by Sable Hunter
Aron wondered at the doctor’s comment. Libby smiled a weak little smile and told Aron, “One of the last doctor’s orders that I received from him was that I should go out and find someone to love.”
“This is the sweetest little girl I know.” It was obvious that the doctor cared more about Libby that just a normal doctor/patient relationship.
“You’ll get no argument from me about that.” Aron shook hands with the doctor and then introduced him to his brother.
“I have to take her back now, and run a whole mess of tests.” He explained to Aron. “You can pass the time out in the waiting room or leave your cell phone number and go to a hotel; I’ll have one of the nurses call you when I get some answers.”
With hat in hand, Aron stood his ground. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll be just outside the door.”
“So will I,” Jacob chimed in.
This didn’t sit well with Libby. “Why don’t you go get some rest, Aron. It’s late. You and Jacob are both tired.”
Neither of them would budge. “I can’t rest away from you, Libby-mine.” He gave her a sweet, slow kiss. “I’ll be right here. You hurry back to me.”
The doctor took her behind closed doors and the waiting began. “What do you think they’re doing to her?” Aron asked Jacob.
“Blood tests, I would think.”
“Have you prayed?” Aron knew the answer, but knew that Jacob would find a way to make him feel better.
“I have prayed for her every day that she has been with us. I knew from the start that you two belonged together. After all that you’ve been through, Libby and her guileless goodness was just what you needed.”
“God wouldn’t take her from me, would he?” Aron asked the question that Jacob had no way to answer.
He tried anyway.
“Libby is going to be fine.”
Four hours later, a nurse called his name. “Mr. McCoy?” Both he and Jacob jumped, but it was Aron that rose and followed the woman uniformed all in white.
The doctor was sitting on a stool beside Libby.
Aron couldn’t read his expression.
“I need to talk to the both of you. I found something.”
Aron’s heart flipped over. That couldn’t be good. Usually, when a doctor says he has found something – it’s a tumor or something worse – if that were possible.
“What is it?” Libby’s face was more peaceful than he had ever seen it. In fact, there was a glow of contentment to her countenance. Aron thought he knew why. Libby was in love. With him. And no matter what the doctor had found – no matter what the final diagnosis might be – that love would stand unchanged and eternal.
“What did you find?” Aron wondered if he would wish that he had never asked the question.
“Well, I have Good News.” The doctor paused for effect. “The remission is still holding strong.” Aron let out a huge sigh of relief. He moved across the room and grabbed his baby. She let him hold her, he could tell that she was almost in shock – her whole body was trembling.
After a few moments, Aron’s thinking ability began to kick back in. “What about the symptoms – her nausea and stuff?”
“That wasn’t all the news I had.” The doctor seemed to have a flair for the dramatic.
What other news could there possibly be? Libby’s remission was still holding on.
“What else, Doc?” Libby asked nervously. What if he gave her another timetable to worry about counting down?
“That nausea and sickness does have a source.” Doc had an unreadable expression on his face.
Oh, no. What else could be wrong?
They waited for the verdict.
Finally, Doc Mulligan nearly whooped with glee. “Libby’s pregnant. She’s going to have a baby!”
No one said a word. You could hear noises in the hospital from way down the hall, but in their room there was nothing. “Pregnant?” Libby couldn’t believe it. She put her hands on her stomach and moved them over the flat area in disbelief.
Aron was ecstatic. He went to the bed, scooped Libby up and spun her around and around. Doc Mulligan cautioned him. “That might not be the wisest move considering her bouts of morning sickness.”
Aron agreed. He slowed her to a halt, and then held her close. Clasping her to his chest, he cherished every answer to every prayer.
While Doc got the papers ready for them to go, Aron went out and told Jacob the good news, the first revelation – the remission news. He wanted to save the announcement about the baby until all the brothers could be together, including Joseph.
“Finally, something is going right.” Jacob sighed with thankfulness.
He drove the couple back home. Libby slept most of the way, exhausted from the bouts of testing. Aron held her most of the time; he was content to just watch her sleep.
“You love her don’t you?” Jacob observed happily.
“More than my next breath.” Aron stated the obvious.
“I want what you have. And as God is my witness, I‘m going to find it.” Jacob vowed
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Tebow Ranch lay peacefully still as dawn broke. Not everything was perfect; one of their own still lay in a rehabilitation center, broken from a fall. But time was righting the wrongs and smoothing out the wrinkles. The balance that had been lost years ago was finally righting itself.
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Upstairs, in the master bedroom, Aron crooned to Libby. “See, everything is going to be all right.” Aron looked deep into her eyes, making sure that she digested every word that he said.
“Yes, I believe you.”
“You said that I didn’t have to say that I love you – but I did. My love for you is my life’s truth.” He stroked her hair back from her brow, tracing the beloved features of her face. “Your love defines me. It is my reason for living.” Aron hadn’t known that he could wax poetic, but the words were flowing from him unbidden. He had to make her understand. “You are my reason for existing Libby-mine. I love you with a love deeper than the sea – a love that will last longer than forever.”
Libby turned in his arms and held on to him for dear life. “I often doubted whether or not I would get to live. But, now that I know that God has granted me grace-days – I want to put them to the best use. Aron, my love, I devote my life to living, just for you.”
“There will be decades of days – we’re going to grow old together. You, me, our children and all of my brothers and their families – Tebow Ranch is going to be a place of love and laughter.” Aron gently unbuttoned Libby’s night shirt, opening it all the way so he could lay his head over his unborn child. “I can promise you both one thing – a day will never go by that I don’t tell the two of you how much you mean to me. I will tell you that I love you every day for the rest of my life.”
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Joseph was ready to go home. He had one of the cute little nurses’ aide get all of his gear together. Isaac and Noah would be after him and in a matter of hours he would be back on Tebow land.
If he had to live the life of a cripple – at least he could live it at home. The doctors and nurses were optimistic, but an optimistic outlook was hard for him to maintain. Was he going to have to live like this forever? Was there anyone in the world that could help him?
The soundless cry rose from his bed and reverberated out into the universe – and lo and behold – as the old fairy tales read – someone was listening. A connection was made. Help was on the way. Sometimes there are wonders in this world that will literally blow your mind.
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Back at the ranch, a door creaked open and a shadow slipped along the wall outside the barn. Several cows lowed in protest. There was a stranger on Tebow land. No one in the house heard anything. The stranger went to the stock tank, stripped quickly and then used the warm water to wash off the day’s grime. After a few moments of stolen luxury, the small form slipped back to the barn. There was food
in the small refrigerator upstairs. Maybe no one would miss just a little. The bed was too nice to sleep in. Beggars and thieves didn’t have to be totally classless – so after eating a bit of ketchup and bread – she went down to one of the stalls – curled herself down deep into the hay and settled down to sleep. Before dropping off, she made a wish: Please keep me safe – Please let me find a place in this world – Please let me find someone to love. She prayed that her wish would come true.
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The sun rose in a celebration of pinks and orange’s as Noah pulled into the hospital parking lot. At the double electric doors, Joseph was already waiting in his wheel chair, accompanied by two doting nurses. One of them leaned over and kissed him goodbye. “Look at that,” Isaac chuckled. “Hard-head don’t let stuff keep him down for long.” Noah wasn’t as light-hearted as his brother; he could see the strain around Joseph’s mouth and knew that this was going to be one long hard haul.
“About time you two got here, I’ve been sitting out here for a half-hour.” Joseph complained. The little blonde aide shook her head at Isaac, telling him that Joseph was stretching the truth quite a bit.
“The sun’s just coming up, knothead.” Isaac was affectionate, but not ready to cut his brother much slack. He knew that if they started babying Joseph, he might not bounce back as quick as he would otherwise.
“How’s Libby?” Joseph quietly asked as Noah helped him into the front seat of the King Ranch.
“She’s home. Aron had to take her to the doctor.” Isaac had spouted off the information before Noah could shush him. Even though the news was good, they didn’t need to upset him anymore than he already was.
“Doctor? Libby’s been to the doctor?” The concern in Joseph’s voice was evident. The brother’s did not know that Libby had confided in Joseph before she had anyone else.
“Way to go asshole!” Noah grumbled good-naturedly at Isaac as he slung Joseph’s bag into the back seat. “Libby’s fine. She got a good report, but I’ll let her or Aron tell you all about it. They got in late last night and went straight to bed. There’s a family meeting just as soon as we can get you back to Tebow.
Joseph smiled. If Libby was all right, then maybe the fates would have good things in store for him, also.
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“Wake up, beautiful.” Aron sat by Libby holding her a cup of coffee. Opening her eyes a tiny bit, and realizing what Aron held in his hand, she made such a ruckus, Aron was afraid he was going to spill hot coffee on her. “Easy, baby. Easy.”
“God, Aron! I’m so sorry, I’ve overslept.” Careful not to jostle him further, she turned to wiggle out on the other side. “I need to fix breakfast!” Glancing at the clock, she squealed. “Look at the time! Joseph will be here any minute!” While she was still scrambling around trying to get out from under the covers, she finally realized that Aron was laughing. He was holding the blanket down on both sides of her so all of her attempts to move were fruitless.
“I’ve already fixed breakfast, wiggle-worm,” Aron sat the coffee on the bedside table and stretched out beside her. “Did you think that I would let you get up and work after the hard day you had yesterday?” Bracketing her pillow with his arms, he leaned over to get his good morning kiss.
Libby didn’t need much persuading; she gave her kiss as freely as she had given her heart. “You taste so good,” she savored Aron’s affection happy in the knowledge that she had a future with this glorious man.
“I’ve been nibbling on the pancakes, pumpkin – I used your recipe, Libby-love.” Pumpkin pancakes were her favorite and he knew that.
“It’s not the pancakes that taste so good to me – it’s the love. I can taste love on your lips,” she smiled at him with a happiness and hope in her eyes that he had never seen before. “I love you, Aron,” she said simply.
Aron cradled her body up close to his. “I love you, baby. More than I’ll ever be able to tell you. An ole’ country boy like me just doesn’t have all the pretty words that a doll like you deserves to hear.”
“You’re perfect and everything you do is perfect.” Libby reveled in the adoration she saw in Aron’s eyes.
“You’re just prejudiced, the general female population doesn’t view me through the same pair of rose-colored glasses that you do, sweet thing.” He carefully traced her eyes and nose with his lips, relishing the fact that Libby was his, healthy and pregnant.
“You belong to me!” Libby’s gruff little tone tickled the shit out of Aron.
“You bet your bottom dollar I do, Libby-mine!” He had something to talk to her about, something he just had to understand. “Sweetheart, can I ask you something?” He lay flat on his back and pulled her on top of him, resting her head underneath his chin.
“Sure.” Libby sighed against him. No more secrets.
“How did you end up with Freedom?” He no more had the words out that she raised up to gauge his expression.
“You found it?” Her voice was small and quiet. She didn’t know why she was embarrassed; it wasn’t like she had stolen it or anything.
“When I went to look for your slippers, I found it on the bottom of Bess‘s closet – right after I went online to transfer that money you asked me to send to the Rockwell Foundation.” He stopped talking so she could explain it to him.
Playing with the buttons on his shirt, she refused to look him in the eye. “I bought it at the fair; I used my birthday money from my parents and grandparents.”
“I’ve been looking for it for years. I made it for my Mom; it was never supposed to be sold.” There was no judgment in his voice, he was just stating facts.
A stricken look passed over her face, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I’ve had it all this time.” Before Aron could explain, big tears started rolling down her face. “I wish I’d known – I would have given it back.” She said it all so fast, and moved off him before he could even begin to react. “Let me get it for you.”
Cussing a blue streak, Aron followed her. “Wait, baby. Do you think that I care you have it? Libby! Don’t run, you’ll hurt yourself!” Aron found her on the floor of the closet, cradling the bronze in her arms. He sank down beside her, berating himself for making her cry. “I love that you have it, Libby. I’m not mad, baby.”
She searched his face, trying to read between the lines. “But, you said . . . .” She held it out to him, wordlessly returning her most treasured possession to its rightful owner. “I knew it didn’t cost enough, I should never have been able to afford something so beautiful.” Aron took Freedom from her and sat it down, choosing to draw her into his arms instead.
“Don’t you dare cry. Everything I own is yours, including this piece of baked clay.” She didn’t automatically put her arms around him, and he started trying to do it for her, willing to cut off his hand before he hurt her again. “I just wanted to know why you bought it, honey – I’m thrilled that you’ve had it all these years - it makes the connection between us just make that much more sense.”
Crawling up in his lap, she poured out her heart. “I confess I’ve wanted you for years. I went to every football game and every rodeo until I . . . . “
“Until what?” He couldn’t believe that she had been his for all of these years. What damn wasted time!
“Until I got sick,” He caught all of her tears, kissing them away. “When I saw that beautiful horse, he looked so wild and free that I thought if I could just have it – some of its power and spirit would pass to me. And it made me feel closer to you.” Bowing her head, she whispered. “Silly wasn’t it?”
“I don’t think so; look at us – we’re here – we’re together. And you are healthy AND pregnant. I’d say that it all worked out just about perfect.” He stood up and picked her up, statue and all
“So, I can keep it?” she patted the bronze as they walked down the hall toward his room – sounding exceedingly pleased.
“Baby, you can have that and I will make you a thousand
more.” Thinking how he thought his world was ending just the night before – made this morning heart wrenchingly sweet.
“Just give me one when the baby is born, how’s that?” She looked at him so trustingly; he thought his chest would burst with love.
“Done. I’ll make you something perfect. Promise.” Setting her on the bed, he put slippers on her feet. She just marveled at the wonder of having someone like him care so much for someone like her. “Your coffee is cold by now. Let’s get your robe and go down and wait on the rest of the family. I bet that Nathan and Jacob are down there waiting on us. Nathan has been begging to see you since we got back last night.”
A horn blew outside and Libby nearly bounced out of his arms. “Joseph!” she screamed. “Let’s go, Aron!” Laughing, he slung her up on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Libby!” Nathan hugged her before Aron could put her down. “Libby, are you all right?” There was so much concern in his voice that Libby almost cried.
“I’m right as rain.” She hugged Nathan till he squirmed, then she went down the line and gave Jacob a hug. “Thanks for going with us last night. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
“That’s what brothers are for, puddin,” Jacob kissed her on the end of the nose. Aron allowed it; he was too happy to be grouchy.
As soon as the door opened on the King Ranch everyone was crowded around to help Joseph out. “Hey, give me room, you bums!” Then he spotted Libby. “Not you, Libby! You come here.” Joseph pulled her to him and whispered. “You went to the doctor?”
She held the sweet dare-devil close and answered, “Still cancer free.” He squeezed her triumphantly.
“Somebody hand me my dang wheelchair.” Aron helped his brother, wondering at the secret words that had passed between his beloved and his brother. He wasn’t worried, just curious.
They got Joseph in and made it as far as the dining table. Aron looked around at his family. His family. Joseph had an uphill battle, but he had plenty of people ready to support him. Aron fixed an eagle eye on Joseph, “What were you and my baby whispering about?”