A Horse for Kate (Horses and Friends Book 1)

by Miralee Ferrell

  Sometime after the conference, I received an email from Alice saying she’d read my book on the flight home and loved it. She suggested I consider writing a series of horse novels for girls, as so many girls in grade school and middle school have always dreamed of owning a horse. I thanked her and said I’d think about the idea but tucked it back on a mental shelf with no expectation of ever following through. I had already made a change from writing women’s contemporary fiction to historical romance and wasn’t sure my career would be improved by adding another genre.

  Several months later, during a Wednesday-night service at church, our pastor challenged us to pray about the direction our lives were headed and to ask God if there was anything He wanted us to change. I did, and I was surprised at the answer. I felt strongly that He was directing me to write the girls’ horse novels, as Alice had suggested.

  I was excited and nervous, as I’d never written anything for kids and wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I started to write a story (which ended up becoming the second book in this series) and decided to test it on a couple of girls—Kaitlyn Baker, a (then) eight-year-old who attended our church, and eleven-year-old Jessi Hood, my “adopted” (by love) granddaughter, who lived in Alaska. Both girls were given some chapters and asked to give me feedback. They came back with an enthusiastic report, and Kaitlyn, especially, begged for more. Every week she’d meet me at church, asking if I had more chapters and when my book would be published. That little girl’s faith and enthusiasm encouraged me and pushed me forward. I planned on naming one of my characters Kaitlyn, until my baby granddaughter was born in April of 2013, and my son and his wife named her Kate. I’m honoring her and Kaitlyn, but using Kate’s name instead.

  So many others have helped make this series possible: my friends at church, who were excited when I shared God’s prompting and offered to pray that the project would find a home, as well as my family, my agent, and my critique group, who believed in me, listened, read my work, and cheered me on. A special thanks goes to Sue Hentges who helped me have a better understanding of autism. There have also been a number of authors who helped me brainstorm ideas for the series or specific sections of one book or the other when I struggled—Kimberly, Vickie, Margaret, Cheryl, Lissa, Nancy—you’ve all been such a blessing!

  But there’s a special group of kids I especially want to thank. Two different times I posted on Facebook asking my readers if they had a child who might be willing to read several chapters and give me honest feedback. A number of people responded, and I had my test group of kids. I want to thank Elly, Bella, Payzlie, Cadence, Alexis, Kyra, Hannah, Kasie, Kylie, Crystal, Amber, Haley, Annika, Katelyn, Karli, Jessi, Hailee, Camille, Kayla, and Elena.

  I also want to thank the team at David C Cook. I was so thrilled when Don Pape asked if I’d consider sending this series to him to review when I mentioned I was writing it. The horse lovers on the committee snatched it up and galloped with it, and I was so excited! I love working with this company and pray we’ll have many more years and books together. Thank you to all who made this a possibility and, we pray, a resounding success! Don, a man who truly believes in my work; Ingrid, the lead acquisitions editor, who kindly allows me to bounce ideas and problems off her; Ramona, my amazing editor, who has a wonderful daughter, Kayla, who also loves horses and offered comments on book two; the amazing marketing team and salespeople, who make sure my books get into your hands; Amy and her awesome graphics team, who do a stellar job on my covers; Jennifer, my copyeditor; Michelle, the wonderful woman who sends out the checks and has become a friend; and everyone else who works behind the scenes that I’ve yet to interact with—you guys and gals are the best!

  If you haven’t yet joined my Facebook horse lovers’ group for kids, I hope you’ll pop over and take a look. You can find a great group at facebook.com. You can also learn more about me and all of my books at www.miraleeferrell.com. Thank you for taking the time to read my new series, and watch for another book in four months!

  About the Author

  Miralee Ferrell, the author of the Horses and Friends series plus nine other novels, has always been an avid reader. She started collecting first-edition Zane Grey Westerns as a young teen. But she never felt the desire to write books … until after she turned fifty. Inspired by Zane Grey and old Western movies, she decided to write stories set in the Old West in the 1880s.

  After she wrote her first novel, Love Finds You in Last Chance, California, she was hooked. Her Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming won the Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western fiction, and Universal Studios requested a copy of her debut novel, The Other Daughter, for a potential family movie.

  Miralee has many intriguing hobbies. She and her husband, Allen, have built two of their homes and remodeled a one-hundred-year-old craftsman-style house using wood from their own sawmill. Miralee has driven a forklift; stoked the huge, 120-year-old boiler; unloaded lumber; run a small planer; and staked boards in the dry kiln. She loves horseback riding on the wooded trails near her home with her married daughter, who lives nearby, and spending time with her granddaughter, Kate.

  Besides her horse friends, she’s owned cats, dogs (a six-pound long-haired Chihuahua named Lacey was often curled up on her lap as she wrote this book), rabbits, and even two cougars, Spunky and Sierra, rescued from breeders who couldn’t care for them properly.

  Miralee and Allen have lived in Alaska, the San Juan Islands, and the Pacific Northwest, where they currently reside. When she isn’t writing, riding horses, building/remodeling houses, or hanging out with family, she speaks at women’s groups, writing groups, historical societies, and churches about her writing journey.

  Miralee would love to hear from you:

  www.miraleeferrell.com (blog and website)

  www.twitter.com/miraleeferrell

  www.facebook.com/miraleeferrell

  Photo by Amber Zimmerman

  Sneak Peek at Book Two:

  Silver Spurs

  Chapter One

  Odell, Oregon—Upper Hood River Valley

  May, Present Day

  Kate Ferris hauled back on the reins and brought her Thoroughbred mare to a stop. Her arms ached with the effort. Capri was a lot of horse to keep under control.

  The mare tossed her head, and froth flew from her mouth.

  Kate patted the mare’s neck, her palms sweaty against the dark-red coat. “Easy, girl. Settle down. It’s okay.” It’s really not okay. Kate frowned, hoping her voice didn’t show her frustration. Determination pushed her forward. No way could she quit and let Capri win this battle. Kate hadn’t learned as much as she’d liked in the few lessons she’d taken while working at the English barn a couple of miles from home, but she knew she shouldn’t reward Capri by dismounting when the mare wasn’t responding to her cues.

  The chestnut horse threw her head again and pranced in place.

  Kate gave an exasperated sigh. “All right, let’s try it again. Slower this time.” She nudged her mount into a trot along the rail of the outdoor arena, trying to focus on rising and falling to the beat of the Thoroughbred’s long stride. Getting the hang of posting hadn’t been easy, but Kate finally had it mastered. At least she hoped she’d mastered it.

  Capri pricked her ears, broke into a canter, and ducked her head, throwing Kate off balance. Kate scrambled to stay in her seat, clutching Capri’s mane for a moment before gripping the mare’s sides hard with her knees. She planted her feet more firmly in the stirrup irons and pulled her horse to a standstill. “I give up.” Her shoulders hunched in defeat.

  She had been so excited when God brought Capri into her life. Her dream of owning a horse had finally come true! Kate believed it wouldn’t be long before she could compete in shows around their area—maybe even qualify for the regional championships in the fall. She’d never expected to own a mare who’d had professional hunter-jumper training.

  Problem was, Capri had
stood in a pasture for a couple of years when her owner got sick, with no one to keep up what she’d learned. During the past several weeks, Kate’s hopes had crashed as she came face-to-face with her own poor horsemanship. Capri was well trained and smart—maybe too smart. She took advantage of the tiniest bit of hesitation on Kate’s part, making it obvious the horse had a mind of her own. She was smart enough to figure out she had a novice in the saddle.

  Running the palm of her hand along the sweaty neck, Kate loosened her grip on the reins and urged Capri toward the gate. She leaned over and pushed it open, then rode toward the barn where her mother was working. “Mom! I need you.”

  Nan Ferris hurried from the open doorway, dusting bits of hay off her jeans. “What is it? I’m trying to organize the tack room.”

  “I can’t do this anymore.” Kate lifted her chin, her frustration at Capri bubbling to the surface. She bit her lip to keep it from trembling.

  “Do what?” Her mother’s hazel eyes narrowed as she stared at the sweating mare. “Have you been running that horse?”

  “No. I’ve been working her in the arena, but I don’t know enough, Mom. I’ll never get her ready for a show at this rate.”

  Her mother sighed. “We’ve discussed this, Kate. You’re taking lessons once a week in exchange for cleaning stalls. Your father and I can’t afford more right now. Honey … why can’t you be thankful you have a horse to love and ride, and not worry about showing?”

  Kate swallowed the irritation pressing to escape. Mom didn’t understand how important it was to her to learn to ride better. Sure, she knew the basics, but she’d dreamed of competing ever since her aunt took her to a horse show a couple of years ago. It wasn’t like Kate spent a lot of money on clothes. All she’d ever wanted was a horse, but now that she had one, she longed to learn more.

  “I’ve barely started riding a full-size horse instead of Lulu. I love it, but I only have an hour lesson a week. It’s not enough, and they aren’t teaching me to jump.”

  Kate heard the complaining in her voice and winced. She knew her dad was working hard to pay for their recent move and to make up for being without a job for so long. With her little brother Peter’s autism, and his need for after-school care, her mother had her hands full.

  When her mom didn’t say anything, Kate swung off her horse and pulled the reins over her mare’s head. “I’ll walk Capri for a bit and cool her down, then I’ll help with the barn.” She kicked a dirt clod. “Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  Kate placed her palm against Capri’s neck and grinned. She had the perfect plan … if only Mom would agree. “We have a lot of empty stalls. Can’t we advertise and take in boarders? I could clean stalls and feed the horses. And earn money for lessons.”

  Her mother paused at the big rollaway doors. “Your dad and I considered tearing down this indoor arena or converting it into a storage building. Your grandfather used to board horses here when I was growing up, but his accident is one of the reasons I quit riding. Mother was terrified I’d get hurt too.”

  “I know, Mom. I’ve heard that story a million times.” Kate bit the inside of her cheek and closed her eyes. Why couldn’t Mom understand how important this was? It wasn’t like they had miles of trails close by where she could ride. It was boring walking or trotting Capri around in the arena without knowing how to use Capri’s training.

  She worked to calm her voice. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I want this so bad. Would you at least talk to Dad about it? Please?” Her heart raced. “We could have our own business. Maybe even get a professional trainer to give lessons, and we could host shows.”

  Her mother narrowed her eyes. “Not so fast, young lady. There’s a lot to think about. We’d have to check with our insurance agent and see what coverage would cost. The arena needs work, and it means putting out money for hay, shavings, and additional feed. I’ll admit it has potential, but it has to work financially. I’ll talk to your father when he gets home, if he’s not too tired.”

  “It’ll work. I know it will.” Kate tugged at her mare’s reins. “Come on, Capri. I’m going to make this place shine … after I clean your stall, that is.” She shot her mother a look. Mom did a lot around the place, as well as working part-time and caring for Pete. Somehow Kate had to prove she could pull her own weight. “And feed the rabbits and take Rufus for a walk.”

  A loud bark behind her made Kate jump. She swung around in time to see her ninety-pound German shepherd launch himself across the grass toward her. Capri danced at the end of her reins as the large dog drew closer. Kate held up her hand. “Rufus! Sit, boy!”

  Rufus stopped a few inches from Kate’s toes. His tongue hung out, and he turned adoring eyes up to meet hers. Then he plopped down and extended a paw.

  Kate giggled and dug into her pocket, withdrawing a treat and dropping it into his eager mouth. “Good boy. Did you see that, Mom? I’ve been working with him, and he finally got it.”

  Her mother’s eyebrows disappeared under her bangs. “Amazing. He’s never done that before.”

  “He’s smart.” Kate ruffled the fur on his head and scratched behind his ears. “Aren’t you, buddy?”

  Rufus woofed a reply. Kate could have sworn he was grinning.

  “Come on, Rufus. Let’s put Capri in her stall.” Kate hesitated. “So ... when will you call the insurance agent? Like right now, maybe?”

  A tiny smile tugged at the corners of her mom’s mouth. “We’ll see what your dad has to say first.”

  “Can I call Tori? She’ll be so excited.” The reminder of her best friend sent Kate’s spirits soaring. Tori loved hanging out at their barn.

  “You can talk to Tori, but I’m not making any promises. Even if Dad agrees, there’s a lot of work to do before this can happen.” She hugged Kate. “I know you’re excited, honey, but please don’t get your hopes up.” Her mother’s smile faded.

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  Her mother sucked in a sharp breath and blew it out slowly. “I’m not sure how your brother will fit into this. It’s not like Pete can do anything with horses.”

  “Aw, Mom!” Kate clenched her fists. Why did Pete always have to come first? Couldn’t anything be for her? This had to work. Tori would be in heaven if Kate’s family had a riding stable. Tori didn’t have a horse, and her family couldn’t afford to buy one.

  We could ride horses together, and take lessons, and … Kate’s thoughts whirled.

  Then reality hit. She gritted her teeth. Or not! “That’s not fair, Mom! Pete can sit out here and watch while we work. He doesn’t have to stay in the house. We shouldn’t baby him just because he has autism.”

  “I’m not trying to, Kate, but I spend a lot of time away from him while I’m at work.” Mom smiled. “You pray about it, and so will I. Besides, we don’t even know if anyone would want to board their horses here.”

  Kate tried to force herself to relax. She wrapped Capri’s reins around a fence rail, then turned to face her mother. “Sure they will. Tons of people around here own horses. Besides, I’ve heard about riding programs for special-needs kids. Maybe we could find an instructor who would work with Pete. That could bring in even more business, as well as being good for him.” Hope surged through her. “We’re in some of the best horse country in the Columbia River Gorge, if not the entire Northwest. There are only two show barns in all of the Upper Hood River Valley, and none in The Dalles or White Salmon.”

  “Sounds like you’ve been thinking about this for a while.” Her mother tucked a curly wisp of hair behind Kate’s ear. “I’ll find out what the other barns charge and ask if they’re full. Go take care of your horse. Pete’s taking a nap, but I’d better check on him.”

  Kate gazed after her mother as she walked along the path to their two-story house set back in the trees. She loved her six-year-old brother with all her heart, but she hoped he wouldn’t be the c
ause of them not getting to run a boarding stable.

  She slapped the riding crop against her leg. Somehow she’d find a way to make this work. Mom spent so much time caring for Pete that Kate often felt left out. Couldn’t it be her turn to have something she wanted for a change?

  The suggestion to pray about the new project flitted through Kate’s mind, but she pushed it away. She loved God, but sometimes He didn’t seem very practical. After all, He hadn’t kept Pete from being disabled, and He hadn’t answered her prayers for more money to help her parents pay the bills. Why should she think He’d care about her dream of owning a show barn and taking lessons?

  An instant later, shame washed over her as she was reminded of the miracle of Capri’s arrival. God had done that, no mistake. “All right,” she whispered heavenward. “Maybe You could help on this request too, if it’s not too much to ask?”

  Books by Miralee Ferrell

  Horses and Friends Series

  A Horse for Kate

  Love Blossoms in Oregon Series

  Blowing on Dandelions Series

  Forget Me Not

  Wishing on Buttercups

  Dreaming on Daisies

  The 12 Brides of Christmas Series

  The Nativity Bride

  Love Finds You Series

  Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon

  Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming

  Love Finds You in Last Chance, California

  Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona

  (sequel to Love Finds You in Last Chance, California)

  The Other Daughter