My name is Rebekah Casey, and Jennifer Sienes asked could I share a little bit about myself for her blog. Maybe give y’all a little taste of who I am, and why she thought it a good idea to write my story. I’m not an educated woman, but I’ll do my best.
I’ve lived in Shelbyville my whole life. That’s in Bedford County, Tennessee—just a hop-skip-and-jump from Nashville. It’s a small town, and we’re known as the Tennessee Walkin’ Horse Capital. We got us the biggest event right here—the annual Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration—that starts the last week in August and goes on for almost two weeks. Even though I’m a horse girl, I’m not much of a joiner. Fact is, I have myself quarter horses, which is like a slap in the face for the bigwigs around here.
I’m thirty-five years old and been married to Mitch Casey for fourteen years. From the moment we met, I believed he hung the moon and stars just for me. I’d just dropped out of college and come back home, which to my way of thinking was God’s plan. It wasn’t like I’d ever achieve my dream of becoming a veterinarian anyhow, so it wasn’t a real loss.
I never was one to attract the boys. Being a horse-loving ranch girl, I wasn’t all that interested in slathering on makeup, curling my hair, or painting my nails. Guys like that sort of thing, I suppose. But not Mitch. I still don’t know what attracted him to me, but I know it didn’t take long for me to fall for his take-charge attitude. I thought for sure, he’d keep me safe or die trying. Didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes, either. He’s tall and lanky, just like me, but strong and sure of himself, which is the complete opposite of me. Sometimes a little too sure of himself. He acts like he doesn’t need anyone, but I’ve seen that other side of him before.
Mama and Daddy were disappointed that I quit school. As the youngest of four kids, I was the only one college bound. My older sister, Leah, got married right out of high school and had a passel of kids—twin boys and two daughters. I have two brothers, too. Joe is a long-distance truck driver. He’s the one who helped Mitch set up his Hot Shot trucking business. He lives in the area with his wife, Cassie, and their two precious girls. Dan, the youngest of us all, lives in Atlanta. His wife, Sarah, is an architect and he’s a stay-at-home dad. He gets a lot of ribbing from Daddy and Joe for that one. But he’s happy. I always thought he was the best daddy (aside from mine, of course), and hoped Mitch would be like that with ours.
Aside from the disappointment that I married rather than finish my education, Mama and Daddy didn’t like that Mitch didn’t walk with the Lord. I told them I felt it was my call to lead him to a relationship with God. Truth was, it didn’t matter to me one way or the other that he wasn’t a Christian. I didn’t see then how that played into our marriage. I figured it was a miracle someone like Mitch even looked twice at me, so turning him away wasn’t an option.
We had us a son. Jonathon. Took us seven years for me to get pregnant, so he was our miracle child. When he was five, we lost him. The pain of it about killed me. Some days, even a year after we buried him, I thought it still might. Mitch and me are separated now, and if I had my way, we’d be divorced. Mitch won’t have it, though. He thinks he’ll wheedle his way back into my good graces. Even has the nerve to pull the God-card, as if he cares one way or the other what God thinks about it all. It’s just his way of working me. But I can’t find a way out of the grief and pain enough to forgive him for letting our baby die. I don’t even have enough fight left in me to force the divorce, so I just keep busy.
Now, I’m back living with Mama and Daddy. Between taking care of Daddy’s ranch, and two part-time jobs (one at a vintage store and the other waitressing), I stay too busy to give into the fear that I’ll crack. But it’s everything I can do to get out of bed some days. I need to move away from the constant memories, but Mama and Daddy are fighting me about it, and Mitch refuses to give me a divorce. I don’t know what he’s holding onto—he’s obviously gettin’ on with his life, so why would he want to be tied down to a wife who obviously doesn’t want anything to do with him?
I’ve heard what people say behind my back. Hard not to in a small town like Shelbyville. They’re quick to judge me for not having enough faith, not stickin’ by my husband like a good Christian woman should. Don’t y’all think I know I’m a hot mess? It’s an easy thing to say, “Just forgive. That’s what the good Lord calls you to do.” Walk in my shoes, and you might could see things a bit different. Y’all should get yourself a copy of Shadow Dancing to see how it all turns out. No one was more surprised than me!
You can still preorder Shadow Dancing and receive the bonus of a free story I wrote. It’s called Heart Shadows, and it’s a prequel to Bekah and Mitch’s story set in 1977 Nashville. Click the link here, and choose whether you want the ebook (for $2.99) or the paperback for 30% off and free shipping. Heart Shadows is included in the paperback version, but if you choose the ebook version, you need to fill out the form so my publisher can send it to you. Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage and follow the links. Easy peasy!
