Peace in the Valley

by Ruth Logan Herne

  The ice cream soothed the ruffled kid feathers, but Lucy kept thinking of things she needed to get done at home. By the time they’d finished their ice cream, it was nearly four o’clock.

  “We got so much done.” Elsa seemed pleased. Really pleased.

  “We did. And I even got Belle the things she needed for fall, so that’s another good thing to check off the list.”

  “She’s going to look adorable in that pink-and-gray outfit,” said Dakota. “I think that was my most favorite, Lucy. What about you, Cheyenne?”

  “I’m wiped out.” Cheyenne laid her head back and acted like Lucy felt.

  “You’re all set for a new school year,” Elsa told her, and when Cheyenne exchanged looks with her in the rearview mirror, Elsa smiled. “And it will be a wonderful new beginning.”

  She turned left onto the two-lane, then put her signal on to make a right into Lucy’s yard. Except it didn’t look like Lucy’s bare, graveled yard anymore. It looked positively, radiantly beautiful.

  A tapered garden stretched the length of the refurbished porch. A natural wood trellis shaded the near end of the porch. The tawny hue of the wood complemented the white railings, and a pair of raspberry-toned climbing roses hugged the trellis’s bottom.

  Small bushes and more flowers dotted the garden plot. Zinnias and mums brought fall’s rusts, golds, and cranberry into the mix, while two golden euonymus added all-season spots of color. At the far end, a pyramidal yew offered a natural high point. Thick Washington stone provided a barrier from the driveway and busy little boy feet.

  “Is this why we stayed out two hours longer than expected?”

  Elsa came around the front of the SUV and smiled. “It’s quite possible that I received a text or two asking me to keep you away a little longer than expected. And it turned out wonderful.”

  Ashley came through the side door. “Do you love it?”

  “I love it so much!” Lucy told her. She climbed the steps and hugged Ashley. “You knew about this?”

  “I helped Trey do it.” Pride brightened her voice and lifted her chin. “He said I did great,” she added. “He did all the digging, and then a guy from Cedarwood brought the black mulch for on top.” She held out her stained hands. “I hope it washes off before school starts.”

  “Oh, Ashley.” Lucy gripped her hands. “Thank you. Thank you so much. And two new rockers.”

  The handcrafted rockers came from a family business outside of Ellensburg. They’d seen them at the fair, which meant Trey must have made the drive back to buy the matching chairs. “This is beautiful. So beautiful.”

  The kids scrambled from chair to swing, then back to the rockers again, trying things out. “Did Trey leave?”

  “He got a text right when we finished, and had to head out. You just missed him.”

  Elsa raised her phone. “I just got a similar text. The surgical team in San Francisco has an unexpected opening. The men are heading to San Francisco first thing in the morning.”

  “All of them?”

  “Yes. Girls, hop in. We’ve got to go give Grandpa and your dad a kiss good-bye.”

  A kiss good-bye…

  Two days ago she might have had that right, the right to kiss Trey good-bye and wish Sam well.

  She wished she could smooth things over. Talk to him. Maybe if she’d given him time to explain, time to share his feelings, she’d have understood his reaction.

  But she didn’t, and this time should belong to his father. “We’ll be praying. And I’ll be happy to jump in and help at the ranch with anything you guys might need.”

  “Isabo would love that, I’m sure.” The girls had hurried into the SUV and fastened their belts. “See you soon.” She pulled the SUV around and disappeared from view a few moments later.

  “Do you like it, Mom?” Cade came up alongside her. She saw more than just the question in his eyes. She saw concern. She nodded and took his hand.

  “I love it. It’s like living in a fairy tale, isn’t it?” The outside of her little farm glowed with care. Clean, freshly painted outbuildings met slate-gray roofs with a trim of white.

  The freshly painted house and shutters gleamed in the late-summer sun. Hobbs had regraded the graveled portion of the yard, and he’d eased out the bumps and holes in the Christmas tree path. Trey had staked off a parking area on the far side, and he’d lined the walking paths with wood chips. He’d created an inviting entry into the tree area, perfect for holiday sales.

  “It’s so vewy beautiful, isn’t it, Mommy?” Belle dashed out the door.

  “Angelina dropped her off at naptime,” Ashley explained. “I hope that’s okay. I made sure the monitor was on downstairs so we could hear her if she woke up.”

  “That’s fine, Ashley.” Lucy reached out and put her palm to Ashley’s smooth, soft cheek. “It’s just fine. And I was thinking that you and I could get some shopping done on Friday if we leave right after school gets out. We could drive down to Union Gap and get a solid few hours in. I’m going to see if Jenna can come by and watch the kids. That way we can spend the evening together.”

  “Just you and me?” The thought deepened Ashley’s smile.

  “Just us.”

  “That would be awesome.”

  “I think so too.” Ashley moved ahead of her, started to open the door, and then paused. She turned back and scanned the yard, the clean, fresh barn and sheds, then the pretty garden. “Are you worried about Mr. Stafford?”

  She’d be lying if she said no. “I am, but they’re in good hands. Elsa told me the transplant center is among the best.”

  Ashley stared out at the flowers, then turned toward Lucy. “I heard Angelina talking to Elsa about forgiveness.”

  Lucy stood quiet, listening.

  “She was talking about God forgiving us, but then about forgiving ourselves.”

  Lucy understood the difficulty in that firsthand. “That’s often the toughest of all.”

  Ashley gripped the door handle hard. “I don’t want to mess up anymore, Lucy. I want to start high school and be normal.”

  Normal. The thought of being normal seemed minimal, but Lucy recognized the gravity of the wish. When your entire life had been dysfunctional, normal seemed just plain nice. “I hear you.”

  “Anyway that’s my goal. Angelina said it was a good one.”

  “She was right.”

  Ashley pulled the door open, but then she let it go and hugged Lucy, like she used to, years ago. “Thank you, Lucy. Thank you for taking a chance on a kid like me.”

  A kid like her.

  Lucy hugged her back, good and hard. “Right back at ya, kid.”

  She went to bed that night praying for Sam’s full recovery. He had to recover. He’d spent months trying to undo the damage he’d done over the years. Was he buying God’s love?

  No. Salvation wasn’t for sale and grace wasn’t a commodity. It was freely given.

  But he was working to atone for his sins and mistakes. The compensation couldn’t fix the pain Sam caused to so many, but it showed heart and soul. Whatever life held in store for Sam Stafford now, Lucy was truly pleased that he’d gotten right with God. She’d put a note on the fridge, reminding them all to pray for Sam’s return to health.

  “Where two or three are gathered together in my name…”

  Christ’s promise would be fulfilled, right there on Lucy Carlton’s little farm. A family, praying for their neighbor, together.

  For once in her life, things felt beautifully, absolutely right.

  Trey pulled into Lucy’s yard shortly after seven the next morning. He jumped out of the SUV and paused.

  He didn’t have time to pause. He knew that, but seeing the progress around Lucy’s house and yard, the barn restoration, and the overall improvements made him breathe easier. If nothing else, he’d given her a lighter, prettier view of the world. No matter what happened in the coming days, he’d helped create a more soothing environment for Lucy and the kids. And with the changes
he’d made to his will, he’d ensured their future if—

  There is no if, and they won’t need a bequest. This is all going to be fine. Just fine.

  He wanted to believe the internal scolding. And it wasn’t like he felt doomed or had a premonition. He just wanted to cover all the bases, because that’s what a man did. He took care of things, just in case.

  He’d made arrangements to make sure Lucy was okay financially if something went wrong. That wasn’t fear talking. That was Western common sense. He started for the house as she came out the door.

  He paused again, drinking her in. So beautiful, so special, standing barefoot on the freshly painted porch, framed by clean white pillars and bright-toned flowers. “Nice garden, Ms. Lucy.”

  “Prettiest I’ve ever seen, Trey.” She moved forward, slightly. “Thank you so much for doing that.”

  “Just a little yard work, ma’am. That’s all it is.”

  “It’s almost too beautiful to be real,” she whispered.

  It was, and he wasn’t talking about the simple visual. He was thinking about more. Much more. “Came to say good-bye for a bit.”

  She stayed where she was, as if glued to that spot on the porch. “Sam’s lucky to have you. All of you.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll be praying for him, Trey. I’m real glad he found peace with the Lord, but I think it would be nice for God to give him some time here, on the planet, to enjoy it with his family.” Hope infused her voice. Grace deepened her soft smile. Right then, Trey could imagine a lifetime of inspiring that smile. A full and beautiful lifetime. He started up the steps as the kids poured out of the house.

  “Good-bye, Trey! I hope your dad is okay!” Cade grabbed hold around his waist and didn’t let go.

  “See ya soon!” Cody grabbed hold from the other side, a pair of entwined monkeys, clinging tight.

  “I made this for Mr. Sam.” Belle handed him a coloring page of pretty flowers in an interesting array of somewhat drastic colors. “I fink he’ll wike it a l-l-lot,” she told him earnestly, trying hard to pronounce things correctly like Lucy showed her. “It’s so pwetty, isn’t it?”

  “It is. Like you.” Trey bent low and hugged them all.

  Fear gripped him as the kids piled in.

  What if he didn’t come back? What if things went bad? Was he a fool to resist seeking alternative choices and risk the chance at happiness with these children? This woman?

  How often was Christ tempted in that desert? Those other choices had to look good. Real good. But in the end he did the right thing.

  The right thing.

  The words both tore and healed. He knew how to do the right thing. He’d always known. His biggest fear was having others choose the wrong thing.

  “You’ll let us know how he’s doing?”

  “Of course.” He wouldn’t be making that call, of course. But she didn’t need to know that now. “Keep prayin’, guys. And keep it real over here for your mom, but not too real. Okay?” Ashley came onto the porch as he stood. He reached out and bumped knuckles with her. “Chin up, eyes forward, Ash. One day at a time.”

  “That’s the plan, Stan.”

  “All right, then.”

  He started to leave, then couldn’t. Not without holding Lucy one more time. A hug…just a simple, life-affirming hug, an embrace that needed no words.

  Her hair smelled of ripe berries and vanilla, a summer mix of home sweet home. Like silk, her hair touched his face, swept his cheek.

  She folded into his embrace as if made to be there, as if molded for him. Never had timing seemed so utterly important and sharp-edged cruel.

  Did you mean all that stuff you spewed about God being in control? Or were you just doing lip service?

  Colt’s words came back to him. He hauled in a breath and let Lucy go as Cade took hold of his hand.

  “You’re comin’ back, aren’t you, Trey? You promise?” The question went deeper than the simple phrasing allowed. It wanted a pledge, a pledge he couldn’t be sure of, and he remembered another little boy, longing for love, begging assurance.

  He bent low, not wanting to lie. “I’m going to do my best.”

  “But I’ll miss you so much if you don’t come back.” Cade’s voice pleaded. He gripped Trey’s hand in a hold Trey remembered like it was yesterday. A little fellow, grabbing hold of a hand and a heart and never letting go. Cade choked out the next words, as if speaking them was hard. So hard. “Please come back.”

  Trey’s heart went tight. So did his throat. He reached out and hugged the boy close. “You be good, okay?”

  Cade’s jaw quivered. He studied Trey, and when he didn’t find what he was looking for, he stepped back, reading between the lines. “Sure. Whatever.” He rubbed the back of his sleeve to his nose, trying to pretend it didn’t matter. That nothing mattered.

  Lucy tuned in on the lack of promise too. She put a loving arm around Cade’s narrow shoulders. “You’ve done a great deal for us, and we’re grateful for it. For all of it.”

  He longed to explain, and if all went well this week, he’d be back in a few weeks, ready to begin anew. And if it didn’t, he’d have done his best, and that’s all a man could do. “Good-bye, guys.”

  “Bye, Trey! We love you!” Cody climbed onto the bottom rail, waving madly. “See you soon!”

  “We wove you, Twey!” Belle’s sweet little voice, calling to him. “We wove you so much!”

  He couldn’t help himself. He turned and faced them all. “I love you too. All of you.”

  He didn’t look at Lucy’s face.

  He couldn’t.

  He couldn’t face the disappointment he sensed when he didn’t make the promise she longed for and deserved, but he’d made a pledge to himself years back. A vow to be honest and true. More than anyone, Lucy deserved that absolute honesty.

  Trey climbed into the car and headed back to the Double S where his family waited.

  He’d left things bittersweet at Lucy’s place. He’d have to deal with that post-surgery.

  For now, Sam’s timeline ruled the day, and there was no telling how things might go. If Trey had his way, his father would fully recover and enjoy a nice long life in his treasured valley. And if everything went well, Trey would join him there, all of them, making Washington home again. Maybe like it should have been, all along.

  Colt drove the big ranch SUV to the airport. Angelina rode shotgun, jotting notes in her phone as he issued orders, until she finally punched him in the arm.

  “Hey.” Colt shot her a look of dismay. “What was that for?”

  “You think we’re suddenly incapable? You think because you’re gone for a little while that everything will fall apart? Might I remind you that Murt and Hobbs will keep everything in hand on the outside, and Mami, Elsa, Lucy, and I will keep things running smoothly on the house, yard, and child end of the spectrum. I don’t need instructions from you on things I do every single day. Got it?”

  He didn’t scowl. Colt grinned. “Man, that felt good. When you start being too nice to me, I start to worry that you’re worried.”

  “So yelling is better?” She threw up her hands as if he made no sense whatsoever.

  “Well, you scolding me for something or other is normal, Ange.” He flashed Trey, Nick, and Sam an amused look in the rearview mirror. “Normal works.”

  She muttered something in Spanish under her breath, but then she laughed. “Normal is always good.”

  They got to the airport with barely enough time to make the plane.

  Angelina didn’t prolong the good-byes. Trey would have been more anxious if she did. She hugged them all, and when she got to him, she paused. “Your courage and God’s will, Trey. I think that’s what this has all been about, from the beginning. You completed this family circle once, when you were a little boy. And now you’ll do it again.”

  She hugged him and stepped back toward the running car. “Call, text, whatever. And do not give the doctors and nurses a hard time. At all. Any of you. You h
ear me?”

  “Half the airport did, darlin’.” Colt grinned and waved from the door as the others walked through. And a little while later, an unusually quiet group of Stafford men boarded the plane.

  You were silly to get your hopes up and leave your guard down. Be grateful for all the good that came of this summer, and let the rest go.

  Great mental advice, but not so easy when Lucy was surrounded by reminders of Trey. The sharp-looking barns, the neat walking path, the house, the porch, the bright new garden.

  She couldn’t afford to let her heart ache. He hadn’t led her astray or led her on. He’d been nice, pure and simple.

  And kind and good and funny and gorgeous, but was that his fault?

  Yes, she decided, as she got the kids’ things together for the first day of school. His fault or hers, she needed to shelve the raw emotions laying claim to her from within.

  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

  The wise words from James were a great reminder.

  God wasn’t fickle. He didn’t play games. He stood strong and resolute, now and forever. She’d cling to that simple truth.

  Belle and Cody went on with their day, eager to race beneath the warm September sun. Cade tried to join in, but then he’d pause and his eyes would stray up the hill, toward the Double S.

  He missed Trey already, and that guilt was on her for letting down her barriers. Her son followed her lead, which meant his aching heart was her fault.

  “Trey said he’d try to come back and see us. Right?”

  “He said he’d try.” She refused to let her voice break. “He’s probably got a lot of work to catch up on after Mr. Sam’s operation. He’s been here, helping us for half the summer. Right?”

  Cade nodded, a tiny V ridged tight between his brows.

  “It’s probably a good time for all of us to do a little catching up. In school, on the farm, and Trey’s job too.”

  “I just miss him.”

  Her chest went tight, hearing the pain in his voice.

  “That’s all.”