The Twins' Family Wish

by Lois Richer

  “I guess, though I’m not exactly dressed for partying.” Rick glanced down at his dusty jeans. “But I am in the mood to celebrate. I finished a job today. The house will be cleaned tonight and the family can move in tomorrow.” Satisfaction created a bubble of energy inside him. “Now I’ll have two permanent crews building the cabins here. I’m pretty hopeful that we will finish on time.”

  Then the bubble burst. Finishing the cabins by his deadline meant leaving Wranglers Ranch, and that meant he’d have to find another caregiver for the twins.

  “It must feel wonderful to create a home and so gratifying to know a family will benefit from your work.” Penny’s generous smile held no undertone but in his mind Rick heard a tiny voice ask, Like Gillian benefitted from the house you built for her?

  “Yes, it does feel good,” he agreed and pushed away the heaviness of guilt.

  “So, we’re about ready to head over to the patio now. Coming?” Penny waited for his nod, her eyes as bright as the blue cotton sundress she wore. Its full skirt was splashed with the vivid colors of hibiscus flowers. The wind tugged at those flowers, making the skirt swirl around her legs as she walked beside him. The twins raced ahead then ran back to urge Penny and Rick to hurry.

  “We’re coming,” Penny assured them. When they were gone again she addressed him in a lowered tone. “Earlier we were talking about barbecues and I noticed they seem to have memories of outdoor cooking, but they talk as if that was over an open fire. They said it wasn’t a wiener roast.” Her manner was inquisitive.

  “Gillian and her husband were missionaries in a very remote village in Africa,” he explained. “The twins were born there and played with the other children. I don’t think they ever thought they were any different than the other kids. When Gill first moved back after her husband was killed, she used to joke about having to get used to cooking on a stove again. So my guess is that she prepared a lot of their meals over what we’d call campfires.”

  “Missionaries. What a life they must have lived.” Penny remained silent for the rest of the way, obviously deep in thought.

  Seeing that the patio teemed with people and children, Rick snagged a table with benches near the periphery and settled the twins while Penny fetched drinks for all of them. The laughing and chattering quickly died away when Tanner tapped his spoon against a glass.

  “Thanks for joining us.” He looped an arm around Sophie’s waist and drew her near him. “We’re getting so busy at Wranglers that we don’t often get a chance to just be together. Tonight is that time. We hope you’ll enjoy Sophie’s good cooking and use this gathering to get to know each other better. And yes,” he promised with a smile and a nod at his stepdaughter Beth. “Later we will have s’mores around the campfire. Along with some singing.”

  “But tonight’s main goal is for you to relax and have fun,” Sophie added.

  “It’s our small way of thanking you for being the best staff ever and for making Wranglers Ranch into the outreach facility that our founder, Burt Green, dreamed of. Our success is due to God using you. So thank you for joining us in this ministry.” Tanner lifted his glass of punch, and everyone joined in the toast to future success.

  Moments later the chattering was once more going full force and the twins along with the rest of the kids were invited to roast hot dogs over the fire. Rick nodded permission and Katie and Kyle scooted off to join the daycare’s future clients. He chuckled as they dashed away without a backward look.

  “Sophie’s gone above and beyond with that feast.” Penny inclined her head toward the loaded buffet table. “I don’t know how she does it with three kids in the house.”

  “She’s like you. Extremely organized,” Tanner said from behind them. “Glad you could make it, Rick. Penny wasn’t sure you’d be here.”

  Rick glanced at her, silently asking why.

  “Because you’re so busy.” She giggled. “And you wouldn’t have come if we hadn’t brought you along tonight. He didn’t read the text Sophie sent,” she explained to Tanner.

  “I read it,” Rick corrected then added sheepishly, “I just forgot.”

  “Given you’re a new dad, I totally understand that issue,” Tanner assured him. “Kids provide a steep learning curve for a single guy. Just ask Sophie about me.”

  Penny’s amused laughter did funny things to Rick’s midsection.

  “I’m glad I came, though,” Rick said. It was the truth and his pleasure didn’t only come from being with Penny. “After this party I’ll have a pretty good idea of who belongs at Wranglers and who doesn’t. We don’t want trespassers on the job site. My company’s priority is always safety.”

  “Good to know,” Tanner approved. “Safety is our priority at Wranglers Ranch, too, because we always have kids coming and going. Seeing what you’ve both done so far, I’m confident you’ll do a great job with the cabins, Rick, and you with the daycare, Penny. But for tonight, please relax and enjoy yourselves.” He lifted his hand in a salute before moving on to the next table.

  The twins returned with their hot dogs and Penny settled them at the table, insisting Rick retrieve his own dinner. When he returned, he found her talking to a couple whom she introduced as the camp nurse, Ellie, and her husband, veterinarian Wyatt Wright. Then he met Maddie and Jesse Parker. Jesse was one of the youth workers who took a personal interest in ensuring troubled kids had someone to talk to. Both the Wrights and the Parkers had children who would be attending the daycare Penny was organizing.

  There were more people, of course. Names blurred as people kept stopping by to welcome them. Rick was better with faces and figured he’d soon be able to identify every ranch employee. He particularly liked the way people who stopped by greeted the twins and was very proud of the polite way the two responded.

  The relaxed family-type atmosphere along with the sheer number of staff and volunteers surprised Rick, but what impressed him most was that everyone seemed comfortable rubbing shoulders with their coworkers. No wonder Penny wanted to work here. An amiable workplace made a world of difference to how you felt about your work.

  “Isn’t it great?” she murmured when the other adults had moved on.

  “What?” He took a bite of his hamburger and savored the succulent beef. “This? It’s delicious.”

  “Actually, I was talking about this place.” She waved a hand. “Wranglers Ranch. It’s like a little town. Everyone knows each other. Everyone has the same goal—to reach kids. The only difference is our parts in that goal.”

  A surge of satisfaction filled Rick at knowing he’d be part of it, too. For a little while, at least.

  He didn’t want to think about after, when he was finished with the work here. He especially didn’t want to think about not seeing Penny every day, not being able to bounce ideas about the twins off her or listen to that joyful burst of laughter whenever she found something new to appreciate about life.

  Rick had until September 1 when the last cabin needed to be complete. Maybe if he prayed hard enough God would work out a solution for him with the twins by then. Maybe He’d also find a way to erase his guilt over Gillian’s death and let him find the same joy Penny had.

  * * *

  Later that evening Penny sat on a log bench with her shoulder rubbing Rick’s as she soaked in the wonderful ambience of worship around the campfire. When Kyle couldn’t settle she gathered him onto her knee and hummed along with Tanner’s guitar-playing. Rick cuddled Katie the same way and by the end of the song the two were fast asleep.

  “Wranglers Ranch has been a life-changing experience for Sophie and me, and for our family.” Tanner’s voice was quietly reflective as he strummed a background accompaniment.

  “We’ve seen God touch lives in marvelous ways, ways we never dreamed possible,” Sophie agreed. “Very soon we’ll launch our daycare, which we see as another opportunity to
minister to more kids, younger ones this time.”

  “We’ll start with your children, if you bring them. My hope and prayer is that God will use your kids to reach other kids, other parents and other people for Christ.” Tanner glanced around the group. “Reaching kids is our mission here at Wranglers Ranch, and Sophie and I are so glad and so thankful that you’re on board with us.”

  “Each of you is blessed with a special gift, a niche of service that God gave especially to you.” Sophie smiled at her husband. “I’m sure you’ve seen the sign over the barn that says, ‘Fan into flame the gift that is within you.’ Our ranch started with Burt Green and his faith in God’s plans for Wranglers Ranch. Burt strongly believed that Tanner could be the means to making his dream happen, but Tanner didn’t even believe he had a gift.” She smiled at her husband. “I doubt either of them in their wildest dreams could imagine what God has created here today. Perhaps you, too, are astonished at how He is using each of us as an integral part of His work at Wranglers. Don’t be. If we’re available and willing, God will use us.”

  Penny met Rick’s gaze, unashamed of the tears in her eyes.

  “Tears of joy,” she whispered when he frowned.

  She was startled when he reached out and brushed one off her silky cheek. “You’re such a softy,” he murmured.

  But she knew he was just as moved as she was by the sweet communion of these moments around the fire.

  “As we go through summer Sophie and I would like to challenge each of you to fan your own gift into flame. If you see an area where we’re missing something, a niche you could fill, a child whose heart burdens yours, tell us.” Tanner smiled. “Let’s work together to make this the best summer our Wranglers Ranch kids have ever had. Let’s make an impact for God. Let’s pray for that.”

  He led them in a prayer of dedication that had Penny’s heart singing with excitement at the prospect of joining this ministry.

  The Lord will work out His plan for your life.

  She’d adopted that verse from Psalms at the beginning of this year, hoping to finally erase the memory of her broken dreams. Yet the brutality of her former fiancé’s hurtful denunciation when she’d most needed him still haunted her. Damaged goods, he’d called her before making it clear that he wanted a wife who had more to give him than Penny ever could. His betrayal still hurt.

  Thanks to her friendship with Sophie, Penny had found solace and help when she joined a study of Biblical women, ladies who were also less than perfect and yet they were women whom God used. If God could use someone as imperfect as Mary Magdalene Penny figured He could use her, too. Maybe when she was fully engaged in doing His will the ache inside for a family would fade away.

  “Are you asleep like the twins?” Rick’s breath brushed against her ear, giving life to butterflies in her stomach. Why did this man have such a strong effect on her senses?

  “I’m wide awake.” She smiled at him, only then noticing that people had begun to leave.

  “Did I disturb your praying?” he asked. “I’m sorry.”

  “I wasn’t praying, Rick. I was just reminding myself that I’m now a part of this wonderful ministry and feeling excited about that.” She exhaled, trying to contain her anticipation.

  “Good for you but that daycare’s going to be a lot of work.” A smile feathered across his damaged face as he studied the twins, fast asleep in their arms. “Fifteen or twenty of these guys running around is going to be a challenge.”

  “Which I’ll love,” she promised. It’s not the family I wished for but at least my arms won’t be empty.

  “Just don’t wear yourself out.” Rick rose but his gaze remained focused on her. “Listen, Penny, I wanted to ask you—”

  Katie wakened and a moment later Kyle followed. Penny suppressed her frustration as whatever Rick had been going to ask was lost in the business of finding the twins’ backpacks and getting them belted into his truck. When they were settled, she blew them each a kiss.

  “See you on Monday, guys.”

  They nodded, heads bowing with tiredness.

  “Actually, that’s exactly what I wanted to ask you.” Rick stood behind her, closer than Penny realized as she turned to face him. She stepped back an inch as he said, “Sunday is my dad’s birthday. I wondered if you’d like to spend the day at the lake with us. You could swim or boat or just relax if that’s what you prefer.”

  “Water-ski?” The question popped out of her lips without thinking.

  “My parents do have a ski boat.” He lifted an eyebrow, a tiny smirk flickering at the corner of his mouth. “Does that sweeten the deal?”

  “Yes.” She blushed at his burst of laughter. “I would very much enjoy going to the lake with you and the twins, Rick. And I love to water-ski so if there’s a chance to do both, I will gladly accept. Thank you.”

  “Good.” He thought for a moment. “I’ll pick you up at nine?”

  “I’ll be ready. What can I bring?” she asked, her mind already considering what would be an appropriate birthday gift.

  “Nothing. Mom’s been cooking for days. She creates this massive birthday dinner for Dad. The chocolate cake is always enough for twenty people so after everyone’s had all they want she freezes the rest.” He grinned. “She thinks she’ll have it for dessert for ages but Dad often sneaks some to have with his coffee without telling her. It’s usually gone long before she realizes it.”

  “Your parents sound like fun,” Penny murmured, envious of people she’d never even met. “I look forward to getting to know them. And, Rick?”

  “Yes?” He studied her with that serious look she interpreted to mean he expected trouble.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” she said, and meant it.

  “You’re welcome. Good night.” He waved then drove off.

  Penny stood in the shadows and wistfully watched the little family leave. Rick didn’t know how blessed he was. He had a forever home to return to, a family where he belonged, roots and strong connections with people who would always welcome him back with open arms and gladness in their hearts.

  Penny had never enjoyed any of that. She could never look up her past, trace her family tree or visit a cemetery to find the headstones of relations now departed. Tracing her birth mother had long since proved futile. She didn’t belong to anyone.

  A familiar pain stabbed deep into her soul. Alone. What a horrible word. Knowing she would never have a family like Rick’s, that it could never happen, really hurt.

  But God hasn’t forsaken you. You’re part of Wranglers Ranch now.

  Yes, she was. Penny intended to make the staff at Wranglers like her extended family; the ranch would be the home she’d never had. The children of Wranglers Ranch would fill her life and she would pour her heart full of love over every single one of them. No, her life wouldn’t be like Rick’s, but she was determined she’d make it happy as she managed Wranglers Ranch Day Care.

  Yet as she drove home an unspoken question lingered in the recesses of her mind.

  Would working at the daycare be enough of a substitute for a family of her own?

  Chapter Five

  With a substitute teaching her Sunday school class, Penny was able to attend the early-morning worship service before preparing for her day with the Granger family.

  Her heart felt light as she sat on her porch, anticipating the low growl of Rick’s truck that would signal his arrival. The pastor’s message on learning contentedness had Penny counting her many blessings, and a trip to the lake on such a hot day ranked very high on that list.

  So did the prospect of seeing Rick again and not as his childcare giver, but as a friend.

  Penny realized that she truly liked this man, not only because he poured himself into loving the twins and making their world such a happy place, but also because of his thoughtfuln
ess for his business partner with whom she knew he chatted almost daily so he could keep abreast of their company’s situation.

  She liked the way he treated his staff, too. Last week she’d watched him from the corner of the daycare playground, had witnessed the directions and then the corrections he provided when a mistake was made measuring out the cabins’ locations. Firm, understanding, encouraging. All of those words described Rick.

  But most of all Penny liked the way the contractor laughed. In her opinion he didn’t do it often enough, but when he did his entire face got into the smile, even the scarred, stiff part of it. And she liked his voice; that low rumble always sent little prickles of awareness up and down her spine. Why did that still happen? Shouldn’t she be used to him by now?

  “Do you need me to carry this?”

  Penny gave a yelp of surprise to realize Rick was right there, standing on her sidewalk, and she hadn’t even heard his truck drive up.

  “What’s in it anyway?” he asked as he hefted the cooler as if it was a free weight. “I told you Mom will have tons of food prepared.”

  “I know you said that.” She didn’t explain, simply locked her door and followed him to the truck where the excited twins waited. “Hello, you two. How are you this morning?”

  “Good. We’re going to Grampa’s birthday,” Katie explained.

  “I know. Isn’t it a beautiful day for a birthday?” Penny felt Rick’s hand beneath her elbow as she stepped up into the truck. “Thank you.”

  “Welcome. Did you bring a hat?” he asked with a frown at her blond head.

  “And a swimsuit?” Kyle asked. “We always swim when we go to Gramma and Grampa’s lake, you know.”

  “All in here.” Penny patted her capacious beach bag then watched Rick climb into the cab and heave a hearty sigh before he shifted into gear. “How long did it take you to pack up?” she asked, hiding her amusement.

  “A very long time.” His droll voice lent the comment emphasis. “I’ll have you know that in the back of this vehicle we have every item anyone could possibly ever need at the beach, in duplicate. Maybe even triplicate.”