Red Gold

by Sandy Nadeau

  “Doc keeps tellin’ me he can’t believe I made it through all this. Not quite sure myself, except for that prayin’ you been doin’. I uh…well, I don’t suppose I thanked you two enough for comin’ along and savin’ me and all.”

  Mandy sat on the edge of his bed and took his hand. “God did the saving, in more ways than one. God used our words and our hands to accomplish what He wanted done. I’m so glad you’re going to be all right.”

  Jon made his way around the bed. “And you are going to come back to our house when they release you. No arguments. We want to take care of you.”

  “I’ve got it all figured out. You can stay in our son’s old room. It’s right there on the first floor by the kitchen so you won’t have any stairs and there’s a bathroom next to it. I’ll cook you some healthy meals and make sure you recover completely. We’ll check on your house too, and make sure everything is all right over there.”

  “Oh tarnation…all this fuss. You two are more stubborn than me.”

  Jon laughed. “You won’t be able to win against Mandy when it comes to taking care of someone. So count on being our guest for a while. She’s the most stubborn.”

  “And don’t you forget it.” Mandy gave a mock ferocious glare.

  They all laughed. They visited for about half an hour before a nurse came in and said he should get some rest before dinner.

  “We’ll be back tomorrow.” Mandy promised as she kissed the top of Mr. Shonee’s head and patted his shoulder in good-bye.

  The old man actually blushed, sputtered a good-bye and waved them out.

  ****

  As the car pulled into the driveway, Jon and Mandy spotted Jenny sitting on a large rock at the end of the first row of cabins. Barney leaned against the rock as she rubbed his head. Jon parked the car and they walked over to the girl.

  “What’s up, sweetie?” Mandy asked.

  Jenny sighed, but kept her gaze on Barney. “Dad says we’re going home.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Jon said.

  “I don’t want to go home. I was all excited to stay here all summer. It’s not fair.”

  “I know you’re disappointed honey, but your dad has to do what he thinks is right,” Mandy said. “He’s just worried about you. He loves you.”

  “Well, Mom doesn’t want to go, I don’t want to go and if he loves us he would let us stay.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  “In the morning.” Jenny’s lower lip stuck out.

  “Maybe you can come back some time.” Tears escaped from Mandy’s eyes. “I’m really glad we got to know you. Well, it wouldn’t have been my first choice on some of the time we spent together…”

  Jenny finally looked up and grinned. “That’s for sure. I’m glad I got to know you, too. I’m sure going to miss you, though. You’re the only one who talks to me without treating me like a child.” Jenny hugged Mandy.

  “Well.” Jon stood, hoping to lighten the mood. “For now, we’ll just have a great time at the campfire tonight. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”

  Mandy sniffed and finally let go of the girl, wiping away the tears. “That’s right. We’re going to have a great time and celebrate that everything worked out. We have a friendship that will last forever.” She patted Jenny’s shoulder. “We have to get to work so we can have the campfire tonight. Will you be OK?”

  “Yeah. But I’m really going to miss it around here.” Jenny gulped down tears. “I’ll miss you too, Barney.” She rubbed the top of his head, and the dog leaned against her.

  33

  Evening rolled around and everyone started coming down to the campfire area.

  Mandy’s heart warmed at the sight.

  Alice flipped steaks on a large iron grate over one side of the fire. Piles of foil-wrapped potatoes lay within an oval of very hot rocks near the flames.

  Phil and George tuned up their guitars. There were six families gathered, and even the two fishermen who’d had the mountain lion experience. They already reported to everyone that their friend was doing much better, and could go home in a few days, although he was talking about finishing up his fishing trip.

  Mandy called the church to invite more people. Families drove into the parking lot and joined in on the fun, including Pastor Bob and his wife.

  Dean went and sat by Jenny.

  Connie was all smiles.

  Rick sat unemotional.

  When the steaks were ready, Jon asked Pastor Bob to bless the food.

  Pastor Bob looked around the circle of people and spoke up. “If you would, join me in prayer.” He bowed his head.

  Everyone followed his lead, except Rick.

  “Lord, we have so much to be thankful for tonight. Mostly for the safe return of Jenny and Mandy. Lord, we know that only through You were they protected and brought back to us safely. We thank You for the arrest of the individual responsible for all the difficult circumstances of late. We do pray for that man’s salvation Father, that he will somehow turn his life over to You and repent for all he has done wrong. Lord, we know we are all guilty of sin and able to cause heartache and we just ask that You forgive us as we try to live better lives. We ask that You watch over our brother Al Shonee and bring him home soon. Now Lord, we ask that You bless this wonderful meal. We thank You for the hands that have prepared this food. And please lead our fellowship tonight. In Jesus’s name, we pray. And all God’s people said…”

  “Amen!” The reply echoed from everyone around the fire pit.

  A table off to the side held plates, silverware, and side dishes. The kids pushed their way into line first. The lighthearted mood filled the air and soon everyone settled in with their food around the fire.

  One gentleman asked of Jon, “So how is the little town site coming?”

  Nate jumped in to answer. “All the foundations are in and the framing crew started today constructing the structures. It’ll take a couple of weeks to rough it in, but we are on the right track up there.”

  Sue sat down next to Mandy with her food. “The professor from the Colorado School of Mines called this afternoon and said they would be coming out tomorrow to scope out what needed to be done on the Jackson Mine to shore it up. They are very excited to get the students involved with it.”

  “I’m so glad everything seems to be coming together now.” Mandy placed a hand to her heart.

  The plucking of a guitar started and soon the two ranch hands were comically entertaining with their brand of campfire songs.

  ****

  Jenny sat next to Dean. She couldn’t think of a thing to talk about. She moved the food around on her plate with her fork, barely eating any of it.

  Dean leaned over and focused. “Don’t you like our potluck?”

  “Huh? Oh, no it’s fine. I guess I’m just tired or something.” Jenny couldn’t even look at him.

  “I know you’re sad about leaving, Jenny. Maybe your dad will bring you back, sometime. I’m glad we got to become friends.”

  “Me, too. I don’t want to leave. I wanted to spend the summer here. I wanted to come back to your Sunday school class. I wanted to have some more fun times to make up for what Kane took away from me. I had just started to learn to ride horses. It just isn’t fair.” She set her plate on the ground in front of her.

  “I know. But hey, we have some great stories to tell.” Dean smiled in a way that lightened up her mood.

  Jenny finally giggled. “I don’t think my friends back home will believe it.”

  ****

  Pastor Bob refilled his plate for another helping of the salads and a couple of the double chocolate brownies, then headed over to Rick and Connie. “Mind if I join you?” He stood next to the log bench they sat on. The fire crackled and snapped.

  Connie smiled. “No, please. Join us.”

  “I always have liked these get-togethers around the fire pit at the High Country Safari ranch. These people know how to throw a party.”

  “They do seem to have fun,
despite everything that has happened.” Connie tried to continue the conversation since her husband wasn’t participating in it.

  “Are you two doing OK after everything that has gone on? Our church sure prayed hard for all these difficult circumstances that have gone on. I’m sure glad Jenny is OK.”

  “Well…we’re leaving in the morning,” Connie said quietly.

  “Oh, I thought you were staying on for the summer. Rick, weren’t you going to do more exploration of the cave on the west side of the property?”

  “How could I possibly keep my family here after all that has happened to our daughter?”

  “Oh, I can understand that. As men, we have a great need to protect our family. I commend you for that. But, surely you realize that the threat is over…” Pastor Bob said.

  “All I know is that the past two weeks were supposed to be vacation, but have turned into one heart-wrenching experience after another.”

  “We did have some fun times…” Connie tried.

  “From what I understand, there have been a lot of instances where God’s protection was very evident.”

  “Again with God!” Rick spat out. “Where was God when that beast took Jenny captive in a mine? Where was God when he took her again with Mandy? God hasn’t done any favors around here.” Rick tossed his plate down on the bench and stomped away.

  Connie watched her husband walk towards the pond. “I’m sorry, Reverend. He’s been very upset by everything.”

  “Oh, I understand. Do you think I could go talk to him?”

  “I’m not sure if he’ll listen, but you’re welcome to try.”

  The pastor put the last bite of brownie into his mouth, set down his plate, and walked after Rick. The music filled the air along with laughter from the group.

  ****

  Jon had his arm around Mandy’s shoulder and Mandy had her arm around Jon’s waist.

  The fire crackled, lighting up everyone’s smiling faces. Some of the kids lined up to roast their marshmallows for s’mores, the traditional camp cookies made with graham crackers, melted chocolate, and hot, squishie marshmallows.

  Barney roamed around watching for any food tossed aside.

  Phil started playing an old Irving Berlin song, stretching out the first word so the older generation had time to pick up on the words and join in. Soon the kids were mimicking the adults and the chorus continued. Everyone laughed as George took on the next verse.

  Jon sighed and whispered in his wife’s ear, “Ahh…this is more like it. This is how life is supposed to be.”

  “So you don’t want any more excitement?”

  “No, I don’t. I don’t ever want to experience the possibility of losing you ever again.”

  “I’ll second that. It’s time for a boring summer, now.”

  “We’ll see if that happens.” Jon gave a rueful grin. “It could be challenging to have Mr. Shonee here. He’s pretty set in his ways.”

  “I think I can handle him.”

  ****

  Morning came and Mandy found Jenny down at the corral. Barney stood at her side. The songbirds filled the air with their music. As Mandy walked up, she could hear sniffles coming from the girl. “Hey, sweetie. Good morning. Checking out the horses?”

  Jenny had tears running down her face. She threw her arms around Mandy’s neck. “Oh, Mandy…I don’t want to go home.”

  “Oh, honey, I know, but you have to go by your dad’s decision. Who can blame him? You’ve been through so much the past couple of weeks.”

  “I don’t care. It’s all over with now. I know he wanted to dig deeper into the rhodochrosite mine. Why would he leave that?” She cried harder.

  “Because he loves you very much.” Mandy smoothed Jenny’s hair as she held her. “He wants to protect you from any more bad things.”

  “Bad things can happen at home, too. We should just stay here.”

  “His priority is you, Jenny. You can always return. Maybe after things get back to normal for a while, he’ll want to come here again.”

  “Maybe,” the girl sniffed. “I’m just going to miss you and Jon and especially Barney so much.”

  “We’ll be right here waiting for you. We can always e-mail each other…” Mandy led her to a bench near the corral. They sat down and quietly watched the horses meandering around the corral.

  Mandy teared up. She pulled a tissue from her back pocket and handed one to Jenny.

  ****

  Jenny realized how much she would miss the ranch. Barney had been her buddy the whole time. He stayed with her when she thought she was alone. She found Jesus was her friend and He would be with her no matter what. She made friends at a church. She really liked Dean. He was so cute. She recalled the rides up into the trails surrounding the ranch. She remembered the sharp gray, snowy mountaintops. How fast the storm rolled in over the mountains. The elk, the deer, the white fuzzy babies and the pine trees. Everywhere they went, there was so much more to see. She loved it here. She preferred it to the crowded neighborhood she lived in.

  She’d started out mad at her folks for making her leave her friends. Now, here she sat crying and mad at them again that she had to leave. She sobbed into Mandy’s shoulder.

  The sun made it up over the hill to the east. The birds chirped and flitted around at the feeder by the house. The jays squawked loudly up in the trees.

  Mandy and Jenny just sat there quietly taking it all in together.

  “Hey, you two.”

  Jenny turned, tears still streaming down her face.

  Mandy did her best to hold back her own tears.

  “What’s with all the crying around here?” Rick asked.

  Jenny sniffed, wiping at her eyes. “I don’t want to go, Dad. I want to stay here.”

  “Is that why you’re crying?”

  “Y-yes.”

  Rick stood near the bench next to Jenny. “I’ve been talking to your mom.”

  Sniff.

  “We decided we’re going to stay.” Rick smiled.

  “What? Are you kidding?”

  “I’m not kidding.”

  Jenny flew off the bench and flung her arms around her dad, almost knocking him over. “Oh, Dad. Thank you. I’m so excited.” She hugged Mandy, and then ran off yelling for her mom. Barney was close on her heels.

  ****

  Rick watched her go, and then turned to his hostess.

  Mandy patted the bench, indicating he should sit down. “What made you change your mind?”

  Rick sighed and sat down next to her. “You have a persuasive pastor.”

  “Well, that’s true. But how did he persuade you?”

  “He challenged me to at least take some time to get to know who God really is before I bail out and run. I didn’t much like to hear someone say I was bailing out. I’m not one to give up, so I decided during a sleepless night that I needed to find out what it is that keeps all of you so devoted to God. Jenny seems so self-assured from her knowledge of God, and I thought she’d be traumatized. I’m sure she’ll have issues, but she loves it here, despite what happened. Besides, that rhodochrosite keeps calling my name.” He grinned.

  Jon walked out of the office.

  Mandy waved him over.

  “Hey. What’s up? You all ready to leave?” He looked to Rick.

  Mandy and Rick grinned as they looked at each other.

  “What?” Jon asked with a furrowed brow.

  “Can I tell him?” Mandy asked.

  “Sure, go ahead!” Rick smiled.

  “Tell me what?”

  “The Carters will be staying with us this summer, after all.”

  Jon extended his hand, which Rick took in his own. “I’m glad to hear it, Rick. Things will be better now, I’m sure of it.”

  “Thanks, Jon. Yeah, I think I need to stick around here and learn some things. And there are too many possibilities with that mine of yours to let it sit idly holding any more treasure.” He looked over his shoulder as his wife and daughter came to joi
n them. “I think this will be the summer to remember for my family. We’ve gotten closer. We’ve made it through some impossible circumstances, yet through it all, I think I’ve discovered that my time with my family is way more important than a job. If we are here, we’ll be able to spend more time together as a family instead of me running off to another jobsite.”

  Connie smiled as she put her arm around her husband.

  “Connie, I’m so glad you’ll be here with us,” Mandy said.

  “Me, too. I think it will be good for all of us to spend some more time here. Hopefully, a bit less dramatic in the weeks to come.” She hooked a finger under her daughter’s chin.

  Everyone laughed and agreed.

  Barney began a low growl. When the growl picked up in volume, it caught Jenny’s attention. “What is it boy?” She knelt down.

  He kept his gaze to the west and continued to growl.

  The group looked up in that direction.

  Smoke!

  Jon began to bark orders to ring the alarm as he ran to the barn.

  Mandy took off for the porch to clang the triangle that hung from the roof.

  Ranch hands streamed out of the bunk house pulling on their boots. More came from the barn and garage. They hopped into the trucks with the gear, including the water truck, and took off out the driveway.

  Mandy ran inside and grabbed the phone.

  Rick sighed, followed Jon to the barn, grabbed a shovel and hopped into the Jeep with his host. “Yep, it’s going to be a nice, quiet summer!”

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