Andrea Carter and the Escape (a sequel to Family Secret)

by Maggie Brevitz (ages 10-13

Illustrated by Maggie Brevitz

Chapter 1 

“No Hannah stop “. Andi exclaimed, as her youngest niece ran out of her room. Andi bounded after her and looked up and down the small hallway. An eerie darkness greeted her but no Hannah.  That’s strange “she thought. “Levi” a voice called from the bottom of the stairs.

Andi peered around the banister and saw her sister Katherine. “Howdy Katherine. Why are you in the house? I thought you went to Fresno with Betsy “. Andi said.

“We did and we bought her a nice dress. When we got back Mitch said that he couldn’t find Levi so I’m looking for him. Have you seen him “? Katherine replied.

“No I haven’t seen him, but Hannah just ran out of my room” Andi said.

“Oh” Katherine said and picked up her skirts to climb the stairwell.

Andi began to walk back to her room when a muffled giggle was heard from the Carter’s guest room at the end of the hall. “I bet their both in there” Andi mumbled then walked to the door. She opened it and found Levi and Hannah sitting on the floor. One suitcase lay open and clothing was strewn ever which way. The bed was rumpled and dirty. Next to the children lay two open pillows. Feathers were floating everywhere. Andi stepped back and gaped.

A gentle hand rested on her shoulder and Katherine said “I think I can handle this honey why don’t you run along”.

Andi nodded and walked back through the hallway to the stairs. On sudden impulse she went back to her room and shut the door. Andi’s mother and oldest brother Justin were on the porch drinking coffee so she grabbed her black hat and headed for the barn. Inside The barn it was cool and shady. Andi opened her mare Taffy’s stall door and flung her arms around the horse’s neck.

Katherine had run away when she was a teenager with her fiancé Troy Swanson. When she left the family never spoke her name again. Andi had been little when Katherine left and she was never told about her long lost sister. Troy was a stagecoach robber, thief, and drunkard so she ran away from him with her three children Levi, Betsy, and Hannah. She returned to the ranch to seek shelter and the other family members had welcomed her back, but to Andi her return had turned her world upside down. Andi got to know her better and changed her opinion.

 After staying for awhile Katherine decided to go stay with Aunt Rebecca in San Francisco. Troy had tried to get the children but Andi had followed him and got them back. Troy caught up with them at a creek but they stood their ground and surprisingly he backed off. The children returned with slight colds but nothing worse. A posse caught up with Troy and put him in jail. After staying for awhile Katherine decided to go stay with Aunt Rebecca in San Francisco Now Katherine was staying at the ranch for a visit.

Andi released her hold on Taffy and picked up a brush. She had been there for five minutes when Levi ran in and said

“It’s dinner time Andi do want to accompany me inside”.

“Sure Levi, will you wait for me I am almost done brushing Taffy”. Andi replied.

“Yep” Levi said and leaned against a post. She was finished in no time and they walked back to the house together.

Chapter 2

 “Andi Andi wake up!” a little voice cried.

Andi pried her eyes open and sat up. Suddenly a bright light filled the room. Once her eyes adjusted to the brightness Andi saw her niece Betsy by the window. “Mornin Betsy, where are the others” Andi asked.

“I think their all downstairs already. By the way do you like my new dress?” Betsy replied.

Andi looked at Betsy and surveyed the beautiful fabric. It was blue and pink with little flowers everywhere. A big blue ribbon around her waist and one in her hair completed the “do”.

“I like it very much its beautiful “Andi said.

“Thanks Andi, now come on today is a school day” Betsy replied with earnest.

SCHOOL! Andi had forgotten about that. “Ok Betsy can you leave so I can get dressed “Andi asked.

 “Sure” Betsy replied and she skipped merrily out of the room.

Andi threw off the covers and shut the door then she set to work busily dressing herself. 5 minutes later she was downstairs in the dining room eating pancakes. They were almost finished when a rap was heard at the door. Justin pushed back his chair and left. He returned almost instantly with an unsmiling sheriff.

 “Good morning Tate what brings you to these parts?” Andi’s mother Elizabeth asked.

“Well…” He paused.

 “Maybe I should take the adults in private and share the news.” Elizabeth’s eyes took on a troubled look and she motioned for the others to follow her.

They went to the parlor and Andi heard the door close after them. The murmur of voices drifted through to the dining room and Andi caught bits and pieces of the conversation.

 “Escape… jail… posse….”Sheriff Tate said.

 Drat I can’t hear much of anything Andi thought. Then her mother and Katherine gasped. This doesn’t look too good. She thought. She pushed back her chair and made her way to the closed parlor door.

“Can we come listen? “Levi whispered.

Andi school her head no and continued to get closer. At last she came to a spot where she could hear clearly.

“So from what I’m understanding Troy has escaped jail!” Katherine exclaimed.

Now it was Andi’s turn to gasp she quickly clapped her hands over her mouth to muffle it. Before she knew what was happening the door swung open and pinned her against the wall. Andi let out a yelp and pushed the door away revealing she had been eavesdropping.

“Andi!“ Elizabeth exclaimed.

 “I’m sorry mother but I just had…” Andi began.

“No ifs, ans, or buts.” Justin said cutting her off.

 “Ok I’m sorry” Andi replied.

 “Why don’t we go to my office and continue our discussion” Sheriff Tate said.

The rest agreed and they all clamored into the buggy.

Chapter 3

            The buggy jostled as it hit a pothole and Andi clutched the edge of the seat.

“Mother can you tell me what’s going on? I don’t want to go to school not knowing.” she said.

 “Well I can tell you this much Troy Swanson has escaped jail and the posse can’t find him, but that’s all I know. We are going to the sheriff’s office to continue our discussion.”Mrs. Carter replied.

 She turned and gave Andi her warmest smile. Andi returned the smile. “It will be alright you’ll see.” She whispered.

 The little party arrived in Fresno with no accidents and Andi and her friend Rosa led the little ones over to the school house. They met Mrs. Hall in her classroom and dropped Levi and Betsy off.

“Good morning Mrs. Hall here are two of your pupils “Andi said.

“Thank you now run along the school day is about to start.” She replied.

Andi and Rosa nodded then scurried up the stairs to the upper classroom. They had a few minutes to spare so Andi decided to tell Rosa her troubles.

“I have some terrible news” she whispered in Spanish.

 “Que’ es lo? What is it” Rosa replied.

 “Do you remember Troy Swanson who tried to kidnap Levi, Betsy, and Hannah” Andi said.

 “Si. “ Rosa answered.

 “He escaped jail and the posse can’t find him.” Andi whispered.

“That is not good Chiquita…” the last of her words were drowned in the loud CLANG! Of the school bell.

“Let’s talk again later” Rosa whispered back. Andi nodded her approval then turned her attention on Mr. Foster.

The air was hot and dry as Andi and Rosa waited outside Justin’s office that afternoon.

“You know Andi Troy might seek revenge now that he has escaped.” Rosa said.

 “I hope not but it’s a possibility” Andi said quietly.

“He was a stagecoach robber right” Rosa asked.

“Si” Andi replied.

Rosa put on a scared face and said “Andi you’ve got to be careful”

“Careful about what” said a voice from across the boardwalk.

 Andi put her hand over her eyes to block the dazzling California sun and saw Cory Blake running toward them.

“Howdy Andi” he called.

“Hi Cory” she called back.

“So whatcha talkin about” he asked as soon as he reached them.

Andi leaned forward and said in a whisper voice

“Troy Swanson escaped jail and he might seek revenge” Cory’s boyish grin faded and he said

“This just got serious.”

“I know” Andi said.

“You two ready to head home” Justin said from the doorway of his business.

 “Si yes” Rosa said.

“See you later Cory “Andi replied and she hopped into the buggy with Rosa at her heels.

The horse started off at an easy pace. Andi turned to wave to Cory but he was gone. 

Chapter 4

            “What were you and Rosa talking to Cory about” Justin asked when they were out of Fresno.

”Well uh…”Andi paused and glanced at Rosa.

Justin sighed “You won’t get in trouble” he said.

Andi looked up at her oldest and most favorite brother.

“We were talking about Troy’s escape from jail. Justin? “she asked.

“ Yes Andi” he replied.

“Do you think he will take revenge? “she finished.

 “Thank you for telling me what you were talking about, and in answer to your question sadly he might” Justin replied.

*Inspiration from Leslie Gammegaard, illustrator

“You see Andi his heart is so full of anger toward everyone here at Circle C.” Justin continued.

Before Andi could reply Rosa cried “Andi look! “.

A rider on horseback was galloping toward them at full speed! The individual astride the steed pulled the reins and the horse swerved to the left and avoided hitting them. Andi noticed that the horse looked like a gelding. Troy owns a gelding! That must have been Troy! Suddenly their horse reared and snorted.

“Andi Rosa get out of the buggy” Justin said in a firm voice.

Andi hopped out of the buggy and offered her hand to Rosa. Justin followed and went to the front to calm the horse. Andi and Rosa watched the rider gallop off into the distance then they followed Justin. Andi stepped on something squishy and round

 “EEK “she said.

Under her school boot was a dead rattlesnake!

“Justin Rosa, come and look at this” she exclaimed.

“That rider must have dropped it to scare patches. Rattlesnakes don’t hang out by the road” Justin said in a voice that held a hint of anger.

“That other horse looked like a gelding and Troy owns a gelding. Are you thinking what I’m thinking” Andi said when their eyes met.

Justin nodded and they all clamored back into the buggy. They reached the Carter ranch with no further incidents and Justin went back to town to tell the sheriff what they saw. Rosa went back to the fields to rejoin her mother and brother.

Andi stormed through the back door exclaiming “mother mother where are you”.

“In the sitting room dear with Katherine” Her mother replied.

 Andi hurried in and sat down in a large armchair. “Mother, Katherine I have some news “and she proceeded to tell them about the snake incident.

 “Justin went back to town to tell the sheriff “She concluded.

 “Oh my this is horrible” Elizabeth said.

“Will he come to the house mother?” Katherine asked.

 “I don’t know” she replied.

The next instant the front door slammed shut and Justin walked in .

“Oh Justin I’m so glad you’re home .How did it go at the sheriff’s office” Elizabeth said.

“It went alright he’s sending a Posse right now” Justin replied.

 “I hope they catch him” Andi said.

 “They may and they may not it’s a 50/50 chance. I bet they will though. “Justin said.

“Where are Levi Betsy and Hannah” Andi asked.

 “Levi is out in the barn with Mitch, I think Betsy is helping Melinda with something, and Hannah should be taking a nap” Katherine answered.

“May I ask Levi to go riding with me “Andi asked.

“You can’t go riding in that school dress “Elizabeth stated.

 “Ok I’ll go change” Andi said.

She quickly ran upstairs and ridded herself of her stuffy clothes then pulled on a riding habit. She was back downstairs in a jiff.

 “Now may I go riding “she asked.

 “Yes of course” Elizabeth said.

 Andi hurried to the door and ran out to the barn. Inside it seemed empty except for the occasional whinny of a horse. When she came to Taffy’s stall she paused to pet her silky forehead.

Suddenly a voice behind her said “Hola Chiquita”

Chapter 5

            “Rosa?” Andi asked.

“Si it is me. What are you doing? “Her friend responded.

“Looking for Mitch and Levi “Andi replied.

“Oh I saw them join your brother Chad in the corral.

“Thanks Rosa I’ll see you later okay? “ Andi answered.

“Si “Rosa replied.

Andi trudged out of the barn and looked across the yard at the corral. Levi, Chad, and Mitch were brushing a horse.

 “Hi Guys “Andi called and started to run into the corral.

 “Hi Andi “Mitch said.

 “Howdy” Chad echoed.

 “Do you want to go riding with me Levi? “ Andi asked.

 Levi looked at her and said “I want to but…”

“That’s okay if you don’t. You won’t hurt my feelings” Andi reassured him.

He breathed a sigh of relief and said he didn’t want to go. Hot and disappointed Andi walked back to the house. The posse arrived the next day and the whole household was jumping. The family gathered outside to see them off. This specific posse consisted of the sheriff and a deputy, several men from town, and Andi’s three older brothers Justin, Chad, and Mitch. Elizabeth handed Chad a sack full of provions.

“I love you. Please be safe” she whispered.

“I will “he promised.

“Goodbye “Andi called from her place next to Melinda.

 “See ya little sister” Mitch called over his shoulder.

Andi watched till they were little specks on the horizon.

“They’re gone Andi come on inside” Elizabeth said.

Andi obeyed her mother and walked inside. 

 Three weary days passed and the posse had not returned. No word had been sent. One hot August afternoon hoof beats were heard outside.

“They’re home” Andi cried and she lept from her seat at the table.

She opened the door and saw 8 sweaty men and another that she assumed was Troy.

“You got him “she exclaimed.

“Yep “Justin said with a triumphant smile.

Just then Katherine pushed her way to the front.

“Did you…” she started but trailed off at the sight of Troy.

 “Katherine “Troy exclaimed speaking for the first time since he had arrived. “Are you really going to let these bandits turn me in?” Troy pleaded.

“Yes as a matter of fact I am” Katherine replied firmly.

Troy scowled and muttered something Andi couldn’t hear.

 “I would like to talk to him please. Would you mind stepping aside? “Katherine asked.

They obliged and watched from a distance as she approached him.

“Troy, “she began. “ You have wronged many people and you richly deserve a consequence, but I will let the judge decided that. I just want you to know that God loves you and you are never too far gone. “She paused to let her words sink in. “Goodbye Mr. Swanson “Katherine finished.

Troy muttered again then the posse led him away.

Epilogue         

Several weeks later a trial was held and Troy was considered guilty. He was given a two-year prison sentence and a $100 dollar fine. In the end a pastor came to the jail and Troy gave his life to Christ and turned away from his evil ways.