Waiting for Morning (The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch Series) by Margaret Brownley Page A

thing.”
    Humor failing, Caleb turned serious. “You’re right. I have no idea what you’re going through, but I do know this—you don’t have much of a life. With God’s help, I can change that.”
    Donny’s lip curled and he suddenly looked older than his years. “Without my legs I can’t do nothin’.”
    “What do you want to do?”
    Donny waved away the question. “There’s nothing I can do. Don’t you understand?” His fingers curled around the arms of his chair and he seemed to deflate, his body shrinking. “I never got to run like the other kids or attend school. My sister taught me how to read and how to add and subtract.”
    So Molly wasn’t only his caretaker, but also his teacher. “Let’s suppose you can do anything you wanted. What would it be?”
    Donny stared into space at something only he could see. “I keep having this dream.”
    Caleb waited a moment before prompting him. “Tell me about your dream.”
    Donny wrinkled his nose. “It’s dumb.”
    “Dreams aren’t dumb. Sometimes that’s how God talks to us.”
    Donny studied him, his face filled with doubt. “How do you know that?”
    “Says so in the Bible. That’s how God talked to Abraham, Daniel, and Solomon, to name a few. He even talked to Mary and Joseph in dreams.”
    “Yeah, but those were important people,” Donny said.
    “In God’s eyes, we’re all important.” Caleb tilted his head. “So tell me about your dream.”
    “In my dream I’m running.” Donny’s head bobbed slightly as if he was reliving it. After a while he added, “The wind is in my face and my hair is blowing.” He reached for his book and flung it the length of the verandah. Magic lifted his head and stared at the book before resuming his nap.
    “Why would God make me dream about something I can’t do?” Donny asked. “Will you tell me that?”
    “God sometimes uses dreams to warn of danger. That’s how Joseph knew to flee to Egypt. God also uses dreams to reveal His plans for us. I dreamed about being a doctor long before I became one.” After a slight pause he added, “Sometimes God uses dreams to encourage us. That’s what He did with Gideon.”
    Donny folded his arms and stuck out his lips. “Maybe God’s warning me against listening to you.”
    “Or maybe He’s showing you what would happen if you do.”
    “That’s dumb.” Donny’s voice broke. “I can’t run. I can’t even walk.”
    Caleb grabbed the arms of the wheelchair, leaning forward until he was practically nose to nose with the boy. “You can do anything you want to do. You want to feel the wind in your face?” With a quick movement, he spun the wheelchair around. It was an older model with three metal wheels. The newer chairs had rubber tires and push rims for mobility, but this one lacked any such conveniences.
    Grabbing hold of the hand bar, he tilted the chair onto the single wheel in back and steered it down the verandah steps, thumpity-thump. Magic jumped up, ready to play, and bounded down the steps after them.
    “What are you doing?” Donny yelled, gripping the sides of his chair. “Stop!”
    Ignoring him, Caleb pushed the chair around the courtyard, picking up speed as they circled the fountain.
    Donny’s initial cries of alarm soon gave way to laughter. It was a tight little laugh at first that gradually turned into delighted guffaws.
    “More, more,” he shouted.
    Grinning, Caleb spun him around, changed directions, and bolted forward, pushing the chair faster. “Brrrooooooooom,” he yelled, imitating the sound of a motor. Magic ran after them, barking.
    “Whee,” Donny cried, hair flying around his head. “It’s just like my dream!”
    Caleb swirled the chair around in a complete circle, and this time Donny howled with glee.

    Molly raced across the desert as fast as her horse could carry her. I’m coming, Donny. Hold on. It was a beautiful warm day, the air crystal clear. Prairie dogs popped back into their holes as she raced by.