by Wood, Karen
Next to Lexie, Kit beamed proudly and adjusted the tiara in her wild black hair. She had been crowned Miss Peachy Queen. ‘Such an honour,’ she gushed for the three-hundredth time.
Analita jiggled Grampy’s busking hat on her lap. People had filled it with notes and coins while they were all chasing after Harry.
Grampy started the engine. ‘That is the last trick-riding show we do,’ he said. Then he looked at the hat. ‘At least we can buy some more seed for the farm now.’
Lexie was just happy to have her belt buckle back. As they rolled out of the gate and headed towards home, they saw Shadrak wagging a finger at Silvanus.
Grampy wound down his window. ‘This matter is finished for good. Yes?’
Shadrak nodded curtly. ‘You have my word. We are leaving tomorrow.’
Seth led a limping black horse behind him. Its leg was wrapped in a bandage. Kit waved to him and her healing bracelet jingled. He tethered the horse and ran over.
‘If I can ever repay you for helping my horse, please let me know,’ he said.
‘Well,’ said Grampy. ‘I think that is the most pleasant thing a Hexley has ever said to a Trickett.’
‘We may end up friends yet,’ said Ruby.
‘Don’t get too hopeful,’ muttered Lexie. The peppermint hadn’t kicked in yet and she was still a long way from forgiving Silvanus.
Another man came running at them with a small electronic device in his hand. ‘Mr Trickett! Laurie Chalkman, from the Kulnara Gazette. I only just got here. What happened? Can I have an interview, please?’
‘You’d better ask your son,’ said Grampy. He shoved the truck into gear and roared out of the showgrounds.
Lexie wound the window down and took a deep breath as they drove away from the festival. ‘Peaches!’ she cried happily, as the breeze lifted her hair. ‘Oh, lovely scrumptious peaches!’ The fat, juicy fruits hung heavily in the orchards as they drove past the farms of Kulnara. They were all she could smell.
Perhaps she could forgive Silvanus after all.
About the Author
Karen Wood is a mother of two and the author of the popular Diamond Spirit books, as well as rural romance books, Jumping Fences, Rain Dance and Under the Flame Tree. She is mad about horses but is also a qualified horticulturalist with a degree in Communications. She has a menagerie of animals on her small acreage in New South Wales and spends her free time with her children and horses.