Christine's Story - April 2026 Story Prompt

 by Christine, age 11

She recognized the rider--and that was what frightened her most.

Jordan! Her mind was telling her to get help.

She gulped. But no, she would half to face Jordan Simms on her own.

But she was scared, Jordan had ruined her family! She didn't want to, but then Andi let her mind remember the day everything changed.

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Jordan had come to the Carter ranch all the time. For a while he had even been a ranch hand. Andi's father, James Carter had been in town when he met Jordan.

Instantly Jordan knew he had to ask for a job! This was James Carter! Wealthiest rancher around! When he did ask for a job, James let Jordan have a two week trial. Jordan was so excited so James told him to show up at sunrise tomorrow! James and Chad met Jordan at the barn and James gave him his orders.

“Today we will be counting calves, Chad will show you how,” said James.

“On one condition, he always has to stay where I can see him,” Chad announces.

But it didn't stay like that. Andi was six, she barely remembered.

Jordan hit the bull with a rope to make it stay in line. Angry, the bull charged, slamming James Carter off his horse and to the ground. 

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“What are you doing here?” Andi called. 

“I came to see your family.” He said calmly.

“You mean you came to see the town jail,” she replied. Inside she smiled at her words but she would never let Jordan know that she ever smiled, not after what he did.  

"Where is your family?” Jordan said firmly.

“In hiding, probably,” she responded.

Suddenly Justin appeared from the house. Seeing Jordan made him blink several times. “Jordan? What…How? Why are you here? Go away!” Justin yelled.

“Should I get Chad?” Andi asked quickly.

“Yes, and hurry!” Justin replied.

Andi ran along the front of the barn only turning into the yard when she was a good distance away from Jordan. Then sprinted toward the house. There she found her mother and Chad talking about how great horse sales were going. “Chad, Mother? Justin needs your help. Jordan’s in the barn yard,”

Chad froze. Elizabeth stared at Andi and asked, “The Jordan?”

“Yes Ma’am,” Andi said, shaking a little. Jordan terrified her.

 “Well we’ll see how long he stays in the yard,” Chad said. Bolting out of his chair and heading for the door. As he was slamming the door Andi grabbed the handle.

“Andrea no, you can go as far as the porch, but if you put one foot on that step you must come back in here and sit at the table,” Elizabeth said.

“I won't go off the porch Mother,” Andi nodded and stepped out.

 Chad was racing down the trail that led to the barn yard and said, ”Justin, do you need my help getting him off our property?”

Justin's head shot up from where he had been sadly looking at the ground. It was obvious the scene of their father falling was sprinting through his mind over and over. “Yes, I think so. He just says he wants to talk to us.” Justin answered.

“Jordan,” Chad said loudly. “We don't want to talk to you! So get out of here! We have lived our lives pretty well without you coming and barging in like this!”

“I know and I'm very sorry to come without warning—”

 “And that’s another thing. You're acting like you were invited but in honesty you didn't even ask to come out, so whatever you want you better just say it now,” Justin interrupted. “Because you are not coming into our house no matter what you plead.”

Chad nodded from beside his brother. “I agree completely with Justin. So if you have something to say, now would be a good time.”

“I…came to…well i’m sorry and I know you probably can’t forgive me, but my conscience told me to say that I am so sorry,” Jordan finished with a hint of terror at what the Carter brothers might say.

Chad seemed a tiny bit moved by this. “I understand that you might feel really bad for what you did. In fact, I'm sure you do, but it is hard for us to accept that, so I hope you can understand that.”

“Thanks Chad,” Jordan said. “It’s good to know you understand how bad I feel. If you ever need help with anything, do write to me. I will always help the Carters any way I can — y’all got me started, I'm now  a cowhand in Clovis!” 

“That is great, Jordan,” Justin smiled.

“Yes, that is a wonderful job,” Chad agreed.

“May I please see your mother?” Jordan asked softly.

“I will get her,” Chad said. “Stay here.”   

“Mother? Can you come here please?” Chad called into the house.

“I can run to get her,” Andi said. 

“Yes, and bring her to the barn,” he said. “Thanks, Andi.” 

Andi ran upstairs and found her mother in her room cleaning. “Mother? Chad needs you at the barn,” Andi said

“I am coming,” Elizabeth headed for the door. The two walked to the barn and Jordan dismounted his horse.

“Hello, Mrs. Carter, I'm here to apologize, I am so very sorry about what I did,” Jordan said slowly. 

“I can forgive you Jordan,” Elizabeth smiled. “No one would have thought that the bull would charge. It is not your fault you were just doing your job.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Carter Jordan smiled too.  And thank you to all of the Carter family!”