Sundancer by Shelley Peterson Read Free Book Online Page A

as if he’d won a contest. Which, in fact, Bird acknowledged he had. Sundancer two, Bird, zip.
    Hannah saw it, too, and stared at him. She had her work cut out for her, and it was work that needed to be done now. If Sundancer believed he could push people around, he would try to get his way in everything, until finally he would no longer be useful. She just hoped it wasn’t already too late.
    She reached out quickly and grabbed his halter before he could move away. “Bird. Get me the lunge whip, my gloves, and a lead line. Fast. I need my riding boots and the socks that are in them, too. Please. They’re right by the kitchen door. And my jeans. They’re in the basket on the washing machine.”
    Bird ran off to do as she was bid. This was going to be good.
    TEN MINUTES LATER, HANNAH stood rooted to the ground in front of the proud chestnut gelding. They were in the round pen — a circular enclosure measuring sixty feet in diameter, surrounded by six-foot-high, solid oak walls. It was a valuable training area, and Hannah used it often to teach young horses.
    They had interrupted Cliff ’s morning chores, and he joined them now, a curious look on his face. “Hannah, it’s six thirty in the morning.”
    Hannah turned away from the horse’s haughty gaze for a brief second to look at Cliff. Three years earlier, he’d come to the farm from the racetrack. He was tall and gaunt and full of horse knowledge.
    â€œDon’t worry, Cliff. I haven’t gone insane, or at least not more than usual. Bird was just dumped by pretty boy here, who thinks it’s funny. I don’t think he should get away with it, and now is always the best time to sort out a problem.”
    Cliff nodded. “Give you credit, Hannah. If anyone can fix this rascal, it’s you. Need a hand?”
    â€œCan you get the gate?” Cliff nodded.
    Bird watched from the stands as Hannah untied the rope from the horse’s halter. She flicked the lunge whip and yelled, “Get up!” The horse turned to look at her, eyes hard and challenging. “Get up!” Hannah called again, flicking at his hind end. The horse sat back on his haunches, sprang up in the air then dove down with a mighty buck. He turned his back to Hannah and kicked out at her, missing her by inches.
    â€œGet out of there, Hannah!” cried Cliff. He, too, was watching from the stands, and Bird could see the fear in his eyes and hear it in his voice. “He’s going to kill you!”
    Hannah flicked the whip harder. “Don’t worry, Cliff, this has got to be done. Get up!” The horse bucked again, sending a rear hoof at Hannah’s head.
    â€œLet me do it, Hannah. Or send him back. He’s not worth dying for.”
    â€œGet up!” Hannah called, chasing the horse around the pen. “Cliff, I’m not going to die. Please. You’re distracting me.”
    Now the horse was galloping in a circle around Hannah. “Good boy!” she cooed, keeping her whip pointed at his rear. When he slowed, she flicked the whip and called, “Get up!” Around and around he went. No more bucks, but his eye still challenged.
    Bird watched, chastened. She’d failed. Again. No other horse had ever blocked her out this way. She hoped Hannah would be more successful. If she wasn’t, Sundancer would be useless.
    Out in the pen, Hannah changed the rules. She put the whip in her right hand and stopped Sundancer’s action. The big horse skidded to a halt and spun his rear toward her, preparing to kick. She snapped the whip loudly, sending him around the other way.
    With ears pinned back and tail swishing, he was the picture of a malevolent spirit. Even so, there was no disguising his majestic carriage and his natural grace. His action was smooth and liquid, and he moved around the pen with effortless athleticism.
    Hannah was relentless. Around and around he ran, Hannah on his tail, snapping the