Diamond Spirit Read Online Free PDF

‘What did she mean by that?’ she said to Shara.
    Shara rode up next to her. ‘Who cares? She’s a slaggy ho-bag.’
    ‘What did she mean by other people’s horses ? What other horses?’
    ‘How would I know, I wasn’t there,’ snapped Shara. ‘She probably just made it up. God, she annoys me. Come on, let’s go down near the sawmill and try out some of our new jumps.’ She trotted off.
    Jess followed. ‘Shara, wait!’
    Before she could catch up, Shara was cantering over a large open field.
    Near where Slaughtering Creek met the Coachwood River, the grass grew long and wispy, brushing the bottom of the girls’ boots and rustling in harmony with the distant hum of farm machinery and intermittent bird calls. But the seemingly tranquil setting belied the edgy feeling it gave Jess. It was very close to the old drover’s yards and horrible images of Diamond’s legs were leaping into her thoughts. She brought Dodger back to a walk and tried not to look in the direction of the cattle grid.
    Jess saw a tall man heading their way, calling out to them. As he got closer, she realised it was Lawson Blake, a local farrier – and he was carrying a gun. ‘Shara, wait up!’ she called out.
    Shara slowed to a walk.
    ‘You kids get out of here,’ Lawson yelled.
    ‘You can’t tell us to leave,’ Shara retorted. ‘This is Crown land.’
    Jess pushed Dodger into a trot and caught up with her. ‘Let’s just go, Shars.’
    ‘I’m fed up with people stirring up my cattle,’ Lawson shouted, waving an arm at them. ‘Move it, and take those bloody dogs with you or I’ll shoot ’em.’
    ‘We haven’t been anywhere near your cattle,’ said Shara. ‘We’re just riding through.’
    ‘Well, you just keep on riding, and don’t come back.’
    Shara ignored him. ‘Come on, Jessy. Let’s do some jumps. He can’t tell us what to do.’ Before Jess could protest, Shara kicked her mare into a canter and pointed her towards a pile of logs.
    Lawson spat on the ground, then raised his gun. ‘I’m warning you,’ he yelled.
    Shara kept riding.
    Lawson shook his head and then the sky exploded.
    Dodger went to pieces. He spun on his hind legs and threw his head back, his huge skull smacking into Jess’s face with a sickening crunch.
    She fought to open her eyes as he began to spin on the spot. The tighter she held him, the more he turned in crazy, dizzying circles, around and around, tossing his head frantically. Jess screamed.
    ‘Jess!’
    She couldn’t tell where Shara’s voice came from. It was like being stuck on the worst ride at an amusement park with the lights turned out.
    ‘I’m coming, Jessy. I’m coming.’
    The reins were pulled from her hands. ‘Let go of his head, Jess. I’ve got him. Let go.’ A hand grabbed her arm. ‘Jump off! I can’t hold him much longer.’
    Jess let herself collapse off the horse. Dodger broke free and she listened to the fading drum of his hooves as he bolted into the distance.
    She spat a glob of blood from her mouth and tried to get her breath back. Her face burned with a vicious heat and when she opened her eyes, she could see only grass.
    ‘I can’t believe he shot you!’ Shara gasped, and looked behind her. ‘Oh no, he’s coming over!’
    Jess swung an arm at her. ‘He didn’t shoot me, you idiot,’ she lisped through her swelling mouth. ‘Dodger headbutted me. I told you he was dangerous.’
    ‘Jessy, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have . . .’ Shara looked over her shoulder again.
    ‘You shouldn’t have just taken off like that,’ Jess shrieked. ‘What is with you lately?’
    Shara tried to help her up. ‘I didn’t mean to . . .’
    ‘Dodger has playing up all day, or haven’t you noticed?’ Jess pulled herself up off the ground and pushed Shara with both hands.
    Shara staggered backwards. ‘Hey!’ she yelled. ‘I was trying to cheer you up!’
    ‘By putting me on some half-wild brumby and nearly getting me killed?’
    ‘No. I . . .’
    ‘Just