Just Between Friends (20 page)

     “No, I’m not just saying that.”  He removed his arm from her shoulders and stood to his feet.  Glancing from Sam to Miranda, he couldn’t help but notice how tired they both appeared.  “The two of you look exhausted.  Please, why don’t you try and get some sleep.  You’re not helping Sarah any by exhausting yourselves.”

     Sam stood then and walked to the window and peered out.  Shaking her head, she solemnly declared, “How can you expect me to sleep knowing my baby is out there all alone and in this terrible cold?  No, it’s impossible.”

     Miranda went and stood by her side.  “Well, Sam,” she urged, “at least lie down on the sofa for a little while.  Alec knows what he’s talking about.  You need rested up for when they do find her.” 

Thankfully she agreed to this.

***

     It was beginning to grow light when Alec awoke.  He had fallen asleep sitting on the chair.  He looked over and was thankful that both women had fallen asleep also.  Sam was resting on the sofa and Miranda in another chair.

     He rose quietly so as not to disturb them.  Maybe he could leave and find Sarah and bring her home to Samantha before they even awoke.  He couldn’t stand seeing Sam so grief-stricken.  There was something about her that made his heart ache.  But he didn’t have time to try to reason this out.  He had too much to do.

     Gathering his coat in his hand, he exited through the back doorway so as not to awaken them.  He mounted his horse and rode off as quietly as possible.  His father and the others were already there waiting for him when he arrived at the place they were to meet.

     “Where have you been, Son?”  His father asked.  “We were beginning to think we were going to have to search for you also.”  Not waiting for his answer, he inquired, “How’s Samantha taking all this?”

     “Not very well,” he replied.  “I’m worried about her.”

     Ethan Williams face grew grim, and he urged, “Let’s not waste any more time.  Let’s just go find that little girl and get her home to her mother.”  Everyone agreed.

     Each man went in different directions, and since there were fourteen men in all, there was no possible way they could miss finding Sarah.  They had agreed to meet back here in approximately two hours, and if anyone found her before then, they were to fire a shot in the air to warn the others.

     After two hours had passed, they still hadn’t found her, so they decided to tie up their horses and go on foot.  Alec was really growing frightened. 
How could a five year old child just disappear into thin air, as she had apparently done?
  He couldn’t understand it.

     The search lasted all day, but still no Sarah.  He had gone back to Sam’s several times to let her know what was happening.  Her parents had returned home and Sam’s father had joined in the search, but night had fallen once more and they were forced to return home.  Alec had been sure they would find her, but he determined to himself, he would not give up until he could bring little Sarah home to her mother safe and sound.

     Two more days had gone by.  They had searched each day from dawn to dusk.  Everyone was giving up hope, but not Alec.  He wouldn’t give up until he found her.  He had never seen anyone in such a state as Samantha was in.  She wouldn’t eat or sleep.  Something had to be done.

     There would only be five men searching today, himself, his father, Ben, Arthur Reynolds, and Frank Porter.  All the others felt it was useless.  They started out early, and as usual, went in different directions.

     He had walked farther than usual, and as he looked around him, he sadly shook his head.  There had been such destruction from the war.  Several houses had been burned to the ground, with only the chimneys left standing.  His family and those of the ones he loved had been lucky.  They had suffered only minor damages.

     As he stood there he wondered what had become of these families.  He hoped they had survived.  He began walking once more, and had turned and was heading back in the direction in which he had come, when he heard something.  He stopped and listened.  He heard it again.  It sounded like a child’s voice.  He walked in the direction in which it was coming.  As he drew nearer, he could hear more clearly.  He could tell it was a frightened child.

     “Mama,” the voice pleaded.  “I want my mama.”

     He ran, and then he saw her.  She was sitting among the ruins of a burned down house.  “Sarah!”  He screamed.

     She looked up and when she saw him, jumped up and ran to him.  “Alec!” She yelled.  When she reached him, he scooped her up into his arms and hugged her tightly to him.  He was too emotional to speak.

     She lifted her head and declared, “I want to go home, Alec.  Please, take me home.  I was looking for you, but I couldn’t find you.”

     He hugged her once more.  “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry, but I’m not going to go away anymore.  We’ll see each other a lot from now on, I promise.”  He was so happy he still could hardly speak.  “Where have you been, Sarah?  We’ve been looking for you for days.”

     He then noticed the lump on her forehead, and added, as he gently touched the area. “What happened, honey?  How did you get this?”  She just shrugged and put her arms around his neck, as he stroked her long blonde hair.

     Thinking it best not to question her anymore right now, he calmed her by saying, “Don’t worry, Sarah, everything is fine now.  Let’s go see your mama.”  He carried her back to where he left his horse, and lifting her, seated her on its back, then climbed up and sat behind her.  Taking the reins, he gathered her close against him and slowly took off.

     In his excitement, he had forgotten the others who were still searching.  He stopped.  “Sarah, sweetie,” he explained, as he pulled the rifle from its sheath, alongside the horse.  “Don’t be frightened, alright?  There are others out there looking for you, and I have to shoot my rifle once so they’ll know that I’ve found you.”

     Sarah turned and looked at him with big sorrowful eyes, and nodding her head, she said, “I’m not afraid, Alec.  Not as long as I’m with you.”

     He felt touched.  “Okay, honey.  Put your hands over your ears.”  She did as she was told and he fired once in the air.  Then after replacing the rifle back in its place, they continued on.

     They were now approaching the area where the other men were waiting.  They had beat him there, for he had had to travel slowly because of Sarah.  Seeing her with Alec, they began to jump from their horses and ran to meet them.

     When her grandfather reached them, he reached up and pulled Sarah into his arms and cried.  “Oh, Sarah, you’re alive.”  He wept into her hair.

     Ethan Williams asked, “Where in the world did you find her?  She looks in fairly good health.  How could a five year old child tend for herself for this long, and have survived so well?  It makes no sense.”

     Alec had to admit, this was puzzling.  “I don’t know, Pa, but I think there’s more to this than we know.  We’re just going to have to be patient.  We’ll give Sarah some time, then, maybe she’ll tell us what really happened.  I found her about three miles down that way.  She was sitting in the ruins of a burned down home.”

     Frank Porter jumped in.  “Did you see any sign of anyone else?  This child has been gone for four days, she couldn’t have been alone all this time.”

     “No,” he shook his head.  “I saw no-one else.  I admit this is mysterious, but as soon as Sarah gets home, and calms down, we’ll get some answers.”

     Arthur Reynolds, who was still holding his granddaughter, declared, “We must get back and tell Samantha.  She’ll be so relieved.”

     “I agree,” Alec said.  “Let’s be on our way.”

     As they started to leave, Sarah proclaimed, “I want to ride with Alec!”

     Feeling a little hurt, but trying to be understanding, Arthur nodded and handed her over to Alec.  Feeling guilty, he started to protest, but Arthur waved his hand, “It’s alright, son.  You found her, and you should be the one to take her home.”  They left it at that, and mounting their horses, they each decided to go along to witness the reunion between mother and daughter.

***

     The closer they came to the Reynolds home, the more excited Alec became.  He couldn’t wait to see Sam’s expression when she saw her daughter.

     When they reached their destination, Alec dismounted, then reached up and took Sarah in his arms.  Miranda, having heard them returning, looked out the window and gasped, “Sam,” she yelled, “come quick!”

     Samantha, having been in the kitchen with her mother, came running, with Amelia right on her heels.  “Miranda, what is it?” 

     Smiling, Miranda only answered, “Go open the door and find out.” 

    
Feeling butterflies in her stomach, she ran to the door, and pulled it open. Standing at the bottom of the porch steps was Alec, and in his arms was the most precious sight she had ever seen.  “Sarah!”  She screamed excitedly.  Alec had put Sarah down and she went flying into her mother’s outstretched arms.

     “Mama, oh Mama,” she kept repeating over and over.

     Samantha felt as if she was flying.  She had thought she would never see her little girl again.  Now, here she was, safe in her arms.  She pulled back and took Sarah’s little face between her hands and looked at her as if she couldn’t be real. 
Thank you, Dear God,
she thought,
for bringing my baby back to me.
  She gathered her in her arms once more, and holding her tightly, began to cry.

     Everyone watching the scene didn’t interrupt.  This was their moment.  Finally Sam stood, and wiping her eyes, asked, “Who found her, and where was she?”  Her voice was choked with emotion.

     Her father walked up to her then, and answered, “Alec found her, honey, about four miles from here.”

     Having followed Arthur up the steps, Alec cut in.  “We don’t know how she got that far, but it’s not the time yet to question her.”

     She nodded her head, then walked up to Alec and hugged him.  “Thank you, Alec,” she said tenderly.  “I don’t know how I could possibly ever repay you.”

     He returned her hug, and responded, “You don’t have to thank me, Sam.  You know I wouldn’t have stopped until I found her.”

     Miranda was so happy inside knowing Sarah was safe, but she was noticing how close Alec seemed to be getting to Samantha.  She knew she had no right to be jealous, and she certainly had no claim to him anymore, after what she had put him through, so she just tried to ignore all this and just be happy.  Maybe she was taking it all wrong anyway.

***

     After Sarah had been examined by Doc Mitchell, and she was bathed and fed, Sam tucked her into bed and she fell right off to sleep. Samantha couldn’t help but to stare at her daughter, after all the worry and suffering she had endured, thinking she would never see her little one again. But she couldn’t help wondering what had really happened.  None of it made any sense. 

     Sarah had seemed fairly well rested, and she wasn’t even that hungry.  After all this time it would seem she would be ravished with hunger.  Someone had taken care of Sarah, she was sure of it, but who?  She wanted to give them her gratitude.  But maybe that was something she would never find out.  She was just so relieved to have her daughter back safe.  Giving Sarah one last glance before going downstairs, she whispered, “I love you, Sarah.  Sleep well.”  She then softly crept to the door, and leaving it slightly ajar, went to join the others.

     It was still early afternoon, but she had felt that Sarah should rest.  Maybe later when she awoke she would be able to tell them more about what had really happened.

     Alec and Miranda had both decided to stay, but Mr. Porter, Mr. Williams, and Ben had left.  As Sam entered the room, her mother Amelia asked, “Did Sarah manage to fall off to sleep?  We could hear her talking for the longest time.”

     Alec thought how radiant Sam looked as she answered her mother, “Yes finally.  She was so wound up, and was asking all kinds of questions, and telling me she didn’t mean to get lost.  I told her accidents happen, but she must never do anything like that again.  I asked her did she get frightened out there all alone, and that‘s when she clammed up.  So, I read her a story and she fell asleep.  I think she’s protecting someone.  It’s the only answer that makes any sense.”