Someone Different Ages 13-17

 By Sara Miller

Picture prompt #16 - Who? Where? Why?

With a deep breath, Carlisle Donnelly entered the Fresno, California mercantile. “Do you know anyone who is looking for a ranch hand?” Carlisle asked, fighting to keep her tone from sounding desperate.

“Circle C Ranch is,” the man at the counter said. “I know someone who can give you a ride there if you would like.”

“Thank you, sir.” Carlisle kept her eyes averted.

“Mitch Carter, perfect timing,” the man said as the door swung open, revealing a young man with a wide-brimmed cowboy hat.

The man chuckled. “For what, Mr. Goodwin?”

Mitch Carter, Carlisle reminded herself.

“This young lad is looking for work. I told him the Circle C Ranch needed a few more ranch hands. Can you give him a lift there since you’re going that way?” Mr. Goodwin asked.

“Certainly,” Mitch said. He glanced at Carlisle and she quickly looked at the ground. “How old are you?”

“Fifteen.” Carlisle winced at the lie. You’re not fifteen! You’re nineteen! her thoughts shouted. “But I can do hard work and I’m willing to learn whatever you teach me,” she spoke in her deep voice, doing her best to ignore her pressuring thoughts.

Mitch nodded. “What’s your name?”

Carlisle’s mind scrambled for a name that wasn’t her own, yet similar. “Carl,” she said, keeping her tone expressionless. 

He nodded and waved his hand for her to follow him as he left the mercantile. “I drove the wagon here today. It’s over here,” Mitch said. He waved his hand to a lone wooden wagon with two horses hitched to it.

Carlisle nodded. I’m glad I do not have to ride yet… Her thoughts trailed off as they reached the wagon, Carlisle scrambled in the back, being as far from the handsome young man as she could.

Mitch eyed her briefly, making her heart race before he turned away and started the horses.

Carlisle watched the trees and surroundings go by as they drove away from town, paying close attention to every detail. “How far out is your ranch?” she asked.

“It’s about an hour,” Mitch responded.

Carlisle nodded and settled down for the ride, being careful to keep her hat low and hair hidden. I cannot let him find out.

 

---

 

Mitch glanced at the young man beside him. He said he was fifteen but that doesn’t seem right, he thought. They rounded the final turn and the Circle C Ranch came into sight. He halted the horses near the barn and jumped off the wagon. “Chad!” he shouted across the yard. He might be out on the range.

“Mitch? Did you get everything?” Chad appeared at the barn door.

“Yep. A new ranch hand too.” He waved his hand back to the wagon.

Chad nodded. “I’ll show him to the bunkhouse and discuss his wage.” He strode toward the wagon, and after exchanging a few words with the young man, they started to the bunkhouse a short distance away.

Mitch watched them go, noting the boy looking around carefully. He’s searching for something, he thought uneasily. But what, I wonder?

------------

Mitch eyed the new ranch hand as they rode the range, on their way out to check the cattle. Something seems off. I don’t think Chad or anyone else noticed it.

Carl didn’t act as most ranch hands did and didn’t talk with them much either. Any of them. Which is strange since they all gossip together like old biddies.

Mitch frowned, remembering his conversation with Sid, the ranch’s foreman. He said nothing bad about Carl, but he did mention that Carl seemed out of place with the rest of the ranch hands. Strange, Mitch thought again.

Pushing his thoughts to the side, he saddled up Chase and mounted his chestnut horse. Off to the north, mountain range today, he thought, kicking his horse into a canter.

Lost in his thoughts about the mysterious Carl, he let Chase lead the way to the far north side of the ranch. Slowing to a trot a short while later, Mitch rode for a good distance north till he was nearly in the mountains. Almost there, he thought. He was hardly paying attention when a shriek echoed through the hills, making Chase perk up and Mitch freeze on the saddle. 

What on earth? Instinctively, Mitch pulled out his rifle and loaded it, keeping a firm grip on the reins in one hand. That’s got to be just a wild animal… He tightened his grip on the reins and rode forward. Huh. Mitch glanced at his horse, whose ears were pointed to where the noise had sounded only moments before.

The shriek sounded again, sending chills up Mitch’s spine. That’s no animal.

A pistol echoed in the hills only a few seconds later as the high pitched shriek sounded yet again.

Mitch bolted into action. Kicking Chase into a gallop, he raced forward. He rounded the turn before yanking Chase to a halt.

A lone horse was struggling against a rope holding him fast on the edge of a cliff. Oh no. Mitch’s heart leaped in his throat as he stared at the scene before him, his heart racing.

“Pal! Calm down!” a voice called from the edge of the cliff. “The cougar is gone now.” The voice quieted. “I hope.”

The Circle C ranch horse, Pal, stood still for only a second before fighting the rope once again.

Is that a woman’s voice? Mitch eyed the horse and the edge of the cliff. Where is she, anyway?

“I can’t get up there, Pal. I never thought a cougar would come around here and spook you, let alone throw me.” A sigh followed the words. “I’m stuck here till someone comes.” A rock falling down the cliff sounded, followed by a rush of rocks and debris. “No!” Terror filled the girl’s voice. “One more move and I…” she didn’t finish her sentence.

Mitch unmounted Chase. Leaving him standing there, he walked to Pal, who stopped moving the second Mitch neared. “Pal,” Mitch said smoothly.

Only silence came from the cliff edge. Mitch cautiously walked closer and peered over the edge.

A young woman, with dark red curls surrounding her face, was looking up at him. She shrank back, fear evident in her eyes. Her foot dislodged a rock and sent it flying down below as she tensed.

“Are you alright?” Mitch asked. “I got Pal.” What is she doing with him anyway? I thought Carl left this morning with him. He frowned. He wouldn’t take off with Pal and give… or sell… him to someone, would he?

“Can you help me out of here?” Desperation filled the woman’s voice. “One more wrong move and I…” she trailed off.

Mitch nodded and left the cliff edge. He walked to Pal and lifted the rope from the saddle horn before returning to the cliff edge where the woman was. That little edge she’s on doesn’t seem very stable, Mitch thought. I got to get her out of there. “I’m going to throw this down, and you climb up. Alright?” he called down.

“Alright.” The woman nodded once.

 

---

Carlisle swallowed hard. He is going to figure out who I am in only a minute. I cannot let him know how… or else he might leave me here… but he wouldn’t do that, would he? Carlisle bit her lip as she watched the rope inch down toward her.

At last, it reached her. Carlisle took it in her hands, gripping it tight. “Now what?” she asked, disliking her trembling voice. Pain shot in her hands and up her arms.

“Can you climb up?” Mitch Carter’s voice came from above.

Carlisle glanced at her raw, bleeding hands. “Yes,” she bit out. I didn’t know my hands were scraped so much. No wonder they’re hurting. She loosened her grip on the rope slightly.

“Take your time and climb up.” Mitch’s voice was soothing.

With a deep breath, Carlisle put one hand above the other. Her feet scrambled for a place to step on the side of the cliff and every once in a while, found one.

Minutes seemed like hours till finally, Carlisle reached the top. Mitch’s hand was reached down to her, which she gratefully took. Once safely a good distance from the cliff edge, Carlisle walked over to Pal, keeping her head down all the while. “Thank you, sir. I do not know what would have happened if it wasn’t for you.”

Mitch didn’t respond but asked, “Who are you and what are you doing with one of the Circle C Ranch horses?” His tone was questioning… and suspicious.

Carlisle’s heart fell. He’s going to find me out now. Carlisle snatched her hat off the ground and plopped it on her head before shoving all her wild curls under it. She lifted her head and met Mitch’s gaze a moment later.

“Are you Carl?” Mitch asked, disbelieving. “The new ranch hand we hired last month?” His eyes were wide in shock.

“I am Carl,” Carlisle said, lowering her voice.

“But you’re a woman!” Mitch exploded.

Carlisle was silent. I’m glad he knows that much, she thought dryly.

“What is your name?” Mitch asked. “Why did you pretend to be a boy?”

“Carl,” Carlisle bit out.

Mitch’s eyes narrowed as he frowned. “Com’on. We’re going back to the ranch.”

“No.” Carlisle balked. “I will leave today and I will not be a bother to you or your ranch. I’ll leave the horse at the barn. You won’t hear from me again.” She swung herself up on Pal. Kicking her heels in his sides, they raced south toward the ranch at a breathtaking speed.

The sound of hoofbeats came beside her and Carlisle turned her head. Mitch. Her heart sank. She swallowed hard. His horse is faster than mine. I’m not going to be able to get away. She gripped Pal’s reins and swiftly halted the horse.

Mitch rode a few hundred feet past before he swung his horse around. An expression crossed his face that Carlisle couldn’t chipper. He halted in front of her.

“What do you want? You know I’m a woman. Are you going to tell the sheriff about me? You’re going to get me in deep trouble if you do. Why? Can’t you just leave me alone?” Anger shook her voice, Carlisle nudged Pal into a trot, refusing to look at the man.

Catching up to her, Mitch said, “I want to know why you didn’t tell us you were a woman.” He fell silent.

“You want to know why?” Carlisle faced him. “I pretended to be a boy because every ranch, every ranch,” she ground out. “Didn’t want to hire a woman, no matter how much I know about ranching, horses, and cattle. I gave up. I decided to pretend to be a boy because I needed work.” Angry tears filled her eyes. Nothing will change the fact that the Carters will tell the sheriff about me… worse yet, I’m out of a job. The word of this will certainly get around and no one will want to hire me, boy or not, she thought bitterly.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” she demanded a moment later when Mitch didn’t say a word.

“I was pondering what you said.” Mitch’s serious tone made her look at him. In unison, both halted their horses. “I think you are a courageous woman to do what you had to do to earn money.”

Carlisle was stunned into silence. Of all the things I thought he might say, that was not one of them. I was sure he would scold me, at the very least. “What are you going to do?”

Mitch met and held her gaze. “I won’t tell anyone. You can do that in your own time if you want. In the meantime, I hope you will not leave the ranch. We need you here. You pull your own weight, if not more.” He studied her. “Will you stay?”

“I’ll stay,” Carlisle whispered, stunned at his words.

They rode to the ranch in silence. Carlisle was grateful Mitch didn’t talk more as she thought about their conversations and what had happened that afternoon. I don’t know what I’m going to do. She hesitated. Yet.

 

Carlisle took a deep breath. It’s time I tell the Carters. If they demand I leave or tell the sheriff, so be it. I’m tired of living a secret. She bit her lip. But who do I tell first? She rode slowly to the ranch as she thought.

Her question was answered the second she rode into the ranch yard. Her gaze landed on Chad Carter. She swallowed hard. He is my boss here… so I’ll tell him, she decided. She halted her horse and slipped from the saddle, holding Pal’s reins tightly.

“Did you finish checking the range?” Chad asked.

Carlisle nodded. “Everything looks good,” she said. She hesitated. Now or never. I got to work up the nerve. “I have something to tell you,” she stated. “My real name isn’t Carl. I’m not Carl. I am someone different.”

“What is your real name?” Chad asked as his eyes narrowed.

“Carlisle Donnelly,” Carlisle said.

Chad was silent momentarily before a baffled expression crossed his face. “But that’s a girl's name?” he said, his tone questioning.

Carlisle nodded once.

“Wait a moment…” Chad trailed off.

Carlisle took a deep breath and yanked off her hat, revealing her mess of red curls.

Chad’s mouth dropped open. “You’re a woman!”

“Mitch said the very same thing,” Carlisle said dryly.

Chad looked stunned. “He knows?”

“Yes,” Carlisle said. “Now that you know, am I out of a job? I understand if you choose to fire me. Not an excuse, but I just needed a job.”

Chad didn’t speak for a long moment. “You can stay, for now,” he added in a low tone. “Keep wearing your hat. It’s better if no one knows that you are a woman.” He spun and marched toward the house without a backward look.

Carlisle watched him go, confused at what had happened. As for right now, I still have my job, she thought. And I better get back to it.

 

---

 

At supper that evening, Mitch eyed his brother worriedly. He’s too silent for Chad. I wonder what’s wrong. “Chad, is everything alright?” he asked a short while later.

Chad glanced up from his plate which he had been staring at. He nodded curtly.

Mother lifted her head and stared at her son. “Chad, this is unlike you,” she said softly.

“I have a lot on my mind, I reckon.” Chad sighed.

“And what is that?” Mother prompted.

“You know our new ranch hand, Carl?” Chad said.

Mitch froze. Oh no.

Mother nodded, questions in her eyes.

“Today he came up to me and said he had something to tell me. Of all of the things I thought he might have said, this was not one of them.”

“What was it?” Mitch asked. He held his breath.

“Carl isn’t a boy. She’s a woman!” Chad exclaimed.

“A woman?” Mother asked.

“A woman.” Chad turned and focused on Mitch. “I was shocked, to say the least. Not only that… but she said Mitch knew.” He held Mitch’s gaze.

Mitch shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Taking a deep breath, he told the story about how he had rescued Carlisle. “I said I wouldn’t tell anyone, but would let her tell in her timing. I’m glad she did.”

“What should I do? She isn’t a boy, so the last thing I want is for her to be out with the ranch hands all the time. Especially the ones we hire during roundup season.”

Silence fell around the table. Even Andi and Justin were silent.

“What if…” Mother started. “What if she didn’t work out on the range, but worked here instead?” she suggested. “Luisa could use more help in the kitchen. If you need help on the range, I’m certain she would be happy to give you a hand.”

“You know…” Chad trailed off. “That isn’t such a bad idea.”

---------------

Mitch was given the challenge to tell Carlisle. “Since you were first to know she was a woman,” Chad had said teasingly.

Mitch had laughed but kept his thoughts to himself. What if she doesn’t believe me? But here it goes. He entered the barn and walked up to Carlisle who was brushing Pal. “Carlisle?” he said.

Carlisle froze before turning to face him. “Who told you my real name?” she whispered. “Chad?”

Mitch nodded. “Chad told the family today at supper. Mother suggested something for you to do,” he said.

“What is that?” Carlisle asked wearily.

“Would you want to help in the house? The housekeeper could use some help. If we needed help on the range, we’d send for you. Think about it, wouldja?”

“I don’t need to think about it,” Carlisle answered swiftly.

“Oh?” Mitch waited. I hope she stays…

“I will take the job of helping the housekeeper,” Carlisle said. Sudden tears filled her eyes. “I appreciate it. I was certain you would fire me, but this? I am pleasantly surprised. Thank you,” she said.

“You can start this afternoon. Luisa will be waiting for you.” Mitch turned to leave the barn but Carlisle’s voice called him back.

“Thank you for rescuing me, Mitch,” Carlisle said.