2- Dangerous Decision

Andi’s frightening experiences with an outlaw captor result in a new understanding of what the Golden Rule really means.

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Chapter One

Racing into Trouble

San Joaquin Valley, California, Late Summer, 1880

Twelve-year-old Andrea Carter wrapped her fingers around the reins of her palomino mare, Taffy, and glanced at the rider to her left. Her friend Cory caught her look and grinned. He blew a strand of straw-colored hair from his forehead and tightened his grip on his own mount—a large chestnut gelding.

“I’m gonna beat you today, Andi,” he said. “You wait and see. I can’t hold my head up in this town anymore—not since the Fourth of July.” He leaned over the side of his horse and lowered his voice so only Andi could hear. “You winning that race was nothin’ but luck. And I’m gonna prove it.”

Andi tossed one of her thick, dark braids behind her shoulder and laughed. “Flash couldn’t beat Taffy back in July, and he sure can’t beat her now. I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.”

“Because you like to race as much as I do,” Cory shot back. He turned to the dark-haired boy standing on the ground beside the horses. “You ready, Jack?”

Jack Goodwin nodded. He stepped up and balanced himself on the corner of a nearby watering trough. In a loud, clear voice he announced the coming race. “Ladies and gentlemen of Fresno! Step right up for the match race of the season.”

A few curious citizens stopped at the sound of the boy’s voice. When they realized the race involved nothing more than some idle youths wasting time, they shook their heads and continued down the boardwalk.

“Get on with it, Jack!” A tall, redheaded boy called from several yards away, where a handful of children had gathered to watch. “It’s hot out here.”

“Aw, keep your shirt on,” Jack said. He cupped his hands to his mouth and continued his speech. “This race is for the 1880 fall championship of the county. Riding the sleek chestnut gelding, Flash, is Cory Blake. Cory’s pa runs the best livery in the whole valley.”

“We know who’s riding Flash,” another boy yelled.

“I’m puttin’ up the prize money,” Jack snapped, “so I can do the announcin’ any way I like.” He raised his voice. “Next to Cory, mounted on the beautiful palomino mare, Taffy, is Andi Carter. Most of you know her folks own the biggest spread around these parts. Finest horseflesh in—”

“Hurry up!” Cory cut in.

“Please, Jack,” Andi pleaded. “It’s mighty hot.”

“Oh, all right.” Jack took a deep breath and looked at the riders. “Listen up, you two. This match race is a short loop around town. It starts here, in front of the mercantile. Turn right on Tulare and head outta town ’til you come to Kincaid Vineyards.”

Andi opened her mouth to tell Jack she knew the course better than he did, but clamped her jaw shut when he waved an impatient hand in her direction.

“You each snatch a bandana from Ike and head back to town,” Jack went on. “Past the schoolhouse. Turn right on J. I’ll be here with the prize for the winner.” He held up a silver coin. “A dime’s worth of anything in my pa’s store!” There were cheers and shouts from everyone but Andi and Cory.

Cory rolled his eyes. “We shoulda raced real quiet-like—just you and me—before half the kids in town found out about it,” he told Andi.

Andi nodded but didn’t answer. Her gaze was fixed on Jack. 

He jumped down from the wooden trough, bowed for his audience, and lifted his arm. “Go!” He dropped his arm to his side.

Flash and Taffy leaped forward as one. Shouts of “go, Andi” and “you can beat her, Cory” exploded from the sidelines. 

Joy surged through Andi as she nudged her horse into a gallop. Cory was right. She loved to race. There was nothing she would rather do. She didn’t care if the sun beat down on her bare head or the wind against her face felt hotter than a blacksmith’s forge. 

I’m racing, and I’m going to win!

Andi and Cory galloped their horses along J Street. The buildings blurred together into one continuous streak of boards and brick. The Arlington Hotel blended into the hardware store and pharmacy. The Sequoia Restaurant appeared as a smudge of glass and color.

Cory swerved to avoid a buckboard wagon, giving Andi a sudden, unexpected advantage. The red-faced driver stood up and shook his fist. He shouted something Andi couldn’t make out, which was probably just as well.

She passed the Fresno Weekly Expositor newspaper office and flew around the corner of Tulare Street. The sound of hoofbeats a few feet away spurred her to go even faster. Cory was making up for his unexpected interruption.

Andi knew her friend was partly right about the Fourth of July. Sometimes luck did play an important part in a horse race. Cory’s gelding wasn’t named Flash for nothing. He could very easily gain the lead. 

Andi pulled a little farther ahead of her opponent. A finger of worry tickled at the back of her mind. Racing down Tulare Street was risky. She’d have to pass right by her oldest brother’s law office. Although Justin was remarkably patient with her most days, Andi doubted he’d approve of her racing through town at breakneck speed. 

Before she knew it, the danger of discovery was past and she was heading out of town. Cory galloped up alongside her, gave a cheerful wave, and pulled out ahead. Andi leaned forward and willed Taffy to catch up. They were neck and neck when Kincaid Vineyards came into sight.

Andi reined Taffy to a dead stop in front of a tall, smiling youth. Dust flew everywhere. She snatched the bandana from Ike’s hand and drew Taffy around in a sharp pivot. Cory was right beside her on Flash, pleading with his horse to go faster.

“Come on, Taffy,” Andi encouraged her mount. “You can beat that ol’ gelding any day.” The palomino leaped forward, gaining speed on the flat stretch of road that led back into town.

In no time, Andi found herself in the lead, racing down the final stretch of the course. She flew past Davy Cooper, who was sitting on the steps of the two-story schoolhouse, looking bored. He jumped up when he spotted the riders and waved them toward the finish line.

Andi glanced over her shoulder and flashed Cory a smug grin. He’d never catch her now. It was only a few more blocks.

“Andi! Look out!”

Cory’s shout sliced through Andi’s triumph. She whirled, gasped, and gave the reins a frantic jerk. “Whoa!” 

Taffy planted her hooves in the dusty street and nearly sat down. A thick cloud of dust engulfed horse and rider. The mare struggled to regain her footing. She reared up with a frightened whinny.

“Easy, girl,” Andi patted her horse’s neck. “It’s all right. Settle down.”

Taffy snorted and tossed her head. Her hooves crashed to the ground only inches from a figure sprawled in the middle of the street. More dust puffed up. 

Andi waved the fine powder away from her face and leaned over Taffy’s neck for a better view. “Oh no!” Her stomach turned over. 

A man lay sprawled on his back in the middle of the street. His eyes were squeezed shut, and he’d flung his arms across his head as if to ward off a blow. Two traveling satchels lay open beside him, with books and papers scattered in disarray. A few sheets of paper drifted away on the afternoon breeze.

Andi slid from her saddle and dropped down beside the man. “Are you all right, mister?” Her voice shook. Oh, please let him be all right, she silently prayed. 

Slowly, as if he couldn’t believe he had escaped death, the stranger lowered his arms and opened his eyes. He didn’t answer Andi. Instead, he groaned and pulled himself to a sitting position. He seemed dazed.

Cory ran up. “Is he hurt?” 

“I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything yet.” Andi laid a hesitant hand on the man’s arm. “I’m really sorry, mister. Can I help you up?”

The man blinked and glanced around. Then he narrowed his eyes and pierced Andi with an angry look. “Let me be, you young ruffian!” he snapped, suddenly alert.

Andi jumped up in alarm. The bandana she’d been clutching fell from her hand. “Are you hurt? Do you want me to run for the doctor?”

“Certainly not.” The man struggled to his feet and began brushing dust from his well-tailored, dark-blue suit coat. He coughed, took a few cautious steps, and let out a relieved breath. “No bones broken.” He glared at Andi. “No thanks to you. Is this the usual welcome a stranger receives in this dusty frontier town?”

“It was an a-accident,” Andi stammered. She picked up a book, dusted it off, and held it out. “Honest. I didn’t mean to run you down. We were racing and I didn’t see you—”

“Shame on you!” He snatched the book from Andi’s hand and stuffed it into his satchel. “No reputable family would allow their daughter to make a public spectacle of herself—racing through the streets, trampling innocent bystanders.” He brought his dust-caked face close to Andi’s. “Do you realize I could have been killed?”

Staring into the man’s dark, furious eyes, Andi knew he spoke the truth. Another step or two, and Taffy would have run right over the top of him. He might have been killed or crippled. Shivers skittered up her neck. She swallowed her horror and whispered, “Yes, sir. I’m very sorry.”

The stranger snorted his opinion of Andi’s apology. He reached down and began gathering up his scattered papers. “Rowdy, undisciplined youngsters. The sheriff will certainly hear about this.”

The sheriff? Oh no! “Please, sir, let me help you carry—”

Cory tugged on her sleeve. “I’m getting outta here,” he whispered in her ear. “He’s not hurt, and he sure doesn’t want our help.” He edged closer to his horse, pulling Andi along. “We’d best give him a chance to simmer down.”

Andi was too frightened to stay behind by herself. Trembling, she mounted Taffy and nudged her mare into a jolting trot.

“Wait! Don’t you kids run off!” the stranger bellowed. “We’re going to see the sheriff.” 

Andi watched Cory gallop down the street to safety. Then she pulled Taffy to a stop. Her fingers gripped the reins in indecision. What should I do? Follow Cory? Try to apologize again and ask the man to leave Sheriff Tate out of this?

Fear won. 

Andi urged Taffy back toward the center of town. She glanced over her shoulder in time to see the man snatch up his satchels, hurry across the street, and disappear inside the schoolhouse. The door slammed shut. 

“We’re in a heap of trouble,” Andi told Cory when she caught up. “We shouldn’t have run away. When Sheriff Tate finds out and tells our folks . . .” Her voice trailed away in misery.

Cory slowed his horse to a walk. “He doesn’t know who we are. Besides, it was an accident. Give him a day or two and he’ll forget all about it.”

“You didn’t see where he went,” Andi said. “I did. He walked into the schoolhouse like he owned it.” She gulped. “You don’t suppose—”

“Don’t even think it.” Cory cut her off. “He can’t be the new schoolmaster. Your brother wouldn’t agree to hire such a bad-tempered man . . . would he?”

Andi didn’t know, nor did she care to guess what Justin and the school board had been up to this summer. “But what if he is?” 

Cory sighed. “If he is, then you’re right. We are in a heap of trouble.”

Chapter Two

Reluctant Student

The first day of school dawned clear, bright, and hot. It was a beautiful morning, but Andi didn’t notice. She hadn’t noticed much of anything for the past week. She was too busy trying to figure out a way she could avoid the fall term of school—and the new teacher. She had yet to come up with a plan her mother might believe. Her offer to stay home and help put up the fall harvest had fallen on deaf ears.

“I thought offering to peel hundreds of apples was a pretty good idea, Taffy.” Andi leaned against her horse and sighed. She’d managed to slip away to the barn after breakfast for an early morning conference with her four-hoofed friend. “But Mother just smiled her I-know-what-you’re-thinking smile and said I could help on Saturdays.” 

She reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a handful of hard, white lumps. “Here. I brought you a treat.”

Taffy greedily accepted the offering of sugar and devoured it in one quick bite. She nuzzled Andi’s hand, as if hoping to find another treat. When no more tasty white lumps appeared, the mare shook her head. Her ivory mane flew into her owner’s face.

Andi brushed it aside. “Oh, Taffy! What if the man I nearly trampled turns out to be the new teacher? I can’t face him. I’ve got to figure out a way to stay home.” 

Resting her head against Taffy’s warm flank, Andi closed her eyes and tried to come up with a plan. She didn’t have much time. Any minute now, Justin would be along to drive her to school. Let’s see. I could jump off the barn roof and break an arm or a—

“It’s time to go, Andi.”

Andi’s eyes flew open. She pushed away from Taffy and faced her brother, who was leaning over the half door of the stall. “So soon? Couldn’t I stay home a couple more days?”

“Nope,” Justin replied crisply. “Mother made it perfectly clear at breakfast this morning. Let’s not go over it again, please.”

Andi sighed. It was clear that Justin was in no mood to sympathize with her. She threw her arms around Taffy’s neck. “I’ll be back this afternoon,” she whispered into the mare’s ear. “If it’s not too hot, we’ll go for a long ride.”

Andi shuffled out of the stall, latched the bottom half of the door, and followed Justin outside. She blinked when the early morning sunlight struck her face. The day held the promise of unrelenting heat.

She glanced at her family’s Spanish-style ranch house. Its white stucco walls glistened in the sun. The red-tiled roof added a splash of color to the brown and barren landscape of a dusty California summer. Huge valley oaks and well-watered gardens surrounded the house and many of the outbuildings, offering a refreshing place to rest and relax during the heat of the day. 

To exchange this pleasant setting for the inside of a schoolhouse was the last thing Andi wanted to do today—or any day.

“Mornin’ Andi,” a cheerful voice called from across the yard. “You look like you’re on your way to prison.”

Andi shaded her eyes. Her brothers Chad and Mitch stood near the corral, saddling their horses for the day. “I am!” She waved and ran over. “School is the closest thing to prison I can think of, specially on a beautiful morning like this. You should’ve been at breakfast, when Mother handed down the sentence.”

Mitch planted his wide-brimmed hat onto his blond head and winked at her. “What you need is a good lawyer, Sis. Maybe you can ask big brother to appeal your case.”

“Not likely. Justin’s on Mother’s side.” Andi stepped onto the bottom railing and peered into the large corral, where the working horses were kept. Half a dozen cowhands were roping and saddling their mounts for the day. They all wore expressions of excitement and expectation. 

Andi gazed with longing at the horses. Her brothers and the ranch hands got to ride, while she had to go to school. “Where are you off to?”

“We’re going after the rogue stallion,” Mitch said. “Chad’s bound and determined to get those mares back.”

“What?” Andi jumped down from the fence. She ignored Justin’s loud warning that she would be late for school. “You mean that big, dappled-gray fella who’s been running around the range like he owns it?”

“That’s the one,” Chad said. He finished cinching up his saddle and looked at his sister. His blue eyes flashed. “That maverick has stolen his last mare.”

Andi scuffed the dirt. “I sure wish I could go along.”

“Sorry, Andi.” Chad swung into his saddle. “Maybe some other time.”

“Is Melinda going?” she asked with a twinge of envy.

A quiet chuckle relieved Andi’s fear that her older sister might accompany the men on their search for the stallion. “Melinda says it’s too hot to go chasing after wild horses,” Mitch said, pushing back his hat. He leaned toward Andi and lowered his voice. “Justin looks a mite impatient. You’d better go before he comes after you.”

Andi tried to hide her disappointment at being left out of what would surely be an exciting day on the ranch. Why had Chad picked today of all days to go after the stallion and his stolen band of mares? 

No fair! 

She turned away from the corral and kicked a rock. Dust billowed up then settled onto her polished high-top shoes. When she looked up, Justin was shaking his head. She bent down, brushed the dust from her shoes, and hurried over to the buggy. 

Her friend Rosa was already waiting in the buggy when Andi climbed in. The Mexican girl’s shiny black hair was twisted into a long braid and tied with a red ribbon. Her dark eyes danced with excitement when she greeted Andi with a cheery buenos días.

“Hi, Rosa,” came Andi’s less-than-cheerful reply.

“Are you feeling better about going to school?” Rosa chattered away in Spanish. “I couldn’t help overhearing the argument this morning when Mamá and I were serving breakfast.”

Andi slid over and made room for Justin, who flicked the reins. The horse took off at a lively trot. “No,” she replied. “I feel worse than ever. I just learned that Chad and Mitch are going after Whirlwind.”

Rosa wrinkled her forehead. “Whirlwind?”

“That’s what I named the stallion that showed up a few weeks ago. None of the ranchers will claim him. Nobody knows where he’s from, but he’s bent on gathering up every mare on the range. I’ve seen him a couple of times. He’s fast as the wind. It sure would be something to go along and watch the boys catch him.”

“Sí,” Rosa agreed loyally. “I am sure it would be.”

Andi squeezed her friend’s hand. She knew Rosa had no interest in horses. With a quick glance at her brother, Andi leaned close to Rosa and lowered her voice. “I bet if Father were alive, he’d let me skip a day of school to go after Whirlwind with Chad and Mitch.”

“No, he wouldn’t,” Justin said in English.

Andi opened her mouth to protest, but quickly changed her mind. Arguing with Justin never got her anywhere. He spent his days arguing cases in court and knew all the tricks. She was better off saying nothing at all.

Justin gave the horse another slap of the reins. “What’s the matter, Andi? Up until a week ago, you and Rosa were all fired up about the new term. Now you want to back out. That’s not like you. Is something wrong?”

Andi shrugged. Something was wrong, all right. It hung over her head like a storm cloud ready to burst. No matter how hard she tried to feel excited about school for Rosa’s sake, her stomach churned at the thought of meeting the new teacher. 

What if Cory was wrong? What if the schoolmaster had figured out who Andi was? What if he’s waiting in the classroom, ready to pounce the minute I sit down?

She sat stiffly between Rosa and Justin and clenched her fists in her lap. She didn’t feel like talking anymore.

The hour-long trip into Fresno, which on other days flew by, dragged. At long last, Justin pulled up next to the schoolyard and brought the buggy to a halt. “Well, that was the quietest drive into town I’ve had in a long time.” He chuckled. 

When Andi didn’t respond, Justin said, “Come down to my office after school and I’ll give you a ride home.”

“Gracias, Señor Justin,” Rosa said. She jumped lightly from the buggy.

Andi started to follow, but Justin laid a hand on her arm. “Not so fast, young lady.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” She sat back down and groaned inwardly. Justin was looking at her with his serious, I-want-to-talk-to-you expression. “What about Rosa?” Andi nodded toward her friend, who had moved off a discreet distance to wait. “I shouldn’t leave her alone—not on her first day of school.”

“Rosa will be just fine,” Justin said. “I’d like to know what’s troubling you. Every time the subject of school has come up this past week, you look ready to run for your life. Why?”

Andi shrugged and stared at her lap. I should tell him. I really should. But the words stuck in her throat. “I heard there’s a new teacher,” she said instead.

Justin nodded. “You heard right. So?”

Andi glanced up at the two-story schoolhouse and made a face. “I don’t want a new teacher.” 

“You begged for a new teacher all last term,” Justin reminded her. “I seem to recall hearing about spitballs, peashooters, and Johnny Wilson at least once a week.”

Andi frowned. Me and my big mouth. She suddenly wished she’d kept her school problems to herself. She could take care of Johnny the bully. But a new schoolmaster? Especially one she’d almost killed?

She shuddered.

“Things are going to be different this year,” Justin went on. “We divided the school and hired a new teacher. Miss Hall will continue to instruct the little ones, while Mr. Foster will manage you older, more challenging students upstairs. He assured the school board that he will restore order and discipline—something that’s been sorely lacking these past two years.”

“A mean, strict schoolmaster? But Justin—”

“Behave yourself, and you won’t have a thing to worry about.” Justin tweaked one of Andi’s long, dark curls. “Don’t fret, honey. Mr. Foster seems like a fair and honest man. Perhaps a little more straitlaced than you and your friends are used to, but he’s from back East. He’ll learn our ways, and you’ll adjust.”

Andi wasn’t so sure about that. A city slicker trying to manage a classroom full of ranchers’ and farmers’ kids? He was in for a surprise.

“Mr. Foster has a daughter,” Justin said.

That brought Andi up short. “A daughter?”

“Two, actually. I met the girl your age when Mr. Foster came by the office to sign his contract. She seems like a nice, quiet young lady. Perhaps you could show her a warm California welcome.” He paused, as if expecting a response.

“Uh, sure, Justin.” 

Justin sighed. “Listen, Andi. Mr. Foster left his position as headmaster of a prominent school back East to move his family out here. It’s been a difficult adjustment, so I don’t want you giving the man any trouble.”

Andi cringed. She never purposely gave anyone trouble. Trouble just seemed to follow her around—like last Saturday’s disaster.

Justin was still talking. “Mr. Foster’s going to have his hands full enough as it is, without you adding to his problems.” He pulled a copy of the Expositor from his leather satchel and handed it to her. “Take a look at the story near the bottom of the page. It’s not the welcome I would have chosen.”

Andi took the newspaper and began reading. “‘From Gerald Foster, our new schoolmaster, we learn that quite an excitement was stirred up the other day down in front of the grammar school. It appears that a couple of young rowdies gave the teacher an unforgettable welcome to our fair city by nearly stampeding him with their horses. Mr. Foster has taken the matter up with the sheriff and hopes to quickly identify and bring the offenders before Judge Morrison on a charge of—’”

Andi caught her breath. “Malicious mischief!” It was a serious charge. She tossed the paper onto Justin’s lap. She couldn’t read any more.

This is getting worse and worse. I have to tell him.

Justin folded the paper. “I told Sheriff Tate that my money’s on the Hollister kids. They’re a wild bunch and wouldn’t think twice before tearing through town on their horses or roughing up the new schoolmaster.” He shook his head. “And the Hollister kids are the least of his worries. There’s Johnny Wilson—”

“It wasn’t Sadie and Zeke Hollister,” Andi blurted, before she changed her mind.

“Oh?” Justin raised his eyebrows in interest. “You know who it was?”

Andi nodded. “It was . . . Cory and me.” She swallowed. “Mostly it was me.”

“No!”

“It was an accident.” Her words rushed out. “Cory and I were racing, and I didn’t see him. Honest, I didn’t. It happened so fast. He came out of nowhere. But you should’ve seen Taffy! She can stop on a dime. And a good thing too. Not a hoof touched Mr. Foster.” 

She paused at the dismay written all over Justin’s face. “Well,” she offered in a tiny voice, “it could have been worse.”

Justin sat motionless, staring at the newspaper on his lap.

“Justin?” Andi whispered. “Say something.”

“What do you want me to say? The Expositor made light of the incident, but it’s no joke. You’ve certainly gotten yourself into a fix this time.”

Andi hung her head. “I know, and I’m sorry. But I have an idea. Let me wait in your office while you write up some fancy legal papers to convince Mr. Foster to drop those malicious mischief charges.” She looked up. “You can do that, can’t you?”

“Not today, I’m afraid. Preparing Jed Hatton’s defense is taking all of my time. The trial’s only a few weeks away.”

Andi sighed her impatience. “He killed Mr. Slater, Justin. He’s just a dirty old drifter who—”

“Who is innocent until proven guilty.” Justin frowned. “Don’t listen to gossip, Andi. It’s dangerous and stirs folks up. Next thing you know they turn into a lynch mob.”

When Andi didn’t reply, Justin stepped out of the buggy. “It’s time to go.” He reached out a helping hand. 

The big-brother talk was over. 

Andi took Justin’s hand and hopped to the ground. “What about Mr. Foster? I can’t go to school until this is settled.”

“Oh yes you can, and you will.” Justin climbed back into the buggy and lifted the reins. “If I find the time, I’ll see what I can do to help you out, but for now you’ll just have to make the best of it.”

He chirruped to the horse and drove away, leaving Andi standing in the street.

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