Lost and Found

 by Daisy J. (ages 14-17)

Based on a true story of my cousin Nadia Bloom.

 

I, Andi Carter, shifted in my saddle scared for my life.  My hands were shaking. I was hoping for someone, anyone, to rescue me.  I was lost, and all I had was Taffy.  I swung off Taffy’s back.  My feet sunk into the soft glittery snow.  All I could feel was the chill in my bones. I had no idea how long I was lost.  I walked around for a while looking for any shelter.  I saw a cave and smiled.  Finally!  The thought of a warm bed and meal made me sigh. 

I thought back on how I got lost.

I smiled wide, and my eyes sparkled.  I had convinced Mother to come with Chad and Mitch to the high mountains to round up the lost mares.  It was exciting!  My last visit to the high mountains was not what I thought it would be, but I still had a good time.  Luckily, we had retrieved most of the mares, but there was still one missing.  Besides that, today was a good day! 

“What are you thinking about?” asked Mitch, who was riding on one side of me.

I smiled.  “Today was a good day.  Even Chad seems to be in a good mood,” I answered, as I shot a glance at my older brother Chad, who was riding on the other side of me.

“Hey, today was a good day,” said Chad.

Mitch chuckled. “I will admit.  Chad is in a good mood,” said Mitch as he paused. “You know Sis, I’m glad you came along.”

“Me too. You were a big help today,” commented Chad. 

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you to. You guys helped tremendously to convince Mother for me to come.”

“I reckon we did,” said Mitch.  “I should head back to camp.  Can you two stay out here a little longer?  It would be nice to get the last mare,” said Chad.

“Okay, I think we can do that,” answered Mitch, as he looked at me.

I nodded.

“Great!  Thanks!” Chad trotted ahead.  

There was silence as we rode through the snow. I looked around and smiled.  Although it was cold, it   still was beautiful.  Suddenly, I heard something behind me.  My body tensed up.    

I pulled on Taffy’s reins. “Did you hear that?” I asked shaking.

Mitch stopped and listened. The bushes behind him rustled. Both brother and sister turned around.

“Stay here,” ordered Mitch.

I held my breath as Mitch slowly dismounted. His feet landed in the snow. He grabbed his gun from his holster and pulled it out.  

I could hear the animal coming closer.  My heart was pounding.  Mitch raised his arm, so the gun was pointing at the noise.  Suddenly, the lost mare came out. 

I giggled. “Well, there’s the mare.”

Mitch chuckled, and he returned his gun to his holster.  He reached out and grabbed her halter. “Do you mind watching her while I go get a lead rope?”

“Sure.”

Mitch remounted and cantered away.

“Hey girl, how are you?” I asked, as I reached out to pet her neck.  She seemed uncertain about something.  I had no idea what it was.  Her ears went back. 

Suddenly, the horse reared, knocking me to the ground.  My back slammed on the ground, knocking the wind out of me.  Her hooves came thundering down, inches away from me.

I stood up shaking, and slowly reached out to grab her halter. The horse shied away.

“Hey girl, it’s okay!”

She looked at me, snorted, and galloped away.

I quickly mounted Taffy. “I’ll be right back,” I whispered.  I kicked my heels into Taffy’s sides.  I rode for what seemed like forever.  As I was searching for the mare with no luck, it started to snow. 

“Oh Taffy, I give up! Come on let’s go back.”

Taffy snorted in reply.

I slowly turned Taffy around and headed back.  I looked around, realizing that the snow had covered up my tracks.  I had no idea where I was.  It was snowing hard and the wind was whipping around in my face. 

“Where are we?” I asked Taffy.  I rode in the direction that I thought I came from, hoping that I would end up at camp.  I kept riding, not knowing where I was going.

. . .

“Okay, Andi, here’s the lead rope,” said Mitch, as he pushed through the bushes to where Andi was.

“Andi?” he called out when she didn’t answer.  He walked out into the clearing and looked around for his little sister.  She was nowhere to be found. 

“Andi, answer me!” Mitch yelled.  He looked around and saw two sets of tracks.

“Oh Andi, you didn’t!”

He quickly remounted and cantered back to camp, where Chad was.

“Chad,” he yelled. “Chad, come here.”

Chad walked over. “Where’s Andi?”

“We found the last mare.  I quickly ran back to get a lead rope.  When I came back, she was gone.  There were two sets of tracks.  I think the mare ran away, and Andi went to get her.” Mitch explained.

“You left Andi alone?” Chad bellowed. “We told Mother that we would personally be in charge of her!”

“Well don’t just stand there!  Mount up!”

Chad ran to where his horse was, and quickly mounted up. 

“Let’s go!  I’m going to round up some of the men.  It’s starting to snow, so we need to hurry.  Maybe we can find her tonight.  Mitch, go east!” Chad ordered and rode away.  Mitch rode east.

“Lord, help us find Andi.” 

. . .

“Well, Taffy, we can camp here tonight.  Hopefully, someone will find us.”

I grabbed Taffy’s bridle and led her into the cave.  I sat down to catch my breath.  I knew that I had to untack Taffy, but my legs would not stand.  It was getting late.  I shivered and wrapped my arms around my knees.  My eyes started to droop, and I rubbed them.  I had to stay awake.  I shifted a yawn.  My body started to give in, and I slowly fell asleep.

Morning dawned, and the sun came streaming into the doorway in the cave.  Streams of light struck my face as I woke up.  I blinked a couple times, remembering where I was.   “Taffy!” 

I looked around for my friend. My heart slowed down as I saw her standing in a corner.  She was okay but looked uncomfortable.

“Sorry that I didn’t untack you last night, girl,” I apologized.

Taffy walked over to me and nuzzled my hair.  She seemed to be saying, “That’s okay.”

I giggled.  I was so grateful for a friend like Taffy.  I quickly untacked her.

“I think we should explore,” I announced.

I thought about this idea for a while, not knowing if I should or should not go. 

“What if someone comes while I’m gone?  What if I get lost again?  What if…”  I spoke these thoughts out loud.  Then, I remembered a conversation I had with Mitch a few weeks ago when Macy stuck the tack underneath my saddle.

“God works things out for our good,” he reminded me. “Don’t dwell on what-if’s.” 

I didn’t know if that applied to this dilemma. 

“I made up my mind.” I announced, “We’re going to explore.” 

I walked over to where I had put Taffy’s tack.  I looked for her bridle.  I remembered that I had packed some sandwiches and jerky in my saddle bag.  I was grateful for that.  I will go explore then come back and eat.  I grabbed Taffy’s bridle. 

“Come here girl!” I said and whistled. 

Taffy looked at me and slowly walked over.  I slid the bridle on.  I decided not to put her saddle on considering that I had just taken it off.  I jumped onto her back.  I gently squeezed her sides.  She walked out of the cave.

. . .

“Mother, I’m so sorry. I had no idea this would happen.” Mitch apologized. “We searched most of yesterday and almost most of the night.”

Elizabeth Carter smiled a little bit at her son. “It’s not your fault Mitchell.”

“Well, we should spread out.  Mitch and I will go west with some men, and Chad, you go east. Take half of the men.  If Andi went north, hopefully she would have noticed that it was getting colder and would have turned around,” said Justin. 

“I want to come,” said Mother. “Melinda can take care of the place.”

Melinda nodded. “Anything to help.”

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. 

“I’ll get it,” said Justin.  He walked out of the room and to the door.  He reached out and opened the door. “Hi, can I help you?”

“Sorry to interrupt, but I think I know where your sister is.” 

“Please come in. My family is in the parlor.”

Justin led the man to the parlor.

The whole family stared at Justin as he walked in with the man.

“Please sit down,” offered Elizabeth.

The man sat down. “My name Is Jeff King.  I heard about your lost daughter.”

“Yes, Andi got lost searching for a mare,” answered Chad.

“Well, maybe I can help.  When I heard she was lost I asked the Lord to give me a dream.  That night he gave me a vision.  I know where she is.  If you would come with me, I can lead you to her.”

Elizabeth looked at the man, astonished.  She gave Justin a questioning look.

Justin sighed. All he wanted to do was find Andi, but how could he trust this man?

Jeff sensed him hesitate.

“I know I’m a stranger to you, but you have to trust me.”

Justin needed solutions and this was one. He sighed. “Alright let’s round up some of the men and head out.”

. . .

The sun was high in the sky.  It probably was noon. 

“Wow!  I must have really slept in.” 

All I could see was snow.  I asked Taffy to walk a little more.  Everything I saw looked the same.  I sighed.

“I can’t give up so soon.”  With hope still in me, I kept riding.  After what seemed like hours of riding, I slouched on Taffy’s back.  My chest felt heavy, and my eyes started to sting.  I started to cry.  I felt weak, and most of all, I wanted my mother.  Suddenly, Taffy started to dance.  Her ears went back, and she was stomping her feet.

“Hey girl, it’s okay,” I said softly.  I started to rub her neck.  She continued to misbehave.  I heard the most terrifying sound.  It sounded like someone crying, but I knew better.

“Mountain lion!” My mind screamed. 

The giant, terrifying cat leaped out.  Taffy reared.  My eyes widened.  My hands started sweating which made it hard to hold onto Taffy when she reared.  My heart started to pound.  Taffy reared and bucked, trying to push the cat back. 

But the cat had other thoughts.  It leaped again.  I felt like I was riding a bucking bronco.  I was drastically trying to stay on Taffy.  The cat broke into Taffy’s flesh multiple times.  She screamed and bucked. 

I could not stay on Taffy any longer.  I could feel my hands slipping from their grip as I struggled to keep my tight hold onto her mane.  The moment my hands slipped I knew I was dead.  My back hit the ground hard.  The air whooshed out of my lungs.  Taffy’s rear legs barely missed my face, as she flung them out in self-defense.  I could hear her run away.  I saw the cat’s shadow fall over my body.  I closed my eyes tight.

“Lord, keep me safe!” I pleaded.

I waited for the cat’s paw to strike me.  Nothing happened.  I slowly opened my eyes.  I was amazed to see what I saw.  The cat just looked at me.  It seemed his eyes pierced through me.  He snarled, sniffed the air, and left.  I was amazed at what just happened.  My legs felt like jelly.  I could barely rise.  Looking around for Taffy, I attempted to stand up. 

“Taffy, where are you?” I cried. There was no answer.

. . .

 “Well, this is it,” said Jeff.

It was a nice little cabin. It looked comfortable.

Elizabeth Carter didn’t have time to admire the scene.  She was too worried about her daughter.  “I think we should get started.”

Jeff nodded. “No, the Lord said only for one of you to go.”

“We have men.  We should spread out,” argued Mitch.

“Send your men back.  We don’t need them.”

“Go back!  We don’t need you!” ordered Elizabeth.

“Mother!” Chad protested.

“You can go now,” Elizabeth told the men.

The men looked at each other, shrugged, and rode away.

“Who is the one to go get her?” asked Jeff. 

“I’ll go,” answered Chad.

“Good. Go one mile west, call her name, and wait.”

Chad looked at him confused.

“Go.”

Chad rode west, hoping that Jeff was right.

     . . . 

Tears were coming to my eyes.  I had to find Taffy.  I searched for her tracks.  It was getting late, and I still didn’t find her.  I sat down in the snow and cried to my heart’s content.  I cried till I could not cry anymore.  I wiped my eyes and kept walking.  The sun had set.  Everywhere I looked I saw black.  I had to keep going.  I had to find shelter.  Suddenly, I heard something.  Something that made my heart quicken. 

“Hello!” I screamed.  I thought I heard someone call my name.  I ran.  Running as fast as I could, I continued to scream. 

“Somebody!  Anybody!”

“Andi!” 

I stopped.  “Justin, Chad, Mitch!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I smelled smoke and ran as fast as I could in that direction.  Suddenly, a hand shot out and spun me around. 

“Chad?” I whispered, as I squinted to see better.

“It’s me! Thank the Lord your safe!” Chad said, as he pulled me into a hug.

I buried my head in his chest and cried. 

“Shhhhh.  Don’t cry.  I’m right here.  Come on.  Let’s get you back.”

We walked a little way to were Chad’s horse Sky stood. 

I suddenly had a thought.  I stopped and grabbed Chad’s arm and squeezed it tight. 

 Chad looked at me.  “What’s wrong?”

“Taffy.” I whispered.  “We were attacked by a mountain lion, and she was badly hurt.”  I felt more tears coming to my eyes.

Chad grabbed my chin and made me look at him.  “Don’t worry.  Taffy found us.  Mitch is looking after her, as was speak.”

I nodded, grateful for everything.

“Here, let me help you up.”

I gladly took Chad’s hand as he helped me up onto Sky.  Chad mounted up behind me and we were off.  I leaned back and rested on Chad.  My eyes started to droop.  I fell into a deep sleep.

“Andi, wake up!”

I could feel Chad shake me awake.

I slowly started to wake up.  I looked at my surroundings.  Right in front of me was a little cabin.  To the left was a barn, and to the right was a chicken coop. 

“Andrea, wake up!  It’s your Mother.”

I rubbed my eyes, and saw my mother.  “Mother!” I cried, as I leaped off Chad’s horse.  We embraced in a warm hug.  I could feel Mother’s hand stroking my hair.  I looked behind Mother and saw everyone else.  We separated.  I ran over to Justin and hugged him.

“I’m so glad your safe,” he whispered.

I squeezed him tighter.  I saw Mitch.  He looked at me and smiled. 

Justin let me go.  Mitch walked over to me and hugged me. 

“I’m so sorry.  I should have never left you.” 

“It was my fault.  I should have never left,” I answered.

Mitch slowly exhaled.  “I love you.”

“I love you too.” 

We separated.  Mother came over to me. 

“Andrea, I would like you to meet Mr. Jeff.  He was the one who led us to you.”

I smiled and looked at Mr. Jeff. “Thank you!” 

Mr. Jeff smiled back.  “Your welcome. It wasn’t me who found you.  It was the Lord who guided me.  It was Him who gave me the dream.” 

I nodded and looked at my mother confused. 

“Why don’t we go home.  I will explain everything at home,” said Mother.

I nodded. “Mother, can I see Taffy?”

Mother nodded.  We walked to where Taffy was.  I knelt down.  I was able to spend a couple of minutes with her before we went home.

We thanked Mr. Jeff again.  I walked over to him and hugged him. 

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he answered.

Chad tried giving him money but he refused.  “It was not me who found her.  It was the Lord.  I’ll look after her horse until she is well.  Then you can come pick her up.”

With that, he walked inside.

I waited anxiously for two weeks for Chad and Mitch to return with Taffy.  I soon saw them canter up to the house.

“They’re here!” I screamed.

I ran over to my mare and hugged her.  She was all tacked up.

“You got my tack?”

“We sure did!” answered Chad.

“Thanks for getting her.”

“You’re welcome.” Mitch said, as he winked.  

“Hey girl, I’m so glad you’re okay,” I said, as I ran my hand down her body.  “Come on!  Let’s go for a ride.  I walked Taffy to a rock that was nearby and mounted.  We rode to my special spot.  I slid off Taffy’s back.  I sat on the ground and counted my blessings.