Silver Spurs (2 page)

Chapter Two

Kate twisted her hair around her finger and leaned back in the worn-out lawn chair parked outside the barn door. “I'm tired. I didn't know this place needed so much work. We've done a lot this past week, and we're still not done.”

Tori took a drink of her soda. “I'm thankful we had Colt's help, or it never would have gotten done.” She peered at the boy tipped back in the lounge chair with his eyes closed. They'd met him shortly after Kate arrived in town, but he was already becoming a good friend. “It started out dirty, but it's getting better.” She pointed at Kate's face and smirked. “I think you got most of the dirt on your face. And your brown hair looks gray with the dust and cobwebs all over it.”

“Gross!” Kate sat up and batted at her hair. She hated spiders more than anything! Snakes she could deal with, but those eight-legged little creatures gave her the creeps.

Tori choked back a laugh. “Sorry, I was teasing about the cobwebs. But your hair
is
gray.”

Kate flopped against the chair and groaned. “Thanks a lot. At least I don't have straw in my hair and mud on my nose.” She grinned, knowing how much Tori disliked looking grubby.

Teasing her best friend took Kate's mind off her sore feet and aching back. Besides, Tori always got even, as she'd proved with her crack about the cobwebs. “I guess we should water Capri and toss her some feed now that the stalls are clean.”

Soft footfalls sounded behind her, and Kate turned. “Pete. What's up? Want to sit with me, Colt, and Tori?”

Colt sat up and smiled at Kate's little brother. “You can sit with me, buddy.”

Pete scuffled one foot back and forth, back and forth, his brown head bowed.

Tori glanced at Kate, then sat up slowly, swinging her legs over the edge of the lounger and scooting over, resting her shoulder against the raised back of the chair. “Hey, kiddo. I have half a package of M&M's left. Want some?” She dug into her pocket and took out a crumpled packet.

Pete shrugged but shifted his feet a few inches her direction.

She patted the seat beside her. “Come on. There's plenty of room. I saved you all the red ones.”

His eyes flitted up, and then his gaze darted away, but he sidled closer until he was within reach.

Kate smiled, relieved that her little brother was responding so well to Tori. Her friend wanted to work with disabled kids when she grew up, and she'd connected with Pete from the moment she met him. Kate loved Pete more than almost anyone in her life, but it was hard to imagine having the patience to spend hours with a roomful of people who needed so much help. That made her friend even more special.

Kate leaned toward Colt. “Don't feel bad. He doesn't know you very well yet, and Tori's his favorite right now. Especially since she has M&M's.”

Pete sank slowly onto the lounger next to Tori but still didn't meet her gaze. He held out his hand and waited as she tumbled a pile of M&M's onto his palm. “Thank you.” The simple words were low and soft.

Tori's face lit up in response. “You're welcome. Hey, do you want to see what we've been doing in the barn?”

He shook his head and hunched into a ball. “Just want candy.”

“Okay, that's cool. You can sit with us as long as you want.”

Colt pushed to his feet and stretched. “I'd better get going. I still have homework to do, and Mom told me I had to get it done before tonight, since we've got a superbusy day tomorrow.”

Kate looked up at the boy who was taller than she was, something that didn't happen a lot at her age, since she was taller than most of the boys in her seventh-grade class. “Thanks, Colt. You've been awesome. We couldn't have done this without you and Tori.”

Pete eased out of Tori's chair. “Going to the house now. M&M's are all gone.” He held up his hands but still didn't meet anyone's eyes.

Colt grinned. “I'll walk him to the house, since my bike is parked by your door. See you guys later.”

“Bye, Colt.” Tori waved. “I'll bring more candy next time I come, Pete.”

Pete didn't reply, but Kate was sure she saw a tiny smile play at the corners of his mouth. “You're so good with him. Once we have a trainer and learn more, maybe we can teach Pete to ride.”

The smile eased off Tori's face, and she sighed. “At least you and Colt each have a horse to take lessons on when you hire an instructor.”

Kate sat up with a jerk. “
If
we get an instructor. Mom and Dad haven't decided yet.”

“Well, they said yes to thinking about taking horses to board. And you'll be able to use Capri for lessons.”

“Hey, you're my best friend. I'm not going to leave you out.”

“Not like you have much choice. I'll never get a horse.” Tori scrunched her brows. “I can be your groom.”

The muscles in Kate's stomach tightened. Tori became her best friend not long after Kate and her family moved to Odell in March. She hated hearing the hurt in Tori's voice. “No way.” Kate jumped from the chair, knocking it onto its side. “Come on.”

“What?” Tori sat still and stared up at her. “I've done enough work today. I want to drink my pop.”

Kate giggled and reached for Tori's hand, excitement surging through her. “Get out of that chair. Hurry up.” She pulled Tori to her feet. “I've got a plan, and you're going to love it.”

Tori swung into step with Kate. “What's up?”

“You'll see. Help me tack up Capri.”

“Huh?” Tori put on the brakes. “You rode her before I came.”

Kate swung around, allowing a grin to spread across her face. She couldn't wait to see Tori's reaction. “I know. Stop with all the questions and help me, all right?”

Tori shuffled forward. “Okay, okay. You're awful bossy.”

“You'll be glad in a few minutes.” Kate reached for the royal-blue halter and matching rope hanging on a horseshoe hook next to the stall door. She slid the door open, then slipped a carrot out of her jeans pocket and handed it to her snuffling mare, who always seemed to know when treats were near. “There you go. You'll get more later, girl.”

Tori jogged to the tack room, brought back the box of brushes, and set them down. She made another trip, returning with the saddle and pad. “When are you gonna tell me what you're up to?”

Kate rushed through grooming her horse, then tossed the brush into the box and swung the saddle pad onto Capri's back, ignoring her friend's question.
Tori'll love this. I just know it!
“Grab her bridle with the snaffle bit and a lunge line. Oh, and my helmet.”

“Sure thing,
boss
.” Tori shot her a mystified look and disappeared into the tack room again. She came back with the helmet, bridle, and lunge line clutched in her hands. She set the helmet on top of the grooming tools and waited till Kate cinched the saddle and reached for the bridle. “Enough already. Spill.”

Kate grinned. “You're going to ride Capri too. I'm sharing her with you!” Why hadn't she thought of this before? Her friend wanted a horse in the worst way, and she was right. Her parents couldn't afford one. Best friends were supposed to share everything—secrets, dreams, clothes. So why not a horse?

Tori backed up a step. “No way. I'm a beginner, and she's a lot of horse.”

Kate dangled the coiled, thirty-foot lunge line with confidence. “That's what this is for, silly. I'm not going to turn you loose on my horse. We'll walk her around in a circle today so you can get used to her. By the time we have a trainer and boarders wanting lessons, you'll be ready.”

“I don't know. I haven't ridden much.”

“Just put the helmet on and quit worrying.” Kate grabbed the black helmet and shoved it into Tori's hands. “Breeches would be better, since they're more comfortable, and I wish we had English chaps so the stirrup leathers won't pinch your calves, but your boots and jeans will work. Besides, you won't be riding long enough or fast enough to be bothered. I think you're set.”

Kate slipped the bit into Capri's mouth and slid the headstall over her ears. After securing the straps, Kate snapped the lunge line to the circular bit ring. “Come on.” She led her mare into the arena and stopped her next to a mounting block. Capri stood with her head down, apparently not too excited about her second ride of the day. “Use this to step up on. You won't pull the saddle off that way.”

Tori walked up the three-step mounting block, then paused. “Do you want me to hold the reins?”

“Sure, but not very tight. Go on. Swing up.”

Her friend did as she was told and settled gingerly into the saddle. She picked up the reins, pushed her feet into the iron stirrups, and smiled. “This isn't so bad. But you know I've only been taking lessons on Lulu at the other barn, and Capri is a lot taller than a pony.”

Kate laughed. “Yeah. Capri is over sixteen hands. You ready?” Her excitement built. This was one of the best ideas she'd had in a long time. They could share Capri when they took lessons, and Tori wouldn't feel left out all the time.

“I guess.”

“You'll be fine.” Kate moved to the inside of the arena and clucked. Capri walked forward, ears flicking and tail swishing. This was easy. Pride swelled in Kate's heart. She'd made the right decision sharing with Tori. There was nothing to being a trainer or giving lessons to a beginner. As long as Capri was secured with a lunge line, nothing could happen.

The mare walked at a sedate pace around the perimeter two times, and Kate made a decision. Tori sat comfortably and seemed to be enjoying herself. “I'm going to ask her to trot.”

“No! I don't want to. I've only ridden Lulu a few times, and she's short and feels different.” Tori grabbed the front of the English saddle as Capri moved into a faster gait. Tori's body bounced with the horse's motion, and her legs slapped the saddle fenders. “Stop her, Kate.”

“Whoa.” Kate yanked the line and stepped toward her mare, but Capri didn't listen. She snorted, shook her head, and picked up her pace, settling into a canter.

“Kate!” Tori's voice rose to a shriek, and she leaned over the mare's neck, gripping her mane. “I want off
right now
.”

Fear shot through Kate. “Pull back on the reins.” She walked a couple of feet closer to the center of the circle. “Capri. Whoa, girl. Easy.” The horse skittered sideways away from Kate, giving a hop-skip as Kate edged closer.

Tori's inside foot bounced out of the stirrup, and her other foot continued to slap the mare's side. “I'm falling!”

“Hold on to her mane, Tori. Grip with your legs and hold on. I'll stop her.” Kate tugged hard on the lunge line, praying Capri would listen.

Tori tipped to the side, and Kate watched in horror as her friend slid off the horse and onto the ground. “Tori!” She dropped the line and ran toward the center of the arena. Her heart slammed against the inside of her chest. “Are you hurt?”

Kate's stomach lurched when her friend didn't answer. The dirt was deep there. Tori couldn't be hurt—she just couldn't be! But why wasn't she getting up? Capri slowed and stopped halfway down the arena by the rail, her head hanging and the reins dangling. The mare was seemingly content to do nothing now that she'd unloaded her rider.

Kate skidded to a halt next to Tori, her hands shaking. Tori lay on the ground with her eyes closed. Suddenly she coughed. “Can't breathe.”

“I'll get Mom. Don't move.” Kate raced across the arena and headed for the house. Her best friend couldn't be seriously hurt. It would be all her fault if she was. Kate almost stopped running, but there was no time now to reflect on what Mom or Dad would say.
Why didn't I think things through before I did something so foolish?

A minute later, Kate flew across the arena with her mother on her heels. Mom was always telling Kate she was too impulsive. Kate knew Capri acted up sometimes, but she'd been so sure that the mare would behave herself on the lunge line. She'd envisioned herself as a trainer—stupid, that's what she was.

“Tori, are you alive?” She bent over Tori and peered into her friend's eyes. At least they were open now. That was a good sign. “Can you talk?”

“I guess so.” Tori drew in a hard breath and coughed again.

Mom knelt and smoothed Tori's hair off her forehead. “Where does it hurt, honey?”

“All over.”

Kate tried to hold back the tears. “Can you move your legs?”

Tori shifted her position on the ground and rotated her ankles, then bent her knees. “My legs are okay, I guess.”

Mom blew a strand of hair out of her eyes before turning to Kate. “
What in the world
happened here? Why was Tori riding Capri?”

“It was my idea, Mom. I made her do it. I'm so sorry.” Tears brimmed over Kate's lower eyelashes and trickled down her face, but she didn't care. She'd been brain-dead to think she could give Tori lessons.

Tori pushed up on one elbow. “No, you didn't. I wanted to.”

Kate would have loved nothing more than to believe that, but she had to be honest, especially after the way she'd acted. “Nuh-uh.” She shook her head. “You said she looked too big, and you were scared, but I didn't listen. I didn't mean for you to get hurt. You don't hate me, do you?”

“Of course not. You're my best friend. I'd never hate you. Now help me up.”

Mom placed her arm under Tori's shoulders and helped her sit. “Are you sure? How are you feeling?”

“A lot better. I think hitting the ground knocked the wind out of my lungs. I don't hurt anywhere now.” She reached her hand toward Kate. “Come on. Pull me up.”

Relief flooded Kate, and she grinned. “Cool. Then I guess we should catch Capri and unsaddle her.”