Count Your Blessings Riley's POV

Ellen Senechal took the "Count Your Blessings" story (coming out in the new Milestones book 5, Stranger in the Glade: And More Tales from Memory Creek Ranch) and wrote the story from Riley's point of view. If you enjoy this, you will really love the original, which is much longer and from Andi's (of course) point of view. See excerpts of the new books here >>

Chapter One

Riley Prescott clomped his way up the porch steps, raindrops splaying from his hat brim. “Home sweet home,” he whispered, slipping out of his rain poncho. It’d been long morning, but at last he could take a break and enjoy a filling lunch in a warm, dry house.

Riley flung his poncho over the porch swing before thudding both feet against the floor in an effort to get rid of as much water as he could. He knew Andi worked hard enough without having to clean up the mud and rain he tracked into the house.

Smiling at the thought of his precious wife, he curled his fingers around the knob and swung the door open. “Hi, Andi,” he called. “What’s for –”

“Nothing, unless you cook it yourself,” Andi answered, raising her voice above the wailing of their two-year-old son, Jared.

At her words, Riley turned his eyes to the kitchen, taking it all in with one quick glance. Dirty breakfast dishes, messy table, seemingly cold coffeepot, and a stove nearly out. He could feel his smile fade away. “Uh-oh.”

Andi rose from the rocking chair. “Uh-oh is right.” She marched up to her husband and dumped Jared into his arms. “I need a break.” With that, she spun on her heel and disappeared outside, slamming the door shut behind her.

     Riley swallowed. “Your mama didn’t sound too happy,” he told Jared, who replied with another long screech. “You tired, little man? C’mon, let’s take a nap; then I’ll build up the fire in the stove so you and Mama won’t get cold.”
            He pressed Jared’s head to his shoulder, and the boy immediately settled down. Whimpering and sniffling, he snuggled into Riley and fell asleep. Little breaths of warm air escaped his lips and tickled Riley’s neck.

 Just as Riley was preparing to carry Jared to his room, the door opened and Andi came in looking wet, cold, and flustered. Quickly Riley put a finger to his lips and hurried Jared to his bed. When he returned, Andi had dropped into the rocking chair, her chest shaking as if she was trying hard not to cry.

“Are you all right?” Riley asked, taking a few steps in her direction.

Andi shook her head. “No, I am not all right, and it’s all your fault.”

Riley paused, confused. “What do you mean?”

“We’re . . .” She stopped and choked, her fingers grinding deep into the arms of the chair. “We’re having a baby, and I don’t think I can do this again.”
            Riley was instantly taken aback by this announcement. Questions like, Why do you say that? How long have you known? came readily to mind, but he restrained from voicing them aloud. Instead, as the silence around them lengthened and Andi raised her eyes to meet his, he said, “I’m sorry.”

A fresh wave of pain enveloped Andi, and tears rose, filming over her blue irises. She reached up to wipe away the few drops that had squeezed from the corners of her eyes. “Oh, Riley. I didn’t mean it like that. I . . . I . . . maybe it’s just this miserable weather, or Jared’s cold.”

Riley gave a small nod, a look of sadness stealing over his face. “Maybe,” he said.

More silence – the awful, ominous silence that came from hasty words and hurt feelings – ensued, broken only by the rain that thrummed against the rooftop.

At last Riley released a sigh. Shifting his feet, he said, “I don’t want to make more work for you, sweetie. I’ll eat with the hands.” He stepped closer to Andi and delivered a gentle tug to her braid. “Why don’t you catch a nap while Jared’s asleep.”

He turned, grabbed his hat, and stepped outside, shutting the door with a quiet click after him. Now alone, with the rain falling in streams around his shoulders, he pulled his hat low over his face, shrugged into his poncho, and headed for the bunkhouse. Mud squelched beneath his boots and the wind whipped about him wildly, but Riley barely noticed. He couldn’t seem to focus on anything but the hurtful words that tumbled around in his mind.

It’s all your fault.

We’re having a baby, and I don’t think I can do this again.

It’s all your fault . . . all your fault . . .

Shivering, Riley ducked into the bunkhouse, and the chatter amongst the four hands ceased abruptly. “Something wrong, boss?” Joey inquired, hastening to take Riley’s hat and poncho.

“No, nothing’s wrong.” Riley thankfully handed over the wet garments and sank into a seat at the table. “Mrs. Prescott isn’t feeling very well, so I thought I’d eat lunch with you today.”

“She isn’t feeling too poorly, is she?” Joey asked, eyes wide and frightened.

“Should I ride for Doc Weaver?” added Carlos.

“No, no, that won’t be necessary, but thank you.” Riley forced a smile. “She’ll be feeling better soon, I’m sure.”

“Well, you’re welcome to eat whatever you’d like, but no promises that it’ll taste good,” Matt said with a lopsided grin. He dished up a plate for his boss and handed it over.

Riley accepted the meal with a soft, “Thanks.” As he stared down at the beans, sausage, and warm biscuits, his stomach growled, reminding him of just how hungry he really was. Picking up a fork, he dug right in.

“What’re the plans for this afternoon?” Ross asked, taking the spot opposite him and stuffing his mouth with beans.

“Chad needs some more help on his spread, so I was figuring on heading out there just soon as we’ve finished.” Riley pointed his fork at Ross. “I’d like you to stay here and continue the work we started in the east pasture this morning. Carlos, Joey, Matt, and I will join you again tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.” Riley shoveled in the final bites of his food and rose. “Meet me outside, boys.”

Chapter Two

All your fault . . . we’re having a baby, and I don’t think I can do this again.

Riley grimaced and tightened his hold on Dakota’s reins. The appaloosa plodded steadily along, his mane rippling in the breeze. The rain from that morning may have lessened slightly, but the storm in Riley’s heart had not. The earlier conversation he had had with his wife whispered itself in his ear, weighing him down.

Deep inside, Riley knew Andi hadn’t meant any of what she’d said. She loved him, and of course she was excited that they were having another baby.

But the words still stung. He wished he knew how he could make it all better. Hm, then again, Riley thought, shifting in the saddle, maybe it’s not up to me to make it all better. So, he heaved a breath and began to pray.

God, help us, please. Give both Andi and me strength and Your wisdom going forward. Help us to trust, to lean upon You. We cannot do this on our own. I thank You, Jesus, that You’re here for us. We know that everything happens according to Your perfect will for our lives, and yet we still doubt, we still wrestle and say, “I can’t.” Help us, Lord, to say instead, “I will.” And please, God, help Andi and me to make an effort to build the relationship between us. May we keep our eyes focused on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Hey, Boss? You all right?” Matt rode up alongside Riley, forehead furrowed.

“I’m fine. Thank you.” Refreshed by talking with his Savior, Riley flashed a genuine smile to his hired help.

Suddenly, Dakota whinnied. He pranced about, agitated. Two of his hooves implanted themselves in the slick, sticky mud.

“Whoa! Easy, boy,” Riley crooned, but Dakota didn’t relax. Next thing Riley knew, he was being pitched overboard. His left foot, wedged in the stirrup, gave a painful wrench as he tumbled down the side of the horse. A scream rushed from his throat.

Something sharp collided with his head. Then everything went mercifully black.

***

Pain. So much pain. It throbbed through Riley’s head with every beat of his heart. His middle, wrapped tight in sticky gauze, ached like anything.

What happened? The pain in his head wouldn’t let him think.

The sound of sobbing caught his ear, and he forced first one eye, then the other, to open. Andi. She sat at his bedside, with her face buried in her hands. When she lifted her head, tears shone in her eyes and dripped from her cheeks. Her nose ran.

Riley swallowed, wishing he could reach her, or move his dry lips to say something, to let her know he was awake. To ask why he was here, what exactly had occurred. Finding, however, that he could force his heavy, aching limbs do neither, he simply lay and watched her.

Andi began to paw at her skirts, seemingly in search for something. A handkerchief. If Riley didn’t hurt so much right then, he would’ve smiled. Unsuccessful in her search, she raised her arm and swiped it over her face.

“You never can find a handkerchief when you need one,” Riley managed to say in a low voice.

Andi froze. Her arm lowered, and she stared at him. “Riley!” Through her tears, her face lit up.

“Yes.” His eyes fluttered closed, and a small sigh escaped. “I feel terrible. What happened?”

The mattress beneath him shifted, and he knew Andi had joined him on the bed. Remembering their conversation of who-knows-how-long-ago, Andi’s obvious joy at seeing her husband awake and the gentle squeeze she gave Riley’s hand sent a rush of warmth through the young man, overshadowing the pain.

“You got thrown a week ago,” Andi said.

What? Thrown? The very idea made Riley’s eyes shoot open again, the confusion he felt written plainly on his face. “From a horse?”

“Dakota.”

Riley’s body shuddered. “I’ll take your word for it, but I don’t remember. I don’t remember anything after eating lunch with the hands.”

His eyes slid shut again, but not before seeing the momentary flicker of remorse that crossed over Andi’s face at his words.

Chapter Three

A door creaked open, and Riley woke up. Turning his head, he watched as his wife and mother-in-law stepped into the room. “Somebody tell me what’s going on,” he said. “I feel weak as a kitten, and my head is pounding like a blacksmith’s forge. How long have I been lying here?”

“Too long,” Andi whispered, approaching his bed, her tears brimming all over again. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“And you are going to keep on lying there, young man.”

Riley’s gaze shifted from Andi to his mother-in-law, who stood in the middle of the room, a smile on her face and her hands hooked to her hips. “Nila is bringing you some turkey broth. It’s Thanksgiving, but that’s as much of the turkey dinner as you’ll be eating.”
            The corners of Riley’s mouth turned down in a puzzled frown. Thanksgiving Day? Really? “But –”

“No buts,” Elizabeth interjected, still smiling. “I’m going to bring Jared up. He’s missed his daddy.” She headed for the door but turned to deliver a parting word. “In the meantime, you and Andrea can take the time to count your blessings. They are innumerable on this very special Thanksgiving Day.”

Indeed they are, Riley agreed. Thank You, God, that I’m alive and breathing, that Andi is right here with me and Jared is well.

Andi closed her fingers around Riley’s in a comforting squeeze, and she smiled down at him. As Mother slipped from the room, Andi sat down beside her husband. For a moment she was quiet, and Riley didn’t miss the way her jaw worked with emotion.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She looked at him, lip quivering. “Riley, you had me so scared! I’ve stayed by you every minute since the accident, praying and hoping you’d wake up.” She smiled again. “And you did. Oh, thank God, you did!”

Then she paused, swallowing hard. “I was simply wretched to you last week, Riley. I’m so sorry.” The tears began to splash from her eyes. “You’re such a blessing to me, Riley, and I love you. I can’t even begin to imagine life without you.”

Her hand pressed tighter around the one she held. “No matter how I may feel, I am grateful, so very, very grateful, for all the babies God chooses to send our way.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Riley lifted his free hand to brush the tears from Andi’s cheeks, his own eyes watering. “I know. I love you too. And I forgive you.” He smiled up at her. “With God on our side, I know we can do this together.”

Andi nodded, then managed a small chuckle. “I want nothing more than to throw my arms around you and give you a big hug, but, seeing as how you’re trussed up tighter than a calf for branding, thanks to those cracked ribs of yours, I think I’d better wait.”

“Yeah.” Riley laughed with her. “You better.”

Footsteps and a toddler’s excited squeal from outside the door told them both that Jared had arrived, and Riley’s smile grew wider. Suddenly even plain ol’ turkey broth sounded good. He was blessed beyond all measure and had every reason to shout for joy at that moment.

Thank You, God, indeed.