Musing #62 - An Andi Story

Hi friends! So, a couple years back I set to work at a story, which at the time was purposed to be a sequel to Mrs. Susan K. Marlow's book, Courageous Love. This story features the return of some of the villains from Courageous Love (as these bandits had been able to escape from Andi's rescuers) and it is about 13,890 words in length. I plan to post one chapter of this story a day (unless, of course, the chapter is super short - then I'll share two on one day). There are 17 chapters total, so that equals over two weeks' worth of posts. :-)
Now, with no further ado, I present to you:

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 1

Andrea Carter Prescott added another handful of flour to the bread dough that she’d just dumped in a clump on the countertop. Viciously she attacked the dough with both hands, kneading, punching, pulling, and rolling, until its sweet scent filled the kitchen and every air bubble had exploded.

          Then, speedily, she began to break off lumps and shape them and place them in bread pans. Andi rolled out the last hunk and lathered on butter in a thick layer and covered it with brown sugar and cinnamon.

          Andi’s mother, Elizabeth Carter, had given Andi this recipe a long time ago. After making it for Riley one day and seeing his delight in eating it, Andi was sure to make a loaf of “cinnamon bread” every time she made regular bread. It was great for a snack or breakfast.

          Andi twisted the cinnamon bread into a loaf and tucked it into the last bread pan, her fingers patting in extra brown sugar on the top. Her mouth watered to think of a warm, gooey slice with a glass of milk.

          It wasn’t long before three loaves of bread were cooking. Andi washed the dishes, scrubbed the flour from the counter, and removed her apron; then she flopped into the nearest chair and let out a breath.

          How could I ever have thought that being an expectant mother would be easy? she berated herself. At eight months pregnant, Andi was as worn out as could be. She had to force herself to stay awake while she cooked and cleaned.

          But soon—soon!—I’ll have energy. Andi smiled. When I do, I’ll make heaps of flapjacks for Riley’s breakfast, and I’ll race Shasta again.

          She had been able to lope Shasta around the yard once or twice since the start of her pregnancy, but she couldn’t call that much of a ride. She wanted to run, run, run. She wanted to gallop her chocolate-colored horse far, far, far away. She wanted to race him against her husband’s appaloosa, Dakota.

          Andi chuckled softly and looked down at her bulging stomach. “Not now I can’t, but soon,” she whispered.

          She glanced out the window and continued thinking of future plans. Maybe I’ll take the baby with me on a ride. Maybe—

          Knock! Knock! Knock!

          The sudden pounds on the door startled Andi. Staggering up from her seat, Andi groped for the door and opened it.

          There, on the porch, stood several ranch hands—Alfredo, Billy, Samson, Amos, and Charles, to be exact—and, for once, they were not grinning. Their faces were pallid and worried.

          “Why, boys, whatever is wrong?” Andi demanded anxiously.

          “It’s your husband, ma’am,” said Alfredo, ducking his head and speaking brokenly as if loathe to tell her.

          “What about him?” Andi’s heart began to pound. Something was very, very wrong—obviously—and if it had anything to do with Riley, she thought she ought to know.

          “He had an accident, ma’am,” whispered Amos. “He’s hurt really bad and we don’t dare move him. Frank already went for the doctor and we came to take you to Mr. Prescott.”

          “Let’s go right away,” Andi urged.

Her voice trembled, and her clear blue eyes flashed their anxiety as she followed them to the barn.

          “I’ll get the buggy—”

          “You’ll do no such thing, Billy,” Andi interrupted him firmly. “If Riley is out on the range, the buggy will take too long to get to him. I’ll ride horseback. Saddle my horse for me, please. At once.”

          “But,” Billy protested, “in your condition—”

          “Nonsense!” Andi snorted. How come these ranch hands are taking their time? I need to get to Riley now. “Just do as I asked.”

          Billy shrugged and brought out an old mare, saddled and bridled and ready to go.

          “Where’s my horse, Shasta?” Andi wanted to know. “This old horse is as slow as molasses. We have to get to Riley quickly, you know.”

          “Sorry, ma’am. You know I haven’t been around long, so I have no idea who your horse is. Would you like me to—?”
          “No, no, this’ll have to do.” Andi wrapped her fingers around the saddle horn, slipped a foot in the stirrup, and, huffing and puffing, pulled herself onto the saddle. “We haven’t much time, and old Molasses is already saddled up. It’ll take too long to saddle another horse.”

          “Yes, ma’am.”

          They all mounted their horses and galloped off. As they rode, Andi questioned the hands.

          “What happened to Riley? How bad off is he? When did you send for a doctor?”

          At each question, the hands only shrugged or shook their heads, so Andi took it as a sign that they were either too worried to care or they’d been rushed off without even seeing the accident. Sensing their reluctance to tell her, and seeing how useless it would be to question them further, Andi fell silent.

          Oh, God, she prayed, help Riley. Help us to get to him soon.

          So deep was she in thought that Andi didn’t even realize what was happening…until it was too late.

What do you think happens next? Feel free to leave your guesses in the comments below!

GO TO CHAPTERS 2 AND 3 >>>