to put him down because he was blind; they were going to put Scarlett down because she was so hyper. I figured out here it wouldn’t matter how much she ran or how slow he was. So that’s how I got Scarlett and Rhett.”
Sabrina looked at him in amazement. “That’s the sweetest thing I have ever heard. You big old softy!”
Devon smiled a slow smile then nodded toward the dogs that were now headed for the porch. “Watch them. Watch how Scarlett will lead Rhett up the steps; it’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”
She watched as the collie walked right next to the aging bloodhound, her side brushing his. When they reached the steps, she took a step then waited while he found the step. They repeated that until they made it all the way up.
Sabrina looked at Devon smiling, her eyes wide. “How does she know that he can’t see?”
Devon shook his head. “I have no idea, but she started helping him the second day after I brought them home.”
Sabrina laughed but she swallowed a lump in her throat. That was so precious!
Charlie had not forgotten about her pony. She started tugging on Devon’s hand, urging him to the pasture. “Hang on there, Charlie girl, those horses are on the other side of the pasture. How about we make them come to us?” Slipping two fingers in his mouth he let out a loud shrill whistle that had Sabrina covering her ears.
She shot him an incredulous look. “Wow! You have some mad skills, Devon.”
He waggled his eyebrows at her. “You have no idea.”
Before Sabrina could decide whether or not to blush she heard the sound of pounding hooves and watched as a cloud of dust got closer and closer until a herd of eight was standing at the fence, sides heaving, nostrils flaring. Charlie was dancing in place she was so excited.
“Where is mine? Where is my pony, Devon?”
Devon lifted her up and showed her. “See? Here he comes, Charlie. His legs are a lot shorter so he can’t keep up with the big horses.” Sure enough a small black and white pony came trotting up, swinging his head and stomping his little hooves. Sabrina fell in love instantly. He was adorable! Devon set Charlie down and told her to stand by her mama so he could go get her pony.
They watched as he opened the gate and waded in among the thousands of pounds of horseflesh until he caught the pony, snapping a lead rope on the halter; then he brought him out to meet Charlie. Charlie had no fear of anything! She walked up to the pony and held out her hand so the pony could smell her. Then she carefully ran her little hand down his soft muzzle.
Devon watched and then grinned at Sabrina. “She is a natural!”
Charlie ran her hands over the pony and walked around him, looking him over. Then she put her hands on her hips and declared he was a dandy. “Well, I guess that solves the problem of what to name him. I have been thinking on it for a month and Charlie did it in under a minute. Dandy it is!”
After they had gotten to know one another, Charlie wanted to ride. Sabrina felt her heart jump. “Oh, so soon, Charlie? Maybe we should wait and let Dandy get to know you a little better before you jump on his back.” She looked to Devon for support, but he was already leading the pony to the barn. Sabrina jogged to catch up. “Umm… do you think this is rushing it a little? She has never ridden and they just met!”
Devon chuckled as he tied the lead rope to a post and then turned to look at her. “Sabrina, it’s just a pony ride, not a marriage. I’ll lead her; she will be perfectly safe.”
He waited until she finally gave her nod of
consent then he went inside and came out with a small child’s saddle and a pad. “Devon, out of pure curiosity, just what would you had done if I didn’t come out here? If I didn’t agree?” He placed the pad on the pony’s back then gently settled the saddle into place, reaching under the belly and cinching it snuggly.
“Well, Sabrina that thought did occur to me, but I refused to believe that even if you didn’t want to see me yourself that maybe you would still let me see Charlie from time to time. Let her come out here and ride on the weekends or something.”
Sabrina was again surprised. Devon was different now. He seemed to think things through a little more. Devon swung Charlie up into the saddle and adjusted the stirrups to fit her. He told her to be careful and not to kick Dandy too hard or near his flank. He showed her how to hang on to the saddle horn and then he untied the rope and led the pony slowly around the yard. Charlie was grinning from ear to ear. Sabrina suspected that she just found something her daughter might love for life. An hour later they were still circling the yard. Sabrina had joined the dogs on the porch and watched as Devon patiently told Charlie all kinds of things about horses in general and Dandy in particular.
She sat and rocked, thinking to herself that never in a million years would she have guessed this was how today would end. “Lord, you really have been listening to my prayers, but you could have given me a heads up this morning…just a little warning that my world was once again going to be tossed into the air, but as surprises go, this was a pretty nice one!” She smiled again, thinking that the Lord truly had been teaching her some tough lessons… some Heart Lessons.
Gideon was definitely in agreement with Sabrina about an occasional warning. His life had been a rollercoaster ride from the very moment he was given this assignment, and it hadn’t stopped yet. Not a single thing had gone according to his plans. People did things they were not supposed to do, or didn’t do something they were supposed to do. They were stubborn, hardheaded and in general a giant pain in his butt. But watching Charlie smile as she was being led around on her pony, he also knew they were capable of great wonderful surprises and loving each other deeply. That was the reason, he thought, that Christ did what He did. Why He went to Calvary, to save the Sabrinas and the Charlies and, yes, even the Devons in this world. He sat on the porch with Sabrina watching Devon make yet another turn around the yard. He knew he still had problems at the estate. Demons to keep away from Charlie, more secret tunnels that Edgar had mapped out for him and he still wasn’t completely convinced that Devon was right for Sabrina. But for the first time in his long, long life he was starting to believe that mankind was actually worth all the effort…
