A Horse for Kate (Horses and Friends Book 1)

by Miralee Ferrell

  “He also said he doesn’t know much about horses, and he’s hoping she’ll go to a new home. That would probably happen if she was all shed out, her weight was up, and her feet were trimmed. It would even be better if someone could ride her when they put her up for bid, so people knew she was broke. But if they just run her into the sales arena and start bidding, there’s a good chance she’ll sell for meat prices.”

  “What can we do? It’s not like either of us has the money to buy her.”

  “I know.” Defeat washed over Kate, making her want to cry in frustration. “Let’s go home and talk to my dad. Maybe he’ll have an idea. No way do I want Capri to die.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kate didn’t know whether to beg or cry or holler, but somehow she doubted any of those would convince her father to change his mind. Too bad Tori hadn’t wanted to stay, but she understood why her friend would feel weird about trying to help Kate talk to her parents. Dad stood like a block of stone in the living room, with only his warm eyes showing his sorrow.

  Kate twisted her hands together. “There’s got to be a way to save her, Dad.” She turned to her other parent. “Mom? You owned horses years ago. You know what could happen to Capri if she’s sent to the auction.”

  Mom nodded. “I do. But I also know she could end up getting a good home. My dad bought more than one horse at the auction yard. Most of the people who attend are there to buy a horse for their ranch or family, not to buy one for the packing plant.”

  Kate scowled, still not convinced. “But why take that chance? She was a champion hunter-jumper. She deserves to go to a good home.”

  “I’m sure Mr. Miller will tell the auction people about Capri’s history, Kate. He’ll want to get the best possible price for her,” Mom said.

  Dad sank onto the couch next to Mom. “It’s not our business, honey. Capri belongs to Mr. Miller. If he decides that’s what is best, it’s not up to us to question his decision.”

  Kate spread her arms wide. “But we could buy her!”

  Dad shut his eyes. “We’ve discussed this before, Kate. I’m not going through it again. I’m sorry.”

  “But Dad!”

  “No more argument, Kate. You need to take care of your chores. I don’t want your work at the barn to interfere with your responsibilities at home. You promised to keep up, remember?”

  “Yeah.” She scuffed her toe against the carpet, wanting to say more but knowing she shouldn’t. When Dad used that tone, any discussion was over. Finished. Done with. Nothing would change his mind. Not even an earthquake.

  Pete came into the room, twisting his fingers together. “Kate is sad?”

  Kate tried to smile, but it didn’t feel real. “I’m okay, buddy. Don’t worry.”

  He edged closer, his fingers still in motion. “Kate wants her horse. Pete wants Kate to have her horse. Pete likes Kate’s horse.”

  Mom walked over to Pete, then looked at Kate’s father. “We need to be careful what we talk about in front of little ears. Remember what happened the last time he got worried about Kate’s horse.”

  “Right.” Dad pushed to his feet and extended his hand. “Want me to read to you, Peter?”

  Pete stared at his toes, which dipped and rocked. “Guess so. Pete likes horses too.”

  “I know. Come on. We’ll find a book about horses.”

  Pete dipped one shoulder. “No. Read Pete’s Dragon. Pete likes dragons too.”

  Dad chuckled. “You’ve got it. Dragons it is.”

  Kate watched them leave, then pleaded with her mother. “Can’t you convince Dad to change his mind? He listens to you.”

  Her mother raised her brows. “You know better than that, Kate. If your father says no, then that’s where we leave it.”

  “But you don’t agree. I know you don’t. I saw it in your expression when we were talking about it.” Kate didn’t care if she sounded upset. She was upset. This wasn’t a bit fair.

  Her mother put her arm around Kate’s waist and drew her close. “I understand what you’re feeling and going through, honey. That’s what you saw on my face. I care that you’re hurting. But I also get what your father is saying. It’s not that we don’t love you or want you to have your dream. We’re trying to be careful with our money right now, that’s all. I’m not saying it won’t ever happen. Maybe in a year or so we can think about buying a horse.”

  Kate stiffened. “Capri might be dead by then. Even if she’s not, someone else will own her.”

  “I know that, but believe it or not, she’s not the only horse in the world. There are others—nice ones you’ll like just as much. You simply need to be patient.”

  “Patience is overrated.” Kate grumbled the words she’d heard her dad say one time in the past. But she knew Mom was right and she was the one not being fair. “I’m sorry, Mom. I know you guys aren’t rich. It’s just that I want Capri so bad.”

  Kate shrugged into her backpack on Tuesday afternoon and followed Tori to where they’d left their bikes outside the barn where they worked. She loved her job, but she couldn’t quit thinking about Capri and the fact that the horse she’d come to care about was going to be hauled to the auction and might be sold for dog food. She shuddered, not wanting to even think about the possibility. If only she could come up with a way to purchase the mare. Maybe they could attend the auction and pray she went supercheap.

  Tori swung her leg over her bike and stared at Kate, who gripped her handlebars and didn’t move. “Are you coming? What’s wrong with you? You’ve been spaced out all day.”

  Kate mounted her bike. “I know. Sorry for being a dweeb. I can’t get my mind off Capri, that’s all.”

  “Hey, I hear you. I’m worried about her too, and I don’t even want her for my own horse.” Tori made a face. “I wish your parents would change their minds about getting her for you.”

  “Not likely.” Kate propped her foot on one pedal but kept the other on the ground. “Want to ride over there on the way home? I brought carrots and some apple slices. Who knows? It might be one of our last chances to see her.”

  “Sure. Let’s go.” Tori pushed ahead down the driveway, and Kate followed.

  They rounded the last corner, and Kate peered ahead, anxious to see Capri shove her nose across the fence, eager for treats. But she didn’t see the mare standing at the edge of the paddock. Maybe she was in the lean-to eating some of the plentiful hay Mr. Miller made sure she was getting now that he’d taken over her care. Kate pedaled harder. Mom would be expecting her home for supper soon, and she still had homework to finish before tomorrow.

  They slid to a stop near the pen, and Kate dumped her bike, not even caring that it hit the ground too hard. “Where is she?”

  Tori bolted to the rails and peered inside. “She’s gone. Do you think Mr. Miller already came and got her? It’s kind of weird he left the gate open, but I guess if there’s no horse to escape, it doesn’t matter.”

  Kate slapped her open palm against the top board. “I can’t believe this! He said he was going to take her this weekend. We didn’t even get a chance to say good-bye!”

  Chapter Twenty

  Kate burst through the door of her house and raced to the kitchen. “Capri is gone, Mom! Mr. Miller must have picked her up early to take her to the auction. I’m sick. She’s going to be sold for meat, I just know it.” She clenched her jaws to keep from saying something she shouldn’t or, worse yet, bursting into tears. But if there were ever a time when she didn’t care if she was a sissy and cried, this was it.

  Mom leaned against the counter by the sink, where she’d been scrubbing a skillet, and faced Kate. “I’m so sorry, honey. You didn’t get to see her before she left?”

  “No. And it’s not fair.”

  Her mother came over and wrapped her arms around Kate’s shoulders, pulling her close. “Sweetie, lots of things in li
fe aren’t fair, but I understand why this hurts.”

  Kate absorbed the love of her mom’s embrace for a minute, then shifted. “Thanks, Mom. Do you think Dad would be willing to let me attend the auction?”

  “I don’t think that’s a wise idea. It will only make losing her that much harder.”

  “You mean because I might find out she didn’t go to a good home? But maybe she’d go really cheap, and we could buy her.” She gazed at her mom and tried to put all the pleading she could into her gaze. “Please? Talk to Dad?”

  Mom sighed. “You need to let it go, Kate.”

  Dad came to the doorway. “Let what go?”

  Kate ran to him and poured out the entire story again. “So can we go to the auction, Dad? Please?”

  He started to answer, but the phone rang in the living room, cutting him off. “Just a sec.” He walked into the other room and returned a short while later. “That was a Mr. Miller. He says he met Kate and Tori a few days ago when he stopped to check on his mare. He wanted to know if the girls came to visit Capri earlier today.” He looked at Kate with a questioning gaze. “You said you did, right?”

  “Yeah. But I told you, she was gone.” Kate saw her dad shoot Mom a concerned look. “What’s going on? Why did he call to see if we came over? Mr. Miller said he didn’t mind if we fed her carrots, but we didn’t even get a chance to do that today.”

  Dad placed two fingers under Kate’s chin and lifted her face until she was gazing right into his eyes. “So you two girls didn’t go over on your way to the barn to pet her or feed her?”

  “No way, Dad. We went right to work and stopped there on our way home. Why?”

  “Because he stopped there late this afternoon to check on her. The gate was open, and she was gone. You’re the only people he knows, other than the man who was supposed to care for her, who’s ever shown an interest in Capri, so he thought you might have gotten spooked that he was selling her and let her out.”

  “John! I hope you told him what Kate said, and that she and Tori would never do something like that.”

  Gratitude welled in Kate’s heart. Her mother believed her. Did Dad? She studied his calm face and waited for his response.

  “Of course I did, Nan. In fact, I told him that Kate came home quite upset and disappointed that the mare was gone and assumed Mr. Miller had already picked her up for transport to the auction. He was relieved and disappointed at the same time, as the girls were his only lead.”

  Kate clenched her hands into fists. “So where is she if he didn’t pick her up? Did someone steal her? I can’t believe this is happening. We’ve got to help find her!”

  Kate woke early the next morning with a stomachache. She didn’t think she’d slept more than three hours, since she’d worried about Capri most of the night. It had been dark thirty minutes or so after Mr. Miller called, and there had been nothing her family could do to help find her. Kate wanted to drive around the entire area and shine their car’s headlights into every pasture, but Dad said no.

  She kicked off her blankets and bolted from bed. It was only six o’clock, and she had a full hour before she needed to get ready for school—more if she hurried. She threw on her clothes and headed for the stairs. If Mom and Dad weren’t up yet, maybe she could leave them a note that she planned to ride her bike and search for Capri. Surely they wouldn’t mind her doing that!

  She tiptoed down the stairs. Rufus needed to go outside, and if nothing else, she could look around while taking him for a short walk.

  She stepped into the kitchen. Dad was snapping the leash on Rufus, who stood there with a big doggy grin, his tail thumping against the cupboard doors. “Hi, Dad.”

  His brows rose in surprise. “What are you doing up so early? Don’t you have another hour or so before you get ready for school?”

  “Yeah, but I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Worried about Capri, huh?” Dad gave her a sad smile.

  “Uh-huh. Can I take Rufus for his walk?”

  Dad hesitated for a second. “I suppose, but I have time before I leave for work. You sure you want to do it?”

  She nodded. “I want to look for Capri.”

  “Honey, it’s not likely you’ll find her. She could be anywhere. I’d hate to see you get your hopes up.” He kept a firm grip on Rufus’s leash.

  “I know, but I have to try. Please?” She held out her hand and waited.

  Finally he gave her the lead. “I need to go to work early, so I might be gone by the time you get back. Your mom had a bad headache last night, so don’t wake her when you get home if she’s not up, okay?”

  “Sure, Dad. Thanks.” Kate lifted her hand in farewell and headed to the door. She had no idea what she’d do if she didn’t find Capri. It made her sick thinking about the mare wandering around lost, but another part of her rejoiced that the horse had gotten loose. Maybe somehow she’d escape going to the auction this way, and Kate would still have a chance to make Capri her own.

  Thirty minutes later, Kate checked her watch again, wishing for the hundredth time that she didn’t have to go to school today. She’d seen plenty of horses on the mile or so of road she’d covered, but not the chestnut mare she longed to find.

  “Come on, Rufus. Time to turn around.” She tugged on the dog’s leash, pulling him away from sniffing along the side of the road. “We’ll take a shortcut across this field and come out at the back of our barn.” She shivered and tugged her collar up to protect her neck from the early morning chill, wishing she’d grabbed a stocking hat.

  Rufus resisted the tug for several seconds, then finally gave in and followed as she struck out across the field, covered by ankle-high grass and weeds. Dad would be gone by now, and she’d need to hurry to get ready for school. Maybe she’d ride her bike to give herself a few more minutes. It was a good thing she didn’t wear much makeup—only a little lip gloss and a touch of mascara—or it would take her twice as long.

  Rufus trotted ahead of her, straining at the leash. He hadn’t been fed yet this morning, and he probably wanted to get back to the kitchen and his food dish.

  Kate increased her pace to keep up. “I’m coming. Calm down, okay?”

  He gave a short yip and pulled harder.

  The back of their barn was in sight, and Kate thought she saw something move along the far wall. She put her hand above her eyes to block the morning sun. “Do you see something, boy?” She gripped the leash tighter, not liking the idea of running into a stray dog. Rufus was gentle with people, but he had a protective streak when it came to other dogs on his property.

  They reached the end of the barn, and Kate slowed her pace, wondering if she should go down the opposite side from where she’d seen the movement. The last thing she wanted was Rufus in a dog fight. A crunch of gravel sounded, and Kate halted, the hair on her arms standing on end. That must be a pretty big dog to make that much noise.

  Rufus barked again and strained at his leash. Kate gave a hard yank. “Down, Rufus. Leave it.” The dog relaxed, but only slightly, his body still quivering.

  Kate stood still, not sure what to do. She hated to wake Mom if she had a headache, but it sounded like something was trying to get into their barn. Maybe the same people who stole the saddles from Mrs. Wilder’s barn thought there was something worth stealing here. She almost laughed thinking how shocked they’d be at finding nothing but junk inside.

  Then she sobered. Someone breaking into their barn wasn’t anything to joke about. She sucked in her breath.

  At that instant something struck the corner of the barn behind her with a soft thunk. Kate froze, then slowly pivoted and stared.

  Several yards away, Capri munched on a straggle of moldy hay she must have found near the side door. Kate wanted to do a happy dance, but if she did, the mare would probably bolt and run like Rocket had.

  Rufus sniffed the air, and his hackles wen
t down. He dropped his head and whined, probably wondering what this large creature was that had invaded his space. Kate patted the dog. “Good boy. Quiet, now.”

  She bent over and yanked a handful of grass growing next to the wall; then she eased forward, her hand extended. “Hey there, girl. You remember me, right? Come on, have some grass.” She kept her voice soft and didn’t make any sudden movements, praying the mare would be more interested in eating than running away.

  Capri raised her head. She took a step forward and then froze. A shiver ran over her body, and she backed up a couple of steps. Kate scanned the pasture, wondering what could have spooked her, but didn’t see anything nearby. “Easy, girl. It’s just grass. You’re hungry, right?” Keeping her hand extended, she eased ahead inch by inch.

  “That’s right. There you go.” Kate wanted to shout for joy as Capri moved toward her and nibbled at the grass, then dropped her head and checked the ground for anything that might have fallen.

  Kate unsnapped the leash from Rufus. “Stay, boy. Sit.” The big dog sat and stared at her, tail thumping. “Good boy.”

  She stroked the mare’s neck, then slid the leash around her and clipped it. “Whew! I’ve got you! Come on, let’s get in the barn. I’m sure glad I cleaned out a couple of stalls, and there’s some clean hay in the loft, even if it’s old. You’ll be safe here until I can decide what to do.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Kate barely got through the day without exploding. She’d kept her word and not awakened her mom, but then she’d felt guilty all day that she hadn’t told anyone about finding Capri. Other than Tori, of course. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to Tori privately before school, as Kate barely made it before the first bell rang, so she told her friend at lunch break.

  Tori’s happy face was exactly what Kate had hoped for, but then her friend had turned serious. “So what are you going to do?”