Kidnapped Colt Read Online Free Page A

Slocum’s cruelty. The Phantom wore a scar from it.
    â€œI did my best,” Ryan said. “I reminded him of Hotspot’s bloodlines and Diablo’s stamina. Eventually, he calmed down. He agreed—at least I thought he had—to merely wean Boots early.”
    â€œHe’s only a few weeks old,” Sam protested.
    â€œI know. I’m afraid he’ll be perpetually timid.” Ryan stared away from the corral, past River Bend’s bridge. “Hotspot is his only family. Take him away too young and he’ll have no one but me.” Ryan gave a short, mocking laugh. “And I’m the last one who could teach him what it means to be a Western horse.”
    â€œRyan…” Sam began, but Ryan motioned her to wait.
    â€œAll the same, I agreed to early weaning, because it seemed the safest route.”
    Safest? Sam didn’t like the sound of that.
    â€œThis morning, I was supposed to take Hotspotback to Sterling Stables without Boots.”
    Ryan cleared his throat, then he gripped both of Sam’s shoulders.
    She would have twisted away if he hadn’t looked down into her eyes with desperation.
    â€œThis morning, before I left, my father was on the telephone telling someone that the easiest way to ‘wean’ Boots was to cull him.”
    â€œWhat did he mean by that?” Sam asked, but her heart was already plummeting.
    Linc Slocum had scarred the Phantom’s neck and caused much of the stallion’s dislike for humans. What would he do to a “mongrel” foal like Shy Boots?
    â€œHe wants to have Boots destroyed.”
    Horror slashed through Sam’s imagination. She thought of bullets, syringes full of poison…. But when her eyes settled on Shy Boots, she realized it wouldn’t take much to end his new life.
    â€œPlease,” Ryan said, when Sam stayed silent. “Help me hide them where my father won’t think to look. I wouldn’t ask, Samantha, but you’re my only hope.”

Chapter Three
    H iding horses wasn’t the same as stealing them, but would her dad see the difference? Sam didn’t think so.
    â€œWon’t that just delay the problem?” she asked Ryan.
    â€œI think not,” Ryan said with sudden confidence. “For two reasons. First, the time for breeding Hotspot will be past. Second, my father is certain to lose interest.” Ryan’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. “You may have noticed Father’s passion for projects is rather short-lived.”
    Ryan was right.
    â€œIt might work,” Sam agreed. “But you don’t need me—”
    â€œAh, but I do. I can’t find the box canyon you and Jennifer discovered. Not alone.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Sam said, stalling.
    â€œShe told me it has shade and water, everything they’d need to wait this out.”
    â€œYeah,” Sam said. She and Jen had found a shady box canyon big enough to hold a few cattle, and it was silly to feel jealous over Jen telling him about it. “It’s up near High Grass Canyon, halfway to Cowkiller Caldera, but…”
    Ryan forced the fingers of one hand through his dark hair, looking worried. He loved his horses and she wanted to help him, but this felt wrong.
    â€œRyan, I know the canyon sounds like a solution, but I’m not sure it’s safe. There are predators up there. Cougars, coyotes—” Sam stopped, shaking her head. Did Jen really think this was a good idea? “And it’s right on the edge of the Phantom’s territory.”
    â€œOh, not that fable again,” Ryan said.
    Fine, Sam thought. She’d let Ryan believe her silver stallion was imaginary. The Phantom would be safer that way.
    Suddenly Ryan fixed Sam with a stare.
    â€œYou do know there’s blood on your face,” he said.
    â€œIt doesn’t hurt,” Sam snapped.
    She glared at Ryan. Was he grossed out by a spot of blood? Did he think