No Place Like Home

by Lisa Prysock

  “Tory?” Bronson’s voice rang out in the barn between the two rows of stalls from somewhere behind her as she heard the sound of cowboy boots approaching. Had that been a slight chuckle she detected?

  Having anyone discover her in this position on a horse was an embarrassment, but having Bronson discover her like this was beyond humiliation. She rolled her eyes at herself and started to giggle. She wanted to slide off the horse and act as though nothing was out of the ordinary, but it was too late for much recourse. He’d surely wonder how she’d managed to get herself into this predicament. “Y-yes?” She tried to sound nonchalant.

  “I’d recognize those pink boots anywhere.” Bronson sidled around the horse until he was in front of her face. He looked amused. “Need a little help?”

  Tory managed to prop her chin up by resting her elbows on the rump of the horse. She gave him the prettiest smile she could manage as heat rose to her cheeks. “Why, yes, you could say that.” The man could find her in a puddle of mud and her heart would melt.

  Bronson held out a hand to steady her as she slid down off the backside of the horse until her boots landed on the immaculate cement barn floor. The wranglers kept the barn well-organized, tidy, and swept clean.

  “Thank you,” she said, giggling when she looked up into his eyes. “I’m normally pretty good with horses, but this one moved while I was mounting.”

  “That’s Storm, Logan Haven’s best stallion. He can be restless and antsy sometimes.” He patted the horse. Then he pointed to a step-stool she hadn’t seen before. “Plus, he’s kind of tall. Feel free to use the step-stool if you ride him again.”

  “Tall? You don’t say?” She giggled again, tipping her hat up so she could see his face better.

  “Ready?” He picked her up and set her on the horse in a side saddle position. She easily swung a leg around this time. After he adjusted both of the stirrups for her, she placed both of her boots in them. “Thank you, Bronson.”

  “You headed out for the picnic on trail number three?” He took his cowboy hat off and ran a hand through his hair, holding a hand on the horse to steady the frisky stallion.

  She nodded, “I studied the brochure, so I think I know where it is.”

  “Would you care to join me for pizza this evening at a place I know in Lander?” Bronson looked up at her, adding, “We could talk about your ideas for hosting the Pioneer Week and I could pick you up at your cabin, say around seven?”

  “I’d love to. See you at seven. Cabin eight.” She gave him another of her sweet smiles, flipped one of her brunette braids over her shoulder, and urged the horse forward with a nudge of the stirrups at his girth. She knew all of the pizza places in Lander. There weren’t many and none were too far from the property, but she guessed he’d be driving a pick-up truck like most cowboys she knew. Sitting up straighter in the saddle, she rode the horse out of the barn like a princess with a smile as wide as a Wyoming prairie.

  SINCE BEFORE LOGAN and Jill had left for Ireland, Buck had been working hard every evening to clean up the two-bedroom cabin Logan had gifted him. This time he’d brought Jed along to help move the furniture in he’d brought from a storage unit. Maybe Logan was right. He just needed to put his faith into action. What better way than to begin preparing a home for his wife and act upon the belief God would wake her up out of that deep sleep?

  He’d been tucking most of each of his paychecks away so he and Ella could have a fresh start when...well, he wouldn’t think about it too much. God was just going to have to heal her. He wasn’t ready to even consider the idea of his wife not pulling through this thing. When Logan had so generously gifted him the place, he made a list of what needed to be done to fix things up and realized he’d banked enough money to afford a few nice updates.

  “Wow, the cabin looks real good, Buck! You’ve done a lot to the place.” Jed’s mouth dropped open as he looked in all of the rooms before hauling in the furniture. “You must’ve spent hours out here.”

  “Yeah, I guess you could say it kept me busy. I don’t like being idle.” Buck looked around at the wood floors he’d swept and scrubbed. They were almost good as new now, but he’d had to put new tile in the kitchen and bathroom. He’d also had to clean the stone chimney and lay new stone tiles down at the hearth to replace the cracked ones. There were new appliances and counters he’d installed in the kitchen. A couple of windows had been replaced and now, new blinds hung on them all. He’d accomplished all of it by himself except for having the appliances delivered.

  “Looks real nice, boss. Ella will like it.” Jed stepped inside the master bedroom. His voice echoed through the empty rooms when he added, “Hey, there’s a walk-in closet in here. Women love those.”

  “They sure do,” Buck grinned. He’d taken the time to make the closet bigger. His wife had plenty of clothes and shoes to fill it up, but he suspected she’d need new clothes with all of the weight she’d lost being in the hospital down in Cheyenne.

  While working on the cabin, he’d come to realize God was working all things together for his good. If things worked out the way he and Logan thought they would, Buck would be able to move into the cabin debt-free except for Ella’s remaining medical bills. Logan would give him a title to the place when he was sure the hospital was satisfied or satisfactory arrangements had been made and they were both assured the hospital wouldn’t come after the property.

  Buck stood in the door to the bedroom so Jed—still inspecting the fancy new closet—could hear him. He had put in all sorts of new shelving and plenty of cubbies for his wife’s shoes. “I appreciate ya comin’ out to give me a hand. Seems McGuire’s busy with makin’ weddin’ plans with Katie every night or his two little girls, an’ Bronson is pre-occupied with Jill and Logan’s idea’r tuh do a Pioneer Week.”

  “Yeah, I noticed they both been real busy. I kinda think Bronson’s got a thing for that Tory girl.” Jed chuckled.

  “Yep, I think so, too.” Buck looked around at the cabin one last time before they’d get to work bringing in the furniture. Slowly, it had all begun to make sense. God had a way of making things come together. He’d been faithfully serving the Lord with his wife all these years by tithing, going to church, witnessing, and living a good, honest, humble life. Now, Buck began to see that though the enemy had attacked them through Ella’s sickness in the area of her health and their property, God was going to take what the devil meant for harm and bring them out stronger and better than before. Wasn’t it just like the goodness and mercy of God to come up with such a marvelous plan?

  “What’s out back?” Jed returned to the main room and walked through to the dining area of the open floor plan so he could look out of the French doors leading to the deck and backyard.

  Buck grinned again. “I’m glad ya brought that up. Since the inside is almost done, exceptin’ fer the unpacking tuh do, I might could use a hand with the yardwork and sprucin’ up the front porch an’ deck.”

  “Sure thing, boss.” Jed nodded. “Let’s get that furniture unloaded. We can’t have Ella come home to an empty house.” He followed Buck onto the small, covered front porch. “The porch is big enough for a swing and some porch furniture.”

  “Yeah, that’s one thing Ella’s goin’ tuh love. She loved to swing on our porch swing and read books.” Buck smiled to picture his lovely wife on their new porch. “I still have our swing and garden furniture. That’ll be on the next load, though.”

  As they walked out to their pick-up trucks, Jed asked, “You got someone to hang curtains and help you unpack stuff? Maybe you could ask Jill or her Aunt Meredith or Sadie for some help.”

  Buck opened the tailgate of the bed to his truck and rested a hand on the hand-carved headboard to the double bed he’d shared with his wife since they’d married thirty years ago. The knotty-pine piece carved with roses, leaves, and vines had been a wedding gift he’d made for his beautiful bride during the days of their long engagement. He’d been eighteen and she’d been seventeen the Chri
stmas he’d hidden a ring in her family Christmas tree—a ring for the prettiest girl he’d ever laid eyes on, and still was in his book.

  Though they’d been high school sweethearts for three years, Ella’s father had insisted on a one year engagement—and they weren’t allowed to marry one day before she turned eighteen and graduated from high school. Carving that headboard had kept him busy while he’d patiently waited to marry his bride. He shook his head in response to Jed’s thoughtful suggestion. He knew Jed was just tryin’ to be helpful, but he knew better than to mess with a woman’s domain. “Nah, I may unpack a few things, but I kinda think my wife is gonna have 'er own ideas ‘bout that sorta thing. You wait 'n see.”

  Chapter 11

  “Cast not away your confidence because God defers his performances. That which does not come in your time, will be hastened in His time, which is always the more convenient season. God will work when He pleases, how He pleases, and by what means He pleases. He is not bound to keep our time, but He will perform His word, honour our faith, and reward them that diligently seek Him.”

  —Matthew Henry, Welsh Nonconformist author and minister, 1662-1714

  “I’LL HAVE THE LEMONY Salmon Piccata with capers and fresh avocado, the garlic and black pepper roasted cabbage topped with pecans, and fried potatoes. Oh, and a bowl of the loaded baked potato soup.” Jill finished giving her order to the waitress and closed her menu.

  “And for you, sir?” the waitress asked, poised with a pen, ready to take his order.

  Logan appeared to be wrestling with menu choices. “Let’s see. We tried the stuffed cabbage rolls yesterday. I think tonight I’ll have the Irish Stew with Cork County Irish Bread, and a side of scalloped cheesy cabbage. Oh, and how about a sampler appetizer of stuffed mushroom caps, smoked salmon soda bread crostinis, and potato pancakes.”

  “Excellent choices. The Irish Stew is a personal favorite of mine. I’ll bring out your salads and appetizers in a moment.”

  The waitress disappeared and they sipped their sweet tea, enjoying the sound of the crackling fire in the fireplace and the elegant surroundings. A chandelier cast a shimmering glow around the room while large windows offered a view of spectacular gardens and wooded area on the castle grounds. Soft music and more low lighting relaxed them.

  Jill reached across the table to cover Logan’s hand with her own and smiled at her husband. “This is so romantic. What a dream come true for us to be here.”

  “I didn’t know if we’d make it here with Marjorie blocking the road.” Logan made her laugh lightly as she remembered the delay in the countryside.

  “What a funny name for a cow. As soon as you plucked up those plants and tossed them further out in the meadow, the head cow went right after them.” Jill giggled softly, trying not to draw attention to their table.

  “And then the others followed.” Logan shook his head. “The farmer was so thankful.”

  “I was worried he might not take kindly to your help.” Jill sipped some more of her tea.

  Logan repeated the story, still amused though she’d heard it a few times now. “He thanked me about three times and that’s when he told me his name was Joseph. Then he shook my hand again, and as you know, that’s when he beckoned me to come meet the cow who’d been sitting in the road. That’s when he told me her name was Marjorie and said he was sorry his cows had caused us to have to wait so long.”

  “I’m so glad it turned out well and he wasn’t upset with us. The remainder of the drive to the castle was very pleasant. Beautiful countryside in Ireland; so lush and green.”

  “And coming up the long driveway to this place beneath an arbor of trees was really somethin’ to see,” Logan admitted.

  Her eyes surveyed the dining room again, taking in the ambience. “I’ve been to many beautiful places up and down the east coast as a travel writer, but nothing this spectacular. I’ll have to do a free-lance article when we return home about how awesome this castle is. I’m looking forward to another evening stroll in the garden.”

  “I am, too.” He stirred his sweet tea with a straw. “I’ve seen dozens of deer roamin’ these grounds. It’s a kind of paradise here. Wanna go out on the lake again in one o’ those rowin’ boats tomorrow?”

  “Are you going to read C.S. Lewis to me again?”

  “If it pleases the lady.” Logan grinned and winked at her, his blue eyes sparkling.

  “It does.” Her smile lit up her whole face. “I knew you’d like Luttrellstown when I read about it. Our travel agent pulled a few strings to make this happen for us. We’ll have to send a thank you card. When we walked into the tiled hall and saw the baroque style painting on the ceiling, I knew we were going to love it. It’s like something Michelangelo might’ve done. Can we go horseback riding tomorrow, too? We’ve only got three days left and we plan to spend one of those exploring Dublin, remember?”

  Logan had a look of concern and hesitation in his eyes. “Anything you like, sweetheart, but no gallopin’. Just a real slow, steady ride. We have to keep the baby in mind. Mama always said horseback ridin’ ain’t good for pregnant women—and remember, there’s all kinds o’ warnings on our business insurance for the ranch and the paperwork we ask our clients to fill out.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I remember. I’ll be careful.”

  The waitress returned with their salads and appetizers and disappeared to take someone else’s order.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he asked, staring at her instead of the food.

  He looked so taken with her at that very moment. Jill blushed and shook her head.

  “No really.” Logan couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her. “I want to remember this night forever. I love that dress on you, and honestly, you’re glowing.”

  “Am I?” She laughed lightly again. The idea that pregnant women glowed seemed cliché, but Logan kept insisting.

  “No, really. It’s true! You’re absolutely glowing. You look gorgeous, my love.”

  She wore a long, billowy evening gown in deep plum colors with taupe strappy heeled sandals. The gown featured a fitted bodice, and one shoulder strap leading to a sequined flower for an exotic look. With her tan skin and golden-brown hair, she looked stunning in the dress, but having her husband notice made her feel cherished. It meant a lot to her that he approved, affirmed, and valued her. “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  Logan wore a dark suit with a burgundy tie and white shirt. Someone on staff had kindly obliged them in snapping a photo of them together, outside on the terrace before they’d gone back inside Luttrellstown Castle Resort for dinner.

  After they’d eaten some of the appetizers, Logan’s phone rumbled quietly on the table as a text interrupted their pleasant meal.

  “Oh, honey, do you have to check it now? Can’t it wait until after dinner?” Jill sighed.

  “Let me just make sure it’s not about one of the kids or close family,” he said.

  “Good idea. All right,” she agreed, waiting while he checked to see who’d sent the text and why.

  He used one hand to open the text while holding his salad fork with the other. He read the text and his mouth dropping open, promptly dropped his fork. It made a loud clanging noise against the china salad plate.

  “What? What’s happened?” She held a bite of salad on her fork, suspended in midair, vaguely aware of a few patrons glancing in their direction.

  Logan looked up from reading the text and his eyes closed with a look of blessed relief on his face. “Praise and thanks be to God!” He continued, opening his eyes and focusing on her. “It’s McGuire. Ella woke up from the coma! Buck’s on his way to Cheyenne with some of his family. One of his sons is driving him there. Before he left, Buck approved for some temporary hires to help our wranglers.”

  “Oh, Logan, that’s incredibly wonderful news!” Jill covered her mouth with a hand and set her fork down. They’d all been praying for so long. She could hardly believe it was finally ha
ppening.

  Logan clasped his hands together and bowed his head, whispering up a prayer of thanks. Then he set the phone back in his suit pocket. “I won’t respond yet. Let’s finish our dinner, but this is the miracle we’ve all been waiting for.”

  “Oh, Logan! My heart is filled with hope for them. We have so much to celebrate!” Jill breathed.

  “Yes, we certainly do, but let’s remember to pray for them again tonight. I’m not sure what the road to full recovery looks like for Ella.” He picked up his fork and began finishing his salad.

  Jill nodded and considered the situation. Her husband’s advice to Buck to apply action with his faith and all of their prayers had finally broken through. “She will most likely need therapy, but let’s take this as a sign from God that He has everything in hand. Jesus is not only our Redeemer, but He’s our healer. Let’s pray this goes extraordinarily well for them.”

  “Here comes our main course. Help me finish some more of these appetizers. You’re eating for two now, so it’s okay.” He slid the sampler plate in her direction.

  “We should call and talk to each of the kids tonight, too.” Jill chose a few mushroom caps and one of the crostini appetizers to add to her plate.

  “Good idea.” Logan agreed. “I’m sure their grandparents are spoiling them rotten.”

  “As it should be,” she replied contentedly.

  Chapter 12

  “Love is a command, not just a feeling. Somehow, in the romantic world of music and theater we have made love to be what it is not. We have so mixed it with beauty and charm and sensuality and contact that we have robbed it of its higher call of cherishing and nurturing.”

  —Ravi Zacharias, Indian-born Canadian-American Christian apologist