Sundancer Read Online Free Page B

speed. It looked for all the world like he was going to mow her over.
    In an instant, Sundancer had turned the tables. He was going to make her dance. Bird was stunned, her mind frantically searching for options. She couldn’t outrun him, and besides, that would send the wrong message. Scared as she was, she wasn’t about to let him win. There was only one choice: She would have to trust that he didn’t want to kill her. And she wasn’t at all sure.
    Bird waited until he was three strides away. Then she jumped as high as she could, flapped her arms like a bird, and screamed at the top of her lungs.
    Startled, the horse veered sharply to his right, avoiding her by mere inches. Then he stopped and turned. He snorted and shook his head up and down. Agitated, he lowered his head and began to paw the ground. This was not good news.
    Struggling to catch her breath, Bird looked him right in the eye. She growled like a lion and loudly clapped her hands. She strutted like an angry male gorilla, swinging her arms toward him while jumping backward to the fence. She hoped it didn’t look like she was making a retreat.
    Confused by her antics, the horse stretched out his neck and curled his upper lip to get her scent. Bird took advantage of this moment to scramble backwards up the rails of the fence and out of danger.
    Sundancer was jubilant. The horse knew he had won. Relaxed now, he cantered around the field tossing his head and kicking up his heels. He never once looked at Bird.
    LATER, BIRD SAT ON a pile of old saddle pads in the window of the tack room, cuddling kittens. Hector lay on the laundry in the corner, and nearby, the old mother cat groomed herself, happy to have a babysitter. Three of her litter had survived; all fluffy and soft, multicoloured and purring loudly.
    More cuddles, please . The calico rolled on her back and looked at Bird expectantly. More .
    Scratch my back, girl . The tabby nudged her hand, trying to capture her attention.
    I’ll catch you! You’re a mouse! The white-and-ginger pounced on Bird’s wrist with her tiny sharp claws.
    Calm down kitties, or your mother will fire me .
    The week before, one kitten had died. He’d been tiny and his back legs had defects that didn’t allow him to walk. It had been very sad.
    After the incident that morning with Sundancer, Bird had busied herself with cleaning tack, picking small rocks out of the pastures, grooming horses, and pulling manes. Now, it was nearly seven o’clock and still muggy and hot. Idly, Bird stared out the window at the driveway.
    Hannah would be back from the show any minute with lots of stories to tell. Bird smiled and snorted. She wondered if Dr. Paul had dropped by to see Hannah after all. If he had, he’d wish he hadn’t. Horse shows were always stressful and Hannah usually had more than she could cope with as it was. She did too much of the work herself, making it easy for her students to take advantage.
    Bird had been to enough shows with Hannah to imagine how the day had gone. They’d be coming home with ribbons, no doubt, as Hannah was a good coach and the horses were well trained. But by now, Kimberly was probably threatening to sell Pastor for some silly reason. It happened every time. Chances were that Jo had thrown up at least twice, and Hannah would be lucky if Peter showed any interest at all in looking after Zachary, his long-suffering mount. Sweet Melanie was the least likely to cause trouble, but she was easily distracted and needed Hannah’s constant guidance.
    Bird sighed. Perhaps she should’ve gone to the horse show with Hannah after all. She could’ve given Hannah a hand and avoided the whole episode with Sundancer.
    Suddenly, Hector started thumping his tail and whining happily. Singing, really.
    She’s home! She’s home! She’s home at last!
    Good ears, Hector .
    Bird looked through the window and watched Hannah steer the big rig through the stone