Silver Spurs

by Miralee Ferrell

  To Kate, my darling granddaughter.

  I hope by the time you’re old enough to read these books, you’ll love horses and reading as much as I do.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

  AfterWords

  Secrets for Your Diary

  Colt’s Favorite Horse Cookies

  Author’s Note

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Sneak Peek at Book Three:Mystery Rider

  Horses and Friends Series

  A Horse for Kate

  Silver Spurs

  Mystery Rider (Fall 2015)

  Blue Ribbon Trail Ride (Spring 2016)

  Chapter One

  Upper Hood River Valley, Odell, Oregon

  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-riding 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 over a year when her owner got sick, with no one to help her maintain 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 mare’s 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, since her parents didn’t want her riding alone away from the barn. 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 from their home 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.” 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 across the river in 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 cause 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?”

  Chapter Two

  Kate twisted her hair around her finger and leaned back in the worn-out lawn chair parked outside the barn door. “I’m tired. I didn’t know this place needed so much work. We’ve done a lot this past week, and we’re still not done.”

  Tori took a drink of her soda. “I’m thankful we had Colt’s help, or it never would have gotten done.” She peered at the boy tipped back in the lounge chair with his eyes closed. They’d met him shortly after Kate arrived in town, but he was already becoming a good friend. “It started out dirty, but it’s getting better.” She pointed at Kate’s face and smirked. “I think you got most of the dirt on your face. And your brown hair looks gray with the dust and cobwebs all over it.”

  “Gross!” Kate sat up and batted at her hair. She hated spiders more than anything! Snakes she could deal with, but those eight-legged little creatures gave her the creeps.

  Tori choked back a laugh. “Sorry, I was teasing about the cobwebs. But your hair is gray.”

  Kate flopped against the chair and groaned. “Thanks a lot. At least I don’t have straw in my hair and mud on my nose.” She grinned, knowing how much Tori disliked looking grubby.

  Teasing her best friend took Kate’s mind off her sore feet and aching back. Besides, Tori always got even, as she’d proved with her crack about the cobwebs. “I guess we should water Capri and toss her some feed now that the stalls are clean.”

  Soft footfalls sounded behind her, and Kate turned. “Pete. What’s up? Want to sit with me, Colt, and Tori?”

  Colt sat up and smiled at Kate’s little brother. “You can sit with me, buddy.”

  Pete scuffled one foot back and forth, back and forth, his brown head bowed.

  Tori glanced at Kate, then sat up slowly, swinging her legs over the edge of the lounger and scooting over, resting her shoulder against the raised back of the chair. “Hey, kiddo. I have half a package of M&M’s left. Want some?” She dug into her pocket and took out a crumpled packet.

  Pete shrugged but shifted his feet a few inches her direction.

  She patted the seat beside her. “Come on. There’s plenty of room. I saved you all the red ones.”

  His eyes flitted up, and then his gaze darted away, but he sidled closer until he was within reach.

  Kate smiled, relieved that her little brother was responding so well to Tori. Her friend wanted to work with disabled kids when she grew up, and she’d connected with Pete from the moment she met him. Kate loved Pete more than almost anyone in her life, but it was hard to imagine having the patience to spend hours with a roomful of people who needed so much help. That made her friend even more special.

  Kate leaned toward Colt. “Don’t feel bad. He doesn’t know you very well yet, and Tori’s his favorite right now. Especially since she has M&M’s.”

  Pete sank slowly onto the lounger next to Tori but still didn’t meet her gaze. He held out his hand and waited as she tumbled a pile of M&M’s onto his palm. “Thank you.” The simple words were low and soft.

  Tori’s face lit up in response. “You’re welcome. Hey, do you want to see what we’ve been doing in the barn?”

  He shook his head and hunched into a ball. “Just want candy.”

  “Okay, that’s cool. You can sit with us as long as you want.”

  Colt pushed to his feet and stretched. “I’d better get going. I still have homework to do, and Mom told me I had to get it done before tonight, since we’ve got a superbusy day tomorrow.”

  Kate looked up at the boy who was taller than she was, something that didn’t happen a l
ot at her age, since she was taller than most of the boys in her seventh-grade class. “Thanks, Colt. You’ve been awesome. We couldn’t have done this without you and Tori.”

  Pete eased out of Tori’s chair. “Going to the house now. M&M’s are all gone.” He held up his hands but still didn’t meet anyone’s eyes.

  Colt grinned. “I’ll walk him to the house, since my bike is parked by your door. See you guys later.”

  “Bye, Colt.” Tori waved. “I’ll bring more candy next time I come, Pete.”

  Pete didn’t reply, but Kate was sure she saw a tiny smile play at the corners of his mouth. “You’re so good with him. Once we have a trainer and learn more, maybe we can teach Pete to ride.”

  The smile eased off Tori’s face, and she sighed. “At least you and Colt each have a horse to take lessons on when you hire an instructor.”

  Kate sat up with a jerk. “If we get an instructor. Mom and Dad haven’t decided yet.”

  “Well, they said yes to thinking about taking horses to board. And you’ll be able to use Capri for lessons.”

  “Hey, you’re my best friend. I’m not going to leave you out.”

  “Not like you have much choice. I’ll never get a horse.” Tori scrunched her brows. “I can be your groom.”

  The muscles in Kate’s stomach tightened. Tori became her best friend not long after Kate and her family moved to Odell in March. She hated hearing the hurt in Tori’s voice. “No way.” Kate jumped from the chair, knocking it onto its side. “Come on.”

  “What?” Tori sat still and stared up at her. “I’ve done enough work today. I want to drink my pop.”

  Kate giggled and reached for Tori’s hand, excitement surging through her. “Get out of that chair. Hurry up.” She pulled Tori to her feet. “I’ve got a plan, and you’re going to love it.”

  Tori swung into step with Kate. “What’s up?”

  “You’ll see. Help me tack up Capri.”

  “Huh?” Tori put on the brakes. “You rode her before I came.”

  Kate swung around, allowing a grin to spread across her face. She couldn’t wait to see Tori’s reaction. “I know. Stop with all the questions and help me, all right?”