by Leann Harris
“I knew that boy was good when I first saw him those years ago,” Ollie said to Sophie as Zach made another pass at the target. “He’s got his balance back.”
Joy flooded her. “Alleluia,” she whispered, watching the performance. Zach seemed more like the boy she knew those many years ago. He smiled and laughed. He made her heart do somersaults in her chest.
She could only gaze at him in wonder and amazement.
Zach finished his ride. The grin on his face made him look sixteen again. He rode to Ollie’s side and handed him his saber and dismounted.
“You’re looking good.” A smile curved the older man’s mouth.
Zach’s family raced out of the bleachers.
“Wow,” Sophie said, looking at Ollie. Turning, she addressed Zach. “That’s some high praise you handed out to him.”
Ollie blushed. “I call ’em like I see ’em.”
Sophie smiled, wrapping her arm around Ollie’s shoulders. “I was teasing.”
Before she could add anything, Zach’s family engulfed him. Every one of them took turns hugging him.
Sophie’s heart ached at the beautiful picture before her. The bridges that had been damaged between parents and child seemed to be repaired.
Lynda scooped Sophie up in a hug. “Thank you for giving me back my son.” When Lynda pulled back, her eyes danced with joy.
“I didn’t do anything. Zach worked. It’s him you need to congratulate. He’s done the work.”
The chatter had died and Sophie’s words rang out. She turned to Zach. “It’s true. You worked. It’s your victory.”
“True, but I had a hard taskmaster.”
“Hopefully, the army will share your opinion. I think when those officers come to review the program, you’ll blow them away.”
The sound of cars pulling up in the parking lot drifted in the air, followed by the sound of car doors slamming.
“I think my time’s over,” Zach announced. “I’ll put Prince Charming away. Sophie, could you lock up my saber in the office?”
His parents left and Sophie took the sword from Ollie. They scattered, each to a different chore.
An hour later, after Andy’s session, his mother arrived to pick him up. Sophie had to take a call in the office. After she finished, she went looking for Zach. She needed to huddle with him about the call she had just received from the colonel.
When Sophie walked into the stables, she heard Andy ask, “So how do you keep that fake foot on?”
“It’s a neat way. A vacuum.”
“You mean like my mom’s? That machine she uses to clean the carpet?”
Sophie stopped, curious to see what Zach would say.
“It’s like that in a way. My fake leg latches onto my real leg. Ever put your hand under the vacuum?”
She couldn’t see Andy, but she could imagine his expression.
“My leg’s the same. See this button?”
“Yeah.”
“If you press it, it makes the fake leg let go of my real leg.”
Sophie peered around the corner to see Andy’s little head bent over Zach’s leg.
“Can I press it?” Andy looked up. His mother stood behind Andy.
Zach looked at his mother. She nodded.
“Sure.”
The little boy pressed the button and the artificial leg slipped off.
“Oh, that’s cool. It’d be fun if I had one of those.”
“It’s nice I have this leg, but it would be easier if I had my real leg, like you. This—” he said, touching the artificial limb “—makes things harder.”
“So why’d you get this if you liked your real leg.”
Andy’s mom’s eyes widened.
Zach put up his hand. “It was an accident when I was a soldier. But the doctors fixed me up. And that’s why I’ve been riding, to help me.”
Andy sat back on his haunches. “I’m sorry for your accident. But it’s good you have that ’ficial leg. You can walk normal.”
“That’s true.” Zach slipped his leg back into the prosthesis.
Sophie walked around the corner.
Andy glanced up. “You see Zach’s leg? I’ve been asking him if I could see. He talked to my mama and she said it was ’kay.”
Andy jumped to his feet. “I understand now why he had to have the ’ficial leg. I wanted one, but it’s good I have my own real legs.” He smiled at his mom. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to tell Dad about this.”
Andy’s mom stepped to Zach’s side. “Thank you. He’s been curious about why you had the leg, why he couldn’t have one, too, and why you got it.”
Zach shrugged. “It’s not a problem. And I think I answered his questions.”
She nodded and went after her son. She paused by Sophie. “I hope you don’t mind that Andy wanted to see Zach’s leg.”
Still struggling for her emotional balance, Sophie smiled. “Of course not. I’m glad that Zach could answer Andy’s questions.”
“Mom,” Andy yelled.
“I’m coming,” she replied. “Thank you.” She nodded toward Zach.
Sophie leaned against the hall wall. Bewildered, she didn’t know what to say.
“You upset?” Zach asked. He watched her carefully, expecting—what? Anger? Reprimand?
“No. I’m not upset. Surprised, but not upset.”
“Are you going to yell at me that I shouldn’t have showed Andy my leg.”
She didn’t know where he was going. “No. If Andy’s mom talked to you about the situation, I’m okay with it. Were you okay with it?”
He readjusted the cushioning sock on his stump and then put his leg into the prosthesis. He stood, putting pressure on the leg. He then pushed his pant leg down over the leg. The low boots he wore had a lower heel than normal cowboy boots, but when his pant leg fell over the boot, she couldn’t tell that his shoes were anything else but a true cowboy boot.
“She surprised me, but she told me of how Andy wanted a ’ficial leg, too, just like Zach. I think she wanted to die of embarrassment, but Andy wanted to see my leg.” He shrugged. “Andy asked honestly, so I showed him.”
She noted how carefully he watched her reaction.
“You handled it perfectly. Thanks for answering his questions.”
He visibly relaxed as if he’d been expecting a stern lecture.
“I was coming to tell you that I got a call from the colonel just a few minutes ago. He’s bringing his team out next Monday to look over the ranch and talk to us.”
“That’s great news. I’ll be sure to be here bright and early.” He started down the center aisle of the stables. He stopped and turned. “You like country music?”
“Yes.”
“I have tickets for a Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw concert in Santa Fe this Friday night. Would you like to go?”
Suddenly, Sophie felt sixteen and being asked out on her first date.
“We could do dinner and the show.”
“What about the horses?”
Laughing, he quipped, “I don’t have tickets for them.”
Resting her hands on her hips, she glared at him.
“I’ll get Ethan to come and help us settle the stock. Will that do?”
“It will. And yes, I’d love to go with you to the concert.”
“It’s a date.” He turned and walked away, whistling.
Turning, Sophie came face-to-face with Ollie. He grinned. “Good choice.”
Smiling, she shook her head. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought Ollie set up the whole deal.
After the last rider’s mother picked her up, the volunteers and sidewalkers helped care for the horses, bedding them down for the night. Ollie and Zach worked along with the volunteers.
As Sophie put out hay, she heard Austin in the stables. “As you can see, the stable is in great shape. If you want, you could also buy the stock, too.”
Sophie froze in the stall.
“I’d like to look at the horses you have.”
Sophie walked out of the stall. Zach emerged from the tack room. Ollie walked in from the large open doors at the end of the stables.
Austin and the man with him stopped.
“What can I do for you, Austin?” Sophie asked. She felt Zach’s and Ollie’s support.
He glanced at Zach, then back over his shoulder at Ollie. “Nothing. I was showing Mr. Jamison around the ranch.”
The man held out his hand. “Cole Jamison.”
Sophie shook his hand. “Sophie Powell. I’m in charge of running the ranch until Margaret returns.”
Jamison’s brow shot up. “I thought you told me that your mother was selling the ranch.”
Both Zach and Ollie straightened.
With a tight smile, Austin nodded. “Mother realizes she’s not ever going to be able to return to the day-to-day running of the ranch and decided to sell it.”
Zach moved behind her. Ollie stepped forward.
“When did she tell you that, Austin?” Sophie calmly asked.
Glaring daggers at her, he said, “I’ll talk with you later, Ms. Powell, after I’ve finished giving Mr. Jamison his tour.” With those words, Austin dismissed her and guided Mr. Jamison out of the stable.
Sophie drew in several deep breaths to prevent herself from running after Austin and saying something she would later regret.
“Who was that?” Zach’s words came from behind her.
“That was Margaret’s son.”
“And he wants to sell the ranch?”
She spun and looked up at him. “That’s what it appears to be.”
“Doesn’t he know about the program you’re developing for the army? And what of his mother’s wishes.”
“It won’t matter to him,” Ollie spat out. “He’s a little worm. He’s never wanted any of this. He didn’t support the equine-therapy program. I heard him arguing with his mother about this. Margaret did it in spite of her son’s opposition.”
Zach sat on the barrel outside one of the stalls. “What does this do to our plans for the army?”
“Nothing,” Sophie answered.
Both men looked at her.
“When Margaret and I decided to try to set up this program for the vets, Margaret realized that if something happened to her, she told me I had first right to buy this ranch.”
Ollie grinned. “Ah, that’s my Margaret.”
Sophie hid her shock at Ollie’s comment. Ollie and Margaret?
Zach stood. “If Margaret wanted to sell, could you buy the ranch?”
“Yes, I have that right, and I’m sure Austin doesn’t know about that.”
Ollie slapped his leg as a bark of laughter escaped. “It’ll be a major sticking point to his plan to get rid of this place.”
“Did you put it in writing?” Zach asked.
“Yes.”
Zach’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned. “Aw, you’re a smart girl.”
“Well, I have to share that title with Margaret. We decided to put our agreement in writing, just in case something happened. And it did.”
Sophie walked out of the stable and watched as Austin and Jamison walked to their cars. Sophie waved at Austin. “I need to talk to you,” she called out.
Austin said something to the other man, and slapped him on the shoulder. Jamison got in his car and drove off. Austin waited until the other man was out of the parking lot before he walked toward Sophie.
“What can I do for you, Ms. Powell?
“How’s your mother?” Sophie asked.
“She’s improving. Her speech is getting better. The doctors tell us they don’t think she’ll walk again. She won’t ever be able to run a ranch again.”
Hearing how poorly Margaret was doing, Sophie wanted to cry. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I do have to tell you that your mother gave me first right to buy this ranch.”
Austin’s dismissive attitude evaporated. “What?”
“Your mom told me if she decided to sell this ranch, I would have the first right to buy this place.”
“I know nothing of this.”
“Your mother conducted business and I’m sure you didn’t know of most of the day-to-day items of business she dealt with.”
He waved off her words. “You could say anything you like and it doesn’t make it true.”
“You’re right, but we put our agreement in writing.”
His eyes widened. “I’d like to see that.”
“I’ll find that agreement and I can fax you a copy of it. I also think that she left a copy of the agreement with her lawyer. He’ll have a copy of it, too.”
“I’ll check out your story. I’ll be back in contact with you.” With those final chilly words, he stalked to his car, got in it and sped off.
Later that night, after Sophie faxed a copy of the agreement to Austin, she got a call from him.
“You’ve got until next Friday to come up with the money for the ranch.” He named a sum.
“That is not fair market value,” Sophie replied. “Did your mother okay that?”
“I’ve been appointed guardian over the estate. That’s the price I want for the ranch.”
Sophie heard what he left unsaid. That was the price that Jamison would pay.
“If you can’t come up with the sum, I’ll sell it to another bidder.” He hung up.
Sophie stared at the phone as if it was a snake. What was she going to do? She thought she knew what God wanted her to do, run this ranch. Help others.
“Lord, with You everything is possible. I need Your help now.”
Chapter Twelve
Sophie left the bank and walked to her truck. The loan application seemed to go smoothly. The bank wanted collateral. The contract with the army would provide that. The loan officer knew Margaret and her, and was reassured by the future income.
Thinking of her old friend, Sophie wanted to see Margaret, to touch base with her.
The private recovery hospital was near the bank. It took only a few minutes to drive to the facility. Margaret had come back from her physical-therapy session. When the attendant wheeled her into the room, Sophie noticed a sparkle in the older woman’s eyes.
The man left Margaret in the wheelchair.
Sophie kissed Margaret on the cheek. “How are you doing?”
Margaret nodded. Speech was still hard for her.
Sophie pulled her chair next to Margaret and took her hand. “We miss you at the ranch, but the Lord sent Zach McClure.” Sophie spent the next twenty minutes talking about what had happened at the ranch, how Zach came to the ranch and her deal with him.
“I think those army officials will be blown away with what we can do. You should see him, Margaret. He’s physically stronger, but I see a smile on his face. And laughter. He started laughing again.
“I nearly passed out when I saw Zach showing Andy his prosthesis.” She shook her head, a grin playing on her mouth. “But that action answered all of Andy’s questions. Zach has a wonderful way with the kids.” Looking down at Margaret’s hands, she whispered, “I’m confused, old friend.” She raised her head. “I think I’m falling in love. But I’m scared, Margaret.”
“No,” the older woman said.
“No, what?”
“Afraid. Trust—” She tapped her heart.
Sophie didn’t know if she could trust her heart. “That’s easier said than done.”
Margaret squeezed her hand. “Ranch. Heard Austin sell.”
Sophie wondered if Margaret knew about her son’s actions. “Do you want to sell the ranch?”
The door to the room opened and Austin stood there.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded in his usual nasty tone.
Sophie leaned back in her seat. She wondered if Austin paid someone to report her appearances to him. “I came to see your mother. She’s making good progress.”
“She is, and she probably needs to rest now after her session.”
Margaret shook her head. “Stop.”
Sophie didn’t want to upset her old friend or bring any more problems into the situation.
“I need to go.” Sophie patted Margaret’s hand. “You’re looking good and you’re in my prayers.”
Margaret tried to smile, but her weak left side gave her smile a lopsided twist.
Sophie quickly left the room and started down the hall. Standing in front of the elevator doors, Sophie noticed Austin walking out of his mother’s room toward her. He held up his hand, preventing her from getting on the elevator when the doors opened.
“Ms. Powell, I don’t want you visiting my mother without me in the room.” Hostility radiated off the man as heat came off the stove.
“Why is that?”
“Because I don’t want you to say things that will upset her,” he responded.
“Like the truth?”
“Maybe your version of the truth.”
“Too late. She knows you want to sell the ranch.”
Austin’s lips compressed. “I don’t want you around my mother.”
“Why, Austin? Margaret and I are friends. We’ve been friends for a long time, since before I graduated from high school.”
He stepped closer. “I know, and you’ve been trying to worm your way into her heart from the first. What’s wrong with your relationship with your own mother that you have to find another?”
Sophie gasped.
The second elevator doors pinged opened and Ollie walked out. He looked at the two before him.
“Everything okay?” Ollie asked.
Sophie turned to her friend. “Yes. Margaret’s doing well.”
Ollie nodded, but he didn’t move.
She walked into the elevator. As the door slid closed, she saw Austin glaring at her.
Zach parked his truck beside the guesthouse on the ranch. He felt like a raw sixteen-year-old on his first date. Things were moving so fast, he needed to hold on or he was going to be thrown off this pony.
He finally acknowledged his feelings for Sophie. If he was honest with himself, he’d had feelings for her for a long time. She was amazing. Watching all the people depending on her, he knew that she didn’t shirk from any of the responsibilities.
