Dawn Runner by Terri Farley Read Free Book Online Page B

but she had to say something.
    â€œSo, you just want sort of a cheat sheet from me?” Sam thought she did a good job of asking the question pleasantly.
    â€œI’m not sure what that is,” Ryan said, “but I’m certainly not requesting something unsavory.”
    Yeah, you are, Sam thought.
    â€œAfter all, we’re friends,” he added.
    Ryan wasn’t trying to buy a shortcut with money, like his father did, but couldn’t he hear himself trying to buy it with friendship?
    Sam knew she wouldn’t have pointed that out, even if she hadn’t suddenly remembered Jen. She should have called Jen hours ago.
    â€œActually, I was calling to tell you I think you’re on the right track with the places you’re looking and to offer to let Brynna know your plan, to save you a phone call.”
    You wimp , Sam told herself, but after Ryan accepted her offer and she hung up the phone, Sam decided she’d been nice to him for Jen.
    She would have told Jen that, but her best friendcalled first, sounding gloomy and critical.
    â€œThanks for calling like you promised,” Jen said right away.
    â€œIt’s not like I forgot,” Sam protested. “I was waiting until I finished my homework, sort of like looking forward to dessert,” Sam teased.
    Jen didn’t laugh. She zoomed straight to what she wanted to know.
    â€œSo, did you and Ryan have fun?”
    â€œNot really,” Sam answered.
    â€œDid you plan how to catch Hotspot?” Jen asked.
    â€œNo more than we did at your house,” Sam said. “I won’t take him to any secret places and he’s already got the others on his map.”
    What could she say to make Jen laugh? Sam’s mind raced. She considered telling Jen about her daydream, that Jen would marry Ryan and get Gold Dust Ranch back, but Jen didn’t sound like she was in the mood for far-fetched fantasy.
    â€œWhat aren’t you telling me?” Jen demanded.
    â€œNothing,” Sam said and then, because that wasn’t exactly true and Jen had already picked up on her hesitation, Sam amended, “Something stupid.”
    â€œAbout Ryan?”
    â€œWell, sort of,” Sam said. Then, just when she was about to change the subject and tell Jen about Pam, she hesitated again. Of course Jen heard something in her delay that made her think something major was going on.
    â€œLook, Sam, he’s trying to be a good guy.”
    â€œI know—”
    â€œJust give him a chance, okay?”
    Jen wasn’t being fair, but she was probably miserable. Sam wouldn’t trade places with her for anything. She tried really hard to be understanding.
    â€œI wasn’t going to say anything bad, Jen,” she told her friend, but Jen didn’t seem to hear.
    â€œThink of that first day we met him,” Jen said. “Remember? When the cougar was eating his dad’s buffet? Ryan was so cute. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt the cat. And don’t forget he tamed Roman. Anyone else looking at that horse would only see its bad conformation—”
    â€œJen—”
    â€œPlus, he didn’t abandon me after Sky went psycho in that race….”
    Sam blinked. How could Jen think that counted in Ryan’s favor? It was what any friend—no, what any decent human —would do!
    â€œAnd when I was in the hospital, he brought me roses.”
    Sam stared at the kitchen ceiling and counted to ten. By the time she finished, it sounded as if Jen had finally run down.
    â€œI know he did. He was great while you were in the hospital,” Sam said. “He’s not a bad guy, and I think he’s really…grown up while he’s been here.”
    Sam thought she’d chosen her words well,because Jen was quiet, as if she didn’t hear anything to contradict.
    â€œSorry I went off on you,” Jen said, finally. “It’s not like you’re going to steal my boyfriend. In the