Montana Saga Chapter 8

Henry and Rya are still holding each other tightly when her

grandmother Catherine suggests, "Let's say a blessing for

Rya's ranch."

The room falls into a dead silence

Henry releases Rya from his embrace, steps out of her space

and ascends the stairs to his bedroom leaving behind a suffocating

silence for those who knew better than to bring up the subject of

faith to a man like Henry Conrad.

Rya spoke up. "Grandma, what in blue blazes were you thinking??

This is Henry's home and you need to respect his boundaries, just

as you would want him, or anyone else for that matter to respect

yours."

Catherine Steahl wearing a look of innocence on her face says,

"I was just trying to ---" Rya cuts her off saying,

"Just trying to what? How many times have we told you(Rya pointing

to all her family members in the room)not to shove our faith down people's

throats?! You don't know what his life experience has been. Besides grandma

Catherine, true faith emphasizes, respect, humility and grace. Attempting to

say a blessing for me in his own home is disrespectful. It needs to be his choice,

it's not for you to make that choice for him. I'm going to talk with him."

Rya gets up from the couch in his living room , walking to the staircase just

outside the kitchen, climbing the polished mahogany stairs to his bedroom and

finds his door cracked open by 2 inches. Rya knocks asking, "can I come in?"

she asks.

"Sure phoenix." Henry tells her.

She enters his room sits down next to him, takes his hand in both of hers and

tells him, "there was a long time when I lost my faith because my father kept

abusing my mom and me. I prayed to God from the day I could speak my first

sentence, pleading to God to make my father stop abusing my mom and me.

He didn't . That time was when I arrived in Levi after my grandparents won

guardianship of me and the judge and lawyer in the who were involved in the

case were murdered. It took me a good three years of laser focusing on my

grandparents farm finances, working with the animals and being taught target

shooting by my uncles to finally be able to repent of my anger toward my

father and grandmother and find my place with God again. We all have to

come to faith and God when we're ready. On our own terms. I'm not going

to let my family force Him on you in your own house." she squeezes his hand

tighter.

"I love who you are, Henry. I will never leave your side."