A Mystery Horse and a Renewed Friendship

 by Anaiah Bruno

Andrea Carter Prescott’s eyes flew open. Oh no! I’ve fallen asleep again. As usual, what had been a five-minute rest on the couch, had turned into a, she glanced at the clock lying on the shelf, 30-minute nap. She quickly got up, too quickly, and her hand flew to her growing belly. Sorry baby. Should’ve been more careful.

“Kids! Kids, were are you? Jared, Lotte, Lillie,” she called, opening the back door. The yard lay deserted. Andi started growing worried. She mentally chided herself for allowing herself to fall asleep.

“Shh, mama.” Andi turned around, and looked down to see Lillie, her blue eyes staring seriously up at her mother, “We’re playing hide and seek, and I’m seeking.”

Andi smiled at her 6-year-old daughter, relieved that they were all okay, “Well, if you’re seeking, why are you so quiet?”

“Cause that way nobody knows I’m there, and they can make a noise, and make it easier for me to find them.” Lillie smiled triumphantly at her great idea.

“Oh! I see, well I mustn’t delay you. Go look for them.” Her mother answered giving Lillie a quick hug.

Just as Lillie was leaving, the rumble of wheels sounded. The sounds of her children calling out “Daddy, Daddy, you’re back” met her ears.

Andi couldn’t help feeling a bit worried, Riley was never home so early. Could anything have gone wrong? Maybe he was hurt! She was quickly relieved, though, when she heard him greeting the kids.  

She opened the door and shaded her eyes from the sun. The wagon had stopped in front of the barn, and Riley, with Carlos, and the 3 curious youngsters, were looking into the wagon’s bed. She stepped down from the porch and walked over to them.

When Andi got there, she gasped at the sight. Lying on some blankets and hay lay a very muddy horse. It was so dirty that she could barely see its real color. Its mane and tail were matted and tangled, and its foreleg was covered in blood. “Riley, where did this horse come from?” she asked him.

“We were working in the back pasture, when Joey, who’d been throwing some fence farther off, rode over to tell us that he thought he’d seen a horse lying in a big mud puddle. We followed him, and sure enough there he was. He seems to have cut himself on some loose wire. His leg was tangled in a piece, he could barely walk. Anyways, nobody seemed to be close by, nor did he have a brand anywhere, so I brought him with me,” he answered.

“Con permiso Señor, I am going to take this horse to the barn and wash him up. Do you think we should send one of the hands to get the vet in Circle C?” Carlos said in Spanish.

“Buena idea, Carlos, I’ll go myself, since Matt and Joey are still working.” Riley quickly untied Dakota from where he stood tied to the back of the wagon. He blew Andi a kiss and rode off.

***

“Mama, can we go see the horse?” Jared ran up to his mother and looked up at her pleadingly.

“Maybe later. Right now we should let Carlos work in peace and quiet.” Andi herself wanted to go, but she knew it would be better to allow Carlos space without interruptions.

“Please Mama, we’ll be awfully quiet,” begged Lotte.

“Please!” Lillie added to her siblings pleas.

Andi was about to give up and say yes, although part of her wondered why children couldn’t obey from the start, when again the rumble of wheels sounded. She looked up to see the Circle C buggy stop. She was surprised to see her mother jump off, and after her Ellie with Susie and Thomas.

“Susie! Tommy!” cried the kids, happy to see their cousins.

“Mother, Ellie, so good to see you. Hi kids!” Andi smiled at her young niece and nephew and then gave her mother and sister-in-law a hug.

“Hello dear. We were riding over here to bring you some peaches, and to visit, if it’s not too much trouble. On our way here we met Riley, and he told us about the mystery horse.” Elizabeth Carter returned the hug and handed Andi a basket of peaches.

“Trouble mother? Of course not! And thank you. I’ve been wanting peaches for so long,” she answered, smiling. “And now that you came, the kids will be distracted from the horse. I told them once to wait, but no, they keep asking.”

Ellie laughed and Elizabeth smiled. “Reminds me of a young girl I knew once, who would keep asking even when I told her no.”

“Mother!” Andi protested blushing.

“Andrea.” Her mother retorted laughing.

They all entered the house and the three women sat around the table to talk and sew.

***

Andi stepped out into the barn the next morning after breakfast. The kids had just left with Ellie and her kids, who had come to pick them up for school. Andi hadn’t seen the horse since the vet had arrived. He had said that the leg was only slightly sprained, but he would probably always walk with a limp. He had still been dirty. When they had cleaned him up, she hadn’t been able to go out since she wasn’t feeling well.  Riley had told her that the horse was a golden palomino, much like Taffy.

When Andi looked into the stall, she saw that yes, he was a lot like Taffy, but even more like … “Sunny,” She whispered.

The horse lifted its head and nickered softly.

Andi’s heart started thumping. Could this be Sunny, Shasta’s twin? But that was impossible. He was supposed to be back east, with Macy. “Sunny, is that you?”

This time the horse tried to get up.

“Riley!” Andi turned around and rushed outside to the paddock where Riley was watching some colts frolic around.

“What is it Andi? Is everything alright?” Worry filled Riley’s eyes.

“I think that horse is Sunny!”

“Shasta’s twin? But Andi, he’s supposed to be back in Arkansas.”

“I know, and I have no idea how he could have gotten here. All I know is that he looks a lot like Sunny, and when I called him that, he responded.”

“Why don’t you write Macy a letter to ask her about it?” Riley asked.

“That’s a great idea, Riley. I’ll do just that.”

***

Two weeks had gone by, and by now the horse was much better. Everyone also knew about the possibility about it being Sunny. And when Sunny saw Shasta, and the two had met excitedly, like two long lost friends, their assumptions were confirmed. Then one day…

“Andi, you’ve got a letter!” Riley came in to the house running.

Andi quickly wiped her hands on her apron and grabbed it, tearing it open. “It’s from Macy!” She read it aloud:

Dear Andi,

I’m sorry for taking so long in answering. I’ve been on a trip, and just got back to find Sunny missing. My aunt had also come on the trip, so neither of us knew what had happened. Then I saw your letter and was surprised and relieved. The question I’ve been asking myself is the same as you. How did he get there? Anyways, I should probably be on my way there right now and hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, Macy

“Oh good! But we still have the mystery of how he got here,” Andi said as she finished the letter.

Riley plopped his hat on his head, “I’m heading off to town to talk to the sheriff. You think you’ll be okay?”

“Of course. I’m still more than a month away.” Andi smiled and turned around to continue washing the dishes.

***

Andi stepped outside, the sun blinded her for a few seconds. She crossed to the paddock where Shasta and a few other horses were frolicking about.  

At seeing Andi, Shasta came running. He nickered happily and blew into her face. “Hey boy, how are you?” Andi asked, stroking his soft mane. “Sorry I haven’t ridden you in a while, but don’t worry, I will soon.” She smiled and gave him a sugar cube.

Just then she heard the gallop of hooves. She looked up. Riding towards her were two men. They stopped and dismounted. Both were tall and scraggly and had cold stares.

 Andi felt as if she’d seen them before, but she couldn’t quite place them. She looked around to see if she could see any of the ranch hands. Where were they?

“Well, well, well, what have we got here? You’ve grown since last we saw you.” Spoke the first man, coming closer.

Andi stumbled backward, she caught herself before falling. Where have I heard that voice before? Out-loud she said, “H-h-how, w-w-what do you mean?” she stuttered.

“Don’t you remember me, rich girl?” He got so close she could smell his foul breath.

Suddenly Andi remembered, Macy’s brothers! “But you’re supposed to be in jail! And where’s Jase?” Andi asked, fear clutching at her heart. Lord, please help me!

He’s dead!” The one whom Andi recognized as Ty spit out the words. “All because of you.” He pointed a dirty finger at Andi. “And now, we’ve come back, for revenge.”  

The second one, Rudy, spoke up. “And about jail, we couldn’t stay there forever, could we?” he laughed sinisterly. “First, we decided to pay our dear aunt and sweet sister a visit,” Rudy continued, “but they weren’t there. The horse was, though. Sunny, is it?”

So that’s how Sunny got here, Andi thought.

“Anyways, we got the horse and shipped ourselves here. But the horse was proving too much trouble, so we left him somewhere near here. Probably dead by now. And now we’re here. You’re coming with us to teach those old brothers of yours to mind their own business,” Rudy finished.

Andi considered running, but one look at the men told her it would be useless. They both had guns… and horses.

Just then, the sound of buggy wheels came to their ears. Riley and the children and Macy! Sure enough, she quickly recognized their buggy. Rudy and Ty put their hands to their sides and turned around. Oh God, please, don’t let the men hurt them.

Riley’s hazel eyes widened as he saw the two men. He quickly stopped the buggy and jumped off. Andi could see the 6 year-old twins and 8 year-old Jared’s eyes fill with fear. Macy looked surprised and afraid.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t our long-lost sister.” Rudy said in mock sweetness. “How we’ve missed you.”

“The feeling is far from mutual.” Macy shot back. She jumped off the wagon and started walking toward them, Riley right behind her. Andi stared, fear gripping her.

“Stop!” Rudy pointed his gun at them.

“You wouldn’t shoot your own sister.” Macy kept walking.

“Oh yes, I would!” Rudy shouted, loading his gun.

Macy shot him a withering look but stopped. She knew her brother was capable of doing what he had said. Hadn’t she done a similar thing years before, when she had almost shot her brother Jase?

Suddenly the sound of another gun going off, made them all start. Rudy dropped his gun and Riley took the opportunity to fall on him and tackle him to the ground.

Ty, who had put his pistol back in its holster, quickly started to try to get it out, but from out of nowhere appeared Matt and grabbed him. Carlos and Joey followed right behind, pointing their guns at the two outlaws. Rudy and Ty struggled to break free until Carlos shot the air. They both stopped. Then Joey grabbed some rope and tied their hands and feet. Macy quickly grabbed two handkerchiefs and stuffed them into each of their mouths to stop their swearing.

Sobs emerged from the buggy and Andi ran towards it to comfort her children. Thank you Lord, for keeping us safe.

***

Hours later, they all, except Rudy and Ty who were safely locked up in jail, sat around the dinner table sipping hot chocolate. After they had tied the criminals up, Joey had gone for the sheriff. He had arrived and taken them off to jail. Andi had taken Macy to the barn for a happy reunion with Sunny. And then, they caught up in the years they hadn’t seen each other.

Macy had changed a lot from the one Andi remembered. She was tall, and had her shiny golden hair tied up into a neat bun on her head. She loved the Lord and was engaged to a pastor in Arkansas.

“I’d love for you and your beautiful family to come for my wedding in March. I’ve told Patrick all about you, and how you reached out to me and were so kind to me when nobody else was. Oh Andi, I thank the Lord every day for your friendship.” Macy said, eyes shining.

“So do I,” Andi answered hugging her friend. “And about the wedding, I’d love to go. I’ll talk to Riley about it.”

“My aunt Hester would also love to meet you.” Macy smiled, then it quickly disappeared. “Poor Jase! Yes none of them were ever loving towards me. But–” She broke off, eyes staring into the distance.

“Family is family.” Andi finished for her.

***

Andi stood beside Riley on the train station, her children standing next to her.

“Thank you for everything.”  Macy said, coming up from where she’d been buying her ticket.

“You’re more than welcome!” Andi responded. “And this time, let’s not forget to write letters to each other.” She added.

“I promise I won’t forget this time.” Macy answered laughing.

“All aboard!” the conductor shouted.

“Well, goodbye!” Macy and Andi hugged.

As the train chugged away, Andi thought to herself, who would think that God would use two criminals stealing a horse to bring Macy and me back together. She sighed, she would miss Sunny, her mystery horse.

“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17a