Silver Dream by Angela Dorsey Read Free Book Online

something.”
    Joanna tied Raven firmly to a
sapling and gave him the bit of grain she’d saved from feeding the
fillies. Before leaving, she leaned close to the pony’s ear. “You
be good and don’t whinny,” she whispered. “We’ll be back as soon as
we can.”
    The two girls left Raven on the
trail, and crept through the woods toward Mr. Thomas’s property.
Moments later, they were through the fence and in the overgrown
field. Joanna glanced back in Raven’s direction, but she couldn’t
see him through the trees. He should be safe.
    “Angelica, what do you think of
me talking to the girl?” Joanna whispered when they reached the
collapsed fence near the back of the shed.
    “Do you think she would listen
to you? She might scream for help again, and she certainly can
scream loudly.”
    “It might work because…” Joanna
paused. “Well, I’m not, you know, as noticeable as you are.”
What a stupid thing to say. Now Angelica was going to imagine all
sorts of insults and be mad at her.
    The golden haired girl smiled
ruefully. “It is very inconvenient at times, being noticeable.”
    “Sorry.”
    “Why are you sorry? You did not
make me that way.”
    “Okay, I’m not really sorry.”
Joanna felt her facial muscles relax into a smile. “I’m glad you’re
not one of those people who throw fits every time I say something
stupid.”
    “Your words are not stupid, only
honest.”
    A thump came from the shed and
both girls stilled, listened.
    “So after I know she won’t tell
on us,” Joanna whispered, “I’ll ask her to help us find David.”
    “And if she screams?”
    “If Mr. Thomas comes running,
you can go in the back door of the house and quickly check if
David’s inside.”
    Angelica shook her head. “I do
not know about this plan, Joanna. What if he hurts you too?”
    “We don’t even know for sure he
hurt David,” Joanna said.
    Angelica bit her lip as if
cutting off words.
    “I’ll be okay,” Joanna
continued. “I’ll remind him I’m the neighbour’s kid, and tell him I
came to meet his granddaughter because she’s new in the area. Also,
if she doesn’t scream, just give me a couple minutes to talk to her
before you come into the shed, okay?”
    Angelica breathed deeply. “Okay,
but please be very careful.”
    “I will.”
    “I will wait behind that pile of
debris.” Angelica pointed at a massive heap that was probably once
a stable. “And Joanna?”
    “Yes?”
    “I thank you. I could not do
this without you.”
    Joanna blushed. “No prob.”
    The teenager hurried away.
Joanna waited until Angelica was out of sight, then gave her
another minute to find a good viewing spot. Finally she looked at
the shed and inhaled deeply.
    How could she approach Kathy in
a way the girl would want to help them? If only she would be as
calm and understanding as Angelica – but somehow Joanna didn’t
think she would. She could imagine the girl’s scream already.
     

 

     
    I send a prayer to please keep Joanna
safe.
    She cannot imagine the strength of this
man. He had no problem overpowering David, who is much older than
Joanna, and much stronger. Even I was lucky to escape from him.
    I am so afraid for David. Where is he?
What has happened to him? What has this man done to him? And
why?
     

 

     
    Joanna flattened herself against the
back of the shed. She could hear the girl through the wall, talking
softly to the horses. One hoof scraped along the wooden floor. A
large body rubbed against the rough walls.
    “Hold still, Dancer,” the girl
said, a little louder.
    The horse kicked the enclosure,
and the crash made Joanna jump.
    “Whoa, Dancer. Whoa.” Kathy’s
voice was getting desperate. She needed help. The perfect
opportunity!
    Joanna hurried around the side
of the shed and knocked on the door. “Hello? Is anyone there?” she
called out, as if she were an innocent visitor. All sound within
the shed ceased, as if everyone inside had trained their attention
on the door.