Wild Fire by Linda I. Shands Read Free Book Online

knees to her chest in that comfortable position that always put her to sleep. She wanted to find out more about Anne’s background too. There had to be a way to get her to talk about herself .

K ARA’S EYES SNAPPED OPEN . Had that noise been in a dream? The room was dark as midnight except for a small patch of gray where the window was. She reached for the flashlight on the floor next to her bed, then lay still trying to listen over the pounding of her heart .
    Crash!
    There it came again. Then a high-pitched whinny that sounded almost like a human scream.
    The horses!
    She scrambled out from under the tangled blankets. The heavy flashlight hit the floor and rolled out of reach. She groped for her clothes in the darkness and yanked them on .
    In the hallway, someone lit a lantern. She could see Greg tugging on his boots. Colin had the shotgun, and Dad was holding the .45.
    Ryan tugged at her sleeve. “Kara, the horses. Something’s wrong with Star. Come on, let’s go.”
    She almost pushed him away, but the fear in his voice stopped her. She bent down and pried his fingers gently from her arm. “Not this time, Ry.” She moved him carefully backward into Anne’s waiting arms.
    In the lantern light, the cook’s face looked composed. Unshakable . The single word flipped through Kara’s mind as the woman wrapped her arms firmly around Ryan’s shoulders. Ryan struggled silently against her hold until she bent and whispered something in his ear.
    Kara turned and raced out the door after the men.
    Rifle shots echoed up the hillside, and Kara froze as a huge dark animal ran from the barn. It lumbered across the meadow and through the empty corral, then disappeared into the woods.
    She bolted down the hill and ducked through the gaping hole where the barn door used to be. She stood still to let her eyes adjust to the darkness.
    â€œLet’s get some light in here.” Dad’s voice came from the direction of the stalls.
    â€œI’ll fire up the generator.” Greg pushed past her, and she had to grab his arm to get his attention.
    â€œWhat’s happening?”
    â€œBear. After the grain.”
    Kara followed his pointing finger and could just make out several ripped-open grain sacks, the flakes of oats and corn scattered all over the ground.
    She picked her way through the slippery grain, splintered wood, and bits of iron from the shattered door frame. When she got to the grooming area, Colin was already leading Lily out of her stall.
    She heard rustling close by, then Dad’s soft voice murmuring to Star. “Easy, boy, easy. It’s okay now. You’re just fine.”
    Lily nickered softly as Kara approached. Colin stepped around and handed her the halter rope. “As far as I can tell, she’s okay. I found a small cut on her rump. She must have caught a splinter while she was dancing around.”
    Kara realized she’d been holding her breath, not knowing what she’d find. She let it out in a whoosh, then hugged the shaking mare.
    â€œCan you take her?” Colin asked. “I’ve got to get out there and see about the other horses.”
    Kara heard the generator roar to life. As the overhead lights flashed on, she remembered the empty corral. Some of the horses had been penned there for the night.
    â€œBe careful, Colin. That bear may still be around.”
    Colin smiled and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Don’t you worry, little lady,” he drawled in his best John Wayne, “that ol’ bear is clear to Mexico by now.” He grinned, then turned and headed back through the broken door.
    She felt her face burn. Why did Colin always have to act like a comedian?
    Lily’s ears pricked up, and Kara realized Dad was standing next to her.
    â€œNeed some help?”
    She hoped her face was back to normal. “No. Thanks, Dad. I’m going to be a vet, remember? I can take care of it. Is Star all