Dancing in the Wind

by Lizzy D.

  

Andi Carter had been waiting for this moment for a long time. She and her brother, Chad, were going to finally gentle Whirlwind. “Andi! Are you coming?” Chad was always hollering.

Andi hurried down the stairs, resisting the urge to slide down the banister. “Here I am.”

Chad looked her over then turned and went out the door.

Andi pranced out on his heels. When they got to the barn she stood outside while Chad got a saddle, saddle blanket and some hands. She looked at the little box that the hands had constructed this week.

“Ready Andi?” Chad looked at her with a quizzical look in his eye.

“Yes!” Andi stood on the fence as Chad opened the barn door into the corral.

Silence.

Suddenly out came Whirlwind. His coat shone in the sunlight and his mane was slightly fluttering in the breeze.

Andi caught her breath. He was magnificent. He reared and he looked even more wonderful. The moment was split as a lasso was thrown around his neck.

“Come on, Whirlwind!” The hand pulled him into the box and let him settle a bit. Then he put on the saddle blanket and saddle. Then the reins. That was a bit harder. After they had put on the tack, they opened the door to the box. Chad had come around next to Andi.

“Wow, Chad! He is beautiful.” Andi looked as Whirlwind bucked and rubbed against the fence, trying to get the saddle off.

“We will keep the saddle on him until he gets used to it, then we’ll put him back in the box and ride him.” Chad explained.

“When will I get to help?” Andi asked.

Chad pondered this for a minute. “When he is settled down enough that he isn’t bucking a lot, then you will be able to help.” Chad looked over at Andi and smiled. Though they were in arguments and yelling at each other a lot, they had lots in common. This was one of them. They both loved to watch and ride horses. Andi smiled back.

“Senor Chad!” a ranch hand called for Chad and he left Andi to watch as Whirlwind continued to buck.

Andi wasn’t really fanciful, but she couldn’t help thinking, as Whirlwind bucked and the breeze blew, that it looked like he was dancing in the wind.

~~~

The next morning Andi woke up early and changed in a hurry. After yesterday she couldn’t wait for the riding. Yesterday they had missed lunch, but it was worth it. They had waited all day until Whirlwind tired, then Chad had gone up to him. At least he was a little more trusting.

Andi raced out of her room and over to the stairs. Today she couldn’t resist. She sat down on the banister and pushed of. She quietly squealed as she flew down the shiny banister. At the end she plopped down on the ground. She picked herself up and brushed off. Walking into the dining room she only saw Chad and Mitch, who would be helping today. She didn’t think she was up this early. “Where is everyone?” she asked. Looking at their faces she could see that they were not happy, almost sad. “What’s wrong?”

Mitch looked over at her. “Justin and Melinda woke up sick this morning. We sent some one for the Doctor and they should be back soon. Mother thinks it might be influenza.”

Andi stared at him.

“I don’t think we will be able to ride today, Andi. Hands will still put the saddle on him every day so he doesn’t forget about it. But it might be a while before we can ride him.” Chad looked over at Andi. “I’m sorry”

Andi sat there for a few minutes. None of them talked. A half hour later the Doctor showed up and Chad and Mitch left. Andi slowly got up and headed to her room. As she walked in, she was met with a mess. Dress’s on the chair, books on the floor and yesterday’s clothes in a heap. “well” she muttered to herself. “I have nothing else to do.” She went over to her closet and put in the dresses. Then she put the books on the desk. She moved over to her dirty clothes. She folded them neatly on the chair to wait for washday.

She made her bed then laid on it. “Dear Lord, please help Justin and Melinda. Make them better. Amen.” As Andi started to drift to sleep, she remembered a verse from Sunday School. “James 5:15, And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up;” she whispered.

~~~

After a short nap Andi woke up. She yawned and walked over to big French doors. Walking out she looked over at the barn. Taffy was probably bored, but it was high noon and too hot for them outside. Andi walked back inside and went to find Mother. She found her talking to Doctor Weaver. “Mother?”

Mother looked at her, as did the doctor. “Andrea, we have some wonderful news.”

Andi walked over to her. “what is it?”  

“Justin and Melinda don’t have influenza; they just have a fever. They will be better in a day or two!” Mother looked back at the doctor.

“Does that mean we can ride tomorrow?” Andi asked.

“Yes, Andrea you may.” Andi smiled then ran to find Chad. Found him outside talking to Mitch. Apparently, he hadn’t heard the news because he was still looking glum. “Chad! Mitch!”

Chad and Mitch looked up with worried looks on their faces. “What’s wrong Andi?” Chad said.

“Nothing, nothing at all! Justin and Melinda just have a fever, not influenza! That means we can ride Whirlwind tomorrow!”

Chad and Mitch looked at each other then let out a whoop. They all smiled and headed into the house for lunch.

~~~

The next day Andi woke up and looked around her room. She hurried for this time she was sure that they would actually ride today. She made sure that her room was clean, then skipped out the door. She didn’t have to stop and think today. She hopped up on the banister and slid down. “Good Morning!” She greeted cheerfully. Justin and Melinda wouldn’t be at breakfast, but they were still a little weak.

“Well, don’t we look ready to muck stalls today?” Chad teased her.

“I’ll have you know that after we ride, you will be mucking the stalls, because I will be going into town with Mother.”

Chad gaped at her, then looked over at Mother.

“She will be, but you won’t have to either. Diego came up and said he would yesterday because he didn’t want anyone to worry about it!” Mother laughed.

Chad’s mouth dropped open even wider.

~~~

After breakfast, Chad, Andi and Mitch went out to start the ride. Andi stood where she had the other day and watched as Mitch rode Whirlwind around the fence. The way he was bucking it looked as if he were shining. Or maybe he was dancing in the wind.

 

                                                                 The End 

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.