Caught in a Cave

by Kay Wright

CHAPTER 1

            Andi Carter Prescott brushed a stray strand of dark hair from her face and sighed. I’m so tired of being tired. She swiped a hand across her sweaty forehead. Her gaze fell on the bulge beneath her dress. Nearly eight and a half months into her pregnancy, she was hot, tired, and just plain done . . . all over again. I thought that, nine years after Jared’s birth, I’d be full-on ready for another baby blessing.

            She sighed. C’mon, Andi Prescott, you’ve made it this far. Only three more weeks to go. Then she smiled. Only three more weeks. I can’t wait. Plunging her hands into the sink full of soapy water, she continued to muse. Hmmm . . . I wonder? Will it be Thomas Justin? Or Caroline Rebecca? Or—

The sudden sound of a door being thrown open and shut again with a resounding slam jerked Andi from her thoughts. Her head whipped around, and her hands flew from the dishwater. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that was Chad. She grinned. However, I don’t think even Chad would come barging into the Memory Creek Ranch house like this unless it was an emergency. I know all too well that there’s another little man who lives around here who can slam doors just as well as his uncle.

“Ma-ma!”

            Yep, it’s Jared. “Don’t raise your voice in the house, Jared. What is it?”

            “Mama, Daddy says we can go on a picnic, if you want to!” Jared grabbed his mother’s skirts and tugged. “Please, Mama, please?”
            Andi looked up with a quizzical expression on her face as Riley entered the kitchen. “What’s he talking about?”

            “Well, I figured it’s about time I took a day off from work and enjoyed some time with my beautiful wife and son,” her husband answered with a grin. He ate up the distance between them with long strides and swallowed Andi in an embrace. “What say you, too, take a day off? We can pack a lunch and head off on a picnic.”
            Andi’s face broke into a beaming smile. “I’d love to.”
            “Good. We’ll take the wagon. Your mother would have my hide should I even think of loading you on the back of a horse.” Riley tweaked her braid. “Sure you feel up to it?”

            “Never more.” Andi pulled away and fixed her apron strings. “Don’t just stand there; go hitch the wagon! I’m gonna make us a picnic lunch we’ll never forget, and we’ll be off!”
            Riley gave a snappy salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

            “Let me come too, Daddy!” Jared begged. “I’m good at hitching wagons.”

            “That you are, partner. Come on—”

            Their voices faded as the door shut behind them. Left alone, Andi bustled about the kitchen. She threw a loaf of bread and half of an apple pie into a basket, then peered into the icebox. How about beef and cheese? Oh, and of course we’ll need some water. I’ll fill a canteen.

            As Andi shoved everything into her basket, her mind ran wild. Perhaps this’ll be the perfect time to tell Riley the news Dr. Weaver gave me yesterday. Her heart fluttered. Boy, will he be excited!
            With a pleased grin, she dropped the lid to the wicker basket. It shut with a soft click.

            Humming a jaunty tune, Andi hung up her apron and snatched her hat from its hook. Tying it on, she made her way outside.

            Riley had the wagon hitched. Jared sat in the wagon bed, grinning widely. “I helped Daddy,” he crowed with excitement.

            Andi smiled at her son before climbing onto the spring seat. “I’m sure you did, Jared.” She turned and directed her next comment at Riley, “I loaded the basket. Do you mind grabbing it for me?”

            Riley doffed his hat and bowed low. “It’d be an honor, my dear lady.”

            Andi laughed. “Oh, you.”

CHAPTER 2

            Riley drove the wagon slow and steady, careful to avoid ruts and holes. Andi appreciated the trouble he was going to in order to keep her and Jared from rattling and bumping around, but after forty-five minutes of such driving she was completely worn out.

At last, Riley drew up on the reins, and Ranger and Buster obediently came to a standstill. “Well?” He swung to the ground and extended his hand. “What do you think?”
            “It’s beautiful, Riley.” Andi accepted his help in climbing down from the high spring seat and looked about. Soft green grass, littered in flowers, offered a breathtaking view. To make things even more exotic, a large cave loomed a stone’s throw away. It was worth the drive. “Whatever made you decide to bring us here?”
            “Chad.” Riley chuckled. Jared jumped from the wagon, and Riley caught him and set him safely on the ground. “We were talking yesterday, and he told me there was a cave he and Mitch used to explore when they were young’uns. He said I might want to take Jared up and check it out. I figured I might as well make it a family outing and take both you and Jared, while I could.”

            “I’m glad you figured as much,” Andi told him, grinning. “I’ve been wanting some time away from my housework and sewing. Sitting around all day mending Jared’s trousers can get pretty dull, and I’ve been all too ready to take a ‘family outing,’ as you call it.”
            “Yay, me, too!” Jared cried. “Can we go exploring in the cave now, Daddy? Can we? Can we?”

            “Wouldn’t you rather eat first?” Riley asked.

            Jared made a face, and Andi flushed. Even after ten years of marriage, her cooking had improved, but she still messed up on more meals than she’d like to admit. That beef we had yesterday was especially awful, she thought. All dry and tasteless. And . . . oops. We had so many leftovers, I thought it’d be a waste to toss them. I stored them in the icebox. That’s the beef I brought along for our picnic.

            “Uh . . . let’s wait on eating,” Andi spoke up. “I’m sure you and Jared are anxious to be off, anyway. I’ll set up our lunch while you—”

            “Aren’t you coming with us, Mama?” Jared tipped his head and looked up at her, eyes pleading.

            Andi laughed and shook her head. “No, I don’t think so, Son.” She was adventurous and quick to snap up a challenge, but even she knew it would be only asking for trouble if she went traipsing into a cave when she was so close to her time. Why, I’m surprised Riley was even all right with me coming along to begin with! After what happened with Jared’s arrival, I would think that the late months of my pregnancy would haunt him. But then, I do have like three long weeks more before—

            Riley grinned, and his voice yanked Andi from her thoughts. “No, Mama doesn’t feel very much like exploring caves,” he told Jared. “Daddy brought her along so she could sit and relax in the fresh air.”
            “Oh.” Jared smiled. “Is that ’cause she’s gonna have a baby?”

            “Yes, Son, it is,” Riley answered. “Now, c’mon; let’s get that lantern and head out.”

            “Be careful, Riley,” Andi said after Jared had gone. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Come back soon.”
            “Who are you to tell me to be careful?” Riley asked, a touch firmly. “I want you to be careful. Promise me you’ll set up the lunch and then sit and take it easy until we come back. Should be no more than fifteen minutes to a half hour. Don’t go anywhere.”
            “Yes, sir, husband, sir.” Andi grinned up at him. “I’ll follow your instructions to the letter.”

            “Good girl.”

***

            Boy, this is boring.

            Andi had spread the blanket on the ground and laid out their lunch. Now she sat on a nearby tree stump, bored stiff. The scenery was beautiful here, but she didn’t feel much like admiring anything.

            “I’m starved half to death,” she muttered to herself. “If Jared and Riley don’t hurry up, I’m going to eat without them, dried-up beef or not.” Her stomach rumbled its approval of this statement. “I wonder how long they’ll be?”

            She sighed and bit her lip. I wish I could go exploring. She could just envision the fun they were having, walking through—

            Ouch!
            Her breath caught in her throat as her stomach suddenly squeezed. Searing pain rushed through her middle. She doubled over.

            What—what was that? I—

            Another sharp pain. These aren’t birthing pains already? Andi clutched at her stomach and mentally begged the pains to go away. Are these practice pains? I still have three weeks left—

            Whatever they were, they were horrible. Andi suddenly had a strong desire to be home. C’mon, Riley! Where are you?

            She staggered to her feet. I need to get Riley.

CHAPTER 3

            Andi made her way to the cave entrance. Gulping a quick breath, she called, “Riley!”

            She groped into the cave, holding tight to the walls and making her way into the darkness, all the while calling her husband’s name as loudly as she could. Another pain gripped her, and she paused for breath. As the pain subsided, she pulled herself up and cried one last time: “Riley?”

            From above, there came a loud crack. The next moment, clouds of rock and dirt spilled in from the cave ceiling. Andi shrieked and bolted forward, hands over her head. A slide! It’s a slide!

            Andi’s foot caught on a rock, and she grabbed the wall just in time. A pain commenced, and she slid down to the ground.

            Things are getting dire, she thought, close to panic. I’m having too many pains. Something is going on. And now I’m trapped!

            “Oh, God, help me,” she whispered. “Please, bring Riley. Please.”
            Bowing her head, she burst into silent tears.

            Suddenly, she heard boots crunching along the cave floor. “Hurry, Jared,” came Riley’s voice. “I’m almost positive I heard Mama calling right before that slide occurred.”

            Andi let out a breath of relief. Thank You, Lord!

            “Riley?” she said aloud, voice quaking. “Riley! Over here!”

            “Andi?” The footsteps came closer, and Andi’s vision was filled with the glare of the lantern. Riley squinted at her. “Are you all right? What’re you doing here?”

            “I started having pains,” she replied. “I came to find you, and then—” A pain started up, and she broke off, her face contorting in discomfort.

            “Oh, no.” Riley set the lantern down and threw himself beside her. Reaching out, he gripped her hand. “Stay calm. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.”

            Andi opened her mouth and tried to breathe as Riley had instructed; however, a fresh storm of tears erupted, and a sob came instead. “I’m scared, Riley! My water . . . it just broke.”

            “Daddy,” Jared said, cowering in a distant corner, “What’s going on?”

            “N-nothing, Jared. Just . . . stay there.”

            “Yes, Daddy.”

            “It’s all right, Andi,” Riley assured. “We’ve done this before. We can do it again. Besides”—he forced a smile—“it’s much cooler now than what we had to endure for Jared’s birth.”

            “No, no.” Andi shook her head. Her chest heaved with each breath. She could already feel sweat trickling down the back of her neck. “It’s too early, Riley! It’s too early. And—”

             “You went in to see Doc Weaver only yesterday,” Riley cut in. “What’d he say?”

            Andi shuddered. “H-he said I was fine. But, oh, Riley!”
            “What?”

            “I didn’t mean to tell you this now, like this. I thought I’d find a special moment. But . . . Dr. Weaver predicted we’re having twins.”

            “Twins?” Riley’s face drained. “What’s . . . having twins like?”

            “I don’t know! I do know we have to get outta here. Now. I need Mother.”
            “Right.” Riley scooped her up. “It shouldn’t take too much work to find another exit. Just hang tight.”

***

Two hours went by—the slowest two hours imaginable. Riley’s arms felt like lead weights, and at last he had to admit defeat and call for a short break. He sat on the ground and laid Andi down, boosting her head up on his lap.

“How are you?” he asked.

“Thirsty,” she answered. “I want more water.” Earlier, Jared had used his bandana to gather water from the cracks and crevices of the cave. Andi had been able to use the bandana to squeeze the water right into her mouth. It’d been gritty, but refreshing. By now, however, the bandana was dry, and Andi’s thirst had returned.

“There doesn’t appear to be any water,” Riley said, glancing around. “This looks to be a drier part of the cave.”

Andi groaned and closed her eyes.

“I can leave you here alone with Jared for a moment and go and find some water,” Riley said.

            Andi didn’t want her husband to leave, but she was desperate. She nodded.

            Riley made her comfortable on some smoother stones, then took the lantern from Jared. “You’ll be in the dark,” he warned, “but I should be back in five, maybe ten minutes. Jared, stay by your mother. Call me if you need help.”

Jared found a seat beside his mother, and Riley walked off, flame disappearing around a bend.

            “It’s all right, Mama, I’m here.” Jared’s cold, clammy hand gripped Andi’s hot, even sweatier one.

            Andi forced a smile in the darkness. “Thanks, Son.”

            Minutes crawled by. Judging by the amount of pains she was experiencing, Andi guessed it’d been at least twenty minutes since Riley had first left. Where is he?

            Andi was just dozing off when her son’s hand on her shoulder awoke her. Her eyes flew open. “What is it, Jared?”

            “Mama, I see a light!” Jared cried.

“Is it Daddy?” Andi asked, propping herself up on her elbows. A pale-yellow glow was indeed splashing into their small area. For the first time since Riley had left, Andi could see more than just darkness. She glanced sideways and could make out a partial view of Jared.

            “I don’t know, Mama,” he answered. “I’ll see.” He breathed deep, cupped his hands around his mouth, and yelled, “Who’s there?”

Andi almost giggled. Not only can he slam doors like his uncle Chad, he can also holler like him.

            “C’mon, Mitch!” called a distant voice. “I think I heard our nephew call.”

            At the sound, Andi’s whole body sagged. Chad and Mitch. She had no idea as to how they’d made it inside the cave, but at the moment she didn’t care. We’ve been found. Thank You, Lord!

            She turned again to Jared. Her son’s eyes were wide, and she knew he’d made the same connection she had as to who the searchers were. He still seemed hesitant, however, so she hastened to assure him, “Yes, it is your uncles, Chad and Mitch.”

            Jared wasted not a second but immediately shouted, “Over here!”

            Footsteps ran forward. The light quickly grew brighter. Suddenly, Chad and Mitch were right in front of them, and Andi cried out with relief.

            “Thank God you’ve found us,” she murmured.

            “What on earth is going on here?” Chad demanded, stepping forward. “What are you doing here, Andi? Where’s Riley? Are you all right?”

            A pain came upon Andi at that moment, but thankfully Jared jumped right into the challenge of answering all of Chad’s questions.

            “Mama’s having the babies!” he shouted. “She came to find Daddy and we were trapped by a slide. Now Mama is thirsty, and Daddy is out finding her some water.”

            “What?” Mitch’s brow furrowed.

            “You look horrible, Sis,” Chad said. He didn’t even offer a crooked grin to show his words were teasing. He was dead serious. His blue eyes sparked their anxiety. “I thought you weren’t supposed to have the baby—wait, did Jared say babies?—for another three weeks. What on earth is going on here?”

            “Hold it, Chad. First things first.” Mitch unscrewed his canteen and knelt. “You thirsty, Sis?”

            “Am I ever,” Andi croaked.

            Mitch slid his hand beneath her head and lifted, then placed the canteen to his sister’s lips. She guzzled half the contents, letting some spill down her chin and onto her dress.

            “Thanks,” she whispered when at last Mitch drew the canteen away.

            “You’re welcome.” Mitch laid her head down and gave her a worried look. “Chad’s right, Sis. You look awful, real pale and sweaty. How long have you been in labor for?”

            “Who knows?” Andi shrugged weakly. “Early afternoon? What time is it now?”
            “Like, close to three thirty.”

            “It’s only been that long?” Andi groaned and tossed her head. “It’s felt like years longer; I’ve been so miserable.”

            “I bet,” Mitch agreed. He looked about. “I’m with Chad, Sis. Why are you here, why did Jared say ‘babies,’ and where’s Riley in all this?”

            “Chad? Mitch?” Riley stepped into the small enclosure just then, mouth agape, a bandana, dark and limp with water, in hand. “What’re you doing here?”

            “That’s what we’d like to know about you,” Chad returned.

            “I’ll explain it all later,” Riley promised. “For now, let’s just say we’re trapped. We’ve been wandering for hours, and Andi is about to have—”

            “Hours?” Chad interrupted, hooking his hands on his hips. “It took us no more than a half hour to find you.”
            “Yeah, well, we had complications,” Riley reasoned, scratching his head. It was true. The Prescotts, having no idea as to the whereabouts of the cave, had been twisted about many times and dumped back where they’d first begun. “But how did you get here?”

            “If you must know, I got lonesome for this old place after talking about it with you,” Chad explained. “You’d mentioned bringing your boy up here today, so Mitch and I took the day off and decided to join you. We got here just in time to see the slide occur. We rushed to your ranch and questioned the first hand we could find. He said you had indeed gone up to the cave, so we knew the slide had trapped you, just as we’d figured. We gathered the appropriate tools and came to find you. Some of your hands rode for help, and now the tunnel is full of searchers. Another hand galloped to town to get our mother and Doc Weaver. They’ll be at Memory Creek Ranch by the time we return.”

            Whew. Andi let out a long, slow breath. It’ll all be all right now. The men will get me out of here, and Mother and Dr. Weaver will be home waiting for us.

            “Thanks, Lord,” she whispered.

 “We need to get Andi home,” Riley said. “Dr. Weaver predicted she’s having twins, and, on top of that, they’re three weeks early. We need help. Badly.”

            “Say no more.” Chad held up his hand. “Here to help.”

            He turned and hollered, “We’ve found ’em, men!” Then he grinned at Riley. “More help will be here soon. Don’t you worry any; you will all soon be safe and sound.”

            Andi closed her eyes and smiled. It won’t be too much longer now . . .

           

CHAPTER 4

            Waa! Waa!
            At the blessed sound, Riley looked up. He leaped from his chair, laid his sleeping son on the settee, and made a mad dash for the bedroom.

            He knocked loudly, and his mother-in-law’s cheerful voice came back to him, “Just a moment, Daddy. I want these babies washed when you see them.”

            “They can be the messiest babies on earth,” he answered, voice breaking, “just so long as both them and their mama are all right.”

            The long, long ride home from the cave had been filled with suspense and prayer. Arriving home, Andi had been rushed to her bedroom. No sooner had Riley said, “I’m praying,” did the door close behind Mrs. Carter and Dr. Weaver. By this point, each of Riley’s nerves had been strained and unstrung. Really and truly, all that mattered now was that his family was safe.

            A moment longer, and the door opened. “Come see for yourself,” Mrs. Carter invited, gesturing.

            Riley stepped into the room. His eye flew first to the bed. Andi was still in her rumpled day dress, her hair all askew, her face sweaty, her eyes bloodshot, but Riley was certain there was no prettier woman on earth. His heart filled and overflowed with relief when his wife broke into a small but genuine smile and motioned him over.

            “Come see your new daughters,” she said.

            Riley strode over, and tears spilled at the sight. The two babies, wrapped in blankets and with one on each side of their mother, were beautiful, despite their small size.

            “Those babies are strong, and fighters, just like their mama,” Mrs. Carter said. “Andrea was born early, too, if you remember, and look at her now. Both Dr. Weaver and I agree—they’re all going to be just fine.”

            “Thank God,” Riley said. He sat down on the edge of the bed and grabbed Andi’s hand. “Thank God.”

            And so it was that the two new Prescott family members, Caroline Rebecca and Charlotte Rose, entered the world.