Aunt Rebecca's Visit

by Rebekah E.

Part 1

 Andrea knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, but not that day! She had just finished riding Taffy up a trail she had found earlier that week. On the way back down, she noticed a wagon in front of their house. That’s odd, she thought, letting Taffy have the bit and go towards the barn.

Chad met her as she was giving Taffy a rubdown. He looked at her clothes and grimaced. Andi gave him a puzzled look, glancing down at her overalls and old blouse. It was what she usually wore around the barn, so why was he so upset? She didn’t have to ask. Chad spoke up.

“You had better change before Aunt Rebecca sees you.”

Andi’s hand flew to her mouth, and she let out a squeak of dismay. “Aunt Rebecca!” she shrieked.

 Chad nodded. “Yeah, and Mother was just going to call you when I decided to make my escape and run out to the barn to find you.”

Andi groaned. “Why can’t she ever warn us?”

Chad shrugged his shoulder with a grim smile. “We can only stay so long out here,” he said, somewhat reluctantly. “We’d better head back to the house.”

 Andi looked down at her overalls. “Like this?”

Chad chewed on his lip thoughtfully. “You wait here.”

Andi almost told him to not be so bossy but bit her tongue and did as she was told.

Chad took off towards the house, but went around to the back instead of through the front door. Puzzled, Andi watched him until he was out of sight. She turned to Taffy.

“So, now what are we going to do?” she asked her horse. Taffy nuzzled her affectionately, and Andi smiled. She patted taffy’s nose gently. Whenever she was with Taffy, trouble seemed to melt away.

A frown returned when she thought about her Aunt’s visit. Last time she came it was with a brilliant idea to make a lady out of Andi, and she didn’t want that to happen again! Hopefully it was just a visit to her mother, but Andi knew better than to even have the slightest hope.

Chad suddenly came around the side of the house with a bundle under his arm. Curious, Andi watched him. He had a broad grin on his face. Once he came closer, Andi realized the bundle under his arm was her second-best dress.

She gasped, unsure whether to be overjoyed to escape at least one of her aunt’s reproving looks, or to be exasperated that her brother might wrinkle one of her only dresses. She decided when Chad handed it to her to be grateful to escape the look, and threw her arms around him, nearly sending him onto the barn floor.

He gave a smothered yell of surprise and gasped for breath. “Whoa!”

Andi let go, and relieved her brother of her dress. She grinned up at him. “Thanks!”

He shrugged. “I knew I would want you to do the same for me.”

Andi snuck into the outhouse quietly and slipped into her dress. She redid her braids, capturing some of the fly-away wisps that always escaped some way or another. Once her preparations were complete, Andi carefully made her way back to the house, trying to stay clean. Chad helped some, and they both made it safely to the house.

Taking a deep breath, Andi stepped inside and came face to face with her Aunt Rebecca.

 

Part 2

 

Andi stood stock-still for a moment, but then remembered her manners and curtsied.  She was rewarded with a smile from her aunt, who turned to Mother.

“I see Andrea has improved since I last saw her,” she said.

Andi saw her Mother swallow a smile, and Mitch, standing behind Justin and Mother, snorted, but changed it hastily into a cough.

“Yes, she has grown up some,” was Mother’s carefully guarded reply.

Andi’s gaze shifted from her aunt to make a quick survey of the house to see if her other sister was here. Thankfully, her aunt saved her the trouble by her next statement to Mother.

“I’m so sorry Katherine could not afford the time to come out to visit you as well,” she said. “But she assured me to go, and to tell you that she would miss you all.”

Mother gave a sigh. “That’s too bad; I was hoping to be able to see her. How is she doing?”

Aunt Rebecca smiled. “She’s doing fine, and her children are growing so nicely! Why, just recently little Levi began school. In fact, today was going to be his first day.”

Andi raised an eyebrow; this was news: Levi, going to school? His poor teacher.

Small talk continued, and the group moved into the parlor. Andi sat down carefully on the slippery chairs and kept her posture perfect, although it was miserable. The boys, at least Chad and Micah, looked very uncomfortable. By the end of an hour, even prim Melinda and always-properly mannered Justin looked like they wished Aunt Rebecca would stop talking.

Suddenly, right behind Aunt Rebecca and Mother, Andi thought she saw a face peek through the window and then disappear. Her curiosity was instantly aroused. She frowned, forgetting she was in the presence of her aunt.

The talking finally stopped for a moment, and Andi asked if she could go outside for some fresh air, making sure she said nothing about horses or mysterious faces. Her mother granted her permission, and so Chad asked if he could check on some things outside, and Mitch volunteered to help. Melinda eased herself into a more comfortable position, and Justin took out a law book to read.

They dispersed, leaving Aunt Rebecca and Mrs. Carter talking, and made their escape. Andi looked under the window she had seen the face in briefly, and followed the tracks up to the barn. They led into Taffy’s stall. Worriedly, Andi glanced over her shoulder. She had a prickly sensation go down her spine, and she knew she was being watched. Quietly, she murmured a few nonsense words to Taffy and looked into her stall.

A board squeaked as someone stepped on it. Andi spun around in time to see someone try to grab her. She punched blindly, and felt her fist meet a chin. She swung her other fist a little lower and it sank into a stomach. There was a groan, and then silence.

Andi was breathing heavily, but she calmed herself and made herself look down at the form lying in front of her. The person was lying on their stomach, and she couldn’t see the face.

Andi rolled the cringing figure over, and gasped when she saw who it was.

 

Part 3

 

It was Levi! But not the Levi that she had been on an adventure with. He was only a little boy then. This Levi was probably taller than she was! Andi quickly sank to her knees and took some water from Taffy’s trough, splashing him with it.

He spluttered and opened his eyes, blinking a few times. “W-what happened?” he asked.

Andi sighed in relief. “Well, I thought you were trying to kidnap me or something, so I put up a fight. I didn’t know it was you.”

Levi grinned weakly. “I’m glad I wasn’t trying to kidnap you!” he said. “I would have regretted it the rest of my life.”

Andi helped him to his feet and steadied him as he almost fainted again. “Where did you learn how to fight?” he asked, grimacing as he rubbed his jaw. “I’m going to be really sore there for a while.”

Andi laughed. “First of all, I have three brothers, and secondly, I have Cory Blake for a friend.” She paused and contemplated her nephew. “So…why are you here?”

Levi grinned smugly. “I’m escaping school!” he declared.

Andi’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Escaping school! How?”

His grin widened. “I disguised myself and rode up with the stagecoach driver; he’s a friend of mine now.”

Andi was impressed. “Nicely done! I wish I had thought of that, although…” she reconsidered the matter, “You don’t have three older brothers that could tan your hide if they ever caught you.”

“That’s true, but I do have three uncles who could. Do you have a place to hide?”

Andi thought hard for a minute. “Well, you could sleep in the barn loft,” she said finally.

Levi chewed on his lip. “Do your brothers ever go up there?”

“Only sometimes. Instead of the loft, I know of a secret shack Cory and I found earlier this summer you could live in for a while.”

Levi’s eyes lit up with hope. “Cory won’t tell on me will he?”

Andi shook her head, confident in her best friend. “No, I’m positive he won’t.”

Levi gave a quick nod. “Show me this shack then. Anything is better than school!”

Andi laughed and the two of them crept across the fields. On the way, Levi filled Andi in on all the happenings of their family from his point of view. Andi listened eagerly.

“So, exactly how old are you now?” she asked when Levi stopped his narrative for a breath of air.

Levi stood tall. “I’ll be fourteen in three months.”

Andi gave a whistle. “I didn’t know it had been that long!” she exclaimed.

Levi laughed. “Yeah, it seemed really long to me, but that might just be because I have to live the last four years all proper and prim with Aunt Rebecca.” He rolled his eyes and groaned, making Andi laugh. “Of course, the girls love it. Aunt Rebecca spoils them, and they behave like perfect angels whenever she’s around. For some reason I’m always the one that gets into trouble in front of her accusing eyes.”

Andi gave Levi a look of sympathy. “That’s what usually happens to me too.”

There was a moment of silence as Andi and Levi concentrated on climbing an especially rocky path. They turned a corner, and Andi stopped suddenly with a smile of satisfaction.

“There you are. The Secret Shack.”

 

Part 4

 

Levi let out an admiring whistle. They walked closer and went inside. It was a bit dusty, but Levi didn’t seem to mind. “This’ll be perfect!” he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. “Maybe I’ll never want to go back to the city!”

Andi gave him a doubtful look. “Aren’t you going back on Aunt Rebecca’s return trip?”

Levi shrugged. “She said to Mother that she was going to stay for two weeks.”

Andi didn’t bother to smother her groan. “A whole two weeks?” She gasped.

Levi nodded.

“Oh no! How am I going to survive?”

 Levi shrugged. “You’ll have me to console you,” he replied with a grin.

Andi rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure you are going to help matters much.”

He laughed.

Andi sat down on one of the two chairs she and Cory and smuggled up to the shack to think. “Maybe we could somehow get her to change her mind about staying,” she said after a long silence.

Levi jumped on the idea. “Yes, let’s make her go home quicker. I’ll think of a few ideas while you go back to the ranch. Find some excuse to see me again tomorrow morning and bring some food. I’ve got enough bread and dried meat from aunt’s larder to last me for at least two meals, longer if need be. Also, if your friend Cory wants to help bring me food or something, we could have him join forces with us too.”

Andi grinned. “Yes, sir!” she replied with a salute. “I’ll get that done right away. Our family and the Blakes are having dinner together tonight anyways, so I’ll ask him then.”

“That’s perfect. Let me know how it goes tomorrow.”

“I will!” Andi waved as she left her nephew, and went back down to her home.

* * * * *

Andi flew down to her home, but stopped and made herself presentable quickly before going back into the house, amazed that her dress wasn’t ruined yet. Surely it was a record breaker; almost a whole day without tearing her dress!

She met Melinda on the way into the parlor. She was just as mannerly as always.

“Are they still talking?” Andi asked in a whisper.

Melinda smiled. “Yes.”

Andi gasped. “How do they find so much to talk about?” she asked.

Melinda giggled. “Oh, it just takes practice.”

Andi rolled her eyes. “Well then, I won’t practice.” She looked around her quickly. “Is the Blake family here?”

Melinda giggled again. “You mean Cory?” she asked.

Andi shrugged.

“Yes, they are here. Cory is outside with Mitch in the barn. I’ll let Mother know that you haven’t ruined your dress yet.” Melinda glided from the room with another giggle. Andi sorely wanted to stick her tongue out at her back but didn’t. After all, she was fifteen, almost sixteen, and girls her age never stuck their tongues out at older siblings, annoying or not.

Andi went out to the barn and found Mitch and Cory together in front of Taffy.

“What are you doing in front of my horse’s stall?” she asked.

They started, somewhat guiltily, and turned around.

Cory grinned sheepishly. “Hi Andi, sorry, we thought you wouldn’t mind.”

Andi smiled. “That’s alright, I don’t mind, just curious.” She stood awkwardly in front of them, shifting her feet a little.

Mitch sighed. “I’d better go see what Chad is up to. He’ll probably need my help.” He glanced at Andi, and then at Cory. “Make sure she doesn’t get into trouble, Cory.”

Cory grinned. “Alright,” he said at Mitch’s back. He turned to Andi. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

Andi smiled, but got right to the point. “My nephew, Levi, you probably remember him, is escaping school. He needs help from us.”

Cory raised his eyebrows. “Levi?”

Briefly, Andi filled him in on the details.

“I must say that was brave of him to come all the way out here with the risk of her.” He nodded in the direction of the house. “I’ll do anything I can to help. You said your aunt is staying for two weeks?”

Andi nodded.

Cory clucked his tongue sympathetically.

Andi rolled her eyes. “And that means that I have to be a lady for two whole weeks. What could be worse?”

Cory laughed with a shrug of his shoulder. “I certainly don’t know, but one thing, if we’re late for dinner, that’ll be awfully close!”

Andi gasped, but it was unmistakable: the dinner bell was being rung, and if they didn’t make a run for it…

“Let’s go!!” and the two of them took off for the house.

 

Part 5

 

They arrived just in time. Mr. Blake was about to pray. Cory and Andi slid into their seats as silently as they could, and the meal began. Andi wracked her brain about what she was to bring Levi to eat. Her mind was far away from the conversation around her, but suddenly she felt a poke in her ribs from Cory. She looked at him.

“Your aunt just asked you how your schooling was going,” he hissed.

Andi gave a quick smile. Cory had saved her bacon again. “School has been going well, aunt,” she said hastily.

Her aunt smiled. “I am very glad to hear it. I was worried that you may have been expelled.”

Andi gave her a look of shock. “Me, expelled? Certainly not. I am a Carter.” She said this with confidence and pride that she didn’t really feel at the moment.

Chad met her eyes and gave her a dubious look. Andi waited until her aunt looked away before grinning at him widely. He rolled his eyes.

Andi’s thoughts drifted again, and as soon as was possible, she escaped to the barn where she could really think. Cory met her out there a while later and let out a huge breath as if some great burden rolled off his shoulder.

“I’m glad that’s over!” he exclaimed.

Andi grinned. “Can you meet me at the creek tomorrow with some food at 8 o’ clock?” she asked.

Cory frowned. “I think so. I’m usually up by then, but breakfast would have to be postponed a while.”

Andi shrugged. “Maybe 9 o’clock?”

Cory nodded. “That will be easier. What should I bring?”

“Anything that can last a few days without going bad.”

Cory nodded again. “Got it. I’ll meet you at the creek tomorrow at 9 o’ clock.”

Andi grinned. “See you then!” He waved, and then left.

Andi heaved a deep sigh. This was getting pulled off a lot easier then she had thought. She went back into the house and “chatted” with the others for as little as she dared. Her mother at last let her leave and she dashed up the stairs to bed. Undressing quickly, she hid the little bit of food she had managed to save under her bed and laid down, falling asleep almost immediately.

* * * * *

Bright and early, Andi slipped out to take care of Taffy, her saved food in one of her dress pockets. Chad made her clean Taffy’s stall, dress or no dress, and she barely had time to get down to the creek in time. She told Chad she was going on an early ride with Taffy to exercise her, just so they didn’t worry, and set off.

At the creek, Cory was waiting impatiently, and the two hurried to the secret shack, delivering the food to a very hungry Levi. Andi waited for him to eat, and then asked him whether he had thought of any ideas.

Levi grinned. “Sure I have. I’m the idea.”

Andi exchanged a puzzled look with Cory. “What do you mean?” she asked finally.

Levi laughed. “Don’t you see? I’m gone!”

Andi still didn’t get it.

Levi sighed.

“Look, Aunt Rebecca leaves, right?” Andi nodded, so Levi continued. “Mother sends me off to school about the same time. I hightail it after Aunt Rebecca’s coach and manage to catch it at its next stop, right?” Andi nodded again, Levi went on. “Mother waits for me to get home from school, but I never do. Frantically worried, she writes to the nearest relative, Aunt Rebecca and your mother, right?”

Andi began to see where he was going. “The letter arrives. Aunt Rebecca leaves to search for you, and you get on the return stagecoach. Then when she arrives you’re already there, but aunt decides to stay anyways!”

Levi nodded. “The only problem with it is that I’ll have to go home and back to my school.”

Andi chewed on her lip thoughtfully. “I see your point. Are you so upset at going to school?”

Levi nodded.

Andi sighed. “Well, there goes that idea. It’s still going to happen, you know, all the letters and stuff. You’ll still have to go home.”

“Maybe I could convince Mother to have just us come out and visit,” he said hopefully.

Andi smiled. “You should. I wouldn’t mind having any of you around, as long as you behave yourself.”

Levi laughed. “Alright, the plan stands. I’ll leave when Aunt Rebecca does, but you’ll write to Mother yourself and ask for just us to come and visit.”

Andi threw up her hands in mock helplessness. “Alright, alright. I will. So now all we have to do is wait.”

“It sounds so easy.” Cory stood up abruptly.

“We should go,” Andi agreed.

“Yes, we really should. Hopefully I can get some more food out to you soon.” She smiled. “Thank you so much Levi, you’re a wonderful nephew.” Levi grinned.

“You’re welcome, but don’t forget the food!” Andi laughed and waved. Cory waited for her and they left the clearing together.

 

Part 6

 

A few days went by before the letter came, but the plan went smoothly. Aunt Rebecca left, and although the next few days were very worrisome ones for Andi’s mother, another letter came later on that helped soothe her worries.              They were all in the parlor, Justin reading quietly, Chad working on a bridle, Mitch carving, Melinda sewing, and Andi trying hard not to seem too interested in the letter. An exclamation of surprise made them all look up from whatever they were doing.
           “What is it, Mother?” Justin asked; the question on every one’s mind.
           Mrs. Carter looked up from the letter with a look of disbelief on her face. “Listen to this!” she exclaimed. “My Dearest Sister: I write to you to let you know that our little Levi is safe. Apparently he got lost in a maze of streets on his way home. He says that a kind family let him in and shared food with him for a few days and then showed him the way home. He arrived almost as soon as I stepped of the coach. I regret to inform you that business here in the city makes it so that I cannot return to you immediately. However, I will endeavor to visit again soon. Your Loving Sister, Rebecca.”
          She looked up. “Well!”
         Andi swallowed a laugh and became extremely focused on her sewing. Her siblings were in quiet shock, but gradually went back to their things, forgetting the letter.
        As soon as she could, Andi escaped to tell Cory. She arrived breathless in town at the livery stable. Cory came out when he heard her call his name.
        “What brings you here?” he asked.
        Andi told the whole story in a few sentences.
        Cory laughed once she finished. “That Levi is a wonderful story teller.”
       Andi frowned. “That is one thing that he hasn’t been cured of quite yet. He still can tell lies with a straight face. I can’t believe him!” She shook her head. “I just wanted you to know soon. But I have to go right back now.”
       Cory was puzzled. “Why?” he asked.
       Andi swung herself onto Taffy. “I need to write my sister a letter!” she yelled over her shoulder.
       Cory grinned and waved.
        Andi went home. She did love her home, but if only her aunt would stay where she belonged and let Andi stay where she belonged: carefree on the Carter Ranch with Taffy.

 

The End