Wonder Light by R. R. Russell Read Free Book Online

bothering her.
    â€œShe can’t be wild, not entirely. She’s restless, but she’s used to people. And she seems well cared for. But we’re in for another extra horse.”
    Twig gulped. Did Mrs. Murley know about the other one? About Ghost Boy?
    But Mrs. Murley said, “She’s about to foal. Soon.” She straightened up and put her hands on her hips and took a step back to look the whole horse over. “Taylor,” she said with a slight tremor in her voice, “go and get Mr. Murley, please. Quick, before he leaves for the boat.”
    Before he leaves to get Keely , Twig thought.
    A moment later, Mr. Murley came in, panting, forehead crinkled in confusion, jogging after Taylor. He didn’t say a word until Mrs. Murley had slipped out of the stall and opened the door so he could see.
    â€œHow did this happen? Even if there are wild horses on this island, how did one get in here?” His whisper was so low, Twig had to concentrate hard to hang on to it. “Maybe I should contact the sheriff.”
    â€œDavid,” Mrs. Murley whispered back, “there’s more to this mystery mare. Have a look at this.” She pointed to the horse’s feet.
    â€œSome sort of crossbreed? Maybe we should get the vet to have a look.”
    â€œNo!” Twig cried. The mystery mare was so beautiful, and she was left here all alone, and she was their secret. “She’s not—she’s not an ordinary horse. They’ll think she’s strange. They’ll take her away and—”
    â€œRun experiments or something!” Regina came to her side.
    â€œMaybe she came to us for a reason,” Taylor said.
    â€œBut if she’s having a baby, and she’s always been here on the island,” Casey said, “that means—”
    â€œThere’s another one.” Mandy frowned. “Another something. It’s creepy. I don’t like it.”
    â€œYou don’t like anything!” Casey snapped.
    â€œGirls!” Mr. Murley said in a stern, carefully low voice. The mystery horse had begun to lower her ears and snort in agitation. “Go and feed your ponies.”
    The other girls did as he said, but Twig lingered near Caper’s stall for a moment.
    There was another one. Her mate. It had to be Ghost Boy’s horse—a stallion. Why would he just leave the mare? It was hard to imagine anyone not wanting her anymore, even a wild boy.
    Yes, a wild boy. This horse was no ghost horse, and that meant Ghost Boy must not be a ghost after all. But still, the mystery mare was more than just an ordinary, tame horse, more even than a wild horse. So what did that make the boy? Was he something more than wild too?
    A waft of warm breath breezed through Twig’s tangled hair. Slowly, cautiously, she turned. Her pale blue eyes met the enormous, deep, silver eyes of the mystery mare. Something inside Twig felt like it was turning over. Mystery shook her forelock back and nickered faintly, a reserved sort of gratitude. Twig brought her hand up, slow, calm, and Mystery let her place it on her muzzle. Out of the corner of her eye, Twig saw Mrs. Murley open her mouth—to warn her that she was wild, that she might bite, Twig supposed—but Mr. Murley put a hand on Mrs. Murley’s arm, and she said nothing.
    â€œMystery,” Twig whispered. That was all, but she meant, You’re welcome . And also, Thank you . And she knew that Mystery understood it.
    â€œWell,” Mr. Murley said quietly, “I’d better get going.”
    Keely! Twig didn’t want her here, not even just to check on her; Keely didn’t belong here. “Don’t bring her here. Please. Tell her I want to stay.”
    â€œI’m glad you want to stay, Twig, but she’s expecting—”
    â€œI’ll call her. I’ll explain.”
    Mr. Murley was quiet for a minute. Then he said, “All right.” He handed his cell phone to