Missing Scenes from the Circle C Ranch

 by Sara M. and Micaiah C. 

Part One: Riley Coming to Circle C Ranch

**Early that morning Sid’s POV**

 

Sid McCoy read the note over again, it had read -

Hello Sid, quick note here, sorry to say but I have fallen sick again and can no longer take care of our son Riley, my husband has been promoted to captain in the army and not allowed to leave. I don’t have any other choice but to send Riley to Circle C with you. He should arrive there in eight days. Sorry for the short notice. Your sister.

It was eight days later and now Sid was waiting at the train station waiting for his nephew. 

He had not seen him for over a year. He heard the train whistle off in the distance, his nephew was almost there! 

A minute later the train pulled to a stop and Sid waited eagerly, he saw a young boy with dark hair hop off the train, “Riley Prescott!” he shouted.

The boy jerked his head up and looked around frantically, “Uncle Sid?” he called out. 

“Right here my boy!” Sid called, a small grin forming on his face, he was looking forward to catching up with his nephew.  

Riley’s face turned towards him and he came running over. 

 

**A Few Hours Later Riley’s POV**

 

“Riley, come here.” Sid called his nephew over. Riley came running over from the cook’s house where he was helping out Cook. 

Uncle Sid brought him over to where a little girl sat. “This is Miss Andrea Carter.” He said gruffly, 

“Andi.” She corrected him with a frown. 

Riley just stood there and shuffled his feet in the dirt. No way I’m talking to some lil’ girl. 

“Aren’t you going to say hello?” his uncle growled.

“I ain’t talking to no sissy girl.” Riley responded.

“I’m not a sissy girl!” stormed Andi. “My sister Melinda is the sissy girl around here. What’s a sissy?”

“You’re not?” asked Riley “Then hold this.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out one of his most treasured possessions. A big bull frog called Sam. Instead of screaming like Riley expected, Andi reached out and grabbed the frog. 

Riley jumped back in surprise, as Andi said “See. I’m not a sissy girl.”

“If you say so.” Riley said in a doubting tone but all the while thinking, maybe this won’t be so bad. We’ll see.

And it wasn’t. Andi surely wasn’t the girl Riley thought she would be. The first time Riley had ridden Midnight, the horse his father gave him just before he left, Andi insisted on tagging along. 

“Riley, can I ride Midnight?” Andi asked halfway through their ride. 

“No way! You wouldn’t know how to stay on him.” exclaimed Riley.

“I would too!” Andi said, trying to make Coco go faster. 

“Then prove it.” Riley halted and slid off Midnight. 

Andi frowned, “I can’t reach to get on him but once I’m on I can ride.” she said.

Riley held back a smirk while he helped Andi onto Midnight, I don’t think she’ll stay on but she can sure try! He thought.

Andi was finally at Midnight, Riley looked up at her. “Ride.” he said. 

His mouth dropped when Andi kicked Midnight into a gallop and they were dashing off. 

“Andi! An-di!” he shouted, still in shock at how well Andi rode, she wasn’t slipping a bit!

Andi turned Midnight back and trotted towards Riley and halted smoothly when she reached him. 

“Okay, you proved me wrong, you can ride.” Riley said, grabbing Midnight’s reins. Of course, he didn’t add that she could ride really well.  

  “Andi’s Pony Trouble”, “Andi’s Indian Summer”, “Andi’s Fair Surprise”, “Andi’s Scary School Day’s”, “Andi’s Lonely Little Foal", and “Andi’s Circle C Christmas” take place.

 

Part Two: Riley leaves Circle C Ranch

Riley sighed he had to leave the Circle C Ranch today. Worst of all he had to leave his new best friend Andi. He was happy his mother was well, and that he got to live with his mother and father, and he was certainly glad he didn’t have to be Cook’s helper anymore, but he didn’t want to go back to school and he would miss Andi terribly. Who would take care of Henry the Eighth for her? Her brothers would just laugh and tell her to get the chicken eggs and tend them anyway.                 

 His Uncle Sid was going to take him to the train station, “Riley, Riley, wait!” Andi came running from the house. “I have something for you!” she called.                

 “Hey Andi, what is it?” Riley said, ignoring his uncle for the moment.              

 “Here.” Andi said, she held out a piece of fabric wrapped around something. Riley took it and unwrapped it, it was the photo of him and Andi! Her stuffy Aunt had taken it of them.                                                                                                       

 “Is this for me?” Riley asked, not believing it.                                                        

Andi nodded eagerly. I can’t believe Andi is giving this to me! I'll give it back to her someday. Riley thought, “Thanks Andi.” he said with a sad smile. He did want to see his parents again but also didn’t want to leave the Circle C Ranch.                           

 “Riley! Come along!” his uncle called him.

“Bye, Andi.” Riley said and was about to turn when Andi gave a quick hug, “Aww, Andi, don’t get all mushy. I’ll be back.” Riley said.                                                

Andi nodded, “Bye Riley.” she said. Her voice shook slightly.                                                       

After getting in the wagon with his uncle Riley looked back and saw Andi waving, “Bye!” he shouted. He waved back as they went out of sight. 

 All of the Circle C stepping Stones, and Adventures take place, also “Thick as Thieves”, and “Heartbreak Trail”

 

 

Part Three: Riley Comes Back

Riley hopped off the wagon, he was back at the Circle C Ranch. He looked around and skimmed the place, not much had changed, I wonder if Andi has. I guess I should call her Miss Carter now. Riley glanced over to the bunkhouse to see his Uncle Sid, “Uncle Sid! I’m here!” Riley jogged towards him, with his dog Tucker at his heels.

“Howdy Riley!” Sid said, as he shook his hand. “Remember your friend as a child?” he asked, and motioned behind him.

Riley turned around and took a few steps back, there stood Andi, about to mount a beautiful colt, just shy of 15 hands, it looked like.

Riley whistled, Andi sure has grown up! He thought, she’s the prettiest girl I’ve seen! And that horse! The horse Andi was about to mount was playing around and nipping Andi. 

Sid snorted, “Show off!”

“I’m not showing off.” Andi retorted.

“I didn’t mean you Miss Andi,” Sid replied, “I mean that young, upstart colt you’re riding. He thinks he’s the cleverest thing on four hooves.”

“And the prettiest, most spirted and-” Andi started. 

Sid cut her off, “Orneriest!”
        Andi jumped off the colt, and stood up in front of Sid, “Shasta’s not ornery! He may be a bit spoiled, but-”

“A mite spoiled!” he put his hands on his hips, “Shasta’s the Prince of this spread and you know it. Fact is Chad’s been so busy this spring, that he hired an experienced wrangler to work with a whole bunch of two year olds, Shasta included.” Sid turned to Riley. 

“Chad never said a word about it to me!” Andi stormed. “ Your jokes are not very funny. Hire an outsider, that’s the silliest thing I’ve-”

“It’s the gospel truth, Miss Andi.” He replied

Does Andi even know who I am? I don’t think so. Riley wondered. He couldn't hold back his grin as he watched Andi’s face turn red. 

He pointed to Riley, and Riley waved.

“He’s not going anywhere near my colt!”

“Come over here a minute, boy.” called Sid, 

“Yes, sir?”

“Since when did you start calling me sir, boy?” he snorted 

“Since I started earning wages on this ranch. You’re my boss, aren’t you?”
        “Not this time, Chad hired you. Meet his royal highness, soon to be one of your charges.” he pointed to the colt Andi had called Shasta. 

Riley whistled when he looked Shasta over. “What a fine looking colt! He’ll be a pleasure to work with!”

Riley saw Andi stiffen and turn on him, “Chad can do what he wants the rest of the colts, but Shasta’s mine. I’m in charge of his training!”

Riley did his best to not smile. “Yes ma’am!”

“She still has a mind of her own, ain’t she boy!” he laughed “Sorry I didn’t make proper introductions sooner, Miss Andi. It’s been a while since you two saw each other. Riley’s grown up some, ain’t he?”

“Howdy Miss Carter. It’s good to be back on the Circle C after all these years.”

He smiled. “I see you’ve grown up too.” She sure has grown up, she’s gorgeous! I can hardly keep my eyes off her! Riley thought.

She peered into his face and flushed.

“What is it?” Riley asked, “Do I have a wart on my nose?” He grinned teasingly. 

Andi then flushed even darker red, and Riley grinned harder. 

 The rest of “Last Ride” takes place

 

Part Four: Riley Calls On Justin

 

Riley Prescott entered Justin Carter’s law office, Justin’s clerk Tim looked up from where he was sorting through papers, “Hello Mr Prescott, how may I help you?” he asked. 

“I came to see Justin.” Riley took off his hat.

“Do you have an appointment?” Tim asked, checking the calendar. 

“Um, no.” Riley said slowly. 

“Have a seat and I’ll see if Justin has a few moments,” he said with a frown. Tim went back to Justin's office. 

How should I word this? It's a once in a lifetime thing. What should I say? Riley couldn’t think about it long for Tim came back and motioned to the door, “Mr Carter can speak with you. Go on in.” he held the door open. 

Riley panicked but did as Tim asked. He twisted his hat in his hands nervously.

“Hello Riley,” Justin smiled when he saw him, “What brings you here today?”

“Hello, Justin, I came to ask something.” Not meaning to, but Riley paused. 

Justin smiled slightly, “Go on.” 

“I came to ask, if - if - if I - I - I, I mean, I came to ask if I can spend more time with A- A-Andrea.” No! That came out wrong. Riley was truly nervous. Riley flushed a bright red, “I mean, - I mean, I came to ask if I can court Andi with the intention of m - m - marriage.” 

Finally, it was out! Riley relaxed again. For only a minute. 

Justin sat thoughtfully in his chair, “Why?” he asked simply. 

Riley didn’t know what to say. “Um, why not?” 

“Why do you want to court her?” asked Justin.

“Well I-I-I um I love her.” Riley said, stuttering again.

Justin’s eyes twinkled merrily “I see. Do you think Andi feels the same?”

“Um I don’t know.” Riley replied

“Ah, well you’ll have to find out. If she does, you have my permission, Chad's and Mitch’s too.”

“Thank you, Justin! Thank you!” 

After that he was out of there like a shot. I can court Andi! Yesss!! I got permission! I just need to ask Andi! Riley was gleeful as he mounted his house to head back to Circle C Ranch halfway back, a sudden thought struck him, How did Mitch and Chad give permission for me to court Andi if they weren't there? How did they know? Riley wondered. Wait a second, I actually need to ask Andi! Oh boy!

 “Courageous Love” takes place

 

Part Five: The Wedding

Riley Prescott woke up on the morning of his wedding, he was delighted that Andi had agreed to marry him, he couldn't have been happier! He stretched and walked out of the bunkhouse, then it hit him, I am getting married today! Today, to Andrea Rose Carter and soon to be Prescott! Riley was nervous. Very nervous in fact! But he was also looking forward to being married to Andi. 

 

**A few hours later**

 

Riley looked up and there, walking toward him on Justin’s arm, was Andi, his Andi.

Will she be happy with me? He wondered, She is so beautiful! Am I worthy of her?

Suddenly she was next to him, and a few minutes later, after saying their vows, they were married. It was so fast Riley forgot about his nervousness and was just happy.

As they walked outside Riley thought, She’s mine, we no longer need to be apart. We can always be together, I won’t need to say goodbye any longer.