Settled Somewhere

Somewhere Valley was changing. The people were the same, and they cared for each other just as much and helped each other every chance they had, but something was different about the way it felt in Somewhere Valley. Electric service had been extended to all the families living along the country road. New houses had been built, and Somewhere Chapel was planned on the hill in Somewhere Valley. A cell phone tower was visible on one of the hills near the Bar J Ranch.
Terry and Sarah Lund had built their home on a beautiful piece of land they’d purchased from the Bar J along the county road. Golden Girl, Sarah’s new horse, had come to keep Traveler company in their new barn; and Shad-ow, a rescued military guard dog, reigned as the sentinel of the Rocking ST Ranch.
Terry woke early one morning before the sun had even begun to change the night into day. As he went into the great room of their home, he sensed something unusual. He moved toward the window to see outside but couldn’t see anything. As he turned to go, he saw Shadow crouched at the door, one paw raised in alert as if he were about to spring into action.
Terry heard no sound coming from outside. He sensed something unexpected and hesitated, trying to decide what would be the best action to take for what unexpected event was about to happen. He slowly approached the door and cautiously peeked out the narrow window to see whether he could locate the source of his apprehension and Shadow’s unusual behavior.
Sitting on the porch, leaning against the railing, was a man—at least it looked like a man—slumped over and apparently asleep. Terry reached for his revolver hanging on the coatrack beside the door and slowly turned the door-knob. As the door began to open, Shadow became more and more anxious to go out.
As soon as the door opened wide enough, the big shepherd dog bolted to the sleeping man on the deck and began barking. The man looked up and drew the dog into his arms as Terry stood, alert and confused. He came out onto the porch and realized who it was who had been sleeping there.
Tex was now wide awake and greeted Terry as he held the dog in his arms. Terry ran to join in on the greeting and sat down on the rough floor of the porch.
“How long have you been here?” Terry asked.
“Only a couple of hours. I decided it was too early to wake you and too late to get a bed inside, so I just went into survival mode and made myself comfortable here on this beautiful porch.”
“I couldn’t imagine why Shadow wasn’t making more of a fuss over the stranger I saw on the porch. But you don’t have to stay out here any longer. There will soon be some coffee in the pot, and I am sure Sarah will be glad to have you for breakfast. Come on in,” Terry said.
As they came in, Sarah ran toward the front door, which had been left open. When she saw Tex, she engulfed him in a welcome hug and told him to put his things in the last room on the right while she fixed some breakfast and made fresh coffee.
“What brings you here, Tex?” Sarah later asked at the breakfast table.
“My protection agency has assigned me to be here for a few months since there has been some indication that there may be some activity here again. I thought about the first time I was assigned to place surveillance equipment around your place when Sarah was in such danger from the cartel. The memories and our friendship made accepting this assignment easy. It has been quiet for quite a while, but recently movement and suspicious events have put you and Sarah on the radar again.