Chapter Seven
Back at the ranch, having been put under strict instructions from the doctor to take it easy, Gertie was settled comfortably into Ivan’s large reclining chair in the living room. She had just woken from her afternoon rest when Emily came into the room.
“Hi Gertie.”
“I can’t seem to stop sleeping, Em!” She replied.
“That’s ok, you’ve been through a series of traumatic events in the last forty-eight hours. A few extra hours of sleep is what your body needs.”
Gertie looked impressively at her younger sister.
Who then had to confess, “Well not to take credit for that analysis, I heard the doctor tell dad that you would be quite drained physically for a couple of days.”
“Haha, you had me there, I thought you had decided to pursue the medical field for a moment!” Gertie chuckled.
“So are you ready for some dinner, we’ve all had ours. Betsy has yours ready and on a tray to bring to you.” Emily informed her.
“Oh yes, now you mention it, I’m starving!” Gertie replied, as her sister nodded and headed out to get Betsy.
Betsy soon arrived in with a tray featuring a hot dinner, freshly baked biscuits and gravy and a slice of hot apple pie with fresh cream. “Now just eat what you can Gertie.”
Gertie smiled upon hearing Betsy say her name. “Nice to hear you say my first name dear Betsy!”
“It’s nice to be saying it!” She replied before looking round at Emily and Roland who had followed her in. “Now are you two going to be here to help this one eat, or are you going to be a distraction?” She pretended to scold.
“Roland, reporting for eating duty, ma’am!” He barked while saluting to her.
“Oh you’re a funny one Roland” Betsy chuckled and headed out of the room.
“So Em, are you on the fork, or am I?” He asked.
Gertie laughed, “I think I can manage the fork, it’s just my ribs, not my arms that are broken!” They sat down to relax while she ate. “Oh wait, two things, firstly has John not called round?” Gertie nervously asked.
“Not yet, but Ella called earlier while you were sleeping and told me if you’re happy, John asked if he could visit you this evening.”
“Really? Yes, you can tell him, that I would very much enjoy his company this evening.” Gertie grinned and took a mouthful of food.
“Will do, I was thinking we are all desperately waiting to hear your side of the story and to fill you in on ours so we could do that tonight? Ella could come over too.” Emily planned it all out, “Off course, I’ll say for John to come over shortly when you finish dinner and then we all can join you at eight or so.” She finished, quite happy with herself.
“That’s good with me!” Gertie replied as she tucked into her delicious meal.
“Ok, I’ll leave you in Roland’s charge then.” Emily responded as she got up from her seat and headed to fulfill her assignment.
Roland shook his head, at the tornado that is Emily, “She’ll give some chap a run for his money, someday” he casually stated as he changed seats to the recliner beside Gertie.
“Oh no!” Gertie blurted out to the amusement of her friend. She returned to his gaze, “That was my other question for Emily, is Frank here?”
“Frank, you mean your father’s Frank?” Roland quizzed her.
Gertie nodded as she sipped some water.
“Now you mention it, he was to come but for some reason he didn’t. I don’t know why though. But why do you ask?” He pressed Gertie. But quickly continued before she could answer, “Oh, you don’t say… no… Emily and Frank?!” Well I must admit I never seen that one coming.” He uttered.
Gertie managed to hold her ribs in place as she burst out laughing at him. “Ow, Ow, Ow!” She laughed and cried. “Roland, I’m so happy you’re here, it does my heart good!”
“Yes, well just watch it doesn’t do you harm!” He warned her with concern, trying to get her to calm down as she started to cough.
“I’m ok. Honest!” She spluttered, while trying not to laugh aloud again at the memory of his confused face, as he questioned and answered himself! “Yes, I think there’s a little romance blossoming between those two. He’s only 22 and Emily is 18. I think they’d make a perfect match, He’s calm and organized, as well as being fun and adventurous which is a great fit for our full throttle, Em!” She smiled.
“Well now you mention it, I can see that, but I will be most enthralled at watching the unfolding of this one! You must keep me updated!” He instructed her.
With a nod of her head she finished her meal. “What is it?” She asked, a suddenly pensive Roland, as he removed her dinner plate out of the way so she could tuck into her slice of apple pie.
“I’m just realizing, not only are you going to France, but you’re most likely going to be married before you go and things will be quite different for us now.” He mused.
“Now Roland, John and I haven’t even mentioned love or anything like that and even if we did, all it would mean is that you would gain a brother. You can’t lose a sister, that’s just not possible!” She adamantly declared and held her hand out to comfort him.
Smiling, he looked at her and reached for her hand. “You’re right Gert and I am truly happy for you, you deserve a good man who will walk the same path as you.”
Having been best of friends since they were infants the pair didn’t need to say anymore—they couldn’t be closer, if they were siblings by birth, and that wherever their destinies directed they would always be a part of one another’s lives.
Moments later Mrs Sands came in to assist Gertie with getting freshened up for the evening.
“Let me take the tray back to the kitchen and I’ll see you later Gert!” Roland said as he left the ladies in privacy.
“Are you feeling rested, Gertrude?” Her mother checked. “We don’t want you getting involved in retelling everything too soon, so don’t be concerned if you’re not up to it.” She lovingly assured her firstborn.
“I’m fine mother, and actually really want to know what happened here after I disappeared. And I truly believe what I have to say is something that the Lord will use to bring healing to everyone too!” She soberly stated as she looked at her mother, who paused in her work to look at her.
“Okay, well we want to hear what you have to say and I agree with you on that Gertie.” She smiled and went about helping her to change into fresh clothes before the others arrived.
Moments later after Mrs Sands had checked Gertie was not in need for anything, she headed upstairs to get refreshed herself. Gertie started to feel a little drowsy and thought to herself that she would just rest her eyes a moment before John came. A noise startled her awake and she looked up, to see John sitting on a chair next to her.
“John! I’m sorry, have you been here long?” Gertie asked, as she thought to herself “Oh my goodness was I drooling or snoring, how did Emily let this happen!”
“Oh no! Don’t worry. I had just came in this moment.” He assured her, “To be honest I didn’t have the heart to wake you… you looked so sweet in your sleep.” He said as his voice trailed off slightly and a pinky hue tinged his face.
Gertie blushed too.
“I prayed so much for your safety.” He added.
“You did? Thank you, John.” She replied.
They were silent for a minute.
“John, please forgive me. I wasn’t allowed to tell you the truth, but I have been completely myself, and I didn’t intend on falling in… oh.” She gasped.
He got up from his chair and stood by her, taking her hand in his, which caused her heart to beat fast. “Please don’t apologise, you were still being the real you, and you really had no choice. I know that—Gertie.” He said her name.
Gertie smiled as deep a smile that she had ever smiled at the gentleman standing before her.
“Gertie, my love. When you’re feeling better, would you please do me the honour of joining me for a picnic in the orchard?” He asked her.
“Yes, I would love that John.” She answered.
“Thank you.” He replied, and with a smile took his seat again, and just in time too, for Emily ran into the room to see if they wanted tea or coffee and to inform them that she could wait no longer to hear Gertie’s side of the story. Laughing they agreed to coffee and John, being the gentleman, went to see if any assistance was needed.
As they left the room, and Gertie found herself alone for a time, she closed her eyes again for a slight rest and to offer a quiet prayer of thanksgiving. “Father, I can hardly believe what has just happened, but yet I do certainly believe it, for you are so good! Thank you for bringing John to me. I am in awe of your marvelous workings and I am encouraged that France is most definitely in our future. Thank you!” Wiping a grateful tear from her eye, Gertie allowed her heart to sing its high praises to her Lord!
John came in with two mugs of coffee. “This will keep us going.” He gave her the hot cup.
“Mmm, lovely, thanks.” Gertie paused. “John, may I ask you a question?” She looked at him.
Seeing her face turn solemn, John leaned on the arm of the chair closest to her and replied, “Yes, off course. What is it?”
“This is going to sound silly, but why did it take you so long to visit me?” She shyly asked, looking into his eyes.
“No Gertie, that does not sound silly, but I think my answer most certainly will.” He cleared his throat and continued. “When your parents arrived with Roland.”
Gertie smiled to herself but did her best to no interrupt him as he spoke, “Well, Roland cuts quite a fine figure you know and you clearly have a strong and long relationship so I didn’t quite know wha…”
“But did Emily or Roland not explain who he is to our family? I thought they would have.” Gertie interrupted and turned sharply to face him more. “Ouch!” She coughed and grabbed her side. Seeing the concern on John’s face, she smiled, “I’m ok, got caught up in the moment and forgot why I’m sitting here!”
“Yes, to answer your question. Yes, they did. So please forgive me, I just talked myself into a place where you have no feelings for me and so on.” He looked up at her again, for he had turned his attention to the mug in his hand.
Gertie reached out her hand to him, “Roland is my brother, we love each other very much and just like Emily, we are family. I have very different inclinations where you are concerned.”
“Thank you for understanding, and for explaining that to me.” He replied. “I would give you a hug, but that will have to wait, please accept this kiss as a token of my affection.” Gertie gasped as he lifted her hand and placed a kiss upon it. Blushing she sat back in her seat as he stood up and bid her goodbye… for a few moments at least because he needed to go and escort his mother to the party, as his father was still working in from the fields and would join them later.
—-
It wasn’t long before the hustle and bustle began. Gertie opened her eyes as her mother, Betsy and some of the kitchen staff carried in the trays of finger foods, along with the tea and coffee. “You just shut your eyes and rest for a few minutes more Gertrude, while Betsy and I set up for the party.” Her mother advised.
“A party, I didn’t realise we were having a party!” Gertie exclaimed with a wide-eyed expression.
“Oh yes, sis!” A confident Emily walked in, carrying a vase of freshly picked flowers from the garden. “It’s a celebration that this whole ordeal is finally over and that you are alive and well!” She grinned, “Wouldn’t be much of a party if you weren’t.” She added.
“Emily Joy.” Her mother scolded.
“It was only a joke, mother!” She replied dryly and grinned.
“Well, let there be no more of that type of joking. Do you hear me?” Her mother addressed her sternly.
“Yes, Mother, my apologies!” Emily replied with a slightly more serious tone.
Grinning, Gertie thought she should step in and save her sister. “What a fun evening we are going to have! Who all is coming to our party?”
Picking up her mood, Emily bounced into the chair by Gertie and started to name of the guests, “Well, there’s you, me, Roland, Mother, Father, Betsy, Ivan, Joseph, Ella, John, Mr & Mrs Wilson and… that’s it…oh Frank is coming too!” She finished with a wry smile.
“Is Frank here? Is everything ok with Father and work?” Gertie asked her mother.
“Yes, dear, nothing is wrong. For some reason your father woke up this morning and decided that Frank should come and so he is on his way. We expect him here any moment actually.” Now if you will excuse me, I just remembered that he will need a dinner for I’m sure this party food will not fill him. I will go check if Betsy has leftovers that we could heat up for him.
They watched their mother leave and then Gertie turned round to Emily, “Oh so father just needed to have Frank here!?” Explain now.
“Haha, I’m innocent in this. I have no idea why dad had instructed him to come.” She expressed with a blank look on her face.
“Yes, you may have no idea, but you are like a racehorse chomping at the bit with excitement—don’t deny it!” Gertie teased.
“Excuse me, I must tend to something in the other room!” Emily announced in her best British accent as she walked to the door then looking back at Gertie, grinned and ran out.
Soon the room was full of the happy noise of chat and laughter. Gertie, for the moment enjoyed sitting silently drinking it all in, especially the sight of Emily and Frank whispering together, trying to be discreet but very obviously failing! Everyone found a seat and settled down to eat and drink. Emily started talking, “Well, as you all know we want hear Gertie’s view of the events, but first let’s fill her in on what happened after she never came back out of the house.”
With a nod of her head, Gertie encouraged Emily to continue.
“Gosh, Gert it was so startling! There we were waiting on you, and finally I could wait no longer.” She started.
“Suprise, surprise!” Gertie added, which set everyone off laughing.
“Okay, okay!” Emily grinned and raised her hands in defense. “Well, anyway I ran into the house and there was a mess of broken ornaments at the foot of the stairs, blood on the floor and just a show of disruption out the side hallway. I screamed and the others came running in, including the officer who immediately went into action. He told John to fetch Mr Green and for us girls to stay put as he pulled out his gun and ran down the hall and out the side door.”
“It was horrible!” Ella added, “I’ve never been more scared in all my life!”
“Yes, it was not good. But I couldn’t just stay there, so I ran out after the police officer and obviously we were too late and you were gone.” Emily said to Gertie. “But I did find your necklace and so knew that it was definitely Mars who had come back for you.”
“Yes, then I arrived and quickly had the men scar the perimeter whilst I contacted the lead detective.” Ivan added. “Then the rest you know. It took us longer than it should have but we managed to find the barn where he left the car and were able to follow the trail to the lake, where we found you… thankfully.”
“Thank you again for everything Mr Green.” Mr. Sands gratefully addressed the gentleman, who smiled in response and then with a movement of his hand quietened the room again.
“I do need to say a heartfelt thanks to you, Miss Gertie.” He said with a crackle in his voice, while Betsy wiped a tear from her eye. “I know a lot happened in those moments at the river and thank you for saving me, in a ways, for showing me Jesus.” The detective patted his heart and smiled at her.
Gertie smiled back and looking around she giggled, “There’s not a dry eye in the house it would seem!” At that they all chuckled.
“Deep breaths everyone!” Emily animately encouraged, as she motioned to her sister to continue.
“Yes, so as Emily mentioned, Mars was his name—my two time kidnapper. The first was for money, the second was for revenge, or so he told me. We were on the horse, I was in a lot of pain and very disorientated but somehow I told him about God loving him. She paused, this is no excuse but he had a hard childhood, yet amidst it all, for a couple of years, there was an old widow woman, named Mrs Battersby who took him in and made sure he knew that God loved him. Anyway I was in and out of consciousness a lot and my memory is a bit hazy but in the hut I do remember him talking about life, about God and about how he had come to far for forgiveness. I think I said he wasn’t, he just had to talk to the lord about it and repent and such.”
“You are so brave, dear Gert!” Roland commented as she took a breather. Everyone agreed and some even went to say, they didn’t know if they could be as kind in her position.
“It wasn’t me, it was the love of God flowing out of me.” Gertie enforced. “There’s no way I could have done it without His power and presence.”
“Yes, but what happened the next morning?” An impatient Emily burst out.
“Emily Joy” her mother chided.
“Sorry I got carried away!” Emily responded meekly before sitting back into her seat, “Please continue!”
The room laughed.
“Ok, so at the river…”Gertie paused, “Well, actually just to continue in sequence, that night we stayed in an old hut, I presume it’s a safety stop for hunters or forestry people if they need it, or anyone who finds themselves in need of shelter. I actually kinda passed out and fell into a deep sleep until Mars woke me in the morning.”
Gertie watched as her father reached over and held her mother’s hand. Never did they think this would be happening in their family, never-mind for the second time.
“We walked from the hut down to the river. It was at the rapids so there was a lot of rocks creating waterfalls, and a very strong, fast current. At this stage Mars had been mostly quiet and obviously not in the mood for conversation. He had attached the lead rope back to the bonds around my wrists and was pulling me along. It seemed we were walking for miles and I was so tired and sore. The cut on my head had stopped bleeding but it was throbbing and my ribs felt like they were crushing my lungs. Suddenly Mars stopped and asked if I heard something. Looking back we both stood in silence straining to hear above the noise of the river. That’s when we heard them, the shouts of the lawmen behind us.”
Everyone uttered relieved expressions of joy as they took a moment to get a breath, having been so caught up in Gertie’s re-telling.
“I’m glad this is finally over!” Roland signed as he took a sip of his lukewarm coffee. “Yes. Yes. The rest of the party agreed as Gertie smiled and picked up the story where she had left off.
“All of sudden I saw them, and the joy that rose in my heart is indescribable, but I knew I wasn’t out of danger just yet, because once he got a glimpse of Mr Green and the others, Mars started running, and pulling me along behind him. The path was so uneven, and with not being able to balance myself properly I slipped on the rocks and slid into the river. Mars stopped and, I guess looked back to see where the lawmen where. Ivan you would be able to tell us actually.” She motioned.
The grandfatherly figure cleared his throat, “Yes, at that moment we saw Ms Gertrude fall into the river, and Mars turn around to us and draw his weapon. Having been ordered to capture this extremely dangerous fugitive dead or alive, one of the men open fired on him and hit the target in the abdomen area. We then saw him jump into the river.”
“Yes, I can continue from here. I was spluttering and flapping, trying to keep my head above the water as the current violently moved me downstream. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, Mars was nearby grabbing at the lead rope which was still attached to my hands. He managed to get it and with all his might pulled me over to him and shocked me by saying that he was going to save me!”
Everyone gasped.
“Yes, he saved me from drowning in that river!” Gertie exclaimed with tear filled eyes.
“Surely only God could intervene in such a way!” Betsy stated.
“He put his arm around my neck and fighting the current, swam towards the bank where there was a branch stretched out over the water, maybe it was a felled tree. I don’t know for sure, but it was just close enough to the water that I was able to grab ahold of it. Then he grabbed it but he was bleeding and very weak. He managed to speak and asked me to forgive him for all the evil he had done.”
Another gasp went around the room.
Wiping a tear away Gertie continued, “Off course I did, and then he told me to hold tight for they would find me and that he was finished. Then before he let go, he told me that he met Him—meaning Jesus. Then it was over, and I was rescued me from the river.” Sitting back in the chair Gertie relaxed.
“It is over, and I am glad it is finally over. We do not need to live with a ‘what if’ any longer for Mars Morrow is now a different man in the Presence of the Lord.” Mr Sands finished up the conversation. “While that does not undo the impact of his evil spent life, it does change everything! Let’s just take a moment to give thanks to God for preventing a terrible tragedy and saving our Gertie, and then saving the fugitive Mars, and may I also add, bringing our friend Mr Green into the fold.”
With tears of relief and gratitude everyone agreed.
“Who’s for a fresh cuppa?” Betsy stood to an enthusiastic response.
“Let me help you.” Mrs Sands offered.
The ladies left the room, followed by Emily and Ella, who went in search of the games.
Gertie smiled at the scene around her, “God has an amazing way of showing up, and showing out with His goodness.” She thought to herself, as she briefly closed her eyes and let His beautiful Presence envelop her, right there in the chair, amidst the jollity of precious family and friends. Moments later they were all chatting and enjoying a fresh round of refreshments as the girls brought the games out and the evening continued with a lighter tone of merriment.