The Untold Capture

by Sadie S.

By Sadie Saller

Chapter One

“Please, Justin? Juan promised he’d take me so long as you said it would be alright.”

Holding her breath, Andrea Carter tried not to beg any more, but she couldn’t help adding, with a cheeky grin, “It could be a birthday gift if you like.”

A frown from her eldest brother told her he hadn’t forgotten about her upcoming thirteenth birthday, and had already been expecting this request. He paced the room three times before sitting in Aunt Rebecca’s silk covered chair opposite Andi, forcing her to look at him directly. “Listen, honey, I don’t think you’re asking too much, but-”

Andi let out a whoop. Two terms at Mrs. Whitaker’s Academy for Young Ladies might have made her look more like a young lady, but her love for racing and riding astride couldn’t be taken away if she had stayed for five terms. Despite the new confidence she had gained through Juan Carlos’s lessons, the sight of a side-saddle and the memories that went with it still caused her stomach to feel queasy. She grinned.

“But-” Justin continued firmly, frowning at her again. “I will only allow you to go on two conditions.”

Conditions? Andi gave her brother a searching look, chewing her lower lip. “What are they?”

 “You will not be going bareback. Racing without a saddle out on the ranch is one thing, an unfamiliar beach is quite another. I know you’re experienced, but even the most skilled of rider’s can take tumbles.”

Andi clamped her mouth shut. She could feel her face turning bright red. Thank goodness Justin didn’t know just how right he was. Her fall from Tornado was still fresh in her memories.

“Alright.”

“Secondly, I’m coming too.”

Andi frowned. He couldn’t be serious. “On a horse?”

Justin looked amused. “What else? I suppose I could come in a buggy.”

Andi flushed deeper. Justin hardly ever rode out on the ranch anymore since lawyer business took over the larger part of his time, and the thought of him chaperoning her like she was five years old was embarrassing.

“I’m not a baby.”

“No,” Justin agreed. “But you are a young lady, which I believe is something you should have learned while being away.” He raised an eyebrow. “And no gentleman would let a young lady go into the city, even a friendly part of the city, without accompaniment. Especially after last term's adventures.”

“But-”

Justin gave her a look that told her she shouldn’t argue, and continued. “Jenny can come too, if she wants to and if she writes home for permission.”

“But that could be weeks from now!”

“I’m sure Rebecca won’t mind prolonging our visit. I’ll write to Mother.”

Andi groaned, then sighed.

Better make the best of it.

“Thank you, Justin.”

She gave him a quick hug before darting out of the parlor to find Jenny. She was going to the seashore, which was the very thing she had been dreaming of doing for the last long weeks of term. She couldn’t wait to tell Juan Carlos tomorrow.

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“The seashore?” Aunt Rebecca’s voice was horrified. “Racing? Justin you can’t be serious. Do you realize why your dear Mother even sent Andrea to that school?”

Andi leaned against the parlor door, forcing herself not to giggle as Justin answered in a lower tone she couldn’t make out. She wasn’t afraid of Aunt Rebecca’s nagging, since Justin had promised and Jenny’s request for permission (which she assured Andi they would get) was already on its way to Tacoma, Washington.

She just felt bad that big brother had to explain all of this to their horrified Aunt. But that’s what lawyers were for, after all. If Justin can settle judges and criminals in court, why not Auntie?

Pounding feet came around the corner of the hall and Jenny Grant came to a fast halt at the sight of Andi. She grinned, planted her hands on her hips, and in her best impression of Mrs. Whitaker, whispered, “Andrea Carter, I am astonished! Young ladies do not eavesdrop. Ten disgrace marks, and your Aunt Rebecca will certainly be hearing from me.”

Giggling helplessly now, Andi grabbed her friend’s hands and led her away from the door before they were caught. “Honestly, Jenny, you do a better impression of Mrs. Whitaker then she does of herself. Let’s see if we can get Kate to drive us back to school so we can tell Juan.” She grinned suddenly.

 “Bet I beat you to the dining room.”

“Nothin’ doin.” Jenny quipped, and all traces of her elegant speech vanished.

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On a ruse of saying goodbye to the horses, Andi and Jenny were granted Mrs. Whitaker’s frosty approval to visit the stable for ten minutes. Kate and the kids - who had begged to come on the ride too - were coming to pick them up in two hours. “Don’t forget your bags, and say thank you and goodbye to Mrs. Whitaker. But hurry.” Kate had glanced at the sun. “I’m sure Rebecca will have to hold supper for us all either way.”

Andi could hardly contain her excitement. Not only was she leaving boarding school once and for all, but she would soon be flying along the beach on horseback with her two new best friends, and astride! Besides, she did want to see Penny and her foal before she left. She nearly skipped all the way to the stable, but came to a halt when they arrived. The man who greeted the two girls at the entrance was not Juan Carlos.

Mr. Hunter. Again. Andi did her best not to act concerned, but her heart thudded in her chest. Please don’t let him remember anything, God.  She wasn’t worried for Lin Mei anymore, now that Feng Chee’s true character was exposed, but Juan Carlos would be in terrible trouble if his involvement was found out. Mr. Hunter wouldn’t have cared that Lin Mei hadn’t been the one to steal the jewels. Knowing her innocence, he would have turned them all in without batting an eye. And Lord forbid if a mere stable hand had interfered.

“What do you think you’re doing here?”

The rough voice brought Andi back to the present. As usual, Mr. Hunter held a flask of something strong and looked like he was in a foul temper. She had to think fast.

“We’re looking for your stable hand. I had a question about ... riding sidesaddle, sir.”

Andi pretended to be interested in the ground, despite it’s none-description.

The man’s bushy gray eyebrows shot up. “You always seem to show up when you ain’t wanted.” He commented, wiping his face with the back of a large hand.

So do you. Andi thought, glancing at Jenny, who was quiet for once, her freckles standing out against her white face. So much for her help. “Your stable hand, sir?” Andi pressed, turning back to the situation at hand and feeling a bit more confident. He wasn’t turning her away at least. And he couldn’t very well hurt her.

“Why ask for the stable hand? The Mex wasn’t one for brains,” Mr. Hunter raised the flask to his lips and chuckled. “didn’t know enough English for a sentence. He couldn’t answer your question.”

Andi felt anger bubble up in her chest, but it evaporated when Mr. Hunter’s words registered. “Wasn’t?”

“Had to fire him. Scandal took a lot of the missus’s students, less money, less workers. The Mex was the first to go. I can handle this place better without him snitching part of my salary.” Mr. Hunter seemed to forget who he was talking to and took a few steps closer, until Andi could nearly smell the whiskey on his breath. “Don’t think I don’t remember what he’s done, miss.” He stepped back. “Now get.”

Andi and Jenny ran. Andi was glad they did, because she had been far too close to punching Mr. Hunter in his laughing face, and that would have caused a bigger scandal than the one with Lin Mei and Feng Chee.

Chapter Two

“That man is rotten. He’s got bad blood, too, I can feel it.” Jenny looked like she was about to cry. The girl’s were perched on Andi’s bed in the safety of what had been their shared room at Mrs. Whitaker’s. Clothes still littered the floor, bed’s were tussled, and only a little over an hour remained before Kate was due to pick them up.

But Andi wasn’t thinking about that, she was thinking about Juan Carlos. How was he going to take care of his mother and sisters with no position? How long had he been fired?  She’d only seen him at the stables last week. A dozen questions and possibilities littered her brain, and Andi stood up fast, making Jenny yelp.

“This is all my fault.” She muttered, pacing the bedroom and kicking a pair of woolen socks out of her path. “If I had never tried to steal Big Red for us to ride with Lin Mei, Mister Hunter might’ve given Juan Carlos another chance. But somehow he found out what happened, or at least Juan’s role in it.” She shook her head in confusion. “But how? He didn’t see who hit him!”

“It’s my fault as much as yours!” Jenny burst out. “So quit taking all the credit. We both done our fair share of breaking rules. And you can’t exactly say this was the best job in the world.” She sniffed. “If only we knew where he lived, I’ll bet you lawyer brother could figure out something. He could find him a new set up.”

Andi stopped pacing. “But he told me where he lived! Jenny! You’re brilliant! It’s a small town where most of the people who work here live, but...” her voice trailed off. “I don’t remember the name. And I definitely don’t know the address.”

She collapsed onto Jenny’s bed, then sat back up. “Do you think Celia would know it?”

“Mrs. Whitaker’s maid?”

“Uh-huh. She seems nice enough. And she might have heard something about where the workers live. She practically runs the place since Feng Chee got sacked and Mei Lin can’t deliver linens.”

Jenny wrinkled her nose, then brightened. “It’s worth a try, the most it’ll do is insult her.”

“Come on, then! We still have a bit of time left, and with a lot of luck we can talk to her without Mrs. Whitaker noticing.”

“Or Florence.” Jenny piped in.

“Or Lydia,” Andi giggled.

“Or any high-faulting girl who wants to get us in trouble.”

“That’s practically the whole school, Jennifer!”

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Finding Celia was easier then Andi had expected.

Getting her to talk to them was a lot harder.

“You shouldn’t be talking to me right now, miss.” The young woman looked as though she thought the wall’s of the laundry room had ears.

“But Celia, please listen, we just had a question about-”
“I have my job to do, miss-”

“But all we wanna know is where the stable boy liv-”

“Mrs. Whitaker would not approve of my speaking to you now, miss!”

Andi bit her lip, then tried again. “Please, Celia, I know you have a job to do. Just one question is all we have, we’re leaving soon and I have to say goodbye to a friend I made here, his name is Juan Carlos. He got fired.” Now that he no longer worked here, Andi saw no reason to hide their friendship. Mrs. Whitaker couldn’t give her disgrace marks with only forty minutes left in her care, at least Andi hoped not.

At Andi’s words, Celia’s face softened. “Juan Carlos?” She frowned, then reached up to remove her maid’s cap. Andi blinked, at seeing her face in full, she could see that this girl was still very young, near Melinda’s age at most. Twisting her hat in her hands, Celia looked like she was thinking. “Yes. I heard he was let go.” She murmured, setting the cap back on her head. She nodded. “One question, no more.”

“Thank you!” Andi burst out.

“We just wanted to know where the stable boy, Juan Carlos, I mean, lives.” Jenny put in.

“So we can say goodbye.” Andi added.

Celia pulled a bit of paper and a pencil out of her pocket and scrawled an address on it. She handed it to Andi. “Here is the place where most of the workers live. Go back to your room, before Mrs. Whitaker catches you or me-” She frowned, seemed to remember who the girls were, and added, “miss.”

“Thank you!” Andi breathed. “Thank you so much!”

“Thanks a lot.” Jenny agreed.

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When the girl’s were finally out of Celia’s frowning view, they both let out a squeal and hugged each other. Then Andi pulled back and gave Jenny a serious look. “We have to go now. We don’t have time to wait for Kate, or Justin. I know, I know, but-”

Jenny shook her head ferociously. “We can’t go alone again.”

“But that’s a safe part of the city, the most it’ll have is a few hungry folks who-”

“Who see us dressed fancy and then jump us.” Jenny frowned and planted her feet. “I ain’t going.”

Andi glanced away, then back. “Okay. You win. But I’m walking back to Auntie’s, and I’d prefer if you came with me.” Her friend was right to have a little common sense, but they couldn’t wait another thirty minutes for Kate to come and get them when they could walk home in ten. Their room could wait.

Jenny chewed her lip. “Do you know the way?”

“Justin had me memorize it after our close call.”
“Bet he didn’t think you’d use it like this.”

“No, but we are, and for a good reason.” Andi gave her friend a look. “Juan and his family could be starving because of us. Anyway, it’s not Chinatown.”

Jenny didn’t look convinced. “It’s still the city.”

“We can take a cable car. I have the money. We’ll be there in ten minutes if we walk fast, and we might even meet Kate’s carriage and hitch a ride. We won’t be alone for long, and this neighborhood is the safest part of San Francisco, I swear.”

“Alright.” Jenny rolled her eyes. “You’ve convinced me. You know how much I like cable cars.” She grinned. “But if your brother gets mad, I had nothing to do with it, and I’m letting you take all the blame. Deal?”

Andi tossed her braid over her shoulder and grinned back. “Deal.”

CHAPTER THREE

“I’m always afraid that something is going to break down.” Andi breathed a sigh of relief as she and Jenny got off the cable car, and not just because she knew Justin would have a fit if anything had happened. Cable cars always put her heart in her throat, at least until it was over. Then it was exhilarating. The crowd that stretched to board was longer than usual, and Andi was grateful when she and Jenny finally disembarked safely. She grabbed her friend’s hand and started running, dodging people as they went. “Only two more blocks, Jenny.” Andi glanced back at her friend... and promptly collided with someone.

“Lo siento señorita, I - I am sorry, miss.”  The man she had collided with turned to go.

Recognizing the language, Andi caught his arm and smiled. “No, no, hablo español. Lo siento mucho.” It really was her fault, and this man seemed very nice. “I’m sorry.” She repeated, “I wasn’t watching where I was-” she broke off as the man turned around and faced her completely. “Juan Carlos?”

It was too much of a coincidence. But there he was.

“You’re just the person we were looking for!” Jenny caught up, grinning and panting at the same time. “Now we don’t have to break any rules, and you can come with us. Andi’s brother will figure things out and we can all have that ride on the beach like you promised. Without sidesaddles of course.” She smiled.

Juan gave Andi a confused look. “What is going on, señorita? You are out alone in the city again. Por qué?”

Andi blushed and explained in rapid Spanish, ending with, “Kate, my sister, was supposed to pick us up, but we were in a hurry.” She bit her lip and glanced at Jenny. “I’m so sorry, Juan! It’s all our fault.”

Juan Carlos’s face had flushed as she told the tale, and now he looked positively flustered. “It is not-” he began, then seemed to change his mind. “You should not be roaming the city alone, señorita. I am in no need of your help-” he waved his hand at Andi’s protests. “Señor Hunter was only trying to scare you into trouble, which he almost succeeded in doing. He did not remember my involvement with your little friend. That was not the reason he fired me.” His face seemed to flush deeper as he glanced at the now departing cable car. He finally shrugged and looked into Andi’s eyes. “It is not official, Miss Carter, which is the reason I was on my way back to the school. If I am lucky, I may reclaim my job and clear my name.”

“Clear your name? From what?”

Juan shook his head.

“Oh, Juan, my brother could find you a better position, I’m sure of it!” Andi burst out. “He’s a lawyer and he speaks español like me.”

“A lawyer?” Juan Carlos opened his mouth. “Si. Perhaps he could help me get my job back.”

“No!” Andi shook her head. “A better job. Don’t you want that?”

“You don’t understand.” Juan frowned. “I cannot lose my position.”

Andi opened her mouth again, but Jenny’s impatient voice cut her off.

“Would someone mind telling me what’s going on? I don’t know Spanish, you know.”

“If I knew half of what he was saying I’d tell you.” Andi muttered. This was so confusing! She was sure Juan wasn’t lying, but he didn’t seem to be telling the whole truth either.

“I’m walking you home. It isn’t safe alone. I will talk to your brother.” Juan Carlos said briskly. His looks and tone said that the discussion had ended. But not for me. Andi decided.

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“He’s walking us home.” Andi interpreted for Jenny’s benefit, giving Juan Carlos a sour look. She filled Jenny in as they continued to walk on in front of him. When she had finished explaining, Jenny looked just as frustrated as Andi felt, but she also looked too tired to argue about it. Glancing at the sun, Andi knew why. They had left the school over an hour ago, and it was well past suppertime. Kate was probably panicking.

And, once again, it’s all my own fault for jumping to conclusions. Sighing, Andi picked up the pace, glancing backwards as she did so. She did feel safer - not that she would have admitted it to anyone - but knowing Juan Carlos was behind them like a silent guard made the city less threatening and more cheery. Jenny perked up too.

“At least this means we can ride on the beach like you wanted,” she offered after a few moments.

“Have you asked him about that yet?”

“No.” Andi sighed. Suddenly wanting a ride along the beach seemed childish and small compared to the problems that Juan Carlos seemed to be facing. “Reckon I’d better, though.”

She turned around to ask him and instantly bit her lip as she was met with an empty street.

“Jenny - did you see Juan Carlos go anywhere?”

“No.” Jenny’s eyes were huge as she, too, noticed his absence. “Didn’t you?”

“Why would I ask you if I did?!”

“Then where did he go?”

Andi instinctively reached for Jenny’s hand. “Wherever he went, we need to find him. But we can’t go far. Aunt Rebecca’s house is only a block away, and I’m sure Justin will help if need be...” Her voice trailed off.

“I thought you said this was a safe part of the city.”

“I thought it was.” Andi said, feeling tears come to her eyes. Don’t you dare cry. “I’m so sorry, Jenny. We should never have started out alone again.”

“Do you think he got lost?” Jenny asked, frowning.

“He knows the city much better than me.”

Jenny nodded and the subject closed. Something had happened. He wouldn’t have just left. The roadway was eerily quiet, and the familiar line of houses seemed vacant, even if they weren’t.

There was no one in sight.

“You getting the feeling we should get out of here?”

Andi nodded. Hard.

Hands clasped tightly together, the girls fled.

And the sound of pounding feet behind them meant they had pursuers.

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Andi woke to the soft, soothing, babble of Spanish. The words didn’t register at first, but when they did she sat bolt upright. Too fast. Her head hurt and her vision blurred. Juan Carlos rested a hand on her shoulder to hold her steady. “Gracias a Dios. You are awake.” He studied her face, still looking concerned.

“Can you remember what happened?”

“Jenny and I tripped. They grabbed us. Then everything went fuzzy. They drugged us, I think.” Andi felt a tear run down her nose. Here she was, locked up somewhere practically too dark to see, waiting for something or somebody. Again.

Only with Juan Carlos, and not two little Chinese girls.

The irony of it was almost funny.

“I’m having deja vu.” She paused. “I want to go home.”

“You will if I have anything to do with it, señorita.”

 Juan Carlos shook his head and stood up. “You were never meant to get caught up in this.”

“Juan,” Andi reached for his hand. “What’s going on? Honestly. Jenny and I deserve to know.”

“Si.” Juan agreed. “But you will be my only listener, I am afraid.” He nodded to where Jenny lay nearby, a dark bruise forming over her brow. Her eyes were closed. Andi gasped, and Juan reached out a hand to restrain her.

 “She will live, but she needs to rest.”

Andi settled back onto her heels and sighed. “Poor Jenny. She never asked for this when she became friends with me. I feel like I’m a bad luck charm.” She glanced at Juan. “But I’m still wondering what’s going on.”

“Si.” Juan settled back down beside her. “It is a long story.”

Andi forced a grin. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

Chapter Four

“It was Señor Hunter, or someone sent by him.” Juan Carlos nodded at Andi’s astonished look. “His quarrel is with me only, but when he found out we were friends-” he sighed. “you can piece together the rest.”

“But what is your quarrel?” Andi asked. “What could be so bad that he would kidnap you and me and Jenny?”

“He is stealing from the school. I caught him in the act.”

“In the act of what?”

Juan’s face lengthened. “Selling Penny’s colt. But at too high a price. He fudges the records and keeps over half of the money for himself. He’s done it for years. Señora Whitaker doesn’t usually involve herself and leaves all business to him, but the school’s finances are suffering. She needs to see the records, and they are not compromised enough for her to not see that something is amiss.”

“And by seeing that-”

“She would have found out that the horses seemed to be gaining little money. And that Señor Hunter was using the money very poorly. He planned to blame me for the embezzlement, if she were to find out. He fired me, but also had false evidence stacked against me, if it came to that.”

Andi stared blankly into the darkness, wishing that none of this was happening. “I can’t say I’m surprised,” she murmured. “But you had evidence against him too?”

Juan nodded. “That’s why I needed a lawyer. If it was between him and myself, the choice is obvious. Who would trust a mere stable hand’s word? But if I had someone to back me up, then perhaps they might listen to my evidence. Perhaps.” He sighed again “But someone must have been eavesdropping on our conversation and told Señor Hunter.”

“Yes.” Andi said. She stood up despite her pounding head. “We need to get out of here and find Justin. Is there a window? Any crates? Jenny and I got out of an old storeroom by the window.”

“It’s not as easy as you think, señorita.” Juan Carlos looked around the blank, dark room they seemed to be in. “I know this place. There are no windows, and only one door. It is easier to escape a prisión. We need a plan.”

Chapter five

The sound of footfalls made Andi jump, and Juan Carlos pulled her down roughly beside him. “Pretend to be dormida, asleep.” Andi nodded and bent her head to the floor, close enough to Jenny that she could quiet her when she woke up. The door banged open, and two men stepped in. They were mere silhouettes from a distance, but one was obviously Mr. Hunter.

“Tell the stable boy what I told you.” His gravelly voice rang out and echoed around the dank room. The other man stepped forwards, he was well dressed and looked young, but his face was scathing. Andi instantly disliked him. When he spoke, it was in Spanish. Of course. Mr. Hunter would need an interpreter. And they still may not have worked out that Andi knew the language perfectly. She lay still and listened.

“Hola amigo,” the man began, taking a hesitant step towards them.

He was holding a gun, and it was aimed at Juan’s chest.

“I am not your friend.” Juan Carlos muttered.

“Si,” the man laughed. “You are not. Yet we have come to work out a deal with you. We have captured your own little friends, and I am sure you are very concerned for their welfare.” He paused. “Am I right?”

“Si.” Juan nodded, leaning forwards. “Set them free. They have done nothing wrong. I beg you.”

The man shook his head in a sympathetic sort of way, and took another step closer. “You know we can not do that. But I can promise to spare their life. If you do something for us.”

Andi swallowed hard.

“What is that?” Juan Carlos asked, staying where he was.

“Turn yourself in. It will have a penalty, fee, jail time. But not death. And you will be saving three lives.”

Juan Carlos looked horrified, then disgusted. “I had not thought the human race had come to this.” He muttered. He paused. “If I do as you say. Where will you take them?” He motioned to Andi and Jenny.

The man laughed. “There are always ships willing to take extra passengers, señor. With the right amount of coaxing, of course.” He smiled, but not in a friendly way. “It would not be the best of lives, but they would have no one to tell the truth to, and they would be alive and well.”

No, no, no! Andi felt herself tremble. What had she gotten herself into? If only she and Jenny had stayed and packed, forgotten about Juan Carlos, and waited for Kate to pick them up. Please, God. Don’t let them take us away. Not again. This couldn’t be happening. Why had they been able to escape being shanghaied once before, just to have it happen later on? Juan Carlos’s face was white, and Andi silently begged him not to give in.

“You give me your word they will not be harmed?” He asked the man, and Andi sucked in her breath.  

The man stretched out his arms. “I give you my word, I would have no reason not to.”

Juan Carlos took a step towards him, and Andi could not contain herself. “No! Juan, don’t do it! Please!” She cried out, standing up.

Both men whirled towards her, and Andi was surprised to see that Juan’s eyes were dark with anger. “¡Silencio!” He shouted. Then his voice softened. “What else can I do, señorita?”

Andi fell silent. She could not answer. He was right. What else could he do?

She didn’t want to die. She didn’t want to leave her family behind, either. Yet those were the only choices they had. Juan could hardly want to go to prison for a crime he did not commit. She nodded at him, slightly.

And then he winked at her.

If it had been any faster, she would have missed it. But it told her everything she needed to know, and her determination to be brave and face what was in store for her fled into a reblossoming hope.

He has a plan. Andi’s fears formed into energy. They had one chance. Whatever the plan was, it had to work, or all was lost. She needed to be ready. She lay back down, feigning hopelessness, and willed Jenny awake. Her friend hadn’t moved since they had been there, but there was no help for her unconscious state.

Juan Carlos continued towards Mr. Hunter and the man. “I will turn myself in.” He said in English.

Andi let out a sob, just for effect, and the men seemed to fall for it. It distracted them.

That was just what Juan needed. He disarmed the man in front of him with a harsh blow, and then worked on his face. The man staggered backwards. “Close the door!” He yelled to Mr. Hunter as he fell, reaching for the fallen gun, but Juan blocked the way with another staggering blow to the groundskeeper’s face. “Now señorita!”

This was the plan?  “We can’t leave you!” Andi burst out.

“Now!” He yelled.

“Jenny’s too heavy!”
“You can carry saddles, si?”

Andi got the hint, and threw her arms around her friend. Half carrying her, half dragging her, she rushed towards the entrance. She was never going to get past, not with two men trying to stop her from reaching the door. But Juan Carlos seemed mad with rage, maybe enough to beat two men with just his fists.

And then they were out.

The sunlight hurt her eyes. It was barely dawn, but the sun had decided to ascend right into her face.

“I’ll take him! You go get the girl!”

Andi gasped and kept running. Now was not the time to enjoy glorious sunrises. But Jenny’s deadweight was wearing on her arms, and her pace would be easy to catch up with. They seemed to be in an alley of sorts. But she didn’t recognize it. There were no people in sight. This isn’t going to work.

Her arms burned, and she hiked Jenny up again. “Keep going.” Andi coached herself through gritted teeth. Juan Carlos was risking his life for theirs, and she would never forgive herself if his risky diversion only landed them back where they started. She ducked around the corner of an alley and came out into a street. If she started to scream, it would tell her pursuer where she was. By the sound of it he wasn’t far behind. But if she didn’t start making noise nobody would know that she needed help. And boy did she need help.

“I’m in trouble! Help! Somebody’s chasing us! Help! Please, help us!”

Her arms gave out and she barely saved Jenny from a sickening fall. She collapsed beside her friend onto the hard gravel street. “I’m so sorry, Juan.” She whispered, letting her tears flow freely. “I can’t run anymore.”

“Andi!”

She shot up. Somebody had heard her. Please let them find me before it’s too late. Please.

“I’m here! We’re here! Come quick! Please!”

A group of people came into view. Justin was at the head of it. The police were behind him. If Andi wasn’t crying her hardest already, she would have cried harder.

“Justin!”

She got up, yanked Jenny with her, and stumbled towards him. She didn’t have time to cry.

“He’s coming. We have to help Juan Carlos.”

Justin crushed her into a hug, but not for long. Mr. Hunter came skidding out of the alley, turned tail, and ran back. The police surged after him, and Andi lunged forwards to go too, but Justin held her back.

“Justin, they had a gun. They’re still in the building, not far from here.” Andi warned.

“Sergeant O’Malley and the other officers will help Juan Carlos, I promise. They’ll find him.”

Andi hesitated, then nodded.

“We have to get away from here and tend to Jenny,” he continued. “Can you walk, honey?”

Andi nodded again. She was too tired and shocked to respond. Justin scooped Jenny up, but still managed to put an arm around Andi as he guided her out of the dark, cheerless, streets of San Francisco and back into its safety.

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“They tracked us.” Andi explained, sitting in the chair opposite of the doctor’s bed. “All the way to the street that leads to that awful alley.” She cracked a smile. “Justin said it helped that he had experience. He and my other brothers had to track me once, when someone took me as a hostage. I lost my memory for a while.” She sighed. “God sure has protected me from a lot of disaster.”

“Si.” Juan Carlos smiled and spread open his arms. “And me, as you know.”

Andi nodded. It was amazing that Juan had escaped with no more than a gunshot wound and several broken ribs. His face was still a horrific mess of bruising and swelling, but according to everyone who had seen them, the bad guys looked worse. “He protected both of us, then,” Andi offered.

“Si. I’m glad. I would not have met you if He had not. When do you leave?”

“In three days.” 

He smiled. “What do you wish to do and see before then?”

“Well, I would like to see you out of the hospital, and back at your job without that awful Mr. Hunter. The horses miss you, I know. I’m so glad they managed to get Penny’s foal back. And as for doing,” Andi smiled. “Well, I had something in mind. But since I owe you my life, and not the other way around, maybe you should be the one to choose.”

Juan Carlos laughed. “I don’t have any good ideas, except for one.”

“Okay.” Andi said. She held her breath and tried to let any feelings of disappointment go.

“A long time ago I promised you something,” he grinned. “The seashore race, señorita, do you recall?”

“I recall!” Andi burst out. “That’s what I really wanted to do.”

She ducked her head. “But I thought you forgot.”

“How could I forget? I’ve been waiting a long time to see if you really are as good as you say.” He grinned. “I will be out of bed tomorrow. Will that do for you, señorita?”

“It’ll do more then do.” Andi grinned back. “It’s perfect.”

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The waves crashed against the seashore, and Andi breathed in the fresh air with pleasure. Finally. She glanced at Justin, who seemed to be watching her much more closely than usual (not that she blamed him), and waved. She guided her mount towards Jenny and Juan Carlos, who were waiting for her at the start of the beach.

The horse Andi rode wasn’t Taffy, but she was docile and sweet, with soft brown eyes and ears. And she was fast, or so the man at the livery had said. “We’re ready!” She called out to her brother. She leaned forwards as he held up three fingers, then two, then one.

“Go!”

The horses surged forwards as one, but Andi’s horse was fast. She broke away easily, and then they were flying down the beach. Andi grinned and urged her on. It felt wonderful to be astride again, with the wind and spray of the ocean covering her from head to toe, and the sand being kicked up behind her.

As the finish they had decided on came into view - a very large sand dune - Andi had to force herself to slow down, and finally stop altogether. Juan Carlos came next, then Jenny only a few noses behind.

Juan Carlos grinned as he tried to calm the bay horse he rode. “You weren’t lying. You are fast.”

Andi giggled and glanced at Jenny, wondering how her friend felt about coming in last place. Jenny’s face was as red as her hair from the wind, but she was smiling broadly as she steadied her mount. “We gotta do that again.”

“I’ll still beat you.” Andi said teasingly.

Jenny laughed. “Listen, Miss Carter, the only reason you beat me and Juan was because we’re injured.” She pressed a hand to her forehead and feigned a faint. “Young ladies are very delicate, and I’m a very weak one.”

“Want to go again, then?” Andi asked, “Juan, are you up for another race back?”

“Si, señorita, but first, I must wish you feliz cumpleaños.”

“That’s happy birthday in Spanish,” Jenny piped up. “See, I’m learning.”

Andi laughed. “So you are. But how did you two find out it was my birthday?”

“Your brother told us,” Jenny said, giggling back. “And we’re gonna go out to a fancy restaurant so that your stay in San Francisco might not be so bad as you fear. Your Aunt is absolutely terrified that you will never visit her again.”

Andi laughed again. “Well, you and I don’t have many good memories besides this one, you know.”

“I reckon,” Jenny said, turning her horse to face the way that they had come. The sun glittered dazzlingly off of her fiery hair. “But we’ve made plenty of good friends.”

 THE END