by Mary May
Shana paced Nate’s room, chewing her fingernails, watching as three more demons set up housekeeping on Nate’s bed. Their combined evil was starting to affect him. He snapped at one of the janitors who had bumped against his bed while she was cleaning his room. That was the first time he had done that in months.
“Oh, please, God, don’t let him lose all the ground he has made! Send in your reinforcements! Send in your warriors!” she prayed.
Moments later Mac popped back in the room smiling at her.
“Mac! Were you able to get any help?”
Without saying a word he reached out, taking her hand. Suddenly she could see dozens of angels filling Nate’s room, with more gathering nearby in the hallway.
“Oh! Oh, praise God!” she breathed. The very air started to shimmer as more and more of God’s anointed beings filled the room, making the demons on the bed hiss and groan as they tried to hide under the covers. Then all at once they all lifted their hands and wings toward heaven and started singing. Shana felt joy fill her heart and tears fill her eyes as the beautiful voices lifted in praise to God.
“I thought they would have to fight to cast the demons back to hell,” she whispered to Mac.
He shook his head. “No, the greatest weapon against bitterness, anger, and disappointment is praise…just watch.” As the multitude sang praises, the air over Nate’s bed grew shimmery and sparkled with God’s anointing, causing the demons to shriek and hiss in pain, writhing and contorting as their bodies started to burn. Finally after a few minutes they had completely dissolved.
Shana looked on in amazement. “I wish I had known this sooner. I could have stopped them from the very beginning.”
He shook his head. “No, Nate had to be ready for them to go. He doesn’t realize it yet, but somewhere someone is still praying for him faithfully every day and their prayers are working. Humans so often fail to understand the power of their prayers. Wars and battles can be won or lost by the power of prayer. It opens doors and unlocks the power of heaven. As you just witnessed.”
Shana hugged the tall angel by her side. “Thank you, Mac! I think S.A. also stands for Super Awesome!”
Mac patted her back between her wings as he chuckled. “Hey, I like that! I might have that sewed onto my tunic. The Super Awesome Mighty Mac!” He looked down at Shana. “What do you think of that?”
“I think it’s perfect!”
The weeks flew by as Nate made progress. Hattie continually had to tell him to slow down, to stop pushing so hard. But her words fell on deaf ears. Nate was determined to get home by Christmas. He didn’t know if she would even speak to him, but he was going to try his best to win back Charlie’s love. He had finally realized he had driven her away with his bitterness and anger. Honestly, he still thought she could do better than a broken down soldier, but the one thing that wasn’t scarred was what he could now offer her freely…his heart.
Chapter 14
Charlie admired the engagement ring that Logan had just slipped on her finger. Shock and surprise filled her heart when he had dropped to one knee after church one Sunday afternoon. “Before you say anything, understand that I’m not in any hurry. If you say yes, we can have as long of an engagement as you want. I just want you to know that I want you forever and…”
“Yes!”
Logan reared back on his heels, looking up at Charlie in surprise. “Yes? As in yes, you will marry me?”
She nodded, smiling at him.
Logan jumped to his feet, swinging her around in circles as he whooped and hollered like a crazy person. Setting her down, he looked down at her with a serious expression on his face. “Charlie, you answered pretty fast. Are you sure you don’t need to think about it? There isn’t any expiration date on my offer.”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t need any time. I love you, Logan, for so many reasons. But I would like at least a year, if that’s ok? Logan could only nod his head and smile. He was too choked up to speak. Finally he remembered the ring and with shaking hands he slipped it onto her left hand, bringing it up to seal it with a kiss. After clearing his throat, he spoke what his heart was feeling.
“Charlie, I love you so much. You are the dream I never knew I wanted. You fill my life and my heart. Baby, I can’t tell you what our future will hold, but one thing you can count on is I will go to my grave loving you.”
Charlie laughed as she wiped tears of joy from her face. “I love you too, Logan, I really truly do.” Kissing her lips softly several times, he spoke sweetly that he really truly believed her; then he asked what type of wedding she would like.
“I may not want a huge overblown wedding, but I do want something beautiful because I’m only doing this once, so you better be very sure that you want to put up with me for the rest of our lives.”
“I know exactly what I want. I have never been more sure of anything in my life! Now when?”
Charlie scrunched up her nose as she thought about it. “How do you feel about a summer wedding?”
Sabrina laughed then cried then laughed some more when Charlie showed her the simple square-cut diamond ring on her left hand. She hugged her daughter then her future son in-law. Devon did the same thing, shaking Logan’s hand and patting his back. Sabrina was surprised, but not by the engagement. She was still thinking that in time Nate would show back up. He always did. Maybe this time he really wasn’t coming back.
“Well, this is just wonderful! I’m so happy for the both of you. Have you thought about a date yet?”
Charlie nodded. “Actually, we have. We decided on a summer wedding. Early June before it gets too hot.”
Sabrina beamed. “Oh! That will be so beautiful! Let’s see, that gives us about eight months to plan…We can do that. It’s plenty enough time if we get to planning right away. We need a venue and caterers. Did you like the ones we used for your sweet sixteen party? I thought they did a wonderful job, but of course it’s your…”
Charlie waved her hands to get her mother’s attention.
“Mama, slow down! We don’t want anything overly elaborate. We would like to get married here. There is a spot that is really beautiful close to the pond on the back of the property and I would like to have the reception in the barn. We also didn’t mean this summer. We want to wait until next summer.”
Sabrina’s brow wrinkled. “Oh! Well, that’s just fine too, sweetheart. There is nothing wrong with a long engagement. Now did you say you wanted the reception in the barn? Our barn?” she questioned.
Charlie laughed. “Yes, Mama! Our barn! It will need a few things done, but I mostly want it left alone. That barn has been my sanctuary since I was a little girl. I want it to be incorporated in my wedding. Trust me, we will make it beautiful.”
“Of course we will, sweetheart, and if that is what you want, then that is exactly what we will do.”
During the next few weeks, the news spread about Charlie and Logan’s upcoming nuptials. Most everyone was very happy for the young couple even if they were surprised. The entire community felt the way Sabrina did, that Nate would surely be the one to marry Charlie. But Logan was the one and they all loved him, too. Charlie felt at peace with her decision. She still prayed every day for Nate and probably always would. The news through the grapevine was that he was walking now and appeared to be recovering well. Her heart was so happy to hear that.
That Sunday after church Charlie was coming out of the sanctuary with Logan and her parents when she ran into Nate’s mother. There wasn’t any way to avoid her without appearing rude so Charlie smiled and said hello. Kate Jackson looked from Charlie to Logan then back to Charlie and walked away without a word.
Sabrina took her daughter’s hand. “Honey, it’s ok. Don’t let her get to you.”
Charlie looked after Kate, shaking her head. “I just don’t understand her, Mama.”
Sabrina patted her hand as she led her from the church. “The Bible doesn’t call for us to understand people, sweetheart…just to pray for th
em.”
“You know you are going to get wrinkles if you keep frowning like that.” Gideon looked over to where Charlotte was sitting on the kitchen counter watching him.
“I don’t age and I don’t get wrinkles,” he mumbled, clearly distracted with watching Charlie go through yet another bridal catalog. A pile of them now lay at her feet, discarded one after another, as she searched for the perfect dress. Gideon had a suspicion that finding the right wedding dress might be a big ordeal after watching her go through dozens looking for her prom dress. To him wedding dresses were worse than prom dresses, because they all looked alike. White and poufy or white and not poufy seemed to be the only choices. No wonder Charlie was growing frustrated.
“I understand why Charlie looks so deep in thought; this is her wedding dress, but why do you?”
Gideon finally looked up at Charlotte. “Oh, it’s not the wedding dress -- they all look alike to me. It’s the actual wedding itself.” He paused then shook his head. “No, it’s not even that. Something just isn’t right.”
Charlotte nodded her head in agreement. “Of course something isn’t right. She is supposed to marry Nate.”
Gideon narrowed his eyes at her. “How can you be so sure? Clearly she cares for Logan very much and he cares for her. I don’t have a problem with him, not really.”
Charlotte cocked her head to one side, eyeing him. “But there is something, right?” He glanced over at Charlie who had sighed once more as she flipped through yet another catalog. “When Charlie and Nate shared their first kiss, Shana appeared. Charlie and Logan have kissed numerous times and are now planning their wedding, but Logan’s guardian is still not visible to us. That has to mean something, right?”
Charlotte jumped off the counter in excitement. “Of course! I haven’t even thought about that! The fact that Shana showed up means that Nate was to be a part of this family! So, somehow Charlie and Nate will still be together! I knew it!”
Gideon raised a brow. “Well, something better happen soon; the wedding is only a little over a year away.”
Charlotte came up behind him and punched him lightly in the shoulder. “A year is plenty of time! Just you wait and see!”
It was now early April and Charlie had given up on finding the perfect dress. She came downstairs one afternoon with a sketchpad in her hand. Sabrina was curled up on the sofa reading. “Mama, what do you think of this?”
Charlie handed Sabrina the sketchpad. After looking at it for a moment, she smiled. “I think it’s perfect! Did you design this?”
Charlie nodded. “I just couldn’t find anything that was me. I have looked through countless catalogs and online for hours and hours. So, I decided to design a wedding dress myself. Do you think it’s pretty?”
Sabrina looked closer at the unique design. It was a halter-top style that stopped a few inches above the knee. What appeared to be fringe was attached to the hem and kept the dress from being too short. A long train was attached at the waist by a belt. “You see, Mama, I couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted a long dress with a train or a shorter dress. I knew I didn’t want anything overly dramatic or overwhelming. But this design gives me everything I want! I can remove the train after the ceremony. The shorter dress will be much easier to move around in during the reception, and I want to wear cowboy boots!”
Sabrina looked up at her with a frown. “Cowboy boots? You mean like the ones you wear now?”
Charlie laughed. “No, not exactly. I want some white ones with pretty silver trim. Wedding cowboy boots,” she explained.
Sabrina didn’t look any more convinced. “Ok, sweetheart, I’m afraid I don’t quite see the vision you do about the boots, but I know whatever you wear will be stunning. So, who will make the dress? Do you have any ideas?” Charlie nodded.
“I do actually. I was thinking of asking Keelie. Do you think she would mind?”
Her mother beamed. “That’s a wonderful idea! I know that she would love to do this for you, and she would do a beautiful job. You do know she makes a lot of Kinsley’s dresses?”
Charlie grinned as she nodded. “I do know; that’s why I thought of her. Can we call her now? The wedding is getting closer every day and I don’t want her to feel rushed.”
They made the call to Keelie, who, as expected, was overjoyed. They talked about different fabrics and textures. Keelie gave her suggestions then offered to drive down that weekend to take Charlie’s measurements and finalize the design.
“Well, that’s one thing decided on!” Sabrina said with a smile. “Only about a million and three other decisions to make.”
Charlie reached over and took her mother’s hand. “Mama, remember Logan and I want something simple. We would prefer the emphasis be on the vows that we will be making than the wedding itself.”
Her mother sat down on the couch and waited for Charlie to join her. “Tell me your vision, sweetheart.”
Charlie smiled and then for the next hour described to her mama what her perfect wedding day would be like.
The next day Charlie and Devon were driving into town to pick up some feed. Charlie never missed a trip to the local Farmers Co-op if she could help it. It was one of her favorite places on earth. She was looking at the newest shipment of saddle blankets when she overheard a couple talking in the next aisle over.
“I’m telling you, Susan, it is the worst case of neglect that I have ever seen. The whole herd, had to be at least fifteen of them starved near to death!” the man said.
“Why would someone allow the horses to just starve? Have the authorities been notified? Have the owners been fined or jailed? What will happen to the poor horses?”
Charlie heard the woman, Susan, respond.
“I guess they will all be put down. From what I understand, it will take a lot of time, money and investment to get them back in shape. Some of the younger ones might bounce back a little quicker, but a few older mares probably wouldn’t be worth the effort.”
Charlie had heard all she needed to hear. Throwing the saddle pad back on the shelf, she hurried to find Devon. Once she found him, she told him what she had heard.
“Please! Please, let’s go get those poor horses! We have the land and the money to help them. I will take care of all of them. I promise! Just help me get them home, Daddy…please! I am begging you!”
Devon looked at Charlie with tears filling her eyes. He knew she wouldn’t let this go until they had at least put out an effort. “Ok, Charlie girl. Let’s go see what we can do.”
When she started to take off, he caught her arm to stop her. “Charlie, we don’t know what we are going to find. If the horses are in as bad a shape as I’m thinking they might be…we might be too late. I need you to understand that, ok?”
Charlie’s face showed her concern as she nodded.
It didn’t take long to find out where the horses were. Apparently the owners had been overwhelmed by trying to care for so many and just left, leaving the poor animals to fend for themselves. Charlie sat in the truck while Devon went and spoke to the man that was temporarily housing the horses. She tried to judge from their facial expressions just how bad the situation was. Oh, she hoped they weren’t too late! Saying a prayer, she got out and walked over to where they stood. Devon looked down at her with a serious look.
“Charlie, they lost two last night. So, right now that leaves twelve horses that will need your care around the clock. Now I can have them put somewhere and have them taken care of. You know I will; you don’t have to see this.”
She shook her head. “No, I want to do this…please…let me take them.” Devon nodded, placing his hand on her shoulder. Then he directed the man to show them the horses.
Charlie followed the man and her dad into a barn. He stopped and opened one stall. The first thing to hit her was the smell of rotting flesh. When she looked over the stall door, her heart literally broke. The mare was so thin that you could see nearly every bone in her body. Open sores on her hips from lying down so much
had started to rot, causing the bad smell. The man had provided feed and hay, along with fresh water, but the horse had lost its will to live, standing with its head hanging low and lifeless eyes. Without asking for permission Charlie unlocked the door and stepped inside, crooning softly to the poor creature. It never even looked her direction when she walked up to it. She reached out and picked the horse’s head up, looking into its eyes. Holding it close to her body, she didn’t bother stopping the flow of tears that coursed down her cheeks. It seemed lately she was crying all the time.
Speaking softly, she ran her hand gently down its face. Dipping her hand into the feed trough, she scooped out a handful of grain, holding it up to its nose to smell it. Then she held it against its lips, encouraging the horse to at least try to eat. She had nearly given up when she felt the mare’s lips start to move as it lipped up a small portion of feed, chewing weakly.
“Oh, good girl! That’s it, sweetheart…one bite at a time!” With Charlie hand feeding her, the mare slowly consumed about half the feed in the trough then took a good drink of water.
“Miss Charlie, you will most likely have to hand feed every horse; some may even need to be tube fed. You are in for a long haul if you take all of them. Are you sure that you don’t want maybe just two or three?” the man offered.
Charlie shook her head. “No. I want them all. I have the time and I can’t stand the thought of leaving a single one here. Please show me the rest.”
Charlie’s heart broke more with every stall door that was opened. Some she had to go in and tried to encourage to eat, but a few were already eating on their own. They ranged in ages and sizes, from young foals to aging brood mares and geldings. But each one was worth saving in Charlie’s eyes. Devon made arrangements for the horses to be shipped as soon as they were strong enough. Three of the younger colts were able to transport the next day. On the way back home Charlie stared out of the window thinking of her own horses. Dandy, her first pony, had passed a few years ago. He died in his stall well-fed and dearly loved. Charlie had stayed with him until he breathed his last, her tears soaking his mane. She remembered well the conversation they had after Dandy had passed.