Moonlight's Peril

 by Emma M.

photo prompt #13 Horse of a Different Color

California Spring 1877 Circle C Ranch

 

“Moonlight ought to be foaling any day now!” Chad Carter (Andi's older brother) announced one day at dinner.

“Ooh. I can't wait!!!!” 12 year-old Melinda Carter squealed then giggled. That was the way 12 year-old big sisters were, ALWAYS giggling.

9 year-old Andrea Carter thought, but she was excited too! “I hope it's is a Filly!” Andi said. (Her real name was Andrea, but everyone called her Andi.) “I don't care wether it's a filly or colt, I just hope it arrives safely” Mother worried.

“Unless a foal is sick, or a runt, all of Circle C's foal's have arrived safely, Mother!” Mitch Carter (Andi's other older brother) assured her.

“Yes, but just the same, I am worried.” said Mother.

“Of course you are Mother.” Andi's third older brother, Justin Carter said. Just then, there was a crash from outside, and a frightened horse's whinny. They all jumped up and ran outside to see what all the commotion was all about. They were just in time to see a bay horse galloping away. Chad immediately vaulted over the paddock fence and was on his horse, Sky in a matter of seconds.

“Open the gate Mitch!” Chad yelled

“OK.” Mitch replied. As soon as the gate was open, Sky flew after the bay horse. Mitch resisted the urge to jump on his own horse and join in the chase but instead he went to the barn to make sure everything was safe and sound. A minute later they heard him holler with surprise, “WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?!?!”

They all raced to the barn. He was staring at Midnight's stall. It was EMPTY!!

“How..... did that happen?” Justin asked.

Mitch snapped his fingers ”I've got it. Moonlight was in her stall this morning. I know because Chad asked me to feed her since he was busy mucking out stalls. Anyway, I bet that the bay horse's rider stole her.”

“But why?” Mother questioned him.

“Because she is a very rare breed, and she is about to foal.” Mitch answered.

“Well, I suppose so, but what happens if Chad doesn't get back? We'll have to somehow get Moonlight before she foals, “ Mother said.

Just then Chad walked in the barn door. “Oh Chad! You're back!” Andi yelled. ”Did you catch up to them?”

“No, but I saw Moonlight with them. I see that you have discovered that Moonlight is missing. Somehow, we'll have to get Moonlight back before she foals. Otherwise, the people who stole her can brand her and we cannot let that happen because she is a very rare breed.” Chad replied.

“That is just what Mother was saying,” Melinda said.

“Yes I was, and how are we going to get her back?” Mother replied.

The next day, Andi was in the barn saddling up Taffy when Mitch came up behind her and asked, “What do you think you're doing, Andi? Have you cleaned Taffy's stall and given her fresh water and hay?”

“Yes I have, for your information,” Andi responded. “I am going on a ride because Taffy needs some exercise.”

“Well, old Chase needs some exercise too, so I think I'll come out with you if that's alright,” Mitch said.

“As long as we aren't going to race,” Andi said, “because I could never beat Chase in a race. Chase is the fastest horse in the valley.”

“Well, alright, but I'll come with you anyway,” Mitch said.

Ten minutes later, they were galloping through the Circle C Ranch rangeland.

“Let's go over on the north side,” Mitch said, gesturing with his hand.

“I've never been on the north side,” Andi replied.

“Well, we were branding a group of cattle on the north side, just last week,” Mitch said. “But let's go a little farther than where we were branding the other day.”

“Ok! I'm up for it!” Andi exclaimed.

Twenty minutes later, the duo were way past where they had branded cattle. Just ahead, they saw smoke rising out of a clump of trees.

“Well, what might that be? I've never heard of a cabin on the Circle C property,” Mitch said. “ Let's sneak up, but not let the people there see us, because if they do, and they're mean, we won't want to cross paths with them.”

So, they sneaked up to the corral, and stopped short in surprise! There, standing in the middle of the corral like she owned it, was Moonlight, the missing horse!

“Let's quick go back to the Circle C Ranch and tell Chad that we have found her and that she hasn't foaled yet,” Mitch said excitedly.

An hour later, Andi and Mitch were galloping into the Circle C barnyard.

“Chad! Chad! We've found Moonlight!” Andi hollered excitedly.

Chad stuck his head out of the barn. “What are you saying, Andi Carter? Do you mean to tell me that you have found Moonlight?”

“Yes, Chad! And, she hasn't foaled yet!” Andi shouted over the noise of the barnyard.

“Well, that's just great! Lead me to her!” Chad said.

“Well, Chad, we would like to, but we don't know who lives in the cabin on the Circle C Ranch,” Mitch said.

“The what?” Chad questioned.

“The cabin. Don't you know about it? It's way over on the north side past where we branded last week. We didn't meet the folks there, but we heard some mighty loud voices, as if they were having an argument,” Mitch said.

“Well then, lets gather up some of the ranch hands, and let's head out there,” Chad exclaimed.

“PLEASE let me go too!” Andi begged.

“No Andi,” Chad said firmly, “We have Mitch here to show us where to look. I don't want you getting in the middle of something shady. You stay here and take care of Taffy. Don't let her sit out in the sun like you did last week.”

“That was an accident,” Andi said ashamedly.

“Accident or not, you better get in the barn and take care of her before you forget to put her in the barn. And remember her water,” said Chad.

“Ok, I guess,” replied Andi.

“Hey Tom,” Chad yelled. “Go into Fresno and get Sheriff Tate! We might need him!”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Carter!” Tom hurried off. He returned with Sheriff Tate in tow.

“Alrighty men! Let's go out and catch the horse thieves and get back Moonlight before she foals,” Chad instructed.

Two hours later, in came the men, all hot and sweaty, but they had both horse thieves, and best of all, they had Moonlight!

The next night, after supper, Chad went out to make sure everything was warm and snug for the night. But, a minute later, he was back, hollering, “Mitch! Get out here and help me! Moonlight is foaling!”

“Ok Chad,” Mitch said.

“May I come too? PLEASE!! You wouldn't let me come for the capturing of the thieves, but can I please come for this?” Andi cried.

“I suppose, but you'd better hurry! It's happening fast!” Chad replied.

Five minutes later, in the barn was a new little foal, filly to be exact.

“Well, I guess Moonlight didn't need our help with this one,” Chad said, “and all the help she did need came from you, Andi, so you may name the foal!”

Andi sat there a few minutes, deep in thought. “I know! I know! I know what I'll name her,” Andi exclaimed, “I'll name her Starlight!”

“Starlight is a wonderful name, Andi” Chad announced.

“Yes, it is, Andi,” Mitch agreed.

And so, baby Starlight grew up to be a wonderful little horse!