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Chapter 10
It had been three weeks since the tragic events at the Community Church. Since then, the church had remained boarded up and unused. Now, though, it was time for the congregation to focus on the future. And, that, left them at a bit of a crossroads… restore or rebuild. In the end, it was decided that restoring would be the easiest and most cost-effective. To that end, the Administrative Council had called a meeting in the school cafeteria to discuss the construction bids they had received. The cafeteria was a packed house of both the congregation, the construction bidders, and the community. In fact, it seemed that the whole town of Pine Ridge had turned out for the discussion.
Doctor’s Alexander Bearfighter and Sparrowhawk attended to represent Hope Ranch. Many of their employees and clients attended as well; including Kiesha and Edward. Edward had asked and been granted an extended leave of absence to care for Kiesha as she recovered from her injuries. Now, they were seldom seen apart from one another, and rumors of a romance lingered in the air.
Alexander was waiting for just the right moment to make his offer to the Administrative Council.
Finally, Reverend Walfor looked over to them and smiled. ‘Dr. Bearfighter, it is my understanding that you wish to address the meeting?’
‘Yes, Sir, I do.’ Alexander unfolded his arms and strode forward. ‘Hope Ranch would like to play a significant role in restoring the Church. We’d like to offer whatever labor assistance that we can for the work ahead at no charge to the Church.’
Heads around the table and the room as a whole nodded their appreciation fof the gesture. Many in the room knew that they damages were the result of a police chase involving a former client of the Ranch, Jack Lyons. To them, the gesture seemed more than fitting.
‘That offer would cut your building expenses almost in half, Reverend.’ James Williams, owner of Sunlight Construction Company, noted from the back of the room. James wanted this bid, and he would go to any length to get it for his company. It wasn’t a need for the monetary profits that drove him as his company was well-established and profitable enough to donate their services entirely if he wanted to. No, it was much more personal than that. It stemmed from something long buried in his past that he felt a need to atone for.
‘Thank you, Mr. Williams, for bringing that to our attention.’ Rev. Walford nodded.
‘If you’ll allow me a moment, Sir… With that offer from Hope Ranch on the table, Sunlight will be able to drop our bid substantially…’ James furiously tapped his phone screen as he strode through the crowd to the front table. ‘How does this new figure strike your fancy?’
Rev. Walford took the phone, looking at the figures on the screen before passing it around the table to the Council members. When the phone returned to him, and with Council’s approval, he read the figures off for all to hear.
The announcement was met with gasps of astonishment at how low the bid was. The representatives of the other construction companies began to grumble amongst themselves. There was no viable way that any of them could meet, or top the Sunlight Construction bid.
‘Does anyone have a counter-offer?’ Adminstrative Council President Helen Jenkins asked, scanning the faces of the other representatives. ‘No, well, very well, then.’
‘Madam President, excuse the interruption, but I have a question for Mr. Williams.’ Dr. Bearfighter asked, turning towards the owner. ‘Before we proceed, Mr. Williams, I must ask is you are willing to work with our clients and staff? You are aware that many have challenges of varying degrees. They are at our Ranch in order to rebuild and improve their lives as well as that of their families. They are not perfect people. Are you ready to accept that?’
‘I am fully aware of what your Ranch does, Doctor. I support that work.’ James smiled with what he hoped was genuine sincerity. Inside, hiring the Ranch clients would fall right into his plans. ‘You wouldn’t send me a worker who was not capable of the tasks assigned to them, would you, Doctor Bearfighter?’
‘No, of course not.’ Alexander met his veiled challenge head-on.
‘Good.’ James focused back to the Council members. ‘If you like this number, I’ll have my secretary draw up a new bid and have it into your hands before morning service.’
The Council members exchanged looks before agreeing.
‘If there are no counter-bids… and if there are no objections, I move that we take a vote to accept the revised bid from Sunlight Construction Company.’ President Jenkins suggested.
‘I’ll be the first to cast my vote in favor.’ Rev. Walford spoke up.
‘All in favor of accepting the bid from Sunlight Construction signify by saying: Aye.’ Pres. Jenkins paused for the shower of affirmatives. ‘Any opposed?’ She paused again to hear only silence. ‘Then, by a common and unanimous vote, the bid for reconstruction is hereby awarded to Sunlight Construction Company. Thank you, Mr. Williams for your bid.’
‘Thank you all.’ James Williams nodded to both the table and to Alexander. His smile was as genuine as it ever got. ‘Thank you, very much.’
‘I’ll see your revised offer in my hand in the morning, Mr. Williams. Until then, do I have a move and a second to adjourn?’ Ms. Jenkins concluded the business meeting.
A chorus of agreement echoed off the walls. There was suddenly a restoration of hope within the community. People rose and beganto mingle around the refreshment tables.
After accepting a glass of punch and a napkin full of cookies from one of the ladies, James made his way over to Alexander and his wife. ‘I do hope you were serious about your offer, Doctor. Reconstruction is more of a challenge than building from scratch, especially on a historic building such as this one. I’m still surprised that the county hasn’t condemned it.’ James tugged at his belt, resetting his jeans on his hips. ‘All this old stone… It’s probably what saved the building from total collapse to tell you the truth.’
‘The church was built to last, for sure. And, I don’t make offers I cannot stand behind, Mr. Williams. I have twenty men and women ready to begin work as soon as you are ready for us.’ Alexander responded to his challenge.
‘I need to secure a building permit before we can begin work on the structural damages. Before I lay a single hand on any of it, though, I’m going to do my own inspection.’ James explained. ‘We might be able to start work by mid-week, hopefully.’
‘Good. You let me know when you want us on site, and we’ll be there.’ Alexander nodded.
‘Alex?’ Edward interrupted.
‘Yes, Ed? What do you need?’ Alexander turned.
‘I’m taking Keisha on back to the Ranch,now.’ He explained. ‘She said that she wants to get started on that special project you discussed with her.’
‘Thanks, Ed. Go ahead and give her a lift back, but tell her to hold off on the project for the moment. I’ll be by to explain when I get back.’ Alexander responded.
‘Will do.’ Edward shrugged, eyeing James with suspicion. ‘Good afternoon, Mr. Williams.’
Edward returned to Keisha, explaining what Alexander had said. ‘… Besides, I need to go for a run, then hit some weights… Gotta get my body back on track, too.’
Keisha frowned as he helped her out of her seat. ‘But, I thought…’ She began as he shifted from one foot to the other.
‘I have stayed as long as I can, Kie, you know that. I only have so much leave time left. I’ve gotten my orders to report back.’ He ran a hand through his hair. Why did she still think that he’d be staying? He’d been upfront with her from the beginning. He’d only come back to Pine Ridge to heal. He was as healed as he ever could be. It was time to get back to work.
Keisha accepted elbow as they walked out of the school and towards the car. ‘I still need you, Ed.’ She half-whispered.
‘You only think that you do, Kie. You’re good to go, now. Franklin is behind bars, and will be for a very long time. You’re safe, now.’ He patted the hand that was squeezing his arm. ‘I ship out to rejoin my team in three weeks from today. I leave Pine Ridge in two. You need to understand that, Kie.’
‘I do. I – I don’t want you to go, Ed.’ Keisha’s tone bordered between sincerity and panic.
‘Aw, hell.’ He thought. This wasn’t going to be an easy parting. She’d become attached to him. Outwardly, he opened the car door for her. He’d found the needed closure for his last mission but what about his present situation? How could he close this relationship without breaking her heart, again. It was something he’d have to figure out, and soon. By the time he’d circled the car and slid into the driver’s seat, he saw the telltale glistening at the corners of her eyes. ‘Aw, hell, now she was crying.’
He sighed.
‘Aw, Kie, don’t cry. We’ll figure something out.’ He spoke softly as he reached out to touch her cheek. ‘We’ve still got two weeks.’
‘Take me home, Ed.’ She spoke evenly as she turned her head to look out the side window. The reality that she was about to be abandoned by him again set heavily on her heart. At least this time, she knew it enough in advance to prepare herself for the pain.
‘I’m so sorry, Kie.’ He began as he put the car into gear and rolled out of the parking lot. ‘I never meant for us to get this close. If it hadn’t been for the explosion…’
Kiesha fixed her gaze out of the window as her mind replayed the events of the last two months. So much had happened; and yet, though he’d been there at her side, he’d never said he’d stay there forever. In fact, he’d repeatedly spoke of returning to duty as his goal. It was she who had thought that they had something more, well, permanent. With a deep sigh, she chastised herself. ‘I’m a fool… a fool in love, but still a fool.’
Edward drove on in silence. In his mind, he replayed their times together since he’d come home. He tried to recall what he’d said that would lead her to believe he give up his life for her. Then, he thought about Alexander’s words that silence often spoke louder than words, as did actions. ‘God,’ He prayed silently. ‘I really need your help here, if ya can spare a minute or two. I think I might love her enough to leave the Service for her.’
As soon as he stopped at the Ranch, Keisha sprung from the car as fast as she could move. He groaned as he got out and called after her even as he noticed she was almost running to get away from him.
‘Aw, Kiesha!’ He moaned as he pounded the roof of the car in frustration. ‘Two weeks,’ He reminded himself as he leaned his forehead on the hot metal. ‘I’ve got two weeks to make things right between us. God, if you’re still up there, I’m not joking when I say I need your help, here.’
Later that evening, Edward noticed that Keisha hadn’t come down from her room all afternoon and evening. As he sat with the others eating dinner, he felt her absence deeply.
‘Mister Marine.’ Charles asked for his attention.
‘Yep.’ Edward looked across the table to the little boy.
‘I’d like to ride up to the lookout. Would you ride with me?’ Charles asked with the grin that never seemed to leave his face.
Edward looked to Alexander for his approval before answering. ‘Sure. I suppose I could do that.’
‘Great!’ Charles grinned as he unlocked his brakes. ‘Last one to the barn has to saddle up!’
Charles tore out of the kitchen while everyone laughed. Edward rose slowly, shaking his head and picking up his plate as he did so.
‘Just leave them, Ed. I got it tonight.’ Sparrowhawk chuckled. ‘Speedy, there, will want to get there in time to see the Eagles before they go to roost for the night.’
Minutes later, Edward was placidly riding alongside Charles. As he looked out over the valley, he couldn’t help but to smile at the memories of his wild youth in this valley. It was amazing that he’d survived his own stupidity back then.
As they stopped at the lookout, Charles sat tall in his saddle looking like he was in paradise. ‘I love it here, ya’ know.’ He spoke after several moments.
‘It is a nice place.’ Edward responded as his eyes scanned the area. He felt something was off, though he couldn’t quite put a bead on it. It was just instinct, he told himself. But, his instinct was nearly never wrong.
‘I saw Miss Keisha crying when you came home.’ Charles noted. ‘Was she upset because you’re going back to be a Marine?’
Edward took a sharp breath. The kid could be a Marine with the way he was able to read the world around him. ‘Yes, she was.’
‘I’m sorry for her. She loves you, ya’ know. She told me so.’ Charles shared with his friend. ‘She’s gonna cry a lot when you leave.’
Edward hung his head. How did this little boy always seem to hit the nail on the head like he did. It was uncanny, and unnerving. He hadn’t told anyone how he felt about Keisha, so the boy must have read it through his actions. And, if the boy could deduce it… everyone knew. With an internal moan, Edward focused his thoughts outward.
‘There they are!’ Charles broke the uncomfortable silence. ‘See how they move, always in sync with each other. Kinda like Alex and Sparrowhawk, dontcha think?’
‘I can see where you could say that.’ Edward agreed, happy to be off the subject of Keisha and himself.
‘Sometimes they fly really close together, and sometimes really far apart. But, they’re always together. Did you know that Eagles stay together for their whole lives?’
‘Yes, I did know that. They also soar on heated air eddies.’ Edward added. ‘That way, they can rest their wings without landing. It’s their way of conserving their energies for what’s important.’
‘Uh-huh.’ Charles nodded. ‘Sometimes one eagle will fly away all day hunting while the other stays at their nest.’
Edward smiled. He knew where Charles was leading. ‘It’s not as easy with humans, Charles. Long distance relationships are difficult to maintain under the best of circumstances.’
‘Alexander says that anything w
worth having is worth working for.’ Charles noted just as the air was split with a cry that sounded much like that of an eagle, but not.
Edward’s head jerked towards the source of the sound. He’d heard a real scream, or so he thought.
‘It came from down there.’ Charles pointed down to the bottom of the valley where the river ran. ‘It came from the river. Maybe someone fell in.’
‘I’ll ride down and check it out. You stay on the trail.’ Edward nudged his horse. Halfway down the trail that led to the river’s edge, he heard splashing. Dismounting so he could clear the ground quicker, Edward set off into the underbrush. Off the path, the ground was very steep and a challenge to get down.
He pushed on, keeping the river in sight. Then, he saw her… her head was slipping under the water.
His mind threw him back to his last mission, again. The river in his flashback was a raging torrent filled with debris large enough to take out anything in its path. He carried the patient piggy-back style as they followed the road uphill. All around, the rain beat against him as the wind threatened to rip her from his back. He felt the hot, terrified breaths against his neck as he picked his way around abandoned vehicles and debris.
‘Uphill! Keep moving!’ He called out to the rest of his team and medical personnel from the hospital.
Edward kept moving, refusing to stop even as the surge began to rise around his legs to his waist. He felt the powerful tugging of the water trying to dislodge his charge. Still, he kept moving, not giving up the hope of reaching safety. He could see dry ground, just a few hundred feet above them. If he could just fight the water long enough. If he could…
In reality, it was the overgrowth of the forest floor tugging and snagging against his shoes and jeans that hampered his progress in reaching the river. Ahead of him, he saw Keisha rise up out of the water, spitting and sputtering. Then, just as quickly, her head went under again just as he reached the river’s edge. He jumped in, swimming out in the direction he’d seen her go down in.
He winced, as his chest ached at the coldness of the water. It was cold enough to ensure hypothermia, he thought. Under water, now, he opened his eyes to peer through the murkiness. A hand suddenly flashed by his face within inches. Kicking towards it, he found her and wrapped his arms around her middle. Instantly, he heard the telltale sound of a strangulated scream.
Keisha felt arms encircle her waist and pull her against a rock hard, male, body. She instinctively screamed. Water filled her mouth; her throat; and burned in her lungs. She was drowning. She had to get to air. She fought against the hold on her waist even as she felt him push upwards until her head broke the surface. She gasped for air and fought all the harder against his hold.
‘Stop fighting. Be Still.’ Edward ordered as he rolled her onto her back and stroked towards the shore. ‘I’ve got you, Kie, stop fighting me.’
Keisha coughed and sputtered water out of her lungs. She felt him pull her up and out of the water. Then, he was pounding her back. She coughed harder, spitting up even more water.
‘Take it easy. Just breathe… slowly breaths.’ He insisted, now rubbing her back.
‘Leave – me – alone.’ Keisha gasped, pulling away from him. Her hand found a stick, and she brandished it defensively.
‘Whoa, Kie.’ Edward held up his hands. ‘I am not going to hurt you.’
‘You – you nearly got me drowned!’ She coughed hard. ‘How – how dare you!’
‘I- you were- I’m sorry, Kie.’ He sat back, covering his face with his hands to hide his tears. In his efforts to save her, he’d nearly gotten her killed. His shoulders began to shake and not from the cold. ‘I – I heard – I thought you were screaming. I – I thought you were drowning. You grabbed me. You scared me.’
‘You weren’t – …?’ He frowned at her.
‘No, I wasn’t drowning.’ She growled, throwing the stick at him. ‘It’s hot. I thought a dip would be -…’
Edward stared at her as she swiped her wet hair off her face. There was no way he could leave, not without making things right between them. ‘Are you sure that you’re okay, Kie?’
She nodded, looking up at him without hiding her displeasure. ‘Yes.’ She spoke and signed together.
‘You’re an angel, Kie, a true angel.’ He finally uttered. ‘May God help me, but I love you, Keisha. I truly and honestly love you. I can’t see myself leaving here without knowing that you’ll be here for me when I come home, every time I come home.’
Keisha blinked at him. ‘So you’ve said before, Edward.’ She snorted. ‘I don’t know that I can stand to see you leave unless I know for certain that you’re coming home.’
‘I can’t promise that, Kie. What I do is deadly dangerous. I could easily be killed on a mission, any mission.’ He was honest to the point of hurting her, but she needed to realize that reality. ‘There could very well come a day when I come home from a mission in a box. That’s the reality of life in the Service, Kie. I can’t change that.’
Keisha took a long, deep breath. As she let it out, she met and held his eyes. ‘Reality… it scares me, Ed. But what scares me more is being without you.’
‘I was just up at the lookout with Charles… he was talking about the eagles.’ Edward paused. ‘He said something that was wise beyond his years, likening the life of the eagles to our own. They often travel hundreds of miles away from each other, but they always return to their mate and their nest. And, that they mate for life.’
‘Charles listens to Alex, and remembers everything. He’s a smart little boy. Any family that adopts him is going to be so very blessed.’ Keisha remarked as she retrieved her towel and began drying herself.
‘I love you, Keisha Wormwood. I love you, and I don’t want you to be out of my life again, Keisha.’ He reached forward for her hand. ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Keisha. I think we could make that happen, if you’re willing, that is?’
Keisha paused, letting the towel fall to the ground. She couldn’t believe she’d just heard him say what he had said. He was admitting that he loved her. She shook her head. If he actually meant it, then it was an answer to all her prayers. But, if he was leaving…?
‘HEY!’ Charles called down to them from the trail where he held Edward’s horse for him.
They both looked up at the little boy with smiles.
‘ARE YOU OKAY?’
‘YEAH! WE’RE GOOD!’ Edward called back.
‘GREAT! ALEX IS ON HIS WAY WITH THE ATV! HE SAID TO SIT TIGHT.’ Charles yelled down the slope.
‘We’ve been busted – again.’ Edward chuckled as he spoke to Keisha.
‘We’re total sinners…’ Keisha giggled back.
‘Yeah, we are. Thank God in heaven that we’ve both been sanctified, though.’ Edward pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
The sound of the ATV breaking over the brush interrupted them as Alexander pulled up. ‘I can see you’re good.’ Alexander noted as he dismounted the vehicle with a chuckle.
Edward looked over to Alexander and mentally wondered if he’d ever be totally ‘good’ again. The flashback had sent him to into action to save Keisha, even though it had been a false alarm. Internally, and in some way, he felt like he’d redeemed himself. Momentarily, the patient he had carried flashed through his mind. He’d pulled her from the churning waters, too. And, despite of everything he could do, she’d died all the same. He’d done all that he could have done, and still she had died. He didn’t understand the plans of the Almighty, but as he looked back to Keisha and saw the love in her eyes, it didn’t matter that he understood. It was what it was, and life went on. Why hadn’t he been able to see that before? He shook his head and returned to his conversation.
‘Keisha, I have five years of service left to qualify for full retirement. In that time, I’ll have to be away for weeks, maybe months at a time. We’ll have to work at our relationship, but I think we can do it.’ He went on to say, sensing her concern before she could say it. ‘… I will fly home every chance I get.’
Keisha blinked again, then a smile slowly began to blossom. ‘I – cough- I’d like that, Ed.’
‘Is that a ‘yes’ that you’ll marry me?’ Edward cocked his head, waiting for her answer.
‘Yes.’ Keisha suddenly giggled.
Edward closed his eyes and sent up a prayer of thanksgiving.
Sunlight, Stained Glass, and a Sinner Sanctified 