Teaching Trouble

By Emmalee

Chapter One

“Hey Andi!” Riley’s voice made its way to Andrea Prescott’s ears as she looked up from her failed batch of cookies. A few moments after, Riley walked into the kitchen and gave Andi a hug.

“Hi! What are you doing home so early?” Andi asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

“I was just at the ranch house and Ellie is sick. With Melinda in town and the boys working, your mother needs someone to look after the twins. She was wondering if you would come over and help out?”

Andi eyes widened. “Of course! Its not like these cookies will go anywhere while I’m gone.” They both glanced at the bowl of runny dough. “Or be eaten at all…”

Riley laughed. “Get your stuff together and we’ll ride over there.”

Andi rushed off to the bedroom to grab her things. Playing with Ella and Clara was one of Andi’s favorite things to do when she wasn’t riding Shasta or helping Riley around the ranch. She had been so happy when Chad and Ellie had announced the exciting news of their first child, and she had been even happier when they had twins.

Andi came out of the room and headed outside. Riley was finishing saddling up Shasta as Andi approached.

“Thank you,” Andi said as Riley helped her up into the saddle. A second later, Riley was on his horse and they were off to the ranch.

                                                                           ***

“Mother?” Andi called as she closed the large door. The hallway was empty, and the soft babble of the toddlers wafted in from the parlor.

Andi entered the parlor and instantly Ella and Clara were magnetized to her leg. Their faces illuminated excitement.

“Auntie!” Clara cried, her eyes sparkling.

 “Hey, girls! Do you know where Grandma is?”

Before they could answer, Mother came down the hall.

“Hello Andrea! I’m so happy you could come,” she sighed. “Ellie has chills and a high fever. I sent Mitch to town to see about the doctor, but it has been tough trying to take care of both Ellie and her girls.”

“It’s okay, Mother. I’m happy to help,” she smiled down at them.

Before Mother said another word, the door opened, and Mitch and Dr. Philips walked in.

“Hey, sis!” Mitch said giving his sister a light hug.

Dr. Philips nodded at Mother and Andi. “Hello, Mrs. Carter. Mitchell said that Ellie was ill? If you could show me where she is, I can take a look.”

Dr. Philips was a stout, short man with a mustache that curled so much it touched his nose. He had been the town’s doctor since before Andi could remember.

Mother nodded. “Thank you, Doctor. Right this way.” Mother lead him up the stairs towards Ellie’s bedroom, their footsteps fading softly down the hall.

Mitch’s eyes twinkled. “What gives me this pleasure, oh sister-of-mine?”

Andi nodded towards the two toddlers standing at her feet. “I’m watching the twins while Mother takes care of Ellie.”

“Fun!” Mitch grinned as he headed towards the door. “Good luck!”

As soon as he left, the girls decided to run in opposite directions, leaving Andi alone to decide which one to follow.  

 

                                                                       ***

“Andi…”

A gentle nudge made Andi’s eyes flutter open. Mother was sitting beside her, offering a cup of tea.

Andi yawned and sat up. She searched her mind to remember what she was doing sleeping on the settee in the parlor. She had been playing hide and seek with the girls late last night and had hid in the parlor.

“Did I fall asleep in here?” Andi asked as she took the cup from Mother.  

Mother laughed. “Yes, you did. The girls fell asleep nearby.” Over in the corner, the two little girls were asleep, their arms curled around each other.

“Ellie is feeling much better, but I’m afraid she is not well enough to go to school,” Mother closed her eyes for a moment. “She was asking for you.”

“Alright,” Andi headed towards the hallway that lead to the grand staircase but turned around. “Where is Riley?”

“He headed home last night. I expect him back here anytime now,” Mother replied with a smile.

Andi nodded and headed upstairs. She quietly walked down the hall and slowly opened the door as to not disturb the patient.  

“Good morning!” Andi called out when she saw Ellie awake.

Ellie looked up at Andi and smiled. “Good morning, Andi. Thank you for watching the girls yesterday. I would have, but your mother won’t let me out of this bed until I’m well.”

Their laughter filled the air. “I’m sure your mother informed you that I will not be able to teach school today,” Ellie said, pausing for a moment. “I was wondering if you would consider teaching for me? You are amazing with my girls and all the little ones at school love you.”

Andi’s eyes widened. No one had ever asked her to teach before. The thought of having her own classroom for a day rolled around in her mind. What could possibly go wrong? It’s only one day!

“Sure Ellie, I would love to.”

Ellie sighed happily and gave Andi a hug. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Andi squeezed Ellie’s hand.  “I better go if I don’t want to be late.”

“Alright then. The lesson plans are on my desk.”

“Thanks, Ellie!”

Andi hurried out of the room, shut the door, and rushed downstairs. The grandfather clock read seven forty-five! Barely enough time to make the one hour ride before the bell rang.

After relaying the message to Mother, Andi ran outside to leave. Riley was walking up the stairs as Andi flew through the door.

“Woah! Better watch where you’re going!” He laughed and hugged her.

 “Sorry, its just that Ellie isn’t feeling up to school today and she asked me to teach for her. I accepted! I am running a tad late!”

“Sounds like a busy day,” he kissed her forehead. “Stay safe.”

“I will,” Andi promised and headed down the steps to the buggy, already hitched and ready to go. I can’t believe this! Me…. A teacher!

Chapter Two

Andi arrived at school in barely enough time to collect her thoughts before the bell started the school day.  Rushing in, she explained the situation to Mr. Foster, the other teacher, and headed to the classroom.

Andi found the day’s lesson plans exactly where Ellie said they’d be. She took a deep breath and skimmed the page.

“Bible, mathematics, quiet reading,” Andi read to herself. Andi could hear Mr. Foster ringing the bell as she looked up to see twenty-two small children file into the classroom. Once everyone was settled in their seats, Andi stood up to face the children.

“Good morning, children. I am Mrs. Prescott. Mrs. Carter is sick today and I will be filling in for her,” she glanced around the room at all the curious faces staring back at her. “I’ve never done this before, so you will have to help me out. We can all be teachers today!”

The children smiled at each other. One little girl raised her hand.

“Yes?” Andi looked over at her.

“We are going to help you be the teacher?” She giggled and looked over at the girl beside her.

Andi nodded. “Yep!”

A little boy also raised his hand. Andi called on him. “I think you should start by having us tell you our names.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. “That is a wonderful idea!” Andi exclaimed. “Who would like to start?”

The girl who raised her hand jumped up. “I do! I’m Josephine Herman. But everybody calls me Josie.” As she sat down, the girl next to her stood up.  

“I’m Margaret Brown. Josie best friend!”

Andi smiled. The two girls reminded herself and her best friend, Rosa, when they went to school together. Introductions continued around the room.  

The rest of the day went smoothly, and Andi was able to easily follow Ellie’s teaching notes. Andi’s eyes were opened to how much teachers do for their students; she was again grateful for her own teachers and the dedication she benefitted from over the years.

                     ***

Bong. Bong. The bell alerted the students that yet another day of school had come to a close. Andi’s students rushed out as soon as they heard the bell.

Andi looked up from her desk to see Margaret and Josie standing in the aisle. “Hello girls! Can I help you with something?”

Both girls bounced up to her desk. “Yes Mrs. Prescott! We were wondering if you would like to walk to the mercantile and get some lemon drops with us?” Josie asked.

Andi was touched. One of her favorite things as a child was to visit the mercantile after school for lemon drops. “Sure! Let me just put these papers away and then we can go!”

Andi quickly put her papers in the desk and picked up all the worksheets that lay on the   student’s desks. Putting the papers into the desk, she grabbed her lunch pail.

“Alright, girls! Let’s go!” Andi took hold of each girl’s hand. “Should we skip all the way there?”

“Yes!” Both girls exclaimed, happily jumping up and down.

They exited the school and headed towards the mercantile. Andi began to skip but stopped just short of running into Josie.

“What’s wrong, Josie?” Josie didn’t answer right away but quietly pointed in the direction of the schoolhouse. Andy turned to see what had caught the girls’ attention.

“I thought I saw something move over there and then go around to the back of the building.

“It was probably just a bunny. Should we go?” Andi said, trying to distract her.

“No, it looked like a man,” Josie insisted pulling Andi towards the back schoolyard.

“A man?” Margaret exclaimed with a gasp.

Andi sighed. “Let’s go find Mr. Foster to look with us.”

Josie opened the door, and everyone headed up the stairs towards Mr. Foster’s classroom. Andi opened the door and looked around for Mr. Foster. He wasn’t there.

“Looks like he already went home,” Andi said. “Let’s go look ourselves.”

Heading out of the building, they ran to the back of the school.

“I don’t see anything. Mrs. Prescott was right, it was probably just a rabbit,” Josie shrugged and turned to go.

Andi started to follow but abruptly, her vision went black. She tried to scream but her lungs felt full of cotton. Oh, Lord help us!

Chapter Three

Andi’s eyes fluttered open and she blinked to clear her vision. Where am I? Sitting up she found herself in a dark cellar.

“Josie? Margaret?” Andi called out, her voice bouncing off the dirt walls.

“Mrs. Prescott? Is that you?” Margret called out through the darkness.

“Yes, its me. Come towards my voice.”

Josie and Margaret appeared before her moments later. The two girls curled up beside Andi, tears falling softly down their cheeks.

“Where are we? I’m scared,” Josie sniffled.

“Shhh…. Don’t cry. Everything will be alright,” Andi tried to keep her voice strong but inside her heart was pounding with fear.

The girls started to pray but were quickly interrupted by sudden light and a tall man leaping to the small space.

“Get up!” He barked out at the girls.

Andi scrambled to her feet and the girls did the same. She was finally able to look at Josie and Margaret. Both girls were frightened, but fine.  Andi noticed a missing ribbon from Josie’s hair.

“Why are you doing this?” Andi asked, her chest swelling with fear.

“Why am I doing this? Why?” He laughed wickedly. “I’m doing this because her father,” he pointed at Margaret. “He wouldn’t give me my money.”

“What money?” Margaret cried.  

“A loan, little girl,” without another word he pulled the two girls up and out of the cellar, yelling at Andi to follow.

Outside the sun was beginning to set and a slight breeze rippled through the branches of the nearby trees. The smell of smoke burned Andi’s nostrils.

“Now little ladies. You’ll be takin’ a nice trip down the trail with me. You’ll get to see all the pretty scenery.”

The girls huddled closer to Andi and she wrapped her arms around them. “You can’t do anything with us!” Andi said, sounding braver than she felt.

The man laughed. “I ain’t scared of you. Why, you’re just a lil’ schoolteacher. Now get in the wagon and stay down.”

They quickly got into the back of the wagon. “I’m so scared!” Josie whispered, shaking.

Andi glanced at the girls and noticed Josie’s small white handkerchief was not tucked into her sleeve. She must have lost it in the cellar. Andi pushed the thoughts away and closed her eyes. Praying for safety for both herself and her students was all she could do.

                                                           ***

Andi awoke to her head crashing into the side of the wagon as they came to a stop. She looked over at the two girls asleep against her. Poor things. They must be exhausted. It was dark but small beams of light began to peak up through the horizon. The man came around and hit the side of the wagon, awakening the girls.

“Mama, why are you waking me up?” Margaret mumbled. Andi nudged her. Her eyes opened but she stayed still.

“You girlies are comin’ with me to the great Mexico plains.”

Andi gasped. They could be lost and never found again in Mexico. God keep us safe!

As if an answer to prayer, the sound of horse’s hooves came close. The girls braced themselves for the worst. The noise came closer and closer until it was right behind a bush. Suddenly a party of horses and riders leaped from the undergrowth. Andi heard her name.

“Andi!”

“Chad?”

Andi’s brother Chad leapt from his horse and ran over to his sister. He wrapped her in a hug.

“I’m so glad you’re safe. I prayed all the time we were looking.”

Tears pricked Andi’s eyes. “Me too. How did you find us?”

Chad nodded towards Josie. “We found a hair ribbon and a hankie. Josie’s father identified them as hers.”

Andi looked towards Josie standing in her father’s arms. What a smart girl! Thank you Lord!

A loud commotion of yelling came from the other side of the wagon. “What’s going on?” Andi looked towards Chad.

“That would be Sherriff Flemming. He’s getting the man who kidnaped you.”

“This here’s Henry Robert. Wanted criminal for bank robbery,” Sherriff Flemming said as he shoved Henry forward.

A bank robbery a couple months ago sparked her memory. It didn’t matter now. She was safe. Josie and Margaret were safe. That’s what mattered.

As everyone got back on their horses, Andi remembered that through and through, God is always in control.

No matter what.