Willow King Read Online Free PDF

two-year-olds in Oregon. And after that? Maybe she’d point him toward the Portland Derby, or even the Kentucky Derby. Who knew how far this colt could go?
    King whinnied as he tried to stand and nurse, but his legs collapsed, and with them Katie’s dreams. She moved into the stall and gingerly wrapped her arms around the colt’s rib cage, helping him up as he tried to rise again. Shakily, he rose to his feet and made loud sucking noises, his pink tongue curling out of his mouth.
    â€œHold on, little guy, you’re not there yet.” She helped him fumble his way to his dam and smiled as he suckled greedily. “They say every race begins with the first step. We may be way behind, but we’re not out of the running yet. Eat all you can, because you’re going to need your strength. Tomorrow we begin your lessons.”
    When Katie left the barn, she headed for the back pasture, intent on seeing just how badly the fences needed mending. She had ridden in that field for years but had never really paid much attention to the state of the fences. No animal had been turned out there since before she could remember. The man her parents had bought this place from had raised Black Angus cattle, but Katie’s family had never had more than a horse and a few chickens.
    Someday, if everything went well, these fields would be full of Willow King’s offspring. Maybe then they’d be able to fix up the old barn and the small house they lived in.
    Katie smiled to herself. This back field was so far from the house that it was easier to keep livestock in the front pastures. But the grass was deep back there. It would be good for King to grow on.
    As she trudged through the fields, she felt a niggling pain in her hip. She wished that she still had Jester. He could cover this ground in a matter of minutes. Her heart ached at the thought. She hoped Cindy would treat Jester well. If she didn’t, maybe Katie could find a way to sneak him back and hide him in this pasture. She knew the plan was ridiculous, but it made her feel better all the same.
    By the time she had reached her destination, her jeans were soaked to the knees. It hadn’t rained since yesterday morning, but the drops were still on the grasses and plants. And now they were all on her.
    She looked around the field and frowned. There were fence boards down everywhere. But at least none were missing—just fallen off the posts. This looked to be a big job. She’d better get to it today, while the sun was still out. In Oregon, you never knew when the rain would start.
    Katie made her way back to the house and changed out of her wet jeans. Then she gathered up her dad’s old tool belt, a hammer, and lots of nails, while her mother packed her lunch.
    â€œAre you sure you don’t need any help, honey? That sounds like a mighty big job.”
    â€œNo, Mom. This is Saturday, your day off. You work too hard as it is. I’m just going to do a little bit each day. I should be done in a couple of days.”
    â€œHave you ever nailed anything before, Katie?”
    â€œOf course I have. I hung that picture of Grey Dancer in my bedroom. A fence post can’t be much different.” She didn’t like the way her mother smiled at her—as though she knew something that Katie didn’t. With a quick wave, she turned and headed back to the far pasture. This time, she rode her bicycle. It was easier on her joints.
    Katie had her rain pants on now, so she arrived dry and comfortable. She stretched and took a deep breath of the clear, cool air. Everywhere, as far as she could see, the land was green and dotted with pines. This was a good place to grow up—for her and for Willow King.
    Katie walked to the first loose board and lifted it off the wet ground. Something fuzzy skittered across her fingers, and she screamed and jumped back, throwing the board to the grass. Her heart was in her throat as she crept forward to see