Circle C Milestones Winning Entries

 

Gold Star Winner: Meredith, age 15 

When Andi glanced out the window, her jaw dropped in disbelief. A hefty, bedraggled face stared back at her. Its breath fogged up the glass. “Wha—?” she gasped. Questions swirled through her head. How on earth did this bull get so far away from its herd?

Andi narrowed her eyes. In a sudden burst of fury, she marched out, snatching up a broom along the way. She stomped out the front door. The oversized beast turned its shaggy head toward her and glared. With a fierce war cry, Andi swung her broom and hit it across his back with a WHACK!
It bellowed menacingly.

Andi immediately regretted her decision. Then her eyes caught a glimpse of her clothing. “Oh, why did I have to wear a red skirt today?” she muttered.

The enraged animal looked ready to charge. Andi’s eyes grew wide. Her heart skipped a beat. Without wasting another second, Andi spun around and flew back into the house. She slammed the door behind her with a jarring BANG!
For a moment, all was still but her pounding heart. Then—

CRASH! The bull smashed through the door, sending splinters of the now-demolished door in every direction. Andi stumbled backward to the floor. The fall knocked her breath away.

The beast clomped forward, uttering deep, horrible noises. Andi squeezed her eyes shut.

“Andi!” the shout of her valiant husband reached her ears.
Andi’s eyes flew open and her heart filled with hope. “Riley! In here!” she shouted.

Riley bounded through the demolished door frame. “Andi, what’s for supper?”

Andi’s jaw dropped. “Is that all you have to say for yourself?” she demanded.

Riley cocked his head with a clueless expression.

“Get this beastly beast off of me!” she screamed.

“But what about supper?” he whined.

Andi’s blood boiled. Through clenched teeth, she hissed, “Get your own—” but she stopped short as the bull reared up, ready to pound her with its hooves. Andi let out an ear-splitting scream, which echoed off the walls as everything began to whirl and flash.

Andi sat straight up, heart racing faster than a galloping horse. Sweat pooled on her forehead. She blinked. She could barely make out the shadowed objects of their dim bedroom. Beside her, she noticed Riley sleeping quite soundly.

Her face drew into a fierce scowl. She glared at the snoring lump beside her. In a burst of fury, she snatched up the water pitcher sitting on their nightstand and dumped its contents straight over Riley’s head. With a scream of shock, Riley jerked out of his deep slumber and started spluttering. “Andi!” he gasped. “What’s the big idea?”

“Make your own supper!” Andi screamed. She flopped over on her side.

Dripping, Riley gaped at her. Finally, he sighed. “Goodnight, my darling wildcat.”

Silver Star Winner: Anna, age 16

The moment Andi woke up, she knew something wasn’t right. It was the middle of the night, and she shouldn’t be awake. Carefully, she sat up in bed, feeling for the lamp on the bedside table. As she turned up the wick, Riley rolled over, mumbling in his sleep.

The darkness was heavy with the deafening silence. That was it. Total silence. Where were the rhythmic melodies of the frogs and gentle rustling of the stock?
She swung her feet over the edge and stood up. Her entire body was on alert, spine tingling with the strangeness of the silence.

Pulling on her housecoat, she opened the door and slipped down the stairs. As she stepped out into the sultry night air, she heard Riley’s heavy footsteps behind her. In a moment, he joined her outside.

“Decided to go for a walk in the middle of the night?” He asked softly, a teasing glint in his eye.

Andi slipped her hand into his. “It’s so quiet,” she murmured, “I had to see what happened to all the noise.”

“You’re right, it’s not usually this quiet at night. You generally have a hard time hearing yourself think, the frogs are so loud.” He chuckled, resting his chin in her hair.

A moment later, the stillness was broken by a clap of thunder rumbling over the distant tops of the Sierras. “I guess there’s your answer,” Riley muttered, “we’re in for a big storm. I sure hope that the creek doesn’t rise like it did last time. That was a mess, with all that water pouring out of the creek-bed. Reached all the way to the doorstep that time.”

“Mm-hmm,” Andi turned to look at the creek, shining in the moonlight. “I bet it won’t be that big again, though. The ground’s too soaked for another flash flood.”

“You’re probably right,” he agreed. “Well, we’d probably better go inside. I’m sure the storm won’t cause any real damage.”

Andi nodded, then changed her mind. “Riley, what if we just sat out here, on the porch, and watched the storm? I mean, if you don’t need the extra sleep. It’s probably a crazy idea, but I just thought it would be kind of nice.”

Riley’s laughter split the air, followed a heartbeat later by another thunderclap, this time even closer to the cozy house nestled in the foothills. “Why not?” he grinned, “it sounds like fun.”

The rain began to fall as they settled themselves in the wooden rocking chairs, rocking in time to the rhythm of the falling drops. In a few minutes, the sheets of water were so thick they couldn’t even see past the end of the porch.

Eventually, the storm moved on, taking the silence with it. The cattle began stomping and the frogs resumed their croaking. As they stood to head inside, Riley turned to look at his wife. “Good idea, Andi. I’ll watch it rain with you anytime.”

Her laughter split the air as the door closed shut behind them.

Bronze Star Winner #1: Abigail, age 15

I woke up knowing that something wasn’t right. My first clue was Lily, screaming her head off to let me know that she was not happy.

The fact that Riley was already gone informed me that I was, in fact, late, and that my sweet husband had let me sleep in. With a sigh I got to my feet, heavy with exhaustion. Lily’s cold and the sight of gray skies out the window only added to my misery.

Of course, once Lily started up Charlotte followed. To my horror both girls’ sobs were snotty and congested, complete with flushed cheeks. “Jared, honey,” I called as I scrambled to soothe Lily and Charlotte, my cheeks warm and my stomach tight, “Get yourself dressed. Mama is busy.”

To my relief there was a long moment of content, blessed silence before Jared let out a shrill shriek, followed by a thump.

“Jared?” I balanced Charlotte on my hip, tucked Lily back into her bed, and practically ran to Jared’s room.

My sweet, adorable baby boy sat in a pile of clothes. A drawer dangled from the dresser, and the shirt he held in his hand was ripped beyond repair.

“Oh, Jared.” I started to reach for him, but Charlotte’s sniffles became wails. The oppressive sense of stress weighed down on my shoulders, bringing with it a throbbing headache.

“Never mind this,” I said, my voice coming out short and snappish. “Just put on some clothes and come to breakfast.”

Twinges of guilt pulled at my gut as Jared’s face twisted, but I didn’t have time to say anything else as it dawned on me, “There isn’t any breakfast!”

My eyes felt hot as I rushed back down the hall, Charlotte’s face screwed up in a fury. I quickly sat back down on my bed and began to feed her, sagging in relief at the miracle of Lily falling back asleep.

By the time Charlotte was calm and full, I was a hungry, nervous wreck. I laid her down in her bed and quickly exited the room.

A sneeze overtook me halfway to the kitchen, and I stopped, the tears that pricked my eyes growing sharper and heavier. “Lord,” I gasped out between quiet sobs, “I’m not going to make it through today without you. Help me. Give me strength.”

The feel of chubby hands on my skirt sent me looking down at Jared. “Don’t cry, Mama,” he said in his sweet, childish way. “Jesus make it better. Me love you.”

With a choking laugh I bent down to scoop him into a hug. “I know, baby. I know,” I whispered. “Mama’s sorry for being grumpy.”

That was when I heard two sounds–Lily’s cries to be fed, and the sound of someone already at the stove.

My lips quirking in a tired smile, I held out my hand to Jared. “You can entertain Charlotte while I feed Lily. And then, we’re going to all go give your Daddy a big, warm, thank-you hug.”

Bronze Star Winner #2: Dinah, age 15

The moment Andi woke up, she knew something was wrong. She listened in the deafening silence to hear what had awakened her. All she could hear was Riley’s slow, deep breathing as he lay beside her. Then, her mind clicked. Jared!

Andi leapt out of bed and sprang to Jared’s crib. Her precious baby was struggling for every breath, his face turning a sickening color of blue. “Oh, Lord, please help my baby.” She snatched Jared up and lifted him to her shoulder.

By this time, Riley had woken up, instinct telling him something was wrong. He sat up and peered through the darkness to where Andi was patting Jared’s back in an effort to help him breathe.

“What’s wrong?” Riley gasped out as he threw back the covers and climbed from the bed.

“I don’t know! He can’t breathe!”

Riley raced out of the bedroom. “I’m going to get Marrianne! She’ll know what to do!”

Soon, Riley was back with their houseguest, Marrianne. She looked at Jared and spoke into the panic of the night. “Croup.” Marrianne hurried back towards the bedroom door and called over her shoulder, “Riley, boil some water and get a blanket. Andi, take Jared to the kitchen. I’m getting some herbs.”

Andi hurried to the kitchen, relief flooding her very being.

Marrianne was back in a flash, dried herbs clutched in her hands. She went directly to the pot of water simmering on the stove and dropped them in. As she moved the pot to the table, she explained.

“I put lobelia and eucalyptus leaves in the water. The steam will help Jared breathe.”

With that, she reached for Jared and sat down with him at the table. She tugged the blanket over herself and Jared.

Andi plopped into a chair, overwhelmed with relief. Riley kept the water in the pot hot for Marrianne.

Marrianne and her baby, Elsie, had arrived several days ago. The young woman, a distant cousin of Riley’s, had come to visit while her husband, a sailor, crossed the Atlantic Ocean. She had grown up living around Indians and knew how to use herbs. It seemed the Lord had brought her to their home for this purpose.

Hours later, Andi snapped awake when she heard Jared’s cries. Marrianne was still holding him under the blanket. Her voice broke through Jared’s cries.
“He’s not struggling for breath so much, so he’s able to cry. It’s a good sign. I need to go feed Elsie. I can hear her crying.” She handed Jared to Andi and headed for her room.

“Thank you, Father!” Andi’s words were spoken out of love and thankfulness for Jared’s recovery.
“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the LORD will raise him up… the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:14, 16

Bronze Star Winner #3: Emma, age 15

The moment Andi Prescott’s eyes opened, she felt a tightness across her chest, squeezing her, restricting her breath. For a moment she couldn’t recall what she was so distressed about, but as she slipped from bed to begin her day, she remembered. Her eight-year-old daughter, Lottie.

When Lottie’s brother Jared had fallen off his horse yesterday, Lottie’s twin sister, Lily, sent her to get help on his horse. The horse had bolted under Lottie’s nervous hand, tearing across the rangeland with Lottie in the saddle.

Providentially, the horse eventually halted in the ranch yard. Lottie unsteadily dismounted to find her parents. Jared turned out to be fine, only a sore arm. However, Lottie’s confidence was severely shaken… and, if Andi was honest with herself, her own confidence was a little shaken, too.

Later that day, Andi paused to watch Lottie trotting Dakota in the round pen under Riley’s surveillance.

Meanwhile, Andi attempted to recall how she had managed to get back to riding after her own plethora of horse-related accidents. Just mounting up was enough for me, she admitted to herself.

However, Lottie was different. Talking with Lottie last night and encouraging her to ride today, Andi questioned if she had done enough to repair Lottie’s confidence.

That doubt, like an icy blade of fear, pierced Andi’s heart. She turned her gaze back to the arena, just in time to see Lottie cue Dakota for the lope. He took a few strides, then stumbled, pulling Lottie forward onto his neck.

“Whoa!” Riley cried.

Andi gasped.

Lottie hadn’t fallen, but Andi felt rattled, her fears confirmed. “Riley! Dinner’s ready. I need you both inside. Now.”

Dinner was quiet; no one said much. Afterwards Andi busied herself wiping dishes in the kitchen.

“She needed to do it again, Andi,” Riley stated, handing her his plate. “You know that.”

“She was too nervous, Riley. It would have only gotten worse if you pushed her.”

Riley blew out a frustrated breath. “I wasn’t pushing her. She would have had it if—”

“Riley, what if this is something we can’t fix for her?” Andi blurted out.
Riley’s shoulders slumped. “Then… I don’t know.” He slouched against the counter; brow furrowed.

“I’ll try again tomorrow,” a small voice piped up, “I just need to practice more to get un-nervous.” Lottie shifted timidly in the doorway.

“Sweetheart.” Riley moved to pick her up, but Andi was one step ahead of him. She swung Lottie up into her arms, and Riley pulled them both close. “Are you sure you want to, darling? You’re not too afraid?” Andi peered anxiously into Lottie’s eyes.

“No, Mama,” came the soft reply. “I’m not… but, can I work up to it slow?”

“Of course,” Andi answered her.

Four weeks later, Andi looked up from pumping water and smiled as she watched Lottie lope Dakota halfway around the arena. Andi had let Lottie pace herself, and Lottie had practiced riding daily. Slowly, they were both regaining their confidence.