Sarah and the Cowboy's Lady (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) Read online

  “I’m Emily Stanton.” Emily’s voice was strong in spite of the weird circumstances she was under. Sarah almost applauded the young woman’s strength but she had no time for an ovation. Something dire was going on, and Emily needed assistance.

  Sarah noticed a stapler on a nearby desk and advanced toward the object. Don’t you dare try to cuff and take this woman to jail. She’s done nothing wrong. I’ll pick this thingy up and hurl it at you, or maybe I’ll just staple your mouth shut with it. I may be pint-sized, but I can do some major damage.

  An earsplitting blast of thunder rattled the windows and startled the onlookers. Men and women flinched in the seats. One woman screamed.

  The fluorescent lights blinked on and off three times in rapid succession.

  Okay, Okay, I get it. You don’t want me to whack the guy or nail his lips together with this little dandy apparatus.

  The uniformed intruder frowned and glanced at a window and then cleared his throat. “Ms. Stanton, I’m Officer Logan. I’m here to issue a restraining order. You are not to call or go near Mr. James Morrow. He has called off the nuptials, and the judge is hereby ordering you to keep away from your former fiancé.” The huge man handed Emily a sheaf of documents.

  Emily’s knees buckled and she crumpled to the floor. The documents in her hand scattered across the room.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Emily’s face had already bleached to the color of fresh-falling snow earlier in Vincent’s office and now, it seemed to grow more anemic—almost blue. Keith and Charles dropped their cardboard boxes and stooped to the young woman’s side. Together, they helped her up. The men half carried, half dragged Emily to a nearby sofa. Charles placed a pillow under her head, and Keith checked her pulse. A woman brought a bottle of water. After several minutes, Emily’s dazed eyes fluttered open. The female spoke soothing words and placed the drink to Emily’s lips.

  Officer Logan braced his feet apart and surveyed the remaining group. “Stand back. Give her space. She’s fainted. She’ll be fine.” His bark of short, clipped orders gave Sarah the heebie-jeebies, and his glare dared anyone—angel or human—to dispute him.

  He waited a few seconds, retrieved the legal documents from the floor, and then laid them on top of Emily’s lifeless form. He once more planted his big body between Emily and the onlookers.

  Why was he standing there? He’d done his job. He seemed to enjoy barking unpleasant bulletins.

  Sarah eyed the vacant desk where the lady who’d brought water sat. A coffee mug remained near the computer, and it was filled with oily, murky, black liquid from the morning brew. Resisting the temptation proved too much for Sarah. She picked up the cup. No one but the policeman saw the thing float in air for a millisecond and then speed toward him at full force. With wide eyes and a giant hand, he swatted it away from him.

  The mug crashed against the wall and coffee splattered the immediate workers.

  “Did y’all see that? That coffee mug sailed at me all by itself.” Officer Logan placed a hand on his gun holster. He gazed the room with wild eyes, as if expecting to see a wicked imp in sheep’s clothing.

  No one responded vocally, but Sarah noticed several women with eyes widened to the pop-out stage. A couple of men raised brows to their hairlines, but they all kept their thoughts to themselves.

  Sarah tapped her tiny foot in midair. Why didn’t the officer go? He’d done enough destruction. Get out. Get out!

  Hmm. Mental telepathy didn’t work. The guy kept his vigil as if someone might hurt Emily. Merciful heavens! He was the guilty party—the one who brought sad and harmful information.

  That ESP stuff never works for me. Will I ever acquire that ability? Probably not. What else can I do?

  Without another thought for her actions, she flew behind the man. Using all her might, she knocked his cap off and then yanked his hair so hard his head jerked backward. With her hand held aloft, she released the disengaged ringlets she’d extracted. They floated from her fingers to the floor.

  “Yeow!” The big man’s yelp made everyone’s eyes grow larger—as if such things were possible. He picked up a pile of curly strands from the floor. “Who tried to scalp me?” The officer spun and made a 360-degree turn.

  Seeing nothing behind him and a flabbergasted audience in front of him, he furrowed his brow and inspected the spectators.

  “Who attacked me?”

  No one offered a reply.

  Without another word, the big man dashed from the room like a startled rabbit. He didn’t even bother to retrieve his hat from the floor.

  Sarah dusted her hands.

  * * *

  Sarah rode atop Old Girl while Keith drove Emily home. Another man followed behind. He would take Keith back to the Jones Fracking Services. Keith was quiet inside the car and so was Emily.

  Keith spoke as he pulled into Emily’s driveway. “Emily, let me take you to my house. You know the wife and I would love to have you with us.”

  “No thanks. I’ll be okay.”

  “You’ve had two major shocks today. You should be with someone.”

  Emily wiped a tear away. “No, but thank you. I need to think. I can’t imagine why James would do this. I want to call him.”

  Keith shook his head. “You can’t. The restraining order prevents contact with him.”

  Emily buried her face in her hands.

  “Please come home with me.” Keith’s eyes held a look of compassion.

  “No. I’m going home to Austin. My mom and dad will advise me what to do next.”

  Keith furrowed his brows. “You can’t go in Old Girl. This car will never make it.”

  “I’ll rent a vehicle in the morning or go by bus. I’ll be okay.” She smiled. “Thanks for worrying about me, but I’m fine physically—can’t say much for my emotional health, but I’ll be okay as soon as I find out what’s going on with James.”

  Keith’s lips flatlined. “I’ll help you get inside, and you have my number. Call me. My wife and I’ll come get you.”

  * * *

  Sarah floated above Emily. The poor thing wept for hours while Sarah watched and paced, feeling totally powerless to comfort the young woman.

  Emily had halted tears once while she’d forced herself up from the bed and called her parents. Sarah sympathized and wanted to intervene, but she couldn’t think of a way to do it. Listening was all she could do at the present.

  “Mom?”

  “Hi, sweetie, we’re leaving at daylight. Did you think of anything else for us to bring?”

  “Oh, Mom!” Emily cried hysterically into the phone.

  “Emily, what’s wrong?” This time, Sarah heard the father’s voice.

  “James has called off the wedding. Instead of you coming here, I’m heading to your house. I need my mom and dad.” Emily said this between halting, pausing, and crying.

  “Oh, sweetheart.” Emily’s dad’s voice was full of concern. “I was worried about this wedding. Something about James just didn’t smell right.”

  Emily cried harder.

  “Sweetie, come home in the morning—it’s too late today. We’ll sort it out when you get here.” Emily’s mom’s voice broke as she spoke.

  They disconnected without Emily telling them about her job. Sarah sighed. When trouble came, it was a blessing this young woman had understanding parents…and her, of course, but Emily didn’t know about an angel sent to help and soothe—not yet, anyway.

  Emily wept some more and then picked up the cell. She started to dial a number, and then threw the device across the room. After tossing the gadget away, she covered her face with a pillow and sobbed harder.

  Sarah surmised she wanted to call James but realized she couldn’t. That restraining order—whatever that horrible thing was—kept Emily from it.

  I wish I were her friend already. I want to encourage her but she doesn’t know I’m here.

  Sarah kept vigil over the inconsolable young woman as she tried to come up with an idea to make her pr
esence known to Emily.

  After many hours of weeping, Emily seemed free of tears and resolved. She showered and packed clothes into a bag.

  Even though night arrived, it appeared Emily was planning to leave for Austin. Waiting until the next day would be a better idea, but the way her charge flung things together, Sarah doubted that was Emily’s plan.

  Sarah had been to Austin on her first mission trip, but she had no clue how to help Emily get there. The only thing she could think to do was tag along and respond with whatever came to mind.

  Sitting on top Old Girl as Emily backed down the drive, Sarah patted the roof. “Okay, Old Girl. I don’t have a plan. You get us there, all right?”

  Old Girl spit out a cloud of black smoke.

  Sarah sighed.

  Emily stopped at a large, convenience store for gasoline. Sarah followed her into the store and watched a few minutes while Emily shopped for snacks and a soft drink. The poor thing hadn’t eaten all day, and neither had Sarah.

  Sarah slipped into the ladies’ restroom and appeared as Estella. Earlier, as Emily drove along the farm-to-market road, Sarah had changed her mind about using this disguise. She needed to be the grandmotherly type, and a slightly younger version of a ninety-year-old woman fit the bill.

  Wearing orthopedic shoes, but minus a cane, Sarah, dressed as a grandmotherly Estella, walked slowly along the same aisles as Emily. She’d kept her short stature and thin frame so Sarah hoped she looked naïve and harmless.

  With cheese, crackers, peanuts and soft drink in hand, both women approached the cashier.

  “I filled my tank.” Emily motioned to an outside gas pump. “Number one. How much?”

  Emily paid the amount.

  The cashier handed Emily change. “Where you headed on this cold night?”

  “I’m going to Austin and taking back roads. I want to avoid the traffic. Rush hour has ended, but the Friday night date crowds are keeping the roads heavy—even on the back ways.”

  Before the guy could respond to Emily, Sarah, speaking in Estella’s crackly voice, gazed at her charge. “Did ya say Austin, dearie?”

  Emily turned and smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I’m going to visit my parents.”

  “Well, now. Isn’t that a coincidence? I’m going to Austin too. Missed my bus, though.” Sarah gestured with her helmet hair toward the window. “See that bench over there? I suppose I dozed off and the bus went on by me. Is there any chance I could ride with you? I’d pay for the gas.”

  Emily’s eyes grew large and her mouth dropped open. “I wasn’t expecting passengers. I…I...I sort of needed to be alone.”

  “Pshaw! Lands alive, child, heartache can be too much to bear alone. Sometimes, it’s best to have a shoulder to cry on and a good listening ear handy.”

  A startled look appeared on Emily’s face and she blinked several times. “I’m sorry. You don’t look threatening, but I’m not in the habit of picking up hitchhiking strangers.”

  Sarah nodded silvery hair. “I understand. You be careful. I’ll just wait for the next bus.” She shivered. “Should be along anytime now. The Metro will take me to the station in Dallas and I’ll catch the next ride to Austin. May take all night, but I’ll get there. Don’t ya worry none about me.” Sarah inched her way slowly toward the bench by the window and sat down.

  Emily walked by and Sarah waved. “Toodle-oo, dearie. Be careful now, ya hear? It can be dangerous out there.”

  Sarah watched Emily tuck herself into the driver’s seat of Old Girl.

  Emily glanced into the lighted store and Sarah watched the young woman hesitate before driving off. Sarah knew Emily could see her at the window and she waved. Emily bit her lip, turned off the engine, came back inside, and approached Sarah.

  “I’ve had a bad day, and evidently you have too. If you don’t mind riding in an antiquated, uncomfortable car, I’ll take you to Austin.”

  “Hot diggity dog! Best invite I’ve had all day, and it is right kind of ya. Let’s go, dearie. My name’s Estella.”

  Emily smiled. “I’m Emily Stanton. Pleased to meet you, Estella. Who’d ever guess we’d be traveling companions on this dark, lonely night?”

  “Right, dearie, who’d ever speculate such a thing?”

  With a quickly summoned empty suitcase in hand, Sarah smiled as she followed Emily to the car. Who indeed? Maybe Emily had never read Hebrew 13:2.

  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

  With Sarah’s many appearances on Earth, that passage in the New International Version translation had become one of her favorites.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Emily drove through heavy, stop-and-go traffic.

  “This is a bad time to start out, but I need to get to Austin.” Emily gritted her teeth as a car passed Old Girl on the two-lane strip and eased in front of her. “That guy wasn’t smart. He could’ve met another vehicle head on.”

  “Too bad we can’t fly.” Sarah enjoyed a private grin as she spoke. She could take to the skies in a heartbeat, but she wouldn’t know the direction to Austin, and she couldn’t carry Emily on her back.

  “Flights between here and there are expensive, and then you’ve got to go through security and all the jazz that goes with it. The trip takes less time by car—that is, unless you leave when everyone gets off work to go home or starts out for a date.”

  “I suppose you should’ve begun earlier, or maybe waited for tomorrow, but I’m happy you didn’t. I’d have missed your story.”

  Emily gave a sharp, sidelong glance to Sarah. “My story? How do you know I have one?”

  “Powers of observation and deduction. You’re a pretty little thing, driving an older model car, traveling at a bad time of night all alone. You have a deep need to see your parents, and you’re wearing a lovely engagement ring.”

  Emily glimpsed her hand. “Oh! I forgot to take it off.”

  “See? I told ya. I knew it. Ya got a story in there somewhere.”

  Emily nodded. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’m determined to get over it. No more tears. Strong Texas women chin up and manage. Would you hold the wheel for me?”

  Sarah frowned. The wheel? What was Emily talking about? She didn’t see any wheels, tires, or other car looking parts inside the compartment. She strained to peer into the backseat. “Honey, I don’t see a wheel. Can I hold something else for ya?”

  Emily blinked several times and she took another look at Sarah. “I meant this.” She pointed to the steering mechanism. “I’d like you to hold the car for me while I drive down the road.”

  “Huh?” Sarah closed one eye. “Ya want me to get out in the road and grab hold of your car? And then you’ll drive off and leave me stranded? Right here? In the middle of a nowhere?”

  Emily chuckled. “I take it you don’t know how to drive and have no idea what I’m talking about.”

  “No, honey, never learned.” Sarah blew out a breath. “Sorry.”

  “I wanted you to steer the car while I navigate and remove my ring. Never mind. I’ll take it off when we stop.”

  “Good idea to stop first. Important to stay tuned to what’s going on out there.” Sarah gestured toward the darkness.

  “Right. Okay. Your turn. What’s your story?” Emily slowed as a car went around her.

  Sarah gulped. Merciful heavens. The Superiors didn’t approve of whoppers, but she had to invent something to go with this masquerade.

  “My boyfriend dumped me.”

  Emily almost slammed into the back end of a car as shock took over. “Whaaat?”

  “That’s right. Don’t ya know? You can’t trust a man of any age.”

  “A true statement if I ever heard one.”

  Sarah grimaced. Her statement was false. She didn’t have a fellow, and men could be relied on—just not Emily’s intended husband.

  Emily resumed her concentration on vehicles cutting in front of her. “Can’t believe a fiancé eit
her. If you don’t mind me asking, why did your boyfriend break up with you?”

  Sarah fanned her face with a hand. “He said I wasn’t sexy enough.”

  Emily glanced at Sarah’s black orthopedic shoes and thick white socks. Her scan took in the green paisley ankle dress buttoned at the throat and black sweater. She gulped as if trying to swallow a giggle.

  “When did this happen to you?”

  Sarah slumped farther down into the seat. “Today, but I shoulda seen it coming. He said he didn’t want to kiss me for fear he’d suck my dentures out.”

  Emily concealed a chuckle by biting her lip. “Harrumph! Men. Your boyfriend wasn’t a gentleman, but at least you have some idea as to why he wanted to break up. I hope you’ll ignore the unkind things he said.” Emily reached for a tissue and then handed the box to Sarah. “Why do we put up with them at all?”

  “God ordained couples, don’t ya know? He likes men and women to unite. After they become partners, they can comfort and complement each other with their different abilities.”

  “Maybe so, but marriage is not in my future. I don’t want to ever go through another day like this one.”

  “Did your fiancé ditch you too?”

  Emily’s mouth dropped open, and she cast a glance at Sarah. “Yes, he did. Today, as a matter of fact. How did you guess?”

  “Ya seem sad, and ya want to remove the engagement ring. Ya look sexy to me—so that’s not the problem. You’re curvy. Not pencil-straight like me. What was your guy’s reasoning for the big dump?”

  “I don’t know. He didn’t say. Just served me with a restraining order. I can’t call him or go near him.” Emily sniffed back a tear.

  “Horsefeathers! Who does a thing like that? I know why my fella discarded me. He thinks I’m a skinny old crow. I have no boobs and I don’t look hot. He wants a racy, young trophy on his arm. My boyfriend is a bozo and so is yours. Too bad, but honey, you’ll find a man worthy of you.”

  They rode in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Sarah kept wondering what to do next. She needed to befriend her charge, and she’d managed to meander her way into Emily’s life, but here she was, going to Austin with no idea of what to do when she got there. She offered a quick request for guidance.