IT WAS LATE in the afternoon when the hunters returned to Brandon Creek, arriving at Ed’s home to transfer their things into their own vehicles. They were tired, dirty and looking forward to getting home, cleaning up and relaxing for the rest of the day.
Netti came out of the house with a drawn, worried look on her face.
She rushed to Ed, hugging him and whispered, “Sam’s missing, Ed! Tom’s little boy has been missing since yesterday evening sometime. The whole town’s been out looking for him since early this morning,” she said with the fear in her voice as it reflected in her eyes. “I knew you were coming home today, that we couldn’t reach you by phone. I didn’t want you rushing to get here… Tom has to be told…” she said, her voice breaking, fading.
Ed’s face turned pale with the thought of the child outside somewhere, overnight. It was cold up here this time of year, with the snow line dropping daily. “Did they check the root cellar, everywhere in the house, the church?” he asked, hoping the child was inside somewhere.
She nodded, “Those were the first places we looked.”
“Who’s in charge?”
“Stanton. He’s familiar with the area and he’s got the state police and volunteers combing the woods and the creek behind the parsonage. A few of us started looking for the boy yesterday, when he didn’t come home for dinner. By evening the whole congregation and anyone we could talk to was searching for him.”
Images of the boy laying hurt somewhere and the real possibility of dying from hypothermia crowded his mind, his heart breaking for the Madison family.
Abruptly, a county sheriff’s cruiser pulled into his yard and out stepped Officer Stanton. It looked like Ed wouldn’t have to tell Tom after all.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, curious, as they watched the officer approach the young minister.
“Pastor Tom, got a minute?” Stanton asked.
“Sure,” Tom answered, wondering what this was all about. “How are you?” he asked, shaking the officer’s hand.
Stanton’s face remained professional, but he quickly surmised that Tom hadn’t been told about his son yet.
“I’m sorry Pastor Madison, but your youngest son, Sam has been missing since yesterday afternoon. We have a large group of volunteers and police combing the area right now looking for him.”
Tom’s face fell. He couldn’t believe it.
Sam? Gone? Out in the cold… all night?
His fear quickly rose and then it was replaced with God’s peace as he willfully accepted it.
If he believed in the sovereignty of God and His Will - if his faith was real - then he must use it to get through this. God had seen him through many hard and difficult times in the past. If He was Lord, and He was to the young minister of Brandon Creek, then whatever His Will might be, would be accepted. But that didn’t stop Tom from praying for his son, or asking for God’s mercy.
“Your wife’s at the parsonage with Tyler. I told her to stay there and wait for you. We knew you’d be here soon. I’ve just checked in with all the group leaders, over the walkie-talkies, and so far there still isn’t any sign of Sam or Henry.”
“Henry’s with him?”
“Yes, we think so. And if the dog’s with Sam, there’s a chance he survived the night,” Stanton offered a ray of hope.
Tom quickly jumped into his car and drove home.
Braxton touched his brother’s arm and Stanton jerked away, indignant that his adversary should touch him.
He could see his brother was on a crutch and had hurt himself. But before him stood a softer version of his defiant and angry brother, and it surprised him.
Braxton asked, “Stanton, what can I do to help? Where do you want me to search?”
Stanton wasn’t sure what to think. He didn’t trust the man and said, “You’re in no condition to go anywhere, brother. Besides, why should you want to help anyone? You’ve never helped before. You better just stay out of this.”
Braxton showed the pain he was feeling, for all the years of making those he wanted to love, fear and detest him. He said softly, pleading, “Please let me help.”
Stanton had never seen him this way before. He looked vulnerable, open, sincere.
“What’s going on, Braxton? What’s gotten into you?”
“The Lord, I guess,” he said smiling a large, genuine smile.
Stanton was shocked.
Braxton laughed, a happy, joyful laugh of delight, “Yep, asked Him into my life out there and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Stanton looked at him closely, looking for treachery, but couldn’t see any. He was looking at a man who seemed to be free from all his anger and pain.
“No foolin?” Stanton asked.
“No foolin.”
Stanton couldn’t bring himself to hug his brother, after all that had gone on between them. But he shook his hand and said, “I hope the best for you. I really do.”
Braxton smiled and repeated, “What can I do?”
“I’m not sure, but I really would like you to stay safe and not wander around on that bad foot.”
“I won’t go far, just near their house. I’ll take it easy, but I’ve got to look Stan. I want to help.”
“Stan huh,” his brother smiled warmly. “You haven’t called me that since we were kids.”
Braxton smiled, “It’s about time, don’t you think?”
“Sure,” Stanton smiled and then added, “Gotta go. I’ll talk with you later when this is over.”
“Wait!” Braxton suddenly said. Looking unsure at his brother he asked, “Can we pray about this together?”
Again Stanton was surprised, but pleased as the two men bowed their heads, saying a prayer for finding the small child lost out there somewhere.
Stanton was touched by the tenderness in his brother. He hoped it was real and drove away with a lighter heart, reflecting on the changes he saw. Then he realized that he might be able to see his girls again, sooner than later. Maybe they could even have a father they could trust and love. Only God knew and time would reveal the truth. He would be guarded in case of deceit, but he gladly gave a prayer of thanksgiving for his brother’s new faith and left to find Sam.
* * * *