Trouble

 by Micaiah C. age 12

#2 Jared and Bullet

Andi raced across the open range, the wind blowing through her single braid. The air smelled fresh, that warm spring day.

Riley galloped up beside her, “Does it feel good to be out again, my princess?”

Andi nodded, slowing Shasta to a stop.

Riley followed suit.

Andi sighed, “We should get back to Circle C. Mother was kind enough to watch Jared and the twins for the afternoon, but I don’t want to overwhelm her.”

Riley grinned, “We want her to feel up to watching them again soon.”

Andi swatted his arm, “Oh you.”

 ~~~

              As Andi and Riley rode up to the house and dismounted, eight-year-old Jared ran out of the house with his five-year-old twin sisters, Lottie and Lily trailing behind him.

            Andi grinned as Lily ran up to her for a hug.

            Jared tugged on her arm, “Mama, Daddy, you’ll never guess what Sammy told me!”

            Sammy was Andi’s favorite brother, Justin’s twelve-year-old son.

            “What?” Riley asked, grinning at his son’s enthusiasm.

            “Uncle Justin’s gonna let him ride in the Fourth of July Race! I told him me and Bullet are gonna too!”

            Andi frowned, “Bullet and I,” she corrected.

            “Bullet and I.”

            Riley shook his head, “No you are not.”

            “Bu-” Jared began.

            “No buts about it,” Andi added. “Sammy’s a big boy. Twelve years old. You’re only eight. When you’re older you can.”

            Jared crossed his arms and scowled, “Bullet and me could win! I just know it!”

            “That’s not the point,” Andi said, “We don’t want you to get hurt.”

            “Uncle Chad said you rode in the race without permission,” Jared threw back.

            “Tha-” she was cut off with a slight pressure on her arm.

She looked at Riley and he slowly shook his head.

Jared frowned and stamped his foot, “You never let me do what I want to!” He ran to the barn. A minute later he rode out on Bullet, and onto the trail leading to town.

 

~~~

Andi and Riley rode into town at full speed. They pulled their horses to a stop in front of Blake’s Livery. Sam Blake walked out, wiping his hands on his trousers, “What can I do for you folks?”

            “Have you seen Jared?” Andi asked, quickly.

            He nodded, “Rode by a few minutes ago. It looked like he was heading for Justin and Lucy’s place.”

            Riley nodded his thanks as the two of them rode towards Justin’s house.

They arrived a few minutes later and walked up to the front door. Riley rapped his knuckles on the door, and one second later Lucy opened the door.

She tucked a string of loose hair behind her ear, and straightened her apron, “Riley, Andi, what a nice surprise! Won’t you come in?”

They nodded and stepped into Lucy and Justin’s parlor. The floors shown with fresh waxing and the carpet looked freshly swept.

The two of them took their hats off and sat down on the small sofa.

“What can I do for you?” Lucy asked.

“Jared rode off and Sam Blake saw him come your way,” Andi spilled out.

“I didn’t see him,” Lucy trailed off. “Sammy, come here for a minute.”

One moment later Sammy came thundering down the stairs, “What is it, M-” Sammy gulped when he saw Andi and Riley. “Aunty Andi, Uncle Riley, what are you doing here?” He shifted from foot to foot, with his sweaty hands clasped.

“They are here looking for Jared,” Lucy put in. “Have you seen him?

Sammy shook his head, his eyes on the floor.

“Samuel James, look me in the eye.”

Sammy obeyed.

“Have you seen Jared?’

Sammy sighed, “Yes ma’am.”

Andi jumped up, “Where is he?”

“In my room. Bullet should be on the hitching post outside.”

Riley frowned, “We didn’t see him when we came.”

Sammy shrugged, “Want me to get him?”

Andi nodded and Sammy left the room as fast as his legs would carry.

A minute later Sammy came back.

“Where’s Jared?” Andi asked.

“I dunno,” Sammy replied. “He wasn’t there?”

Andi’s eyes opened wide.

Lucy shook her head, “You can tell him your little prank didn’t work.”

“Honest. He wasn’t there.”

“Can I have a look?” Riley asked quickly.

Sammy nodded, “Go ahead. I’m telling you he’s not there.”

Riley followed Sammy, only to return in a minute, “He isn’t.”

Andi gasped, “Where’s my baby? What happened?”

Riley grinned, but Andi could tell it was forced. “We’ll find him. He probably in the yard,”

 ~~~

 Oh, how wrong Riley was. Jared wasn’t in the yard. In fact, he wasn’t anywhere in town.

            They rode back to the ranch in silence. As soon as they reached Memory Creek, Andi dismounted and led Shasta slowly into the barn. She took off his tack, put him in his stall, and walked toward the house, her eyes on the ground.

            She sat down at the kitchen table with a long sigh. God, please keep my baby safe.

            Just then there was a knock at the door. Andi stood up to open it. She gasped at what she saw.

            In front of her stood a grim-faced Mitch. That is not what startled her. It was who was with Mitch.

            “Jared! You had me scared to death? Where were you?”

            Jared gave her a half smile, “I went to Sammy’s, but when Sammy left I slipped out the window and went back to Grandma's.”

“He was in the hayloft when I found him,” Mitch added.

Andi smiled, “Thanks, Mitch.”

Mitch grinned and walked back to his horse. “Bullet’s out here too,” he threw over his shoulder as he rode off.

Andi put her hands on her hips, “Well, young man.”

Jared frowned, “Am I in trouble?”

“You’d better believe you are, scaring us like that. First off you need to go muck out Bullet’s stall while I go get Lottie and Lily from Grandma. I’m sure your daddy will have a few more things to do after you tell him what happened.”

Jared sighed his acceptance as he shuffled towards the barn.

Andi grinned to herself. Life around there was never boring!