Scarecrow on Horseback Read Online Free PDF

foot in his cupped hands. Up she went,
managing to swing her other leg over the saddle without hitting
anything. And there she sat, mounted with the reins held properly
for riding English style, but she was on a western saddle with a
leather horn in front of her. Instinctively, she grabbed it.
    “No need to hold the horn. It's just there
for emergencies.” Sally gently corrected her hands on the reins.
The horse stood as statue-still as Mel could want. “Feel
comfortable?”
    “No.”
    “Come on. You're doing fine. Just touch her
with your heels to start her walking. I'll stay with you. I
promise.”
    “Why do I have to walk?”
    “You won't have much fun standing still.”
    “I'd have more fun with both my feet on the
ground.”
    “Don't be ornery, Mel. This isn't about fun,
is it?”
    She thought of Jeb. “I'm sorry about how I
acted in the barn yesterday,” she'd told him when she'd followed
him into the tack room and found him alone there.
    “Okay, no big deal,” Jeb had said. “But when
you got a job to do, you got to do it all the way.”
    “I know. I'm sorry.”
    “Okay,” he'd said and offered her a quick
smile of forgiveness.
    Riding Lily was harder than making apologies.
Mel felt awkward with her long legs pushed wide by Lily's broad
chest, and her shoulders pushed back in an attempt to sit straight.
“Am I sitting right?” she asked Sally.
    “Sure.” Just relax. No need to grip her with
your knees, but you might tighten up on the reins a little. She
needs to know you're in charge.”
    “You lead her for me, Sally.”
    “Hey, aren't you too old for a pony ride?” He
shambled off to the railing on the opposite side of the barn,
leaned back, and folded his arms. “Tug your reins to the right a
bit. Walk Lily over here. Come on. You can do it.”
    “You said you'd stay with me,” Mel grumbled.
She remembered how helpless she'd felt on Wonder Boy, unable to
make him do anything he didn't chose to do.
    “Nudge her with your heels now,” Sally
said.
    No way could Mel nudge Lily to get her
started. No way could she move. She hated riding. She hated sitting
on a horse's back and pretending she could control a big powerful
animal by the touch of a heel or the movement of her hands.
    “Come on, Mel. Try it. I'm only four horse
steps away. Walk her over here.” He crossed one boot over the
other. Now he was tied hand and foot to himself.
    Fury melted the fear in Mel. Sally was
forcing her to choose—roll off Lily and give up her chance to be
with the horses on the ranch, or try to regain control of her
muscles and make Lily walk toward him. She glanced down. She could
just flop onto the dirt, get up and crawl out of the barn, and
never speak to Sally again. But he was her friend, the only
possible human one she'd found here. And Lily was waiting calmly,
as if she wanted to be guided.
    Mel swallowed hard and quavered, “Come on,
Lily. Go.” She pushed her heels up and back against the mare's
side. Lily took a couple of steps forward and stopped.
    “You're holding the reins too tight,” Sally
said. “She thinks you want her to stop.”
    “Come on, Lily, go,” Mel said, annoyed now.
She released the reins slightly and nudged harder. Slowly, Lily
walked across the barn. Mel steered her more to the left toward
Sally, who was grinning triumphantly. Mel stuck her tongue out at
him.
    “I suppose I look ridiculous up here. Why
aren't you laughing?” Mel asked.
    “What do you mean? You look fine. Like you'd
ridden all your life. You and Lily look good together.”
    “Oh sure.” She didn't believe him, but at
least he wasn't making fun of her.
    “How about taking a tour of the ring?” Sally
asked. “See if you can walk her around in a circle. You could even
lope if you've a mind to.”
    “I don't have a mind to,” she said crossly.
“Come on, Lily.” She laid the reins over Lily's neck, and the horse
turned obligingly. A gentle nudge of the heels and Lily ambled away
from Sally toward the