The Jeweled Spur by Gilbert Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

not to try a direct assault, for he would have resisted that. Rather, she had done other things to win him, stopping to stroke his head as he worked over papers, just a light caress that would bring his head up so she could give him a warm smile.
    In the days that followed, Laurie worked hard preparing his favorite dishes. She loved to bake, and got up early to prepare sweet breads and apple pies. And not a day went by but that she stopped by his office for a few minutes. Sometimes they would simply talk, but more than once she would wheedle him into taking a ride.
    By the end of the first week, Tom Winslow had almost forgotten Laurie’s request to take the horse to Omaha. Thegirl herself never mentioned it directly. Rather, she would sigh and run her fingers through his dark hair, saying, “I’ll have lots of time at school. There won’t be much to do there.” Or perhaps, “Some girls have a hobby, like sewing—but I never did anything like that.” Then as an afterthought, “—except ride, of course.”
    As the regular dropping of water in a cave can build up a large stalactite, so it was that Laurie slowly crafted the mind of Tom Winslow. Finally, when her departure was only a week away, the two of them were riding back to the fort from one of their outings to talk. They paused long enough for Winslow to dismount and look at his mount’s front hoof, where he found a sharp rock. As he dug it out with his knife, Laurie slipped from her saddle and gave him a calculating look. When he straightened up, she said, “Daddy, I’m worried about Star.”
    “What’s wrong with him?”
    “Well, nothing now—but I won’t see him for two years.” Reaching up she stroked the smooth neck, and the horse bent down to get his muzzle stroked.
    They made a pretty picture, Winslow thought, the sleek black gelding glowing with health serving as a perfect foil for the shining black hair of the young girl. Clicking his knife shut and slipping it into his pocket, he said gently, “Get fond of a horse, don’t you? I remember my first horse, a jug-headed roan named Mike.”
    Laurie looked up at her father as he spoke, noting the fondness in his voice. Finally he said, “When he died, I just about wanted to die myself.”
    “I feel that way about Star,” Laurie quickly said. “What if he should die while I’m in Omaha?” Her soft lips grew tense and she held to the horse’s neck possessively. “I don’t think I could stand it, Daddy! Being all alone and Star sick—maybe dying—!”
    Winslow put his hand on her shoulder and pressed it gently. “Be pretty bad, wouldn’t it?” She hasn’t had much, he thought. Don’t see why she can’t take the horse with her.

    “Well, I don’t guess it’d cost too much to ship Star to Omaha—but it might be hard to find a place close enough to the college to board him.”
    “Oh, Daddy!” Laurie’s squeal startled both horses, and she dropped Star’s lines and threw herself at her father.
    “Hey now!” Winslow protested, almost knocked off balance by her sudden lunge. He held her with one arm, trying to control his own mount with the other, and when she looked up he saw such a light of joy on her face that he knew whatever the cost, it was worth it.
    All the way home Laurie chattered about the arrangements, and when they got to the house, she ran inside, dragging her father by the hand, crying out, “Mother, Daddy says I can take Star to Omaha with me!”
    Faith turned from the dishes she was washing to face the exuberant girl, a strange smile touching the woman’s lips. “Oh? How did that get decided?”
    Laurie hesitated, then blurted out, “Oh, it was Daddy’s idea.”
    “Was it now?”
    Tom Winslow gazed down at Laurie fondly. “I’m glad I thought of it.”
    Faith laughed aloud, but when Tom blinked and asked what was so funny, she shook her head. Later when she was alone with Laurie, she’d said, “Well, you got your way, didn’t you?”
    “ My