Safe in the Arms of God part 1

by Lizzy D.

Andi Prescott woke up to a horrible smell, the smell of smoke. Andi sat up quickly and raced to the window. The barn was on fire! “Riley!” Andi screamed.

“what on earth are you hollering about?” remarked Riley, coming in from the hall. 

“the barn is on fire!” Andi pointed.

Riley rushed to the window then outside.

Lord, please protect my husband. Andi prayed while rushing over to Jared’s room. The next few minutes felt like an eternity until she heard someone scream. As Andi put Jared down and rushed outside, she prayed.  When she got outside, she saw men smoldering the fire and Riley on the ground clutching at his leg.

“Riley, what happened?” Andi said, worry etched on her face.

“I’m okay, Andi, just a little burn.” Riley said a grimace on his face.

 “we have to get him inside, will one of your hands go get my mother and the doctor?” As the hands got the doctor and mother, Andi and some other hands got Riley in the house. After Riley was inside, Andi started to make breakfast, though she was cautious after what happened to the barn. As Andi did this she wondered. How did the fire start? Andi went in to ask Riley, but found him asleep. “Good night, Riley” Andi whispered. She tiptoed over to Jared’s room, saw him still sleeping and went back to breakfast. 

~~~~~~~~~

A couple hours later mother and doctor weaver came and said Riley was lucky. After that the days passed in a blur for Andi. Riley was bedridden and told the hands to not rebuild the barn until he could investigate, which Andi thought was totally loco.

Andi was having a time trying to keep Riley in bed. “Riley, you have to stay in bed.” Andi was having a hard time keeping her temper in check.

“But Andi, I am just useless in this bed.” 

Andi stifled a giggle, Riley sounded like Jared when he asked to go outside. “then you’re just going to have to stay useless until your better.”

“that’s not funny” Riley said.

“I think its pretty funny.” Andi said laughing. “Oh Riley, do you know how the fire started?” Andi said, getting serious.

“I have been wondering that too, I would investigate if I could get out of this bed!”

Andi couldn’t help it, she just burst out laughing. “you’re … not…. going…. anywhere!” she said between laughs.

“you are crazy, Andi.” Riley called behind her back “which is why I love you!” 

“I Love you, too, but you are still not getting out of bed!” Andi called from the hall. She was positive she heard a small humph.

~~~~~~~~~~

A couple weeks later, after Riley finally got out of bed, he went outside to investigate. “Andi! Can you come out here?”

Andi came outside with Jared on her hip to find Riley climbing on the barn roof. “Riley Prescott, what on earth are you doing on that barn roof? Well, what’s left of a roof” Andi added under her breath.

“I’m investigating!” he answered

“Investigating what? Aren’t you worried you might fall into the big black hole in our roof?” Andi’s voice rose on that last part. “Yeah, That I might be worried about. But anyways I think it might have been a cigarette butt.”

Andi was shocked. “who on our ranch smokes cigarettes?” 

Riley pondered, came off the roof, then said, “Joe or the new hand.” Riley started toward the bunkhouse. Andi went inside. Soon Andi heard yelling. “What on earth were you thinking” Riley shouted.

Andi winced, poor hand. She knew when Riley got mad, he got mad.

 “I was enjoying a nice cigarette and must have hit the barn with the butt”

“well, you’re fired!” Riley came smashing into the house.

“who was it?” Andi asked.

“Joe”

“well, I’m putting Jared to bed” Andi walked over to Jared’s room and tucked him in. then went and got to bed herself.  There she met Riley.

“Honey, I’m sorry” Riley said

“it’s okay Riley, I know your stressed.”

“Andi, you know me to well.”

“Well that’s what I live for. good night” Before Andi went to sleep, she thought about the past few weeks. “Safe in the arms of God,” she said before she fell into a sweet sleep.

~~~~~~~~

 The next day Andi was writing in her journal about all the miracle that God had performed with Riley. Riley and she both agreed that God had spared his leg. Andi paused when there was a knock at the door, she scooped up her journal and pen and dumped them on her bed, then answered the door. “Justin! What are you doing over here?” She opened the door farther to let Justin in.

“Hey Andi, Is Riley here?”

“Yes, he is in the barn. I’ll get him.” Andi went out to the barn and Justin followed. “This must be important.” Andi said. Justin usually stayed in the house.

“Yes. Very.” They arrived at the barn and walked in.

“Riley, Justin has to talk to us.”

Riley walked over.  “What is it?” “

Well, Joe was in town and was in a card game. He got in a fight and was put in jail. He told the sheriff that he was only in a card game to get some money because you fired him. Then He started threatening you and your family.”

“Oh no!” Andi gasped. Riley’s face pulled into a scowl. “Oh, Riley what are we going to do?” Andi grasped Riley’s arm.

Justin took a breath “Andi, that is one of the reasons I came over here. Mother wants you, Jared and Riley to come stay with her.”

“What a wonderful idea, Justin!” Andi exclaimed

“I don’t know about me though; I should stay to take care of the ranch” Riley said.

“Okay Riley. Andi, would you want to go pack up a bag for you and  ared?”   

“Yes, I’ll be right back.” Then Andi went inside to get ready. A half an hour later Andi had packed up a bag for her and Jared, and packed up Jared as well. “Goodbye Riley! I’ll miss you!” Andi called as she, Jared and Justin pulled out of the yard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~   

An hour later they pulled into the Circle C Ranch yard and went into the house. Elizabeth and Ellie were in the kitchen baking muffins. “Hello Mother, Hello Ellie.”  

“Hi Andi!”  Ellie replied.

“Hello Andrea, how are you?” Mother glided over and kissed Jared’s cheek.

“I’m fine but the news startled me.”

“Yes, I am sorry about that.” Mother had walked back over to the oven and checked the muffins.

“I am also sorry about that” Ellie added. “Would Jared like to play with Susie?”

“Susie!” Jared shouted

“I’d say so!” Andi laughed.

Ellie went upstairs to get Susie and came back down in two minutes. “Here she is. Have fun sweetie.” Ellie said, letting Susie down to play with Jared. “How’s Riley, Andi?” Ellie looked up to her.

“He’s fine but worried for me and Jared.” 

“Well, I hope it all gets resolved soon.” Ellie stepped back into the kitchen to help with dinner. Andi went upstairs to put away her suitcase and freshen up. Meanwhile Justin came in from talking to Chad and Mitch outside. When Andi came down Justin was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.

“Are you okay now Andi?” Justin asked.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Andi sat on the sofa on the other side of Justin. “I’m just tired of thinking of Joe and his threats”

“Oh, Andi” Mother breathed. “It will be okay.”

“Well, Mother, I best be going. Lucy is expecting me for supper.” Justin stood up, pushed his chair, and put his cup in the sink.

“We’ll see you later, Justin, and make sure you, Lucy and Sammy come to Sunday supper.” Mother said.

“Yes, Mother. We’ll see you then.”  Justin went out the door and pulled away in his buggy.

“Is there anything I can do to help with supper, Mother?” Andi asked, rising from her spot at the sofa.

“Why, yes, you could chop the potatoes”

“Thank you Mother. It will help keep my mind off of things.” Andi pulled out a knife and started chopping the wet potatoes.

~~~~~~~~~~

An hour went by with the ladies bustling around the kitchen making potatoes, chicken and biscuits and jam. Andi’s favorite. At supper Chad and Mitch told everyone about their day. As they were telling a story about a runaway calf, a knock came at the door. “Why, hello Sheriff Tate! What are you doing out this way?” Mitch said from the other room.

“I’m here to tell you that Joe broke out last night and he knows Andi and Jared are here.” Sheriff Tate said walking in.

“Oh no!” Andi cried

“How did he do it?” Chad asked, a stern look on his face.

“My deputy had given him his dinner and then went and fell asleep, so he broke out with a fork.” Sheriff Tate said. “I would appreciate that if you see him you will let me know.”

“Sure, though I sure hope we don’t see him around here.” Mitch said

“You’re right little brother.” Chad said.

“I don’t want to keep you from your supper. Have a nice evening. I can walk myself out.” Sheriff Tate said then left.

Everyone sat in silence for a few minutes then Andi said “Mother I don’t feel so good, I’m going to go up to my room.”

“Alright Andrea. Feel better.”  

Andi went up stairs and closed the door to her room. Why Lord? Why did you let him get out?  Then Andi fell into a light sleep.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~

Andi woke to someone on the balcony outside her room. She sat up straight in bed and contemplated to yell for help. Suddenly the person got in. Andi lay flat on her bed. “Here you are Mrs. Prescott. Your coming with me.” Joe!  

“What about my baby?” Andi said

“He is coming with us, too. Now hurry! And be quiet.”

Andi obeyed for she saw a pistol hanging from his side. She got Jared and a bag of clothes. “Come on. On the balcony, there is a rope.” He waved Andi down.

Andi shimmied down the rope and dropped down to the ground. Joe was close behind her. “Let’s go, there is a buggy over there.” He led the way to a buggy which she realized to be one of her family’s.

“Where are we going?” Andi said hugging Jared close.

“We are going to a little place I have an hour from Fresno.” He called to a horse, which looked like Pal, and steered the buggy down the drive. He paused to pick up a rock and tied a note to it. He got out, threw it through a window, got in, and started to gallop away.

“What did you tie to that note?” Andi asked.

“A ransom note.” Was his short answer. The next 2 hours were bumpy and uncomfortable. They arrived at an old shack.

“Here we are.” Joe climbed down and helped Andi down. She walked in and sat at a table. Joe walked in about ten minutes later. Andi assumed he was taking care of the horse.

“How much did you ask for me?” Andi asked.

“five hundred dollars.” Joe went and lied on a bed. “I am going to sleep. Tell me if anyone comes.” Then Joe started snoring.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Andi woke up slumped over the table. Joe had gotten up and started breakfast. Jared had slept on a pillow next to the table. He had woken up and sat next to her.

 “Good morning, Mrs. Prescott.” Joe said. “Today you might be going home. So long as they bring the ransom.” Joe brought her a plate of bacon. A knock came to the door.

“Joe. Its Justin Carter. We need Andi back.”   

Joe grabbed his gun. “Do you have the money?”

“Yes. Here in a bag.”

Joe went to the door. “Are you here alone?”  

“Just me and my two brothers.”

“Okay, but if you do anything funny, they both die.” Joe opened the door a crack. He grabbed a bag that Justin held out to him. He opened the bag to find nothing but old newspaper. He was just about to cry out when Andi’s brothers barged in. They grabbed Joe. Then Sheriff Tate walked in with 2 deputies. “You said you came alone!” Joe said.

“You wouldn’t think you would get away with kidnapping Andi Prescott, Do you?” Chad said with sarcasm in his voice. Sheriff Tate handcuffed Joe and went out the door.

“Are you okay Andi?” asked Justin

“I’m fine. Also relieved you came.” Andi gathered her bag of clothes and Jared. “Does Riley know?” Andi asked.

“Yes, we told him. We told him to stay at the ranch so that we could carry out our plan.” Mitch explained.

“Okay. Can we go home now?” Andi asked. “Sure, little sister. That is a great idea.” Chad said. Then they walked out to the waiting buggy.

~~~~~~~~~~~                                                    

  Later that week at Sunday dinner, Andi and Riley had some news to share. “We will be expecting a new baby at the end of the year!” Andi said. Everybody started congratulating them at the same time. Riley and Andi looked at each other lovingly. Now we know we are Safe in the Arms of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of the year Andi and Riley welcomed Jenny Elizabeth Prescott into their home.

                                                         THE END                                     

                                                       

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.