The Mending (The Last Ride from Mitch's POV part 2)

 by Luca B.

Note from Mrs. M. I apologize for the lousy formatting. When fans send stories copied and pasted into their emails, it seems that no matter what I do, I cannot get the story to indent properly. The best way to send stories is via GOOGLE DOCS. 

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This story takes place a couple weeks after where "Broken to be Mended" (The Last Ride from Mitch's POV part 1) ends. Taffy has had to be put down by Mitch after her and Andi's accident. Andi still refuses to forgive or speak to her brothers.

"Riley asked me if he could take Andi riding tomorrow." Chad commented looking at Mitch, he studied the board then moving one of his pieces, "I said I would think about it, what do you think?" They sat in the library playing checkers one evening, everyone else had already gone to bed.
"He seems responsible, and she seems to like him, I even saw her laughing with him today. Plus a ride would do her good. But isn't her surprise birthday party tomorrow?" Mitch said.
"Yes, Riley said he would make sure they where back in time."
"Then I think it's a great idea." Mitch grinned, taking his turn and placing a red checker. "Your move."

***
"Ok Riley you may take Andi riding." Mitch overhead Chad tell Riley as he finished saddling Chase.
"Mitch."
He spun to see Melinda, "Yes?"
"Sorry I scared you. Mother wants know if you can get sugar at Goodwins mercantile while your in town."
"Sure thing Sis." He said as he swung into the saddle.
"Oh and Mitch be quick, mother needs that before Andi's party at 3 o'clock."
"Don't worry." He replied galloping away, he turned and called back to her. "I'll be back before you know it!"

***
Once Mitch had gotten the sugar he looked around the store for the thing he had come to town to get. A box. The box would have to be quite small for it was for Andi's birthday gift from him. Finally he found the perfect one, it was wooden and small enough to fit in his palm, it was smooth and simple just a plain box.
With something special inside. he thought. I just hope she-
"Mr. Carter, will that that be all."
Mr Goodwin's words interrupted Mitch's thoughts. I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Will this be all, just the sugar and the box?"
"Oh, Yes, thank you." He payed and picked up his things, then glanced at the clock. "Oh no it's already 2 o'clock!" He hurried out of the shop. " I'll be late with the sugar!"

***
Mitch pushed Chase fast, as fast as possible. He made it home in less that an hour. He gave his mother the sugar and ran into where the party was to be held. A couple of the guests had arrived early and he pushed past then to Melinda. "Is Andi here yet?"
"No and I'm starting to get annoyed, she still has to change clothes. Chad's really mad."
"Where is he?" Mitch asked, glancing around the room for him.
"Outside."

***
Mitch found Chad pacing grumbling, "I'll skin him alive!"
Mitch began to think he would happily help Chad with skinning Riley alive after 45 minutes later he and Andi still hadn't arrived.
"He's gonna get fired! He has proven he is not responsible, staying out so long when he knows-"
"Chad, look!" Mitch pointed to two riders approaching.
"Finally! Mitch go tell everyone they're here and to get ready." Chad ordered.
Mitch hurried into the house but as he went he couldn't help but hear Chad roar, "Where in thunderation have you-"
Mitch began to feel a little sorry for Riley. It was no fun being on the receiving end of Chad's yelling, even if the young wrangler did deserve it.

***
"Everyone! Andi's here! Get ready!" Mitch called over the chatter of the guests. Everyone went quiet.
When Andi walked in they all shouted, "happy birthday!"
Andi was shocked she just stood there, unable to move. Mitch hurried up the stairs with Justin at his heels. To their astonishment she hugged them and whispered, "I'm so sorry."
Riley, your something else! Mitch thought. You helped Andi forgive better than any of us ever could.

***
"Pack a bag." Mitch heard Justin say to Andi as he passed by her door. He didn't mean to listen in on there conversation but he couldn't help it. The party had been a great success and all the the guests went home happy and full. And now Mitch still had to give Andi her gift, he hadn't wanted to give during the party in front of everyone.
"But Justin where are we going?" Andi was saying.
Mitch heard footsteps and Justin opened the door and exited the room, then he called over his shoulder, "San Francisco." 

Once Justin was gone Mitch slipped into his sister's room. Andi sat in bed with her arms crossed. "Mitch did hear that, Justin's taking me to San Francisco! Why? He knows I hate the city!"
"Justin planned a very special trip, I think it will be diffract than you think." Mitch sat on the edge of the bed,"anyway here is my gift to you, happy 16th birthday sis." He handed her the box. "Sorry it's not rapped."
She took the gift and open it. "Oh Mitch it's gorgeous!" Silent tears ran down her face, "It's Taffy!" And indeed it was, it was a hand carved wooden miniature likeness of Andi beloved mare and amazingly Mitch had managed to find wood exactly the same color as the golden palomino, it really was beautiful.

Andi flung her arms around Mitch neck, "I love it so much! I'll keep it forever!" She placed it on her bedside table next to a framed picture.
"What's that?" Mitch asked.
"It's from Riley, I gave it to him when he left the ranch all those years ago. Well he kept it, and gave it back to me for my birthday." Mitch looked at the photograph, it was of Andi, Taffy, Riley and his black horse.
"What did Riley tell you to make you want to forgive us?"
"He told me how his old horse midnight died, it was way worse that Taffy, but he still learned to forgive.
I realized that by refusing to forgive I was just hurting me and my family. And now by forgiving all of you, my heart has mended."

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them,
so that your father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Mark 11:25