Sarah and the Cowboy's Lady (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza)

by Gay N. Lewis

  “The way those two are progressing, I can almost assure you they will be married in that field of Texas Bluebonnets you so love.” Sarah glanced at Eve. “At least, I’ll try to make that happen.”

  “And I’ve had a wonderful Christmas—the best ever—and now, I have two angels standing by my bed.”

  “Actually, you have three.” Edie’s guardian angel appeared at the foot of the bed—all shiny, bright, and white.

  “Hi, Sparkly. I haven’t seen you in quite a while.” Edie’s face grew soft.

  “I’ve always been near.” Sparkly glided forward and caressed Edie’s hair.

  The three angels and one human enjoyed a night of sweet conversation.

  * * *

  Sarah, dressed as Estella, inhaled the fragrance of fresh coffee. After talking into the early hours with Edie and the angels, a cup would hit the spot.

  Walking into the kitchen, she discovered Josiah and Emily at the table. They barely noticed Sarah for staring at each other. Good. With the way those two were engrossed in each other, Edie will see that wedding after all.

  Josiah stood and pulled out a chair for Sarah. “Sit here, Estella. Did you sleep well?”

  “I enjoyed a good night. How about you two?”

  “Couldn’t have been better.” Josiah grinned in Emily’s direction. “I kissed her several times and we weren’t even under the mistletoe.”

  “Josiah!” Emily almost screeched and her face turned pink, but she grinned at him.

  “Sounds to me as if you two are headed in the right direction.” Sarah sipped her coffee and glanced out the kitchen window. “When bluebonnet time comes, that meadow would make the perfect wedding spot.”

  “Estella!” Emily practically squealed again.

  Sarah and Josiah enjoyed a good chuckle while Emily blushed a pretty poinsettia red.

  She fanned her face. “Josiah is taking me into town to check on my car in a little while. Would you like to come with us?”

  “I’d love that. Thank ya honey, but are ya sure ya don’t want to be alone?”

  Josiah winked at Sarah. “We’ll be happy to include you. After all, you’re the one who suggested I become a Good Samaritan and bring you two home with me, and I’m sure glad you did.”

  “Oh, pshaw! I didn’t suggest that, you did.”

  Josiah grinned. “True, but I have an idea you had something to do with it.”

  * * *

  Sarah sat in the backseat of Josiah’s truck and listened to the young people talk. Emily had invited her dad to come along, but he’d declined. He’d winked at Emily and told her she was in good hands with Josiah. Sarah assumed Emily’s parents were hoping a romance between the two young people would bloom and they needed to be alone. Well, they weren’t alone yet, but they would be as soon as she made her exit.

  Sarah’s mind wandered as they made their way into the town. Could her joy be any greater? She’d spent Christmas night with two angel friends and also shared it with new human friends. And to think—just that Christmas morning, she’d been homesick for the Christmas celebration in heaven. If she’d been there, she’d have missed the wonderful things here. God constantly amazed her with His bombshells.

  Josiah pulled into a mechanic’s garage and Sarah noticed Emily’s vehicle. “There’s Old Girl.” The car had been placed on some sort of blocks and looked rather forlorn.

  While Emily and Josiah removed items from Emily’s car, Sarah glanced around. Where was Tomas? She’d asked for him earlier in a prayer and knew he’d be somewhere nearby. Mother Goodness had reminded her to pray, and she’d done that before leaving the bedroom that morning. She wasn’t sure how God planned to answer her request, but there was no doubt in her mind he would send Tomas. Tomas had rescued her on other missions, and she’d specifically requested his assistance to help her end this one. The Father liked specific appeals, and so she’d made one. She felt safe in the presence of the larger, more experienced angel.

  Beautiful sunshine and warm air greeted her when she walked out away from the garage. Amazing how Texas weather could change so fast.

  A yellow, fancy, expensive sports car pulled into the gravel drive leading into Mike the Mechanic’s garage.

  Tomas! Merciful heavens! He certainly knew how to impress people when he wanted to. She hadn’t requested Tomas to arrive in a super-duper muscle car, nor had she expected such an upscale version, but then Tomas could be dramatic when he needed to be.

  He exited the vehicle as Josiah and Emily emerged to see what was taking place. Tomas had taken on the appearance of an old man. He wore his normal, brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, but for this disguise, his ponytail was as white as snow and it emphasized his mocha, wrinkled complexion.

  “Hi ya, Estella. I got here as fast as I could.”

  Josiah and Emily stared with their mouths agape. They bounced their attention like a tennis ball between the old man, the sunflower-colored sports car, and Estella.

  Sarah turned to face Josiah and Emily. “I want to introduce ya to Marvin. Marvin, these are my new friends, Josiah and Emily.”

  Tomas, now known as Marvin to the group, was dressed in red and green plaid pants and a red, flannel shirt covered his sunken torso. He wobbled over to Josiah as if walking was a pain and offered his hand. “Pleased to meet ya.”

  “Always happy to meet a friend of Estella’s.” Josiah, with a grin almost as wide as the Rio Grande, glanced at Estella. “How did Marvin know to come here?”

  “Oh, pshaw! I borrowed Emily’s cell and called him this morning. Told him I’d be here at this Mike’s place. I need to get on down the road and didn’t want to burden ya any more than I have.” She gestured to Tomas who smiled a toothless grin. “Marvin has always wanted me to ride in that thing. I thought today would be a good opportunity to do it.”

  “Are you sure?” Emily gave a dubious stare at Marvin as she asked Estella the question.

  “Marvin looks racy, but he is quite safe. No worries, dearie.”

  “But he lives in a nursing home,” Emily squeaked.

  “No, he doesn’t live there. Like me, he’s got friends in those places. We like to visit at meal times. Keeps the old fogies on their toes, don’t ya know.”

  Josiah bit back a smile. “I suppose so.”

  Sarah hugged Emily. “Thank ya, honey, for giving me the adventure of a lifetime. I appreciate you letting me ride with you in Old Girl.”

  Embracing Josiah, Sarah chose to whisper. “Take care of her.”

  “I will. You take care of you,” He whispered back and then grinned. “I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re one special lady.”

  Sarah titled her head back. “And you’re one special cowboy. I’m sorry I thought ya got kicked in the head.”

  Josiah roared with laughter and hugged Sarah again. He escorted her to Marvin’s car and helped her inside. “What about your luggage? You left it at the ranch.”

  “Oh, pshaw! Just give the clothes to charity. Maybe some teenager can use ̓em.”

  Emily approached the car. “Let’s stay in touch.” She handed Sarah a piece of paper with addresses and phone numbers. “I’ve come to love you, Estella.”

  “And I love you too, honey. Always remember I’m keeping my eye on ya.”

  Emily laughed. “And how do you plan to do that?”

  “I have my ways.” Through the open widow, Sarah patted Emily’s hand and then turned to the old guy in the driver’s seat. “Ready, Marvin?”

  “Ready, Estella.”

  Marvin roared the engine to life and backed down the drive. He and Sarah waved to a stunned Josiah and Emily who returned the gesture. As the two angels thundered down the highway, Sarah turned to wave one last time. Emily and Josiah’s eyes remained saucer big—immense enough to pop out from sockets—and their mouths hung open.

  Guess they’d never seen two old people burn rubber before.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Sarah glanced at Tomas as he slowed to a normal, ac
ceptable speed. “Thanks for coming for me, but why did you show up in this fancy car? It’s not exactly one an ancient elderly would drive.”

  Tomas grinned. “My Marvin disguise fit perfectly with your masquerade as Estella. I don’t normally go to such extremes, but then, where you are concerned, they seem necessary.”

  After a moment of silence while that remark sunk in, Sarah found courage to ask another question. “Am I in a lot of trouble?”

  “What goes on in reviews is between the Commander and the cadet. I have no idea, but I doubt you are. You fulfilled your mission in your typical, unorthodox manner.” Tomas stopped the car in a secluded spot. “Ready to go home?”

  “Ready.”

  Tomas made the racy, expensive, yellow sports model disappear. The two angels chucked disguises and floated upward.

  * * *

  The Commander’s deep voice came through the door as Sarah hesitated outside. “Come in, Sarah.”

  Gliding in, Sarah stood with curls bowed. “Thanks for sending Tomas for me.”

  “Was there ever a doubt? Didn’t you request his assistance?”

  “Yes, sir, but I always wonder if I’ll be given the answers to my specific prayers.”

  The Commander grinned. “You always receive replies. They just are sometimes not what you expect.”

  “You got that right.” Sarah sighed.

  “Beg your pardon?” The Commander glanced up from paperwork with eyebrows raised.

  “Oh, no disrespect, sir. Heaven’s responses surprise me sometimes, that’s what I meant.”

  Chuckling, the Commander put down his pen. “Sometimes, our Creator shows up to show off, and I intend no disrespect with that comment either. He enjoys astonishing us with His abilities. He gives us answers we personally could never think of.”

  Sarah nodded. “Like Tomas in a muscle car.”

  The Commander grinned. “Now, here’s a question for you. Why did you perform a mannequin dance when you first arrived? You made Gabriella convulse with laughter. Were you mocking us?”

  Sarah felt her face grow ashen. “Oh no, sir. I was merely being silly. In all honesty, I sometimes feel as though we’d better off as puppets without free will, but I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. I’m so sorry.”

  The Commander smiled and his eyes sparkled. “I’m happy with that response. You are allowed to have fun, but creatures are never allowed to disrespect the Almighty.”

  “I’m so sorry. That wasn’t in my heart or mind. I was just being goofy.”

  “Hmmm.” The Commander made notes in a file and then focused on Sarah. “Now tell me, child, what prompted you to attack an officer of the court? You pulled out strands of his hair, and if we hadn’t intervened, you would have smacked him with a stapler.”

  Sarah placed both hands over her mouth. “Oh, my goodness. I was totally awful. My apologies again. My heart broke for Emily. She’d had a rough time already and that bozo made it even more so.”

  “Bozo?” The Commander drew eyebrows together and his stare turned to a distinct glare.

  “Oops! Poopty doopty. I meant that gentleman who protects citizens from harm, only in this case, he brought hurtful news to my charge. I guess I shouldn’t call him silly names.”

  The Commander nodded. “Yes, he brought information, but he was doing his duty.”

  “Did he have to enjoy hurting her so much? I mean, after all, he could have been nicer and kinder.”

  The Commander smiled. “This is true. He will have his own review at a future time, but all in all, he does an outstanding job—just as most officers do. Before we leave the subject, why did you throw a coffee cup at him?”

  Sarah shrugged. “It was handy.”

  The Commander guffawed. “You must learn to control your instincts.” He made more notes. “You told a few whoppers, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, sir, but I had to have cover stories for my disguises. I’m sorry for that too.”

  Nodding, the Commander paused and glanced at Sarah. “You are forgiven. Like an author of fiction, the job requires for you to manufacture a backstory to explain a present situation. We understand that. Actually, I’m proud of you. In spite of limitations and imperfections, you did a good job. I have an assignment that is unique and will fit your abilities. I’m going to allow you to see into the future. This glance will show you the life of a young woman if she makes wrong decisions. After your vision of the potential, you will be able to do more for her in the present.”

  Sarah ogled the Commander. “I’m going to time travel?”

  “Not exactly. The scenes you will perceive are not real—they are more like a movie of how the future might evolve. You will see the repercussions possible to this human if she chooses an ungodly direction. I believe seeing the events this woman chooses will prepare you to prevent such measures in her current time and thereby change her future.”

  “What is she going to do?” Sarah’s heart felt as if it would pound out of her robe.

  “She will hook up with the wrong men and have too many babies—ones she can’t take care of. Government authorities will remove them from her and she will die heartbroken and homeless. Your assignment is to avert this.”

  “But what about that free will and choices we all have? Are you saying the Divine interferes with them, and I’m going to help Him?”

  “No, I’m not saying that at all. From our positions, we guide and inspire behaviors as well as attitudes, but ultimately, the creature—human or heavenly—makes the choices and those selections create the consequences. Creatures ignore our nudges quite often. Wouldn’t you agree?” The Commander raised his brows and his eyes twinkled as he teased Sarah.

  “Yes, sir, I’ve been known to ignore a few of heaven’s prods. I think I understand my assignment—well, sort of, anyway. When do I begin?”

  “Soon, but right now, I want you to rest and study. Talk to other angels who’ve had similar assignments. I’ll call you back when the time is right. Your job is to be ready. I understand your fear and insecurity, but Sarah, your task is not about you—it is God’s opportunity to work through you.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The Commander dismissed her, and Sarah floated from his office in a daze.

  Really? Glimpse the future to prevent bad stuff in the present? How in the world—or on Earth, to be exact—could she make that happen?

  Merciful heavens!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  A native Texan, Gay N. Lewis lives in a small town west of Houston. Gay has always been involved with creative and artistic ventures. Two videos she produced, The Canadian Rockies, English and Japanese translations, and Psalms from the Mountains, were sold in Canada, America, Great Britain, as well as all international markets. Both were well received. For the San Felipe Baptist Association, she was a contributor for the video Many Churches, One Vision.

  Graphic skills kept her busy as a portrait photographer, and for over ten years, she used her imaginative insight in the interior design field.

  Gay’s real love is writing and reading. As a pastor’s wife, she has written, produced, and photographed many programs, and her Faith Features have been published in various church periodicals. Her current Sarah series is about a dyslexic angel who comes to earth to help the humans, but she is more like Lucy Ricardo with humorous antics and bumbles. The books are available in print, eBook, and audio.

  Teaching an adult Bible study every Sunday morning is Gay’s joy, and she is often called upon for speaking engagements. When needed, she plays the piano and serves as worship leader in her husband’s church.

  Gay and her husband have two daughters in Texas and one in Kentucky. They have four grandchildren.

  Take a glance at the covers and read the blurbs for Gay’s books on Prism Book Group.

  http://prismbookgroup.com/angels

  For more information, please go to http://gaynlewis.com/

  Read excerpts on www.prismbookgroup.com

  Gay would love to have you se
e her video trailers and become a follower of her blog.

  http://www.gaynlewis.blogspot.com

  https://www.amazon.com/author/gaynlewis

  www.facebook.com/GayNLewis and also on Twitter @GayNLewis2.

  Sarah has her own Facebook page. Follow Sarah on Facebook@ Sarah Wingspand.

  Please enjoy this excerpt from Crazy Woman Christmas by Renee Blare, available now from Prism Book Group!

  “Chester, leave him alone.” Devon James Dawson tugged the old border collie away from his young friend shivering on the seat. “He don’t need you lickin’ those stitches. Doc’ll have your hide—and mine.”

  The last few mumbled words were lost as the dilapidated Ford plowed its way through the snowy city streets. He maneuvered a sliding turn into the Kum-n-Go and pulled up to the last pump. After running a hand along the dog’s silky fur, Devon plopped his old cowboy hat on his head. He shoved a shoulder into the rusted door. “Stay.”

  The gusty wind drove the icy blend of sleet and snow into Devon’s face when he stepped from the truck. He hunched forward, a futile attempt at shelter from the brutal sting. “Oh, come on…” A quick flick of the wrist, and the green-handled pump slid into the open gas tank. Steeling himself against the cold, Devon waited while the truck filled with diesel. Even though he’d been raised in Wyoming, nothing prepared him for this type of weather. Yesterday morning, he’d fenced most of the northern pasture. It’d been a clear, forty-degree day with blue skies as far as the eye could see. Dawn revealed a blizzard as it descended from the mountains. Not much had improved throughout the day.

  The nozzle clicked and he returned it to the pump. A punch with his gloved finger silenced the incessant beeping. If it wasn’t for the storm, he wouldn’t even stop for gas, but who knew when he’d get back to town. He brushed the snow from the top of the red gallon jugs in the bed of the pickup.

  Devon finished filling the cans before plodding through the deepening drifts to the convenience store. The bell above the door chimed and a blast of heat slammed into his frozen cheekbones. He suppressed a groan of relief, blinking away the tears in his eyes.