Moon Shadow Read Online Free Page B

agree,” Billie said, crossing her arms over her chest.
    Luke put up a hand. “Hey, two against one isn’t fair.” When he saw that his protest didn’t faze the girls, he gave up. “All right, I’m leaving. Don’t go gettin’ yourselves so riled up. I was only joking.”
    Callie fought the urge to yell out something mean as Luke stumbled down the side of the hill and picked up the trail that led to his father’s ranch. How dare he insult Celah! Callie thought. She’s a great mare. So what if she’s not tiny and sleek like the Thompsons’ fancy quarter horses?
    â€œDon’t pay any attention to him,” Billie said. “He just likes to get a rise out of you.”
    Callie took a deep, stuttering breath and sighed in exasperation. “Well, it worked. What a brat! Why can’t he just leave me alone? He always picks on me.”
    Billie hooked her arm through Callie’s and steered her back up the trail. “My little brother’s the same way,” she said. “He just wants attention, and he doesn’t care what he has to do to get it. Look at all the trouble Luke gets into at school. Besides…” Billie said hesitantly. “This is going to sound crazy, but I think maybe he likes you.”
    Callie rolled her eyes. Who in their right mind would want a boyfriend like that? “Well, somebody better tell him he’s got an odd way of showing it. He always makes fun of what I do or say, or the clothes I wear.” She plucked at a ribbon her mother had sewn onto her shirt. “It’s not my fault my mother makes weird clothes and expects me to wear them.”
    They walked in silence for a few steps. “What about that great warm wheat bread and fresh blackberry jam your mom makes?” Billie said. “I’m kind of jealous. My mother never makes anything by hand.”
    Callie felt a little bit better. Who really cared what Luke Thompson thought anyway?
    â€œAll the girls at school think he’s cute,” Billie said. “I could name a dozen of them who’d love to have Luke ask them to a dance or something.”
    â€œYuck!” Callie said. “They obviously don’t know him like we do. Luke reminds me of that big old roping horse his dad has.”
    â€œHow’s that?” Billie asked with a curious lift of her brow.
    â€œWell, he’s one of the most beautiful horses on the place,” Callie said. “But he’s so ornery that nobody can stand to be around him.”
    The girls laughed together as they turned down the path that led to Callie’s house.
    Callie glanced at her watch. “Oh no! Dr. Susan is supposed to pick me up at one o’clock. We’re doing sick pen today.”
    â€œI think it’s so cool that a real vet is letting you help with the mustangs at the adoption center,” Billie said, picking up the pace. “It’s even better that you’re getting extra class credit for summer work.”
    Callie ignored her sore feet and broke into a jog. She’d always wanted to be a vet, mostly because she loved animals. But it didn’t hurt any that veterinarians also made good money. Someday, when she grew up, she planned to own a place where she could have as many horses as she wanted.
    â€œMy parents thought that working with Dr. Susan would give me a good idea of what I’m in for if I become a vet,” Callie explained. “Sometimes the work is kind of messy and unpleasant. If I can keep from fainting at the sight of a needle or the sound of scissors cutting into a live animal’s hide, I just might make it.”
    â€œEww,” Billie said. “I just couldn’t do it. I don’t have a strong enough stomach.”
    As they topped the last rise that was directly behind Callie’s house, they were surprised to see the McLeans trudging up the incline.
    â€œThank goodness, you’re not hurt!”