Pride Goeth Before A Fall

By Liberty Steng      

Part one-

            Andi Carter sat up from her bed and spun to the clock. Oh no! She thought as she threw off the heavy blankets, I’m late! She ran to her closet and looked in the unfortunate mess.

            “I’ll get pestered on this tonight. Darn clothes.” She mumbled as she picked a blue split skirt and white blouse. She slipped them on and peered in the mirror. Great! All I need now is to do my hair! She picked up a brush and tried to untangle her long brown hair. She gathered it all and started to form a neat braid.

            “Andi!” The voice was heard from out the tall window in her room.

Andi peeked outside and looked down. “Oh, rattlesnakes! It’s Riley, better hurry!” She finished her hair, grabbed her stockings and black boots and rushed down the stairs.

            “Andi you coming?” Riley taunted as Andi pulled the last boot on. She stood up and reached for the tall, wooden door. She swung it open to revel a man tapping his boot.

            “We were supposed to leave an hour ago.” He said handing her the reins to her beloved horse, Shasta. Andi smiled and took the used reigns.

            “You saddled him for me!”

Riley mounted his horse Dakota, “Well what else was I supposed to do waiting here?” He winked and started trotting off.

Andi shook her head. Oh Riley! If someone new was here they would have to think long and hard to see if he was joking. She mounted up and bolted before she even got in to saddle.

She raced pass Riley and grinned, “Try And catch me now!” She yelled back.  Riley’s horse was fast, but nobody could outrace Andi and Shasta. They could try, oh yes, but it wasn’t every day that someone beat Shasta. In fact, no one did.

They raced all the way to town racing each others shadows. When they reached town, they let Shasta and Dakota drink from the nearest water trough. They smiled and breathed hard as Riley stuck out his hand.

            “Until the next race.” Andi shook his hand hard.

            “Until the next race.” She repeated. When the horses were done they took them to the Blake’s Livery Stable. Cory took the worn-out horses and winked at Riley. Riley shook his head and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

            “What was that all about?” Andi asked looking where Cory disappeared. Riley shook his head and looked at Andi with hazelnut eyes.

            “Nothin’” Andi gave him an I’m-not-fooling-around kind of look and he looked away.

            “So where ya wanna eat?” Andi thought about it.

            “Well theres Alice’s Place, or The Cafe, or--“

Riley interrupted her as they walked out of the stables,“No I mean like some place nice.”

Andi glanced up at his tan-face. Somewhere nice? Why? They kept on walking until they reached the bank.

Then Riley stopped, “I’m serious Andi, where?” He smiled and looked at her. She was speechless. He really was serious.

            “Oh- well I- um, what about the new place down by the hotel?”

Riley pondered for a moment then nodded, “Yeah lets try that!” He smiled and held out his arm,

Andi took it and blushed. Why am I blushing? Were courting! Its not like were only friends. When they reached the new restaurant it was nearly eleven-thirty. Riley held the door open and they stepped in. It was very bright in the room and it had old benches around newly furnished tables. A tall blonde-haired woman greeted them and sat them near a window. Andi wondered why Riley was doing all of this for her. Wasn’t it just another race into town? Wasn’t it just another day together?

            “May I get you anything?” The kind woman said.

Riley looked at Andi and she spoke up, “May I please have a glass of lemonade?”

Riley nodded in agreement and said, “I’ll take the same. And can we have a dozen of raspberry scones?”

The lady nodded. “Alright I’ll be right back.” She skipped off and told someone the order.

Andi turned to Riley, who shrugged and smiled a funny smile.  “They sound good!”

Andi laughed until the tears came rolling down her cheeks. Then the question returned, “Riley, why are you doing this?” She said when she stopped laughing.

Riley looked confused. “Well don’t you remember?”

Andi strained her brain for answers but did not find one. “No- not exactly.”

Riley shook his head and chuckled.

Andi grew red. “What? Tell me!” She demanded.

Riley turned to her with shining eyes. “Today was the day we started courting two months ago!”

Andi dropped her mouth and slapped her face, instantly regretting it. “Ow,” she mumbled. “How could I forget! Im so sorry Riley.” She hung her head and waited for a reply.

Riley reached across the table and lifted her chin. “Its alright, you’ll get it next month.” He teased.

The lady came back with the scones and lemonade and left the two to eat. Andi smiled and dug into the scones and lemonade. Thank you God for Riley. She thought as she bit a scone.

-Part two-

            Riley opened the door to the restaurant and Andi stepped outside. She smiled and thanked him as a cloud of dust greet her. She coughed and waved her hand, spreading the dust from her lungs. She looked where the dust ended and her eyes met a stranger’s. He was a tall, dark-haired man. She glanced at him and felt back to make sure Riley was there. She grabbed his hand and he stepped forward to stand next to her. The man tied up his horse and took off his worn hat.

            “Excuse me for all the dust, me and Shadow here like to race.” He looked at Andi and smiled. She blushed and looked at Shasta. He looked back as if to say “lets get out of here!” She was ready to leave already.

            “My name’s Jack Field.”

Riley smiled and stuck out his hand, “Im Riley and this here is Andi.”

Andi forced a smile as he shook Rileys hand. He walked up on the wooden sidewalk and tipped his hat. He walked inside as Andi tossed her braid.

            “Nice meetin’ ya’ll.” He hollered as the door closed behind him.

            “Interesting fellow. So wanna race home?” He asked, pulling Andi back into reality.

She blinked and grinned. “Oh, you sure you want to race the fastest horse in town? With the best rider?”

Riley nodded and opened his mouth to say something but an opened door interrupted him.

            “Im sorry for eavesdropping, but your the fastest rider in town?” Jack said coming out of the door. He pointed at Riley when he asked the question and it still was pointing.

            “Actually Andi here is the fastest.”

Andi proudly stood up straighter.

Jack glared at Andi. “You? I mean no offense but shouldn’t you be cookin’ and sewin’?”

            “I have ridden a horse ever since I can remember and I’m not going to stop now.” She said simply.

Jack looked at his horse, Shadow than at Andi’s, Shasta. “Well since you say your the fastest, why not prove it?”

Andi almost laughed out loud, prove it? “And how would I do that?” She questioned. Jack smiled at Riley and Riley put his hand to his chin, as if in deep thought.

            “Well Andi,” he began. “You would have to race.” He said.

Andi thought about all the fun and trouble this race could bring. “Alright. I will accept you challenge mr. Field.” She shook his hand vigorously and spun to Shasta. She ran her hand through his mane and whispered, “Whats another race?” Shasta whinnied and stamped his hoof. I wonder when it will be held?

As if he read her mind, “We should race today. The weather is perfect.” Jack stated as he returned to his stallion, Shadow.

Andi grabbed her reins and swung herself in her saddle. “Meet me on Main street at 2:30?”

            “Its a deal, see you there.”

Andi and Riley rode away as Jack smirked.

            “She’s doomed. As they say, pride go before a fall. And she will fall.” He smiled an evil smile and kicked his heels in his horse. They sped off leaving dust behind.

-Part three-

            “Come one, come all! See Andrea Carter and Jack Field race against each other! Just down the road to Main street!” Andi heard people yelling everywhere.

            “So many faces.” Andi mumbled to Riley.

Riley directed his horse closer to Shasta. “Its alright your going to do fine.”

Andi sighed and slumped her shoulders. “But is “fine” gonna win me?” She set Shasta to walk a little faster.

Riley shook his head. “She’s doubting herself again.” He sped up to Andi as she dismounted her horse.

Andi pressed her head against Shasta’s flank. Why do I have to be so stubborn?

Riley put his hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “Your gonna win, and I’ll be there to watch you. I’m going to cheer you on win or lose. And when you prove that Jack fellow wrong I’m gonna see it. I wouldn’t miss this moment for the universe.” Riley paused as a tear slid down Andi’s cheek.

            “I love you.” Andi let the tears run freely.

            “I love you Andrea Carter.” Riley squeezed Andi’s hand and kissed her on the cheek.

            “Andrea Carter and Jack Field, please come to the starting line.” A loud voice was heard on top of a barrel.

Andi looked at Riley as he walked away and mouthed “Thank you.” She took Shasta to the line and mounted up. Jack came along beside her and grinned.

Andi rolled her eyes and focused ahead. “One last time boy. Do it for me.” She whispered to Shasta as everyone started to sit still. Justin was the man this time who was going to announce the race beginning to end.

            “Get in position!” Justin yelled. Andi was tense.

            “On your marks!” The gun coked as Andi positioned herself.

            “Go!” The word rang with the gun as Andi dug her heels into Shasta’s flank. He sped off taking the lead. Andi looked behind her as the crowd disappeared from view. Jack was right behind her gaining speed. She could hear Shasta panting and then she noticed that she was breathing hard too. She took a deep breath and let it out with satisfaction.

            “We got this boy.” She and Shasta slowed down a bit and let Jack pass them. Shasta grew impatient and started to bolt but Andi slowed him down.

            “Not yet boy. Not yet.” The finish line came in view as Jack started to cheer. Andi waited and waited, it wasn’t the right time yet. Not yet. Then with a spark of re-energized flare, she dug her heels as Shasta bolted straight for the line.

Shasta sped up on Shadow and it was neck to neck, only 900 feet from the crowd. Then it was 800. Then 700. And as Shadow was just getting ahead Shasta passed him like a breeze. Only 600 feet to go. No 500-400-300-200. Andi held her breath as she counted 100. She kept holding it and then closed her eyes. She couldn’t bare to watch.

When she heard the gunshot she opened her eyes. She slowed down and looked behind her, there was Jack. Just passing the finish line! She screamed and pulled Shasta to a stop. She had won!

            “We won Shasta boy!” Shasta reared in joy and ran for the water trough. In a minute Andi was surrounded by friends and family. Everyone cheered loudly and shouted Andi’s name. Andi looked around for Riley. There was no sight of him.

            “Surely, he didn’t for--“

            “Andi!” Rileys voice rang through the screaming and cheering. He ran to her and hugged her.

            “I thought you forgot.” Andi said as they embraced.

Riley pulled away from her and took her hand. “Forget? Watching you? Never.” They hugged again as Justin came forth with a big wooden plaque. It read: To Andrea Carter, the fastest rider. And to Shasta, fastest horse in the town of Fresno.

Andi was so happy she forgot to look for Jack and shake his hand. Jack, the prideful thing he was, scowled at Andi and her friends.

            “I should’ve won.” He mumbled in self-pity. He turned his back, mounted up on Shadow and rode away feeling sorry for himself.

-Part four-

            Andi and Riley rode across the Circle C Ranch, enjoying the sunset.

            “Riley, I learned a lesson today.” Andi stated as they reached the top of a hill. Riley stopped and answered,

            “Oh yeah?” And nodded.

            “I learned that sometimes you shouldn’t be as prideful as I am sometimes. You should just let God handle whatever your trying to get through. Its like that bible verse, ‘Pride goeth before a fall.’”

            “That sounds like a good lesson.” Riley answered. Andi smiled and closed her eyes reimagining the race. Riley looked at her and smiled.

            “Andi?” Riley said as if to check if she was still there.

Andi opened her eyes and turned to Riley. “Yes Riley?”

Riley made Dakota side by side with Shasta and took Andi’s hand. “I’m glad God gave me you.”

Andi smiled at him as her braid blew in the wind. She paused for a moment to look at the sunset. “I’m glad I’m yours.” She said as her voice broke a little.

Riley reached over to her and hugged her. She hugged him back and said, “I love you Riley.”

Riley hugged her tighter and then whispered, “I love you, my Andi.”