Kate nodded. “She’s one of the nicest people I know, and Starlight probably senses that.”
“I’m sure that’s true.” She watched as Tori cantered the black gelding around the ring as their trainer called out instructions. “And you say she hasn’t been riding long?” She peered at Kate over the wire-rimmed glasses she’d been wearing since she got out of the hospital.
“Only a few months. I’ve never seen her so confident, even on Mr. Gray.” She sighed. “The inflammation is gone from his leg, and he’s not limping anymore, but the vet says he still can’t be ridden for at least three more weeks to be sure he doesn’t hurt himself any worse. I feel so bad for Tori, but she’s not upset anymore.”
Mrs. Maynard didn’t reply but kept her eyes on Tori as she pulled Starlight down to a trot.
“He looks so smooth,” Kate said. “She said he’s springy but not choppy, and it’s easy to post on him. That’s how my mare, Capri, is—she’s a dream. I wish Tori could ride her in the parade, but she’s afraid of her.”
Mrs. Maynard turned her gaze on Kate. “And what would you ride, young lady, if Tori rode your Capri?”
Kate scuffed her foot on the ground. “I got to win a ribbon in the horse show, and I own Capri. Tori doesn’t have her own horse. If she could ride Capri, I’d be happy to watch from the sidelines.” She pressed her lips together. “Well, that’s not totally true. I might not be happy for me, but I’d be awfully glad for Tori.”
“That’s the mark of a true friend—one who would give her life for another.”
Kate scrunched her brows. “I didn’t say I’d give my life for her—just my horse for the day.”
Mrs. Maynard chuckled. “I’m sorry, dear. It was something from the Bible, that’s all. I didn’t mean it literally. I simply meant you are showing true love and friendship by being willing to make that sacrifice.”
“Oh.” Kate didn’t know what else to say, so she turned her attention back to Tori. “Do you want to see the banners? Colt and Melissa should be here any minute. Melissa is bringing all four of them so we can try them on our horses. We thought we could put one on Mr. Gray and take a picture of him and Tori together, and then Mom is going to take one of all four of us and our horses.”
“That would be very nice, thank you. I think I’ll go inside and talk to your mother and rest while you children get ready. I’m a bit tired from standing so long. Please call me before you put the banner on Mr. Gray.”
Curiosity pricked at Kate’s mind, but she nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Do you want me to walk you to the house?”
“No, no. I’m fine. But don’t forget to let me know when Colt and Melissa arrive and you have all the horses out and ready to blanket.” She moved down the alleyway toward the house at a slow pace, humming a little tune as she shuffled along.
Kate and her friends finished brushing their horses, and Melissa patted Mocha’s neck. Her black bay gelding had finally recovered from his own injury earlier in the summer. She turned to Kate. “I loved riding Capri, but it’s sure nice to have my own horse again.” She glanced at Tori, and a flush rose in her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Tori. I shouldn’t have said that. I feel so bad that you can’t ride Mr. Gray. I’ll let you ride Mocha if you’re willing.”
Kate’s heart swelled with joy. This was the first time Melissa had made such a completely unselfish offer in all the time Kate had known her.
“That’s really nice of you, Melissa.” Tori gave Melissa a shy smile.
Kate decided not to mention that she’d already said the same thing to Tori about Capri.
Melissa kicked at a clod of dirt. “Kate did the same for me, even when I’d been mean to her. Tori, you’re the kindest person I know, and I’d like to do something nice for someone else for a change.”
Colt set down his horse’s hoof and dropped the hoof pick in the tack box by his feet. “Romeo’s pretty gentle, and I’ve been in parades before, so you could use him if you’re scared of Mocha or Capri.”
Tori gazed from one to the other, her eyes brimming with tears. “You guys are the best. I’ve never had friends like the three of you before. But I’m not going to take any of your horses.”
She stroked Starlight’s neck, then pressed her face into his black mane. The horse nickered and nudged her, as though letting her know he returned the sentiment. “I’ll watch from the sidelines with Mrs. Maynard. Really. I was kind of scared to ride in the parade anyway. Mr. Gray is great and everything, but I still don’t feel as safe on him as I do on Starlight. I’m not sure why, since Mr. Gray has never done anything wrong.”
Colt pulled one of the red banners out of a bag. “Guess we’d better get saddled.”
Kate nodded. “I’ll get Mrs. Maynard. She’s resting in the house and visiting with Mom, but she asked that we call her when we’re ready to put the banners on.” She didn’t wait for a reply but jogged up the aisle. Poor Tori. She was being so brave about not riding in the parade, but Kate could tell her friend was sad.
A few minutes later, Kate returned with her mom and Mrs. Maynard, walking slowly so the older woman could keep up. “The horses are groomed, and we’re putting the banners and saddles on so Mom can take a picture. We’re excited you let us use your banners, Mrs. Maynard. I’m not sure what we’d have done without them.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t know how I’d have gotten along without the help of you and your friends.” She waved a hand toward the row of four horses tied in front of each of their stalls. “Now that’s a pretty sight, if you ask me.”
Kate slipped past her and stopped in front of Capri. One of her friends had draped a banner over the arena half wall. She picked it up and carefully smoothed it over Capri’s back, then placed the saddle pad and saddle on top of it as Colt, Tori, and Melissa did the same with theirs. “Wow! The red even shows at the bottom edge of the saddle, and the lettering on both sides in the back shows up perfectly. Blue Ribbon Barn. It’s so awesome to see that in print!”
Tori finished buckling Mr. Gray’s girth, then turned a troubled frown toward her friends. “You guys should be in the picture, not me. I’m not riding in the parade, so it’s silly for me to be in the picture.”
Kate started to protest, but Mrs. Maynard held up her hand. “May I say something?”
Kate nodded. “Sure.”
Mrs. Maynard glanced at Kate’s mom, who simply smiled. “Nan and I talked about this, then I called Tori’s mother to discuss it as well. We’re all in agreement that Tori should ride Starlight in the parade this Saturday. That is, if she wants to.” She raised her brows and looked from one face to the next, ending with Tori’s.
Kate gasped, but she didn’t reply. This was Tori’s surprise, and it had to be her decision. She only prayed that Tori wouldn’t be too scared to ride the beautiful black horse.
Tori’s jaw slacked and her lips parted. “Really? You trust me to ride him?”
“Yes, I certainly do. I’ve seen the way you treat him, and how responsive he is with you. I can’t think of anyone I’d trust more than you.”
“But what if I have an accident, and he gets hurt? I’d never forgive myself. I’m not an experienced rider, and I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened.”
Mrs. Maynard patted Tori’s hand where it rested on Starlight’s mane. “Let’s take it one day at a time. Put the banner on Starlight and get the pictures taken, then you can ride him down the road with your friends. You’ll get a feel for how he does with cars going past, and you’ll be a lot less nervous about the parade.”
Tori gave a slow nod, but Kate could still see the uncertainty and a glimmer of fear in her expression. “All right. We’ll do that. Thank you for trusting me. I hope I won’t disappoint you.”
Chapter Eighteen
The day of the parade was hot and clear, with no breeze to break the stillness. Kate, Tori, Colt, and Melissa sat on their horses in the
lineup, awaiting the signal to start. Kate couldn’t believe the number of people swarming the streets and standing around the start area, not to mention the floats and other entries.
It wasn’t anything like the huge Rose Festival parade they held in nearby Portland, Oregon, each year. There weren’t any elaborate floats. Mostly flatbed trucks, decorated with ribbons and flowers, carrying kids dressed in costumes, along with clowns, other equestrian groups, decorated cars and pickups, a Boy Scout group, the high school’s marching band, and even the rodeo queen and her court.
Kate’s dad patted her leg as she sat on Capri. “Your mother and Pete are going to stay with Mrs. Maynard near the end of the parade route. Tori’s and Colt’s parents and Melissa’s mom left to find places midway, but I’m going to walk the entire length with you kids in case you need help with anything.” His brows were drawn together in the way Kate recognized when he was anxious.
Somehow it reassured her rather than scared her, and she reached down to squeeze his fingers. “I was kind of scared at first, but none of the horses are acting up. Colt and Melissa have both ridden in parades, so Tori will ride beside Melissa, and Colt is riding next to me, behind the two of them. We’ll be fine.”
The announcer signaled for the police car to start, followed by the lead car in the parade containing the mayor of The Dalles and the guest of honor. Kate grinned at her father. “You’d better get out of the way, Dad. Looks like we’ll be leaving soon. I’m glad they put the horses near the end of the line and that noisy band at the front. It’s nice having another horse group in front and behind too. It’s almost like being on a big trail ride.”
Her dad moved to the sidewalk and waited until their small group moved out; then he kept pace beside them.
When they’d covered a full block with nothing more exciting happening than a little boy running out to grab candy that was thrown, and his mother snatching him back before he fell in a pile of horse droppings, Kate grinned. If that was the worst that happened today, she’d go home happy.
“Tori, how you holding up?” She almost had to holler the words over the noise of the band three blocks ahead of them and the chatter of the crowd on both sides of the street. Most of the businesses fronting Second Street were closed, and the sidewalk was packed with people straining to see. Of course, the majority of these people were in town for the carnival and the rodeo later in the afternoon, but it was still awesome that so many of them wanted to watch the parade.
Tori twisted her head toward Kate, and she wasn’t smiling. “I’m still kind of nervous, but Starlight isn’t.”
Melissa reached toward Tori with one hand, as if she wanted to reassure her, but she couldn’t quite touch her. “You’re doing great! Just relax and have fun.”
It took at least thirty minutes to reach the end of the business district, even though it was only about six blocks long. Tori called back over her shoulder, “Are we almost done?”
Colt chuckled. “Nope. We’re over halfway. We have to cross the railroad tracks and stop at a big pullout, although some of the entries will continue on a little farther to the rodeo grounds.”
Kate stroked Capri’s neck. “You’re such a good girl,” she crooned to her horse. “Hey, Colt. Why do you think Tori’s still so nervous? Starlight acts like an old hand.”
“Not sure. I guess because she hasn’t had as much experience riding like the rest of us. It’s a good thing we decided not to toss candy to the kids on the sidewalk.”
Kate nodded. “This is tons of fun, but I don’t think I’d have liked that either. I want to keep both hands on my reins. I’ve only ridden for less than a year longer than Tori.”
They passed a lumberyard with a store adjoining it and saw Mrs. Maynard stand up next to her lawn chair and wave a hanky. “You children look wonderful!” Her voice carried over the thinner crowd, as most of the people had chosen to watch from downtown. Starlight pricked his ears and nickered in reply. “Keep up the good work!”
Kate’s dad walked at a brisk pace beside them for the next four or five blocks. “We’re almost there. We have to cross the tracks down a side road up ahead, then a short distance to where the horse trailer is parked.”
Kate grinned. “It’s a good thing you run so often, or you’d be wiped out by now, Dad.”
“Yep.” He waved, slowed and held up his phone. “I’ll keep you in sight, but I want to see if Mrs. Maynard and your mother plan to head this way soon.”
“Okay.” Kate blew out her breath. “This has been great, but it’ll be nice to be home.” She looked at the line ahead of them, watching as entries crossed over the railroad tracks. It was a good thing no trains came through this time of day.
The group of horses and riders representing a local 4-H club crossed over the tracks. Melissa and Tori went next, and Melissa pointed ahead of them. “Watch out for that area where the two tracks come close together. You don’t want Starlight to get a hoof caught in that crack.”
Tori nodded and tightened her reins.
A child dashed out from the crowd, racing for the last handful of candy tossed out by the group in front of them, and she halted only a yard ahead of Starlight.
Kate’s heart nearly stopped as Starlight got closer to the little girl.
Tori gasped and reined the gelding to the side to keep from running over the child, and a second later, the girl’s mother snatched her into her arms.
Tori slumped in her saddle and relaxed her hold on the reins, then glanced back at Kate. “Whew. That was close. I’m glad we’re almost done.”
Melissa gestured ahead of them. “Watch it, Tori!”
Tori jerked her head around, but Kate could tell she wasn’t sure what she was watching out for.
Kate groaned as Starlight’s hoof plunged into the area between the two tracks and caught.
Chapter Nineteen
Melissa pulled Mocha to a stop, and Colt and Kate followed her lead. Kate dismounted as quickly as she could and looked around, hoping to see her dad. He’d said he’d keep them in sight, but he must have stayed on the phone a little longer than he’d planned. She turned to Colt. “What do we do?”
He dismounted, then handed her Romeo’s reins. “Keep the horses calm. I’ll see what it looks like.” He moved forward calmly. “Good girl, Tori. Keep a tight rein on him. We don’t want him trying to yank his foot out and hurting himself.”
Tori swiveled her head, and Kate could see tears streaking her face. “I’m scared, Colt.”
“I know. Keep talking to him and stroking his neck. Let him know he’ll be okay, and you’re here to help him. That will help keep him calm.”
Tori nodded and bent over Starlight’s neck. “Good boy.” She ran her hand along his neck. “Nothing is going to happen to you, I promise. Don’t move now, okay?”
Colt stepped up to the horse’s head and grasped the reins close to the bit. “Get down slowly now, Tori, then come hold him while I see what I can do with his foot.”
Tori did as he asked, slipping out of the saddle; then she walked forward and took Colt’s place. “Is he hurt?”
Colt shook his head. “Not yet.” He gritted his teeth. “I wish the rest of the entries would stop going around us. Kate or Melissa, do you think you can find Kate’s dad?”
Melissa pivoted her horse. “Sure. I can see better from up here. I’ll head back the way we came.”
Kate stood to the side. “What can I do?”
Colt knelt beside Starlight but looked up at Kate. “Stand there with our horses. It’s blocking anyone from getting too close to Starlight. Tori, you’re doing a great job keeping him calm. Keep talking to him.”
Just then a car pulled across the tracks and off to the side; then the back and front passenger doors opened, and Mrs. Maynard and Kate’s dad and mom got out and headed their direction. Kate’s hands shook with relief. “Am I glad you went back to get Mrs. M
aynard, Dad. Starlight’s foot is stuck.”
Two men stopped and surveyed the scene. “Need help?” the taller one asked.
Mrs. Maynard took a moment to assess the situation with sharp eyes; then she gave a short nod. “Thanks, we might. But for now, we’ll see what we can do. Tori, when I tell you to, put your hand over Starlight’s nose, push backward very gently, and cluck to him. Colt, move slowly and put your hand on his shoulder. As soon as I say the word and you feel him start to shift, slide your hand to his fetlock and lift his foot, like you would if you were going to clean his hoof. Got that?”
Tori shivered but nodded. “Yes.”
Colt put his hand on Starlight’s shoulder. “Ready when you are.”
Mrs. Maynard stepped closer. “Now, Tori, gently ease him back.”
Tori didn’t hesitate but slipped her hand over the gelding’s nose and spoke to him softly, then clucked her tongue and pressed against the soft flesh.
Kate held her breath and waited, praying Colt would be able to extract the horse’s foot.
As soon as the horse started to move, Colt slid his hand down Starlight’s leg and lifted. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as the hoof cleared the tight space between the tracks. Colt placed Starlight’s hoof a foot back, and Tori kept up the pressure as the gelding walked backward.
A light cheer went up from the group, including the two men who had stopped to help and several other onlookers Kate hadn’t noticed before. She grinned. “Thank You, Lord.”
Melissa moved up to stand beside her. “Yeah. I agree. That could have been bad.”
Kate stared at the girl, not sure if she’d heard correctly. “What do you mean?”
“I think God must have had something to do with Starlight staying calm and not breaking his leg. A lot of horses would have gone into a panic and tried to wrench their leg free. It wouldn’t have been pretty.”
Mystery Rider Page 11
