Red Gold

by Sandy Nadeau

  Jon reached to replace the mask. “No problem. Just glad we were driving by. Jenny’s the one who saw you out there.”

  “That young girl Kane was holdin’?”

  “Yep.”

  “Guess I owe her some thanks, too.”

  “I’ll pass that on. We all want you to get well now, but you’ll need to do what the doctors say, you know. This is serious. We’ll keep watch over your place while you’re here.”

  “Why do you suppose the good Lord spared me like this, Jon?”

  “I don’t know, Mr. Shonee. But I’m sure glad he did.”

  Mandy came through the curtain. “Hi. The nurse said I could come back, now.”

  “You two need to get on out of here. You got better things to do than sit here starin’ at me in a bed.”

  “We’re not going anywhere until we know you’re OK.”

  “Bah. I reckon they’ll take good enough care of me here.”

  The nurse walked in. “OK, time’s up. He needs to get some rest now. You can come back later.”

  “But…” Mandy started.

  “If I have to listen to her, so do you,” Mr. Shonee growled. “I’m fine. You go on home.”

  Mandy sighed. “All right, but I’m coming back later to check on you.”

  “Good. Do that. Now get out of here. I want a nap.”

  Mandy placed a kiss on the old man’s forehead.

  He grinned beneath the plastic mask.

  Jon led Mandy out of the room and draped his arm over her shoulders. “Let’s get home and make some dinner. We’ll come back tonight before visiting hours are over.”

  “Oh, my gosh. I have a whole meal in the slow cooker. He was supposed to come for dinner tonight.”

  “Now my mouth is watering. Come on. Let’s head out, and then eat.”

  26

  Back at the ranch, they let everyone know Mr. Shonee was doing well. Sighs of relief followed plans for various pursuits, now that the tension was dispelled.

  “Hey, Jon, can I speak with you for a few minutes after dinner?” Rick asked.

  “Sure, meet me at the pond in about forty-five minutes.”

  Mandy and Jon went home and Mandy got dinner on the table. After the blessing they ate in silence.

  “You OK, honey?” Jon broke into her thoughts.

  “Yeah, I am,” Mandy said. “Just worried. I hope Mr. Shonee doesn’t have any lasting effects. Don’t you find it strange how well he’s doing?”

  “Well, yeah, but look how much prayer covered him. We were right there when it hit. We may never know why, but we can really be thankful. This day could have ended much worse.”

  Jon helped Mandy clean up the dishes then went out the door.

  Rick sat on the bench at the far end of the pond. The water reflected the trees above him and lazy clouds were drifting by. He was staring at the water.

  “Hey, Rick.”

  “Oh, hi, Jon. Hey, thanks for coming out. I just wanted to talk to you a bit. I won’t keep you long.”

  Jon sat on the bench. “No problem, what’s up?”

  Rick picked a tall blade of grass and peeled it apart, tossing the green strips into the water.

  “Rick? What’s wrong?” Jon put a hand on the other man’s shoulder.

  “I’ve been thinking about what happened to Mr. Shonee today. Frankly, everything that’s been happening lately.”

  “It’s been a bit overwhelming, hasn’t it?”

  “That’s an understatement. I thought I’d lost my little girl. Twice! Thankfully, we got her back. Then Mr. Shonee should have died, but he didn’t.”

  “So…what are your conclusions?”

  Rick leaned against the wood slats, stretching an arm across the back of the bench. “I’m not sure, but I do know you guys prayed a lot in both cases.” Rick stared across the pond as if looking for something from long ago. “I lost my dad about five years ago.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, he had a heart attack too, but he didn’t make it. He wasn’t anywhere near Mr. Shonee’s age. It’s hard to understand. Do you think all that praying you guys did had anything to do with it?”

  “Yes, I do. We believe very strongly in prayer, but that doesn’t mean your dad died because no one prayed.”

  “That’s what I wondered. We weren’t a praying family, so after seeing what happened today, it made me wonder.”

  “Do you have any faith, Rick?”

  “No, not in God. Never saw the need. Never saw a reality of Him…until today.”

  “And what did today show you?”

  “You know as well as I do that the odds of that man coming through this heart attack were slim, at best. Just the CPR alone on an old guy like that could have cracked ribs and punctured a lung. I heard Mandy praying right away, and when Nate showed up, you all prayed. Why?”

  “Well, several reasons. First of all, as a believer, God wants us to pray. To take all our concerns and fears to Jesus. We trust Him to help us get through difficult times. We also believe that Jesus is the True Physician, the healer of all. Sometimes those prayers go the way we want them to, sometimes they don’t. We can’t understand the mind of God, but we can be obedient to Him. We also pray for the comfort that prayer gives us. We didn’t want to lose Mr. Shonee, so we prayed, asking God to spare his life. I’m glad it went that way this time.”

  “It’s very interesting. I’m not sure I understand it. Jenny seems very curious about God right now after going to church.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “I don’t know. But if it helps her feel better, then it’s good.”

  “You know…Nate and I try to meet every Tuesday night to study the Bible together. Since you’re going to be here all summer, do you want to join us?”

  “I don’t know. I might. We’ll see.”

  “Think about it. We’d love to have you. Guy’s night, ya know. We need that, too.”

  “Yeah, I’ll think about it. Remind me.”

  “Will do.”

  “So, what’s going on up at the mine site?”

  “You know, with everything that happened today, I have no idea. I guess I ought to walk on up there and see what got done today. Want to go with me?”

  “Yeah, let’s go.”

  They made their way around the pond and headed for the service road to the mine.

  ****

  Mandy stepped out on the porch when the men came from the pond. “Hi guys.” she waved.

  “Hey,” they said in unison.

  “I’m heading into town to check on Mr. Shonee one more time. I’ve only got about an hour, but maybe I can talk with the doctor again.”

  “Do you want me to go with you, Babe?”

  “Oh, no. That’s OK. I’ll be fine. I should be home around 8:30 or 9:00.”

  “You know…Jenny needed some things from the store. I told her I’d take her to town in the morning. Could she just go with you now?”

  “Oh, sure. I’ll go tell her I’m going. See you later.”

  “Drive carefully.” Jon kissed her cheek. “We’re just going to go up by the mine and see what got done today.”

  “Oh, good. Have fun.”

  The men were nearly up the service road when Mandy and Jenny went by.

  Mandy waved as she pulled out of the property.

  Jenny waved, too.

  ****

  At the hospital, Mandy had only a few minutes to visit with her very groggy neighbor. She said a prayer, kissed his forehead, and left the room. “Can I see his doctor to ask about progress?” Mandy asked the nurse at the station. The woman nodded and directed her to wait in the lobby.

  Jenny was already seated there, waiting for Mandy.

  The doctor came through the swinging doors. “We’re going to get him moved up to the cardiac unit as soon as a bed becomes available. He’s remained stable and slept most of the time since arriving, but we want to keep a very close eye on him for the next 24 hours, which are crucial. H
e’s scheduled to have an angioplasty tomorrow afternoon to clear the artery, provided his situation doesn’t worsen.” The doctor scratched his head. “It’s the most unusual case I’ve seen for a man that age to come through this well.”

  “I’m not too surprised. We covered him in a lot of prayer from the time we found him, to arriving here at the hospital. He has a whole church praying for him.”

  “Well, that could explain it. I’ve seen prayer do amazing things beyond my training in the past. I guess God is still working.”

  “That He is. That He is. Thank you, doctor, for all you are doing. I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. I’ll be back in the morning to see him. He’s not in much pain is he?”

  “No, the medications will help him get some rest. He had much worse pain lying out in his yard before you found him.”

  “OK. Thanks for speaking with me,” Mandy said.

  The doctor nodded and went back through the doors.

  The sun set beyond the hills as twilight moved in.

  “Well, let’s get to the store and head back to the ranch. I need more milk, so I’m glad you needed to come. It’s nice to have the company. I’m whupped, though. I’ll sleep well tonight. I hope.”

  “Me, too. I hope you don’t mind stopping.”

  “Oh, that’s fine. Like I said, I need milk anyway.”

  ****

  The van headed down the highway taking Kane and Mark to a larger, more secure county jail facility.

  Kane’s teeth gritted so hard, his jaw began to ache.

  Mark and that woman ruined everything.

  His old man had a heart attack and was in the hospital. If he died, Kane would inherit everything, including the money the old man squirreled away. There were no other family members. It was rightfully his. Wasn’t it?

  Looking at the back of Mark’s head fed his anger. He struggled against the hard plastic tie that bound his hands together.

  Mark turned at the constant movement.

  “What are you lookin’ at?” Kane snarled out.

  “Nothin’.” Mark faced forward.

  “Jerk.” Kane thrust his bound hands into the back of Mark’s head.

  “Ow!” Mark shouted as the seat belt held him from escaping another blow.

  “Knock it off back there,” the deputy yelled from the driver’s seat.

  Kane hit Mark again.

  “Kane, quit it. Leave me alone.”

  “What’s the matter, girlie boy? Can’t take it?” He hit him again.

  Mark tried to duck out of the way but Kane persisted.

  Kane released his seat belt, rose up, and began pummeling Mark.

  The driver veered from side to side on the road yelling for them to settle down.

  Kane continued his attack. He could finally take care of Mark.

  The young deputy yelled at them, and then looked back through the black grate that separated the front from the back.

  Out of control, the van swerved.

  ****

  Mandy and Jenny headed back to the ranch.

  Twilight had turned to night.

  Up ahead, Mandy saw headlights moving from side to side on the roadway.

  “What’s that guy doing up there?” Jenny asked.

  “I don’t know, but I’m getting out of his way.” Mandy turned onto a side road, and then turned the car to face the main road. “What’s wrong with that driver? Is he drunk?”

  The van over-corrected, hit the edge of the pavement, and then rolled into the ditch. Metal flew in every direction. Dust, dirt, and grass flew from the ditch as the vehicle tore a deep gouge into the earth.

  Mandy’s headlights illuminated the entire horrific scene. She threw the shift lever into park and screamed, “Oh, my gosh. Jenny, get my cell phone out and call 911.”

  A shocked Jenny tore through the contents of Mandy’s purse trying to find the phone.

  Mandy ran across the road.

  The van had come to rest on the passenger side. Smoke and dust continued to fly around the severely damaged vehicle.

  She had to try to help whoever may still be alive inside the van. Her breaths were short, and her heart pounded. She made her way down into the steep ditch.

  “Be careful,” Jenny yelled.

  Someone pulled themselves out of the broken side window.

  “Are you all right?” Mandy crept closer. “Be careful.”

  The tall man dropped to the ground. His form was silhouetted by the light from her car, and she couldn’t see his face.

  “Are you hurt? Is anyone else inside the van?” she asked.

  “Well, well…”

  That voice stirred great fear in her soul.

  “…Fancy meetin’ you here.” He grabbed her arm.

  Mandy screamed and tried to pull away.

  27

  Half past nine already.

  Jon looked out the window expecting to see headlights turn into the driveway any minute. The street light illuminated their large High Country Safaris sign. He’d called the hospital and the desk clerk said Mandy had left with Jenny sometime before.

  “Well, Barney, where is she? I’m beat. I want to go to bed.”

  The dog lay on his pillow near the fireplace. He whined quietly, and then plopped his head down.

  “You’re a big help.” Jon sat in his recliner and began to read. Soon the book drooped to his lap; he fought to stay awake. Sleep won as his head rested against the cushioned back of the chair.

  ****

  Jenny heard Mandy scream.

  A tall man was pulling Mandy….a tall man…Kane.

  Mandy was fighting with him.

  Jenny fumbled with the phone, frantically trying to get it out of the case and turned on. “Come on, come on,” She whispered as the phone went through it’s starting up phase.

  “Jenny, run. Get out of here,” Mandy screamed.

  The phone beeped and Jenny dialed 911.

  “What’s your emergency?” a woman spoke.

  Kane reached in through the open driver’s door and tried to grab the phone while still holding Mandy’s arm in a death grip.

  “Give me that,” he growled.

  Jenny leaned against her door, raised her feet up and began kicking at the man. Frustrated, she realized the seat belt restricted her ability to turn enough to kick harder. Jenny tried to get unbuckled, but her hands wouldn’t cooperate.

  “What’s your emergency?” the voice on the phone kept repeating.

  “We need help!” Jenny’s foot made direct contact with Kane’s face. “We’re being kidnapped by Kane Shonee!” Jenny yelled, hoping the operator would hear her as she kicked.

  A trickle of blood ran out of his nose. He swung his free hand at her knocking the phone to the floor.

  Mandy continued pummeling his back with her free arm.

  Kane grabbed the phone and threw it out the door as he backed his upper body out of the car. Then he opened the driver’s door and threw Mandy into the front seat with one fluid motion. He reached into the pocket of his orange jump suit and pulled out a gun. “Both of you stop screaming right now.”

  ****

  They both froze.

  Mandy sent a silent plea for help to God. “Please God, Jenny’s so young…help us…”

  “Now shut up!” Kane slammed the driver’s door shut and got in the backseat. “Now ladies, we’re going to get out of here together. You drive,” he pointed the gun at Mandy. “But I’m going to have this gun pointed right at this lovely young lady, so if you try anything, that bullet will go through her head before you can blink. Understand?”

  “Kane, just take the car. Leave us here.”

  “No. Shut up and drive. I’m going to need you. Head to the left. Take that first road to the south. Now.”

  She started the car and put it in gear, silently praying for the Lord’s protection. She tried to reach over to comfort Jenny, but Kane yelled at her to keep her hands on the wheel.

  ****

  Bar
ney barked loudly which woke Jon from his slumber.

  “Is she home, bud?” He stood, groggy from the nap. He looked at the clock on the mantel. He’d been asleep for an hour. Mandy should’ve been back by now.

  He rubbed the back of his neck, blinking away the sleep. He opened the front door fully expecting the two girls to be there laughing about something, but instead the sheriff stepped up on the porch.

  Rick and Connie were rushing across the parking area.

  “Hey Ed,” Jon’s heart rate increased. “What’s up? Do you know where Mandy and Jenny are?”

  “I think we need to sit down inside, Jon.”

  Connie went into a panic. “What’s happened? Where are they? Is Jenny hurt?”

  Ed ushered them inside. He took off his hat, but remained standing. “Mark and Kane were being transported tonight to the main jail. The transport van got in an accident out on county road twelve. The deputy and Mark were badly injured and were still in the vehicle. Kane’s gone.”

  “What’s that got to do with Mandy and Jenny?” Dread poured into Jon’s heart.

  “Dispatch got a frantic 911 call. There was just a lot of screaming for help. We found the phone on the road near the accident. It’s Mandy’s phone, Jon.”

  Jon jumped up, followed by Rick.

  Connie fell into the couch crying. “What are you saying? Does Kane have them again?”

  Rick’s hands pressed his temples. “This can’t be happening! Where are they?”

  “We don’t know.” The sheriff spoke solemnly. “We’ve got every available officer out looking and we called the surrounding counties to be on the lookout for them. We know what kind of car to look for, so that will help.” Ed walked over to Jon and put his hand on his shoulder. “We’ll find them Jon, we’ll find them.”

  “Yeah, but will you find them in time…?”

  28

  “Pull in here,” Kane demanded.

  Mandy turned the car onto the secluded lane. Towering pines lined the sides. Nothing but complete, total darkness lay beyond her headlights and off to the sides. Her brain worked in high gear trying to figure out how she could get them out of this situation without getting hurt.