Maggie Cartwright: Book 1 Bad Choices

The finding

I woke up early the next morning and pulled on my clothes.

"Morning Hop-Sing!" I said as I walked into the kitchen.

"Hop-Sing make rolls for you." He said as he set a nice pan of perfectly baked rolls.

"Thank you!" I said, getting one and eating it as I went back into the sitting area. I was bored. Definitely bored. My eyes rested on my pa's desk. He has been aching that it needed cleaned out and organized. Organizing was something I was good at. Why not. I went over to the desk and pulled open the top drawer. I pulled out everything then put it in place nicely. This wasn't gonna be too hard.

~

I was on the second to the last drawer. It had been an hour of working, and I was so done with it already. I finished the drawer and opened the bottom one. I pulled out a bunch of papers and rested them on the table. One slipped out of the pile and I reached down to get it. My eyes glanced over it and I noticed a word.

Adoption Paper

I stared at it, not sure if I should continue to read. Why did pa have an adoption Paper in his desk? I read farther down and my heart leaped into my throat.

This paper insures that Mr. Ben Cartwright has legally adopted Maggie Grace Stoner.  

I dropped the paper, and quickly shoved the others into the drawer in a mess. I slammed it shut and picked up my hat, walking outside. Tulsa raised her head and looked at me. I quickly claimed over the fence and wrapped my arms around her neck. Tears started falling freely. How couldn't they have told me. Does this mean I'm not even Cartwright blood? I was so hurt and shocked all at once. Tulsa sensed my sadness and lipped at my hair. I turned and rubbed her nose. I didn't even know how to feel about this.

"I guess it's just you and me now." I wiped the tears from my eyes. I knew what I needed to do, but could I do it? I walked over and grabbed Tulsa's saddle and saddle blanket. I gently put the saddle blanket on her and threw the saddle up on her back. I cinched it up as she was busy eating. I patted her neck. She took the saddle much better today. I bridled her with ease, very happy with her improvement. I think Joe may have been wrong about her. I gathered the reins, mounting her. I settled comfortably into the saddle. I nudged her and she started walking around the paddock. I heard hoof beats galloping towards the house. The sheriff and posse appeared around the corner of the barn.

"May I help you sheriff?" I asked, reining Tulsa to the gate.

"We've been wondering if you have seen this man? Goes by the name of Lucky the Kid." The sheriff showed me a paper with his face on it. There was a $500 dollar reward to find him dead or alive.

"I haven't seen him. I'd sure recognize him if I did. My brothers and pa are out rounding up cattle. They should be back late tonight or early tomorrow morning." I said as Tulsa shifted her weight.

"Thanks Maggie. Nice filly." The sheriff complimented as he tipped his hat.

"Thanks." I smiled, patting her neck. The sheriff and posse rode off, leaving me and Tulsa.

"I trust you. Let's take a small lap around the ranch." I said. "I need to think." I leaned down and opened the gate. I nudged Tulsa out and trotted her over to the house.

"Hop-Sing!" I yelled, waiting for him to open the door.

"Yes?" He said, opening the door.

"I'm going to take a lap or two around the ranch." I said, turning Tulsa around.

"Okay. Be careful." Hop-Sing said.

"I will." I trotted out of the yard and along the path. Tulsa handled herself beautifully.  There was a clear stretched ahead and she extended her trot. I loosened my rein and gently applied pressure with my heels. She broke into a extended canter. I applied some more pressure and she broke into a gallop. She galloped along the path. I buried my hands into her mane as she flew along. A smile spread across my face, every thought disappearing from my mind. I sat back in the saddle, pulling on the reins. She didn't slowly down, and I tried staying in control and not panic.

"Whoa Tulsa." I said, pulling back on the reins harder. She tossed her head as she slowed, showing discomfort of the bite in her mouth. She slowed down to a trot, and I patted her neck.

"Good girl." I smiled. We trotted back to the ranch and I dismounted at the barn. I lead her inside into a stall. She didn't spook or seem uncomfortable. I untacked and gave her grain and water. I sat in the stall with her, watching her eat. A heavy sadness rested on my heart. I looked out the barn door, a tear sliding down my cheek. I knew what I was going to do. I stood up and walked out of the barn, into the house. I went upstairs to my room. I grabbed my saddle bags and filled one with 2 changes of clothes and some soap and my hair brush. I would fill the other with food. It would be a good few hours till sundown, so I went back downstairs. I was too jumpy and nervous to read a book. I sighed, not knowing what to do to burn time. I guess I could go muck the stalls. I went back to the barn and got the wheelbarrow, going to muck stalls.

~

The sun started to set as I went back inside to clean up for supper. I sat at the kitchen table with Hop-Sing for supper. After I had my fill, I dismissed myself to bed. I took a bath before I changed into clean clothes. I heard Hop-Sing go to bed, and waited half an hour. I snuck out of my room and down the stairs, holding my saddle bags and a blanket in hand. I put my belt on and made sure my gun was loaded. I grabbed a box of ammo, putting the bullets in the slots in the belt. I took my rifle out of the stand, making sure it was loaded.  I grabbed a couple apples, some rolls and a couple cookies. I stuff them into the saddle bag then snuck out the kitchen door. I ran to the barn, seeing Tulsa waiting for me.

"It's time to leave this place. Maybe we'll go to California. Or even Mexico. We're gonna have a good life away from here." I said as I tacked her up. I tied my blanket and saddle bags to the saddle after putting her bridle on. I put a rifle carrier on the saddle and put the rifle snug inside it. I led her out of the stables, and mounted. I made her walk out of the yard until we were a good distance from the house so Hop-Sing wouldn't hear us. I nudged her and we cantered away, towards California.