Captured in the Woods

by Karen (2015-16 contest entry)

San Joaquin Valley, Fresno, California Summer, 1883

Sixteen-year-old Andrea “Andi” Rose Carter walked glumly across the dusty ranch yard toward the large horse barn, where her chocolate palomino, Shasta, greeted her with a soft nicker.

“Hello, Shasta,” mumbled Andi. “Why did Aunt Rebecca have to choose today of all days to come here for four weeks! And I have to wear an itchy dress made of some awful red material! And I have to wear a corset! Those things are torture!”

Andi continued to lament her Aunt's visit to the Carter Ranch for some minutes while the patient gelding nickered once in a while, almost as if to comfort her. Once Andi had let off some steam she calmed down a bit. “Oh well, I guess she hasn't stopped me from riding yet! So I guess I might as well get the most of it before she stops me!”

Andi suddenly stopped and laughed. “Let's get started!”

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Three days later, Andi was sitting at the table for dinner, back inside the house, stuck in an itchy, mint-green dress with her hair up and her feet squashed inside torturous heels. Dinner was delicious, but Andi hardly tasted it.

“Yes, Auntie?” Andi unconsciously straightened up in her chair as she realized her aunt was talking to her.

“Your mother tells me that you are sewing a dress. Will it be done in time for the dance that Mr. Stead is holding?”

“Who is Mr. Stead?” Andi questioned, puzzled. “And when is this dance?”

“Haven't you been listening to your brother, Andrea? Mr. Stead is a very wealthy man who has just moved into town. He married the daughter of a very good friend of mine. I have only recently learned this news. Cassandra is coming over tomorrow morning, and staying for tea. I am going to leave her daughter, Jessica to your care. She is fifteen.”

Well, at least I don't have to answer about the dress! But bossy Aunt Rebecca! She's not at all like the Bible-time Rebecca.

At long last, Andi was finally excused from the table, after enduring another hour of chit-chat over peach cobbler. As soon as she plopped into bed, she fell asleep.

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At about ten o'clock the Stead's carriage pulled up in the driveway. A lady, about 40 years old stepped out, enveloped in an enormous silk cloak, covering her so completely you could not see her ruffly dress. A young girl followed her, similarly dressed.

Oh, great, Andi thought, as she peered over the edge of the balcony, off of her room. Maybe appearances can be deceiving, but I bet she is really a snob inside all of her silk and lace.

Just then she was called down to come and greet their guests. Andi glanced longingly at the railing but decided to not embarrass her mother or Aunt, so she passed it by with a sigh, though she did race down the stairs, slowing down as she reached the parlour door. There she stopped and peeked in. Gathering her courage she walked inside and stood, rather uncomfortably, inside the doorway, her back to the piano.

“And you must be Andrea,” guessed the fashionable Mrs. Stead. “Your mother was just telling me about you.”

“Yes, I am. You are Mrs. Stead?” asked Andi with what she hoped was a good curtsy.

“Yes I am. This is my daughter, Jessica Katherine. Your Aunt told me you would take good care of her?”

Andi looked across the room to where her dear Aunt Rebecca sat, a small smile on her face. Auntie, you have no say in my affairs! She fumed, but answered politely, “Yes, I will.”

“Good, child.” The lady turned away with a superior air and started some chit-chat with Melinda and Elizabeth.

Andi looked at Jessica Stead and queried if she would like to see her room.

“Okay,” replied Jessica. “Let's go.”

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The girls walked up the carpeted stairs to Andi's room. Thankfully, Aunt Rebecca had given Andi warning last night to clean her room. Now it was almost spotless.

Jessica broke the silence. “You have a beautiful house.”

“Thank you,” returned Andi. “Do you like your new house in town?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Do you like to ride?” asked Andi with excitement. “I have a wonderful chocolate palomino. His name is Shasta, and he's a gelding. He is gorgeous. Do you want to go see him? If you want we can ride to my special spot at the creek and... I guess you wouldn't want to fish.” In her excitement Andi forgot to leave spaces for Jessica to reply.

“First of all, do you like being called Andrea or Andi? I heard your sister call you Andi.”

“I prefer Andi, but only adults call me Andrea, unless I'm in big trouble.”

“Can I call you Andi, then? If you want you can call me Jess.”

“Sure, you can call me Andi.”

“Great. Let's go ride! I love to. I have a chestnut mare named Cinnamon. She is fast! And I love to fish although Mama doesn't let me get the chance much. I wonder why I am so different from her,” Jessica mused. “But come on, let's go!”

They tore down the stairs, but Andi halted and motioned Jessica to slow down. “Shush. Let's go out the back exit; that way no one will hear the door open and shut.”

Suddenly Jessica gasped and put her finger to her lips, simultaneously pressing her ear to the partially shut door. Andi followed her example. However, she was too late and all she heard was the latest fashions.

Jessica dragged Andi down the stairs and out the back exit. “Did you hear that? Mama said that I'm adopted! If I really am then maybe that's why I'm so different from her.”

“Slow down, Jessica! Are you sure you aren't imagining this? I listened almost as quickly as you and all I heard was fashions from San Francisco!”

“Of course I'm sure!” Jessica snapped. “Sorry. I'm just in shock, I guess.”

“That's alright. I forgive you. But come on, let's go riding!”

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The day passed quickly. Andi found at the end when the Carters were bidding their guests goodbye, Jessica was almost as close as Rosa, Andi's second-best friend from Mexico, who worked with her family on Andi's family's ranch. (Rosa's family helped Andi when she ran away from the ranch. The Carters repaid the Gudarnos by giving them a place to stay and work on the ranch.) Of course, Andi's best friend was Shasta.

Later that night, as Andi knelt by her bed to pray she remembered her spiteful thoughts against Jessica. I'm sorry God. I will apologize to her tomorrow if I can. If I cannot I will apologize as soon as possible. Amen.

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The next day Andi rode into town on Shasta. She was hoping for an excuse to see Jessica's home. Because she thought it would be rather weird if she just dropped in on the Steads, this apology provided the perfect opportunity to see the Stead's mansion.

Soon after arriving in town, she spotted the large, brick house that was painted white with light blue trim. Tying Shasta to the hitching post that was under a giant oak, she cautiously walked up to the porch. The four-floor house was constructed on the edge of town.

Roley Estate, as Andi could see from the brass plate affixed to the gate, included five acres and several outbuildings. Andi rang the bell and the door was opened almost immediately by a prim looking maid.

“Yes, miss?” she inquired. “Why are you here?”

“I'm looking for Miss Jessica Stead. I'm Andi Carter.”

“Oh, yes. My mistress mentioned you. Come in.” Andi stepped into a world of luxury. “Just a moment if you please, miss. I will call Miss Stead.”

“Thank you.”

Jessica appeared a moment later. Andi was in the sitting room, sitting on an uncomfortable horsehair chair. The room was stiff; though tastefully decorated.

“Ummm... I'm sorry for thinking mean thoughts about you yesterday. But I know that just because someone is rich doesn't mean that they are snobby.”

“Oh, I forgive you Andi. But I was wondering how I could tell you without arousing Mother's suspicions by riding over to your place. Mama and Father told me last night that I was adopted; my real mama and father are not alive. I'm sad but at the same time ...I don't know how to express it. I feel so different now,” Jessica added.

“That is so interesting!” Andi exclaimed. “None of my friends are adopted. I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to, Jess.”

“Please, I don't want anyone to know; they might think it's scandalous or something; you know how people are.”

“I sure do! But Jess, I've got to leave now, because I told Mother I'd be back for lunch, and it takes an hour to get back to our ranch. Sorry.”

“Alright. See you later. I'll see you out.”

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Over the summer the two girls quickly grew to be good friends. They rode together, raced, fished, shopped, and just talked with each other.

One day Jessica was riding alone in the woods on her parent's estate. Suddenly Cinnamon snorted and reared, causing Jessica to almost lose her seat, but as she was an excellent horsewoman she did not.

“What's the matter, girl?” asked Jessica in a soothing tone. “What made you startle?” All of a sudden she saw a white flag fluttering on a tree ahead of them. “Oh ho- that's what spooked you, Cinnamon,” she answered her own question. “Come on, girl, let's go.”

But Cinnamon refused and balked instead. “What is the matter with you?!”

Jessica was abruptly snatched from her faithful Cinnamon and a piece of filthy rag stuffed into her open mouth. Cinnamon went galloping back to the estate and soon her pounding hooves were no longer heard.

Jessica struggled furiously but was overpowered by her captors. She was startled, of course, and her struggle tired her out, so she made little resistance as a long piece of rope was knotted over and over again. Sharp bits of the rope fibres dug into her wrists because it was tied too tightly. Securely bound and somewhat gagged, Jessica was carried into the woods by her captors to a little shack in a denser part of the trees.

Resistance was futile. The only resentment she could offer was to glare what her mother called her 'death ray' at the burly men who held her captive.

One man stayed outside while the partner stayed inside the doorless hut to interrogate and threaten Jessica.

“Why do you even want me?” Jessica burst out as soon as her bonds were removed. “I was riding peacefully on Father's land when you grabbed me.”

“You think we're dumb, girl? We got brains. We know your folks is rich, Cyrus and me.” The man named Cyrus yelled affirmation through the shattered window. “And ya got way too close to our smuggling secrets. So Cy will deliver your ransom note that ya sign and then when we let ya go us boys will be out o' the state. Great plan, huh?”

“No. You made one grave error. You didn't research my family. If my parents are as rich as you say they are then everyone who's that wealthy will have bodyguards to protect their immediate family. You ought to have realized that. So by now two of my bodyguards will have probably have made their way back to my house and warned my family to come search for me. The other one or two will be following your trail to alert the rescuers. Makes sense, doesn't it?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Cy and Jake grudgingly admitted. “So we will move you then. Eliminate evidence. Goodbye, Miss Stead!” Jake laughed harshly as he exited the rough shack.

“Cy, you guard the girl while I pack up camp. We'll clear out before dark.”

They could just be bluffing to try and scare me. But they are for real--

Jessica spied a quick, slight motion. Cautiously, slowly, she peered behind her. There was Andi on Shasta. They blended in perfectly with the light filtering through the canopy of trees.

Andi mouthed, “Come”.

Jessica waited, pretending to be offering no resistance in the least, then when they almost relaxed, she dashed for safety.

“Get her!” yelled Cy.

Jessica scrambled onto Shasta behind Andi and they galloped off. Soon the outlaws were far behind them. Shasta stopped in front of Jessica's house. As soon as the story was unfolded, Mitch (he had come with Andi to meet Jessica,) and Mr. Stead loped into the woods, searching for a flag. Soon they observed the flag, fluttering like a signal. Reaching it, they traced the broken branches to the two outlaws, scurrying around the campsite, packing everything up.

After a brief struggle, the outlaws were captured, tied, and led prisoner back to the estate. They had a trial and were found guilty of kidnapping. Justly punished, the two outlaws were sent to a larger prison in upper California.

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On Friday Andi rode into town to explain why she was along at the critical moment. “God must have guided me, and made your captors laugh and yell extra loud. They were very noisy. It was easy to find you!”

“And Mama told me she really does love me. She was so scared for me, though she is most of the time anyways.”

And Andi and Jessica joined in, “Thank You, Jesus!” Then Andi remembered, “and thank you Aunt Rebecca for asking about that dress!”she added with a laugh.

“Why did your Aunt ask about a dress?” asked Jessica, puzzled. At the sight of Jess's puzzled face, Andi laughed again. “Let me tell you the whole, long, story, Jess!”

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As Andi whirled around the dance floor in Mitch's arms Andi was glad that a simple question about a dress and a dance could bring about a great friend, a great adventure, and a great evening. At the end of the dance there was an announcement made by Mr. Stead.

“I would like to thank Andrea Carter for her help in rescuing my daughter and helping catch the criminals in the act. My wife and I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to you by giving you a small gift. Please accept it as a token of our appreciation. We cannot find words to express ourselves, and as for Jessica, she, of course, has thanked you and offered you her friendship. But just to say thank you again, here is our gift.”

He produced a large, prettily-wrapped rectangular box and presented it to Andi. She opened it and found a beautiful new bridle and saddle blanket.

“Thank you very much, Andrea.”

“You are welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Stead. And thank you too! The gifts are wonderful!”

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The Lord is my helper;I will not fear. What can man do to me?” ~Hebrews 13:6

“God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.” ~Psalm 46:1