Diamond Spirit by Karen Wood Read Free Book Online Page A

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    At that moment, the stallion walked in.
    He was hooded and rugged so that all Jess could see were four jet-black legs poking out from below his rugs, a black nose with white markings, and the same soft, kind eyes as the colts. He gently nuzzled the pig, then pushed it away from the hay. It squealed in protest.
    ‘They’re like an old married couple, can’t live with or without each other,’ said Harry. He hobbled into the stable and began to unbuckle Biyanga’s rug. With one big pull from the back end, it slid off into his arms, unveiling the most impressive horse Jess had ever seen.
    He was the stuff dreams were made of: as black as black, with a thick, wavy tail, powerful hindquarters and flawless straight legs. He had a long, elegant neck and a perfectly symmetrical, thin white stripe running down his face.
    Harry stood back and admired him. ‘What do you reckon?’
    ‘He’s so fat he can hardly walk,’ said Grace, appearing at the stable door. ‘Look, he’s got cellulite on his bum.’ She giggled, ducking a swipe from Harry.
    ‘Cheeky little brat,’ he chuckled.
    Jess stepped forward and ran a hand over Biyanga’s glossy neck. He squealed suddenly and rushed to the door, slamming her against the wall of the stable. She lost her footing and fell into the sawdust, just inches from the stallion’s front feet.
    Harry took a step forward, placing himself between Jess and the stallion. ‘Easy does it, fella,’ he soothed. ‘She’s not for you.’ He reached a hand down to Jess and pulled her up, and then turned to Katrina. ‘I’ve told you ten times not to bring that mare in here while she’s in season.’
    ‘She’s not in season,’ argued Katrina. ‘And I need to talk to you about her stable.’
    ‘Well, you don’t need to bring the horse with you. Get her out of here now.’
    ‘Her stable is filthy,’ said Katrina, ignoring him. ‘She’s a true white. We’ve paid all this money and . . .’
    Biyanga let out another short cry and lunged at the door with his teeth bared. Chelpie squealed and rushed towards him, ears back.
    ‘Didn’t you hear me?’ said Harry. ‘I said, get her out! ’
    Then he turned to Jess and looked anxiously into her face. ‘You all right, kid?’ he asked. When she nodded, he breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I thought you were gonna pass out on me for a minute there.’
    Jess managed a smile and said, ‘I’ll be okay.’
    Harry guided her to the stable door. ‘Hang on a minute.’
    In the aisle there was a clatter of hooves on concrete. Katrina pulled on Chelpie’s lead rope, but the mare was too strong for her. The rope slid straight through her hands and she fell over backwards, narrowly missing a fresh pile of poo.
    Grace came out of nowhere and made a dash for the mare’s rope. She pulled Chelpie to one side, flicked the tail of the rope at her flank, making her turn away from the stallion, and led her out of the stables.
    ‘Give me back my horse,’ Katrina yelled angrily after Grace. She clambered to her feet and accosted Harry. ‘I was coming to speak to you about my horse’s welfare. Her stable—’
    Harry interrupted her. ‘Her stable is cleaned every morning, Katrina. If you had any concern for your horse’s welfare, you’d let her out into the paddock for the day so the poor thing could have a pick of grass.’
    Katrina’s face went tight and pointy. ‘I’ve told you before – she gets too wild when she’s out in a paddock. She gets through fences and tries to escape to the river. She needs to be stabled. That’s what we’re paying you for.’
    Harry stared at her with disbelief and lowered his voice to a slow growl. ‘Now you listen to me, kid. This is my property and I make the rules – mostly for the safety of my guests. If you can’t obey those rules, then I suggest you find somewhere else to keep your pure white pony.’ He stood up and walked back towards Biyanga’s stable.
    Katrina marched back down the aisle. She snatched