Liberty Ranch

by Temperance Johnson

  Francesca spoke up then. "I always wondered why people said you are as pretty as the queen of England. She is born the queen. She ain't picked for her beauty. So she could be as ugly as Whisper, and still everyone would say she looked like the queen of England."

  The ladies who were listening chuckled.

  "You got a point, lovely," Katrina told her with a chuckle.

  Katrina turned to look at Carlissa as she spoke again. "I's like the ranch a lot, though I'm sad sometimes."

  "Oh, why honey?" Gabby asked.

  Katrina noticed Mabel try to speak up, and then watched as Carlissa pulled her world down a bit. "Well, my new ma is deaf, and she just ignores me sometimes when I talk. I don't know why. I am a good girl."

  Gabby and every other head turned to look at Katrina, their faces questioning.

  Katrina, who didn't handle attention well, blushed to her roots. "I am almost all deaf, but I can hear pretty well out of my right ear. I read lips and sign.” She cleared her throat. “It's hard for me to tell people."

  Mabel smiled. "She is one of the best speaking hard-of-hearing persons I have ever met. She is like Allie and I told her you all accepted Allie well."

  "You knew about this?" Mrs. Bly asked, sounding offended.

  Mabel shrugged. "I didn't think it was your business if Katrina wanted to tell you or not."

  "How do you expect to raise hearing children having this problem?" Mrs. Bly asked.

  "You lied to us?" Maryanne said.

  "They can't bond with you. You are so different from them," a woman told her.

  "She's not their real ma any how, so what does it matter," Maryanne said.

  This was like salt to Katrina's wounds. The worst yet, her daughters were sitting with her, listening to it and maybe agreeing. She looked to see Sara had gone cold. Carlissa looked smug. Francesca's face was hot with anger.

  Katrina stood, ready to get the girls and leave.

  Izzy spoke up. "How dare you talk about Katrina that way. You say you are Christian ladies, but have you ever taken in an orphan or helped one of their families out? Or maybe talked to the saloon girls in town to see why they are in that life and to help them get out?" Izzy moved her hair back, calm as she could be. "I have seen people like you all my life and I don't care what you think about me. Y'all have heard lots of rumors." She winked at Mabel. "Only about half are true. What if you looked beyond the outside and into the person. God didn't reject Zaccheus for being short. He let a former prostitute, Rahab, be in the lineage of Jesus. He let a liar be one of His men. He washed Judas' feet, knowin’ he had betrayed Him. What if God's people rejected Mary in her time of need? Ask yourself what God would want you to do. And not believe the world's lie."

  By this end of her speech, the ladies just stared. Katrina wasn't sure what to say, but she sure was thankful.

  Maryanne snorted. "I always heard Donovans had a big mouth, with their uppity living and all."

  Mrs. Bly came up to Katrina. "I apologize for what I said."

  Katrina nodded. A couple of other ladies apologized too.

  Maryanne and several other ladies stormed out.

  Katrina realized that being honest and open with people didn't hurt as much as she thought it would.

  Chapter 14

  On the way to the Founder’s Day picnic, Carlissa asked Izzy, "Why are you and Andrew riding your own horses?" She sat next to Katrina on the wagon.

  "Well, there will be a horse race that I will win," Izzy told her smugly. She lifted her head up to the sun. It felt like the sun was coming down and giving her a hug. She loved when it would warm her cheeks against the winter chill. She always imagined the sun was the way God watched His people during the day. She also believed He protected them with the stars as they slept. It warmed her in her darkest days.

  Andrew challenged her. "Oh, you think so, huh?"

  "This horse is from this country, unlike that beach baby you have," she told him.

  He looked shocked. "This stallion is one of the fastest Starry horses."

  "He's faster than Maverick's horse?" Izzy smiled, knowing he wasn't.

  Andrew held up a hand and said, "Let me repeat myself, he is the fastest horse in Colorado."

  Izzy laughed. She was going to enjoy today even if Jesse hadn’t stayed. She understood his need to get back to build their home. They had both lived in poverty and neither wanted that life ever again. Though Izzy had cousins who had cared for her and never let her go hungry, Jesse wasn’t that blessed. Izzy still missed him and felt his absences.

  IN TOWN, KATRINA SAW it was busier than they thought it would be. It had been a week since she had been there. She was trying to put a normal house together for the girls. Some things were going better and more workable. However, she continued to worry about Carlissa and Sara, who still became scared of unfamiliar events.

  After tying the horses to the hitching post, Andrew helped her down, and then helped the girls get down from the wagon in their new dresses. Katrina had taken a lot of time with each of their hair. They had wanted to look good. Though she wasn't sure what the girls would say to Carlissa after what she did. Carlissa didn't seem worried at all.

  Katrina put their food on one of the tables. She saw Mabel and waved to her, making her way over there while holding Carlissa’s hand.

  Mabel greeted her and then spoke to Carlissa. "That is such a pretty dress. Did your mama make it?"

  Carlissa nodded.

  "What do you say to Mrs. Alexanders, Carlissa?" Katrina asked her.

  Carlissa looked up like she forgot what to say.

  "Say thank you," Katrina told her.

  Carlissa looked up at her, but not in the eyes. "Say thank you."

  Mabel smiled. "You’re welcome. You have the prettiest eyes."

  Carlissa looked in her eyes and shook her head. "I have been told I am a terror child. I ain't pretty."

  This statement shocked Katrina and she didn't know how to respond.

  Mabel got to her level. "Well, those people were not telling you the truth. God created you and you know what, Carlissa?"

  Carlissa shook her head, not looking in her eyes.

  "Jesus made you in God's image and He knew you before you were born. He brought you to your ma and pa's home to live." She paused. "God loves you and He made you a delightful girl."

  Carlissa shrugged, and then pulled on Katrina's hand. "Mamma, can I play with my friends?"

  Katrina looked at her gently. "After dinner, honey, we can do all the games."

  Mabel looked at Clarissa, noticing her frown, and said, "Can you ask your mamma if you can eat with my table, and then after you eat you can play with Lucy?"

  Carlissa laughed and looked at Katrina. "Could we, mamma?"

  Katrina chuckled at them. "Sure, Andrew won't mind."

  upper was over and some games had started, but at the moment, Katrina and Mabel sat back and were talking. "How did you get Carlissa to laugh like that?"

  "Oh that, it was easy for me. I am not her mamma who she struggles with and I try to do that with my children. With touched or asylum children, remember to use small words, like when she says bad things about herself. Build her up little by little with short words. Not a lot or she will stop listening." Mabel smiled like she knew they did that. "With Francesca, and even Sara in a little while, use more words for them; but remember, Sara doesn't have the knowledge of words we do."

  Before Katrina could say anything, Sara ran up and took Katrina's hand. "Mamma, the first game is about to start."

  Katrina laughed. "Sure, let's go. What do you want to do first?" She ran with her to the first event.

  Katrina couldn't remember when she had laughed this hard or played this much. She ignored the looks she got from people about her children. At least she was used to this in Alabama. Long ago she had learned to ignore it.

  The mayor spoke, then it was time to call Katrina’s husband Andrew to speak about Liberty Ranch and their mission work there. Months ago, Cole and Izz
y had written a report explaining everything.

  KATRINA WALKED UP TO him as the girls sat at the table eating a snack. "You ready?" She knew he was nervous.

  Andrew looked at her like she was crazy. "Yes. I hate giving speeches. Mav is better at it."

  Katrina smiled, "Just do what he does."

  Andrew shook his head and laughed. Maverick said imagine where a sniper would sit to hit them, then how he could kill the sniper before he got any of them. It was just how his mind worked. "You're horrible." He kissed her nose.

  When they called his name, she whispered, "Just look for my eyes."

  Katrina walked closer to the stage, caught his gaze, and he smiled. She knew that smile was meant for her even though many thought he was just being polite.

  ALL OF KATRINA'S DREAMS were coming true. Overwhelmed by it all, she wiped at joyful tears. Andrew had been open and honest in his speech. He and Izzy had worked on it for hours.

  She looked around to see where the girls were when her eyes were covered by hard, callused hands. "Well, I know it is not one of my girls or Andrew since he couldn't get over here soon enough. Isaiah?" She smelled his cologne, but knew it couldn't be him.

  "Well, you weren't none too good at guessing." The voice came to her ears she hadn't heard in months, how she missed it.

  She turned around and burst into laughter as she hugged Sawyer. She moved to hug each of them. It was getting crowded around them and they were getting looks, so Katrina led them a little away from the crowd. "Oh, when did y'all get here?" She hugged Gloria again.

  "Three days ago," Sawyer said sarcastically.

  Annie smiled. "We just got here, just in time to hear the end of the speech."

  "He did a great job," Sawyer added.

  "Well, thank you," Andrew said as he walked up, and then gave the same greetings.

  THE CROWD HAD GROWN since the speeches ended. Izzy had enjoyed writing that speech with Cole. It spoke of their dreams and future. On how they had gotten close after many years. Though her future had changed a little, it was still wonderful to see it come true. Izzy spotted a woman who looked like Annie through the crowd.. Her sister was back already. She jumped up and started over there, bringing the girls with her.

  Carlissa whined, "Where are we going?"

  "My sister and the Starrys are here," Izzy told them.

  Francesca looked at her. "Where?" She looked around and spotted them. It wasn't too hard. The town wasn't large, and Francesca now knew many of the people. She whispered, "Is the dark-haired one your twin?"

  Izzy shook her head. "No, the blond one."

  Francesca responded like she wondered how Izzy was even related to the blond woman, let alone came from the same womb. Drawing near, Izzy heard Katrina ask what the surprise was.

  Annie looked at Sawyer, beaming with joy. "We got married!"

  Izzy stopped walking. It felt like a bullet had hit her. How could her sister get married without telling her anything about it? What did Cole say?

  Katrina spotted them first and introduced the girls as Izzy hugged the girls.

  Francesca looked to Izzy. "You came from the same woman and man as your sister?"

  Izzy nodded, trying to make it light. "Yup, it keeps people guessing."

  Francesca chuckled. "You keep everyone guessing."

  Izzy picked Carlissa up, knowing she was probably overwhelmed at meeting all of them.

  "Did you hear the news?" Annie asked.

  Izzy smiled, though it didn't meet her eyes. "Yeah, congratulations." She was glad Carlissa was on her hip, so she wouldn't have to hug her again.

  Francesca whispered to her, "You can't be in her weddin’?"

  Izzy shrugged.

  Sara whispered to Izzy, "She has your nose."

  Izzy met her eyes, surprised she would say that in her quiet wisdom. No one had ever said they looked alike. She whispered back, “Thank you, dear.”

  Suddenly the last event of the day was to start - the horse race.

  Andrew smiled at his brothers. "Did you bring the horses to town?"

  "No, we left them all back at the ranch and walked to town," Sawyer said sarcastically.

  Andrew laughed. "Want to race like old times? Now that Mav ain't here, I can win."

  Both of them argued but agreed.

  "You don't have to argue, because I will win," Izzy told them smugly.

  The guys groaned and Andrew eyed her. "The challenge is on then."

  Francesca stood next to Izzy. "Izzy will win for sure."

  Annie glanced to Gloria and then Sawyer. "Are you funning? We have done nothing but travel for the last fourteen days."

  Sawyer shrugged. He kissed her and then laughed. "It'll be fun, hon."

  Izzy put Carlissa down and kissed her on the head. "Stay by the front, sweetie, and you will see me win." She wanted to get out of the sun and go swimming instead of racing. But maybe winning a race would help.

  Katrina looked at her curiously, but said nothing.

  Izzy walked over to Phoenix, and leaving him bareback, she mounted, then followed the boys to the starting line.

  Hank, who was in charge, came over to her. "Are you sure you want to ride? This is a hard race."

  Izzy nodded confidently. "This horse knows this land better than I do, and I've lived here most of my adult life."

  Andrew spoke up, "Let her ride, boss. She is a fine rider."

  Hank seemed to take in Andrew's words, then nodded. "Okay, may the best man or woman win."

  Andrew smiled at her. "Be careful. If you get hurt, Annie and Katrina will kill me."

  Izzy smiled. "Kat would kill you." She knew Annie wouldn't care that much. "I won't get hurt, I will just win."

  "We'll see," Andrew said.

  When they fired the gun, Phoenix had been in enough races to know what to do. He stayed a little behind Andrew's and Jerry's horses. She knew more about her horse than she did her own twin. God had given her such a gift when He gave her Phoenix. He was her friend, her protector, her stability, throughout life; she loved him to the earth and back. She wished just once she could feel that for Annie.

  She felt it for Cole. They had gotten very close in the last few months, but it had taken work. Annie always said they were fine, but Izzy knew they weren't. She wondered if God had made a mistake by making her Annie's twin. She felt the tears burn her eyes, but she wouldn't let them come. By the end of the race, she knew what she had to do. Tomorrow she would leave for her mountain, to her future home. She felt God tell her not to go, but she needed to.

  She heard everyone say congratulations, and she saw them put roses around Phoenix and hem them in. This means she must have won the race. She didn't really care, but smiled, anyway.

  Francesca gave her a big hug and laughed, telling her she would win her own race one day.

  Katrina eyed her again with concern. This time Andrew did the same. They knew her well enough to know something was wrong.

  Hank gave her some money for winning and a silver cup. "I didn't think you could do it. Congratulations."

  Izzy just wanted the day to end, so she could sleep in the hay until she could leave in the morning. It couldn't come fast enough.

  Chapter 15

  JULIA LAID THE BABY, Mary, in the basket when she finally fell asleep. Mary didn't seem to mind the soft voices of Susan, Jerry, Gloria, Matt, and Cole.

  The girls had gushed over her, especially Susan. "So what do you plan to do, Jules?" Susan asked. They had all had supper and then had coffee and cherry pie in the parlor.

  Julia shrugged. She was feeling tired after a full day of traveling to get this little one from the asylum. Cole was called the night before about her. Julia knew this might be the way things were being married to Cole, though he normally had help in places where asylums were at. "I would rather find a loving home for her. I don't know if it would be good to bring another child into the family."

  Cole nodded, taking her hand on the safa. "We would love her, but the children have
been through so much already." The baby stayed sleeping while they softly talked.

  As Susan smiled big, she looked at Matt, he was the second oldest brother, who sat next to her on the other sofa, and then back at Julia. "Why don't Matt and I adopt the baby?"

  Matt nodded. "We would love to bring this little one home. She has been through so much in her little life."

  Julia glanced at Cole and then back at Susan. Cole spoke first. "Susan, Matt, taking on a child like this, even a baby, can be very difficult. When she is older, it might not get easier, just harder. It will be a lifetime of working with her." He chose his words carefully. "I don't want to discourage you, but it is a hard life even for an infant that didn't get any love or a touch of kindness."

  Julia spoke up, "Cole's right. This week I have spent a lot of time with Melissa. She knows about this kind of thing. It’s hard. I just don't want the two of you deciding in haste and regretting it later. Many parents can't handle them, even a baby Mary’s age. Melissa thinks she is around half a year old."

  Susan's eyes narrowed. "We still want her, and we won’t give her back when she gets older," she defended herself.

  "Susan, I didn't mean it like that," Julia told her honestly.

  Matt was a quiet man, but he spoke up when the time called for it. He was the spiritual leader of the family. He had been the first to believe. "I know what you meant, Julia." He took Susan's hand. "Two families adopted me and gave me back when I was too much trouble." Pain still showed on his face from what those families did. "Which I probably was, but sometimes parents take the child in haste and don’t consider the child." He looked at Julia and Cole. “We have been praying about it for a while and have wanted to help you with this. We want to help a child who needs safety and love."

  "Normally, I don't allow a couple who hasn’t been married for at least two years to adopt a child," Cole stated. Since he got the baby out of the asylum he had the choice to where the baby went. “That is what some of the leaders I have worked with have agreed to.”