"All for Christ" // Short Story Repost

I'm so excited to have entered December! My family has been enjoying doing advent every morning as we meditate on the wonder of our Savior's birth. <3

On December 15, 2021, Ellen's Musings will be 3 years old, which is crazy to me! I went back to reread one of my very first posts. It seemed appropriate for the Christmas season, so I thought I would copy, paste, and share it again with you all today. :) Enjoy!

All for Christ

by Ellen Senechal

Eleven-year-old Emma clutched her papers and swallowed hard. This had been a dreaded moment. Her pulse quickened, and her stomach clenched. Her lips moved slowly as she mouthed her part of the Christmas pageant.

           Why, oh why, did Miss Cleaver choose me to be Mary’s cousin Elizabeth?
           She tried to tell herself that she had no reason to worry. She’d practiced her lines over and over again. She could say them in her sleep. But…
          What if I forget them suddenly? Horrid thought! Emma’s cheeks flushed just thinking about it. 

            Sweat oozed from her palms and soaked the papers she held. The sheets of paper were lined with the quotes “Elizabeth” was supposed to say…in front of all those people.

          “Emma, you all right?”
          Emma, already a nervous wreck, jumped at her sister’s soft-spoken question. She sucked in a deep breath and swung around. “I-I’m fine.”
          Charlene was one of the older students, so she’d requested not to be part of the Christmas pageant this year. However, after Fred Morris came down sick, Miss Cleaver had hired Charlene quick as a wink to be a “substitute shepherd boy.”
          This was Emma’s first time seeing her sister in her full costume, and Charlene looked quite comical. She was dressed in a long robe and sandals. All of her pretty, dark hair was shoved up into a raggedy head covering.
          Quite a difference from all these previous years, when Miss Cleaver always asked Charlene to be Mary or Elizabeth, Emma thought. She giggled softly. The butterflies in her stomach lessened their fluttering. “Thanks for helping me feel better,” she whispered.
          Charlene’s eyebrows rose high. “Huh?”
          “Never mind.” Emma waved her hand, and in so doing dropped one of her sheets of paper.
          Charlene knelt to grab it. Her eyes grew big. “Emma, this sheet is saturated.” She stood and handed the paper over, then wiped her hand on her robe. “What’s all that water from?”
         Emma bit her lip and showed her sister one of her palms. “I’m all sweaty.”
        “I’ll say.” Charlene shook her head and fixed her hazel gaze on her little sister. “What’s wrong?”
        “Well…” Emma ducked her head and said in a barely audible whisper, “I’m scared of going out there, Charlene. What if I botch my lines and everyone laughs at me?”
        For a moment, Charlene was silent. Emma kept her head down. The toe of her shoe traced a pattern on the floor. From behind the curtain, Carrie Onstrong’s voice could be heard, loud and clear, as she repeated The Magnificat.
        Emma’s fingers went back to clenching her papers. “Mary” is about to go visit “Elizabeth.” That means it’s almost to my part. Can I really do this? She shuddered. Carrie sounds so lovely. I’m sure there’s no way I could ever speak so—
       “Emma, look at me.”

        Emma raised her head. Her brown eyes locked with her sister’s hazel ones. “Yes?”
       “I want you to promise me something.”
      Emma swallowed. “What?”
      “When you go out there, I want you to pretend there is no one watching you. No one but Jesus. Can you do that?”

       Emma immediately understood what her sister was talking about. When I try to “people-please,” I turn into something I’m not, and I work myself into a dither for no reason at all. But if I want to serve Jesus, and focus only on bringing Him glory, I need to be me. I need to stop caring about what others think and focus my thoughts on Jesus. God didn’t make me like Carrie, or like Charlene, or like anybody! He made me in His Image, for His glory. I need to go out there and give it my all. For Jesus.
      She nodded at Charlene. “Yes, I can do that. I can be Christ’s servant, not man’s.”
      Emma breathed deep. Carrie finished her last line, and Emma stepped out from behind the curtain.
      She would do this.
      For Jesus.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” GALATIANS 1:10

p.s. So I won't be leaving anyone hanging, I'll tell you that Emma kept her thoughts focused on Jesus. The pageant went just as her Savior wanted it to, and she left with a peaceful heart and a confident soul. Charlene later told her, "You were marvelous, sister," and Emma knew her sister meant that compliment in more ways than one.

Have you read this story before, or was this your first time? 

Do you think I should do a blog birthday giveaway? (*spoiler* I may or may not have one already planned...) :D

Merry Christmas! Remember to live your life wholly for Christ...He is the only one you have to please, and He is pleased with you already for no other reason except that you are His and He is yours.

Blessings,

Ellen S. 💖💚💖💚💖💚💖

A "Braking" Tale (in other words, a hilarious true story you simply have to read)

A "BRAKING" TALE

By Ellen Senechal

(and yes, the events portrayed in this story really happened to the author. Today.)

Weather where I live is so cold right about now. Just yesterday we experienced snow, sleet, and a whole lot of rain. Thus, I had no what I was thinking this morning when I agreed to join my older brother on a bike ride along the main road in our neighborhood. 
I slipped on two coats, one on top the other, a pair of gloves, and my tennis shoes. That should work, I figured. One glance at my pants, however, and I knew I was running a risk. Warm and thick, these pants are my favorite for the wintertime, but they're also really long. From experience, I knew that could prove to be a problem. For a brief moment I considered changing, but then decided against it. It's too cold for capris, and I don't have any jeans.
Long, baggy pants it was then.
The ride started off pleasantly enough. My brother and I biked along the shoulder of the road, observing the people and cars that passed by. I admired the evergreens, sunny sky, and other bits and pieces of nature as we sped along. The air was cold, but refreshing. I tightened my hold around the handlebars and fought to keep up with my brother. 
It was on the way back home that it happened.
I went to push down on the right pedal . . . and realized - too late - it wouldn't budge. Correction, my foot wouldn't budge. I looked down in time to see that the cuff of my pant leg had gotten caught up in the chain protector. 
I was stuck fast.
"Connor!" I shouted, but he was too far ahead to hear me. I raised my voice. "CONNOR!" 
His head swiveled around, and he braked to a stop. "What's wrong?"
"My pants are caught on something!" I hollered. I jerked my leg, but to no avail. Then I tried to pull back on the pedals. Still nothing . . . and now I was headed right for Connor on a bike that (inconveniently) had no way to brake except through the pedals. 
I swerved to keep from hitting him and barreled on. "I can't stop! Help!"
Writing this out now, the incident seems almost funny, but at the time . . . it sure wasn't. It all happened so fast and all I could think was, Stop! STOP! I was too panicked even to pray. I mean, c'mon. I was on the main road, cars going this way and that, and here I was with my pants caught in the gears??? Oh, and great. Just when I was sure things couldn't get any worse, here came an old man and his dogs.
For sure I was gonna hit them.
Desperately, I pawed at the ground with my left foot, but I was going too fast for that to make even a bit of difference. From behind, Connor was shouting. Something about still being able to stop or . . . something. I glanced to my right. Grass. I could run into that . . .
No, it steeped too far downhill, and just beyond were mud puddles and trees. Ick.
Okay, plan B. Try again with the pant leg. I gritted my teeth and gave a violent yank. Yes! My foot was free! But now . . .
Clank, clank, clank.
I'd wrenched the chain protector out of place. Every time I turned the pedals, they collided with the protector. 
Talk about embarrassing, annoying . . . but boy, was I ever thankful to be able to stop again! 😂
And you know what? This little episode served as a reminder to me that, no matter how fast I may feel life is going, God has me. Even when I can't stop the circumstances that surround me, and I feel like I'm about to crash, He has His hands on me. No matter how crazy things become, I can rest in the knowledge that HE > i.

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Musing #108 - The Funniest Story You'll Ever Read

Six years ago I entered Mrs. Marlow's first-ever Circle C Writing Contest. I entered in the ages 6-9 category with a story called "Taffy is Missing!" I didn't win, but I had tons of fun. Looking at that story now, I can't help but laugh. It. is. so. historically. inaccurate!! To find out for yourself just what I mean, you'll to have to read my entry (pasted below). I didn't fix any typos or do the editing I now so earnestly desire to do. ;-) So, #keepingitreal. And I mean, we all have to start somewhere, right? LOL
NOTE: you have my permission to laugh. 

Taffy is Missing

Ellen Senechal

"Mom! Mom!" Andi cried as she ran inside the house. "Taffy wasn't in her pasture when I came for her!" Andi panted.

"Is she in the barn Andrea?" Mother asked.

Andi shook her head. "I'm telling you mom, she's missing!"

"Who's missing?" Justin who'd just come into the house asked.

"Taffy!" Andi yelled.

"Don't yell dear," Mother said.

Justin sat at the table with a plate of pancakes. "Taffy is old enough to jump the pasture fence," Justin declared.

Andi screamed, "Taffy is gone for good!" Andi started crying.

Mother sat down on a chair and pulled Andi up on her lap. Mother gave Andi a tight hug and said, "Don't cry honey. Once breakfast is over, you and Justin can go look for her."

Andi cheered up at the thought.

After breakfast, Justin and Andi got up on Star, Justin's Horse. Off they went into the woods. Andi held tight to a brown bag of lunch for her and Justin. Star trotted slowly through the woods. His hooves made a crackling noise as he trotted across fallen leaves on the ground.

Suddenly, Justin made Star's trots into gallops. Andi laughed. She had fun galloping with her biggest and best brother! Star galloped to a big rock where Justin stopped him and hopped off. Andi got off too.

They sat beside the rock and opened up the bag of lunch. Inside there was: a lump of sugar for taffy, carrot sticks, apples (one for each), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and a bottle of grape juice for each. Andi ate her sandwich and grape juice but saved her carrots, apple, and sugar for Taffy. Andi and Justin got back up on Star and galloped away.

"Justin!" Andi cried. "Is that...is that...Taffy?!?!?!" Justin looked. He turned Star in the direction Andi was pointing at. There a golden, not pale golden, horse stood. He was tied to a tree. The horse had a brown mane instead of white, and he looked younger than Taffy. The horse whinnied.

"Nope.  Not Taffy," Justin said. Justin was right. Even the whinny sounded weird. They hopped back up on Star and galloped away.

About an hour later, Andi got hungry and thirsty. She was also tired. Justin took her to Woods Creek. Andi drank some creek water then ate some of her carrot sticks. After she had her fill, she got up onto Star and into Justin's lap. There she slept contentedly.

A half hour later, Andi woke up. Star was galloping, and Justin steered him. Andi rubbed her sleepy eyes. 

Star kept galloping. Justin whistled for Taffy, and Andi called for her horse. Suddenly...crunch!  Something was moving in the bushes! Star stood still. Andi jumped off Star and ran to the bushes.

It was Taffy! Her hoof was caught in the bushes' thistles. Andi thought fast. She called for Justin who came running. Justin tried removing the thistles. Andi fed Taffy her sugar, apple, and leftover carrots. Taffy ate it all for she was very hungry. Finally, Justin had removed all the thistles. Andi looked at Taffy's hoof. It was bleeding and swollen.

"She won't be able to trot or gallop," Justin said.

"We must help her." Andi started to cry. Her horse was hurt!

Justin got up on Star and said, "I'll go get Chad. He knows about horses. You stay here with Taffy."

Andi watched as Star galloped away with Justin. Tears leaked out from her eyes. "Taffy is hurt and now mean-bossy Chad is coming!" she said to herself. Andi patted Taffy's nose.

Taffy whinnied. She was hungry. So was Andi. Andi put her hand into her pocket and pulled out an Oreo she had saved. She slowly nibbled it. Andi finished her Oreo then reached into her pocket again. She pulled out seven red-yummy-looking cherries she had found by Taffy's pasture. Andi gave Taffy four of the yummy cherries then ate the other three. After their snack, Andi and Taffy fell asleep. 

The next thing Andi knew she was being picked up. Justin was carrying her. Justin placed Andi into a wagon with Taffy. Then Justin got up with Chad in the front seat and clutched a giddy-up to the two horses Janes and James. Janes and James pulled the wagon. 

Andi was happy. Things were alright! Andi laid down and went back to sleep.

The End.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Bottles of grape juice? OREOS?? XD I'm so thankful to be able to say I have improved in my writing and in the accuracy of my Andi stories since 2013. ;D

Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this unique little musing! 

Musing #103 - "Troubles of a Hog Farmer"

Hello all! Happy Thursday. :-) I've been hard at work on my NaNoWriMo project (more on that later), but, as promised, here is your short story for the week. It's called Troubles of a Hog Farmer and is written from the POV of one of the pig-herders from Mark 5:1-20. Below I've copied the passage after which it is based - I recommend reading through that before tackling Troubles of a Hog Farmer.
Enjoy!

Musing #77 - Chapter 17

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 17. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

“Let me go! Oh, Riley, save me! Save me!”

          Vega came closer. “You are mine now, missy.”

          “No! Riley, Riley, where are—”

          Andi jerked awake from the terrifying nightmare. She flew to a sitting position, her heart beating fast. Her head throbbed.

          “Riley!” she shrieked, thrashing wildly. “Riley!”

          “Shh.” Hands closed around Andi’s shoulders. “It’s all right. You’re safe.”

          Andi didn’t know who was speaking, but the voice was soothing…and familiar. She allowed the unknown person to push her back down onto the pillows. Then, reaching up, she latched onto one of his hands and held it firmly.

          “Shh.” Fingers brushed across her forehead, moving aside the sweaty strands of hair clinging to her face. “You have influenza. But you’re safe. I’m here.” The hand holding hers squeezed gently. “And I’m never letting you leave my sight again.”

          Andi wanted to know more, wanted to say more, but the fever enveloped again, and she dropped into a delirious sleep.

***

          The next time Andi awoke, she felt somewhat better. Her head still ached, but it didn’t pound. Where am I? What happened?

          Forcing her eyes open, Andi looked around her.

          I’m…it couldn’t be! Am I really—?

          She was. She was really and truly home. She recognized the bedroom as her and Riley’s own at Memory Creek Ranch.

          This bed is so soft! And Riley—

          Her gaze landed upon him. He sat at her side, head buried in his hands. A basin of water and a cloth sat nearby. A lamp was the only light in the room.

          “Riley?” Andi whispered hoarsely.

          His head jerked up. He looked at her face and let out a breath. “You’re awake.” He laid a hand against her forehead. “Your fever’s down.”

          Andi’s tears rose, choking her. “You look all worn out.”

          Riley smiled and clasped her hand tightly in between both of his own. “I’m fine now. Completely fine.”

          “Oh, Riley…” The tears Andi was holding back spilled. A sob ripped from her throat. It sent her into a sudden coughing fit.

          Riley reached quickly for a cup of water, which he held to Andi’s lips. Weakly, she batted it away. The fit was passed, and she had important things to say and ask.

          “I thought I’d never come home again,” she whispered. “The days were so long—and so hard.”

          “Hush, Andi. Dr. Weaver told me that you mustn’t overexert yourself, but rather rest and regain your health. Besides, your brothers and I have been figuring out most of it. From Molasses’s sudden disappearance, to the messy kitchen…to the note we found.”

          “What note?”

          “One signed ‘Mateo Vega.’ That was all, and it was so clumsily scribbled I think it was quite accidental that it was there at all. It must’ve fallen, unnoticed. However, it still gave us some sort of a lead. At least we knew what’d happened. But I’m talking too much. Dr. Weaver and your mother will have my hide. Go back to sleep.”

          “But—”

          “No buts.” Riley pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You’ll have plenty of time to tell me later. Sleep now.”

          But Andi couldn’t sleep. She had more to ask. “Where’s the baby? Is he all right?”

          Riley beamed. “Your mother has our little son. He’s in better shape than you are.”

          “He seemed so miserable,” Andi rasped, then coughed.

          “Dr. Weaver inspected him, too. A slight cold, but nothing serious. Your mother has him taken care of.

          “Now…” Riley dipped the cloth in the basin, wrung it out, and draped it across Andi’s brow. “Go back to sleep. I’ll stay right here.”

***

          Several days more, and the fever finally left Andi. At last, she was able to crawl from bed and enjoy a hot, lengthy time in the bathtub. Afterwards Mother brushed out her hair and tied it back neatly.

          “There,” she said, adjusting the ribbon, “you’re all clean and fresh, sweetheart.”

          Andi stared at the Andi in the mirror. What a big change! The old skirt and blouse weren’t even fit for rags. They’d been tossed in the trash and burned, never to be seen again. Instead, she wore a new dress. That hideous weeks’ worth of tangles her hair had used to be now lay against her back in soft, silky curls, all held back by one big bow. Her hands were clean. So was her face.

          And I’m home.

          Andi sighed with contentment. God never left me. Thanks, Lord, for always being there. For being my rock. Helping me trust. And never letting me go.

          She smiled at her mother. “How well did Dr. Weaver say I am?”

          “Well enough to come to the Circle C tonight for supper,” Mother answered, beaming.

          “And well enough to make me a loaf of cinnamon bread for breakfast someday soon,” said a voice from the doorway. “Believe it or not, I’ve missed your cooking.”

          Riley strode into the room, all smiles. He pulled Andi into a heartfelt embrace. “It’s good to see you up and around, looking well,” he said. “We’ve been very worried about you.”

          Andi relaxed in his arms. “It’s good to be well. And to be…here.”

          “I sure did miss you, Andi,” Riley said.

          “I know. I missed you, too.” Andi let out a breath and smiled.

          I’m safe. Jared is safe. Riley is here. And we’re all home.

          Andi looked up at Riley. “You know what?”

          “What?”

          “It’s good to be home.”

The End

Well, this makes for the final chapter of Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws, so now I'd love to hear your thoughts on this story! What did you enjoy most? In what areas were you surprised or shocked at the plot twists? Tell me in the comments below!

This story has finished posting, but thankfully I still have more musings to share with you all! A fun post titled "The Ten Questions Book Tag" goes up tomorrow, and Saturday features a special musing called "Our First Peek at Baby." Stay tuned! 

Musing #76 - Chapter 16

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 16. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning. 

The days and nights whizzed together. Three train rides and several days later, Andi opened her bleary eyes as she felt the car pull to a stop.

          “Out! Out! Everyone out! Fresno! Fresno!”
          Fresno? The word clicked. Fresno!

          Andi pulled herself to her feet, collected her meager belongings and Jared, and, laboriously pushing back the car door, stepped onto the station platform.

          She looked about her, tears flowing. I’m here! I’m here! Finally! Thanks, Lord.

Musing #75 - Chapter 15

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 15. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning. 

Slowly one day dawdled by. Then two.

          Andi was weary and cold, but she concentrated only on putting one foot in front of the other.

          It’d been a miserable journey, short as it may seem. Both nights she’d barely slept a wink. Worse, the first night into the second day it poured torrents of rain, sending Andi to seek shelter beneath trees. Still, she became thoroughly drenched, and her baby was little better.

Press onward. Press onward.

Musing #74 - Chapter 14

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 14. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

Bags littered the room from roof to floor. Paper bills carelessly thrown about added to the clutter. Worse, at least one hundred wanted posters lay about, all of them screaming, “WANTED: $1,000 Thomas Chadwick,” with a picture of Luke Cornwallis on each!

          Andi’s mouth fell open, and Lily burst into tears. “Oh, my husband will do something dreadful for sure if he finds out—”

          “What is this?”

          Andi and Lily spun around as one. Luke—no, Thomas—stood, arms crossed, face red with rage. Andi clasped her clammy hands together to keep them from shaking. Who is this man?

Musing #73 - Chapter 13

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 13. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

The man, whose name was Luke Cornwallis, told Andi she’d never been far from Los Angeles. “That means it’ll take less than a week to get to my home,” he explained.

          They rode the whole way, and it was pure bliss to Andi. She continually thanked God for this huge miracle.

          The group arrived at a small cottage with handsome white walls clung to with ivy. The windows were clean and glittered in the afternoon sun. A red-tile roof, fully adorned with colored leaves, looked bright and cheerful. An old, wooden door that almost hung only by its hinges completed the homely scene.

Musing #72 - Chapter 12

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 12. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

Andi groaned as she placed a heavy load of firewood down and yet still felt the sting of burns on her raw, chapped hands. They shook with cold, yet burned with pain. Her cheeks were flushed crimson, and her teeth chattered.

          So much for us staying at the camp for only a little while, Andi thought bitterly, rubbing her hands together for warmth. That “little while” had turned into four long, work-filled months that felt more like years to poor Andi. The November air seemed especially icy this year.

          And yet as bad as Andi’s hands ached, and her neck and back screamed with pain, the ache in her heart was a thousand times worse. She yearned to be with Riley again. And hold her son in her arms. And be in her house.

          And be away from every bandit she’d ever heard of.

Musing #71 - Chapter 11

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 11. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

Benita firmly told Andi she would sleep with her in her own cabin so that Andi could not escape again.

          Ha! Benita fell asleep as soon as she laid her head on the pillow, leaving Andi wide awake.    

Musing #70 - Chapter 10

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 10. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning. 

“After those women!” shrieked Benita, and the mob gathered around her swarmed forward.

          Run! Andi’s mind shouted, and she forced her heavy feet into a blind run, no longer caring to be silent. In her arms, Jared wailed his unhappiness.

          Andi followed Lily’s auburn braid until finally she caught up with her, and the two ran together. When Lily stumbled, Andi held her up. Then Lily’s skirt caught on a bush, and together they yanked it free, not even noticing when it tore.

          But when Andi’s braid snagged on the same bush, they couldn’t get her loose. Panic and despair set in almost immediately. Andi practically threw Jared into Lily’s arms and then hacked at her braid with her dull knife. She couldn’t think straight.

          “Take off your ribbon and undo the braid!” Lily cried, sobbing.

          Too late. Andi knew they had no time to wait for her to undo her braid. The bandits’ shouts and footsteps were coming dangerously close. If they waited for her, they’d never escape.

          In that moment, Andi made her choice.

Musing #69 - Chapter 9

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 9. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

Andi hurriedly took up the sheet on her bed and folded it over. Grabbing a needle and some thread, she sewed the sheet together with great, sloppy seams. It was a sorry excuse for a bag, but it’d still work, Andi decided. She crammed her change of blouse and skirt inside, added her hairbrush, Jared’s few diapers, some hair pins, and an old, worn apron. Then Andi tied the bag to her shoulder.

          Just as she was stooping to pick up Jared, Lily entered the cabin. At the sight of Andi, looking worried and desperate, with her messy bag knotted over one shoulder, Lily’s brows drew together in confusion.

          “What are you doing?” she asked.

Musing #68 - Chapter 8

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 8. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

Andi gave the shelf a final sweep with her cleaning rag.
          
          “I’m done,” she told Benita.

          Benita nodded curtly. “Bueno. Now, there is someone here to see me. Take the rags you have used and clean them. I had water brought while you were busy.”
          “Yes’m.”

          Andi took the rags Benita handed to her and left the cabin. No sooner did she round the corner than she stopped.

          Were those distinct whispers coming from inside? They carried clearly to her ear, and she listened intently.

Musing #67 - Chapter 7

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 7. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning. 

Throughout the day Andi slept soundly, her baby nestled between her and the wall so that no one who peeked into the cabin could see him. As soon as the baby awoke, with a sharp little bawl, Andi snapped awake and fed him. Lily came in every few hours to change his diaper.
          
         The outlaws fell for Andi’s story of feeling poorly, and all in all it wasn’t as dreadful as had been expected.
         
         The next morning, Andi forced her weary limbs to get out of bed. She couldn’t stay in the cabin for too long, or the outlaws would become suspicious. She fumbled into a skirt and blouse and braided her hair.
         
         “Here, Andi.” Lily held out a rolled-up wad of fabric. “Stuff this under your blouse. You must look pregnant at all times today, my friend.”
         
        Andi accepted the roll and tucked her blouse securely around it. She was too groggy to worry about it slipping. 
         

Musing #66 - Chapter 6

Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws

CHAPTER 6. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.

“Lily!” Vega barked at once. “Why are you dawdling here? There’s work to be done! Señora Rodendo needs you at her cabin right away.”

          “Yes, Señor Vega,” Lily muttered, shuffling from the cabin. But, unlike Andi, she did not appear to be the least bit fearful of Vega. Andi caught the withering glance she gave him just before leaving the cabin.

          But Andi also couldn’t miss the small shriek Lily uttered as she stepped oustide. A scared expression overcame her features, and she ran off, head drooping and hands uncurled in fear.

          What on earth? Andi stared after her, completly bewildered. Who or what could’ve scared her like that if it wasn’t Vega?