Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby Read Free Book Online Page B

gallop. Mrs. Mudd handed me the lead rope. As soon as I took it, she climbed into the truck to read her novel.
    Tandy turned around and around in anxious circles as I tried to hang on to her. “This is Tandava,” I said.
    â€œShe’s Cleo’s horse,” added Phil.
    â€œYou don’t say,” said Fergus.
    Ivan just stared. Finally, he pointed. At me or at Tandy. I couldn’t tell which, so I just stood there while she stepped all over herself as she snorted and looked wildly around.
    â€œPhillipa, be a love and help Cleo take off the mare’s rug and shipping boots,” said Fergus.
    Cautiously, Phil and I got Tandy’s gear off.
    Ivan stared at her some more, his face working with disapproval. Then he tossed his head and waved his hand. If we’d been on board a pirate ship I’d have thought he was giving the signal to push somebody overboard. Luckily Fergus was there to interpret.
    â€œSweetheart, Ivan would like you to walk her out so he can see her move.”
    I walked Tandava past them.
    â€œTrot,” instructed Fergus. I quickened my pace until Tandy broke into a trot.
    I went as far down the driveway as I could and then slowed her to a walk and led her back.
    â€œMy goodness, you have a very nice horse there,” said Fergus.
    â€œWhat a terrible, terrible waste,” said Ivan, before he turned on his heel and stalked off toward the house.
    We enjoyed another awkward silence until Fergus clapped his hands and rubbed them briskly together. “Not to worry, dear girls. He’ll come around. Let’s get this beautiful lady settled, shall we?”
    Â 
    Limestone, Ivan and Fergus’s farm, is on the edge of a lake. I don’t think it’s a swimming lake or anything. It’s more like the kind of lake that swans and ducks hang out in. A dark forest borders one side of the property and on the other side green fields roll all the way down to the lake. Fergus and Ivan’s house is nestled at the base of the hill. The house suits the setting perfectly, with windows on all sides. The stables and indoor arena and outdoor ring are just as attractive as the house. I was actually a little surprised at how nice the whole place was. You have to hand it to my mom. Even from Africa she can locate a money situation.
    â€œThis is awesome,” I said to Fergus.
    â€œHmmm, yes,” he said. “Slightly underused but awesome, as you so charmingly put it.”
    We put Tandava in a small paddock near the barn to let her calm down and have a look at her newsurroundings, and then Fergus gave us a tour. I could see what he meant by underused. There was an eight-stall barn, an indoor arena, a regulation-size outdoor dressage ring, and fully fenced fields as far as I could see. And hardly any horses.
    Fergus led us toward one of them, an older horse with a swayback and a big belly. “This is Honoré. She’s a retired broodmare.”
    Phillipa put out her hand, and Honoré gently sniffed at it.
    â€œShe’s sweet,” said Phil as Honoré snuffled at her hair.
    â€œHonoré is trained to Grand Prix. She’s produced five foals, four of which have earned top honors at European sport horse competitions. This gentle lady has earned her retirement,” said Fergus.
    He led us to the next pasture, where a big bay horse grazed at a distance. Fergus didn’t say anything; he just stood there and all of a sudden the horse lifted its head, sniffed, then came tearing toward us at a full gallop. It slid to a halt, and poked its head over the fence. Fergus reached out and gave it a scratch.
    â€œThis is Ranier. He’s an Oldenburg stallion.”
    I saw Phillipa’s eyes widen as she took in thehorse’s height and his massive chest.
    â€œHe’s huge,” she said.
    â€œAh yes, that he is. He’s a lovely horse. Very talented. Ranier was Ivan’s last competition horse. He is also trained to Grand Prix, but