Blog Tour

 And they remembered His Words. Luke 24:8

 Hey!! I have some Exciting news!!! My sister Chloe is releasing her first book Nov. 9th, 2017!!!!!🎉🎉🎉👊👊 Yay!!!!😊😊 And I have some more exciting news!!!!  She's having a blog tour!!! November 4th -9th!!! So if you're a blogger and interested head over to her blog heresclo.blogspot.com and check out the post about it!!! Dates 5th, 7th, and 8th still need to be filled!!!! Thanks and God Bless!!!!!

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Mathew 19:26

It's a Choice Pt. 7- Blog Book

To God Be all The Glory!! And Thanks to YOU, my faithful readers!! Comment below your favorite part from this chapter!! God's Blessings!

Chapter 7

   The next day

  

   “Lizzie, I thought of one more thing for you to pick up from town for me?” Mrs. Tyson called out as she busily cleaned up the breakfast dishes. “I need some white thread. Betsy tore her Sunday white shirt and I need to get it fixed before Sunday.

 “Okay, Ma.” Lizzie called out from her bedroom where she was retrieving her gun and hostler.

 She was soon in the kitchen. “Anything else before I go?”

 “No, dear. You be careful.” Ma paused from her work and cocked her head at her daughter. “Honey, are you sure you’re okay? You look tired too.”

 Lizzie forced a smile, despite the anxiety she felt. She felt so embarrassed to have to send Sam away last night…But she knew she had done the right thing.

 “Yeah, Ma. I did cry last night though.”

 “Aww, honey, why?”

 Lizzie shrugged, her emotions high. “I don’t know.” Her voice was shaky. “It’s kinda embarrassing. And it was really hard to do. I feel like I did a terrible job. And I’m still upset about that dream.” Lizzie had told her whole family about her dream early the day before.

 Mrs. Tyson closed the distance between them and took Lizzie into her arms.

 Lizzie sighed as her mother hugged her.

 When they pulled away, compassion shown in her ma’s eyes. “Lizzie.” She took her hands. “I just know God is going to bring a man that you’ll fall so in love with that you’ll laugh when you think of Sam.”

 Lizzie laughed through tears that were forming in her eyes. “Thanks, Momma. You’re right.”

 They both laughed and hugged again; tears in their eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Lexie felt complete anger as her pa laid bleeding away from a stomach shot. The straw under him was stained from blood.

 Lexie never cared about her pa much…but as he lay dying she found that she didn’t want him to go.

 He had brought her out of boredom and trained her to shoot.

 He didn’t deserve to be dying.

 “Ya boys get on out. I want to talk to Lexie before-before I go.”

 The boys just stood there. Tim had a slight frown on his face. Lexie knew he cared some.

 Clyde stood looking completely unmoved.

 Lexie felt like she could just lash out and smack him right in the face. And that surprised her.

 Her pa cursed. “Get on out, ‘fore I shoot you all.”

 Tim turned and started walking out, his hands on his waist. Clyde spit before looking smart alecky at them and then he left, his rifle slung over his shoulder.

 Lexie, who was already kneeling beside her pa, looked at him more earnestly. Why would he want to talk to her alone?

 “Lexie, I’m proud of ya. Ya turned out real fine. You’d make any pa proud. Now yer brothers, they ain’t no good. Clyde’ll think he’s boss now, but Lexie, ya show ‘em…” His breathing thinned and Lexie knew his last breath was near. “Ya…show ‘em.”

 Then he was gone.

 Lexie looked up, anger building up inside her. All she wanted to do was go and kill that marshal that had taken her father’s life. And that surprised her more than wanting to smack Clyde.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 The barn door creaked behind Lexie as she slowly walked out of the barn.

 She felt half numb and still angry.

 Spit from Clyde landed in front of her feet.

 She looked up, anger flashing in her eyes.

 Tim lowered his head.

 “Pa’s dead, I suppose.” Clyde blurted out.

 Lexie didn’t bother answering but instead said, “That marshal has to die.”

 “I know, I know.” Clyde nodded. “We take avenge on our own. Tim and me gonna be pulling out of here anyway, too many robberies around here lately. We need to go somewhere we can spend some of this money.”

 Lexie folded her arms. “I suppose you think you’re the boss now?”

 Clyde smirked and tilted his head slightly backwards. “I’m the oldest. Tim don’t object. What’s it mean to you anyway?”

 “What do you mean?”

 “It’s not like you’re going with us.”

 “And why not, pa made me apart of this group?”

 Clyde was silent a moment before he slowly begin to laugh. “Well, I happen to think you ain’t worth much of anything and I don’t want your stinkin’ hide around.”

 Lexie glared. “I can prove myself.”

 They glared into each other’s eyes a long, hard moment.

 “But let’s not worry about that now, let’s just figure out how to kill the marshal and then we’ll settle my rights. Agreed?” Lexie’s eyes held an angry spark to them.

 Clyde removed his rifle from his shoulder and checked the chamber. He snapped it closed and cocked it. He looked at her with hatred in his eyes. “Agreed.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 The butterflies of embarrassment still stuck with Lizzie as she pulled the wagon to a stop in front of Jensontown’s only General Store.

 She tied the reigns around the brake and hopped off the wagon. She then paused, the numbness of the whole ‘turning Sam down’ incident made her slow of moving. Crawling under a warm blanket and sleeping sounded really good right now.

 The whole way to town thoughts of last night plagued her mind. She was sick over it.

 She felt so bad to have to turn Sam down…Maybe she had done wrong… But, then, she reminded herself that she had done right. She was waiting to let a man call that she was interested in pursuing a deeper relationship with, not just letting a man call so she wouldn’t end up unmarried at a certain age.

 “Oh, God, please help me!” She whispered and then quoted John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

 Peace flooded through her being and she prayed some more in the Spirit.

 Then, with God’s peace in her heart, she took a deep breath and walked into the store, a smile on her face.

 But her smile faded when she saw Kora and her friends, Tammy and Susan, in the store.

 Kora cast a quick glance her way then whispered something to Tammy. Susan huddled in to listen.

 Lizzie could only guess what they were talking about.

 She felt ready to set down and bawl but instead walked forward to Mr. Sims to make her order.

 Mr. Sims looked at her like she had two heads as he said, “Mornin’, Miss Lizzie. How can I help you?”

 Lizzie frowned but handed him the supply list. “I’ll need this filled.” She stated.

 He examined the list. “Uh, huh.” He cast another funny look at her then turned to fill the order.

 Lizzie felt sick again as she turned from the counter. She mumbled John 14:17 to herself again.

 Kora continued to whisper and cast questioning looks her way.

 I guess Sam blabs his business to everyone.

 Deciding she couldn’t say in the store with all this, she began to walk for the door. She’d just go see her Pa at the office.

 The girls walked forward and blocked her way.

 She stopped in her tracks.

 Kora cleared her throat and the other girls lowered their heads. “Um, Lizzie dear, is it true?”

 Lizzie felt desperate to get away. “Is what true?”

 “That you kicked Sam Bailey out of your house last night?” Kora asked with a soft, medaling voice.

 Lizzie felt stunned and angry. “No, that’s not the way it happened.”

 “Ha!” Tammy blurted out, her and Susan now looking up. “So you don’t deny it?”

 “No, I didn’t say that-I just said that-”

 “Lizzie, dear, it seems to me if you had a good chance to get married you would! Sam’s a nice man.” Susan added to the conversation.

 Before Lizzie could answer Kora spoke. “And your pa sending him on his way with a gun, how terribly rude.”

 Lizzie’s eyes widened, more anger mounting. “That. Is. Not. The. Way. It. Happened.” Her breathing was short with anger. “And my pa never made him leave with a gun.”

 “Oh, then suppose you tell us what did happen?” Kora said in an offended tone.

 “Sam came to call and my parents left it strictly up to me and I said no. I-I-told him I was waiting for who God had for me. And then-then, well, he just stood there staring and pa just asked him if there was anything else he wanted. Pa didn’t shove him out the door-with-with a gun!” Lizzie dropped her hands to her side.

 They all just stared at her. She could feel the eyes of Mr. Sims on her too.

 It was terribly awkward.

 “I believe Sam. He’s a good man and didn’t deserve what you did to him.” Kora announced her opinion.

 “But I didn’t do what he said. I just told him how I felt and even apologized for it. He’s lying!”

 “That’s not what Sam said.” Susan folded her arms. “He said you were very rude, said you were too good for him, and said you were waiting for God to deliver a man right to your doorstep.”

 “Oh, Lizzie, how foolish.” Tammy scolded.

 “Any woman who would let Sam court her and marry her is quite fortunate; your ideas are quite silly.” Kora said.

 Lizzie looked at them all with wide eyes.

 “Everything okay here, girls?”

 Lizzie looked past the girls. They all turned toward the voice.

 Pa stood there, questioning in his eyes. Lizzie hadn’t even noticed him coming up.

 “Why sure, Sherriff.” Kora replied nervously. “We were just having a lovely chat with your daughter.”

 Pa slowly nodded. “Nice.” He looked past them to Lizzie. “Liz, you wanna come over to the office for awhile?”

 Lizzie swallowed and looked at all the girls before walking past them and out the store, heading straight for the sheriff’s office.

 Pa followed.

 Lizzie walked into the office and slammed the door behind her. Pa reopened it and stepped in, closing it gently.

 She folded her arms, breathing heavily with all the anger.

 Pa walked up behind her.

 “Liz, don’t pay ‘em no mind, honey. They’re just busybodies with nothing to do but make up stories and gossip about other people.”

 Lizzie bit her bottom lip, anger mixing with hurt. How could Sam lie like that? How could they spread that rumor around about her?

 Pa placed his hands on her shoulders. “It’s okay. It’s okay to cry.”

 Tears filled Lizzie’s eyes; she couldn’t hold it back as she burst into tears.

 Pa turned her around and pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 “Pa’s dead. You boys could turn yourself in. Probably even manage not to hang. Spend some years in prison and get out. Please.” Jake pleaded, standing in the kitchen of their cabin.

 What remained of the rest of the Jackson gang was sitting, all with their arms fold.

 Lexie sat in the corner. Confused and hurt. She knew the way she felt was wrong. But it seemed like she didn’t care so much about what was right and wrong anymore.

 “Jake, yer a real fool fer sure. We’d hang th’ first chance a fool marshal got.” Clyde shook his head and spit.

 “Maybe not. Ya’ve only robbed, haven’t ya? Then they may not hang ya? Please, boys, don’t keep throwing yer life away like this. Do the right thing, turn yerself in.”

 Clyde rubbed his hand over the butt of his rifle, which sat across his lap. “What then? Spend years on a rock pile, then go dig in the dirt fer a livin’? No thanks. I like robbin’. I like it, Jake.”

 Jake shook his head, his eyes holding the look of tiredness. “Please, Clyde.” He looked to Tim. “Tim.”

 Clyde spit and Tim looked away.

 Jake looked a Lexie. “Lex, ya ain’t goin’ with ‘em, are ya?”

 Lexie stared a long moment. She didn’t know what to do. She was so sure before that she would go, but now she knew it may not be the right thing to do. Fact was, she knew it wasn’t the right thing.

 But what was right was buried under a whole lot of hurt, anger, and frustration.

 “Leave boys, I want to talk to Lex; alone.”

 Clyde cocked his head, chewing on the side of his right cheek. “Ya givin’ me orders, Jake?”

 “GET OUT!” Jake yelled, his face turning red from anger.

 Clyde stared for a few moments; Jake stared as well.

 Clyde laughed, once again shaking his head. He got up and Tim followed him out.

 Jake rushed over to Lexie. He pulled a chair over to her.

 “What’d you do last night? Did you do more than hold the horses?”

 Lexie kept her eyes downward, shame deep inside her.

 “Lex, talk to me! I need to know what happened? Why are ya goin’ with ‘em?”

 “IT’S BETTER THAN ROTTING AWAY!” Her eyes faced his, tears filling them.

 “All I’ve done with my life, Jake, is nothing! Tend to Ma while she was dyin’! Sit around all day with her and then-then when she died all I did was sit around! This is at least something.” Her tears made their way down her cheeks.

 Jake swallowed hard. He took her hand. “Honey, listen, I asked Mikalya to-to marry me. You can come live with us. We’re-we’re gonna get married this Sunday. Please Lexie, don’t-don’t go with ‘em.”

 Lexie shook her head. “No. Ya see, I thought about it, Jake. I’d end up doin’ nothin’ but gardenin’, and maybe sitting on yer front porch lookin’ at those fool trees!”

 “It wouldn’t be like that, you’ve got it all wrong. You’ve been listenin’ to too much of pa and the others. Living on a ranch isn’t borin’ or uneventful. It’s livin’, too.”

 Lexie shook her head. “No, Jake. I’m waitin’ with th’ boys for th’ heat to die off and them I’m goin’ with ‘em to kill th’ marshal.”

 “Lex, do you really think Clyde is gonna just let ya go along? Ya really think that? He doesn’t care, Lex. He’d kill ya ‘fore he puts up with ya. Please, Lex, come with me. There’s a better life for ya. One that Jesus offers. You remember Ma talking about Jesus, teachin’ us ‘bout Him?”

 Lexie pulled her hands away. “Jake, I’ve made up my mind. You go your way, marry Mikalya, and I’ll go my way.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Lizzie cried more tears of hurt on her bed as her mother held her in her arms.

 “I wish I could say somethin’ to make it better, honey. But this is a hurt that only Jesus can heal.”

 “How, how could Sam lie like that-how could Kora…” Her reasoning was lost in more sobs.

 “I know, honey, I know. But God’s The Comforter. And He’ll heal that deep hurt, if you let Him. I promise.”

  

Ask Lizzie and Lexie: Q&A Answers

Thanks so much for all the questions ya'll asked!! I hope you find the answers fun and interesting!! After this I plan to start on part 7 and hopefully it'll be up this week!! Thanks a million for all ya'll's support!! It means everything!

Remember today that God loves you abundantly! And that is amazing! And that is enough to get through anything!! Even the biggest mountains!

All the Glory to God for this blog book! Look to Him, not me! I pray you are blessed!!

So let's jump right into it and see what Lexie and Lizzie have to say in answers toc your questions!!😀😀😀😀😀

 Lizzie's Answers:   How much are you missing Lexie after all of these years? Do you have the "twin" language, where you know when something is happening to your twin?

 I miss her, yeah, and I'd give anything to see her. But thinking and talking about her is painful so I try and refrain from it. And no, I don't have "twin" language, although I did have a strange dream recently and that has me confused and worried, although you know about that, but no... I don't know when something is happening with her.

 Have you tamed or broke the horse that was in one of the parts yet?

 Ummm well.... Let's not go there.

 What's your earliest memory with your twin? 

 Oh that's easy, we were about about 3 or 4 and we took my our ma's good shawl and took it outside to play with, and we ruined it in the mud! She was so sad and we had to sit down for a whole ten minutes I think!

 If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?

I would change Lexie getting taken away before the Tyson's could adopt both of us, I know they would have, if they had come along soon enough.

 What's your favorite food? 

 Stew! That's really good!

 Why are you so determined to brake that horse?

 Okay, let me tell you something about myself... I can brake horses really well. I'm not trying to sound prideful but I can. And this one! Well... he just won't be broke! And I'm not a quitter, and I'm going to keep going and going and going until he rides as well as any horse in Texas. And the sooner he understands that the better!

 What makes you like wearing pants more then the dresses?

 Well, I know it's different but it's just my style. My momma and pa never minded that so I was always free to dress like that if I liked. And my daddy's a sheriff so maybe the rustic style is just been drilled into me!

 Do you feel like you are close to your Pa and Ma?

 YES! Just like were my blood parents! It didn't take long for a bond to form between us!



Who do you think you are closer to; your Pa or Ma?


 I'm close to both of my parents the same amount in different ways!


 How often over the years have you thought of your sister, Lexie?


 A lot, but as I said before, I try not to think about it!



Lexie's Answers:   How does it feel to learn to shoot? Is it something you enjoy, or did you do it because your Pa expected you to?


 Well at first it was but it's fun now and...and exciting!! Better than sitting around! I can't stand that! Shooting makes me feel alive!


 Do you have the twin language where you know if something is happening to Lizzie? Are you and Lizzie identical twins?


  No... And I know Lizzie and I looked alike when we were little but... I wouldn't know if we still do or what.


 What's your favorite season?


 Spring! It reminds me of newness! I wish I had a little of that!


 If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?


 I guess my parents not dying, and not getting torn from Lizzie's arms, maybe my ma not dying... I don't know!


 If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and with whom?


 I guess I would go to...um... anything exciting! And oh I don't know who I'd go with.


Did you truly love your Ma?


 Yes, I really did. She was so good to me, and eased the pain of loosing Lizzie! I miss her still...although I don't think of it as much lately!


 What do you think your future holds with you living with your Pa and brothers?


 I don't really know... things are so confusing just now!


 Have you thought about Lizzie any of the years apart?


I have yeah, but I haven't much the last few weeks.


 What kind of life would you like for yourself if you could choose?


 One that doesn't involve being SO bored all the time! I really can't stand that.


 Why don't you just leave your Pa and brothers in search of your adventure?



 How could I make it without anyone? And even if I went and lived with Jake... well you'll find out about that in the next part!!!

I hope all enjoyed and thanks again for all your questions!!! Stay tuned for part 7 coming (hopefully) this week!!!

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!!

And  they remembered His words.

Luke 24:8 

Blog Book: It's a Choice Pt. 6

     All the Glory to God!! Part 6 is here!!! Yay!! I pray each of you are blessed!! I know this is a bit later then I said but I hope you enjoy it!! I hope to be more consistent in posting the parts! 

I hope you all have a fun reading this!! Thanks so much, my faithful readers, ya'll mean the world!!! God Bless each and every one of you!! Keep serving Christ!!!

Chapter 6

The next day….

   “Momma, do ya suppose I’ll ever get married?”

 Mrs. Tyson turned away from the stove with a frown. “What did you say, Lizzie?”

 Lizzie straddled her chair backwards with her arms folded on top of the back of it. Her dark hair hung loosely; her blue eyes searching. “Do you think I’ll ever get married?”

 “Is that what's been bothering you?” Her Momma seemed confused.

 Lizzie drifted her gaze downward. “Well…half of what's been botherin' me.”

 Mrs. Tyson pulled up a chair and sat across from her daughter. Her eyes held a compassionate, soft look. “Honey, sure ya will. But your only nineteen, why would you worry about that?”

 Lizzie looked back up. “I know girls that have gotten married a lot younger than me. Missy Taylor just got married and she's barely seventeen.”

 “Well you’re not Missy Taylor. Everyone is different. And I’m sure God will bring along the right man when you and he are ready.”

 Lizzie huffed. “Well, there has been men interested, you know that? What if one of them is the one? Shouldn’t I let some of them call on me?”

 Mrs. Tyson shifted, concern showing in her gaze. “Well, that’s your decision, honey. But waiting is a heap better, I think, then testing out the waters. But at the end of the day…It’s your...choice.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A week and 4 days later.

 She didn’t know it was possible for somebody to get so good at shooting in this short of time but she supposed when all one had to do was just practice, it was very possible.

 The full whiskey bottle shattered in front of her.

 Lexie grinned and lowered the firearm. It was so satisfying to see the bottle smash to pieces in front of her. It was so satisfying to know that you were good at something, really good at something.

 “What are you doing, ya girl?” Her pa’s angry voice sounded behind her.

 Lexie didn’t jump with fright like she normally did when her pa sounded so harsh. She felt confident this time.

 “What’da you mean?” She asked, turning around.

 “Shooting good whiskey. Use old bottles.”

 “I used ‘em all. Besides, you and the boys have plenty of this stuff. It won’t hurt anything.” Lexie had gotten more bold in her talking lately, ever since she started shooting and felt like she could hold her own.

 Her dad cursed. “Well we won’t if you shoot it all. And don’t knock good whiskey until you try it.”

 Lexie felt a little lightheaded at those words. “Not interested.”

 “Honey, ya’ve been doin’ so many new things lately, why not this?”

 Lexie swallowed. That was sure the truth. Holding horses for a bank robbery, learning to shoot so well. That was new things alright. But drinking: she wanted no part of.

 “No thanks, Pa. I just don’t want to.”

 Pa walked forward a little and placed his hands on Lexie’s shoulders. “I just want you do know, I’m proud of ya. I’m proud of ya for deciding to make something of yourself instead of sittin' around all the time.”

 Lexie was lost for words. She was still confused why Pa started caring so much lately about what Lexie did with her time. He never did when ma was around.

 “Thanks.” She blurted out.

 He smiled and walked off to the barn.

 Lexie turned back to the corral. She had shot all the bottles, she needn’t to find something else to shoot at.

 She walked into the cabin and looked around. She supposed she could use some of the dishes. Lexie set to work gathering up the ones she didn’t need.

 Hoof beats sounded in the yard and she guessed Jake was back. Soon he joined her in the kitchen. Lexie didn't acknowledged him as she continued gathering up dishes. She knew he would be prodding her with questions sooner or later and if now was that sooner then she was in no mood to answer them.

 "Hey, Lexie, how was your day?" He sounded tired and concerned.

 "It was fine. And yours?"

 Jake didn't bother answering. "What's wrong, Lexie? You haven't been yourself lately?"

  Lexie paused and faced Jake. "I have to been myself, just because I'm doing something besides sitting around and rotting my life away." 

 Jake took a step forward. "Are you working with Pa and the boys?"

 "No."

 "Then why have you been so buddy with him lately and why are you always shooting?"

 "Because I want to learn self-defense. There's nothing wrong with that."

 "No, no, there's not but I feel like there's more to this then just learning to shoot for protection."

 Lexie was silent. 

 They stared at each other for a moment.

 "I-can't stand sitting around, Jake. And when Pa came to me awhile back and asked me to hold the horses for a robbery...well, I did it. And it was exciting to be on the run, exciting to actually do something. I felt really bad about it and promised myself I'd never do it again, but the thought of actually getting off this place for a night and having something to do sounds so appealing that I would go with Pa right now if he asked me. I can't believe that I feel this way, I just do." Lexie's eyes shown with tears as she told the truth.

 An extra sadness came over Jake as he listened to Lexie. She knew he was hurt for her.

 "Lex, I'll get you out of here. You don't have to go robbing with Pa."

 "Ya ain't got no way to get me out of here."

 Jake took another step closer. "Yeah, I do. I may have one very soon. Ya see, the bosses daughter, Mikayla, and I have been courting for a month. I hope to ask her to marry me soon. And then you can come live with us. I've already told her about you. I don't have much money saved up but my boss has an old cabin on his land that he'll let us live in until I can afford to make a down payment on a house for us. You and Mikayla would get along really well." His face held a small hopeful smile.

 Lexie didn't know what to say. It was a chance to get out of here. "I don't know, Jake. I'll think about it."

 Jake nodded and his expression turned more serious. "Is robbing with Pa why you've been learning to shoot?"

 Lexie tiredly slumped her shoulders. "No, well-it didn't start that way. I just did it because Pa wanted me to and I found myself going along with it. Then I got the hang of it and I proved to the boys that I could do it. Now it makes me feel exciting knowing I'm not so helpless, that I have a say against them. It's exciting; much more then sitting around."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lizzie's joints ached as she slowly walked away from the corral. Once again defeated by that ole horse.

 She was in no mood to be thrown off. Too many worries weighed her down. She was worried about Lexie and she didn't even know why except for the dream. She was also worried about whether or not she should let a young man call.

 She felt so confused. 

 Even too confused to pray.

 "Hey." Ben greeted as she mounted the porch stairs. The young man sat there cleaning his rifle.

 Lexie slowly sat beside him on the porch bench. "Hey."

 Ben smiled, continuing to clean his gun. "You look sore."

 "It's not like you didn't see me get thrown from that black brute all those times."

 Ben chuckled. "Really? He kept throwing you?" His voice sounded clueless and full of mischief.

 Lexie didn't comment; she wasn't really in the mood to joke around. She slowly leaned back against the bench.

 Ben seemed to catch the hint. "Something wrong, Liz?"

 Lizzie stared in space. "Yeah...just confused about some things."

 "Wanna talk about it?"

  Lizzie glanced over at her brother. His eyes held patience. 

 She smiled inwardly. One of the most special things about her family was that they could always talk, they were always there for each other. If one had a problem, there would always be another one willing to hear it out. Sometimes to offer advice or sometimes just to listen.

 "I'm confused, little brother. I feel such an ache in my stomach for Lexie, all because a dream I had. I haven't felt something like this in a long time."

 "What was the dream?"

 Lizzie re-told the nightmare to her thirteen-year-old brother. Although, Ben was very mature for his age. Full of wisdom.

 Lizzie finished the sad tale, the knots in her stomach tightening the whole time. 

 "Just keep praying. I guess that's really all I can say, Lizzie."

 "Yeah, thanks. I'll try but you know that's never been easy."

 "Uh-huh. I'll pray too."

 Lizzie smiled. "Thanks."

 Ben offered his own warm smile then returned to cleaning his 44.

 "Oh, uh. There's something else..." Lizzie stated after a few moments. 

 He looked up. "Yeah?"

 "Do you think I should get married?"

 Ben looked confused.  "Ummm...Is there something I've been discluded from? Is there a young man that's been calling-"

 "No, it's just should I let a young man call?"

 "Are you interested in one?"

 "Well...no...I just thought that maybe I should because I'm not married yet and-Oh, just forget it." She stood up quickly.

 Ben frowned up at her, clearly confused.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   She couldn't believe it. She literally couldn't believe it. But she had better start believing it, because it was as real as her name was Lexie.

 There she stood, behind her brothers, in a bank in a nearby town-Simonville. She wore a big plaid shirt that belonged to Tim, huge pants that belonged to Robbie and a gun...a gun that Pa had given her before they mounted up for town. And now...it was stuffed in the front of her pants.

 "'Kay, Lexie, you hold the light." Her pa said, handing her the lantern. Lexie's hand shook as she took it.

 Never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd rob a bank but when Pa had approached her this afternoon with the suggestion, she could hardly turn it down. It was thrilling. It was exciting.

 But...at the same time...Lexie felt terrible guilt inside. This couldn't be good.

 "Alright, Tim, work on the vault." Pa ordered in a whisper.

 Tim moved forward, very trained in breaking into bank vaults.

 "Hold the light closer, girl, I've got to see." Tim barked.

  Lexie jumped and moved the lantern closer to the kneeling Tim. "I can't help it; I ain't used to this."

 "Stop griping, you two. I heard the marshal here isn't one to be messed around with. The last thing we want to do is alert him we're here." Pa spoke harshly.

 "Sorry." Lexie replied.

 Clide snickered and looked away. Lexie turned back to Tim, her teeth gritted. Clide was the worst of all the boys. Never believing she could do anything. She'd have to work hard to show him.

 "I got it." Tim announced eagerly after ten minutes then turned the combination.

 Lexie's heart thumped inside her chest; she watched in awe as he stood and opened the door.

 Light met her eyes. A ten star flashed.

 Lexie's breathe caught her her throat. 

 All the boys hands flew to their right sides. 

 "Don't try it, I've been a marshal for a many long years and I'm not to be trifled with." He held a rifle in his hands. His brown eyes held a serious, determined stare.

 They moved their hands away.

 "Drop your guns. Now." Her ordered, not blinking.

 They obeyed. 

 Lexie's entire being trembled. 

 "Alright, turn around, put your hands on your head and move for the door."

 They followed orders. Lexie's back faced the Marshal; her mouth was dry. She knew what would be coming next...what they would do to this law officer.

 They all marched toward the door at a slow pace, everyone watchful. Lexie felt she might throw up.

 In a sudden second the back door to the bank opened, the Marshal spun around and fired at the man that was fixing to shoot him. Everyone spun around as Robbie fell dead.

 In a fast motion Pa whipped out a hidden pistol and shot at the Marshal. The Marshal jerked in pain but the pain didn't stop him from firing his rifle.

 Pa jerked from the impact. The Marshal stumbled from pain.

 Lexie didn't even noticed her anxiety as she rushed for the door after her family. Pa was stumbling along, leaving a trail of blood.

 The town was stirred up by the shots and Lexie could hear voices as they rushed behind the bank and mounted their horses.

 They rode off as the Marshal opened the back door to the bank and fired bullets in their direction. One whizzed past Lexie's shoulder. But missed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Lizzie sat on her bed, the evening air drifting through her open window. Her heart was still very heavy. A choice lying on her heart.

 She felt the desperate need to pray. She was tired of carrying around this burden.

 "God." Lizzie begin, tears surfacing her eyes. "I know that somewhere out there you have the right man for me. Give me the patience to wait. Help...help me not to listen to all the lies Kora and the others are saying. Help me not to listen to the lies of the enemy. Lord, if the choice arises to settle or to wait, help me to choose the waiting." Tears escaped her eyes, sliding down her cheeks. She wiped at them and let out a little relieved laugh. Already she felt a great burden lifting from her soul.

 But she had to face another prayer. No matter how hard. "God-You-You-know how hard it is for me to pray about my sister, but God please help her. I know she's in danger. I just know it. Please, move in and save her from whatever she may be doing. I ask this in Jesus Name, and I believe that I receive. Amen!" More tears came and Lexie laid back on her bed, feeling relieved and confused at the same time.

 At that moment the loud bark of Jinger, their border collie, announced a visitor. Lexie didn't move as the horses hoof beats sounded outside; it was probably just a local lady coming to visit her Momma.

 She could hear her family stir and soon their was a knock on the door. 

 "Sam, come on in." Her pa welcomed.

 Lizzie jerked up. Sam, Sam Bailey?

 "Thank you, Mr. Tyson." Sam's thick Texas draw answered Lizzie's question.

 She jumped up and cracked open her bedroom door. Sam was now in the living room.

 "What can I do fer ya, Sam?"

 "Well, sir, with your permission I'd like to call on Lizzie?"

 Lizzie's heart beat quickened. He was asking to see her...this was her chance not to be an old maid. But....this was also unsettling. 

 "Well, that'll be up to her." Pa's solemn voice replied.  Lizzie could imagine the regretful looks on her parents faces. She knew they would support her in whatever she decided but she also knew they wanted what was best for her. 

 Letting Sam call would mean a chance to get married soon and not be looked down on by the other girls. But it would also mean skipping out on God's best.

 "I'll go get her." Ma announced.

 Lizzie jumped away from the door.

 "I suppose you heard?" Her Mom asked, once in Lizzie's room, a knowing look in her eyes.

 Lizzie only nodded. 

 "What are you thinking?"

 "I don't know, Momma, I'm confused."

 Mrs. Tyson folded her arms, compassion on her face. "Lizzie, like I said before, this is YOUR choice. We can't make you wait and we can't stop your from courting Sam. Your father and I have always tried to teach you God's way. But, it's up to you now what to do. Your not so little anymore."

 Lizzie lowered her head. 

 "If you want to see him, I suggest you change into your Sunday dress." Momma turned to leave but paused. She turned back around, a confident look in her eyes.

 "Liz, before you come out there, I want you to take a moment to imagine how wonderful everything will be for you when God brings the man He has for you. Imagine how beautiful it'll be...and then...imagine how it'll be if you choose to miss out on that." Then she was gone.

 Lizzie sat on her bed with a defeated sign. Her mothers words replaying in her brain.

 Lizzie closed her eyes...and did some imagining. She imagined meeting a man. She imagined becoming interested. She imagined praying about him, him praying for her. She imagined them courting and coming to know each other better. She imagined, with God's help, they would found their relationship on him...They'd get married and have children. 

 And then...she imagined settling for Sam. And that thought sickened her.

 She slid to her knees. Tears in her eyes. "God, I want to wait: give me the strength. I'm sorry that I was ready to betray yer best. Please forgive me. And...give-give me courage to do one of the hardest things I've ever done." 

 Lizzie spent a few moments gathering strength from her Savior. After her eyes were dry and God's peace in her heart, she stood up straight and headed for the living room.

 All her siblings sat around, staring. Pa and ma were standing beside Sam...who was grinning and holding flowers.

 Lizzie thought she'd throw up.

 "Evening, Lizzie. Your pa said I could call if it was okay with ya?" He grinned.

 Lizzie took a deep, shaky breath, not taking her eyes off the man in front of her.

 "Sam...I-" Her voice was hoarse. "Sam, I'm sorry but... I can't."

 Sam's expression dropped.

 Lizzie took another breathe. "I-I want to wait until God brings me the right man, I don't want to find him on my own. I hope you understand. And I'm sorry if I've hurt you. But-I know this is what God wants of me-and I'm trying my best to do it."

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 3:14