Golden Filly Collection One Read Online Free Page A

trophy case without seeing. “Ummm-mm.” She nodded. “See you later.” She turned the corner to her locker. Only three classes to go. Maybe, just maybe, she thought. No, not maybe . She could hear her dad telling her to be positive. She had his words memorized: When you want something really bad, picture it in your mind as already happening. He’d drilled it into her since she was tiny. Picture it in your mind.
    Trish swung her locker door open and leaned into the island of shelter it created. She scrunched her eyes shut. The picture she forced onto the backs of her eyelids was familiar: her father kneeling in front of a gray gelding, taping the forelegs. Whistling off-tune. Breathing easily.
    Until the coughing attack.
    God! Help! her mind screamed. She grabbed her chemistry book and dashed toward the classroom, unaware of the people she bounced against. Make him better; make him better. Her mind pounded the beat for her feet.
    Trish gritted her teeth to keep the tears from falling. Better wasn’t good enough. Please, God, I don’t want him to be sick. He’s always said, “You can do anything.” Please!
    She slid into her seat as the bell rang.
    “Hand in your assignments,” the teacher said. “And turn to page 51.”
    Trish forced her mind to the job at hand. Her groan joined the universal lament of students unprepared.
    I forgot it was due today! her thoughts took over again. I haven’t even started it. Great. I’d planned to do it during second period and lunch hour. He’ll never let me turn it in late, either. She looked at page 51. Without the first assignment finished, this one could have been written in a foreign language. In fact, some of the symbols were.
    Trish shook her head. And David thought chemistry was fun. She sank lower in her seat and tried to pay attention.
    The next class was no easier. By the final bell she’d responded with a blank stare to the teacher’s question, mumbled “I don’t know” because she couldn’t think, and been accused of daydreaming.
    The drive home wasn’t much better. Even Rhonda didn’t indulge in her usual chatter as Brad drove up the curving driveway at Runnin’ On Farm. The pickup was gone. David’s car was missing too.
    Maybe Mom’s shopping. Tricia’s mind clutched at any idea.
    Caesar barked a welcome. Except for him, the place was deserted.
    “Do you want us to stay?” Rhonda asked.
    “No.” Trish shook her head. “I’ve got too much to do.”
    “I’ll be back over as soon as I change,” Brad said, ignoring her comment. “I know you’ll need some help if your dad’s been gone all day.
    And besides, he may not feel much like working in the barn after being at the doctor’s.”
    “I’ve got a dentist appointment,” Rhonda said, “but I can come after that.”
    Trish nodded, grateful for caring friends. “I’ll call you if I need you.”
    “No. I’ll be right back. I haven’t gotten to exercise horses since David’s been home for the summer. He took my job away, remember?”
    Trish waved as the blue Mustang pulled away, then leaned over to hug the regal collie. “Mom? Dad?” she called as she opened the front door.
    The stillness of the empty house wailed “No one home.”

Chapter
    04
    T rish dropped her books on the entry table and headed into the kitchen for food and messages. David’s note, stuck on the fridge door with a strawberry magnet, read, “Trish, Mom called from the hospital. They admitted Dad and she needed someone with her.”
    Slowly Trish removed the note and read it again. It was pretty plain. “They admitted Dad,” she said aloud. Then, her mind reasoned, the doctors think it’s serious too. ’Course, that way he can get better faster. But the hospital…only Grandma went there—and she died. Absently, she chose an apple from the bowl on the table, opened the fridge door, took out the milk, and poured herself a glass. She felt like a mechanical doll, doing routine things without thinking.
    You said