Beyond the Gray Mountains, page 19
The strumming continued, and Marianna’s heart doubled in her chest. Emotion filled Ben’s face, and he tilted his head to the lights above him, almost as if he were waiting and listening for what to do next.
“If you’ve come to hear some music, we’ll be getting back to that. But first, I’d like to pray for you.” Ben lifted his audience up in prayer. He prayed for their relationships and their futures. He prayed they’d find hope and peace. He prayed that they’d understand how loved they were by God and him.
Tears filled Marianna’s eyes, and she brushed them away. The highway took them through the mountains again, and the video started breaking up.
Roy reached out his hand. “I think we’re losing reception.”
“That’s all right. What I saw was beautiful. Amazing, really.” She handed him back his cell phone.
“I just thought you’d like to know. I know I’m biased, but I think what he’s doing is worthwhile. He’s giving people hope. And, well, his music is important.”
“I believed that, but at the same time, I didn’t really understand. He’s different, isn’t he? And I suppose people are noticing…”
Roy nodded and pressed his lips into a tight smile before glancing over at her and then back to the road. “You know, some people always think that the media flocks around the angst and drama, but they forget that people look for what’s good too…”
“And maybe that’s part of what’s bringing them to Montana?” Marianna thought of Linsey Ledbetter. Deep down, did she long for a bit of hope too?
“I think so,” Roy commented. “And that’s why I know Ben will make it out okay. There’s more good work for him to do—for both of you to do.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Thursday, July 6, Scapegoat Wilderness, Montana
Pain shot up Ike’s leg with each step. Even though he’d gone on many solo hikes, he’d never felt as alone as he had over the last two days trying to make it back to the trailhead. Guilt weighed him down, ten times heavier than the pack. Over the miles, he’d replayed how he could have done things differently. He’d gone on enough trips into the Bob that he should have remembered how the bears could always be found where the tree line met the creek. He should have gone first on the trail. Then again, he doubted that anything could have stopped Flint or Shadow from bolting once they spotted a grizzly.
While he trudged along, Ike also thought of things he should have done differently in other parts of his life too, especially concerning Annie. While Abe and Ben had thoughts of the women who loved them to carry them through this ordeal, Ike only had longings and what-ifs.
“It’s not like I want to remain a bachelor my whole life,” he whispered into the night breeze. Leave it to him to fall in love with the one woman he could never be with. Not only was Annie Englisch, but if she loved him back, she’d have to leave everything she loved behind—namely, the Kootenai Kraft and Grocery and her role in the community.
If he dared to ask Annie to marry him, Ike would have to walk away from the Amish faith. To do that, he’d be shunned. And marrying Annie would cause her to be shunned too, which meant that none of the Amish in the area could buy from or sell to the store. They couldn’t work there either.
Marianna had to deal with the poor opinions of some, but even liberal Amish drew the line at buying or selling with those who’d left the church, or their spouses. There would be financial consequences for Annie. She’d lose everything. As much as Ike dreamed of Annie becoming his wife, he could never ask her to give up all she had for him.
The sun hovered over the mountains, yet the scent of pine needles, fresh air, and wild grasses urged him on. Ike’s heartbeat quickened when he spotted a sign on the tree ahead. He remembered that sign—he was only a few miles from the trailhead and, hopefully, help.
Then again, what if there were no others in the area? How far would he have to hike out before he found someone who could call in for help? He should have thought about getting the truck keys from Ben before he’d left. Why hadn’t he thought of that?
The sound of a horse’s hooves caused Ike to pause. Then, like a vision or a dream, a horse and rider were climbing up the hill. Ike waved his arms and then gasped when he saw it was a lone woman who rode toward him. Not just any woman, but Annie. His heart leaped to his throat, and he couldn’t believe his eyes. Was it possible to see a mirage in the mountains, or was that only in the desert?
He rushed forward and pulled his hat off his head, waving it to get her attention. “Annie!” Laughing, he replaced his hat and started to limp toward her. Ike smiled when he saw her horse start to canter.
“Ike!” Annie called to him. “Ike, are you all right?”
The horse stopped before him, and Annie swung down from the saddle. Before he knew what was happening, Annie leaped into his arms. Ike took a step backward as he got caught off balance.
“Ouch.” He didn’t mean to call out as he caught himself from tumbling, but he did.
Annie pulled back. “I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?” She held him close, helping him catch his balance. Ike put his nose to her cheek. She smelled clean, like soap and lilacs.
“Hurt me? Annie, I’ve never been so thankful to see another person in my life. And the fact that it’s you—there’s no one I’d rather see.” He placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Against her cheek, he said, “Thank you, Annie. Thank you for coming for us.”
When he pulled back, they studied each other’s faces. If Ike wasn’t mistaken, he could see love in her eyes. Love for him.
It took his breath away.
He rubbed his beard growing in. Some bachelor he was. “I must look a mess.”
She shook her head, battling tears. “Are you kidding?” Annie seemed to be out of breath. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
All the things he’d been thinking about this very woman across the miles, and here she was. He rubbed his brow, trying to make sense of it. “What are you doing here?”
“Shadow and Flint were found, and a reporter happened to be in the area. It was on the news, and Edgar saw it.”
“And you knew they were my animals?”
“Yes, of course.”
Ike ran a hand down Annie’s cheek, wiping away a tear. “And you came.”
“As quickly as I could.”
Annie looked behind Ike, brows furrowed as if for the first time she remembered that it wasn’t just Ike who she was looking for. “Where is Ben? Abe?” The color drained from her face. “They’re not…” She sucked in a breath. “Are they still alive?”
Ike sat on a nearby log. His shoulders crumbled in defeat. “When I left, they were. That was two days ago.” He pressed a hand to his forehead. “It happened so fast. Abe was riding. There were some bear cubs ahead on the trail. We were walking into the wind, and Shadow must have smelled them at the same time he saw them. Flint did too. Shadow tried to run up a near-vertical hill and flipped back. He landed on Abe.”
“The blood on the saddle.” Annie covered her mouth with her hand.
“What?” Ike jumped to his feet again.
“When Shadow was found, there was blood on the saddle. That must have been Abe’s.”
“It was. He has a broken leg and a huge gash. It’s pretty bad, Annie.”
“And Ben?”
Ike peered up into the darkening sky. The urge to go back to help his brother and Ben overwhelmed him. “He was attacked by the mama bear.”
Annie leaned against Ike for support. “Oh no. So…”
“He’s fine. He’ll most likely be bruised, but not a scratch.”
“How could he be fine? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“The backpack he was wearing. The bear got ahold of that. Swung him around pretty well. That’s what the bruises will be from—the straps. Mama tore up the pack but not Ben.”
“That’s a miracle,” she whispered.
“It’s only part of the miracle. The wind shifted just as I got out the bear spray. The wind had been hitting our faces all day, but then…it just shifted and blew the bear spray into the bear. She ran off.”
Annie peered down the trail. “But they’re still out there?”
“Yes, and we need to get help for them. I hope they’re still okay. Abe’s leg…and the bear. I hope she didn’t come back. I had to come out. To get help.”
“We just have to trust that they’re both all right.” The lines around her lips grew tight. “And that Ben was able to care for Abe.”
“They had so few supplies. All we had left on us were the few things I had in my pack and a little from Ben’s pack that was salvageable.”
“You must be starving.” Annie hurried to her saddlebags on the horse. She pulled out a paper bag and handed it to him. “Here. Eat this.” She smiled. “And we’re not far from the trailhead and parking lot. Search and rescue should be assembling there soon. They’re gathering volunteers, and the sheriff is tracking down the brand manager to confirm who the animals belong to. I called him on the way down from West Kootenai, and he was glad for the information I gave them. I can take you back—”
“No. Go ahead. See if you can get to Ben and Abe. I know it’s going to take a few days.”
Annie pulled a map from her saddlebag. “Can you tell me exactly where you left them?”
Ike sat down with the map and focused on the trails. His eyes were dry and tired. All he wanted to do was eat the food from Annie, take a hot shower, and climb into bed. But at the same time, he felt guilty that he could now do those things but his brother and friend were still in the elements.
His finger traced the path they’d traveled. Finally, Ike pointed out where he’d left them. “Ben and I set up a camp for them. Settled Abe in the area of the creek but not too close.”
“Good. I’ll get started. You’ll be amazed at how quickly I can go alone, even with a pack mule.”
“I have no doubt.”
“And when search and rescue come, tell them what you told me. Also, I know that area well.” Annie pointed to the map. “There is a meadow near here. Maybe a quarter mile away. It might be a good place for a medical helicopter to land. Tell them to send the helicopter, that Abe needs to be airlifted out.”
“I’ll let them know.”
Ike grabbed Annie’s hands. “Lord, be with Annie. Keep her safe. Continue to be with Abe and Ben. And, Lord, be with search and rescue, too. If it’s possible, let them get a helicopter to my big brother.”
Ike finished praying, and Annie clung to his hands. “You did the right thing, going out to get help. It’s what I would have done. So either way…”
Either way. The words replayed in Ike’s mind. They could be fine, but there was a chance they weren’t. Ike didn’t know how he’d handle it if they weren’t all right.
“Look at me.” Annie’s voice was firm. “I’m going in there. I’m going to do my best. But you did the right thing, Ike. You should not feel guilty about this. None of it.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Friday, July 7, Ovando, Montana
Marianna opened her eyes, taking a minute to remember where she was. Red numbers shone from an alarm clock on the nightstand. She reached over and clicked on the bedside lamp. The room was simple, with a four-post wooden bed and a red-and-white checkered quilt on the bed. Then she remembered she was at the Ovando Inn, and Roy was just two doors down.
She moved to the bathroom and ran a white washcloth under the cool water, pressing it to her face. Why was she trembling? Marianna looked into the mirror, and a memory surfaced. No, not a memory but a dream. She’d been at one of Ben’s concerts. He’d been playing his music, and he’d looked at the crowd earnestly when the stool was brought out. “I usually pray for my audience, but today things are different. I need you to pray for me.”
Marianna returned to the bed and kneeled beside it. The rug’s texture pressed into her knees, and she rested her face on the sweet-smelling sheets. Her fists clutched them, and nausea rushed over her at the thought of losing any of those men who meant so much to her. “I’ll do anything, God. What do You need me to do? I’ll do anything. Just bring them back to us,” she muttered through clenched teeth.
The image from her dream stirred in her mind. Can you pray for me? Ben had pleaded with the crowd. I need the prayers of all of you. As many prayers as I can get. Can you pray?
Marianna gasped as she sat up, knowing this was the day she’d hear something. And that though Ben needed her prayers, he needed even more. He needed the prayers of many—those who loved his music. Loved him. But how could she get the word out and urge others to pray?
Marianna thought of Carrie, Roy’s daughter who had dated Ben once. Did Carrie have any hard feelings against Ben? Would she be willing to interview Marianna so that she could ask Ben’s fans to pray?
As she considered this, another face filled Marianna’s mind, and she knew Carrie wasn’t the answer. Carrie was a local reporter. Yet there was someone else who Marianna knew with a much greater reach. Marianna’s photos all over the internet had confirmed that.
A tendril of panic seized Marianna’s chest as she remembered the way that entertainment reporter had filmed her without permission. Linsey had caught Marianna off guard and then twisted her words. Yet even as pained emotion squeezed Marianna’s heart, a gentle whisper filled her mind. Forgive your enemy.
Forgive her? Could Marianna forgive her? Could she trust her?
Marianna squeezed her eyes shut. Lord, I can’t do this.
Forgive her, and she will be my instrument.
Marianna opened her eyes and lifted her palms to the ceiling. I give my hard feelings about her to You, Lord. Help me to be strong to do what I have to do.
With trembling hands, she stood and found her purse on the desk. She opened it and pulled out her wallet, brush, and other things she’d shoved into it when packing. In the bottom she found what she was looking for. The card with Linsey Ledbetter on it. Marianna picked up Jenny’s cell phone and dialed the number.
“Hello.” The woman’s voice sounded scratchy.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Marianna?” Linsey’s voice became clearer.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“It’s a Montana number, and I saw a short news report stating that Ben Stone is missing. Someone called and let the authorities know that a horse and mule that were found belonged to the man Ben was traveling with.” Linsey sounded as if she was concerned about him, as if she cared.
Emotion caught in Marianna’s throat. “Yes, that is true.”
“And I recognized your voice. You have that Amish lilt.” Linsey’s voice was gentle, more like a friend.
“Again, I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if I could ask you a favor.”
“A favor?” Linsey’s voice perked up.
“Ja, I mean, yes. There has been some type of accident. I’m not sure who’s injured. It could be Ben, my father, or my uncle, but I know many people care about Ben. I would just like to ask them if they can pray.”
“You would like to ask them? Like on video?”
Marianna paused. She closed her eyes and remembered her dream, remembered Ben’s plea. “Yes, I don’t mind getting on video.”
“Are you still in West Kootenai?”
“No, I am at a town near the trailhead. Roy, Ben’s manager, brought me.”
Linsey’s voice grew excited. “Can you give me the address?”
Urgency tightened Marianna’s chest. “You’re going to come up?”
“Yes. I can be there by this evening.”
Marianna looked at the clock. Seven o’clock in the morning. “But what about now?”
“Now?”
“Can videos be made such as over a computer? I’ve seen people creating them when I work at the restaurant.”
“Well, do you think Roy could help you?”
Marianna tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “We’re supposed to be meeting for breakfast in thirty minutes.”
“Okay, wonderful. When you meet, call me back. Then we can figure something out. I’m sure Roy has Zoom on his phone.”
“Perhaps.” Marianna nodded. She didn’t know what that was, but it didn’t matter. All she knew was the urgency within her to get as many people as she could to pray for Ben and the other men she loved.
“I’m also going to catch a flight, so if you can get that address?”
Marianna paused, truly understanding what was happening. She was inviting the enemy to come. Hopefully, it wasn’t a mistake.
Marianna gave Linsey the address, telling herself that it didn’t matter if she was uncomfortable if it would help Ben.
After dressing and pinning up her hair in a simple bun, Marianna hurried downstairs to find Roy sitting in the small breakfast room. She poured herself a cup of coffee, placed a muffin on a plate, and then joined him.
He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Good morning, how—”
“Do you know how to Zoom?”
Roy’s jaw dropped. “I wouldn’t be more surprised if you had told me you were a driver for NASCAR.”
She added a sugar cube to her coffee and stirred. “Is that an auto race?”
“Yes.”
“And Zoom?”
“Zoom has nothing to do with an auto race.” Roy chuckled. “It’s a way to talk over video. Why?”
Marianna pulled Linsey’s business card from her skirt pocket and laid it on the table. “This is the reporter who came up to West Kootenai to make a video of me. And I thought she could help.”
“Help?” He shook his head. “You can’t be serious, right?”
“Well, I have been thinking a lot about that video you showed me. The audience really cares for Ben, and he cares for them.” She folded her hands on her lap, wondering what Roy would say about what she had to say next. “Last night, I had a dream. It was Ben on the stage. Instead of praying for the audience, he asked them to pray for him.”
