Page 42 of Operation: Chosen

Terrell headed for his horse, and the other two boys stood near the door waiting for Eric to tell them what to do. Eric stepped forward and picked out a horse for each of them, then showed them how to saddle each one. Since he couldn’t do it for them, they had to learn from what he said.

Once the saddles were on securely, Terrell showed them both how to mount their horses. Since this was their first day and Terrell had only been out a few times, they’d decided to stay in the corral, keeping their ride to circles.

Eric wanted to be riding with them, but with his arm like it was and with his personal mount missing, he didn’t want to risk greater injury. Lacy came from the house and stood at his side. “Afternoon.”

He nodded, keeping an eye on the boys. “It is that.”

“I didn’t realize Connor would want them out here so quickly. It’s good to see them making use of what we have to offer.” She leaned on the rail next to him.

He shrugged a shoulder, hating that two of the three boys hadn’t really been given a choice. With their regular clients, guests were given the chance to warm up to the horses slowly, then choose if they wanted to ride or not. If they didn’t ever connect with the horses, they were given the chance to work with the dogs, but the dogs always came second since some former guests had been guarded by dogs. Sam had been forced to keep the dogs far away for the first few months those guests had lived at Wayside until they could slowly acclimate to the sight of them.

All of those things helped him feel every day that he was doing good in the world. He could look back and think about the various people he’d helped. While none of that made him a better person, he had given his gifts to the Kingdom of God. He’d helped literal widows and orphans.

He couldn’t think of a single place in the Bible that said to give criminals a second chance. The only place he could think that was close was in Luke where he was told to proclaim the Word to set the captives free. Somehow that verse didn’t seem like it applied in this case.

God was all about second—and third and fourth—chances, but in every case, God saved those who wanted to be saved. While he wants people to follow, He isn’t going trick anyone. Eric glanced at the sky, hoping for insight. Just then, sunlight glinted off the printing on Terrell’s shirt, momentarily blinding Eric.

He wanted to chuckle at God’s head smack. He needed it. He silently thanked God for the opportunity to help one boy. Maybe the other two would never want to get out of the place they were stuck. Maybe he’d read about them in the paper someday, though he hoped not. But sacrifice was worth it, even if only one of the boys was saved.

“Ali and I got off on the wrong foot. I want to make it up to her. Any idea how?” Lacy said, breaking into his thoughts.

“You want to do something for Ali?” He hadn’t thought about how alone she probably was out here while he was busy. “Honestly, I think Connor owes her more than you do. He’s the one who asked her to stay out here for three weeks knowing Cole was going to be gone.”

Lacy snorted. “Connor does what he thinks is right. I can’t say that I always agree with him.” She frowned as she stared at the three riders.

Eric lowered his voice. “I know you were against this from the start, but I’m glad they’re here.” Even though he’d been frustrated just a few minutes before. Stating what pleased him out loud helped him feel more in control. “We’re making a difference for at least one and planting seeds for the others. No one has ever taken an interest in him before.”

Lacy nodded slightly. “I hope he learns enough before the other two ruin it. Connor has to call the police if they do anything else. If he doesn’t, I will. Wayside has a purpose, and this isn’t it.”

He took a deep breath and let it out. “Shopping. She loves shopping at expensive places, boutiques and things. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Maybe you do.”

Lacy glanced down at her frayed flannel over a tank top, jeans that had a few years on them, and scuffed boots. “Boutique isn’t even in my vocabulary, but I think I can find a place or two. There’s coffee and a couple places that might interest her in Cheyenne. At least, I hope they will. Spending two hours in the car with her might get interesting.”

Eric leaned back, holding on to the rail with one hand. “She likes the things she likes because she grew up without anything. The comforts you and I turn our nose up at and call frivolous, she finds happiness in them. I was never able to reach her heart for Jesus, but I tried. She’s filling that hole in her heart with things.”

“I see.” Lacy bowed her head, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hat brim. “That actually makes a lot of sense and helps me approach this differently.” She touched her hat. “Pray for me.”

He chuckled, knowing Lacy and Ali were as different as two women could be. “You know I will be.”

He watched her head toward Ali’s cabin and did just as he promised: he prayed for both women. As he turned back to the boys, he caught sight of Terrell grinning from ear to ear as he showed Big E how to use the reins to get the horse to follow commands.

With just a little encouragement, Terrell didn’t look at Big E as a leader anymore. He’d stepped into the role himself and wasn’t willing to let the bigger boy bully him. Big E was listening and trying to do what Terrell said, then all three boys would laugh as the horse did something completely different from what they’d wanted.

Laughter. That was something he hadn’t thought he’d hear from this trio. “Thank you, Jesus.” Eric let a grin slide over his face. Who couldn’t use a little unexpected laughter?

ChapterSeventeen

Ali stuffed her computer back in her bag, determining that having it out was affecting her ability to decide what to do. Someone knocked on her cabin door, and she rushed to answer it, freezing as soon as she opened it.

Lacy hadn’t liked her, which had made Ali avoid her. Ali had avoided almost everyone except Eric, since he was her main concern aside from Cole. “Lacy, hello.” She tried not to sound too disappointed. Eric hadn’t been around all day, but he had work to do with the boys. That was his job.

“Are you busy?” Lacy shifted her weight from one dusty-booted foot to the other.

Ali cringed at the idea of those dusty boots walking across the clean floors, but she opened her door to let Lacy in anyway. “I’ve got time. What’s up?”

Lacy came in and looked around, then sighed. “It’s always interesting to me how every cabin is the same, but each feels differently after people have stayed in one for a few days. The colors are the same, fabrics the same, but I can tell this one is yours.”

“I didn’t change anything. I promise.” Why did everything out of Lacy’s mouth feel like an attack?

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