Colt thudded back in his seat. “Whew. Glad that’s over and we can move on. Not that I don’t want to ride in the parade, but girl’s stuff is, well, girl’s stuff, if you know what I’m sayin’.”
Tori poked her elbow into his side. “And you’re outnumbered, so you might want to be careful what you say.”
He groaned. “Yes, boss.”
She glanced around the small circle. “Anybody got any ideas?”
“I was thinking we need to go up the road and look for horseshoe prints leaving the road and going into the woods,” Kate suggested. “They couldn’t have vanished during the night. It’s not like they’re ghosts or anything.”
Tori shivered. “I sure hope not.”
Melissa laughed, but her tone was kind instead of her usual mocking laugh. “If it is a ghost, we’ll protect you, Tori.” She sobered and faced Kate. “I think that’s a really good idea. I’m not sure the horse is shod, but if it went off the road and onto any dirt, we might be able to find tracks. When do you guys want to try?”
Colt and Kate both jumped to their feet. “Right now,” they echoed.
Kate motioned toward the house. “I’ll check with Mom and make sure it’s okay. Since it’s daylight and not far away, I don’t think she’ll mind.”
She rushed into the house, excitement battling with nervous apprehension in her heart. They still hadn’t settled the question of what they’d do if they ever found the horse and rider.
Chapter Five
Kate and her friends parked their bikes against two trees right around the corner where they’d last glimpsed the Mystery Rider in the distance. “Are you sure this is a good idea, leaving our bikes here?” Kate asked no one in particular.
“Yep,” Colt said casually. “No one is going to steal four bikes at once, and they’ll be in sight all the way up the road. If we find where the horse turned off, we can come back and get them. But it’s going to be hard to see any prints if we’re riding. We need to walk and keep our eyes on the ground.”
“Okay, I guess that’s smart.” Kate edged to the side of the road. “So do we split up? Two of us on each side?”
Melissa crinkled her nose. “I didn’t think about that. I’m not sure why I assumed they’d turn off this direction, but you’re right, Kate. They could as easily have crossed the road and disappeared on the other side.”
“Right.” Colt beckoned to Tori. “You want to come with me, and Kate and Melissa can check this edge?”
Kate threw him a questioning look. He knew Tori and she were best friends, and that until last night, she’d been struggling with trusting Melissa. Was this some kind of test, or didn’t he want to walk with Melissa? Either way, she couldn’t very well say no. They’d already made Melissa feel like she wasn’t wanted recently, and Kate couldn’t do that again. “Sure. Come on, Melissa. You might be right, and we’ll be the ones to find where they left the road.”
Melissa grinned at Tori. “Or sprouted wings and flew over the treetops.”
Tori smacked Melissa’s arm. “We didn’t see any wings on that horse, so I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”
Melissa smirked. “I was thinking of something a little spookier.”
“Like I’ll be scared. Dead people don’t come back to life anyway.” Tori exhaled dramatically. “Come on, Colt. Let’s go check out the other side of the road and see if we can solve this mystery.”
“What’s with her?” Melissa retorted. “I was only joking. Besides, my mom said reincarnation might be true. She’s been checking out different religions lately and telling me some of what she’s learned.”
Kate’s stomach lurched. She hadn’t expected that they would talk about stuff like that. What should she say—that Melissa’s mom didn’t know what she was talking about and was listening to people who didn’t know God? That might offend Melissa. But Kate couldn’t lie and pretend she didn’t care or didn’t have an opinion, when she agreed with Tori.
As they started along the edge of the road, Kate was thankful they needed to keep their eyes on the ground. “She was only telling you what she believes.”
“Yeah, well, how is it any better than what anyone else believes?” Melissa stuffed her hands in her jeans pockets and scanned the hard-packed dirt.
“She and I, and Colt too, believe that the Bible tells us what’s true. It says that once a person dies, they don’t come back. They either go to heaven or hell. Except Jesus did, and there have been people raised from the dead, but I mean it’s not normal.”
“So what … you guys are religious nuts? I always knew there was something different about you.” Melissa’s tone had drifted back to its old snideness, but somehow Kate sensed curiosity as well.
“No, we’re Christians, that’s all.”
“So, religious nuts. Kooks,” Melissa said in a sly voice, as if testing to see if Kate still wanted her around.
Suddenly Kate got it. All this time, she’d been thinking about herself and her friends, worried that Melissa was out to get them, when God had sent Melissa to them so they could tell her about Him. Wow. That was cool! Kate couldn’t help it. She laughed.
Melissa jerked to a stop and glared. “So now you’re laughing at me? Maybe I’ll head home.”
Kate tried to control her giggling. “No. I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you. I admit, it does seem funny that you’d want to hang out with kids you think are kooks, but that’s not it. I was laughing at myself for being so stupid.”
Melissa swung around, her mouth pressed in a firm line. “Explain.”
“All this time I’ve been thinking you hated us and you were mean. Well, maybe you did hate us a little at first, but I don’t think you’ve ever intentionally been mean.”
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. “What exactly are you saying?”
Kate kicked at a pinecone. “You said your mom is searching and checking out different religions. I’m wondering if maybe you’re searching for what makes the three of us happy. You said you noticed we’re different. We didn’t cut you off when we found out you don’t have money, ’cause it doesn’t matter to us. We like people for who they are and how they act, not for the stuff they have.” She hunched a shoulder. “And I guess part of that is how we’ve been raised. But all three of us know Jesus personally—like, He’s our friend—so I think it goes past how we were raised, if that makes any sense.”
Melissa dropped her arms to her sides. “Not even a tiny bit. I figured you’d start yelling at me when I said you were kooks. That you’d tell me to get lost and that you don’t want me to hang around anymore. I don’t get you, Kate Ferris. Not at all.”
Kate looped her hand around Melissa’s arm. “Maybe you will if you hang around long enough. Now let’s see if we can find those hoofprints. Colt and Tori are way ahead of us, and they haven’t found a thing yet, so I think we’re going to get lucky soon!”
Melissa at first froze at Kate’s touch but then smiled. “Sounds good to me. Let’s go.”
They scanned the roadside for several yards with no results. The brush and trees grew thicker in this section, making it harder to see the ground. Kate and Melissa had covered another short section when Melissa stopped abruptly and grabbed Kate’s hand. “Look.” She pointed toward the dense brush.
Kate stared but didn’t see anything unusual. “What? There’s nothing there.”
Melissa released her hold on Kate and gestured. “You’re not looking high enough. See that low-hanging branch beyond the brush?”
Kate concentrated. “Yeah. And?”
“There’s a small piece of black fabric caught on the end.”
“Wow! You’ve got great eyes to spot that.”
Melissa ducked her head. “My dad always used to say I could find anything that was lost. We’d better holler at Tori and Colt so they don’t get too far ahead.”
“R
ight. I’ll get them. You keep your eyes on that branch.” Kate jogged up the road until she wasn’t far from her two friends. “Hey, guys. We think Melissa found something. Unless you’ve found tracks, you might want to come check this out.”
Colt and Tori ran across the gravel road, and Colt reached Kate first. “What’s up? You find hoofprints?”
“No.” Kate pointed. “Maybe something better. The brush was too close to the road, so we didn’t see any tracks. Come on, I’ll show you.”
They raced one another back to the spot where Melissa waited, then stopped. Tori shaded her eyes against the summer sun peeking through the branches. “What are we looking for?”
Melissa explained and started to walk toward the branch, but Colt held up a hand. “Wait. Let’s make sure there’s no poison oak or bramble bushes before we plow through this thicket. Better yet, is there an easier way around to where that branch is hanging?” He searched the ground around the clump of brush and grunted. “This way. There’s a narrow path past this tangle of weeds. It goes around the big, thick stuff and comes out on the other side, not far from that tree.” He led the way, and the girls followed; then they halted under the tree.
Tori squinted at the branch hanging about four or five feet above their heads. “So you think the Mystery Rider went under here and snagged her hood?”
Kate smiled at Melissa. “Yep. And we wouldn’t have found it if it hadn’t been for Melissa.”
Colt extended his fist and gave Melissa a fist bump. “Way to go. Now what?”
Kate froze. She’d been so excited about their find, she hadn’t thought any further. “I’m not sure. Maybe see if we can find tracks and follow them?”
Tori glanced into the woods that darkened as they grew denser. “Um … really?”
Melissa touched Tori’s shoulder. “Yeah. But it’s okay if you don’t want to, Tori. We’ll understand.”
Tori’s eyes widened. “Thanks, but if you guys are going, I am too. We’re in this together, right?”
Kate grinned. “Right. You’re my best friend, and I’m not leaving you behind. I think Melissa’s right. I say we follow the path, if there is one, and see where it leads. We’ll all watch each other’s backs. Agreed, Colt?”
He stared up at the branch with the piece of cloth caught on the tip. “I’m in.” He waggled his brows. “Let’s go see what we can scare up. I’m ready for an adventure.”
Chapter Six
Kate stayed right on Colt’s heels as they pushed through the dense brush, and Tori and Melissa pressed close behind them. After what seemed like an hour but was probably only a few minutes, they got to the edge of the deep stand of trees and halted to catch their breath. Kate glanced at Tori. “You doing okay?”
“Yep. Great, now that we’re not being scratched by branches anymore, and I can see the sun again.” Her friend pulled a tangle of leaves out of her hair.
Melissa peered over Kate’s shoulder. “Do you see anything?”
“Nothing. Just an open field.” Disappointment hit Kate hard. They’d found a path of sorts most of the way and occasionally noted hoofprints, but those had ended when they hit that final patch of brush. There was no sign of tracks there either.
Colt squatted and peered at the ground, running his hand over the thick weeds. “It’s possible the horse came this way, and the weeds and grass sprang back up, but I don’t see any impressions. Why come this way, and why all the secrecy? I don’t get it.”
“Me neither. So what now?” Kate wasn’t sure what to do anymore, and she hoped one of the others would have a good idea.
Silence was her only answer for several long seconds. Then Tori held up her hand. Kate knew what she’d say—go home and give this up.
Tori put her hand down and gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry. I kind of felt like I was in school. Anyway, we’ve come this far. I think we should walk across the field and see if there’s anything there. If there isn’t, we go home. I mean, what could it hurt, right?”
Melissa’s eyes rounded. “Seriously? Wow. I’m impressed, Tori. I was going to suggest we give up, but if you’re willing, I am. How about you guys?” She looked from Kate to Colt.
Colt nodded. “Sure. Let’s do it.”
Kate smiled. “I’m in. Tori’s right, we’ve come this far. And if we go home now, we’ll probably always wonder if we missed something by not going a little farther.”
They stepped out of the woods and headed across the open meadow. Kate looked around her, loving the sense of peace in the quiet spot. Grass and purple wildflowers dotted the field, and a robin fluttered from an ancient apple tree. “I wonder if this used to be an old homestead. Look—is that a stone fence that fell down?”
Colt stopped a few yards from where Kate pointed. “I think it’s the remains of a stone foundation from a small house or a cabin.” He shielded his eyes against the bright sun. “There’s a fence ahead made of wood rails. Looks like some of it’s starting to fall down. Should we check it out?”
The girls nodded, and the four spread out in a line as they walked the direction he indicated. Minutes passed, and they slowed as they neared the fence. Tori put her finger to her lips. “Shh. There’s a house over there.” She waved off to her left. “And look! I see the black horse!” Her voice rose in excitement.
“Awesome!” Kate breathed the word. She leaned her arms on the rail fence. “Now what?”
Colt glanced from one to the other. “I say we get a little closer. Maybe we’ll see the woman outside, and we can tell her we like her horse. If she’s friendly, we can ask questions and maybe find out what she’s up to.”
No one spoke for a minute. Then Tori frowned. “Uh, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Wouldn’t that be trespassing?”
Melissa scanned the fence in both directions. “There aren’t any signs posted. We’re just going for a friendly visit. I can’t see that she’ll be upset over some kids asking about her horse.”
Kate hated to go against Tori, but she was dying to know more about this horse and the Mystery Rider. “I guess she can only tell us to get lost. Tori, will you be mad if I say we should go?”
She hunched a shoulder. “Naw. It’s okay. I’d like to get a closer look at that horse, but I don’t want to get in trouble either. If you guys say we should do this, then I will too.”
Colt gave a short nod. “Good. I’ll lead, and we’ll take it slow.”
He stepped on the bottom rail, then vaulted over the top bar. He turned and waited for the girls to climb over or through the rails. “Let’s not talk, all right? We don’t want to spook that woman if she’s around.”
They headed toward the two-story house with faded-green paint. The horse stood in a fenced pasture nearby, and as they got closer, he raised his head and whinnied. All of a sudden, the back door of the house burst open, and a small woman stepped onto the porch, her long gray hair sticking out in all directions. She stood under the porch roof, and the shadow fell across her face, but a ray of sun glinted off the barrel of the rifle she clutched. She peered around, apparently trying to see what had alerted the horse.
Kate, Colt, Tori, and Melissa halted where they stood, about a hundred feet away. Kate’s hands started to shake. “What should we do?”
Before anyone could answer, the old woman raised the rifle and waved it in the air. “I told you kids not to bother me anymore! Get off my property!”
Melissa, Kate, and Colt turned and raced for the fence. It wasn’t until they’d run several strides that Kate looked for Tori. Her friend stood frozen where they’d left her, and Kate skidded to a halt. “Tori! Come on! Don’t stand there and get shot!”
Tori seemed to wake up, then shook her head. She raised her hand toward the woman, whose face was still in the shadows. “We don’t mean any harm. We only wanted to tell you we love your horse. We’re so sorry we bothered you.” She pivoted, then walked toward
Kate but kept peeking over her shoulder.
Kate held her breath as Tori moved; then she glanced at the old woman and gasped. She had placed the rifle down on the porch floor and had sunk into a chair, her hands covering her face as though she was crying.
Panting and shaking, Kate and her friends burst out of the brush at the road where they’d stashed their bikes, but Tori was strangely quiet. Kate grabbed her friend’s hand and tugged her the last several feet. “What was all that about? Why did you talk to that woman when she had a gun pointed at us?”
Tori shook her head. “She wasn’t going to hurt us.”
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. “And how do you know that?”
Colt nodded. “Yeah, Tori. You could have been hurt. I didn’t even realize you weren’t with us until I heard you say something, but I was too far away to understand what was happening.”
Tori looked from one to the other, her face calm. “She loves that horse.”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Didn’t you notice? Her house is in terrible shape, the porch roof was practically falling down, she’s dressed in old clothes, and her hair was a mess, but that horse was perfect. His mane and coat are so silky and shiny, it looks like he’s been brushed for hours every day. The fence around his paddock is practically new, and he has fresh hay and a shiny water trough. He’s not neglected, and he didn’t act scared, just curious. No one takes that good care of an animal unless they love them, or they’re worth a lot of money. Since she doesn’t look like she has much money, I doubt he’s supervaluable—except to her.”
“Yeah … so?” Melissa continued to stare, but she uncrossed her arms.
“So I don’t think she’s as mean as she tried to act. I think maybe some other kids have been harassing her, and she thought we were them. She was protecting her property, like anyone would do.”
Mystery Rider Page 4