CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

 

 

 

“So, how does this work?” Benjen sat between them as Alivia’s fingers flew over the keyboard.

“Well, it’s just a matter of going through data and setting parameters,” Saxon explained as Alivia scanned every line, chewing on her bottom lip as she worked.

“Right,” she muttered. “I’m concentrating on the countries with the highest likelihood of having matches.”

“What do you mean?” Benjen asked, intensely interested.

“Central America. Not so much Mexico. Some areas of South America. A little bit of Asia. Even portions out west here in the U.S.” All the time Alivia spoke, she kept her eyes on the screen.

“Why just those areas?” he asked, glancing around to see if Saavy was about.

“Shared background. Bloodlines. Ethnicity. Race. All those factors. The problem is – most of those places are where there is little to no participation.”

“So, even though Apple wanted to be tested, she probably wouldn’t be a match, would she?”

“Hmmm.” Apple shook her head, still completely focused. “Probably not.”

“Where’s Savvy?” Benjen looked over his shoulder, halfway expecting her to sneak up on him.

“Oh, she’s asleep,” Saxon answered offhandedly.

Benjen’s eyebrows flew up. “She sleeps?”

Alivia grunted a laugh. “She’s plugged in and charging up so she can continue her plan of world domination tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Benjen didn’t doubt it. “Tell me more about what you’re looking for.” He wished he could help so much more.

“Well, I’m branching out. People in Honduras have a mixed ethnicity. We tend to think of them as Hispanics, but they aren’t. About ninety percent of the population is Mestizos, which is basically European mixed with American Indian. There are some pureblood Amerindians, about six percent, and probably three percent or so Afro-Hondurans. Nita most likely has a little Afro-Honduran somewhere, hence the sickle-cell. Unfortunately, her markers show more Mestizos influence than anything…and that’s what we’re lack…” Alivia stopped and turned to him. “What are you?”

“Uh…what do you mean?”

“Well, I know your last name is Blackhawk, but I hate to assume. You look pretty neutral – you know Hispanic, Italian, American Indian…” She drew out the last word, waiting for an answer.

“Apache, actually.” When he saw her grin, it finally hit him. “You think I should get tested.”

“I do. If you just had four or five markers, I’m sure Dr. Dolman could use you. He might even decide to do a peripheral blood stem cell transplant instead of bone marrow.”

Benjen’s head was swimming. “I don’t understand half of what you’re saying – but did I hear you right? I could have some markers in my cells that could qualify me as a donor.”

“There’s a better chance for you than anyone else I know at the moment, yes. You have some white in you, don’t you?”

“My mom.”

She lifted her shoulders. “So, Nita is half white too. I tell you, there’s a good chance you have some compatibility.”

Benjen grabbed Alivia’s shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. Before Saxon could protest, he grabbed him and kissed him too.

“Hey!”

“Keep your fingers crossed.” He rose and jammed his hat down on his head. “I’m heading to the hospital to get tested. If they’re not open, I’ll wait.” Heading out the door, he pointed a warning finger to Alivia. “Don’t tell anyone. I don’t want word getting back to Apple. Pray this works and I’ll give her the surprise of her life.”

Alivia smiled and zipped her lips closed.

… Benjen rolled his sleeve down and snapped it closed. “How long before I know?”

A middle-aged nurse with salt and pepper hair checked her chart. “This is Dr. Dolman’s case. Directions are ‘double rush’.” She gave him a playful wink. “So…tomorrow, I’m thinking. We’ll call him and he’ll call you.”

“Okay. Make sure you use my cell. I’m trying not to get my wife’s hopes up without cause.”

The nurse nodded sympathetically. “I understand.”

On the way out, Benjen shivered. Needles had never been his favorite thing. Although…thinking of what little Nita had endured, he felt ashamed. “I’ll do whatever it takes, baby-cakes.” 

While walking to his truck, he glanced at the sky. The sun was coming up over the distant hills. He felt proud of himself for charming the nurse into taking his blood. The lab didn’t open until eight and he wanted to be home before his girls woke up.

He’d no more than crawled into his truck than the phone rang.

Apple. “Hey, baby. What’s up?”

“Where are you?”

“On the way home. Do you remember me telling you I was headed to Alivia’s to help with the donor search?”

“I forgot.”

There was a tinge of panic in her voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Nita is in a lot of pain. I think she’s having one of those crisis attacks.”

“Okay. I’m less than a half hour away. Did you call 9-1-1?”

“I gave her the medicines prescribed by Dr. Dolman. I think she’s going to be okay. I just want you to come home.”

He could hear the tears and panic in her voice. “I’ll be there before you know it.”

…Apple hung up the phone and stared at Nita. The pain meds had kicked in and quieted her whimpers. Still, it killed her to know she was hurting and there was so little she could do for her.

“Here, Apple. I brought you some coffee.”

“Thanks, Sam.” She nodded toward the rocking chair. “Sit with us.”

“Did you get in touch with Benjen?”

“I did. He’s almost here.”

“Did he say they found anything?”

“No, but…I didn’t ask.” She glanced at Nita. “I was too upset.”

“I understand. Are you up for visitors?”

She was about to say no when she heard a whimper in the hall. “Oh, my pups. Let me go to them.”

“I made them stay in the hall. They were sitting down at the foot of the stairs having conniption fits.”

“Oh, poor things.” When she moved into their view, they just melted into puddles of puppy goo. Apple knelt down and hugged and kissed all three of them.

“Now, those are some spoiled mutts.” Sam came up behind her.

“Yea, I love to spoil everything I have,” she said with amused affection in her voice.

“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 the 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.”

“Okay.”

When she topped the hill and descended down to the Llano river crossing, Apple could see no problem. “Looks fine.” She cut her speed and bit her lip as she attempted to drive over the flat expanse of concrete covering the ground level bridge. “Look at all the water swirling, Nita. Doesn’t it look neat?”

“Yea. Does.”

Looks can be deceiving because a moment later, Apple felt her car lift in the water. What she thought was a few inches of water on the road was a few feet. “Oh, no. God no!” she cried as a wall of water began to push her hard downstream. Her car left the road and was swept on the fast current. “Nita, baby, hold on!” Water was coming in the car and for a minute, Apple just panicked. “I don’t know what to do! I don’t know what to do!”

“We swimmin!”

“We’ll be fine. I’ll get us out. I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Unable to control the car. Apple unfastened her seat belt and started trying to crawl over the seat to Nita. The car flailed in the water, crashing left and right, hitting boulders and going high, then low in the current. Every time Apple tried to get over the seat, she kept falling back. Her heart was about to explode. She’d never been more afraid in her life. “Please. Please. Help us. Help us,” she prayed. She didn’t want to die. She didn’t want her baby to die. She didn’t want Nita to die. “Oh, Benjen, you’d be so unhappy with me.” Her heart ached knowing he’d be so unhappy without her. “He’s lost too much already. Don’t let him lose us too.” As she fought to get to Nita, she cried out loudly with all of her heart and soul. “Benjen! Benjen!”

…Downstream, Benjen was making his way across the pasture. “Not too much further now. You’ll be eating some nice, dry hay in just a little while.” Plodding along, he kept thinking about how sweet Apple’s face would look when he gave her the good news. “She’s going to be so happy.” As he stared straight ahead…something flashed in the corner of his eye. Turning his head, Benjen was shocked to see a big ball of light hovering to his left. At first, he thought lightning had struck something and set it on fire – but no, he realized this was the light he’d seen before. He was stunned to find it here in the rain, in the storm. “What in the world?” As mystified as he was, this was no time to linger. Zeus, sensing the anomaly began to sidestep away from it. Benjen glanced back and saw that it was closer. The desire to stop and observe this mystery was almost overwhelming. “No. No. I need to go. Apple’s waiting. She’ll worry.”

The cow began to react to the light, lowing and pulling to the left. “Come on. It’s just light. You’re okay.” His words weren’t false bravado, Benjen did feel that he had nothing to fear from the light. In fact, it felt like it was drawing him. Turning to see it again, Benjen marveled when it shot away toward the river, a flash so quick it was a blur to his eyes. He thought it was gone, but then Zeus reared a bit when it came rushing back to the same spot it had just vacated. “What do you want?” he asked, feeling a little silly to ask the question. The only answer he got was an exact repeat of its previous move. The large ball of fiery light shot to the river and disappeared. In the next heartbeat it was back. “Odd.” Creepy, really.

By now, Benjen was at a stop. A strange thought kept coming to his head. All he could compare the light to was the pit bull’s behavior when she’d wanted them to follow her. Apple’s observation that she thought the light was personal kept ringing in his ears.

“What if?”

What if it was trying to tell him something? Show him something? Lead him somewhere. Riding up to the cow, he pulled off the rope, the slapped her on the butt, watching as she ran for the barn and a good meal. “All right, Zeus. We’re about to see if we can figure this thing out.”

Tightening his legs around Zeus, he gave the horse the signal to keep going. Benjen could tell the animal was reluctant, but he obeyed. The light pulsed before him, it’s opalescent colors dancing like swirling colors in a creamy sea. He could see pinks and blues and greens. Riding slowly closer, Benjen thought it was standing still – and then after the light seemed to stay at a constant distance, he realized it was moving backward at the same pace he was moving forward. “I hope you know where we’re going, Light. Because I surely don’t.”

As he and Zeus trailed the ball of fiery light, Benjen felt his adrenaline begin to flow. His body and brain were preparing themselves. Something was wrong, but what he didn’t know. The path they were on had taken him in the opposite direction from the way he’d been heading. Back toward the mountain and over to the river. He could see the Llano was completely out of its banks and the water was rising fast. “I don’t think this is very smart, Orb. We’re going to need a boat if we go much farther.” In spite of his protests, the light doggedly led him on, closer to the river, and farther upstream. “I don’t understand what you want me to do. You’re going to have to show me!”

And then the light shot away from him, clearing his view to the river – and he saw it. His heart shot up in his throat and Benjen bellowed a scream, “Apple!” To his horror, Apple’s car was being swept down river, bobbing on the torrential flood. It wasn’t riding high in the current, telling Benjen there was already water in the car. “Oh, my God! No!” He jumped down off Zeus and began to tear off the rain poncho, throwing it to one side. Without a heartbeat’s hesitation, he dove into the fast-flowing waters and began to swim. As he swam, he prayed. “Let me get there in time. Please. Let me get there in time.”

…Inside the car, Apple was frantically trying to release the catch on Nita’s car seat. Only an inch or two separated her sweet baby face from the muddy river water that was fast rising in their car. “Oh, Benjen! Benjen!” she cried, fighting and tearing at the strap. She felt one of her fingernails bend back and crack sending sharp burning pain up her arm. No matter. Nothing mattered except getting them out of the death trap to safety. Finally, she felt the click and she threw up the harness and she grabbed Nita in her arms. The little girl seemed to be okay, but she was too quiet. “Don’t you worry. I’ve got you. I’ve got you, baby. We’re going to get out of here – come hell or high water.” The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on her and she barked a near-hysterical laugh. “Now, to get this door open.”

She began tugging at the door handle, but it wouldn’t budge. “No, no, no!” She beat on the glass, but she wasn’t strong enough to break it. In agonizing panic, she screamed again – the only word that mattered to her – “Benjen!”

And…out of nowhere, the door opened, water flowed, and two strong arms pulled Apple and Nita from the confines of the car. “Hold on to me, honey. Hold on tight.”

Benjen fought the current, doing his dead level best to keep the heads of his precious family above water. He lifted them with one arm and swam with the other. “We’ll make it. Don’t worry. We’ll make it.”

Apple didn’t doubt. “I knew you’d come. I knew you’d come.” She clung to Nita with one arm and to Benjen with the other, her faith in the man she loved was unwavering.

“Almost. Almost,” he whispered as he pressed on toward the shore. The normally narrow river was as wide as a lake, but he was determined to save his family. Hell, he’d walk on the water if he had to. When his feet touched bottom and he could gain a footing, he knew he’d won. Lifting his wife and the little child in his arms, he carried them to safety.

The rain was still falling, but they were alive. He reached out to touch Nita’s little face. “Okay, honey?”

“Apple said we wuz gonna go swimmin’ and we did.”

“You sure did.” He hugged them both. “I’m never turning you two loose again.”

Holding them close, they started toward home. He thought they were going to have to walk the whole way, but soon he spotted Zeus. With a shrill whistle, he called the stallion to him and gratefully climbed into the saddle, lifting his wife and child to sit in front of him. “Now, we’re all fixed up,” he kissed the side of Apple’s face. “God, it’s good to hold you again.”

“I called you and called. I would say I couldn’t believe you came, but I can. You came when I needed you the most. Just like you always do.”

Benjen buried his face in her neck. “You won’t believe this…no, maybe you would.”

“What?”

He brought his mouth closer to her face. “The light led me to you. I was heading home with the last of the strays when the light came to me. It wouldn’t leave. It followed along with me until I stopped and then it shot off down river. Even stranger, it came back and did it again. Shot down river and returned. Finally, I remember what you said about the light being mine, being personal. I also remembered how Maisie did when she wanted us to follow her to rescue the pups.”

“So, you followed it and the light led you to me.”

“Yes, it did.”

“That’s amazing. Miraculous.” She snuggled down into his arms, cradling Nita to her breast. “It’s like we’ve got our own personal guardian angel.”

Benjen said what he was thinking, no matter how strange it sounded. “I think it’s Yuma, my father. I think he’s taking care of us.”

“Oh, I hope so. Makes all the sense in the world to me.”

Apple rested in the arms of her husband as he carried them both safely home.

 

* * *

 

A few hours later, they were all warm and dry. Little Nita had been too pooped to stay awake, but Apple and Benjen were still too overcome by the events of the day to settle down.

“I could’ve lost you,” he told her, holding out his hand, bringing her close to him. “Look, I’m still shaking.”

“I’m so sorry. Even though the nurse was late getting to the hospital to administer the meds, this was my fault. I saw the rain falling and wanted to get home. I clean forgot the medicine.” She threw her hands up in exasperation. “And then we lost it anyway.”

“You went back after it?”

“Yea, I got almost to the Slab the first time, then turned around and went back. I didn’t want to disappoint you and I didn’t want the cow to suffer.”

“Sam doctored her with one of his homemade ranch remedies – kerosene and tar or some weird concoction like that.” Benjen shook his head. “Never put yourself at risk. Remember, we’ve had this conversation before when the branch broke and you threw yourself on top of me.”

“I know. I was wrong. And I foolishly crossed the Slab. In all the rain, the water looked like the road. I couldn’t tell how deep it was.”

Benjen’s insides were still shaking. “Well, we’re here. Together. Safe and sound. The light, whatever it is, didn’t let us down.”

“I know. We have much to be thankful for.” She gave him a kiss. “I’d feel everything was perfect if I just knew Nita would get the transplant she needs so much.”

Benjen hid a smile. “Well…actually.”

When he paused, Apple could tell something was up. “Actually, what?”

“After talking to Alivia about the difficulty in finding a donor, she explained to me about the markers and what they meant. I had no idea most Hondurans were part Native American. As we were discussing it, she realized I could be a match.”

“What?” Apple’s mouth dropped open.

“I was tested and I’m a match for Nita. I can give her my bone marrow to save her life.”

“Oh, Benjen! That’s wonderful!” Apple almost levitated into the floor, throwing her arms up, and diving into his lap. “She’s going to live! She’s going to live!”

“Yes, she is. It’ll be a rough row to hoe, but our little girl has a chance.”

“Oh, I hope we’ll be able to adopt her. If we do and if our baby’s healthy, our life will be perfect!”

“We’ll get there, baby, I promise. Everything’s going to work out just fine.”

As she nestled in his arms, Apple didn’t doubt it. “You’ll see to it, won’t you?”

“I’ll do my best, that’s for sure,” he promised her, giving her another tender kiss.

“You’re best is all anyone could ask for.” From the moment she met him, Benjen Blackhawk had been just what she needed. Just what she wanted. “You know what you are?”

“What?” He caressed her beautiful face. “A lucky man?”

“Yea, maybe.” She gave him an angelic smile. “But to me, you’re so much more.” As she gazed into his deep blue eyes, her heart swelled with absolute joy. “You’re not only the love of my life, Benjen Blackhawk, you’re my hero. The only hero I’ll ever need.”

 

* * *