Chapter Five
Ten minutes later, they were pulling into Winona’s big yard, only to have Raven’s golden retriever dash from her sleeping post on the porch to greet them with a barking frenzy of delight.
“Koda.” Raven leapt from the vehicle and ran to hug her favorite pet.
Nana had presented Koda’s mother to Raven on her eleventh birthday.
That gift had lifted the final steel bar encasing her scarred heart.
No one had ever given her such a wonderful gift, and she’d cried from happiness for days.
The golden puppy she’d called Takoda, thinking it was a game, had licked away the tears and became her shadow from then on.
Years later, before Takoda passed, she’d given them her last litter, and Nana had determined they needed to keep one to replace their beloved pet when her time came. And so playful, lovable Koda had been their choice.
In seconds, Josh and Amelia had left the jeep to join in the reunion and Koda loved the attention.
It wasn’t until Cane stepped forward that the dog changed from being welcoming to remembering her guard duties.
A stiffening of her previously wiggling body and a low growl gave warning she didn’t like this man.
“Koda. Stop. Cane is a friend. Behave.”
Cane leaned over to try petting the dog and though she allowed this, the dog’s body didn’t relax. Instead, she watched his every move and only gave him a second of attention before returning to exuberantly welcoming the kids.
“I’m sorry. She’s not usually so distant to someone I bring home.”
“It’s okay. I’ve never had a dog, and she probably senses that.”
Raven still felt sad. Her dog had taken the few seconds to stare into Cane’s eyes, and she must have perceived the same thing Raven had seen… an ice shield so thick it seemed impenetrable.
Before they could speak more, the door opened, and Winona appeared in one of her long, multi-colored, caftan-styled dresses that gave her an appearance of royalty.
With her braids wrapped around her head neatly and the huge pieces of silver jewelry on her wrists and around her neck she seldom took off, her appearance had love brimming over in Raven’s heart. “Nana. You look wonderful.”
They hugged with enthusiasm, and if only Raven hadn’t sensed the weakness in her grandmother’s body, all would have been fine. “Do you feel okay, Nana? Should you be home?”
“Yes. Don’t fuss. I’m fine, child. Especially now that you’ve arrived safe and sound. I was trying to rest but I couldn’t seem to relax. Strangely, yesterday and today I’ve had terrible premonitions of sadness and danger. It’s making it difficult for me to settle.”
Suddenly, she looked up and saw Cane and the two children standing just within the area lit by the porch light. “Hello. Who do we have here?”
Winona stepped away from Raven’s greeting to smile a welcome at the strangers. “I’m Winona Wire. This is my home. Welcome. Please. Come inside out of the rain.”
Cane helped the children forward, encouraging them not to be afraid. “Come on kids. This is Koda’s owner and Raven’s grandmother. Let’s go over and say hello.”
Nana met them on the porch and surveyed the bedraggled lot of them.
In seconds, she took over. “Why, you’re all wet and probably freezing.
Come inside. I just made a huge pot of potato and ham soup, Raven’s favorite, and there’s warm Bannock to go with it.
And, I have lots of hot water for showers and clean clothes for the lot of you. ”
By the time Raven had seen to her own and the children’s cleanup and Cane had used the second bathroom for his shower, Nana had the dishes set out and the steaming hot food in the middle of the table.
“Nana, it smells wonderful. Just like home. Thank you for going to so much trouble.”
“You’re welcome, sweet girl. Thankfully, I’d already made your special soup before I felt a bit ill. And as you know, the bread only takes a few minutes to mix up and almost no time to cook.”
“Even still, I can’t begin to tell you how much it’s appreciated.”
Winona stared into Raven’s eyes, and then she nodded. A strange acceptance settled on her face. “Talk later when bellies are full. Eat now. Come. Sit.”
Nana gave a quick prayer of thanks, and they dug in. Being that ham and potato soup was her ultimate favorite due to the fact that it had been the first homecooked soup she’d ever tasted, Raven ate every mouthful with relief brimming through her body.
Loving the feeling of being home, she smiled towards her nana and caught the special wink her grandma sent her.
Just like when she was a terrified girl arriving for the first time.
Filled with shame and guilt for the mother who intended to dump her, that special glance of acknowledged welcome had made her feel as if she’d been seen and valued for the first time in her life.
When she’d heard that Winona had suffered a stroke, the terrifying news had stunned her, making her accept that her favorite person in the world wasn’t invincible.
The painful memory of her own breakdown, the worries and fear pounding throughout her body that she might lose the one she loved more than any other, still grabbed at her.
When the doctor ultimately called and informed her that Nana’s stroke had been a minor one, her utter relief couldn’t be ignored.
Remembering how her muscles had crumpled and she’d landed on her knees would stay with her for a long time.
Coming to terms with the idea that one day Winona would only be a beautiful memory and she’d be alone in the world gave her nightmares.
“Child, you’re a million miles away.” Winona had finished her meal and brought the big tea pot filled with her special relaxing brew to the table to fill everyone’s mugs.
Then she placed it on the stove and came behind Raven to give her a gentle squeeze on her shoulder before sitting back down.
“I asked you what happened, Raven. And don’t try saying nothing.
I’m very happy to welcome Cane and his children, but I sense there’s a story you both need to share. ”
Cane, who’d softened after meeting Winona, pointed at the two young ones in the corner playing with Koda. “Josh and Amelia aren’t my children. They belong to the new sheriff and his wife. I guess you haven’t met them yet?”
“No. It’s been a busy season for me. I haven’t made it to town for some time. Many of my fruit trees are producing, and I’ve been canning, making jams, and baking pies to freeze for the coming months.”
“If this cherry pie is one that you’re talking about, then your efforts haven’t been wasted. I’ve never tasted anything so good.”
“Oh, would you like more?”
“No ma’am. Two pieces are all I can handle for now… but I wouldn’t refuse more later.”
“A man after my own heart.” Winona reached over and patted Cane’s hand and though he flinched, Raven noticed he didn’t pull away.
Winona leaned closer to him, and her eyes scanned his chest. “My Raven tells me you were recently injured. I’ll be happy to help.
But first, I sense a story you’ve both been holding back. Spill.”
Cane’s eyes lowered to his pie and rather than take another bite, he put his fork down. “I think Raven can explain better.”
Raven nodded, knowing that the news she would impart affected folks Nana had known all her life.
“Nana, darling, the town’s been flooded again.
Oh, not the main street area thank God, but the river overflowed and some of the places have been devasted.
Many homes were washed away, and there are numbers of homeless, and a rising death toll. ”
Winona let out a small cry of pain and Raven moved to crouch beside her chair. “I’m so sorry, Nana.”
Cane seemed to understand how difficult the news was for Raven to share, so he took over.
“It’s how Raven and I met, Winona. Josh and Amelia had been clinging to one of those cabins swept up by the raging river.
I’d been with my car, hoping to stick by it until I got rescued.
That’s when I saw the kids fighting to stay safe but then they were finally sucked in.
” He spread his hands as if to say, end of story. “We had to save them.”
Raven cut in. “You saved them. I just helped you bring them to shore.”
Cane stopped her. “Quit downplaying your part, Raven. You jumped into that dirty, raging river with a rope around your body and swam over to get us. Truth is, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Something inside Raven wondered if that were true. The man was a hero, no question. But she didn’t argue. Instead, she let him continue.
“What’s so sad is that the kids saw their mom and dad being washed away in the river. Now they’re basically homeless.”
Grasping the situation, Winona’s eyes grew large. Her head slowly turned to look over at Josh being extremely gentle with his little sister. She released a small moan filled with grief for the pain the children would eventually experience.
Raven understood better than most. Once the tragedy became real to them, and they understood they’d never see their mama and daddy again, trauma would finally set in.
Tears would follow. And distress for what their future might hold couldn’t be ignored.
Thankfully, it seemed that at the moment, surviving the storm and petting Koda filled them with happiness, and that was a good thing.
Finally, Winona turned to Raven, a wry smile on her face. “Guess those swimming lessons I forced on you paid off. You’re a sweet soul, Raven. Always have been.”
“Yeah… well this sweet soul of yours promised Palmer I’d return and help out. They’re beginning to form rescue groups in town to go after the survivors, and they need volunteers.”
“I’m tagging along in case they could use an extra pair of hands.” Cane’s tone didn’t give one the option of arguing.
Nodding her head in sorrow, Winona clasped her hands together in a prayerlike way and lifted them to cover her lips.
Her words were spoken in a whisper. “You know… I knew something bad had happened. I was terrified you’d been in an accident.
I should have called Saddie-May.” Then she turned to Cane.
“She’s one of my closest friends who lives in town.
I hesitated because she can always sense when I get these premonitions, and it unnerves her.
I’m very sad about this horrible news but not surprised. ”
Just then, an exhausted Josh sidled up to Cane and leaned on him.
Raven could see a flash of pain on Cane’s face before he controlled it.
He didn’t push the boy aside, but he did turn his chair, making Josh have to stand back.
“Hey big guy, are you feeling tired now that your belly’s full? Need to sleep? It’s getting late.”
Josh’s eyes were at half mast, and he nodded. “Can me and Ami sleep with you and Raven? I think she’s scared you’ll leave us, and she’s crying for Mama.” The telling silence that followed his remark wasn’t missed by any of the adults sitting there.
Before Cane could answer, Winona spoke up. “Honey, Cane and Raven have to go back to town and help more people. But I have a huge bed. And sometimes, I can talk Koda into joining me. There’s lots of room for two more small people to sleep with us. Would that be okay?”
Josh’s face lit up at the thought of sleeping with the dog. “Can we, Cane?”
Raven saw Cane’s uncertainty and answered for him. “Sure you can. Nana loves telling stories, so no doubt, she’ll entertain you until you’re fast asleep. But watch out for Koda cause she hogs the pillows.”
Laughing at the picture Raven purposely painted, Josh ran to tell the little girl the good news. “Ami, we get to sleep with Nana and Koda.”
Ami lifted her head off the dog’s tummy, swiped at her tears, and grinned tiredly. “We do? Goody.”
Raven smiled her thanks toward Nana and realized that the older woman had begun to study Cane who’d stood awkwardly to carry his dishes to the sink. “Cane, I have some medicine that can help you with that stiffness.” Instantly, she got to her feet. “Come with me.”
Cane hesitated. He looked toward Raven who smiled encouragingly. “I don’t want to be any trouble, Winona. You’ve already welcomed me to your home and fed me.”
“Nonsense, son. Follow me.” Winona stood and led the way out of the kitchen.