The Challenger by Terri Farley Read Free Book Online

her. “I think Ace is getting cold and I don’t want his legs to stiffen up.”
    The horses tackled the path back up with leaps that made Sam worry about falling backward out of the saddle. She lowered her chest against Ace’s neck and felt relieved when they reached the even footing of the main trail through Lost Canyon.
    The trip out of the canyon seemed quick, and Sam’s mind was racing on ahead, thinking of the algebra homework she still had to do, and the timeline she needed to make for history.
    Someday she might learn not to leave her homework for Sunday afternoon, but someday wasn’t now. Besides that, she hadn’t folded laundry like Gram had asked her to the other day. Gram had said she could either wear her clothes wrinkled or get out the ironing board.
    She’d just about given up on having any fun for the last hours of the weekend when she spotted Moon.
    â€œLook who’s here,” Brynna said.
    The young black stallion had waded into the center of the lake on War Drum Flats.
    â€œHe is a beauty.” Sam sighed.
    Moon stood about fifteen hands tall, but the smooth line of his back and the gentle slope of his shoulder and his long graceful neck made him appear even taller.
    Without leaving the water, he turned his face toward Ace and Jeep. He sighed and tossed his head,but the gesture was no challenge.
    His heavy black mane was ragged where the Phantom had ripped it. His neck and hindquarters showed slashes. When he stamped, the knee he raised was scuffed pink. He looked altogether crestfallen and confused.
    Sam rubbed Ace’s neck as she talked to Brynna. “Moon doesn’t know whether to welcome these guys or try to run them off.”
    â€œI think he’d welcome his bachelor band about now,” Brynna said. “Have you seen any sign of them lately?”
    â€œNo,” Sam said. “We can ask Mrs. Coley, but how would that help? I can’t tell Moon how to find them.”
    Ace started forward, but Sam tightened her reins. “No, you can drink at home. Leave him alone to figure out what happened.”
    As they headed past the lake toward River Bend, Sam couldn’t help looking back.
    Moon gazed after them, but he still stood in the muddy little lake.
    Driven out of his family, unable to find his friends, the lone mustang would have to figure out where he belonged. Sam felt a tug of sympathy.
    Then she looked ahead, watching for the familiar silhouette of River Bend Ranch to appear on the horizon.
    She felt sorry for Moon, all right, but he wasn’t the only one whose world was about to change.

Chapter Six
    S am smelled apple pie baking as soon as she and Brynna rode into the ranch yard. The aromas of cinnamon and pastry made her instantly hungry.
    â€œOh, my gosh. I hope that’s for us,” Sam said.
    â€œWhy wouldn’t it be?” Brynna asked, laughing.
    â€œBecause Gram has a habit of baking delicious treats, then giving them away.” Sam’s stomach growled.
    Gram came out on the porch just as Sam finished speaking.
    â€œOne of them’s for us,” Gram assured her. She wiped her hands on her apron. “The other is for Brynna to take home.”
    â€œWhy can’t she stay for dinner?” Sam asked, surprised to realize she really wanted Brynna to stay.
    â€œI wish she would,” Gram said. “Before you two even left, she told me she had to get home and do paperwork.” Gram turned toward Brynna. “Couldn’t you change your mind?”
    Brynna rubbed Jeep’s shoulder as she shook her head. “I’d really like to, but the report’s due tomorrow. I’ve been working on it for weeks.” Brynna’s expression turned self-mocking as Sam’s dad walked toward them from the barn. “It seems like something keeps distracting me.”
    â€œCan’t imagine what that could be,” Dad said. His smile was white in his darkly tanned face.
    Sam searched