The Mystery of the Appearing Baby Clothes

 by Sara M. and Micaiah C.

This story takes place a week after “Lamb Trouble” from “Yosemite at Last”.

 

**About 3 o’clock in the afternoon**

 

Andi walked in the door of her little ranch house, Memory Creek Ranch. She loved the name of her and Riley’s ranch. “Riley!” she called “Are you in here?”

“I’m in the sitting room.” He called back.

“There you are.” said Andi “I’ve been looking all over for you. You don’t know how hard it is to run all over the ranch, with this extra weight!” she said looking down at her bulging belly as she made her way into the room.

As she entered Riley quickly hid something behind his back. She gave him a puzzled look. “Anyway, I was coming to tell you, my family’s coming for supper tonight. Come help me straighten up the house.”

“Yes ma’am.” Riley stood up, and gave Andi a two finger salute as he went to get the carpet sweeper from the closet.

Andi glanced at the couch that Riley was on, there wasn’t anything there. Maybe I just imagined it, she thought as she went into the kitchen.

Andi made a mental list in her mind: bake bread, clean the floors and counters, and dust. She started to gather the ingredients for the bread.

 She mixed everything and started to knead the bread dough. Riley came in from the sitting room, “All done!” he said cheerfully.

“Thank you, Riley.” Andi said gratefully.

“Of course, anything for you, my princess.” he said, planting a kiss on her cheek.

Andi placed the bread in the pans and set them to bake. In the meantime, she would tidy the kitchen.

 

** A little before supper time that evening**

 

Andi heard a knock on the door, just as she set the fresh bread on the table. She hurried over as fast as she could, “Howdy, come in.” Andi said as she held the door open.

“How are you doing dear?” her mother Elizabeth Carter asked, giving her a slight hug.

“Fair enough I suppose. I can’t wait to have this baby.” Andi said with a tired smile.

“I’m sure, Andrea.” Mother hurried in with the rest in tow. All of Andi’s siblings had come over with their families. Andi welcomed everyone in.

“Supper should be ready in about five minutes.” Andi said. She checked the potatoes she was fixing. They were almost done.

“Sounds lovely.” Mother said. “Can I help any dear?”

“I think I’m alright.” she replied “Riley! The family is here.”

Riley entered the kitchen and planted a kiss on her cheek, “Hello princess.” he said.

“Riley, can you please bring our guests into the sitting room while I finish dinner?” Andi asked.

“Will do.” he said over his shoulder, as he led them into the sitting room.

 

**At the dinner table, a few minutes later**

 

After Riley said grace, the dishes heaping with food were being passed around the table. The boys began a conversation about the ranch, which was altogether boring for all the women, except for Ellie and Andi of course.

Melinda started her own conversation with the women, “So Andi,” she started, “Have you and Riley decided on a name for the baby?”

Andi nodded, as she swallowed her mouthful of food.

“Yes. Jared Riley, or Ruth Hannah.”

“Those are sweet!” said Lucy, cuddling little Andrea Grace “Jared is Riley’s middle name, right?”

Andi nodded; she had another large mouthful then. She looked at Lucy longingly. She was looking forward to holding her own baby in her arms.

 

 

**Later that night**

 

“Goodbye!” called Andi, as her family walked out the door.

She sighed as she closed the door.

“I’m going to get ready for bed.” She said as she walked toward the bedroom door.

She walked in the door, and there on the bed sat a large basket full of cloth. What’s this? Andi wondered, she picked up a few pieces and saw what they were. Baby clothes! Andi gasped, “Who did this?” she asked out loud.

Riley came into the bedroom, “What is it?” he asked, seeing her holding up the cloth.

Andi didn’t say a word but held them and showed what it was.

“One of your sisters, or your mother might have put them there.” Riley said, holding back a grin “They know how much you hate sewing.”

“Would they really? How did they get in here without me knowing?” Andi wondered.

Riley nodded, “They likely have.” he could hold back a grin no longer.

“Are you up to something?” she asked.

“Me!” Riley sounded shocked, “Never.” he held up his hands, “I don’t know how to sew!”

Andi wondered but started to get ready for bed, her last thought before she fell asleep was I’ll figure this out soon, just not today.

 

**The next day at Sunday dinner**

 

“Howdy Andi, Riley.” said Chad as he opened the door.

“Howdy yourself Chad!” said Andi in response.

“Hello, Andrea, Riley.” Mother came up behind Chad, “Come right in. How are you doing today?” she asked.

“I’m doing well.”

Andi and Riley walked into the sitting room, the whole family was gathered there.

“Welcome, Andi, Riley.” Lucy greeted them.

“Thanks Lucy.” Andi said as she and Riley sat down. “What’s new with everyone?” Andi asked.

“Nothing much really.” Lucy said. “You?”

“Yesterday after you all left,” Andi started, “I found a basket of baby clothes.” Andi paused, “Who made them?”

Everyone gave her a puzzled look, then Chad grinned “I sure didn’t make them, little sister.”

Justin laughed, “For sure neither did I!”

“Did anyone?” asked Andi.

“I didn’t.” said Lucy. Melinda nodded her head in agreement.

“I didn’t either.” Ellie said.

“Then who did?” Andi was truly puzzled now! If none of my family made the clothes, who did? Who else has come to Memory Creek since Jasper ate the baby clothes? Andi wondered. If it had been before last night, I would have seen it before…

 

**That night back at Memory Creek Ranch.**

 

“We are home!” Riley called out, waking Andi from her quick nap in the rig, on the way back from Circle C.

“We are?” Andi sat up.

“Yep!” Riley said cheerfully.

Andi carefully got down from the wagon and went inside their home while Riley put up the horses. She sank onto the couch  with a sigh, it had been a long day but a good one!

“How are you, my princess?” Riley walked in.

“Good. Tired but good.” Andi yawned.

She walked over to the bed, and looked down. Peeking out from under the bed, were little scraps of fabric. She bent down to examine them. They matched the fabric on something. What was it? Andi wondered, skimming the room, her eyes fell on the basket of baby clothes. Then it dawned on her, the bits of fabric matched the baby clothes!

“Riley!” she exclaimed, “Come here!”

 

**Riley’s POV**

 

He came over to where Andi crouched on the ground.

“What is it?” he asked out loud. To himself, he thought Oh no! She found the scraps! I thought I had hidden them well enough.

“Did you make the baby clothes?” she asked, looking into his eyes.

Riley sighed and shifted uncomfortably. “Um, maybe.”

Andi grinned looking up at him from her position on the ground, “You need to work on your cleaning up skills before you can fool me.”

Riley smiled, “I guess you’re right. Andi, why are you still on the ground?”

“Help me up please.” she replied “I can’t get up. Not with all this extra weight.”

“Of course my princess.” Riley lent a hand and pulled Andi to her feet.

“You did a great job on those baby clothes,” Andi frowned, “much better than I would have!”

Riley just smiled.