by Sable Hunter
“I guess you’re just gonna ruin Benjamin, aren’t you?”’
“I’m going to try. How are the little puppies? I haven’t been out there as much as I should.”
“They’re just fine. I go out and play with them two or three times a day. Yesterday, I brought them up on the porch and let them play with a rubber ball that was bigger than they were. I think we’re going to have a few athletes in the bunch.”
“Thank you, Sam. I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than that.” Apple stood and stroked Rose’s head. “Things will get to normal soon, girls. Nita will feel better and we’ll go on walks and excursions.”
“I’ll take them back down now and let you finish your coffee.”
“Okay, thanks for bringing them.” As she moved aside so he could pass, she noticed something had fallen from his pocket. “Sam.” She stooped to pick it up, recognizing a keycard from a downtown Austin hotel. “You dropped this.”
Apple wouldn’t have thought a thing in the world about it – after all, he could have had a business meeting of some kind there – if…he hadn’t blushed bright red. “Thanks.” He grabbed it from her fingers and stuffed it back in his front pocket. “That was nothing, by the way.”
“No. Nothing.” She nodded, thoroughly mystified. When he was gone, she returned to check on Nita. Seeing she was sleeping peacefully, Apple sat down with her phone. Checking her messages, she saw there were numerous texts from Ryder and Pepper asking about Nita. She answered them, thanking them for their consideration.
“When things get back to normal, we’ll have to go out again,” she told each one in closing.
Normal. She longed for normal. “I want to cook for the family. Knit again. I want to cuddle with my husband and not be too distracted by worry to enjoy it.”
“Sounds like a plan, Apple-mine.”
“Oh, you’re home!” She jumped to her feet and launched herself in his arms, kissing him hard. “I missed you so. I’m so sorry I got angry yesterday. I apologize. Forgive me, please.”
Benjen cradled her to him. “There’s nothing to forgive, sweetheart. You were fighting for your child. I know you. I know how you think. And I love you just the way you are.”
Apple let out a sigh of relief and contentment. “Thank you for understanding and for loving me.”
“My love is constant, Apple. Unshakeable.” After giving her another gentle kiss, they walked over to Nita’s bed. “She’s better?”
“Yea, I think so. This just came out of nowhere and I’m so afraid it will happen again and again. She’s weaker too. What this is doing to her little organs, I can only hazard a guess. Dr. Dolman seemed adamant that this needs to be done quickly. I only hope he and Alivia can find someone soon.”
“Me too, honey me too.” He hugged her with one arm and kept his other hand behind his back – fingers crossed.
* * *
The next morning passed without incident. Nita was better and that was cause for celebration. Since Benjen was working with the cattle, she and the dogs set out to pull Nita to the river in an old utility wagon she found.
“Pretty day,” Nita observed as she held onto the sides of the red wagon, looking all around at the trees, the birds, and the wildflowers. Sometimes her sweet sensibility almost brought Apple to tears. Maybe it was the hardships she’d faced, but she seemed far older than her years at times.
“Yes, it is. Although, I do see some clouds in the distance.” Apple shaded her eyes and watched the darker clouds roll in. “Oh, well. We don’t have to worry. We won’t stay too long.”
After finding a place to sit and watch the fish swim in the water, Apple picked Nita up so she could wander around and play in the grass, tossing stones into the water. The dogs pranced around, even the puppies had followed them on their journey.
“How do you feel, little one?”
“Good,” she answered simply as she squatted down to dig a hole in the dirt with a small stick.
“I’m glad.” As they enjoyed listening to the birds and watching the dogs, something occurred to Apple. “Nita, you haven’t asked about your grandmother? Why is that?”
“Hmmm.” She continued to dig in the dirt. “I don’t know.”
“Do you miss her?”
“Yea. I miss her. She was a nice lady.”
“Did you spend a lot of time with her?”
Nita shook her head. “I stayed with nuns.”
“Nuns? At a convent? For how long?”
Nita stood and shrugged. “Ever.”
“How about your parents? Your mama and papa?”
She rubbed her eyes as if she weren’t sure what to say, then she hung her head. “I don’t member. Jus had your picture wif Papa. Sister Teresa say your name wuz Apple.”
“Did your grandmother know where you were?”
Again, she shrugged. “Don’t know. The nuns took care of me till I got sick, then Abuela come and bring me to you – but it wuz hard to find you.”
This knowledge floored Apple. “I’m so sorry, baby.” When Nita came to her for a hug, she gave her one gladly. “I’m so grateful you found your way to me.”
…On top of Packsaddle, Benjen took a few moments to offer up a prayer. Kneeling in front of the cave, he raised his arms high, palms up. Upon his cheeks, he spread the sacred pollen. Around his neck hung the cord he’d woven to honor his ancestors. “Hear me, Holy One. Hear me, my forebears. I ask thee to protect my beloved and protect the little ones she shelters. I pray you will make me worthy, make my body a living sacrifice so I may be a healing force for the little girl who has come into our lives like a welcome spring. Help me be strong to keep those safe whom you have entrusted in my care.” Humming a praise, he stared into the sun. “I bow to the east, from which comes all help. Let my heart rise on wings of eagles. I entrust my boons into your wisdom and care.” Bowing his face to the ground, he thanked the Great Spirit for his love and care.
Upon arising, he pulled on his shirt and wiped the pollen from his face. Finding Zeus, he started back down the mountain when the phone rang.
“Daniel,” he spoke into the phone. “How are you?”
“On the run. Have you seen the weather report?”
“No. I moved one of the heifers into the barn. She cut her foot somehow and it’s infected. We’re out of antibiotic salve, so I’m about to head into town to the vet’s office to pick some up.”
“Get someone else to do it if you can. There’s a storm headed our way. A gully washer. You’d better move the herd away from the river. Of course, there’s no way to know for sure, but we might have some flash flooding. Better be safe than sorry.”
“All right. I’ll get it done. Thanks for calling. How’s Sara?”
“She’s fine. Cute as a button. How’s Apple and Nita?”
“We had a scare with Nita last night, but I’m hoping we’ll get some good news soon on a donor. Say a little prayer for us.”
“Always, Brother.”
Benjen set Zeus on a path down the mountain when his phone rang again. Thinking his older brother might’ve forgotten something, he pressed the on button. “You’re getting old and forgetful, aren’t you?”
“My mind is like a steel bear trap, I’ll have you know.”
Benjen pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at the name. Crap. “Dr. Dolman. I’m so sorry.”
“No problem. I have some news for you.”
Benjen’s heart began to beat so loud, the blood pounded in his ears. “Okay.”
“The gods must be smiling down on you, son. You’re a six-point match. Have your wife bring Nita in for her first dose of chemo ASAP, the sooner the better. Closer to time, we’ll schedule your donation for the day before Nita’s transplant.”
The doctor was so matter-of-fact with news so momentous, Benjen had to dismount from his horse and slide to the ground, too weak with relief to even sit upright in the saddle. “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, this
was all you and Alivia. Especially you. I’ve seen things happen like this before, a match coming when least expected. Sometimes it seems someone higher than we are is in control, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does.” Benjen looked up and saw an eagle sailing on a wind current overhead. He raised his hand high in salute of powers greater than he. “I’ll go give Apple the message now. If you don’t mind, I’m not going to tell her the whole story. I’d like to surprise her tonight over dinner. We just married a few days ago and we’ve been pulled in so many directions, our one-on-one time has been sadly lacking.”
“She won’t hear a word out of me and I’ll instruct the on-duty nurses to treat all information concerning Nita as confidential until otherwise directed.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Dr. Dolman.” After returning his phone to his pocket, he pulled himself in the saddle and rode on to give his wife the wonderful news – or part of it, at least. The rest would be his gift to her.
…The sound of galloping hooves caused Nita to stand up and stare across the pasture. “Beegee! Beegee!”
Apple followed her line of vision and smiled. “It is Beegee. He seems to be in a hurry. Go play with the pups, I need to speak to him for just a moment. Okay?”
“K.”
Apple watched as Nita toddled off on short baby legs. When Benjen drew near, she moved to greet him. “I have to tell you something.”
He was about to burst with his news, but Benjen let her go first. “Something wrong?”
“No, but I have information for you to give Zane. I asked Nita some questions about her home life and she led me to believe she didn’t know her grandmother very well. Apparently, her parents put her in the convent. I don’t know why, maybe they were traveling or involved in something…nefarious.” An ugly thought crossed her mind. “Maybe he didn’t care anymore about Nita than he cared about me.” This bit of information was said in the barest of whispers. “Anyway, if the investigator goes to the convent in their small town, the nuns might be able to tell them the whereabouts of the grandmother or if there is anyone else with a legal claim on Nita. At least we’d know the circumstances of her life a little better.”
“Consider it done. Good job for going straight to the source.” He glanced at Nita who was throwing stones in the water while the dogs stood guard over her. “I have some news too.”
“Oh, really?” Apple took his arm. “Good, I hope.”
“The best.” He pulled her close. “Dr. Dolman needs you to bring Nita in today.”
“Why? More tests?”
“I don’t think so. He mentioned something about prepping her for the transplant. Since he’s planning on giving her low-dose chemo, it may take longer. I’m not certain of all the details.”
“Okay, I trust him. We’ll get on the road soon.”
“On your way back, could you stop by Dr. Cleveland’s and pick up some antibiotic salve. I have a lame cow to tend. I’ve already called it in and she’ll have it ready for you.”
“Okay.” Apple clapped her hands. “I’m glad for the opportunity to check on them.”
“Thanks. How do you feel, honey?”
“I’m great,” she assured him. “No morning sickness whatsoever. I have energy. My appetite’s good.” She leaned closer to him. “The only problem is…my boobs are getting bigger.”
Benjen chuckled. “I don’t see bigger boobs as any kind of problem. I see them as a benefit.”
Apple clapped her hands. “Come on, little one. Crawl in your wagon. We have to go to town!”
Nita came hurrying over as fast as her little legs could carry her. “Hug, Beegee, hug!”
He swept her up and gave her a big kiss, then swung her around in a circle while she laughed and laughed. When he faced the northwest, he saw the dark clouds, reminding him of what Daniel had told him before Dr. Dolman blew his mind.
“Oh, Apple, by the way, there’s a storm blowing in. A lot of rain is coming from the north. It shouldn’t be a problem, but I’d rather you were home safe before it hits. You should have plenty of time, but I don’t want you on the road when the rain starts pouring down.”
“Okay. I love how you worry.” She gave him another hug.
“Just come home safe to me.” He winked at her. “I have a surprise for you tonight.”
* * *
Later that afternoon…
“I can’t believe this, Nita. We’ve been waiting forever.”
They sat outside the nurse’s station waiting on the particular person assigned to administer Dr. Dolman’s orders.
“Why?” Nita asked as she colored a picture with a crayon.
“They said the nurse had a family emergency.”
“We’re fine,” Nita told her breezily and Apple had to smile.
“That’s right. We’re fine.”
Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait too much longer before the nurse showed up with a paper cup and gave Nita two small chewable pills and a cup of water to help her swallow them down. “Okay, that’s it. Thanks for waiting.”
“That’s it?” Apple asked in disbelief. “We’ve been waiting all this time on two tiny pills.”
“Sorry. My mom fell and broke her hip. I rode with her in the ambulance.”
“Oh. Oh. I’m sorry.” Apple felt instantly bad. “No problem.”
The girl shrugged. “Only certain nurses can access the drugs.”
Apple would’ve probably asked more questions, but she looked out the window and saw it was dark and beginning to rain. “Oh, goodness. We better get on the road. Beegee will be looking for us.”
Grabbing the baby up, she held an umbrella over them both and raced to the car.
“I get wet,” Nita grumbled and Apple laughed.
“You won’t melt, will you?”
“Hope not.”
With the rain coming down in torrents, it took all of Apple’s focus to see the road. She couldn’t drive very fast and visibility was very poor. The windshield wipers didn’t seem to be doing a lot of good.
“I’m scared, Apple.”
“No reason to be, it’s just a little rain.”
She took her time and kept her cool until she turned off on the ranch road and saw a neighbor’s cow in the distance.
“Oh, pooh!” She slowed down even more, searching for a place to turn around.
“Wat’s wong?”
“I forgot to go pick up some medicine for the cows that Beegee asked me to get.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Yea, uh-oh. No worries, we’ll just go back after it. We can’t disappoint him, can we?”
“Nope.”
Apple made the return trip at the same snail’s pace, taking her time and watching the road carefully. When she came to the vet’s, Dr. Cleveland was about to leave. Seeing Apple, she ran back in and came out with a bag. She hurried to the car and held her umbrella over the door while Apple rolled down the window.
“Here you go, Apple. I can’t believe you’re out in this weather.”
“I got almost all the way home, then realized I’d forgotten the medicine. So…we’re running a bit late.”
“Well, be careful going home. You haven’t lived long in the Hill Country, you have to watch for high water.”
“Okay. I don’t think I’ll go over any. I’ll be careful, though.”
“Good to see you!” Dr. Cleveland called as she ran off to get in her own car.
“Here we go. On the road again!” she said cheerfully to keep their spirits up.
“Yay! Home to Beegee!”
“Right. He says he has a surprise for us. I wonder what it could be?”
As they talked, she headed back the way she’d come, doing her best to concentrate on her driving. “A pony!”
“I think we have ponies at the ranch. I’m sure Beegee will teach you to ride one day.”
“Good.”
The little girl grew quiet and Apple was thankful. Rain was coming down in sheets and a couple of times her tires seemed to leave th
e pavement. She was so afraid of hydroplaning with Nita in the car. Slowing down even more, she was barely creeping down the road.
…Back at the ranch, Benjen was having a hellacious time. The cattle were not cooperating. With just him and Sam, this was taking forever. After chasing down one errant heifer, he glanced around for his brother. They both wore yellow slicker suits, so spotting one another was fairly easy. “Hey! Do you see any more strays?”
“Nope! I think we’ve got them.”
“Thank God. I’m ready to dry off,” Benjen muttered. “I feel like a drowned rat.” He was just about to urge Zeus to strike up a trot, when he saw another cow heading toward the river. “Oh, shit.” Cupping his hand to the side of his mouth, he hollered to Sam, “You head on in, I see one more troublemaker!”
Sam waved his acknowledgement and continued to drive the other three head toward shelter.
Despite the uncomfortable situation, Benjen felt good. Positive. Swinging his rope, he took off after the mama cow, determined to get this job over sooner than quicker. Operating on semi-automatic, he was able to process a few thoughts. He’d called Zane and told him about Nita living with the nuns. The lawyer had been pleased, saying the information could prove invaluable. To hear the counselor tell it, things were looking up with the U.S. Ambassador and the Honduran government. The only fly in the ointment was timing. Benjen hadn’t realized, but Zane had informed him that the adoption could take months. Even if everything went smoothly, the waiting time to adopt a foster child was still between six and eighteen months.
After roping the cow, he began to lead her back, wiping the rain from his eyes. Checking the sky, he couldn’t tell what time it was and with his gloves on, he couldn’t see his watch. Surely, Apple was home by now and waiting for him.
…On the road home, Apple was squeezing the steering so tightly her knuckles were white. The car was basically feeling its way home, she couldn’t really make the road out at all. The rain and the asphalt were all the same color. “Almost home. The Slab’s up ahead. We’re going to go swimming in the Slab. You’ll like that.”