Maggie Cartwright: Book 1 Bad Choices

Rescued

The sun had barely peaked around the horizon when I heard a commotion and I opened my eyes.

"No sir, we haven't seen her. We are just trying to get to California." Louie and Rick stood out on the porch. Lucky was inside, pointing a gun at me.

"I see." I recognized the voice. It was the sheriff! I let out a muffled scream. Lucky cocked his gun, pointing it at my head.

"What was that?" The sheriff asked.

"Oh uh, the teapot. Rick, go get if off the fire!" Louie said Rick quickly ran inside.

"Keep her shut up!' Rick whispered.

"Don't worry, I will." Lucky said, putting the gun to my head.

"You haven't met anybody who went by the name of Lucky the Kid, have you?" The sheriff asked.

"Blue eyes, light brown hair, tall." The sheriff said.

"No sir. We'd definitely know a guy like that if we saw him." Louie hollered.

"Already then. I'll be on my way." The sheriff said. I started loosing hope. I started rubbing my face against my shoulder, trying to get the gag off my face.

"HE-" Lucky's hand went over my mouth. We waited in silence. Louie looked out the window to see nothing.

"He's gone." Louie said. Lucky then raised his fist and punched me in the jaw. I cried out in pain. It was enough to make my nose bleed as I felt the liquid trickle down my lips.

"Don't you ever, ever try that again." Lucky said, glaring at me.

~

The sheriff rode into the Ponderosa at the sped of light 3 days later, dragging Tulsa beside him. 

"Ben! Ben!" The sheriff said, quickly dismounting. A tired looking Joe walked out of the house.

"I found Maggie. I think." The Sheriff said. Joe instantly lost the tired look on his face as he saw Tulsa.

"Where?" He asked.

"2 guys is holding a girl captive in a cabin about a 3 days ride from here." The sheriff said.

"PA, HOSS, ADAM, GET OUT HERE!" Joe yelled as he went into the barn. Joe gave up the search about 4 days ago when he came up empty handed. Joe heard them talking to the sheriff as he tacked Cochise up. He had tacked Buck up also when his pa came in.

"Thanks Joe." Ben nodded to his boy. Joe mounted Cochise while still in the barn and kicked the horse. He took Tulsa from the sheriff. The sheriff lead the boys out towards the cabin.

~

I have been here for over a week. I was so weak, and tired. I got slapped again today for collapsing on my feet, which made my nose start bleeding again. I couldn't even wipe it off as it ran down the gag and into my mouth. I hated this. The sun had set, and everybody was sleeping. Tears rolled down my face. I wanted to go home. I wanted to go back into my own bed, and see Tulsa again. I missed her so much. I also missed Joe and everyone. I heard horses approaching, and my heart raced. Suddenly, Lucky was wide awake.

"Alright, don't come any closer." Lucky said once he broke a window to point his pistol threw.

"We know you got my sister. And we want her back." I cried in relief, hearing Joe's voice. I screamed through the gag, hoping they would hear me.

"Shut up!" Lucky yelled at me. Louie and Rick were up at this point, breaking windows to shoot out of.

"Don't come any closer, or I'll shoot her. She isn't even you're sister. Her name is Maggie Carterson." Lucky yelled.

"No. Her name is Maggie Grace Cartwright. And she is family. She my sister, daughter to Ben Cartwright." Joe yelled. I never felt happier hearing that. Lucky got away from the window, looking at me. He took the gag off my face.

"You tell them to leave, or I'm gonna shoot you." Lucky said, untying my hands. He pushed me out the door, standing far enough back so just you could his pistol pointing at my head.

"Go away. Please. They'll shoot me if you don't. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have ran away-" I was jerked back into the house, then put in the chair. I was tied back up and gagged.

"You heard the girl." Lucky shouted. There was silence out side. Suddenly, blood splatter on the wall as Louie dropped dead. I let out a scream. Then Ricky. Lucky went to point his gun at me when he gripped his chest. His gun fired, and I let out another scream, feeling the bullet enter my arm. The door burst opened as Joe kicked it down. He rushed over to me, and I saw a tear run down his face. He pulled the gag off me and quickly untied me. I threw my arms around him, crying into his shoulder. He stood up, holding me in his arms.

"It's okay, you're safe now." Joe said, rubbing my matted hair. I'm sure I smelt like a pig stye.

"Did the sheriff figure out I was here?" I asked as Joe lowered me to the ground.

"Yea. He heard you screaming through the gag." Joe said, wiping the tears off my cheeks.

"He also found Tulsa near this place." Joe said.

"Is she here now?" I asked. Joe nodded. I walked out the door and saw pa walking towards the cabin. I quickly ran and gave him a hug, trying not to wince at the pain in my arm.

"I'm sorry." I wept.

"No, I'm sorry. I should have told you." Ben sighed. I let go, seeing Tulsa. I walked over and gave her a nice pat on the neck.

"Wait, what's on you're arm?" Joe asked, slowly grabbing it.

"He shot me." I whimpered. Joe turned to look at the three dead bodies with his jaw clenched.

"I just want to go home." I said, still crying.

"Okay, let's go home then." Joe said as he took a bandage out of his saddle bag and wrapped my arm with it. He helped me onto Tulsa's back. He climbed on Cochise, leading Tulsa by the other rein. I was tired, but I dare didn't fall asleep. For some reason, I knew this wasn't over. It was going to be a good 3 day ride back, and I didn't have a doctor.