High Gun at Surlock (2006) Read Online Free Page A

starting position. The logic behind his thinking was on account of the single turn one half-mile down the road. It would be to the inside, so he would start Nipper to the closest possible point for that turn.
    Jessie was the only woman in the group of nine contestants. Poised to start the race, Kyler held a tight rein on Nipper and perceived the girl glowering his direction. She had obviously learned that he was a Huxton man. However, it was less him and more his horse that had her undivided attention. She was probably familiar with the other animals from past races. He and his mount were newcomers, so she had no idea whether Nipper was a threat or not.
    ‘Hang on to your locks, ma’am,’ Kyler said to himself, while careful not to look her way. ‘You and your noble steed are in for a real challenge.’
    ‘The race is down the road to the pole with the yellow ribbon!’ the starter of the race shouted, holding his gun in the air. ‘Make your turn around the pole and get back here first to win the ten-dollar purse!’
    ‘Might as well give the money to Jessie,’ a nearby rider complained. ‘No one ever beats her stallion.’
    ‘Everyone ready?’ the announcer called. Therewas a moment’s pause, then the starting-pistol was fired into the air.
    Nipper was not gun-shy. She bolted forth with the others, breaking into a full run within three strides. Her unusually quick start put her immediately toward the front of the pack. Kyler was on his toes, leaning low over the saddle, his head only inches above her neck. They streaked ahead, pulling away from the others – except for Jessie. Her stallion stayed right with him.
    The distance to the pole was roughly a half-mile, but it came into view after only a few seconds. Nipper felt the presence of another horse and increased her stride. Her competitive spirit soared and she stretched out to pull ahead of Jessie and her mount. The rest of those in the race were already lost in their dust.
    Jessie shouted encouragement at her horse and used her quirt, but Nipper refused to relinquish her lead. The marked pole drew closer and Kyler prepared to shift his weight. Nipper sensed something coming, but maintained her full-out run. When the pole was a hundred feet away, Kyler pulled snuggly on the reins and shifted his weight in the saddle. Nipper responded immediately, digging in with all four feet, leaning in to the turn and cutting sharply around the post. Kyler was elated with the efficiency of the maneuver, until he saw Jessie – ahead of him!
    ‘What the…?’ He was stunned until reality sank in. Jessie had made her turn before she reached the pole!
    ‘Get her!’ Kyler snarled at Nipper.
    His horse didn’t need motivation. The mare knew a cheat when she saw one too. They passed the remainder of the horses, still going the other way. Nipper caught her second wind and bore down on the horse ahead, eating up the ground with long, purposeful strides. She grunted from the intense effort to overtake the stallion, but the finish line loomed up ahead. They were too far behind. Nipper didn’t give up, gamely pounding after the stallion, trying to close the distance. Then, suddenly, not fifty yards from the contest ribbon, Jessie pulled back on the reins!
    Kyler and his horse shot past her. He jerked his head around in puzzlement as Nipper crossed the finish line a full length in front of Jessie.
    There was a round of cheers from the watching crowd, all of whom were unaware that Jessie had slowed her horse at the last moment. The other riders came thundering into town behind the two of them and the race was over.

CHAPTER THREE
    After accepting the winner’s purse and a first-place ribbon, Kyler took his horse back to the livery. Jessie was there already, busy rubbing down her stallion. Instead of attempting to speak to her, he began to pamper Nipper. He softly praised her efforts, while using a currycomb to brush the dust and sweat from her coat and mane.
    After a full five