Miracle Ranch

Chapter 5

-       Jane

Jessica gave us a full tour of her ranch. Well, maybe not a full tour considering that it only consisted of her pointing out something that was called a “tack barn”, other barns and pastures that held the different genders of horses, and the house.

“I’ll show you guys around more tomorrow once you’ve gotten some food and rest,” Jessica told Grace and I as she walked backwards so she was facing us. “ We can even go on a trail ride to show you all the beautiful land out here!”

Grace’s face had been stretched out into a huge grin ever since we arrived here moments ago, but the mention of riding a horse made her seem even more elated, if that was even possible. I myself was happy just for the fact that Grace was. Maybe this was the type of medicine she needed. Not the kind that a doctor could proscribe, but the kind where there was the beautiful outdoors that offered endless valleys and vast forestry. This is the perfect place for my daughter to get better in.

Jessica introduced us to her fiancé Darren, who was a very handsome young man. He and her grandfather, Samual, who we also met, took our luggage to a small cabin.

“This will be where you and Grace will stay. I hope it’s okay,” Jessica said as she walked with us to the small cabin.

“This one is the only one that we have gotten completed for the camp next summer. It has a bathroom, a small living room, and one bedroom with two twin beds in it,” Darren explained. He climbed up the porch stairs on the cabin and used his elbow to open up the cabin’s door since his hands held my bags.

Darren and Jessica’s grandfather waited for Jessica, Grace, and I to walk in.

My first thoughts of the cabin? Adorable. Just what you would expect a logged home would look like on the inside. Back in Chicago houses had elegant chandeliers and mosaic art paintings. At least the houses my friends and myself contained those objects. Nothing close to this rustic, country look.

The first thing you saw in this petite cabin was the living room that Darren had talked about. A plush couch sat to the right of me, along with a bookshelf full of, what would you know, books! There was a beautiful painting hanging on the wall that showed a herd of horses running in a prairie(the mosaic) and antique looking lanterns(the chandeliers). There was also a small hallway which I figured lead to the bedroom and bath.

“I love it!” exclaimed Grace. She let go of my hand and started to explore the place.

“That makes two of us!” I stated.

Jessica looked at her grandfather and Darren and then back at me with a huge smile on her face. “ Oh I am so glad! I’m not the best when it comes to, oh you know,” she motioned around the cabin, “ this stuff.”

“We plan on finishin’ the other 6 cabins here soon,” Samual told me as he set Grace’s bags down.

“Well I think you should make all of them the same as ‘dis one because I love it.”

Samual chuckled, “I’m glad you like it little lady.”

Grace smiled back at the old man before she walked into one of the rooms.

“There is a shower and all that good stuff in the bathroom and the beds are all made and if you need more blankets there should be some in the closet,” Jess explained to me.

“Food will always be served by, Susan, or as everyone else calls her Grany,” Darren said, “She is one of the best cooks in Wyoming. That is for sure! You and Grace here won’t be disappointed.”

“Tonight we’re having meatloaf I believe,” Jessica was saying just as an older women walked into the cabin.

“And don’t forgot homemade apple pie and ice cream for desert,” the women smiled at me and extended her hand, “Hi there darlin’. I’m Susan, Jessica’s grandmother. You must be Jane.”

I took her hand into to mine and gently shook it, “ Yes it’s so nice to meet you, Susan. I can’t thank you, all of you for that matter, for letting my daughter and I stay at your ranch. Staying at a place like this is something Grace has always dreamed about and now you guys are making it come true.”

I held the tears back as I told them this.

“Oh, dear, it is no trouble at all. Jessica has been looking forward to it ever since you called. We all have!”

Just then Grace popped her head out of one of the doorways. “ Did I hear something about ice cream?”

We all laughed at Grace’s question.

“Well that depends, are you going to share the ice cream if there is any?” Darren asked Grace. He walked towards her and bent down so he was at her eye level. A serious look was on his face.

“Well that depends, how much ice cream are we talking about?” Grace fired back, hands on her hips.

Darren’s face broke into a warm smile, “ Ahhh, you and me are going to get along just fine.” He took his cowboy hat off, showing his short yet shaggy brown hair, and put it on Grace’s head.

The hat was a little big, but Gracie pushed it up a bit to reveal her blue eyes and bright smile. They both giggled. Jessica looked lovingly at her fiancé and I wondered if she was hoping to have children of her own sometime. Seeing how great they were with Grace, I knew they would make great parents.

“So you are Grace! Well honey it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” Susan walked towards Grace.

“Who are you?” Grace questioned.

“Grace,” I said in a stern tone.

She looked at me and back at Susan, “Well I don’t know who she is mom.”

Susan laughed which you couldn’t help but smile when you heard. “Well where are my manners! I’m Susan, Jessica’s grandmother, but you can call me Grany.”

Grace smiled up at her, “I’m Grace.”

“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you and your mother.” Susan opened her arms for a hug which Grace excepted.

“Jess, Darren, sweatheart, let’s give these two a chance to settle in and unpack their bags.” Samual said.

Susan unwrapped from Grace’s hug, “ Yes and I’m sure you two are starving. Supper will be ready around 6, just come up to the house whenever you like.”

Susan and Samual waved and headed out of the cabin.

“Yes feel free to walk around, get used to the place! If you need anything just holler,” Jessica turned towards Grace and smiled, “ See you at supper time Gracie. Me and you will have to do some major discussions on horses that I might need your help with taking care of.”

“That sounds great.” Grace grinned back.

Then Jessica and Darren followed the grandparents out the door.

I already liked all of them. Each one of the Rave's. They treated Grace and I as family that they hadn't seen in a long time, not people that they literally just met. What made me like them even more was how they treated Grace like a normal kid. They didn't pity her or say "oh you poor thing". The Rave's acted just like I wanted everyone to act towards my daughter, with happiness and big smiles.

I turned and looked at Grace. “So? What do you think?”

“ I think I’m in heaven,” Grace answered.