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