The Long Ride Home (9 page)

H
i, Chad,” Skye said, her heart racing like a greyhound after a rabbit.

“What’s up, Skye?” Chad’s dimples flashed his gorgeous smile. Leaning against the fence, he looked sharp in his black Stetson, red-checkered shirt, jeans, and black boots.

Morgan sped off on her Jazzy toward the gazebo. “I hear the picnic table calling me!” she yelled back. “See you guys later!”

“I guess you’ve met my two little sisters and brother.” Skye said to Chad as she pointed to the three younger children who were watching Mr. Chambers tether the horses in the corral.

“Yeah,” Chad said. “Mr. C. just introduced us. That is too cool, Skye.”

Skye slipped off Champ and tied him next to the other horses. Dennis and Emma followed suit with their mounts.

“Chad, these are my cousins from Charleston, Dennis and Emma Eister.”

“Hi,” Dennis said, giving Chad a warm handshake.

“Hi, Chad. We’ve heard
a lot
about you.” Emma slipped Skye a “gotcha!” smile.

For once, it was Chad, not Skye, whose face suddenly looked sunburned.

“Emma, sh-h,” Skye whispered.

“Chad is Skye’s activities director,” Mr. Chambers joked, starting toward the gazebo. “Isn’t that right, Skye?”

“D-a-ad!” Skye said as she parked her hands on her hips.

“Well, it’s the truth,” Mr. Chambers said then turned to the younger children. “C’mon, kids. Lots of picnic fun awaits you.”

“What’s an activities director?” Tasha asked as the three children started to follow Mr. Chambers.

“You dumb girls don’t know anything.” Stevie ran past his sisters to catch up with Mr. Chambers. “He directs her activities. Anybody would know that.”

Mr. Chambers suddenly stopped, pulled a spatula from his back pocket and raised it like a general uplifting his sword as he prepared for battle. “On to bigger and
burger
things. Charge!” He gently grasped Richelle’s hand and started toward the gazebo with Stevie and Tasha giggling and romping by his side.

“That man’s out of his tree.” Dennis laughed, crawling between the fence rails to join Chad.

“There’s never a dull minute around here,” Emma said. “I’m beginning to see that big time.”

“Shall we?” Chad took off his Stetson and held it over his heart, bowing before Skye and Emma. “Ladies first.”

“Oh, Chad, you’re too much.” Skye giggled as she and Emma joined the boys and the four headed off to the gazebo.

After the picnickers grilled a few dozen burgers, sliced a watermelon, spilled a super-size bag of chips all over the table, and poured a dozen drinks in large red plastic cups, they sat at the table, and Mr. Chambers prayed. While the families chatted and ate more than they ever intended, Skye kept her focus on the parking lot next to the house.

At 12:16, a tan SUV crept into Keystone Stables and pulled in next to Millie’s white Tracker.

He’s here!
Skye almost said out loud. She glanced at her mother, busy cleaning up Richelle’s spilled drink and not noticing the incoming car. Skye glanced at Morgan, who gave her a thumbs up, then she shifted to Mom and Dad Chambers, who both nodded, their signal for Skye to go greet her very special guests.

“I’ll be right back,” Skye said to anyone who cared to listen. She hurried to the parking lot and greeted her father and Ruth with generous hugs. A sweet waft of Canoe shaving lotion permeated the air, mellowing the tension Skye had built up within her senses.

“Mother and the three kids are over at the gazebo,” Skye said, pointing.

Skye’s father took a long deep breath and ran his hand over his thin hair. “Skye, Ruth and I been praying about this moment ever since you suggested it. This might be the answer to your mother’s terrible fear of me.”

Ruth took her husband’s hand. “Hon, I’m sure she’ll be all right once you talk with her. What happened between you two was a lifetime ago.”

Skye chewed her lip, glanced at the gazebo and finally said, “Are you ready?”

“Let’s do it.” Skye’s father managed a weak smile as he slipped his hand around Skye’s.

Slowly, the three walked toward the gazebo.

“I’ve been practicing all week what I want to say to her,” Skye’s father said. “I sure hope she’ll listen.”

Skye focused on Mom and Dad Chambers who stood and faced her, blocking Nancy’s view. Skye shifted her glance beyond her foster parents to her mother, still busy with spills and her squirming children’s demands. At the other end of the table Chad, Morgan, Millie, Dennis, and Emma sat in silence, chewing slowly, waiting for the awkward “reunion.”

Mr. Chambers reached his hand toward Skye’s father. “How are you?”

“I think I’m fine.” Skye’s father shook Mr. Chambers’ hand.

“Ruth, it’s good to see you again,” Mrs. Chambers said, shaking the woman’s hand.

“It’s good to see you,” Ruth said nervously.

“Mother,” Skye said to Nancy as Mr. and Mrs. Chambers stepped aside, “Father’s here.”

“What’s that?” Nancy said. Still busy with the spill, she smiled as she turned toward Skye.

“Hello, Rita,” Jacy said.

Nancy glared at her ex-husband and, trying to process the whole situation, her beet-red face melded into pure distress.

Skye remembered the same look before, the day she and her mother had met. “Mother, please sit down and talk so you two can get things ironed out,” she pleaded.

For a moment, no one said a word.

“Mom, who’s that man?” Stevie asked, pulling at his mother’s arm.

“Th-this is Skye’s daddy, honey,” Skye’s mother stuttered. “R-remember, I told you he might be here today?”

“Rita,” Jacy said. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time, and I—”

“This wasn’t my idea, you know.” Skye’s mother’s lips quivered. “Just stay your distance, Jacy, and I’ll be fine.” She edged her body away from the bench and stood with her arms crossed, just staring.

“Rita, I just want to say I’m sorry for everything that’s happened.” With an outreached hand, Skye’s father took one step forward.

Skye’s mother took several steps backward.

No one at the table moved.

Mrs. Chambers rushed to Nancy’s side and slipped her arm around her shoulders. “Nancy, Skye planned this
meeting to make things right between you and Jacy, not to frighten you.”

Skye rushed to her mother’s other side, urging her to calm down. “Mother, I need you to see that Father is different—really different.”

Skye’s father took another step forward, then stopped. “Rita, or should I say ‘Nancy,’ I’ve cleaned up my life and I’m not full of hate and revenge anymore.” He gave Ruth a nervous smile. “This is my wife, Ruth. We have a new life in Christ and with each other. I just needed to see you to tell you that. You can stop running.”

For a moment, nothing stirred but a napkin that fluttered away in a sudden fickle breeze. The tense scene holding the picnickers captive had even filtered down to the youngest as the three children sat staring at their mother.

Skye looked deep into her mother’s frightened eyes. “Mother, please listen. Father’s telling the truth. I want you to be at peace. Nothing would make me happier. Please. I love you. I love you both.” Tentatively, Skye grasped her mother’s hand.

Suddenly, Nancy started to weep. Skye felt her mother’s heart and soul open up and her body relax as the woman released eleven years of fear and desperation. She cried and cried.

“It’s okay, Mother,” Skye said as she patted her on the back. “We’re all here for you.”

Mrs. Chambers grabbed a napkin from the table and handed it to Nancy. “It’s all right, Nancy. There’s no reason to be afraid anymore.”

“What’s the matter, Mommy?” Richelle asked as she stared at her mother. “You’re cwying.”

“Mom?” Tasha and Stevie said almost in unison.

“I’m okay,” Nancy sniffled as she reached and touched her children’s shoulders. “There’s nothing to worry about.” She dabbed her face with the napkin.

“Why don’t we all sit down,” Mr. Chambers said, returning to his seat.

Mrs. Chambers joined her husband. “Nancy, do you mind if Jacy and Ruth join us?”

Eyes filling with tears, Skye prodded her mother toward the bench. “C’mon, Mother. Let’s sit down.”

Morgan motored next to her stepmother. “Mom,” she said with her eyes also full of tears, “this is all for the best. Please try to relax.”

“All right,” Skye’s mother cried. Still focused on her ex-husband, she slipped back to her seat between Stevie and Tasha, picked up Richelle, and positioned her on her lap. “I don’t know if I’m ready for all of this.”

While Morgan returned to her spot, Skye quickly slipped next to Tasha, folded her hands to steady them, and shifted her glance around the table.

“Nancy,” Millie reached and touched the woman’s arm, “we haven’t been a real family for all these years. Let’s try to put the past behind us and make amends—for the kids’ sakes.”

Nancy dabbed her eyes, her glance darting around the table. She took a deep jagged breath and drew Richelle in a close embrace. Stevie and Tasha stared at Jacy and Ruth who sat next to Mr. Chambers.

“Nancy, please,” Skye’s father said.

“I—I’ll give it a try,” she said, “but it will take some time.”

Suddenly, a gentle breeze seemed to usher in a sense of calm. Skye, once a tough gangbanger now a softhearted Christian, brushed a flood of tears from her cheeks as she studied the entire scene.

Thank you, God,
Skye prayed as she glanced at Mom and Dad Chambers who were looking back, both with moist eyes. Skye shifted to her father and Ruth who, with pleading looks, sat staring at Skye’s mother. Next sat Morgan, Millie, Emma, and Dennis who dared to release stingy smiles. Then there was Chad.

Skye focused on the special young man who was staring back with a brand new look, one of the deepest respect and care. Even in the shade of his Stetson, his curly eyelashes enhanced a sparkle in his eyes as he gave Skye a smile. “Skye,” he said, “you’ve done it again. You never cease to amaze me. You’re quite a gal.”

“I’ll say amen to that,” Mr. Chambers said.

“I’ve watched Skye learn to rely on God,” Mrs. Chambers said. “And we know that with God, all things are possible.”

“Well, I’ve seen the impossible happen right here today,” Dennis said. “This is unbelievable.”

“Mom, can I have another hot dog?” Stevie asked while he and Tasha worked on a handful of chips. Richelle, her head resting against her mother’s chest, had no interest in food.

“I’m so glad we came,” Millie said.

“And I’m so glad we’re all together,” Morgan said. “Today is a day that I’m sure none of us will ever forget. I know that I won’t.”

“And who knows what the future might hold. Right, Skye?” Chad said.

“Right!” Skye said as she again gazed into the eyes of one of her dearest friends in the whole wide world. Then she shot a quick glance toward the barn, where Champ stood tethered to the corral. With her beloved horse and the family she loved all together on a beautiful September day, Skye sent up a short grateful prayer.
Thank you, God. I owe it all to you.

Chad flashed back his dimples, tipped his hat and gave Skye a wink that she knew she’d never, ever forget.

“All I can say is this whole situation has been a God thing,” Skye beamed. “Our God is the best ever.” Again, she looked around the table, took another quick glance at Champ, and then gave Chad her very best smile.