“How old is she?” another child asked.
“About three years.”
“Can I pet her?” Marcus asked, crowding in close.
Holding the mare’s halter, Dal gave the boy a kind look. “Yes, but remember I said you’d have to pet her one at a time.” He then spoke to the entire group. “You need to be gentle and try not to spook her. Remember that Polly has a lot in common with each of you. You’re all amputees. So treat her the way you’d like to be treated.”
Marcus gave a somber nod, his dark eyes round with awe. He stepped close, and that seemed to give the other kids the cue. They lined up close, ready to wait their turns. The adult staff members directed the kids so they each got a chance to touch and admire the mare.
“Everyone will get a turn,” Dal said when several kids jostled for position in the line.
Polly stood completely still, head up, ears pricked forward. Her dark eyes showed keen intelligence. She seemed highly alert, but not at all bothered by the barrage of children’s laughter and excited voices.
“How’d Polly lose her leg?” Marcus asked after he’d had a turn to stroke the mare’s silky mane.
“She was a wild mustang and rounded up when she was about one year old.” Dal spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “They believed she must have been attacked by a mountain lion. Her mangled leg had become infected to the point that she needed to be put down.”
A cute girl of perhaps seven years with long brown hair and no arms hopped up and down to get attention. Her brows pinched together in perplexity.
“Jenna, do you have a question?” Dal asked.
“Yes. What does ‘put down’ mean?”
Marcus shoved one of her arm stumps with his prosthetic hand. “It means they were gonna kill her, stupid.”
“Marcus! Be nice.” Dal shot him a warning frown.
The boy gave an irritable jerk of his shoulder, a bored expression on his face.
“That’s kind of a mean way to say it, but I’m afraid it’s true,” Dal said. “But when a veterinarian puts an animal down, they usually do it gently, with a shot that makes the animal go to sleep. They don’t feel any pain, but they never wake up. It’s called euthanasia.”
“Why would they do that?” Jenna’s bottom lip trembled, her large blue eyes filled with sadness.
“Because they thought the horse was too sick to live. They thought they’d be doing Polly a kindness.”
Jenna’s voice filled with tears. “You mean they were gonna kill poor Polly?”
Dal smiled and spoke in a gentle tone. “Yes, but I bought her instead and worked with a local vet to save her leg. When that didn’t work, he amputated her leg and I worked to get her to walk on a special-made prosthetic limb provided by Dr. Baldwin.”
“Wow, that’s amazing,” another boy said.
Yes, it certainly was. Julie was stunned by this remarkable story.
“How do you know it wasn’t better for Polly to be put down? Now she has to live without one of her legs,” Marcus grumbled.
“That Marcus,” Lyn murmured for Julie’s ears alone.
Julie understood Lyn’s frustration. “He’s so angry all the time.”
“Yes, he’s just like Kristen was once upon a time.”
“What do you mean?” Julie’s gaze sought out Kristen, who now stood behind Jenna, her arms wrapped around the younger girl in a protective gesture.
Lyn shifted the baby to her other hip. “After Kristen’s father died in the accident that took her leg, she was angry and belligerent all the time. No matter what I did, I just couldn’t get through to her.”
Kristen seemed so sweet and affectionate. Julie couldn’t imagine the girl acting as cantankerous as Marcus. “What finally changed her?”
Lyn’s gaze rested on Cade, who stood among the kids handling crowd control. “A lot of things, actually. First, Cade and I loved her. We refused to give up on her, no matter what. Plus, she had the misconception that it was her fault her daddy had died. We finally had a long talk, and I assured her it wasn’t her fault at all. That seemed to change everything for her.”
A sharp breath whooshed from Julie’s lungs. “Do you think that might be Marcus’s problem, too?”
“Who knows? I tried to talk with him about it once, to make sure he knew it wasn’t his fault that his parents died, but he shut me out. At least Kristen had me, but Marcus has no one. I hope someone can get through to him soon.”
Julie’s blood ran cold when she thought about Marcus’s sad situation. How she wished she could help him somehow. He must be craving attention to act so bratty all the time. But she was basically a complete stranger. She doubted he’d let her speak with him. And she hated the thought of his growing up cold and remote as she had. What he really needed was a family to love and care for him.
As Julie watched the kids pet the little horse one by one, she felt overwhelmed by Dal’s generosity. This was a great place for Marcus to be, to begin healing from what he’d been through. But what would become of him at the end of the summer when he had to leave?
She knew the answer firsthand. He’d be shuffled from one foster home to another until he had no sense of identity and very little self-worth. From the few statistics she knew, he’d possibly end up in a gang, living on violence, drugs and crime. Unless some special people interceded for him.
Dal’s deep laughter filled the air, and she gazed at him with wonder as he patted the horse’s neck. Julie could just imagine Polly’s plight when she’d first been rounded up. Wild and in a great deal of pain, she was a prime candidate for death. Yet that hadn’t stopped Dal. He could have taken the easy route and let the vet euthanize the mustang. Instead, he’d cared for the horse. He’d spent a lot of time helping her and had given her a second chance at life.
“Can I ride her?” Marcus asked, sidling close.
Dal shook his head. “Sorry, bud. Polly’s just for petting. She can’t support any extra weight on her bad leg.” He then addressed all the children. “Whenever you look at Polly, I want you to remember that there’s nothing you can’t do. Nothing you can’t overcome. Nothing you can’t try.”
Jenna’s turn was next. With no hands to pet the mare, the girl cuddled close against the horse’s chest. Jenna embraced Polly with her two arm stumps, her face pressed against the animal’s warm body. In response, Polly lowered her head down and snuffled at Jenna. The girl rubbed her cheek against Polly’s as they breathed each other in. Two kindred spirits.
A burning pressure at the backs of her eyes forced Julie to blink several times. An overwhelming conviction filled her with warmth. That God loved all creatures on earth. Even the sick and the maimed. These children had been hurt, their bodies bruised and broken. Just like the Savior. And yet, Christ had risen from the grave on the third day. Likewise, these kids had futures ahead of them, each and every one. It wouldn’t be easy, but Julie knew they all had a mission to perform here on earth. To learn and grow and reach their full potential.
To return to a loving Father in Heaven at the end of their lives.
Swiping at her eyes, Julie looked up and saw Dal talking to Marcus again. The boy listened intently to every word. Julie wondered if perhaps they might actually be able to get through to the sullen boy. Maybe this camp was just what he needed to make a difference in his life.
“Life isn’t easy, is it?” Dal spoke to the kids again. “You each have huge obstacles you’ll need to overcome. It’s not fair, but you can do it. It won’t be easy, but your life has just begun. The rest of this week, we’re gonna have a lot of fun activities for you. I hope you’ll each participate, even if you’re afraid. I want you to push yourselves and take chances. And I promise we’ll be here beside you the entire time. There’s nothing you can’t do. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. You just have to want it bad enough to fi
nd a way.”
Dal’s words seeped deep into Julie’s soul. Fortifying her. Strengthening her and the morale of each child within hearing distance. The kids’ faces glowed with burgeoning optimism. A desire to believe glimmered in their eyes. They wanted to accept what Dal said. To overcome their physical limitations.
They wanted to believe in themselves.
And Marcus. The sullen hostility had faded from his expression, replaced by a flame of hope. For just a moment, Dal’s words sank in deep.
But it didn’t last long. Another child scooted in to pet Polly and Marcus thrust the boy away. “Get back. You’ve already had your turn.”
“Marcus.” Dal cupped his hand around the base of the boy’s neck as he spoke in a soothing tone. “Everyone can have as many turns as they like. There are no limits. Not here. If I have to stand out here all night long with each of you, I won’t go inside until you’ve had enough of Polly. Of course, she’ll be here again tomorrow, and the next day, too. So you’ll all have the opportunity to become good friends with her.”
Marcus looked down and kicked at a clod of dirt. “I sure wish I could ride her.”
“It’s not possible,” Dal said. “Imagine if you weren’t strong enough, but someone climbed onto your back anyway. It wouldn’t be much fun, would it? But don’t worry. Tomorrow morning, we’re all gonna ride some other horses.”
Marcus flashed a wide grin, the first time Julie had seen him smile. And Julie wished she could be here with them. To witness each child learning to ride a horse for the first time. Maybe she could go into work late. Maybe—
“Hooray!” the children cheered with excitement.
Yes, hooray! Julie thought. Hooray that these amputee kids had such a wonderful place like Sunrise Ranch to come and play for a while. To forget their troubles. To forget they were different.
Hooray that a kind man like Dallin Savatch lived and walked the earth. And hooray that Julie was so honored to know him.
* * *
“Okay, kids. Time for Campfire Hour,” Cade called from the corral gate. Seemingly pacified that he’d get to see Polly again later, Marcus headed toward the main yard with the rest of the kids.
“I thought you were already gone for the evening.” Surprised to see Julie standing beside the fence, Dal led Polly over to her.
Cade and the other staff directed the kids toward the fire pit. But not until every child had told Dal personally that they were ready to let Polly go inside her warm stall for the night.
“I stuck around to meet Polly.” Julie reached through the fence and rubbed the mare’s soft muzzle.
“Yeah, she’s amazing, isn’t she?” He patted the horse’s neck.
Julie looked at him, her brown eyes seeing into him, to his very soul. “Remember that filly your mother bought you back when we were still in high school?”
“Yes, I remember.” He couldn’t resist showing a sad little smile.
“It was all your mom could afford. She knew how much you wanted a horse of your own, so she bought that scruffy little horse and told you to raise it up right. You fed and groomed that horse every day. You started training her right away. You couldn’t wait until she was old enough to ride and were so upset when you found out you couldn’t ride her until she was about four years old.”
He nodded, a barrage of memories flooding his mind. He’d loved that horse and had spent every free minute with her and Julie. “Yes, I named her Candy Dance.”
“Whatever happened to Candy?”
“I...I raised her to be a good saddle horse. But I had to sell her when Mom got sick. I used the money to pay the doctor bills.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, Dal.”
He shrugged, wishing his mom could be here with him now. Wishing he’d been able to keep her and Julie safe. “It was no sacrifice. Not really. We needed the money, and I’d do it again without even thinking twice. No animal is more important than people. Not for me.”
“I understand. Nothing is more important than family. Especially to those of us who don’t have any. I think we can fully appreciate how great our parents were, because we lost them when we were so young.”
He met her gaze. “I wish I had a million horses I could sell to bring Mom back.”
“I know. I wish I could bring my parents back, too. You were always such a kind, generous person, Dal. I can’t believe what you’ve done for Polly and what you do for the kids here at Sunrise Ranch. You’re such a caring, wonderful man. You always were.”
He jerked his hand away from Polly and held the reins in a death grip. “Don’t say things like that.”
She drew back, an expression of astonishment etching her soft face. “Why not? It’s the truth. Why can’t I say it?”
“Because I...” Because he loved her, and hearing her say such things only made the distance between them harder for him to bear. “I’ve got to put Polly to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
He tugged on the reins, giving Polly time to turn on her prosthesis and walk with him back toward the barn.
“Good night.”
He heard Julie’s whispered farewell from behind and could imagine her gaze following him. Boring into him like a high-speed drill.
He didn’t look back at her, but he wanted to. He stifled a pang of regret. He was doing the right thing. Wasn’t he? He resisted the urge to turn around, forcing himself to stare straight ahead. To focus on Polly and ignore the harsh pounding of his heart. To take slow, even breaths and pretend he didn’t care about Julie.
To pretend he didn’t love her.
Chapter Nine
The following morning, Julie drove out to Sunrise Ranch and arrived promptly at seven o’clock. As she parked her car in the driveway and got out, she lifted her face to the warmth of the sun. A light breeze blew down from the mountains, carrying the earthy scent of horses and sage.
Looking toward the house, Julie caught sight of Lyn standing on the front porch. Lyn stood hunched over, holding a green watering can. She tilted the spout so that a spray of water cascaded down over numerous clay pots filled with hot pink petunias.
“Hi, Lyn.” Julie waved to get the other woman’s attention.
“Julie!” Lyn set the watering can on the first step and came down to greet her. “You made it. I wasn’t sure you were going to be able to come see the riding lessons. Can you stay long?”
Julie shook her head, gripping a pair of leather riding gloves with her fingers. “No, I’ve got to go into work. But I thought I’d at least catch the first lesson of the day, just to see how it’s done.”
Lyn walked with her toward the stables, the blazing sunlight gleaming off her long white-blond ponytail. “I hope you’re not disappointed. Marcus has the first lesson.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, we figured maybe if he went first, he’d be more cooperative throughout the rest of the day’s activities. That’s why Dal’s teaching today.”
“Dal? I thought it was Cade’s turn for riding lessons today.”
Lyn flashed a playful smile. “Normally it is, but Marcus seems to respond better to Dal. And Cade’s been called away on a medical emergency. A woman went into early labor, so he’s riding with her to Elko, just to make sure she gets to the hospital in time before the baby’s born. If not, he’ll be delivering a baby on the roadside.”
Julie cringed at the thought. She didn’t understand why, but knowing Dal was giving the riding lessons today made her feel a tad uneasy. She’d expected Cade to be there, but she tried to tell herself it didn’t matter. She and Dal were just friends. She couldn’t help being highly anxious to see him again, though she told herself it was no big deal.
“Well, have fun.” Lyn kept walking toward the garden.
Julie hesitated. “You’re not coming in?”
Lyn fla
shed a quick smile. “No, I’ve got to get started on lunch. Lots of sandwiches to make. I’ll see you tomorrow evening for dinnertime.”
The woman disappeared around the corner, and Julie paused in front of the wide double doors of the stable. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside and blinked to accustom her eyes to the dim interior. An elderly volunteer staff member named Grant was mucking out a stall and nodded a greeting. A bay gelding had been tethered with a halter to the hitching rail. Dal stood with his back toward her, showing Marcus how to curry the horse.
“Rub the currycomb around in small circular motions. See how it loosens up the dirt and sweat in Banjo’s coat?” Dal said.
“That’s what I’m doing.” Marcus bit out the terse reply.
“Good work.”
Rather than snapping back, Dal stood silent while the boy shifted from long, weak strokes to tight circles. Although Marcus had not been doing as instructed, he’d made an adjustment without Dal causing a big scene. Once again, Julie was amazed by his insight in dealing with the difficult child. She stood there in the shadows, enjoying their hushed camaraderie. The heavy scent of clean straw and horses filled the air, along with quiet warmth.
The horse shifted its weight, and Dal smiled. “Ah, he likes that, Marcus. You’re getting rid of all his itchy spots. Well done.”
The child’s lips twitched, betraying his urge to smile. But he didn’t, and Julie wondered how he could resist.
“So have you ever ridden a horse before?” Dal asked.
“No, of course not.”
“What else do you like to do?”
Marcus shrugged.
“Do you like to play ball?” Dal persisted.
Marcus held up the stump of his amputated hand, his face contorted with irritation. “Do I look like I can play ball?”
“Sure you can. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. When are you going to try out the new prosthetic hand Dr. Baldwin fitted you with?”
Marcus turned back toward the horse. “It feels odd. I don’t like it.”
Julie almost laughed. This boy didn’t like anything. It occurred to her that he appeared tough, but it was all an act. On the inside, Marcus was just a scared little boy seeking approval.
Love Inspired February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Reunited FamilyThe Forest Ranger's ReturnMommy Wanted Page 30