Leading the Way

by Marsha Hubler

  “Well, sure.” Skye jumped at the chance to help her new friend. “But what else can I do besides help you with Boomer?”

  Katie slipped her arms around Boomer’s neck and gave him a hug. He nickered.

  “I have the Bible on cassette tapes buried under a pile of stuff here in my room.”

  “You do? Wow! That’s awesome. I’d love to see it.”

  “My mother made me bring it. I also have a box full of Christian music CDs that I’ve kinda been ignoring. Actually, big-time ignoring. I want to start my life all over with God. But first, I need to houseclean my room. Will you help me?”

  “Houseclean?”

  “Let’s go up to the house, and I’ll show you.”

  The girls put their horses out to pasture and headed straight for Katie’s room. In five minutes, they had dug out at least a dozen bags and boxes of snack foods that now lay in a foot-high pile on the bed.

  “This answers a big question I’ve had since you got here.” Skye flopped on the bed’s small empty space next to the mound.

  “What question?”

  “I never could figure out why Mom and Dad allowed you to have all this stuff. They’re into healthy eating big-time. I thought maybe your mom had made some kind of special deal with them or something.”

  “No special deal,” Katie confessed.

  “Mom and Dad don’t know you have all this stuff, do they? How would they know? I mean, they don’t spy on us or inspect our rooms.”

  Katie shrugged. “Mom told me they wouldn’t allow me to have all this stuff in my room, so I lied to her. I said I’d give Mr. and Mrs. Chambers all of it to share with the other kids. As soon as Mom left, I hid it. Now I’m really sorry about lying to her and being so sneaky. You can have any of it that you want.”

  “Um, I’m not into junk food too much.” Studying the pile, Skye spotted her favorite candy bar. “Although I do see something that definitely has my name on it.”

  “Help yourself!” Katie skirted the room’s furnishings to reach her closet. There she felt for the handle, opened the door, and knelt down. “I almost forgot that I have a whole bunch of candy hidden in a shoe box.” Reaching behind a row of shoes, she grabbed her prize stash and held it up. “See?”

  “You are so ridiculous.” Skye laughed. “Like you weren’t gettin’ enough to eat at the table!”

  “I bet Joey and the other boys will love this.” Katie hobbled on her knees to the bed and emptied the shoebox onto the pile. “I think that’s all of it.”

  Skye stood and headed toward the door. “I’m gonna get Mom and an armful of plastic bags. She can figure out where to store this stuff.”

  “And who gets what—and when,” Katie added.

  “I’ll be back in a minute!” Skye could hardly wait to seek out her mom and watch her reaction.

  Katie sat on the only empty corner of the bed. “Then I want you to help me with one more project, okay?”

  “What’s that?” Skye stopped short at the doorway and looked back.

  “Didn’t you tell me when I first came that Mrs. Chambers has a treadmill somewhere?”

  “Yep. She has it in the basement with some other exercise equipment.”

  “Don’t you think I need to get in shape?” Katie giggled and pinched her sides. “If I lose some of these pounds, then my parents will know that I’m serious. Can you show me how to use that treadmill?”

  “No problem,” Skye said. “We can work out together. It wouldn’t hurt me to do a little sweatin’ either.”

  “Skye, hasn’t anyone ever told you that horses sweat, boys perspire, but girls glisten?”

  Skye laughed. “Then let’s glisten and kiss those carbs good-bye!”

  Chapter eleven

  Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! God bless you, dear Katie! Happy birthday to you!”

  Laughter and popping balloons echoed through the Chambers’ basement the last Thursday evening in August. Silly games and gifts in fancy paper took center stage while delicious smells of barbecue and freshly baked chocolate cake filled the air. Mr. Chambers was right. With the help of the youth group, Keystone Stables did birthdays up in a big way!

  For weeks, Skye had helped Mr. and Mrs. Chambers and Morgan plan a “half surprise” for Katie. Katie knew about the party; she just didn’t know about all the people who had been invited.

  Despite the many church friends attending, Katie focused on one thing and one thing alone: her parents and whether both would be there. Had her scheme worked?

  Arriving on Wednesday night, Mrs. Thomas had planned to stay for the party and the horse show, Katie’s surprise debut!

  Mr. Thomas, on the other hand, offered his daughter no satisfaction. “I’ll try to make it,” was all he would say whenever she called.

  Thursday came. Katie put her father’s arrival as the number one special event of the day, even ahead of her party. Whenever the phone rang or a car pulled in the driveway, Katie had only one response. “Is it Dad?”

  But Thursday went by as quickly as it came. At nine o’clock the party ended, the guests all left, and Mr. Thomas still had not arrived.

  In the basement, while Mrs. Chambers and Mrs. Thomas cleaned up the galley kitchen, the girls sat amid a sea of torn wrapping paper beside the Ping-Pong table. Katie slumped in her chair with her arms folded while Skye and Morgan inspected the beautiful and thoughtful gifts Katie had received. But Katie’s mind was not on gifts.

  Skye cuddled a large, brown teddy bear. “This is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He’ll look super on your bed. His cool cowboy outfit matches the colors of your room. Didn’t Chad give this to you?”

  “Yes,” Katie said glumly.

  “And this Bible Library CD from Melissa has puzzles and quizzes on it.” Morgan handed it to Katie. “It is so-o-o awesome!”

  “Why didn’t he come?” Katie fingered the case nonchalantly. Suddenly, streams of tears were making wet tracks down her fiery cheeks. “He didn’t even call.”

  Ring-g-g!

  “I’ll get it!” Skye and the bear rushed to grab the phone off a nearby wall. “Hello, Chambers’ residence. Skye speaking.” Her eyes met Katie’s, already turned toward the phone.

  “Hello, Skye, this is Mr. Thomas. I’d like to speak to my daughter.”

  “Sure. She’s right here. Just a sec.” Skye handed Katie the phone and flopped the bear comfortably on her own lap.

  “Who’s on the phone, Skye?” Mrs. Chambers asked from the kitchen.

  “It’s Mr. Thomas,” Skye yelled back, “for Katie.”

  “Hello, Dad?” A smile surfaced through Katie’s teardrenched face.

  Chewing her lip, Skye exchanged glances with Morgan and gave the bear a hug.

  “Yeah,” Katie said flatly.

  A long pause.

  “But why not?” she whined. “But Da-a-a-ad! Don’t you care about me?”

  Morgan pursed her lips.

  You’re right. Skye shook her head. This is so-o not good.

  “Yeah—sure—bye,” Katie barely whispered.

  Skye gently touched Katie’s arm. “Here, I’ll take the phone.”

  Katie choked back another flood of tears. “He said he doesn’t think he can make the horse show. Something to do with his new business—or so he says.”

  Mrs. Thomas rushed in from the kitchen. A look of disgust settled over the woman’s face as she sat down and stroked her daughter’s long blonde hair. “I was afraid this would happen. He’s always too busy!”

  Katie faced her mother and shrugged, a clear signal to back off. “M-o-m…don’t,” she said with a choking sob.

  “Now don’t let this spoil your birthday, Katie.” Mrs. Thomas slowly pulled away. “Everyone’s been so nice to you. And you’ve come so far in the few months you’ve been here.” She looked at Skye. “Could you get us some tissues, please?”

  “Yep. Be right back.” Skye set the bear down, replaced the phone, and rushed into the kitchen. In seconds she
returned and gave a handful of tissues to Katie. “Did you tell your mom how God’s been helping you with Boomer? And with your weight?”

  Mrs. Thomas smiled at Skye then studied her daughter. “I did notice you’ve trimmed down a little the last few weeks. You look great!”

  Katie sat with her head down, tears dripping off her cheeks. She blew her nose.

  Morgan offered encouraging words. “Mrs. Thomas, do you know she’s been goin’ to all our church services and youth activities too?”

  “Yes. Every time she called, she gave me a full report.” Mrs. Thomas smiled. “I’m so glad she’s let God back into her life. I’m very proud of her.”

  “I wanna go to my room,” Katie said, sobbing.

  Mrs. Thomas gently touched her daughter’s arm. “But Katie—”

  “Mom, I just wanna go to my room!” she sassed. “Now!”

  Whew…nasty. Katie’s demeanor took Skye aback.

  “I guess the party’s over,” Morgan wisecracked.

  She is so-o-o unreal. “I’ll go with her,” Skye’s sharp tone betrayed her deepening anger with Katie.

  Katie stood and again wiped her nose. “I don’t care about anything,” she smarted off. “Life stinks. And Skye, I know the way upstairs. You don’t need to go with me.”

  “But I want to!” Skye insisted. Maybe I can talk some sense into her.

  “I’ll help clean up all this stuff.” Morgan tried her best to lighten the mood that had soured the air like a backed-up drain. She scooped up paper balls from the floor, collecting them on her lap.

  Mrs. Thomas released a long I-don’t-know-what-to-do-next sigh. “Thanks, girls. Katie’s fortunate to have two friends like you. Maybe all she needs is a good night’s rest.”

  “No problem.” Skye followed Katie toward the stairs.

  “Good night, Katie,” Mrs. Thomas said warmly. “I love you.”

  In mute defiance, Katie made her way up the stair-case. Her silence said it all.

  Friday, one day before the horse show!

  A ham-and-egg breakfast at dawn started the hot summer day off right. Afterward, Keystone buzzed from the house to the barn to the field and back. There was so much to do: practicing events, polishing tack, grooming the horses until they glowed!

  In the open field, Skye and Morgan worked Champ and Blaze through a tough obstacle course for their Advanced Trail classes. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers and Chad walked the three boys and their horses through the Beginners Showmanship routines in the small paddock. Between practices, Mrs. Chambers saw to it that each “cowpoke” had just the right western clothes, hat, boots, and all! Determined to have Keystone Stables come home with an armful of ribbons, everyone plunged in with both hands!

  Everyone except Katie.

  Katie, back to her old nasty self, kept busy with her mother—shopping and eating out. Returning after supper, she headed straight for her room.

  The horse show? Only Skye’s nagging convinced Katie to run Boomer through the course a few times and then groom him.

  “I know what I’m doing,” Katie bragged as she mounted Boomer, “and I don’t need the practice.”

  “Listen, Katie, we all need it if we want to win,” Skye said sharply as she checked Boomer’s cinch. “And your attitude has you about one crummy millimeter away from Mom and Dad bootin’ you out of the show!”

  “I couldn’t care less,” Katie snapped as she took off toward the barrels. “Let them!”

  While Skye finished last-minute barn chores on Friday night, her anger, frustration, and confusion just about finished her. She couldn’t wait until family time in the living room after Katie and the three boys had gone to bed.

  As Mr. Chambers read from the book of James, Skye stared at a framed picture of a white stallion. Struggling to listen, she found her thoughts wandering more than once…thinking about Champ…the horse show…Boomer and Katie.

  Mr. Chambers continued, “This study in James…first chapter…wisdom…patience…”

  Patience? Skye’s attention swung back to Mr. Chambers. “Dad, how did you know I needed a lesson on patience? I’m going crazy with a certain person in this house,” she confessed.

  Mrs. Chambers gave Skye a compassionate smile. “Honey, we all know who you mean. Katie has tested everyone’s patience.”

  Morgan played with a few fiery red strands. “I’ve been ready to pull my hair out more than once.”

  “Girls,” Mr. Chambers said, “it’s not an accident that this chapter in James talks about wisdom as well as patience. We need both of those traits in our own lives before we can even think about helping Katie.”

  Deep in thought, Skye stared at Mr. and Mrs. Chambers on the sofa. Morgan had parked her Jazzy beside them. Slumping back, Skye folded her arms and crossed her legs at the ankles. “I’ve just about given up. She is so-o-o frustrating. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster with her. One minute we’re up; the next minute we’re down. I don’t know how to take her! She just makes me mad. That’s all.”

  Mrs. Chambers spoke in a positive tone. “Girls, surely you remember how you tested our patience. And not too long ago at that, either. God can change anyone. Just give him time.”

  Mr. Chambers closed the Bible on his lap. “The best thing we can do for Katie is to love her through this crisis. I’m sure you girls know how parents can mess things up for teenagers.” His mustache framed a teasing smile.

  “Okay, okay,” Skye conceded as she sat up straight. “I need to remind myself more often that God’s always there for us. He’s there for Katie too. Can we pray for her?”

  “And her parents?” Morgan added.

  “We sure can,” Mrs. Chambers said. “Let’s pray right now.”

  “And just be patient, girls.” Mr. Chambers leaned forward and folded his hands. “God wants the Thomas family back together more than any of us do. Skye, why don’t you start?”

  “Okay, Dad.” Skye closed her eyes. “Dear God, please help Katie…”

  Chapter twelve

  Great job, Skye!” Mrs. Chambers’ blue eyes sparkled with excitement as she stroked Champ’s nose.

  A radiant smile lit up Mr. Chambers’ face. “All that practice paid off!” He nervously smoothed down his mustache. “Now that’s what I call teamwork. Right, boys?” He glanced at Joey, Sam, and Leonard, who stood beside him, eyes wide with wonder.

  “Whoa, way to go, Skye! That was one cool routine.” Chad’s dimples were nearly hidden in the shadow of his black hat as he patted Champ’s sleek neck.

  Morgan, mounted on Blaze, joined in congratulating Skye. “Our ribbons make a nice pair, Skye.”

  In her flashy western attire, Skye glowed with pride as she waved a first-place ribbon in her hand. “Yeah, red and blue do make a good match, don’t they?”

  Skye’s suede Stetson, complete with hawk feather and leather braid, sat squarely on her head, leveled to her eyebrows. Her hair, drawn back into a bun, rested securely under the hat. A leather-fringed vest covered a blue-checkered shirt. A red necktie, cowhide gloves, blue jeans, chaps, and polished boots made Skye a perfect match for her mount.

  Champ’s bridle with blue browband set off a leather-cut saddle. The poncho roll highlighted his copper coat and silky mane and tail.

  Cheers and applause exploded from a packed house in Snyder County’s new indoor arena. Skye and Champ had just won the Junior Advanced Trail class!

  “Thanks, guys! But Champ did it all. He was great!” Skye slid off her horse.

  Chad took the prize from Skye’s hand and held it up in front of the boys. “Okay, guys. See what you’re shootin’ for? You can do it too.”

  “And your classes are coming up soon,” Mr. Chambers said to them. “We need to get you and your horses ready. C’mon.” He turned to walk away.

  “Okay, Mr. Chambers!” Joey trailed after the man. “I’m gonna win!”

  “Me too,” Sam said. He and Leonard followed Joey.

  Mrs. Chambers gave Skye some last-minute instructions. “I�
��m going to help Morgan dismount; then I’ll be busy with the boys. After you cool down Champ, would you help Katie get ready? Barrel racing is next.”

  “Yep,” Skye answered. “I’ll do my best to get her motivated. Where is she?”

  Mrs. Chambers pointed to the nearest exit. “She’s waiting out there in the hallway with Boomer. But she needs to be at the other end of the arena at the entrance gate when the barrel racing starts.”

  Skye glanced at her watch. “That’s in about ten minutes. I’ll have her there.”

  “Great,” Mrs. Chambers said. “If you don’t see us, we’ll be with the boys at the horse trailer, going over last-minute details.”

  “I’ll help get Katie ready,” Chad said, stroking Champ’s nose. “You know, Skye, sometime I’d like you to teach me that trail class routine. It looks like a lot of fun. Would you?”

  Would I? Thumpity thump. Thumpity thump. Skye’s heart was up to its old tricks. “I’d love to. You can even ride Champ. It’s easy with a horse trained like him. Sure.”

  “Thanks. Maybe when I have a Saturday free?”

  “Just call and let me know what time.” Skye’s face turned fiery hot. “I’ll warn Champ to be on his best behavior.” She tugged her horse’s bridle. “C’mon, Champ.”

  With Chad by her side, Skye led the horse toward where Katie waited. “I sure wish she’d snap out of it,” Skye said. “She’s missin’ a lot of fun.”

  “Yeah,” Chad said. “Mr. C., told me what happened with her dad and all. It seems like she doesn’t care whether she wins or loses today.”

  “She doesn’t,” Skye said, “but maybe you and I can—”

  “Skye! Hello!” Amid the commotion, a voice yelled from somewhere to Skye’s left. Stopping short, Skye scanned the boisterous crowd packed in a dozen rows of bleachers. “Chad, who’s calling my name?”

  Chad pushed his hat back and studied a sea of faces. “I don’t know, but I heard it too.”

  “Skye! Chad! Over here!”

  Chad pointed toward the main entrance. “Look, there in the doorway. It’s Mrs. Thomas! Skye shifted her glance and saw Mrs. Thomas waving in the forefront of the bustling hallway of horses, contestants, and show attendees. “Hi, Mrs. Thomas!” Skye yelled as she and Chad waved back.