Andi's Barn Mystery

 by Nora H. 

The latch rattled and began to rise. Andi frantically looked around for a place to hide. She was in the tool shed in the barn, sitting on top of the windowsill. It was too late; the door started to open. She had nowhere else to go… 

*** 

 “Ridiculous. Prince Loco was the one who should have been blamed. I was only trying to help Chad…”, Andi murmured to herself as she lifted the latch and slid the heavy door aside, entering the stable. She was on her way to console Taffy. Recovering from a recent abscess in her hoof, Taffy needed Andi’s complete support. Andi had snuck out of the house, looting a bag of sugar cubes, Taffy’s favorite treat. No one knew where she was, because she was not supposed to be in the barn. Mucking out Loco’s paddock had ended up not being the brightest idea of the day. Now on her way to the tool shed, Andi thought of a good place to hide her bag full of sweets. 

*** 

Sneezing, Andi opened the old trunk. Peering inside, she found a good place to set her bag. Andi was about to shut the trunk when she heard a donkey braying outside. There was a long rectangle window that sat above the top shelf on the wall. Knowing she could see the ranch yard from there, Andi shimmed up the rickety shelf and sat on the windowsill. 

 Hee-Haw Handyman was Circle C’s newest addition. Right now, he was giving Chad a run for his money. Kicking up his heels, Hee-Haw got loose and galloped into the barn, as if it was a place of refuge. Andi quickly realized with dread that she had left the toolshed door wide open! Trotting brown legs and some big, fuzzy ears came into view. 

Chaos struck as Hee-Haw Handyman not only found the sugar cubes but ate most of them! With the door having been kicked shut, the latch rattled and began to rise! Chad could be heard yelling something incomprehensible on the other side of the door. Andi, perched on the windowsill, had nowhere to hide. 

*** 

 Later that day… Andi sat on her bed and waited for her mother to come in. After Chad had found her, put Hee-Haw away, and brought her inside, he let loose to mother about the whole ordeal. Stealing the sugar cubes, being in the barn, and the fact that their new donkey had devoured too many treats. She knew that she messed up, and she was sorry. Everything that had been done was wrong and she knew it. She picked up her bible and flipped to 1st Kings 3: 9 “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.”

A Note of a Wild Night

 by Sara M. 

Andi, I’m a friend of Jenny’s. I need help. Please. Don't deny me this. I beg you, meet me tonight at 11, at the edge of your land, north side. By the big oak tree. Please! I need help! Don't tell anyone the contents of this note. GM.

I let the note flutter from my fingertips as a chill ran up my back. The letter Cory had just slipped onto my desk made me feel nauseous. Who in the world was GM and why did she need her help? Jenny never mentioned anyone whose name started with G or M… I bit my lip. I had till tonight to decide what to do. ***** Sure glad it's a full moon tonight. I eased the house door closed behind me. It was a half hour before 11 o’clock and the few hours I was supposed to be sleeping were long. I walked quickly, quietly to the barn and called softly to Taffy. In the dim light coming in the open barn door, I saw her raise her head and look at me. I grabbed a bridle and slipped it over her head. “Bareback tonight,” I said. “Andi?” Talk about startling someone! I nearly screamed. “Chad!” “What on earth are you doing this late in the barn?” “I needed to check Taffy,” I said, which was true; I was checking her on her…to take her out—not that I would tell Chad that. “She’s fine. Go to bed.” “Okay, I will.” Just not right now. Chad shrugged and walked away. I lingered by Taffy’s stall, waiting for Chad to shut the door behind him. Thankful that Chad hadn’t noticed the bridle on Taffy, I led her from the barn after a few minutes. Off to find out who ‘GM’ was. Apprehension filled me. Was this a good idea? I neared the place GM told me to meet her at. It was silent, lit in the moonlight. I heard a wolf howl in the distance, and shivered. I do not like this at all. Keep going? Turn back? At last, I saw a horse—or was it a pony?—by itself. I kept Taffy at a walk, ready to turn and run. A figure bolted off the ground when I neared and grasped the pony’s reins. “Who are you?” A pause. “Andi Carter?” I halted Taffy, but stayed on her back. The figure neared, and I got a good look at her. She wore trousers and a wide-brimmed hat. She pulled off the hat. I held my breath. Two things were instant to me. Her eyes—his eyes—matched a pair I knew well. Jenny Grant’s brother. How in the world was he on Circle C land when the Grants lived in Washington Territory? “I’m GM.” “How? You’re Micah Grant.” “GM, my initials backwards.” He gave a tired grin. “I need help, Andi, and from what Jenny always said, I knew I could trust you.” Suspicion filled me. I had my share of tight situations and had no desire to get into another one. But…if a friend needed help… “What’s going on?” “Jenny’s in trouble; I need your help.” My heart raced. “What do you mean?” “She’s being held by a group of horse thieves. They had us both; I escaped last night. Jenny told me a lot about you, so I knew you lived here.” His eyes turned pleading. “Can you help us?” I didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Let’s go.” I didn’t let myself think that I had no pistol or rifle, and that none of my family knew where I was. Jenny needed help, and sooner the better. Relief swept over Micah’s face. “Thank you, Andi.” He mounted his horse and turned north. “This way. It's a couple hours.” The hours hurried by, and soon, Micah motioned for me to stop. “I’m going to go forward and make sure they are still there.” Worry filled his voice. There was no doubt he cared deeply for his sister. Less than five minutes passed, and he returned, breathing hard. “They’re there. I saw Jenny.” His expression revealed nothing. I shoved down the concern inside me. “Is…is she okay?” “I don’t know.” Urgency filled me, but along with caution. I stared at the valley below us, my mind racing. We had one chance to rescue Jenny, and we could not mess it up. “Here’s what we’ll do…” Micah nodded once I explained. “It’s the best thing we got. If we don’t get her by dawn, I know they’re moving and getting on a boat today.” All the more reason to not fail. I knew the plan was plenty risky. Micah rode out first to distract them. I pulled out my pocketknife from Taffy’s saddlebags and left her untied. I crept toward the camp, paying attention to every noise Micah made. I heard two–or was it three—men going after him. Micah said there were four men, so I had to deal with one or two. I can’t do this. You have to! If you don’t, Jenny will be gone. Micah is relying on you! It was over in seconds. As soon as the one man left in camp turned his back, I raced to Jenny and ducked beside her. “Jenny.” I cut her ties, and together, we stood. Her face shone with gratitude; she opened her mouth to say something, but I quickly put my finger to my lips to hush her. We had to go. The man looked away again, and we took the chance. Together we sprinted in the woods, toward Taffy, toward safety. Never before have I mounted Taffy so quickly, pulling Jenny up with me. I kicked Taffy into a gallop. In the moonlight, far off, I saw Micah riding toward us. He had gotten the three men off his trail. I laughed aloud in joy. We made it out, with Jenny, and we were okay. “Thank you, Father,” Jenny whispered behind me. I patted her hand that wrapped around me and sighed gratefully.

The Close Call

 By Naomi J. 

 

Andi Carter sprinted down the rocky mountain path and skidded into the opening of a small, rickety barn, slamming the door shut behind her. Gasping for breath, she crumpled down onto the sawdust-covered floor and gazed at her surroundings. Heaps of hay towered on either side of her. Beams of afternoon sunlight seeped through large slits in the roof, casting light on the shadows of the dim barn.

Slowly, Andi crawled away from the door and scrambled into the shadows of the hay. There her eyes squeezed shut as she waited for the searing pain shooting down her leg to go away. A few minutes later, she took a deep, shuddering breath and, glad that the danger of fainting had at least dimmed, chanced a peak at her leg. When she saw it, she gasped. A scarlet stain showed on the leg of her overalls. Holding her breath, Andi carefully rolled up her pants. A deep, blood-dripping gash went all the way down the side of her leg. “I can’t believe I ran down the side of a mountain with that.” Her whisper sounded loud in the dusty silence of the barn.

All of a sudden, the door jolted as if hit. Andi froze. Shoving down her pant leg and ignoring the sharp pain which her roughness caused, Andi backed further behind the haystack, panic seizing her. The same bear which had scared her horse, Taffy, into throwing her, forcing her to run away from the massive creature and into an unknown barn, was going to break in and eat her. She was in too much pain from where it had lashed at her leg to get up and hide; she would have to stay where she was and try to hide in the haystack.

The rusty latch rattled harder, then eased open with a squeak! Andi held her breath as the huge black bear lumbered into the barn and lifted its nose to smell the air. It trudged just a few feet away from where Andi hudled, then paused and sniffed again. Andi sat perfectly still, cold sweat breaking out on forehead, her heart slamming inside her. One wrong move, one little noise, and the bear would immediately know where she was. Mind whirling, she sent up a desperate prayer. Please, God, don’t let the bear find me. I don’t want to be eaten. And please help Taffy be okay.

Suddenly, a cold, wet nose was shoved into her sweaty, clasped hands. The next second, a shout went up and then a bang! sounded through the barn. Andi didn’t hear anything else. She tumbled in a dead faint onto the floor next to the haystack.

Andi woke up lying on a narrow cot in a dark, musty-smelling room. A quiet clink of dishes came from the next room. Her shoulder ached from where she had hit the floor, but the piercing pain in her leg had eased to a steady pang. Scanning the small room, she found that she was not alone. The silhouette of a woman perched on another bed on the other side of the room.

When the woman saw Andi, she gasped and scrambled over to her, lighting a candle on the way. “Oh, thank goodness you’re awake. How do you feel?”

“Only a little dizzy. Where am I?” In the dim light of the candle, the woman’s slightly wrinkled face smiled.

“My husband found you hurt and unconscious in our barn, right after he shot that ol’ bear that’s been botherin’ our animals.” She raised an eyebrow. “Was the bear after you?”

Andi blinked, dazed. “Bear?” she mumbled. Then it came back to her. “Oh! He shot the bear? Why was she chasing me? All I was doing was riding. And have you seen my horse?”

“I’m sorry. We haven’t seen any horses.” The woman smiled sympathetically. “The bear could’ve charged at you for all sorts of reasons, though it’s strange she’d follow you so far. Now, let me see your leg.” She carefully rolled up Andi’s pant leg, which revealed a clean linen bandage with a dark red streak showing down the middle. The woman frowned. “Well, you’ll definitely need a doctor to take a look at this, but it’ll keep ‘till you get home.”

“Thank you,” Andi murmured, closing her eyes.

“Take a rest, darling. I’m sure your family will show up soon.”

It seemed like she had slept only a few minutes when she was awakened by a gentle shake. “Andi! Wake up.” At the whisper, Andi’s eyes flew open.

“Chad! You came for me!” Her brother grinned.

“’Course I did, silly. You feeling all right?”

“Only tired, since someone woke me up.” She giggled. Chad shook his head.

“You worried us all when Taffy came home without you,” he said, scooping Andi up.

“She came back?” Andi exclaimed, delighted. Thank you, God, for bringing Taffy home.

“Yep,” Chad replied, carrying her to the kitchen. An elderly man looked up and smiled at Andi as she came in.

Handing a cup of coffee to Chad, he told Andi, “Sure is good to see you with rosy cheeks. You were lookin’ awful pale out there ‘till my wife fixed you up.” Andi blushed. Chad gulped down his coffee and shook hands with the man. “Thanks again. That was real kind of you both,” he said, then turned to Andi. “Ready to go home?” he asked.

Andi nodded. “Yes. My leg is starting to hurt again.”

“I’ll send for the doctor when we get home.” Turning around, Chad slapped his hat down on his head and waved to the couple as he walked out. Then he swung Andi up onto his horse and grinned at her. “You have a lot of explaining to do when you get home.”

Andi sighed, shifting uncomfortably in the saddle. “I sure won’t go down that trail anymore.” With that, they started down the long, dark trail for home.

Andi's Revenge

 A Sequel to Andi's Scary School Days

by Olivia S. 

Chapter 1 A Mysterious Note Six-year-old Andi Carter sat at her desk doing her school work. At least, she was supposed to be doing her school work. What she was really doing was listening to the older children recite. Andi tried to do her school work, but how could she work when the older children were reading sentences and poems and… “Andrea!” Miss Hall’s voice made Andi jump nearly out of her skins. “Yes, Ma’am?” “You’re supposed to be doing your school work,” Miss Hall scolded. “Yes, Ma’am.” So Andi began doing her work. She tried to. Then, what was this? A note slipped into her desk… but who was it from, and what did it mean? This is what it said: “Snipe, snipe, long-legged snipe! Snipe, snipe, long-legged snipe! Snipe, snipe, long-legged snipe! Andi was very confused. It did not look like a very nice note, but Andi didn’t know what it meant. But she knew who she could ask. She had one dependable, reliable, loving big sister that she could ask. And she was right there only a few seats behind her. Hurray for a big sister! Chapter 2 Revenge Plans “Melinda, what does this note mean?” Andi held up her note. The class laughed. Melinda’s cheeks turned bright red. “Silence!” Miss Hall slapped her desk with her ruler. The class stopped - all except for Johnny Wilson. He looked at Andi, snickering. Why, that note was from him! Now Andi knew it wasn’t a nice note. It was a Johnny note. Andi still didn’t know what it meant, but whatever it meant, it wasn’t nice. And Andi knew that. She had to get revenge. What else could she do? Just then, Miss Hall broke into Andi’s thoughts. “Andrea, I am afraid you’ll have to stand in the corner.” Perfect! Andi thought. I don’t have to do school work in the corner! I can plan my revenge! Andi went to the corner. And she began to think. How could she get good, solid, perfect revenge? She would show that Johnny Wilson no mercy. She would get even with him! But how? Then, Andi remembered. Johnny always had dessert of some kind packed in his lunch. If Andi had the perfect chance, she could take the dessert and eat it herself! It was a perfect plan! A plan for revenge! Chapter 3 Revenge
Lunchtime came. Andi put her plan into action. She waited until Johnny went to tease a girl. Then, she crept over to his lunch pail. A little voice inside her told her, You should not be doing this! God wouldn’t like it. But Andi didn’t care. Especially when she saw what Johnny had packed; chocolate chip cookies! She took the cookies and ran off. Andi thought she would get away with it, but Melinda had a sharp eye. She saw Andi enjoying the cookies after lunch. She was just about to go ask Andi where she got them when she heard Johnny say, “Hey! Where did my cookies go?” Melinda clapped her hand to her mouth. She marched over to Andi to find out what happened. “Johnny gave me this note, and I knew it couldn’t possibly be a nice note so I took his cookies for revenge,” Andi explained, holding out the note. “Andi Carter!” Melinda cried. “That’s wicked! You should never steal or get revenge!” When Miss Hall heard the words “steal” and “revenge” she hurried outside. Melinda ran to meet her. In less than half a minute, Miss Hall called Andi to come to her. “You squealed on me!” Andi said to Melinda. Melinda didn’t answer. “Andrea, I want you to come inside with me,” Miss Hall said. Inside, Miss Hall got out the Bible. She turned to the book of Romans. “‘This is Romans 12:19b,” she said, “‘…vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.’ Do you know what this verse means?” Andi shook her head. “It means that God is the One to take care of things people do wrong. And you know that Exodus 20:15 says ‘Thou shalt not steal.’” Andi hung her head. Andi hated to stand there and apologize to Johnny. “I forgive you, I guess,” Johnny smirked, “but I promise I didn’t write that note.” “You didn’t?” Andi asked, shocked. Chapter 4 It Wasn’t Johnny! After recess, Miss Hall rang the bell and everyone came inside. Miss Hall held up the note. “Who wrote this note?” she asked. A boy called out, “I did!” Andi clapped her hand to her mouth. It wasn’t Johnny! “Richard Sansbron, you come here!” Miss Hall said. Richard stood in the corner for quite some time after apologizing to Andi. On the way home, Andi asked Melinda what the note meant. “It means you have long legs,” Melinda informed Andi. “But I think your legs are pretty.” “What’s this about a note?” Justin asked. And he heard the long story. THE END Notes: Scripture taken from the King James Version. “You squealed on me” means “You tattled on me.”

Andrea Carter and the Strange Note

 by Hannah

Thirteen year old, Andi, patted Taffy, her palomino mare in the barn, when she heard Mother calling her name “ Andrea, you haven't finished your chores!” “Yes, coming Mother” Andi replied shouting across the ranch, “I guess I'm going to have to spend time with you another day” she said sadly to Taffy, Taffy neighed in response. When she came her mother scolded her saying “ a proper lady does not shout to her mother, she just simply says “ yes ma’am” do you understand ?” “Yes ma’am” Andi replied sulkily “ now, we have a special guest coming for dinner and I want the house to be perfect” Mother said sternly. “Yes ma’am” Andi said and she got to work. First she scrubbed the floor till it sparkled, then she washed the dirty dishes, after that she draped an expensive cloth on the wooden table. “Phew” Andi said exhaustedly “ Now I’ll go back to Taffy” but as she was leaving Mother came back and called her in “ Andrea, you should put a nice pretty dress on for dinner, like Melinda “ “ But, I was going to visit Taffy!” she exclaimed “ do as i say” Mother said sternly….. Later that night, Mother, Melinda, Andi, Chad, Mitch, and Justin scrambled around to get everything sorted. They dished the food and put the utensils on the table. No one said a word about the guest. Finally it was time, there was a knock on the door and shuffling to be heard outside Mother opened the door “ Hello Mrs Damsel “ Mother said sweetly. “Why is Mrs Damsel here” Andi whispered to Chad

“ you’ll see “ he whispered back and smiled,

“Come in, come in” Mother said.

“Thank you all very much for inviting me for dinner, as I said I needed to discuss some private matters with you about Andi” Mrs Damsel barked. Andi knew what this was about and she was not happy about it at all, it all had happened at school, 8 o'clock sharp when Mrs Damsel was handing out the maths test forms out to everyone. Andi quickly reached under her desk to pull out her notebook when she saw a thin yellow square piece of paper, she pushed it further into the drawer and grabbed her notebook. But curiosity got the better of her and she just couldn’t restrain herself from reading but as soon as she had read it a sharp voice called out “ Andrea Carter!” all eyes turned to her. “ What are the school rules?” Mrs Damsel asked in a booming voice. ” No fidgeting in class, no whispering in class, don’t umm shout in class,... that's all I can remember” Andi replied everyone started whispering to each other. “ Is she going to detention? ” Ruby Gillas whispered “ Totally” Billy Ponal answered. “ SCILENCE! ” Mrs Damsel shouted, everyone was quiet “ As for your punishment, Andrea, you will read your note that you wrote” Mrs Damsel stated. “ But I didn't write -” Andi interrupted. “Do not interrupt me” Mrs Damsel screamed. “As I was saying you will read the note out loud to the class” Mrs Damsel said, calming down a bit “ Yes ma’am” Andi replied. Dear Mrs Andi I like your hair, and your wonderful stare ,your glossy lips, and your out standing hips You shine like the sun, I watched when you were young Your familiar face, gives me a wonderful embrace From : ? ? ? The class started giggling “Andi has a boyfriend, Andi has a boyfriend” Bruce Woodbell taunted. So it wasn’t a great day and she still hadn’t figured out who the letter was from. “ Uuugh, this is the worst day ever” Andi groaned.

Meanwhile . . . . “I am so sorry Mrs Damsel for the disturbance Andrea caused you, i will talk to her this evening” Mother said ‘

“ Indeed, she flipped the whole class upside down, I will be expecting better behavior in the future” Mrs Damsel said confidently.

“Of course,” Mother replied expressionless. At the table everyone was silent, Andi just couldn't bear it

“ I got a B+ for Algebra at school today ” Andi said half smiling

“ I expected more from you, Andrea, it seems like studying all night isn't enough, what is your score for Geography” Mother said,

Andi’s smile dropped “ F- “ She mumbled. “ Terrible, we must work on all the subjects before you go gallivanting with your horse” Mother said hoarsely. “ I think you are being too hard on Andi, Mother” Mitch Said

“ I agree ” Justin replied

“ Well, I think you two should be focusing on your own things, instead of barging in like this” Mother huffed.

“We were just making suggestions,” Mitch said bravely. Early in the morning… “Cock-a-doodle-doooo” the rooster crowed, Andi woke up with a start, it had been like this for a while Mother had brought a rooster as an alarm “It's cheaper” she had said. Andi quickly reached under her bed for her school bag and pulled it across the floor until she got to the door. Then Andi gripped her homework and shoved it into the bag, she opened the closet door and picked out her clothes. She hurried downstairs into the kitchen, and grabbed her breakfast and poured the cream on top of her porridge. “Andrea, finish up otherwise you will be late” Mother called. Andi ate up her breakfast so quickly that she almost choked, she ran to school just as the bell rang “ DONG DONG DONG”

Andi opened the school door she was the first one here besides Mrs Damsel.She was writing on the whiteboard, Andi took her seat and flipped her Geography book open and started studying. Eventually everyone arrived and school started, everyone took their seats just as Andi had done . “ Hello Mrs Damsel” everyone chanted

"Good morning class” Mrs Damsel said. “ I have an announcement to make, Samuel Crollie please come forward” Andi had a crush on Sam he was the cutest boy in the class. Sam stepped forward “Umm I just wanted to say that… I wrote the letter to Andi” He said shyly “Thank you Samuel for acknowledging that you wrote the letter” Mrs Damsel said.

Andi's Chocolate

 by Marlena

Seven-year-old Andrea Carter whooped with delight and urged her palomino mare Taffy faster. Her best friend Riley on his horse Midnight, galloped a hair's breath behind. “Faster Taffy Faster!” shrieked Andi, thrilled with the speed and excitement of riding. She and Riley were racing the quarter mile back to the barn and Andi was determined to win. She usually won, but Riley was a good sport about it and was always up for a rematch.

They thundered up to the barn and pulled up with Andi just ahead of Riley. “Yes!” Andi called, her heart hammering and breathless from excitement. “I won!”

“You sure did,” sighed Riley. “Taffy is getting faster by the day! Pretty quick old Midnight won’t be able to keep up! Will you, boy?” He affectedly rubbed “old” Midnight's neck.

Andi laughed and began to unsaddle Taffy. It was nearing suppertime and Riley had to go help Cook, but he stopped to help Andi lift her heavy saddle onto the saddle rack. “See you later Riley!” She called, heading to the house.

“See ya!” Riley ran lickety split to the cookhouse.

Someday Andi thought to herself, someday I’ll be able to handle my saddle all by myself. Then I can really go on rides whenever I want! Then she turned and hurried up the steps of the house, and into the kitchen, where Louisa was putting away some groceries her mother had gotten in town that morning. Andi came in just in time to see her put a big bar of chocolate in the cupboard. Andi stopped short in amazement. That was the biggest bar of chocolate she had ever seen! “Wow! What is that for Louisa?” Andi asked, her mouth watering at the sight.

“Horneando con… ¡Tu mamá quiere galletas!” (Baking with. Your Mama wants cookies!) Lousia smiled one of her rare smiles and winked at Andi. “Now hurry to supper child.” She shooed Andi out of the kitchen. Andi sat down at the table, but the roast and mashed potatoes didn’t smell as good now. Now her mind was full of chocolate…

Later that afternoon Andi was sitting beneath a tree watching Taffy graze in her favorite pasture. “Could I ask Mother for some chocolate?” Andi wondered out loud. “No, she would say no. Louisa wouldn’t give me any without Mother’s permission… But I haven’t had chocolate in ages! I want some so bad.” A plan began to form in Andi’s mind. She knew it was wrong, but that chocolate looked so delicious! “Tonight.” She whispered and shifted uneasily. Andi lay in bed that night with her clothes on. She was on top of her covers, doing her best to stay awake. She had heard Justin and Mother go to bed twenty minutes ago and was counting out fifteen more minutes for them to fall asleep. Then… Well, then she would have chocolate and nobody would know. “But God would know.” whispered her mind. “And it would be stealing. God hates thieves.”

Andi winced and rolled over, mentally blocking that voice. At supper that night she hadn’t been able to look at Justin or Mother and was nervous until she was safe in her room. Mother had asked twice if she was feeling okay. Hopefully they didn’t suspect anything!

The clock chimed eleven. Andi jumped awake at the sound. It was time to go! She slipped off the bed, opened the door and waited. Nothing. Andi gripped her shoes tighter in her left hand. Then she slowly slipped down the hall and stairs into the kitchen. The house was dark and shadowed. “Creeeeeak!” Andi jumped! “What was that?” “I’d better hurry.”

Opening the cupboard, she grabbed the bar of chocolate, and a thrill of excitement went through her. She could already taste the chocolate slipping down her throat! Grabbing a knife from a drawer, she walked to the back door and wiggled on her shoes. The door squeaked quietly, but Andi slid through and was off towards the barn. Once in an empty stall, she shut and latched the door. Then she unwrapped the end of the chocolate bar and set the knife a pinky finger away from the edge, ready to make a clean, invisible cut. “Click”

Andi’s head whipped around toward the door. The latch began to rise. Andi looked around wildly but there was nowhere to hide. The door creaked open. “Justin?!” Inwardly Andi groaned. She hadn’t even taken a bite!

“Andrea Carter.” It wasn’t an accusation. He said it as a fact. “You know you're not supposed to steal! The Bible says so.” Justin sounded tired. Andi bowed her head guiltily. “Why Andi?” Justin sounded so disappointed that Andi burst into tears.

“I'm sorry Justin! The chocolate just looked so good, and I haven't had any for so long, I just couldn’t help myself! I'll never, never do it ever again.”

Justin folded her in his strong arms and sighed. “I believe you Andi. But I need you to remember not to steal, so tomorrow you can muck out Mitch’s stalls as well as yours, and when Lousia makes the cookies, you may not have any. Do you hear me?”

Andi raised her head from her brother's damp shirt. “But Justin, mucking out all those stalls will take all afternoon! I won’t have any time to ride!”

“That's the whole point honey. Now off to bed, you have a long day tomorrow. Goodnight!”

Andi trudged back to bed, thinking about her adventure, the lost cookies and the chores in the morning. As she fell asleep, she whispered to herself, “Next time, I’ll just wait and eat the cookies.”

Love Note

 By Kiara S.

“Alright, class, recess is over,” Miss Hall announced as she stood on the porch of the two-story schoolhouse. After she walked back inside, twenty children, ages ranging from five to fifteen, clattered up the porch steps. 

As twelve-year-old Andrea Carter slid into her two-seater desk, Miss Hall started the history lesson. After a while, Andi started to get bored. Listening to how Isaac Newton discovered gravity was not interesting to her, so instead, she looked out the window and wished she were anywhere else. “I wish I were at the ranch right now instead of this stuffy schoolhouse. If I didn’t have school, then I could ride forever and do whatever I wanted,” Andi thought happily. 

Then reality kicked in. If she didn’t have school, her brother Chad would put her to work on the ranch. She would never get any free time if Chad were in charge. 

Andi was brought out of her gloomy thoughts by a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to the seat behind her, where her friend Rachel sat. “What?” Andi whispered so the teacher didn’t hear. 

Rachel just handed her a folded white note, then turned her attention back to Miss Hall. Andi took the note and carefully unfolded it, trying to be as quiet as possible. I have something important to ask you. Meet me at the back of the mercantile after school. Xoxo. 

Andi read the note again in her head, then looked around to see who had sent it. The x’s and o’s clearly meant it was a love note. But as Andi looked around, everything looked the same. Everyone was paying attention to the teacher. Well, almost everyone—Andi’s friend Cory wasn’t, but that was normal. He got put in the corner more times than she could count.

 “Maybe it is from Cory,” Andi thought. Then she giggled. If it were from Cory, then he would have to like her more than a friend, and she knew that wasn’t true. She giggled again at the thought. 

“What is so amusing, Andrea?” Miss Hall said, staring at her from the front of the room. The whole class was staring at her. 

“Nothing, ma’am. Sorry,” Andi said, ducking her head. 

“That’s alright,” Miss Hall said nicely. “Please go back to your studies, then.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Andi promised, but she knew she couldn’t until she figured out who sent the note.

 ******* 

As soon as Miss Hall said, “Class dismissed,” Andi was out of the schoolhouse and on her way to the mercantile. 

“Wait up, Andi,” Cory said, running up. “Is something wrong? You ran out of the school like your tail was on fire. Has something happened?” Cory said, concerned. 

“No, Cory. I just need to get to the mercantile so I can see who sent this,” Andi said, handing him the note. 

“I need to ask you something. Meet me behind the mercantile after school. Xoxo,” Cory read aloud. 

“At first I thought it was from you,” Andi said after Cory stopped reading, “but if it were from you, you would have to like me more than a friend,” Andi said, giggling. 

Cory just looked up and smiled. “And you don’t know who it’s from?” Cory asked, handing the note back. 

“No, which is why I was running. I got to see who it is before they leave,” Andi said. 

“Okay, then when you figure it out, tell me,” Cory said as he walked toward his house. “Good luck.”

 “Thanks,” Andi said as she started running again. “Finally, I’m here,” Andi thought as she stood in front of the mercantile and made her way to the back. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she saw a figure in the shadows. “Hello, who’s there?” Andi said into the silence. 

“Me,” the figure said, stepping into the light. 

“Jimmy Nelson?” Andi said, surprised. This was not what she had expected. 

“Yeah, it’s me,” Jimmy said. “By the look on your face, I guess you were expecting someone else.”

 “Sorry,” Andi said, shaking off the surprise. “I just didn’t know you liked me like that. I mean, you’ve never even talked to me.” 

“I know. I tried, but every time I saw you, I got scared, so I just never did,” Jimmy said, head down. After an awkward silence, Jimmy said, “So now you know who it is. What do you think?” 

“Umm… I’m sorry, Jimmy, but I don’t like you like that,” Andi said as nicely as possible. She didn’t want to hurt him. 

“Yeah, I thought so,” Jimmy said sadly. “Besides, someone else already likes you. I’ll be fine. Thanks for telling me the truth. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” And with that, he walked back into the shadows. 

Before she knew it, Andi was alone. Andi felt horrible, but what had Jimmy said? Someone else liked her. Who? 

“Andi, wake up. Andi, get up,” someone said, shaking her. 

“What?” Andi said, sitting up. She was still in her bed. 

“Good, you’re up,” Melinda said, getting off her bed. “It’s time for breakfast. Get dressed.” 

“It was a dream,” Andi whispered to herself. It felt so real. 

“Come on, hurry. We’re having pancakes,” Melinda said, leaving the room. 

“Yum, pancakes,” Andi said, smacking her lips. After she got dressed, she started heading downstairs, and her dream began to disappear. But one question stayed with her all morning: who else liked her?

Midnight Marauder

 by Marjory

After dinner, Andi slipped out to the stable to talk to Taffy, her beloved palomino mare. She talked to her heart’s content and decided to write in her journal, not noticing the winter darkness outside. 

 I was late to school today. Justin couldn’t drive me and I may have procrastinated and ate my breakfast slower than I should have. Mr. Foster marked me tardy, but something funny happened today.

 Andi pursed her lips and thought about how to write it when crunching footsteps came near the stable. Taffy pricked up her ears and looked intently at the door. 

Andi stared at Taffy’s paddock door, from whence the footsteps came. She had nowhere to hide. A bolt of panic shot through her. She got quietly to her feet and rested her hand on Taffy’s withers. The mare looked at her out of her sweet almond shaped eyes. Andi saw the fear mirrored in her eyes. 

Andi slowly backed to the stall door all the while looking frantically around her. Taffy’s stall was empty save for her, Taffy, the manger and the water bucket. There was nowhere to hide. 

Lord please help me. Andi prayed silently. 

Taffy stood stock still as the latch slowly began to lift. The metallic click was enough. Andi dove under the manger while Taffy sidled against that wall. Andi watched breathlessly as the door opened. What kind of night marauder could it be? 

Suddenly, the door shut. Footsteps retreated. 

Andi breathed a sigh of relief as Taffy sank down in front of her. She reached for her journal and began writing again. 

 Virginia was a goose again today. She stayed inside at recess while the rest of us trooped out into the snow to get a breath of fresh air. She spotted me playing Fox and Geese with the boys and Rosa. Sometimes I think she’s missing out on the fun things, but at other times I’m glad she doesn’t join in or we’d all be sitting primly with our hands folded and our feet crossed just so. 

Andi paused and started thinking. Mother says I should befriend Virginia, but I don’t think we’d be good friends. We are interested in completely opposite things. Oh yeah! The funny thing that happened today. Cory and Jack were whispering about something when Mr. Foster happened to look up. The boys could feel his eagle eyes boring into them so they slowly looked at him. He cleared his throat and they snapped back into focus. I was hard-pressed to keep my giggles inside. Again the footsteps, only this time they were walking with purpose. 

Thump went the journal, thud as it landed in the straw. Taffy lunged to her feet and virtually bored a hole in the door. This time the latch was a little faster. 

Andi panicked. She raced for the darkest corner of the stall and crouched there in a little ball. The door swung open. Andi’s heart raced and she sent up a prayer. Lord, please protect me and make this intruder go away. Amen. 

The door opened all the way and a man stepped in. Andi stared at his boots, then slowly her eyes traveled up his jeans to his shirt, then to his face. “Are you all right Andi? Mother’s been worried about you.” Mitch’s concerned voice asked as icy December wind blew into the warm stall. 

 “Mitch!” Andi sprang to her feet and embraced her brother in a hug, her fears washed away. It was no midnight marauder, just Mitch. “Thank you Lord.” She breathed before they walked back to the house. She stopped in the yard and gazed up at the sky. It was a clear night and the stars shone brightly in the velvety midnight blue sky. “God is so good, isn’t he Mitch?” Andi asked, her breath taken away by the majesty of the stars shining in the cold, crisp winter night. 

 “Indeed he is."

School Is Always Exciting

 by Christine

The sun was nowhere to be seen when Andi Carter woke that morning. She hurriedly dressed in a split skirt and blue checked shirt. “The first days of school are always the worst!” She complained as she headed out her bedroom door and quietly crept down the stairs to the sitting room. When she realized no one was there she decided to head out to check on her horse, Taffy. When she got to the barn she immediately started on Taffy’s stall. “I sure wish Mother would let me ride you to school. It would be so much better than having Justin drive me to and fro, right Taffy?” Then she quickly got to work cleaning out the horse’s stalls, adding fresh hay, checking water, and dividing out grain. When she left the barn to go back to the house the sun was brightly shining. I better hurry if I plan to have anyone happy with me this morning, especially Chad, she thought as she hurried to the door and quietly opened it.

“Andi!” Melinda called happily as she passed the door. “Come on and help me set the table.” Andi was relieved to be doing something. Maybe then no one would notice that she had not been there when everyone else had awoken. “I was wondering where you were,” Melinda said as she sat down the spoons around the table, then she handed the forks to Andi.

“I was just checking on Taffy like any other day,”

Melinda nodded. “I thought as much. Hurry up and then we can go help with the food.” They hurried off to the kitchen to check on Luisa. After a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast, Andi hopped into the buggy with Justin, he clucked to Pal and they headed into town.

“Justin, are you sure I have to go to school?”

“Your mother wants you to have an education, Andi, and she will stop at nothing for you to get it.” Justin answered.

“I guess you're right Justin, I'll just have to try to make it through today. Surely it'll get better after the first day.”

“Of course it will,” Justin replied confidently. “Now you can just come over to the office after school and I'll take you home.”

“Thanks, Justin!”

“You're welcome.” He said as they pulled up to the school house, Andi stepped out of the buggy and waved to Justin. Andi walked up to the school steps and sitting on them was a tall girl with blonde hair. She was wearing a long maroon dress and a straw sun bonnet. Andi had never seen her before. “Hello,” Andi said. My name is Andrea, but you can call me Andi.

“Hello, Andi,” she said. “My name is Mary Warren and I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Nice to meet you as well, Mary,” Andi replied. “Where'd you come from? I have never seen you before.”

“My family moved here from Colorado. My father said he wanted a change. He's lived in Colorado his whole life so we moved here,” Mary answered.

“Oh. Well I hope you enjoy living in California, Mary,” Andi replied. “ Thanks,’’ Mary said.

Then the bell rang and a herd of kids raced into the school house and found seats. Andi saw that Mary was sitting alone so she hurried over. “Want a seat partner?” Andi asked.

“Yes of course!” Mary smiled and slid over to the back of the seat to let Andi in. The first day was going perfectly up till the first recess, but when Andi returned her seat with Mary she saw a note on her desk. Andi smiled and thought, Cory’s always got to welcome me back unlike anyone else. A note instead of talking.

When she read the note though, she knew it was not Cory. The note was unsigned and Andi couldn't figure out what it meant. The rest of the day she pondered the note until school let out. Andi said a hurried ‘goodbye’ to Mary before racing toward Justin’s office. Justin was coming out as Andi was going in and they crashed into each other.

“Slow down, little sister,” Justin laughed. “I was just coming to get you.”

“Justin,” Andi said breathlessly. “Someone put this note on my desk, what does it mean?” She handed Justin the note.

Justin’s eyes went wide when he read the note. “Read it aloud Justin, maybe I need to hear it a different way,” Andi said.

“Miss Andrea Carter, your brothers are the wealthiest ranchers around, either bring money to the train station or you will never see your golden friend again.” Justin read.

“My golden friend? Who could that be?” Andi wondered aloud. “Wait, Justin, they must have Taffy!” Andi cried.

Justin hurriedly helped Andi into the buggy and they headed for the Circle C. When they got there Chad was perched on his horse, Sky. “Chad what’s going on!” Justin called as fifteen or so ranch hands came galloping to Chad.

“Taffy and Panda have been stolen,” Chad answered. “You and Andi stay here and guard the place while we go find them.”

“Chad wait,” Andi called “I got a note at school that says unless they get money that I will never see Taffy again.”

“Don’t worry Andi, I'll get Taffy back for free,” Chad said. Then he left with the ranch hands galloping off behind him.

Justin and Andi guarded the barn and house until that night at around 9pm, when Chad and the others came trotting up. “Taffy!” Andi cried running toward her mare. Taffy nickered a greeting.

“Where’d you find her, Chad?” Justin asked.

“Five men were leading Taffy and Panda up near the Hollister place we caught ‘em and Sheriff Tate has them now.”

“Thanks, Chad,” Andi said. “Now us Carters can go to bed!” Everyone laughed.

Amazing Grace

 By ThatOneAndiFan

By ThatOneAndiFan, based off of ‘God hath given and he hath taken away,’

“Gray, you’ll be late!” Levi Swanson yelled from the bottom of their staircase. The Carters were coming to supper at the Swanson household, and they were almost there. Grace (nicknamed Gray) made her way downstairs. She was twelve, and she had the same style as Levi’s aunt Andi when Andi was twelve. Overalls and braided hair. Gray looked almost identical to Andi.

Knock, Knock!

The Carters knocked on the door. Levi and Gray opened it. The Carters walked inside. So did Aunt Andi, Uncle Riley, Jared, Lilly and Lottie. Gray and Lottie talked about their horses, who were twin fillies.

“Sunshine is doing great, Gray! How’s Moonshine?” Lottie asked.

“She is beautiful! Guess what I did? I can use one of those weird saddles, the English, I think it’s called. I can do something called Dressage, and show jumping!” The part about the English saddle was louder so everyone could hear. “Cool! Can you teach me?” Lilly asked. Gray turned to her Papa, Levi. “Please? Supper isn’t done for another hour or so!” Levi nodded and the girls ran outside.

Following Gray

“Your saddle and saddle pad look weird!” Lilly told her. Gray saddled up Moon with her odd looking saddle and described the reins. “The reins are different from western. See this?” She held up the reins in a full circle. She then went over some fences on her horse. “How cool is that? Let’s go put Moon up.” She led the horse to the barn. A loud noise stopped her in her tracks. She let the horses loose. She looked over to see a large funnel, right in front of the twins. She dove over and pushed the girls out of the way, putting her in the way instead.

following Levi

“yeah, Gray is doing good.” Levi said. Lottie and Lilly burst in tearfully.

“Gray was riding and we put Moon up and- and she pushed us away from the tornado!” Lottie said before bursting into tears again. Levi ran to the open door and looked outside. Horses whinnied, but one cry was heard above the others.

“Papa! Help!” A loud crack sounded as the tornado disintegrated. It sounded like a board breaking. It sounded final. Like life wouldn’t be the same anymore. A pang of sorrow sounded on Levi’s heart. He let his silent tears run down his cheek as Riley and Chad helped him to a chair. He tried to hide it— to be strong. But he couldn’t. When no tears came, hiccups came instead. He sniffed up his sadness— or at least it looked like.

“Let’s go find Grace.” Levi said, his voice betraying his sorrow. He stood up and sat on the remaining horses, the only saddles left was Gray’s. She had put a name tag on it, to make sure Gray didn’t lose it. A small note peeked out from her saddle.

Dear Papa,

Ever since Mama died, I’ve been scared I would. Read this when I go to join Mama.

I love you. At my funeral, sing the song Amazing Grace— the nickname you gave me.

never forget how much your Amazing Grace loves you- how God loves you even more.

Love, Amazing Grace.

Levi read the note and told the family what it said. He stopped trying to look strong and sank to the ground, crying once again.

GRACES FUNERAL

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound!

That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost

but now I’m found was blind but now I see.

Levi sang. He knew everyone was almost as sad as he was. He knelt over and pressed a kiss on his fingers then to his late wife’s gravestone. “Take care of our little amazing Grace.”

Levi walked away, back turned to the late family’s gravestone.

Lord, help me to have courage in losing Kimberly and Grace. I love you, amen.

five years later

“Faith! Hiram! Dolly! We’ll be late for Church!” Levi yelled up the stairs. He pulled his wife, Abby into a hug and prayed. Lord, I am so glad you let Graces death bring me closer to you. You gave me Faith, Hiram, and Dolores. You gave me Abby and you gave me a stronger faith. He clutched Grace’s locket, which he had found and put it around his neck. He went nowhere without it.

“Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now, I’m found. Was blind, but now I see.” The congregation sang. Levi almost heard Grace singing along with them.

His amazing Grace.

Marbles

 By Laya E.

“Class, pull out your workbooks and read pages 15 to 22.” Mr. Foster dictated.

Andi reached into her desk, and opened her blue workbook. Beneath the cover of rustling pages, a white paper was passed to her. Andi unfolded the note, and quickly scanned it. It was from Johnny Wilson, challenging her to a game of marbles at recess.

Andi grinned. Johnny would lose a game of marbles to even Rosa! She thought. She pulled out a sheet of paper, dipped her quill in ink, and wrote back to Johnny, passing it across the aisle to Cory.

Mr. Foster was looking at her, so Andi ducked her head and began reading the long lesson about the Tibetan Sea. After reading was writing, then history and so it went until Mr. Foster finally said, “class dismissed.”

There was a clatter and banging as the students hurried to put their books away, gather their lunch pails, and be the first one out the door. “What was that note all about?” Cory asked her as they clomped down the steps.

“Oh, Johnny challenged me to a game of marbles.” Andi replied.

Cory laughed. “Johnny’s the worst marble player in all of Fresno Valley; but I guess he just thinks he’s got a good chance of winning against you.”

Andi sat down on the bottom step and opened her tin lunch pail. She unwrapped her sandwich, and took a bite. As she ate, she watched the little kids playing in the dusty school yard.

Just then, Johnny came sauntering up to her. “You ready for the game?” He said with a smug smile.

“Sure am.” Andi replied. She winked at Cory, who grinned back. Andi flicked her shooter to the middle of the circle. Three marbles shot out and Andi collected them.

And so the game went until there were no more marbles left. Andi dumped her marbles on the hard ground and counted them. Nine! Cory gave a low whistle. “You beat him easily; Andi.” He said.

“How many marbles do ya have?” Johnny asked.

“Nine.” Andi replied with a smile.

“What? No way!” Johnny exclaimed angrily. By now, the whole school was watching. Everyone knew that Johnny hated to lose. If you won against him, you were in trouble.

Cory stepped in front of Andi. “Don’t get mad just because you lost, Johnny Wilson.” He warned.

“It’s humiliating to lose, especially to her.” Johnny said. “I’m gonna get revenge.” He roughly grabbed Cory, and shoved him aside.

Jack Goodwin stepped forward. “Johnny, quit it.”

“I’ll do what I like.” Johnny snarled back.

Don’t. Andi silently mouthed to Cory. You’ll just get beat up. I can get away.

Cory nodded, and shook his head warningly at Jack, who had picked himself out of the dust and was starting towards Johnny.

Andi quickly darted to the side, like a little trout, then dashed off to the back alleyways, Johnny Wilson in hot pursuit.

Andi knew that Johnny was getting madder by the minute. To begin with, she and Johnny had not been on good terms. Then she had beaten him at a game and proved that she was faster than him.

Andi ducked into the back of Mr. Goodwin’s Mercantile, and hid behind a wooden barrel. God, help me. She prayed. Please help Johnny Wilson to see that he shouldn’t get so mad just about losing. She recalled Matthew 5: 43,44:

‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;’

Andi listened carefully to make sure Johnny was gone, then crept up from her hiding spot. The best thing right now is to go home. She decided. She took the back way out of town, and began walking. Andi was so tired. Every single bone in her body was complaining, and she felt parched. Andi didn’t know how long she’d been walking in the dry California desert, but it felt like days. Maybe I should’ve waited for Justin. She thought. I’ll just lay down for a little while. She plopped down on the dirt, and lay back, staring up into the blue sky.

Andi woke to the gentle rocking of a wagon. She cracked open one eye, and looked out. Justin was in the front seat, driving the wagon with a worried expression on his face. “Justin?” She croaked. “Oh honey, you’re awake!” Justin exclaimed.

“What happened?” Andi asked.

“I was on my way to pick you up from school, but instead I found you sleeping under the blistering sun.” Justin explained. “What in tarnation were you doing?”

Andi sighed. Should I tell Justin about Johnny Wilson’s bullying? A little voice inside her whispered; that would be the right thing to do. Andi began. “Well, you see it started like this….”

The story came rushing out of Andi like a river as she told Justin what had happened. When Andi finished, Justin sighed. “Andi, you should’ve known better to play a game against Johnny when you knew you would win.”

“Well, I couldn’t help myself!” Andi protested.

Justin just shrugged. “I’ll tell you what.” He said. “I won’t mention this to anyone. You didn’t get hurt badly, just a sunburn. I won’t mention this to Mother or anyone else.”

“Oh, thank you, Justin!” Andi cried. Then she prayed: Lord, thank you for giving me an understanding brother and for keeping me safe, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 106:1 THE END