Astra Read Online Free PDF

don’t know.” He ran a hand over his short, military-style haircut. “I suspect she ate something poisonous. I’ve drawn blood for a chemistry panel so we can figure out what’s wrong. But that will take several hours to come back, and she’s so far gone Mr. Henley decided to have her put down now.”
    Lily’s heart faltered in her chest. “You can’t!” she cried. “There’s got to be something you can do. You went to veterinary college. You’re smart…” A tremble started deep inside her and worked its way outward, causing her whole body to shake.
    The vet took off his coat and placed it around her shoulders, then stood and peered over the stall door at Astra. He rubbed his hand across his brow as if he were trying to scrub away a tough decision. “I’ve done everything I can think of, Lily. I’ve filled her with the best medicines, but nothing is working. There’s been no change at all, except a worsening of all her vital signs.” He turned back to Lily. “I know how much this horse means to you, but it’s time to let her go.”
    Lily froze, afraid to breathe or even blink. Maybe if she stood motionless, the world would stop, too? Astra would be fine, and everything would go back to normal.
    Mr. Henley called from the doorway, his voice roughened with impatience. “Lily, let’s leave Dr. Tison to do his job. It’s time to go.”
    Memories raced across Lily’s mind: seeing her mother on Astra, their talks about placing Astra in the Tevis Cup, her own hopes to take over that dream someday and make her mom proud…
    She turned to look back at Mr. Henley. He watched her expectantly, his car keys jingling as he tapped them against his leg.
    With sudden clarity, Lily knew what she had to do. She bolted for the stall door, dodging around the surprised vet, and swung the door open just enough for her to squeeze through it.
    â€œLily, come back here!” Dr. Tison’s voice echoed through the quiet barn. Several horses nickered in alarm.
    The reality of seeing Astra lying in the middle of her stall stopped Lily in her tracks. The mare’s sides rose and fell with each struggling breath. Sweat marks darkened her neck and flanks, and the shavings around her were strewn wildly about as if she had been running in her dreams—or nightmares.
    Lily dropped to her knees and threw her arms around the mare’s neck, pressing her cheek into Astra’s mane. She gave up trying to hold back the tears and let them flow freely. “You can’t die, girl. It’s not fair! You’ve still got the Tevis Cup to run in. You’re going to make us all proud.”
    Mr. Henley and the vet entered the stall. Lily thought they might try to forcibly remove her. She hung on tight to Astra, choking on the tears that ran down the back of her throat.
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, Lily. What in the world are you doing?” Mr. Henley placed his hands on his hips and sighed in exasperation. “You’re only postponing the inevitable with these stalling tactics.”
    â€œSteven…” Dr. Tison shot him a glance that said he didn’t approve of the owner’s approach.
    â€œShe can get better,” Lily hiccuped again. “You’ve got to give her a chance! I know Dr. Tison can save her.” She looked up at the vet, but her eyes were blurred with tears and she couldn’t read his expression. “P-please?” It was all she could utter before huge, choking sobs took over, threatening to cut off her air.
    Mr. Henley reached down to help Lily up, but the big veterinarian stayed his hand. “Let her be, Steven. Can’t you see the poor kid is miserable? This was her mother’s favorite horse and we’re about to put her down.”
    â€œI realize that,” Mr. Henley said. “But the best thing to do for her is to take her home so she can be with her family. And