The Return of Henry

 by Sara M.

“Andi!” Andi!” Andi sighed, Chad was looking for her again, “Andi, the stalls still need cleaned out,” Chad said when he turned the corner, “No time for playing with the colts right now.” he added 

“Yes, sir!” Andi gave a mock salute and dashed to the barn, she laughed the whole way, Chad’s look was hilarious! She looked at all the dirty stalls and sighed, “I better get started if I want to go for a ride later.”  

“You better,” Chad said grinning, he had followed Andi to the barn “At least after today you will have help.” he said

“Who?” asked Andi curiously.

“Someone named Henry Jack, he didn’t give too much about himself other then he is coming today sometime. I better head out, Mitch is waiting for me.” Chad left and Andi was left wondering.

 After she cleaned the stalls Andi was about to ride out on Taffy when she said a man ride a horse in the ranch yard, Andi looked around, she was the only one there, Chad and Mitch had left, along with the ranch hands.

Andi was weary of the new person, “Who are you?” 

“Hi, I’m the new ranch hand? I said I would arrive sometime today and here I am, my name is Henry Jack.” he said with a smile

“Okay, my name is Andrea but you can call me Andi. I live here and my brothers hired you I’m guessing.” Andi said,

“Yeah, I know.” he said

Wait a minute, does he know my name or that my brother hired him? Who really is he? Andi was thinking “Okay. Shall I show you where you will be staying?”  she asked,

“That would be great, thanks.” the man, no, Henry, said. 

Andi led him over to the bunkhouse. “There are a few empty beds in here. Just pick one.” Andi said, Henry nodded and laid his backpack on one of the beds.

“Is there a place my horse can be?” Henry asked

“Sure thing, Mr Jack. Just this way,” Andi said as they went to the barn

“You can just call me Henry.” Henry said,

Andi nodded, “Okay.”

After checking out the barn they went to Henry’s horse, “What’s his name? He is very pretty.” Andi said

Henry smiled, “Thanks, his name is Victory since he is always a victory in my book,” 

“Nice name!” Andi exclaimed, “How old is he?”

“About five years, I’ve had him since he was a colt.” Henry said,

“That’s neat, I’ve raised my horse Taffy since she was a foal too. She’s real special.” Andi said “Right Taffy?” Taffy nickered and Andi laughed,

“She sure is pretty.” Henry agreed

Wow! This man sure loves horses just as much as I do! Andi thought “Want me to give you a tour of the ranch? That way it will be easier to find where you are at since you’ll know where you are.” Andi suggested

“I would love that,” Henry said, his horse was already tacked up and so was Taffy they mounted and rode away. Andi trusted the man, even though she had just met him there was something about him that made her trust him. “Over to the south there is our cattle, we are a big cattle ranch so you will see a lot of them.” Andi said

“Okay, I’m okay with cattle but I prefer horses.” Henry said, glazing out at the pastures. 

“I do too.”

“Cool,” 

They kept riding on, they soon spotted Chad and Mitch, “Those are my brothers and some other ranch hands, let’s go see them.”  Andi said and nudged her horse into a lope, Henry followed the suit. 

“Andi, who’s this?” Mitch asked,

“This is Henry Jack, he is our new ranch hand, I thought I would show him around and find you two.” Andi answered

“Hi, I’m Mitch Carter and this is my brother Chad, nice to meet you, I hope you will enjoy working here.” Mitch said 

“I’m sure I will, nice to meet you too.” Henry said, “When do I start?”

“Right now, I can show you how things work.” said Chad 

“Sounds good,” Henry turned to Andi, “Thanks Andi for showing me around,”

“You're welcome!” Andi called as she rode back to the ranch house. On the way there Andi was deep in thought, I wonder who Henry really is. There seems to be something familiar about it but I’m not sure. He sure is a mystery right now. 

 ****

Henry watched Andi go, That girl, I nearly owe her my life, who knows where I would be right now if it wasn’t for her. She is truly a good friend. 

“Henry, ready?” his new boss asked, Henry broke free of his thought, “I sure am!” he answered, they mounted their horses and rode off. 

 

***

Much later that evening Andi waited for Mitch and Chad to come in and have supper, “Hey, Mitch, Chad,” she greeted them, “How was teaching the new ranch hand.” Andi almost said ‘mystery ranch hand’ but caught herself in time. 

“He is doing a great job for just starting,” answered Chad sitting down at the table. 

“That’s good.” Andi said and she sat down as well. Mitch said grace and they dug in.

 ****

Henry put up his horse and went out of the barn, he looked over the land. I have to thank Andi for what she did, I just need to find her by herself. He thought as he walked to the bunkhouse.  

“Hola. Eres el nuevo ranchero?” someone asked. “Soy Deigo,” 

“Hi, um, I don’t know what you are saying,” Henry said slowly

“Ya don’t speak Spanish then? That’s okay, what I said was hello, are you the new ranch hand, I’m Deigo, one of the ranch hands here.” Deigo said

“Oh, yes, I am the new ranch hand, my name is Henry Jack.” Henry said

“Hi Henry! Did you already find a bed in here?” he asked 

“I sure did, thank you.” Henry said, 

“Okay, gotta go, catch you later!” Degio said and he strode off. 

Henry decided to try and find Andi, he went to the ranch house and tapped the door lightly. “Come in,” a man’s voice called out. Henry opened the door and saw Andi, Chad, Mitch and another woman who he thought was their mother. “Um, hi, I was looking for Andi?” he said

“Yes?” asked Andi,

“Do you have a minute?”

Andi glanced at her family and nodded, “I do.” she got up and followed Henry out. They went just a short distance from the house when Henry turned to Andi, “Andi, I wanted to thank you for helping me, I have no idea where I would be right now if it wasn’t for you.” he said softly

“About this afternoon?” asked Andi, confused.

“That too but mainly when you helped me when I was in the circus.” answered Henry

Andi looked puzzled so Henry quickly explained. “I was that young boy you helped from the circus when we were much younger. I used to help my aunt and uncle at their farm driving horses and plowing. I didn’t like it and I ran away to join the circus. I was in trouble when you met me, I ran into your sister, remember?” Henry grinned at the thought, “I stole your horse Taffy and I wasn’t pleased with what I had done so I came to your ranch and told you. My full name is Henry Jackson, I just wanted to say thank you for helping me and forgiving me.”

Andi gasped, Henry’s story and his name made her remember, “I remember you! You’re welcome, I was glad to help. It’s nice to see you again, Henry.” 

Henry smiled and Andi and him hugged.

“What is going on!” they heard a voice yell, it was Chad and Mitch.

“I didn’t mean no harm,” Henry said and turned to them

“Chad! Mitch! This is Henry Jackson! He is the young boy from the circus! He is Henry Jackson.” Andi said excitingly, 

“Henry Jackson?” Chad’s voice was no more than a whisper   

“That’s me,” Henry smiled,

Chad went up and hugged him, “It’s awesome to see you again, Henry. Sorry for snapping at you.”

“That’s alright, I understand.” said Henry smiling, “I am grateful to you for helping me even when I took Taffy.” 

“I’m glad we did, come and you can meet the family again.” Andi said so they did.