Southern Belle's Special Gift

by Marsha Hubler

  “I know, Skye. Right now Tanya’s the main topic of discussion here. This past week she started to open up about all of this at Maranatha. She’s a troubled young lady. I just got off the phone with her parents. They’ll be here on Monday to surprise Tanya. It seems like this might be the perfect time for a Bell family pow wow.”

  “Mom, look at these beautiful pictures! I didn’t know she could draw, and she has really neat poetry here about her feelings.” Skye held the papers toward Mrs. Chambers.

  Mrs. Chambers held up her hand and stood. “No, Skye, these are part of Tanya’s private life. Put them back where you found them. Then come out to the dining room where we can talk more about it. And you need to get back down there. She’s probably wondering where you are.”

  “Do you think I should tell her that I saw this stuff?” Skye asked, wiping her eyes.

  “Let’s go pray about it,” Mrs. Chambers said. “Then you’ll know.”

  Chapter thirteen

  How’s our baby doing this fine holiday?” Morgan smiled in the doorway of the foal’s box stall. Morning sunlight streamed in through the window in the tack room behind her, making her red hair glow.

  Tanya sat at her station on the straw, stroking the filly’s neck. The foal, now without its blanket, lay sound asleep. “She’s breathing much better, isn’t she, Skye?” Tanya said cheerfully.

  “Yeah,” Skye said, reading in her corner. “Her nose isn’t runny anymore, and she’s taking her bottles much better too. Even though she’s too weak to stand, I think she’s gonna make it.”

  “That’s great,” Morgan said, starting to back away. “I’m truckin’ to the picnic grove to help Mom and Dad get ready for lunch. Oh, I almost forgot. Mrs. C. wants to know if you guys want hot dogs or hamburgers.”

  “I’m not big on either one,” Tanya said. “If they don’t have anything better, I’ll just take a baked potato.”

  Slamming her book shut, Skye looked at Tanya and just shook her head. “Tell Mom I’ll take one of each.”

  “Okay!” Morgan’s voice trailed off as she headed out of the barn. “And I can’t wait to tell them the good news about the baby…God does work miracles…catch you later!”

  “I don’t get it!” Tanya said. “Why is she so happy all the time? She drives me crazy with her constant smiling. If I were sitting in that chair, I’d let the whole world know what a bum deal I got. Where are her parents? Yeah, and while we’re on parents, where are yours? Nobody ever told me any of this stuff.”

  “You never gave us the chance,” Skye said. “We tried to tell you. Morgan’s parents are divorced, and her mom has a bunch of other kids, so Morgan doesn’t see her much. Her dad’s remarried and in California, I think.”

  “That’s tough,” Tanya said in a sincere tone.

  “Now, my parents are a whole other disaster. I don’t have a clue where they are. They stuck me in foster care when I was little.”

  “I know a few foster kids in Philly. Some like their foster homes, and some don’t.”

  “I’ve been in about fifteen different ones, I think.” Skye looked over at Tanya. “Some of them were the pits, but this one has been the best. I never want to leave here. Mom and Dad Chambers really love me. I can tell. And you’re so lucky that you already have two parents who care about you, and—”

  “Well, I still don’t get it. Both you and Morgan have been handed a raw deal, the way I see it. Why are you so la-la happy all the time?”

  “Tanya, it’s because God is with us,” Skye said, sitting on her haunches. “When you accept him as your Savior, he helps you with all your problems. And the Bible says that when you trust in him, he promises you eternal life in heaven. Now that’s something to be happy about.”

  “I wish I could be happy.” Tanya stared at the wall.

  “You can!” Skye bubbled. “Don’t you ever feel like you need God to help you? And don’t you ever feel sorry for all the rotten things you’ve done? God’s ready to forgive and forget.”

  Tanya stared at the foal and ran her fingers through its fuzzy mane. “Well, once in a while I feel bad about something I’ve done, but then I block it out of my mind.”

  “You can’t block it out forever,” Skye said. Then her own conscience took her back to Tanya’s bedroom. “Speaking of rotten things, I have to tell you something.”

  “What?”

  “Well—and I’m super sorry about this—but the other night when I went to get your dictionary, your diary and some papers fell on the floor—and—well—I accidentally on purpose looked at them. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

  Tanya’s face melted into a nasty scowl. “And what exactly did you see?” she barked.

  “Only that your aunt and gram blame you for your mom’s death. And I saw those really neat pictures you drew—and some cool poetry about your mother. But I’m really sorry.”

  Tanya’s eyes threw pitchforks at Skye. “Hey, you had no business looking at that stuff. Doesn’t a person have any privacy around here?”

  Skye felt her face flush with embarrassment. “Tanya, I told you it was, sort of, an accident. I don’t go around snooping in other kids’ rooms. You did give me permission to go in there.”

  “Yeah, to get a dictionary, not to read about my whole life,” Tanya sassed. “I’m going to tell Mr. and Mrs. Chambers. And I hope you get grounded for life!”

  “I already did tell Mom everything,” Skye confessed. “And I am grounded, but not for life. I got two weeks starting tomorrow. So you’ll be on your own down here for a while with the filly.”

  “That should teach you a good lesson,” Tanya said, her tone softening. Deep in thought, she settled back against the wall. “Well, I guess it wasn’t such a major crime after all. Just so you didn’t read my diary from cover to cover. That would have made me furious.”

  “And it won’t ever happen again. I promise,” Skye said, glancing at her watch. “Hey, lunch should be ready soon,” she said, glad to change the subject. “Are you gonna come out with us, or should I—”

  The foal let out a soft nicker, and the girls froze in their spots.

  Slowly, the foal raised its head and placed it back down. Then in a jerking motion, she struggled to get up. She tried several times and finally managed to sit with her four legs folded underneath, her eyes wide with wonder.

  Tanya scrambled to her knees and whispered, “I think she wants to stand.”

  Skye crawled on her hands and knees to the filly. “Let’s help her. Now take it easy. She looks a little scared. You wrap your arms around her neck, and I’ll slip my arms around her belly. If she makes the least little effort, just urge her up.”

  “Okay,” Tanya said, her eyes glued to the foal.

  The tiny horse let out a louder nicker. With all the strength she could muster, she stretched her front legs out and pushed upward with her wobbly back legs. The girls placed their arms around her, gently urging the foal upward. The filly braced itself on all fours, wobbling like her legs were made of paper. The girls held on, and in a few moments, the foal stood with her legs planted firmly in the straw. She let out a loud baby-horse whinny, and the girls joined in a celebration of smiles and giggles, their eyes filled with wonder!

  “She’s up!” Skye said. “Tanya, she’s up! She’s gonna make it! Aw! Sweet!”

  Then it happened again. With her arms still draped around the foal, Tanya started to cry.

  Skye quickly stood. “Tanya, what’s wrong now? Are you okay?”

  Tanya released the foal and slumped back into her corner. Pulling her knees tightly against her chest, she buried her face in her arms. She sobbed as though the foal had died right there on that very spot.

  Skye held the filly by its halter and stroked its soft warm back. God, show me what to do! she prayed.

  “I hate my mother for leaving me!” Tanya wailed, never looking up. “I hate her!”

  Skye patted the filly on its neck. “Good baby,” she said, quietly slipping down next to
Tanya.

  “Why did she have to die?” Tanya said louder. “I hate her! And I hate the Bells too. They just don’t understand.”

  “I hated my mother too,” Skye said softly, “but I don’t anymore.”

  The barn was silent except for Tanya’s sobs.

  “You hated your mother?” Tanya finally said, looking up. “And you don’t anymore?”

  “God took all that hate and bitterness from me, Tanya. He can do that for you too. Just give all your heartache to Jesus.”

  Tanya buried her face in her arms and cried even harder.

  Gently, Skye slipped her arm around Tanya. The thought of her own mother ran through Skye’s mind, filling her eyes with tears. “God can help you. Just let him.”

  “Skye, I believe you,” Tanya said, sobbing. “This is all starting to make sense now, especially what you and Mrs. Chambers have told me about God. I’d like to invite Jesus into my heart. He can change me and help me through this. I just know it.”

  During the next moments, Skye shared with Tanya the glorious message of Jesus Christ and his plan of salvation. Tanya listened to every word and pouring her heart out, she asked him to forgive her sins and come into her life. When Tanya finished, Skye prayed, asking the Lord to take Tanya’s bitterness away.

  “Amen,” Skye said, standing. “Tanya, what you just did is a God thing. He’ll change you on the inside, and before long it will show on the outside.”

  “You know, I feel better already.” Tanya smiled. “Much better.”

  “We girls always feel better after a good cry,” Skye said, “and this time, God helped. More than we’ll ever know. And God helped our little baby too.”

  Both girls turned their attention back to the foal.

  With wobbling legs, the filly took several steps forward, reaching its soft nose toward Tanya. It licked her hands like they were pure sugar, gave a sassy snort, and then let out a long high-pitched baby-horse whinny.

  “She is so awesome!” Tanya giggled through her tears. “And so is God!”

  “Hey, let’s take her outside!” Skye said. “It’s really warm and sunny, and there’s no breeze! She’ll love soakin’ up the rays. We’ll take her over to the picnic grove and show her to Mom and Dad.”

  “Okay. And I’d like to tell everybody what I just did with God too,” Tanya said. She jumped to her feet, grabbed a bright pink lead rope from a hook, and clipped it to the foal’s halter. “Let’s go,” she said.

  The girls slowly led the foal out of the barn and made their way across the field toward the pavilion.

  “Skye, do you think Mr. and Mrs. C. have a name picked out for her yet?” Tanya rambled on. “Could you get me one of those devotionals like you have—and I’ll need a Bible, won’t I?”

  Skye struggled to get a word in edgewise. “As of last night, Mom said they didn’t have a name yet—and yes, we can get you a Bible and a devotional—and—who is that over there with Mom and Dad?”

  Tanya turned and looked. “Hey,” she said, “that looks like—it is! It’s Mother and Father! Here, Skye, watch the baby.” She shoved the lead rope into Skye’s hands and took off toward the grove.

  “Sure! No problem!” Skye laughed.

  “Mother! Father!” Tanya yelled.

  Tanya’s parents turned and hurried toward their daughter. Tanya ran across the bridge, past the gazebo, and fell into their welcoming arms.

  As Skye coaxed the foal along, Tippy and Tyler ran to greet her. Then all four joined the group now gathering in the grove. As usual, Tanya was crying, but this time, Skye knew it was different.

  Tanya clung to her mother and cried deep sobs that rendered Dr. Bell wide-eyed and speechless.

  Mr. Bell, as well, displayed a strange combination of pleasant surprise and total shock. “Baby, what’s the matter?”

  “Nothing,” Tanya answered, giving her father an extra long hug before stepping back. “For once, everything is okay. I have so much to tell you.” She turned and looked at Skye with the foal. “The filly is gonna be all right. Did you know she was sick, and it was my fault?”

  “Yes,” Dr. Bell said. “Mr. Chambers told us.”

  “But it’s because of Tanya’s care that she pulled through,” Mrs. Chambers said. “She hasn’t let her out of her sight for three days.”

  “Skye helped too,” Tanya said. “And so did prayer.”

  “What?” Mr. Bell said.

  “Like I said, Father, I have tons to tell you.”

  “You both look like you’ve been crying buckets,” Morgan said to the girls. “What happened?”

  “That’s part of what Tanya has to tell everybody,” Skye said. “Wait until you hear this!”

  Mr. Chambers adjusted his chef’s hat and raised a grill spatula. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to say something before we indulge ourselves with this luscious picnic. May I have your attention? Tanya, I think you’re going to like this.”

  “What?” Tanya asked.

  “We’ve decided to let you name this little filly. Would you like that?”

  “You mean it, Mr. C.?” Tanya’s face beamed.

  “Yes, we think since you’ve sacrificed so much time to help her, it’s only right. What do you say?” Mrs. Chambers said.

  “Wow! That’s awesome,” Tanya said. “Give me a few minutes. I want to think about it.”

  “You don’t have to name her right now!” Morgan giggled.

  “No, you’ll have lots of time,” Mr. Bell added.

  “What do you mean?” Tanya said.

  Skye offered the lead rope to Tanya.

  Tanya retrieved the rope and slipped her hand around the filly’s halter.

  Skye studied the tightly knit circle. Smiles radiated from every face, waiting for her next few words.

  “She’s yours, Tanya,” Skye announced. “Since you’ll soon be living on a farm—she’s yours.”

  “No way!” Tanya practically screamed. She knelt down and wrapped her arms around the foal’s neck. “You mean it? She’s mine? Are you serious?”

  “You two look like peas in a pod,” Dr. Bell said. “Tanya, your father and I want you to be happy.”

  “Oh, Mother—I am happy—really happy, but it’s mostly because I invited Jesus into my heart today.”

  “You did?” Dr. Bell said.

  “Well, Baby, that’s real nice,” Mr. Bell added. “We’re glad you did it.”

  “When did this happen?” Mrs. Chambers asked.

  “Just now in the barn,” Skye said. “We prayed together and everything.”

  “I have so much to tell you all,” Tanya said, still hugging the foal. “I feel so different, so free—hey—I’ve got it! How’s this for a name? Let’s call her Liberty—Liberty Belle—because I feel so free.”

  “That’s an excellent name,” Mr. Chambers said.

  “Just perfect,” Mrs. Chambers agreed.

  “Too sweet,” Morgan added.

  “That is very cool!” Skye said, smiling. “And Tanya, you are pretty cool yourself!”

  A Letter to my Keystone Stables Fans

  Dear Reader,

  Are you crazy about horses like I am? Are you fortunate enough to have a horse now, or are you dreaming about the day when you will have one of your very own?

  I’ve been crazy about horses ever since I can remember. When I was a child, I lived where I couldn’t have a horse. Even if I had lived in the country, my folks didn’t have the money to buy me one. So, as I grew up in a small coal town in central Pennsylvania, I dreamed about horses and collected horse pictures and horse models. I drew horse pictures and wrote horse stories, and I read every horse book I could get my hands on.

  For Christmas when I was ten, I received a leather-fringed western jacket and a cowgirl hat. Weather permitting, I wore them when I walked to and from school. On the way, I imagined that I was riding a gleaming white steed into a world of mountain trails and forest paths.

  Occasionally, during the summer, my mother took me to a ridi
ng academy where I rode a horse for one hour at a time. I always rubbed my hands (and hard!) on my mount before we left the ranch. For the rest of the day I tried not to wash my hands so I could smell the horse and remember the great time I had. Of course, I never could sit at the dinner table without Mother first sending me to the faucet to get rid of that “awful stench.”

  To get my own horse, I had to wait until I grew up, married, and bought a home in the country with enough land for a barn and a pasture. Moon Doggie, my very first horse, was a handsome brown and white pinto Welsh Mountain Pony. Many other equines came to live at our place where, in later years, my husband and I also opened our hearts to foster kids who needed a caring home. Most of the kids loved the horses as much as I did.

  Although owning horses and rearing foster kids are now in my past, I fondly remember my favorite steed, who has long since passed from the scene. Rex, part Quarter Horse and part Tennessee Walker, was a 14 ½ hands-high bay. Rex was the kind of horse every kid dreams about. With a smooth walking gait, he gave me a thrilling ride every time I climbed into the saddle. Yet, he was so gentle, a young child could sit confidently on his back. Rex loved sugar cubes and nuzzled my pockets to find them. When cleaning his hooves, all I had to do was touch the target leg, and he lifted his hoof into my waiting hands. Rex was my special horse, and although he died at the ripe old age of twenty-five many years ago, I still miss him.

  Rex

  If you have a horse now or just dream about the day when you will, I beg you to do all you can to learn how to treat with tender love and respect one of God’s most beautiful creatures. Horses make wonderful pets, but they require much more attention than a dog or a cat. For their loyal devotion to you, they only ask that you love them in return with the proper food, a clean barn, and the best of care.

  Although Southern Belle’s story that you just read is fiction, the following pages contain horse facts that any horse lover will enjoy. It is my desire that these pages will help you to either care for your own horse better now or prepare you for that moment when you’ll be able to throw your arms around that one special horse of your dreams that you can call your very own.