The Dangerous Visitor

 by Sara M. and Micaiah C.

Part One

 13-year-old Andrea Rose Carter opened her eyes as she looked around her room. That’s when she realized it was Saturday. Yay! No school today! I can spend the whole day riding Taffy! She jumped out of bed and threw on her favorite outfit; a pair of overalls, and a worn plaid shirt that belonged to her older brother, Mitch. Until she stole it for riding. She was overjoyed she didn’t have to wear a dress that day. She only hoped she wouldn’t have to muck out any stalls.

A little later after breakfast Andi ran outside to the barn. It was a wonderfully sunny spring day. She couldn’t wait until June when school let out and she could ride Taffy all day long. 

Andi hurried into the barn. “Howdy, Taffy! Ready to ride?”

Taffy nickered, putting her head outside her stall door.

Andi gave her a quick hug and let her out. “Stay here, girl.” She got her saddle and saddle blanket and threw them up on Taffy’s back. She put the bridle on and got ready to mount. She put one foot in the stirrup and swung herself up onto Taffy. “Let’s ride!”

She checked and made sure her lunch was packed into place. It was so she rode outside. 

“Howdy, little sister. Where are you going?” Chad spotted her. 

Andi scowled at being called ‘little sister’ but answered, “Just for a ride to my special spot. Then Taffy and I are going to ride out somewhere on the range.” 

“There are five stalls waiting for you before you go.” he said.

Andi sighed, ”Can’t they wait until later?”

“Nope. Do them now or don’t go riding. It’s your choice. Mitch, Justin and I are about to leave to be on the posse, so no one will be here to remind you.” 

Seeing Andi’s puzzled look Chad went on. “To find the man who robbed the bank yesterday.” 

“Oh.”

“Get moving little sister.”

“Fine. I’m going.” Andi sighed and dismounted Taffy. 

Andi led Taffy back into the barn and quickly took off her saddle and blanket. “I’ll get you ready again soon, Taffy.” she said, “I just need to get these stalls done!” 

Peering down the barn Andi glanced at the stalls. Sure enough, five stalls in a row needed mucking.

Better get to work, Andi thought. She groaned inwardly. She picked up the pitchfork and started on stall one.

 

Last one done! Finally! Andi looked over the barn. All the stalls were clean. 

She hastened to get Taffy tacked up once again and was off before her big brother found her another chore or more to do. Galloping towards her spot and feeling the slight breeze Andi grinned; it was a perfect day for riding! 

Once arriving at her special spot Andi jumped down from the saddle and tied her cloth full of food on a tree branch. Right near the creek so she could come back for it later after riding. 

“Perfect, let’s go, Taffy.” Andi said as she remounting her horse. 

She galloped off toward the open range. 

**A little later on the range** 

Andi laughed, “I love riding! Especially riding you, Taffy!”

Taffy nickered.

Andi let Taffy take the lead for a few minutes. She suddenly heard loud stomping hooves and looked up. What she saw made her suck in her breath. Her heart started pounding. Before her there was a cloud of dust. It was a stampede! 

She turned Taffy around and kicked her into a gallop. Andi glanced behind her quickly. The cattle were right behind her. 

“Go Taffy, go!” On and on she rode. She glanced behind her again. The cattle were starting to veer off to the left. Thank you, God! she thought. She rode on just in case and finally she reached her special spot.

She caught her breath, as her heartbeat slowed. “Phew! That was close. You ran beautifully, Taffy!” she said, patting her horse's neck.

Taffy nickered in response. 

She dismounted and walked over to where she had left her lunch. It wasn’t there.

“I could have sworn I left my lunch here. Where else would I have put it?” Andi quickly scanned the area with her eyes. She saw nothing. I know I brought my lunch, but where did it go? I’m sure it was right here! Andi was baffled. 

Andi looked up at Taffy as she sidestepped where Andi had left her. She was moving anxiously with her ears back. 

“Taffy?” Andi walked over. “What’s going on?” she asked, petting her horse. “You must know something I don’t” Andi looked at everything around them and wished she hadn’t. There was someone hiding in the bushes. A man it looked like!

Andi quickly looked away and ran over to Taffy. She started to put her foot into the stirrup, but it was too late. She halted and waited as she heard a pistol cock. 

“Turn around little missy.” said the man, “I wouldn’t want to shoot such a pretty little girl. Especially if she has tasty lunches.” 

Andi froze, Oh no.

 

Part Two 

 

Andi was still facing Taffy when she was grabbed from behind. “Let me go!” she shouted, kicking and scratching to get free. 

“Hold still little girl.” a rough voice said, “We don’t need all this.”

We? Andi’s heart raced. Are there two men? Andi had no clue but wished she could be anywhere but here. Slowly she stopped struggling and she was let go but knowing the man had a gun she held still. “What do you want? And a better question, who are you?”

“I’m Rocky Rodger!” he paused for effect, “So you don’t want to tangle with me.”
“Why not?” asked Andi, “I’ve never heard of you.”

“Oh. That stinks. It would be a lot more dramatic if you did.” he said with a frown. 

“You said ‘we.’” said Andi, changing the subject, “Do you have a partner?”

“That’s not your business!” he exclaimed.

“I’m going to find out anyway.” she replied, “Why don’t you just tell me?”

“Oh yeah.” he said, “It’s just me. I’m gonna take you up to Mexico and make a pretty penny.”

“Rocky?” said Andi, trying not to laugh at the pathetic excuse for a criminal. 

“What?”
“Mexico is down from here. It’s not up.”

“Whatever.”  

“You’ll never get away with kidnapping me.” she said, trying not to show how frightened she was.

“Are you so sure?” he growled trying to sound fierce, “No one knows where you’ll be, so no one will know where to look for you!”

“My family will find me, I tell you! They’ll find me!”

Rocky let out a pathetic evil laugh. But all the same, it chilled Andi to the bone. She held Taffy’s reins tightly, hoping she could get a chance to get away and ride Taffy far and fast. 

“Give me the reins.”

Andi’s hope was short-lived. She glared at Rocky but did as he asked.

He tied Taffy behind his horse which was ducked in some bushes nearby. “Mount your horse missy. Don’t you try running away now.”

Andi obeyed, but not without a struggle for the reins.

Rocky mounted his horse, a dull chestnut. He had no consideration for Andi, or the horses for that matter. He led them on a hardly noticeable trail. Since he couldn’t ride very well, Andi knew she was in for a long day. 

A few hours later Andi was exhausted from riding on the small rocky trail. Rocky Rodger didn’t pay any attention to her but held Taffy’s reins and rode. He almost slipped off a few times but grabbed the saddle horn to stay on. The horses were slowly walking and were tiring quickly. 

“Rocky!” said Andi, “Can’t we stop for the night? The horses need a break.” she said while thinking, I need a break too! 

“No!” He replied, ”We keep riding. The horses will be just fine.”

“If you can call it riding.” Andi mumbled under her breath. We must stop. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. A plan started to take place in Andi’s mind. 

“What’d you say?” Rocky asked. 

“Nothing!” Andi quickly said. 

Andi tried to relax but it was impossible. We have to stop. Andi loosened her grip on Taffy’s mane and let herself begin to fall. “Nooo!” She shouted. 

Rocky turned around just in time to see Andi fall. He sighed but stopped the horses.

“Get up!” He called angrily.

Andi stood up slowly, dusted herself off, and said, “Can we please stop! I’m tired and the horses are too!”

Rocky sighed and gave in. “Only for a bit!” he said firmly. 

Yes! Better than no time at all. Andi thought. 

**The next morning**  

They had been riding almost all night, and Andi had dozed off on Taffy. Suddenly she heard, “Rocky Rodgers! It’s the sheriff! We want the bank money back!”

Bank money? Is Rocky a bank robber? A thief? Oh no! Andi was alarmed. It had never crossed her mind that Rocky might be a bank robber! 

“Don’t come any closer or I’ll shoot!” Rocky shouted.

“Shoot what?” asked the sheriff, “We’re out of sight.” 

“I have a little missy with me. She says her name’s Andi!” 

Andi heard someone who sounded like Mitch gasp.

“If you shoot our sister you won't live to regret it!” shouted Chad.

 Rocky pulled Andi off her horse and put the gun in her temple. 

Andi sucked in her breath, “Help!” she called, “He’s not kidding! He’ll really shoot!”

Part Three

“I sure will.” Rocky said, “Back off and ride away or this girl will get it.” he said in a low tone but loud enough for the men to hear.

Andi heard somebody talking in the bushes and one of them called out, “We will. Just don’t hurt Andi!” It was Mitch. 

Rocky didn’t let Andi on her horse this time but yanked her up in front of him on his horse. He kicked his horse into a bouncy trot. 

“Why do you want me?” Andi cried out. Would she ever see her brothers and family again?

“A pretty penny, missy. Did you forget?”
“You’ll get it for this! My name’s Andrea Carter. Does that mean anything to you?”

Rocky gasped, “You’re a Carter! What have I gotten myself into?” he groaned aloud and put his head in his hands. His head jolted up when he heard noises being them.

 He stopped the horse. “The posse’s following us!” He shouted again, “I tell you I’ll shoot her! The gun’s pointed at her again!”

“It is!” she called out. She was very alarmed. She held still, not daring to move. Suddenly a verse came to mind, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

“We will quit following you. Just let Andi go!” Andi heard Chad’s voice. 

“Never!” Rocky mumbled under his breath. He kicked his horse into a gallop and Taffy let out a whinny before being pulled along. 

Not again! Andi thought. She held tight to Rocky’s horse neck as they rode at a too-fast gallop. 

Within a minute they were completely hidden and out of sight. Rocky quickly halted his horse, dismounted, and clamped his hand over his horse muzzle. “Got to keep them quiet. Get hers.” he ordered. “Don’t have time to fool around.”

Andi didn’t want to, but she dismounted. She held her horse muzzle so Taffy couldn’t nicker or make any noise. Of course she held it gently. 

“Where did they go?” Andi heard Sheriff Tate’s voice call out. 

“I don’t know.” Chad replied, “Let’s split up.” 

“On it. Let's get our Andi back!” Mitch said. 

Rocky glared at Andi and gestured to his pistol. Andi nodded understanding the unsaid warning. 

After about five minutes Rocky was looking impatient. “We gotta get going. They might come back.” He got on his horse pulling Andi with him.

Andi didn’t say a word as Rocky went at a slow trot through the bushes. 

“There they are!” Andi heard a loud cry behind them. 

Rocky mumbled something and kicked his horse into a full gallop. Not caring about the bushes. 

They soon came upon a wide clearing. Rocky galloped the horses right

through. 

Andi looked back at Taffy, Poor girl! She thought. 

“Can’t we stop Rocky!” pleaded Andi. 

“No.” he replied.

Andi sighed, “Fine.”

They rode all night and all the next day. Andi felt like she would faint from lack of sleep and malnutrition. Rocky had no consideration for anyone but himself. 

Finally, the next night he gave in, “We can stop here for a little while but that’s it.” He said, “The posse must have lost the trail by now.”

Andi sighed, “Finally!” 

Rocky dozed off a little later. Now’s my chance. I need to escape. She got up very quietly and tiptoed over to where Taffy stood patiently. Her eyes seemed to say, What are you waiting for? Let’s go!

Andi mounted Taffy, as Rocky stirred. It’s now or never. She kicked Taffy into a gallop just then Rocky’s eyes opened. He jumped up and  fumbled for his gun. But it was too late. Andi was gone. 

Rocky kicked the dirt. “Man!” Andi heard him say, “Now what?” was the last thing she heard. 

Andi rode on. 

After about an hour of going at a low trot Andi halted, it was getting late. Besides, her horse needed to rest. Taffy had been going for almost two days straight. “That’s a good girl.” Andi slid off and patted her. “Let’s see what I can find in your saddlebags.” she said as she fumbled with them. 

She pulled out a hoof pick. “This won’t do us any good.” she sighed and put her hand back in.

All she found was a little bit of beef jerky, “Ugh!” she said. All the same she started to eat it.

“You’ll need to just eat grass, Taffy.” she said. “At least you don’t have to eat this stuff.” she motioned toward the beef jerky and made a face. It’s better than nothing. She did her best to ignore the taste. 

Andi loosened her grip on Taffy’s reins and let her graze a little. Taffy ate like she was starved. After a few minutes Andi tugged her head up, “You mustn’t eat too much at once, girl.” Hearing a trickle of water from the north she pulled Taffy’s reins to get her moving. “You need a drink.”

After stopping and getting a drink at the tiny stream they had found, Andi and Taffy walked on. Andi didn’t ride Taffy for the moment. She just let her walk. “Where are we?” Andi wondered aloud.

Taffy just shook her mane out. No answer from her.

 

 Part  Four 

 The next day Andi and Taffy started off toward the north again. They had stopped for the night near another stream the day before. Andi was exhausted. She didn’t get a good night’s rest the previous night and being on the move before and after that wasn’t any help. But Andi went on. She wasn’t going to give up till she was home again!

“Where are we?” Andi mumbled. “Taffy, come here.”

Taffy upon hearing her name came over in front of her. 

Andi found her way up in the saddle and rested there. She slumped down against Taffy’s neck. “Go girl.”

Taffy went. She seemed to know her mistress was having trouble and walked slowly and carefully. 

Andi could hardly tell where they were. She just felt so tired. She fell half asleep still on Taffy. 

“Where am I? Taffy? Where are we?” Andi tried to sit up on Taffy. Oh no! What is that ahead? Andi was alarmed; there were a few horses, a fire, and some men around the fire just aways in front of them. 

“Taffy, halt.” Andi whispered. 

Andi couldn’t tell who they were, but she dared to ride Taffy a bit closer. The horses looked a little familiar, but Andi couldn’t tell for sure. “Who’s there!” a man’s voice yelled out.

Andi didn’t answer. Is that who I think it is?

Taffy let out a shrill whinny. Another horse whinnied back. 

“Who are you?” a young man came alongside Taffy and Andi. 

Andi tried her best to sit up but just didn’t have the energy to do so. “Chad, Mitch, Justin, come here!” the man called behind them.

Mitch? Chad? Justin? My brothers? Is it really them? Andi was still so tired she couldn’t think straight. 

“Andi! Are you okay?” a pair of strong arms caught Andi just as she started to slide off Taffy. She looked up. She lay in Justin’s arms. She was safe at last! 

“What happened?” called out Chad, infuriated. “How dare that man do this to my baby sister!”

“Chad!” said Justin in a calm but worried voice, “Let her be. She’s been through a lot this week.”

“You're right Justin.” replied Mitch, “Let’s get her home.” 

“Sorry little sister.” said Chad.

Andi smiled weakly, “It’s fine Chad.” she said, “Just get me home. Oh, and if you don’t mind, maybe I don’t have to muck out the stalls for a while.” she grinned.

“Only in your dreams, little sister.” Chad said. But Andi could tell he was happy to find her.  

**A few days later arriving at Circle C**  

Justin carried a sleeping Andi into the ranch house kitchen, as mother ran to meet them, “What has he done to my baby?” she asked concerned, “Does she still have her memory? Was she shot this time?”

Just then Andi woke up, “Mother!” she exclaimed. She choked back a sob.

“Oh, my baby! Are you alright? What happened?” Elizabeth asked.

Andi nodded, “He kidnapped me at my special spot.”

“Who?” she asked. 

“Rocky Rodgers.” This time Justin answered. 

Elizabeth gasped, “The man who robbed the Fresno Bank?”

Justin nodded, “Chad stayed behind with the rest of the posse to keep following him, but Mitch and I brought Andi home.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt.” said Andi, “But can - may I go to bed now?” she yawned. 

“Of course, dear.” said Elizabeth. She motioned for Justin to carry her up to her room.

 **A few days later**

 Chad walked into the kitchen of the Circle C ranch as Andi flew into his arms, “Chad!” she exclaimed, “Did you find Rocky?”

Chad nodded, “We sure did. You don’t need to worry anymore. He’s behind bars.”

Andi cheered just as Elizabeth walked into the room, “Please Andrea. Not in the hou-” just then she saw Chad.

“Chad! Welcome home son.” she said, “Did you find Rocky?”

Chad nodded, “Thankfully.” he turned to Andi, “You’ll need to testify.”

Andi sighed, “Alright. If I have to.”

“You do. And one more thing.”

“What?” asked Andi.

“I saw a few stalls needing mucking…” Chad grinned teasingly.

“Oh you!” Andi said with a groan.