Leann Harris: Blog

Sophie, here. I’ll let you in on a little secret. If the horses there on Second Chance Ranch could talk, well, we’d be in a whole lot of trouble. Prince Charming or Charmin’ as I call him, hold more secrets than anyone knows. And I’ll say, he should have a degree in counseling. I talked out more problems with him. Charming is a black gelding, and probably 10 years old. He’s patience, affectionate and loves apples. Of course he has a sweet tooth and love it when I bring him sugar cubes.

My other favorite horse is Brownie, who is used for the younger children.
But Charmin’ has my heart.

The father of Zach, Ethan and Beth.  Our ranch, north of Albuquerque, has been in the family since the 1880’s.  My grandfather, father and I have been ranchers.  Of course, in this day and age, ranching changed a bit.  But neighbors count and we help each other. 

Best times my kids had was Spring branding and the social that happened afterwards.

My children ran loose on the land, getting into things I don’t want to know about. I’ll say, Zach’s experiences with losing his leg shook us all, but Sophie didn’t cut that son of mine any slack.  That’s what he needed, and I thank the good Lord she brought him up to scratch.

I’m Lynda McClure, the mother of Zach, Ethan and Sophie. 

I’ve heard a lot of bragging and carrying on, but I’ll said that all my children are blessing.  Now that’s not to say they weren’t a handful.  Boys can be truly challenging, and I prayed that they would grow up to be wonderful young men.  They did, but oh the prayers.

I didn’t know how to handle Zach losing his leg.  I wanted to mother him, but I knew he had to deal with what had happened.  It took Sophie’s straight talk to snap me out of my dilemma.  My Zach needed tough love and Sophie gave it.

Of course, I’m not surprised, because the day Zach stomped into the kitchen and saw Sophie, I knew the boy had a thing for her.  I just wondered how long it would take him to discover that.  I happy to say he finally did.

Zach: Ollie, that’s not true is it?

Beth:Sure it is.

Sophie: Maybe, she’s right, Zach.

Ollie: Stop with all the  hollering.  I’ve never witnessed in all my born days so much horse feathers. 

It was bad when Zach and Sophie were mooning over each other.  Nearly knocked me on my backside.  I’ll give Zach some credit.  When I walked in on him in the tack room after he fell flat on his face side-walking, the man gutted it up.  He threw that self pity out the window and went on.  He wrestled that pride of his down. Not too many men could.

He won my admiration.  Of course all the silly mooning and carrying on, I just had to shake my head.

I can’t let Sophie take the blame, Zach.  It was me, your sis, who set who both up.  I just had that feeling you two were perfect for each other and would hit it off. 

Can’t say you’re the sharpest knife in the drawer, but eventually, you did.

But I’ll say, Sophie wasn’t any better.  She found reasons not to be around you.  I thought you must’ve done something really bad when I wasn’t looking, because she avoided you like a scalded cat.

But it turned out okay.  Don’t you think so, Ollie?

Zach here.  I reason I avoided Sophie that weekend is because I knew I’d been set up.  I know a sucker punch when I see one, and boy did I get it.  Those were new boots and it didn’t rain anywhere else on the range.  That thundercloud was for me.

I guess I can laugh about it now.  I felt that connection with Sophie, but I wasn’t going to admit it.  To be bested by your little sister, how humiliating is that?

I often went to see my sister in college, hoping to see Sophie, but I think she was as gun-shy as I was.  She always managed to be unavailable when I was there.

Can you deny it, wife of mine?

Sophie, here.  I want to give my friend Beth McClure credit for my relationship with Zach.  Beth and I were college roommates.  When she took me home that weekend, I didn’t suspect a thing.

I was standing the the kitchen when the back door flew open and a man stomped in. He was dripping wet, grumbling about the “stupid hole, his horse and his new boots.” When he looked up and his eyes connected with mine, the world shifted.  My stomach flipped.  He later admitted he felt the same connection. 

That zing I felt must’ve been felt by everyone else in the kitchen, because Beth had satisfied smile on her face.  So did her mom and Ethan.

The rest of the weekend, Zach avoided me like the plague.  Beth gambled on that we’d fall in love.  She was right, but it only took 10 years.

I’m Ethan McClure.  Zach’s my younger brother and you’ve heard from the baby, Beth.  Now Beth was pretty much a pest growing up, always following her big brothers around and ratting us out.  I remember one time Zach and I slipped out of the house one night after Mom said we couldn’t go to a party.  Beth followed us, then told our folks the next morning.  She’s a persistent soul, but in the end, it was her dog-eared determination that Zach would ride again the brought him to Second Chance Ranch.

Of course, Zach was worse that a wounded wolf, growling and trying to bite everyone’s head off who came near him.  Yeah, he had a good reason, but Beth saw beyond his rotten attitude.  Yeah, sis.  You did good.

Zach, again.  I need to defend myself.  Well, I thought I had the right to my anger.  I was wounded and lost my leg.  When I came home, I couldn’t even stay on my horse.  I couldn’t see how my life could mean anything, but  everyone else thought differently.  Beth was a determined soul.  Nag, nag, nag, but I’m glad.  It was the wonderful smells that touched a hunger in me that I couldn’t turn away from.  Even after I fell lat on my face, that desire inside didn’t let me go.

God used that longing in me and I worked and worked.  It was easy, but I’ll say I am a stronger man now than I was when I had two legs.

If you’re wondering about the picture of the horse, that’s Prince Charming.  He’s the horse who stay in there with this stubborn soul.

Hey, guys.  I am Beth McClure.  Zachary is one of my brothers.  The other is Ethan.  Unfortunately, I was the youngest.  I always wanted to tag along with my older brothers, but they didn’t want me any where near them that is until I turned 13.  Suddenly, I had a big brother glued to my side and scaring off any boy who wanted to talk to me.  But that’s water under the bridge.

I was the one who helped Zach out of his funk.  Yes, he had a reason to have a bad attitude.  He lost his right leg from the knee down to a roadside bomb.  It tore all us up.  We prayed for him.  And my parents didn’t know how to act.  Too much would smother him and not enough—

Well, I knew what Zach needed.  My college roommate, who is ex-army herself, was working at a ranch where they wanted to start equine therapy program for wounded veterans.  It was an answer to prayer.  Of course, getting Zach there was not an easy feat.  I had to nag and nag and after about two weeks, he gave up and said he would try one afternoon.  That’s all he needed.  He was hooked.  A cowboy like him couldn’t walk away from the wonderful smells of a stable and horses.  Of course, my prayer life increased ten fold, but it was worth it.

I’m Zachary McClure.  I was the first soldier to be at Second Chance Ranch.  And I probably wouldn’t have ever walked into that place, but I have a sister who is a royal pain and loves me and wouldn’t let me stay in my funk.

I was Army.  Cavalry.  Of course, I grew up on a ranch and horses were in my blood.  I also did some rodeoing.  Well, I thought I’d never ride again after I lost my right leg below the knee when I was in Iraq.  I remember having that ‘feeling’ when we came across the car on the side of the road.  We were withdrawing when the world exploded.  The next thing I knew, I woke up in Walter Reed without part of my right leg.  I thought it was the end of the world, but God had a different plan for my life.  And thanks to my pushy sister and a driven ex-medic, I’ve been given a new direction in my  life.

I hope you’ll read our story and join us on our journey.

My name is Sophie Powell.  My story and Zachary McClure’s story is told in SECOND CHANCE RANCH.  I now own the equine therapy ranch, but getting here wasn’t easy.  I never knew this is what I wanted to do with my life, but after I spend a tour in the Army as a medic in Iraq and seeing the wounds that occurred to my patients, I wanted to be a doctor that is until I went to a continuing education program for medics at Washington D.C.  I visited one of the men I treated and heard how he was riding horses and learning how to walk again with his artificial leg.  At that moment, my life changed.

I grew up with horses.  Rode and adored them, and when I saw what benefit the men and women were getting from the horses, I knew God had shown me the path he wanted me to take.

It hasn’t’ been an easy journey, but one I would not trade for anything in the world.  Come back tomorrow.  I’ll share more.

Penny, here.  I hope you had a good Christmas.  I did.  What I want to do is introduce some new people.  There’s a new story coming out, SECOND CHANCE RANCH. You should be able to buy it in the store this week.  For sure next week. It’s a great story about horses and equine therapy and the neat people they help.  Some wounded soldiers are there and it is helping them.  And some special kids are there, too.

Sophie Powell (that’s her) is the neat lady who is running the place.  She’s got a good story….so I’m going to let her tell you.  Sophie, it’s your turn.

P.S.  I’m might drop in occasionally.

Hey, guys.  Penny here.  Sorry I’ve been quiet, but schools been busy and with the new brother, I haven’t had time to post. 

I want to tell everyone about a neat thing I started to do.  I went to a place called Second Chance Ranch.  It’s an equine therapy ranch.  You want to know what that is?  It’s where people who have physical problems go to get stronger.  Sometimes people who have been in an accident go there, too.

Well, my dad took me their to volunteer to help with Girl Scouts.  I’m working helping some of the kids there, talking to them before and after they ride.  I’m too short to be one of the side walkers, but Dad isn’t and he helps.  An old Army friend of his, Zachary McClure, helps run the ranch.  I think he is married to the lady who owns it.  Mr. McClure lost his leg and rode to build up his strength.  He showed me his fake leg.  It’s called a prostheses.  That’s a mouthful.

Well, it was exciting.  I’m going to help there this summer and also help mom with the church garden.

It Penny again.  I’m back in school and things are sooo boring.  But I have to tell you about a neat thing my parents are going to do.  I’m going to learn how to ride a horse.  Mom says this is a neat place where kids and adults can learn to ride.  She’s going to take me there after Valentine’s Day.

Also, Mom wanted me to tell you there’s a neat mini-story starting at the www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/  Go and read it.

Elizabeth and Nathan stay with us Christmas Eve.  They slept out in the living room with the Christmas Tree.  Well, I had my doubts about Santa visiting, but he did.  Great gifts.

Santa evem left gifts for our guests—some money and clothes.  When we had breakfast the story came out.  Elizabeth and Seth were in high school together.  He was a senior and she was a year behind.  They fell in love.  Nathan joined the Army.  When he came back after basic, last Christmas they spent time together.  Elizabeth got pregnant.  Elizabeth tried to hide her condition, but she had the baby in Oct.  She wanted to keep the baby but her parents didn’t want her to.  She ran away, but couldn’t get a job.  She tried to contact Nathan.  She prayed to find him but lost hope.  She left the baby at the church and went home.

She was afraid when dad showed up at her house.  Her parents weren’t there when he talked to her.  Dad and his partner found Nathan and arranged for him to come and marry Elizabeth.

They look a each funny, a moon-calf look.

They say it’s love.  Ick.

Okay, guys, I have to tell you the end of the neat story.

We went to church on Christmas Eve.  We took two cars because Dad said he had something to do for work.  Mom drove the other car, but Caren and Connie’s mom came with her girls and helped with the two babies.  Baby Mary is only a few months old and my brother is almost 2. 

Service began and we were singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” when Dad walked down the center aisle with a young woman with long blond hair.  She stepped into the same row and smiled at us as we sang.  She picked up baby Mary and held her.  Mom whispered it was Mary’s mom.

Mom was happy.  I could tell ‘cause her eyes were happy.  You know that look your mom gets in her eyes, kinda teary and happy.  Dad stood beside her holding her hand.

Well, that’s not the best part.  We were singing the last song in the service—Silent Night, when Caren’s dad and a soldier walked down the aisle and stopped beside Mary’s mom.  Her mom started crying.  The soldier put arm around her waist.

After Silent Night finished, my dad went up to Pastor and whispered in his ear.  He nodded and called up Mary’s mom and the soldier.  He announced to the people there that Elizabeth and Nathan wanted to get married.

I was so surprised.  Who knew?  Well, Elizabeth and Nathan got married, then came home with us.

It’s bedtime.  I’ll tell you the rest of the story tomorrow.

It’s Penny again.  I’m telling you I hope mom and dad don’t know about me telling you what’s going on.  They couldn’t be upset, since they are talking to everyone they know.

It’s Christmas Eve.  I am sooo excited I can hardly stand it.  Santa’s going to be tonight.  Matt’s too young for it to matter to him.  But me—I know what it means.  Mom and Dad seem excited, too.

But back to Mary.  Well, Dad had this funny look on his face last night when he came home.  He said something about talking to the Army.  What was that about?  I did hear him mention a name.  Xavier Arellano.  Mom whispered in his ear.  He went into their bedroom and called someone.

We’re going to Christmas Even service and taking Mary with us.  It’s going to be Jesus Birthday.  Hurray.

Penny, again.  Dad came home the next day and say they didn’t get a ‘hit’ on the fingerprints.  What did that mean?  All I know is they still know nothing about Mary’s mom.

Well, Christmas is on Friday.  We found Mary on Monday.  It’s Wednesday today.  My mom and dad and the pastor and his wife went around to all the houses, asking if anyone saw Mary’s mom.  Well, Dad discovered someone did.  She was a teenage girl with long blond hair.  She drive a new silver mustang.  The people said she looked upset.  But they got the license plate number.  Dad was so excited.  After he kissed Matt, Mom and me, he gave the little girl a kiss.  He left.

That night he told Mom he talked to Elizabeth Murphy.  She claimed she didn’t know anything about a baby.  But dad said he was suspicious.  Dad’s partner came by and they talked.  He discovered something, but he wouldn’t tell us.  He and dad left.

I wondered where they went.  I prayed that Jesus would help Mary’s mom and dad find her again.

So you’re wondering what happened next? Well we found Merry five days before Christmas.  Dad was calling different people asking questions.  Mom and pastor’s wife took turns at church watching the kids.  School was out, so everyday we were at the church, decorating, baking cookies and practicing our Christmas eve songs with the other chorir members.

All the kids thought Merry was cute—well maybe not the boys, but all the girls loved her.  Well I was in the sanctuary waiting to the adult choir practice to finish, sitting next to Merry when I saw a piece of paper.  It was under the pew by the end of the row.  I picked it up and opened the letter.  You know what it said?  It said, please take care of my Mary until I can come back to get her.

I went yelling for Mom, waving the paper.  She was in the choir.  All the singing stopped and I explained to everyone about the note.  Mom called Dad and we had the police all over the church again.  It was a clue.

I asked Mom if she thought Mary’s mom would come back.  She said we should pray for that to happened.

Well Dad took the note to the police station.  And they…Dad said the dusted for fingerprints.  We’re waiting for the answer.