Katherine's Locket

By Sadie Saller

Spring, 1876

Andi’s POV

Eight-year-old Andrea Carter listened closely to the sound of her brother’s boots clomping against the barn floor. Hard. He was definitely upset about something.

Andi wrinkled up her nose. “If I know Chad,” she said, standing on tiptoe to look into the dark brown eyes of her palomino mare, “He’s mad at me.”

But what did I do?  That was the question she’d been toying with all that bright May morning. She’d done her chores last night. Every single one. And this morning’s, too... So why?

Taffy snorted and Andi ducked just as Chad’s dark head passed the stall window again. That was the fifth time now and yet another close call.

Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. Andi sat up, “Thanks, Taff---” the footsteps stopped.

As quickly as she had righted herself, Andi crouched back down into the hay, wincing as a stray golden strand tickled her nose. I can’t sneeze now. She could still hear Chad’s footfalls moving towards Taffy’s stall. They stopped again. She couldn’t look.

If she couldn’t see him, surely he couldn’t see her. Go away, go away, go away-

“Andi? Is that you?”

He’d found her.

Andi’s shoulders slumped.

“Andi, what in blazes do you think you’re doing?!”

Andi opened her eyes very slowly, then looked up into Chad’s incredulous face. “I’m hiding.”

“From who?” Chad asked, then frowned. “Me?”

“Yes.” Andi said, in a whisper. She hesitated. “Why are you looking for me?”

“Lucky for you, I’m not.” Chad said. He put his hands on his hips. “But either way, you should be ashamed of yourself, hiding from me instead of simply taking your punishment.” His glare made Andi squirm.

“But you said I’m not in trouble, right?” Andi finally asked. She lifted her chin. “Taffy and me want to go for a ride.”

Chad’s grim look turned grimmer. “You’re not the one in trouble. This time. I’m looking for Mitch.”

“I’m right here.” Mitch said, his own face popping up behind Chad’s shoulder. He wore an equally grim expression, and was that guilt?

Andi chewed her lip. She was getting the distinct feeling that she should not be here if she wanted to avoid trouble. Her brothers blocked the stall entrance, so she snuck behind Taffy instead. Out of sight, out of mind. She thought.

“I’d like a word with you.” Chad was talking - his words getting louder by the second. Andi immediately recognized his I-am-preparing-to-yell-at-you voice. Poor Mitch.

“You’ve had more than a word already, Chad,” Mitch said. His tone was calm but firm. “I understand perfectly, and I’ve apologized multiple times.” He lifted an eyebrow. “But we’re wasting time arguing. What do you say we go and round up the--”

“We?” Chad raised a finger. “Don’t you think for a minute that I’m going to let you go back to work like nothing happened.” He shook his head. “No. Consider yourself fired for the day, Mitch.” And with that, Chad turned away and stalked into the sunlit yard.

“Fired?” Andi walked slowly into sight a few minutes later. “I didn’t know one brother could fire another brother.” She stared in the direction Chad had just left.

“They can’t.” Mitch said, then shook his head. “I mean, they can, but not usually…” his face cleared. “It’s just for the day. He’ll cool down.”

Andi gave her brother a dubious look. She didn’t think Chad would “cool down” any time soon. He’d looked mad. From experience, Andi knew he could stay mad for days. But she kept silent. She didn’t want anybody else angry with her. Especially not Mitch.

Speaking of… “Mitch,” she began.

“I know exactly what you are going to say, and the answer is no.” Mitch cut her off, shaking his head.

“Aw, please, Mitch?” Andi begged. “We could visit Justin in town and make a day of it. Plus,” she paused. “I do need to stay out of Chad’s way for a little while.”

Mitch raised his eyebrows and dropped into the hay. He looked dead tired, and Andi hesitated, then pressed on. “Please?”

“Justin just got back from San Francisco, remember? He made us promise not to surprise him with any visits.”

“Oh.” Andi said. Her spirits sank, then lifted. “We could still have fun...”

“Why do you need to get out of Chad’s way?” Mitch asked suddenly. “That’s my job today, little sister.”

Andi chewed her lip, her happy thoughts dissipating faster than her creek could dry up. “I think,” she closed her eyes and rushed on without breathing. “I think I forgot to fill the watering troughs,” She squeezed her eyes tighter shut. “I just remembered.” The dreadful realization had entered her head only moments ago. She shivered just thinking of Chad’s reaction.

Hearing a splutter, Andi opened her eyes, then widened them in shock. “Your laughing at me!”

Mitch waved a hand. “Not at you, sis.” He shook his head but didn’t explain further. “I filled the troughs,” he added suddenly.

Andi gaped at Mitch for one full minute and then flung her arms around his neck. They both fell backwards into the hay. She should have known Mitch would come to her rescue. He always did.

“Mitch!” Andi squealed so loudly that Taffy nickered her disapproval, “you’re the best big brother in the whole wide world!” She grinned even more broadly and released him.

“Don’t,” Mitch coughed, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, “let Justin hear you saying that.” He winked and reached out to tussle her hair. “And you’re quite welcome, little sister.”

“I won’t let him hear.” Andi said, hugging him again. Then leaning to whisper into Mitch’s ear, she said in a soft voice. “Now will you take me riding?”

Chad’s POV

Chad Carter slammed the bunkhouse door closed and hollered a few colorful directions to the hands before heading towards the house. The California sunrise was just splitting overhead, piercing the gray sky with its light, but not even its beauty could lift his spirits.

Not today. His mood had been drastically changed over the past few weeks. What had started out as a decent ranching year had taken a turn for the worse. That greenhorn mistake Mitch had made today was the last straw. There were still a hundred and one things to do, and now Chad was one man short.

Chad leaned against the side of the porch and closed his eyes. Justin’s private announcement after dinner last night hadn’t done anything to help his mood. Why his oldest brother had even attempted to find their sister Kate was beyond him.

“She needs help, Chad,” Justin had said over a year ago. “I can feel it.”

Did that give him a right to abandon his family for nearly two years on and off in search of a sister who didn’t ever want to see any of them again? Fancy words wouldn’t get Justin anywhere in this case. Kate could be out of the country for all they knew, as far away from her old life as she could get.

Needless to say, it didn’t surprise Chad any when Justin returned last night still empty-handed and without a hint of his sister’s whereabouts.

Melinda had looked shocked. Mitch asked to be excused. Mother had cried, and by the resigned look on her face, Chad could tell she had finally given up the last bit of hope she had been clinging to. Even Justin looked like he had been burnt out by his fruitless search.

Chad had been the only one able to remain cold to the news that they would probably never see Katherine Carter, their sister, ever again. But it hurt more then he would like to admit.

It’s over. Chad told himself. She made her choice.

Mitch’s POV

“I can’t believe you convinced me to do this, Andi.” Mitch said, leaning back against the creek bed. Sweat dripped down his already suntanned face, but he couldn’t hide his grin. “It was a good idea to come to the creek, I’m much cooler now.”

He was having fun. More fun then he’d had in months. He could finally get his mind off of things without Chad breathing down his neck or Justin breaking one piece of bad news after another. He’d spared his littlest sister most of the details of his mistake with the cattle earlier that morning, mostly to keep Chad’s lecture to himself.

“Blew his top” was an understatement. Even now, remembering Chad’s words made his ears burn. He closed his eyes. Looking for Kate is breaking us up all over again. Underneath Chad’s bluster and angry words, Mitch knew his brother felt Kate’s departure just as keenly as the rest of the family. Who knew how long it would take to fully heal from this wound?

He was glad his youngest sister didn’t know about Katherine; he didn’t know if he could stand to see her hurting all over again. Father’s death over two years ago had hit her hard enough. He opened his eyes and let the sun bathe his face. As much as he hated to admit it, it was good to be away from home today.

“Mitch!” Andi’s voice turned high-pitched, and when Mitch whirled around to ask what was the matter, he got a face-full of sparkling aqua water.

“Ugh!” Mitch brushed at his face with both hands. When he opened his eyes, Andi was staring back at him, her eyes laughing.

“You better watch out, little sister,” Mitch warned. “I always win water-fights.”

“We’ll have to see about that!” Andi quipped, just as Mitch hurled another handful of water straight at her. Andi retaliated, and the fight was on. After what felt to Mitch like hundreds of splashes from each side, some very poorly aimed, Mitch was forced to call it quits. He was soaked.

“Whoa, sis, I think we’d better stop. If we don’t, I’m likely to drown!” He coughed and swiped at the water in his eyes. “I think we came out about even, what do you think?”

Andi, who was now sprawled along the shore, lowering her cupped hands into the creek for a drink, nodded. “I’d say so, we both got each other really-” she broke off, her blue eyes trained on the water. “really…”

“What’s the matter?” Mitch asked.

Andi didn’t reply, just reached into the creek with one hand. After swirling around as if in search of something, she pulled her hand out, a victorious look on her face and a shiny object dangling from her grasp.  

“Mitch?” Her voice dropped in awe. “What is it?”

“How would I know?” Mitch asked, chuckling at the look on his sister’s face. He stood up and leaned in for closer inspection. It was a necklace of sorts, that he was certain. Heart shaped and glittering.

“Let me see that,” he said.

Andi passed it over with a reluctant glance. She obviously wanted to keep her new treasure.

“It’s probably just a trifle somebody dropped, a locket, I think.” Mitch squinted at the dangling necklace for some sign of a clasp and popped it open. There was an inscription.

“Dear Kate,” he read aloud. He paused. What? His heart stopped beating as he scanned the next words. Familiar words. You will always be my beloved daughter, no matter how old you get, no matter what you do. Love, Father.

The last words echoed in his head like a chiming gong. It couldn’t be. Yet it was. His sister. His Father. Finger’s loosening, Mitch let the locket drop onto the grass with a dull thud. The pain and irony of the situation was unbearable. He needed to think. But he couldn’t. He closed his eyes,

Andi’s voice a distant echo in his mind, his heartbeat loud once again in his ears. Please, God, no.

Justin’s POV

“Mr. Carter!” The front door slammed.

I don’t have time for this.

Justin Carter laid his head in his hands, listening for a short time to the beginnings of an argument starting just outside the office door. He knew he should step in, but exhaustion from the past few days weighed him down.

“Mr. Carter is working!” Tim’s voice. Justin let out a weak laugh. As if I could work during this.

“I need to see my brother!”

Justin jolted upright. His blurry thoughts collected. That was not Andi’s voice. Striding forwards, he swung the door wide open. “Let him in, Tim.”

Looking flustered, Tim opened his mouth, shot Mitch a heated look, and stalked back to his own desk. The young secretary was obviously having trouble adjusting to the Carters way of coming and going whenever they pleased. Justin smiled.  

“Come on in Mitch,” Justin said. “What’s wrong? I must admit I was expecting Andi, not you.”

Mitch came into the light, and only then did Justin notice his younger brother’s pale face.

His eyes were red and blotchy.

“What’s wrong?” Justin repeated, real fear creeping up his neck. He lunged towards his brother, guiding him into a chair and perching himself on the edge of his desk. “Is it Andi? Mother? Has something happened again out on the--”

“No.” Mitch’s voice was breathy. “I’m sorry. Justin. I just --” Wordlessly, he held out a small, heart shaped locket attached to a golden chain.

“What--” Justin began.

“Open it.” Mitch said. “It was pretty gunked up a while ago, but I managed to clean it.”

Justin found the clasp and pressed it. It clicked and popped open, revealing what Mitch no doubt had been so shaken about. Wordlessly, Justin read the golden writing scarred into the metal. He traced his fingers over the words, trying to hold back the tears that were welling up.

“It’s hers?” He asked needlessly.

“Yeah.”

“Where did you find it? I thought Mother said Kate took it with her.”

“Mother thought so.” Mitch paused. “And maybe she did. But she must’ve thrown it in the creek or dropped it.”

“You found it in the creek?”

“Andi did.”

“Where is she?”

“I took her home. She doesn’t know.”

Justin closed his eyes. He willed himself to believe Kate had accidentally dropped the locket on her way to meet Troy, but he couldn’t cling to something so unsteady. She had always worn that locket, ever since her twelfth birthday. She’d refused to even take it off when she went to sleep. Yet was it possible she had thrown such a precious gift away?

“We can’t tell Mother just yet.” He decided, pocketing the locket. “The fact that Kate even took the locket with her was Mother’s last hope. If she knew that Kate...if she knew our sister had wanted to disassociate herself from our family so much that she’d throw away her once most cherished possession.”

Justin shook his head. “Mother wouldn’t be able to handle it at the moment.”

“Alright.” Mitch said softly. “I won’t tell her, then.” He seemed to hesitate. “What about the others?”

“Melinda needn’t know, she’s in the city, and she barely remembers Kate, and-” Justin shook his head slowly. “Chad’s struggling as it is, but I think he deserves to be told.” Making if to rise, he reached for his coat. “This puts a twist into things.”

“No.” Mitch leaped up. “Justin.” He pushed his brother back down, and Justin looked up at him in surprise. He had rarely seen his brother so forceful, so distressed. “I didn’t bring this here to upset you. I just thought you needed to know.” Mitch blinked. “I can tell Chad.”

He paused again and held out his hand for the necklace. “I need to talk to him anyways.”

Andi’s POV

Andi sat huddled in a corner of Taffy’s stall. Hiding was working this time. She could tell Chad and Mitch were oblivious to her presence just across the barn. She could barely see from here, but she could tell that Mitch had given Chad the locket she’d found just that day.

What was so special about it?  

Not much could make Mitch cry, but Andi had seen the tear drip down his cheek just before he’d wiped it away. She’d seen how carefully he’d washed the necklace off in the creek. Everything was not alright. Was he still upset about Father? Did the locket have something to do with him? Mitch hadn’t let her read what was inside it. Surely he would have told her if it had something to do with their family.

Chad’s voice, louder than ever, “I don’t care!”

He was backing away from Mitch, Andi could see his boots.

“Yes you do, Chad.” Mitch’s voice was cracked, yet calmer than Andi had ever heard it. “You care so much it’s tearing you up inside.” Mitch’s boots took a step forward.

“Chad.” His words choked. “I know it was her choice. But that doesn’t mean we can’t grieve. And hope--”

“She’s not coming back, Mitch.”

“Maybe not,” Mitch said patiently. “But we have each other. And she is still our sister.”

Andi leaned back against the wall as her brother’s voice dissipated into a quiet, shuddering sob.

Nobody was telling her anything. She was sick of being treated like a baby. She was eight years old, old enough to know whatever was going on. What were they even talking about? Melinda had only just left for San Francisco, and of course she was coming back! And Andi herself was still here. She didn’t understand.

Standing up, she shook her head, closed her eyes, and promised herself that no matter what happened, she, Andrea Rose Carter, was going to find out what was going on.

Even if nobody ever told her.

Fall, 1880

Kate’s POV

The sound of footsteps made Katherine Swanson look up. She hastily swiped at the tears on her face and hoped her cheeks weren’t smudged. She couldn’t do anything about her red eyes, however, and was sure that Justin could tell she’d been sobbing moments before.

Without a word, he took a seat on her right and bent down to look at her full in the face, taking her hand in his own. Kate’s hand shook. “It’s good to have you back.” Justin said finally. His confident, matter of fact demeanor was gone for once. He just looked tired. Happy, but tired.

All because of me. Kate forced a laugh, and another tear escaped. “It’s good to be back.”

Justin paused and reached into his pocket. “I wanted to give this back to you, Katherine.”

It was a locket. The locket.

“My,” Kate choked. “My locket?”

Justin simply nodded, his gaze imploring.

“I thought I lost it.”

“We thought you did too.” Justin paused. “Purposely.”

“What?” Kate looked up fast. “Justin, you know how much I cherished this. Especially now that Father---” Tears dribbled down her face and into her mouth. Her whole body shuddered. She couldn’t finish.

“Andi found it in the creek, Kate.”

Kate nodded. A memory tickling her brain.

Troy telling her to hurry up, telling her they’d miss the train if she kept walking so slow. Her hand reaching up to hold the locket, realizing it wasn’t there. Troy making fun of her. She didn’t need it. After all, she’d just told her family she never wanted to see them again. She’d left them. She didn’t need a locket. He’d buy her loads of lockets, if they just caught the train, made a new life for themselves…

Kate only realized that she was sobbing into Justin’s shoulder when she tasted the tears. How could she have been so stupid? She tightened her grip on the necklace that Father had so lovingly given to her. The one last thing that she had left of him.

Pulling away, Kate brushed at her face. “Thank you.”

Justin nodded simply.

“It must’ve loosened somehow,” Kate shuddered. “Fallen. I was planning to take it with me. Honestly.”

She glanced up to see that Justin’s eyes were misty. “You said Andi found it?”

“Yes. With Mitch. She had just turned eight.”

“And you still didn’t tell her about me?”

“We debated it for a while.” Justin sighed. “We decided it would be too much for her. After Father died.” His voice cracked. “She pestered us for a few weeks, but then she seemed to forget.” Justin picked up Kate’s hand again and squeezed it. “We let it lie….and, I regret that now, seeing how she’s taken it.”

“Right.” Kate closed her eyes, but a tear leaked out. “Oh, Justin. She seems to hate me. And I don’t blame her, but--” Fresh tears rushed down her face again. “I just need her to know how sorry I am.”

“She just needs time, Kate.”

“I know.” Kate scooted her chair closer to Justin’s, leaning her head against his shoulder. It had been so long since she felt this safe. So long since she had felt like she had finally come home.

“But,” she finally whispered, “do you think she’ll ever forgive me?”

Justin smiled softly.

“I’m sure she will.”