Golden Filly Collection One Read Online Free PDF Page B

it over.”
    “Okay, boss lady. Let’s go.”
    Within minutes they had the two animals saddled and ready. The bay colt stood calmly until Brad boosted Trish into the flat racing saddle. Before she could finish gathering the reins, the bay exploded. He reared, then pounded both front feet into the shavings. As Brad grabbed for the bridle, the colt lunged away from him.
    Trish clamped her legs and tangled her fists in the colt’s mane. “Whoa!” she commanded as she tried to tighten both reins, remain in the saddle, and get control of the plunging animal.
    “You crazy idiot!” Brad muttered as he leaped again. “Calm down!” This time he clamped his fist around one of the reins where it clipped to the bit. He jerked savagely. With a last snort, the bay stood still, his eyes rolling white.
    “Would you lead him to the track?” Trish whispered as she fought to stop the trembling in her hands.
    “You’re as crazy as he is,” Brad growled. “Put him away for now.”
    “No.” Trish was adamant. “He’s got to learn he can’t act like this. He can’t develop bad habits.”
    “Trish!”
    “No, I’m okay. Lead us out there, then come with the filly. We’ll trot a couple of laps, gallop a few more, and then take them to the gates. Maybe he’ll get the idea when he sees how easily the filly handles the gates.”
    Brad glared up at her. “Come on, then, stubborn.” He pulled on the bridle.
    “You talking to me or the horse?”
    “Take your pick,” Brad said without turning as he left them on the dirt track, then added, “Trish, be careful.”
    Willingly, as though he’d never caused a ruckus in his life, the colt struck out in a smart walk.
    After both horses had cantered the track several times, Trish pulled the colt back to a walk, waiting for Brad to catch up. “Let’s go round once together at a good clip, then breeze ’em once. Okay?”
    “Fine with me,” Brad replied, his grumpiness gone with the feel of obedient horseflesh beneath him. “Do you want me to push her?”
    “Yeah. Let’s give this colt a run for his money.” She slapped her mount lightly on the shoulder.
    At the marker, Trish gave the bay his head. “Come on, fella. You wanted to run so bad, so here goes.” With a lunge he lengthened his stride, then settled into the rhythm. His pace quickened steadily as he heard the filly coming up on the inside. Trish tightened the reins, allowing the filly to pull even at the shoulders, then the nose.
    The bay tugged at the bit, begging for a looser rein. “Okay, boy. Let’s see what you can do.” Trish let him have his head.
    Slowly the bay inched ahead of the filly. First by a nose, then a neck.
    As the filly dropped behind them, Trish tightened the reins, slowing the animal’s driving pace. Within a few strides, both animals were back to a slow gallop.
    “Pretty good, wouldn’t you say?” Trish shouted, riding high in the saddle.
    “Mighty fine.”
    They slowed both animals to a walk. “Let’s go work the gates while this guy is too pooped to fight.” As they reached the entrance into the center field of the oval track, Trish heard a car horn. “We’ll do this another time.” She trotted back toward the gate, Brad beside her. David came up to meet them.
    “How’s Dad?” Trish slid to the ground.
    “They’re still at the hospital.” David’s voice caught in his throat.
    “Trish, it’s bad.”
    “How bad?” She couldn’t speak above a whisper as she rubbed the bay’s nose.

Chapter
    05
    I t can’t be bad, Trish thought as she stared at David with unseeing eyes. I’ve been praying—praying for this mess to be healed right away. Or at least for there to be some medicine to take care of it. Dad says God can take care of anything. Now Dad’s the one that’s sick. None of this makes any sense. She shook her head. Her fingers automatically smoothed the horse’s silky hide as she leaned against the colt’s shoulder.
    “Trish?” David spoke softly at