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It made my heart ache all the more. My memories of her were now tinged with a sadness that seeped into my very soul.
Standing there, I felt a deep sense of regret. Except for the gentle rustling of the leaves and the occasional call of a bird, the place was quiet. The air was filled with the scent of damp grass and the faint fragrance of wildflowers that grew around the pond.
My heart ached as I thought of how things had turned out.
I had allowed the past to dictate my actions. I had deceived Anna because I wasn’t honest from the start.
I should have confessed to her earlier. Honesty might have caused her pain, but it wouldn’t have been as deep as the betrayal she felt now.
The situation might be beyond me now. If I asked God, He might show me what to do. I clasped my hands together, then closed my eyes and bowed my head.
“Lord, I’ve hurt Anna deeply. And I’m struggling to find a way to make things right. Help me to repair the damage I’ve caused. Father, I need your wisdom to mend what I’ve broken. I love her, and I don’t want to lose her.”
I paused, taking a deep breath.
“Please, guide my steps. Help me show Anna that my feelings are true and my intentions pure. Soften her heart and give me the chance to prove my sincerity.”
Opening my eyes, I looked out over the pond again, hoping for an answer. But I heard nothing. Yet, I felt a reassurance that though the answer wasn’t immediate, it would come in God’s perfect timing. He was with me, and He would guide me through this.
I noticed then that the clouds had morphed into a menacing shade of gray. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the air grew dense. I recalled that there had been a weather forecast earlier on about a storm at night.
The horse’s nostril flared, and its ears twitched. It neighed, shifting from side to side. I mounted and began to make my way back, the gusts of wind buffeting us along the way.
Once I secured the stallion in the stable, I went back to the ranch house, then headed to my room.
Staring out of the window, I watched the effect of the storm on my ranch. Trees bent alarmingly in the wind, their branches thrashing wildly. Lightning forked across the sky, illuminating the dark clouds in eerie flashes. There were deep booms of thunder in between.
Rain began to fall. It quickly escalated into a downpour that lashed against the windowpane.
I remembered the last storm and how it had ravaged Anna’s ranch. We hadn’t even finished repairing the damage.
Wanting to make sure she was okay, I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. The call didn’t go through. The storm was wreaking havoc with the cell service.
I recalled that the roof of Anna’s room had almost caved in the last time. I’d inspected it days after the storm and was glad it hadn’t fallen.
An image of her in that room appeared in my mind. She would be alone and vulnerable while trying to fend off the storm’s wrath. I couldn’t stand the thought of her facing this tempest alone. Not when I could be there to ensure her safety.
That would show her that my intentions were honorable. My actions during this storm would demonstrate my genuine concern for her well-being. Maybe it would mend the rift between us.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a heavy coat, an umbrella, and my car keys and rushed to the front door. The storm was raging outside, but my determination was stronger. I would make it to Harrington Ranch come hell or high water.
I stepped out into the rain, and it started soaking me. But I pushed on, driven by a deep-seated hope for redemption.
The rain hammered down as I made my way to the truck. Its rapid drumming on the metal roof drowned out all other sounds. I turned on the engine, flicked on the headlights, and set off into the heart of the storm. The wipers swiped the water away from the windshield. The sky kept darkening as sheets of rain fell on the truck.
The wind howled like a wild beast, bending trees. A violent gust uprooted an old, large tree beside the road. The tree fell, coming down towards my vehicle.
My breath caught in my throat. My heart raced as I slammed the truck into reverse. I managed to back away just in time before the tree crashed down with a deafening thud, its branches scraping the bumper.
Relief coursed through me that the tree didn’t hit me. But it looked like the tree now blocked the road.
I drove to one end of the fallen tree, hoping to find a way around. But it was wedged firmly between the road and the fence. There was no space to pass. The other end offered no respite either.
The heavy rain and the howling wind made it difficult to see, but just like I had suspected, the fallen tree had completely blocked my path.
Just to be sure, I climbed out of the truck. Rain lashed at my face, soaking through my clothes. I inspected the fallen tree, but there was no way around it except for a narrow trail. There was no way to move the tree either.
The realization hit me hard. I was trapped on the wrong side of the obstruction with Anna potentially in danger on the other side.
