Chad's Palomino Problem

 by Madison Graham

“Ya!” Chad Carter dug his spurs into his horse’s sides. The yellowish mare took off, hooves thundering as he charged across the grassy ground. Chad’s heart thumped right along with them. Gripping the reins tightly, he looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, younger brother Mitch was a good way off.

 “Wait up!” Mitch’s voice was barely audible he and his horse looking more like a shrinking fly by the minute.

Chad laughed. That’s what you get for actin’ too big for your britches. He grinned, turning his gaze back towards home. The Circle C Ranch was rapidly approaching. He could win this bet, no problem. Good thing Mitch wasn’t riding Chase today. Leaning forward, he urged Sky to go faster, but then some movement caught his eye. The next thing Chad knew, a speedy palomino bolted past him, its white tail flying out behind it.         

“Whoa there!” His eyebrows rose. Pulling his lasso from around the saddle horn, he chased it. Chad managed to drive the new horse, twirling the rope around his head. Once, twice, three times–he let go. Years of roping experience paid off as the loop soared out, coming down to rest around the horse’s neck.

 “Yes!” Much to his surprise, it didn’t fight capture. The rancher quickly slowed both Sky and the palomino from a gallop down to a walk. “Whoa.” He sat down hard, pulling back on the reins with his spare hand. The horses stopped, and Chad hopped off to inspect his catch after tying the end of his lasso to his saddle horn.

By now, Mitch had managed to catch up, coming to a halt beside them. “Hey!  Where’d you get the horse?”

“He came charging up beside me,” Chad replied. “No branding, but he had to have a rider. Come on.” He grabbed onto his saddle and pulled himself up again, swinging his leg over the top. Let’s see if anyone’s lookin’ for him.”

For a full hour, the Carter boys searched the grassy hills for any sign of the mysterious palomino’s owner. “Whew!” Chad sighed, removing his hat to wipe off the sweat that trickled down his face. “I’ve checked all the southwest area, but not a person in sight. What about you, Mitch?”

“Nothing. Should we turn back?”

“Yep.” Chad sighed. “If anyone was out here, I reckon we would’ve found him by now. Besides, you lost the bet. Justin’s chores are your duty today.”

“Aw. I forgot.” Mitch glared.

Turning north, the brothers led their charge back to the ranch. By the time they reached it, their father, Mr. Carter, was standing on the house’s porch, waiting for them. “Howdy boys! Whose horse is that?”

“Not sure!” Chad called back.

“Where’d it come from?”

“Dunno!” Mitch shrugged. Together, the brothers dismounted as Father came out to meet them.

After a short inspection, Mr. Carter let out a low whistle. “He’s a mighty fine gelding. Seems pretty strong. Did you check to see if he belongs to the neighbors?”

“Yes, sir.” Chad nodded. He was about to add that Mr. Hollister had threatened that if they came back he’d shoot them, but before he could—

“Mitch! Chad!” The boys’ youngest sibling bounded off the porch and across the dirt, her brown braids bouncing. “Wow! Nice horse!”

“Howdy, baby sister,” Chad greeted.

“I’m no baby.” His sister stuck out her tongue and started to count on her fingers.   “Melinda says I’m gonna be one, two, three . . . four  tomorrow.”

“Hey, that’s right. Good counting, Andi.” Mitch smiled, drawing an identical grin across the little girl’s freckled face. “What do you think of our new friend?”

“He’s tall!  What’s his name? Can I ride him?”

“No.” Chad snorted, drawing a, don’t tease your sister look from Father. Fine. “Run along and help Mitch do his chores. Maybe you can think of a name for him.”

“Alright.” Andi’s shoulders slumped as she marched off after her older brother.

“Gee.” Chad frowned, realization smacking him in the face, “I still need to get Andi something for her birthday.”

“I think we could arrange that.” He looked up to see that Father’s blue eyes were sparkling, “How about heading to town after we drive the cattle back in, and asking if anyone owns this horse? You can look for a present then.”

“Sure!” Chad’s concern lifted. Untying the palomino, he clicked his tongue, signaling for the horse to follow. Cattle driving couldn’t pass soon enough. He just HAD to solve this mystery.

---

Just after three, the Carter men rode into town. People were bustling about, chattering with the shopkeepers about what they wanted to buy. To the right, a bright red, freshly painted stagecoach rattled past, sending a dusty aroma up into the air. Tying their horses to the hitching post, they split up, hoping to find the palomino’s owner quickly.

Chad first headed to the livery. With so many horses it seemed like a sound bet that the gelding could’ve come from there. Much to his dismay, all the stalls were full, however, so he started to the next building over. It was the lawyer’s office. The sight made Chad’s feet drag a little. His older brother, Justin, had left for law school a few years ago. Their friendly little house may have had six people living in it, but even with the continual visitor or ranch hand, home always seemed a bit emptier without him.

The court had just ended its session, and the building was buzzing. Trying to get out as quickly as possible, Chad asked everyone he could if they had lost a horse that day, but everyone said, ‘No,’ so he made his escape. Three buildings later, the rancher headed into the general store. The shop was full of people. Shelves of tools, food, and other items, stretched from wall to wall. His finger’s crossed. Maybe I can find something for Andi.

As far as horse-searching went, the general store was completely useless, and other than candy or hair ribbons there wasn’t much hope of finding a present either. With a sigh, he headed up to the counter to see if the clerk, Mr. Aaron, had any ideas when a colorful poster on the wall caught his eye. It was red, yellow, and blue, and had pictures of women dressed in brightly-colored western clothes, standing on some horses with feathers on their heads.

“Coleman’s American Circus.” He read the squiggly writing on top, “Come down to see the show, starting May 20th.” His eyes widened. That’s it!” As a boy, Chad had gone to see the circus with Father and Justin. He had a feeling his baby sister would enjoy seeing all the horse tricks, especially the ring-of-fire. He had to tell Father!

---

Mr. Carter was back at the horses by the time Chad made it back outside. Neither Carter had any luck with the horse search. Apparently, it had been quite a few weeks since anyone in the town had lost anything at all! Chad was beginning to wonder if they would ever find out who that gelding belonged to. But at least Father agreed that taking Andi to the circus was a fine idea.

After riding out to ask a few more people, the men headed home, ate supper, and plopped into bed. The next day started with special waffles, and after the livestock was fed the Carter family climbed in the wagon for their special trip. Chad tried not to snicker at his baby sister, whose smiling face was half-covered by the new hat that Mitch had gotten her, dodging her questions and guesses as to where they were going the best he could.

It wasn’t long before the wagon pulled into town. The area outside of town had completely transformed from the night before, filled to the brim with tents, animals, and people. Chad paid for the family’s tickets, and after a quick trip through the menagerie they all settled down to watch the show.

Even though he was almost an adult, Chad still found the show amazing. His mind flashed back to the days when he and Justin played lion tamers, trying to command the ranch dogs by using their lassos as whips. That made him grin.

Andi was enjoying herself too. She was sitting on Father’s lap, excitedly pointing at performer after performer, and cheering in delight at the stunt riders on their beautiful, swift, horses.

Then came the clowns. Chad found himself chuckling at all of their stunts. Andi on the other hand seemed about ready to crawl up Father’s shoulder. When one clown came over to shake her hand, Andi dropped her lemonade, and it spilled all over Father. Try as they may, none of the Carters could get her to stop crying, so Mother suggested someone take Andi outside for a while until the act was over.

Chad readily agreed. Lifting his baby sister into his arms, they wandered the area for a few minutes, until Andi insisted she wanted to get down. Trying to drag Chad by the hand, she was running in the direction of the lead horse rider, Miss Minnie Mae, and her roan. “Come on, Chad!  I want to see the horse.” When he wouldn’t budge, Andi suddenly let go and took off without him.

“Andi!” Chad chased after her. When he reached his baby sister, he found she was asking the rider some questions and begging to be let up on the horse. “Sorry about that.” Chad grimaced, getting ready to pick Andi back up again, preferably by the feet, but Minnie just smiled.

“No worries. I was just about to tell this young lady about my other horse.”

“But I want to know about this horse!” Andi stomped her foot.

“Simmer down, Andi,” Chad ordered as the blonde-haired teen squatted down to be at eye level with Andi.

“Sorry little lady, but I don’t know Flicker here that well. She isn’t the one I usually ride. But I could talk to you all day about Corona.”

“Corona?” Andi’s head tilted.

“Yep. He’s my palomino. Tall, with a creamy white mane. The two of us have jumped through many rings of fire before.”

Chad’s breath caught, A palomino?

Before he could ask, Andi blurted, “Hey, that sounds like Gold Nugget.  He came runnin’ onto our ranch yesterday.”

“Is that so?” Minnie sounded amused.

“I named him myself.” Andi radiated with pride, “And since big brother can’t find–”

“Actually, Andi,” Chad cut in, “That’s a mighty fine point you got there. Minnie, by any chance, did Corona have any branding on him?”

“No, sir.” Minnie’s cowgirl hat tilted downwards. Sighing, she added, “Unfortunately, he escaped a few days ago.”

“Hmm . . .” Chad smiled, “I reckon I know where he is.”

“You do?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He beamed, “In fact, after the show I’ll see if Father and I can bring our newest horse over. Then we can see if he belongs to you.”

“Thank you kindly, sir.” Minnie brightened, “And be sure to bring this little cowgirl along with you.” She squeezed Andi’s arm.

“Will do.” Chad agreed. With that, he headed back to the main tent.

---

After the show, Father, Andi, and Chad loped back to the circus. Chad rode Gold Nugget, and he let Andi sit in front of him. Once they got there, the Carters relocated Minnie, and sure enough, “Gold Nugget” belonged to her.

Andi was reluctant to let Corona go, but Chad promised that if she did, he would let her take the reins for a while on the way home. After saying goodbye, the Carters turned back for the ranch. Chad decided to let Andi drive at a trot, and she bounced up and down on Sky’s back, giggling all the while.

Chad laughed too, grateful for his baby sister. Sure, she could be annoying sometimes, but she could be fun too. And she helped me solve a mystery, he thought. But hopefully we won’t have any more four-legged strangers for a good long while.