Mountain Mare

by Terri Farley

  If she considered it that way, Sam thought, maybe she did belong here.

  As she drew closer, Sam saw the trailer that she was headed for had a sign on the door. It said MEDIA. Not first aid.

  Sam swerved away, then stopped, hands on hips, to stare around. She could see the empty grandstand. Beyond that, the Ferris wheel turned in the carnival area.

  “Last call,” the metallic voice said again, without a trace of impatience. “Samantha Forster, please report to the first aid station as soon as possible.”

  Whoever wanted her wasn’t giving up. But who could she ask for directions?

  Screams of delight wafted to Sam from the mini roller coaster as she realized that the best place to seek help was right behind her.

  Reporters would be covering the rodeo all week, and competitors got hurt far too often. Someone in the media trailer would know how to find the first aid station.

  Hand raised, Sam stared at the closed door. She was wasting time. Something might really be wrong. Feeling nervous and out of place, Sam knocked on the door. Nothing happened.

  If you belonged here, you probably knew to walk right in. Or you used your key.

  Sam took a deep breath and held it. What was the worse thing that could happen if she just opened the door and asked her question?

  Her fingers had just grazed the knob when the door opened toward her and Lynn Cooper, looking startled, gazed down at her.

  “Hey, Sam, I was just going to walk over to the first aid station and see what the excitement was about.”

  “Excitement?” Sam asked.

  “They’re paging you,” Lynn told her.

  “Oh, I know,” Sam said, more relieved than embarrassed. “It’s just that I don’t know where the first aid station is. I was hoping someone in there could point me toward it.”

  “Come with me,” Lynn said. She rested her hand on Sam’s shoulder, called to someone inside the trailer that she’d be back, then took long, ground-eating strides across the fairgrounds.

  The first thing Sam noticed inside the first aid station was a shirtless cowboy wincing. His ribs were being examined by a white-coated woman’s prodding fingers.

  “The rodeo doesn’t even start until six o’clock,” Lynn said. “Are you sure this counts as fun?”

  Lynn had been asking Sam, but the young cowboy looked up and drawled, “Yes, ma’am.”

  Then Sam saw Brynna, her stepmother.

  Before the number of things that could be wrong stampeded through Sam’s mind, Brynna held up her hand and rippled her fingers in greeting.

  “There you are,” Brynna said.

  Did she sound worried? Angry? Hurt?

  None of those. Her tone was businesslike, but that went along with her attire. Brynna was dressed for her job as manager of the Bureau of Land Management’s wild horse corrals at Willow Springs—a twenty-minute drive away from here.

  With her red hair back in a tight French braid and her uniform shirt bloused over the top of her trousers to accommodate her pregnancy, Brynna gave Sam a smile that said nothing was seriously wrong.

  “Come on in,” Brynna said, gesturing Sam closer.

  Brynna sat next to an examining table, where a dark-haired woman’s eyelids were held apart by a doctor wielding a penlight to check her eyes.

  Maybe not a woman, Sam thought. She seemed too shy for an adult, looking down as if the examination were totally embarrassing.

  She was somewhere between high school and the work world. College, maybe?

  “Hi, Lynn,” Brynna said, as if she’d just noticed the reporter.

  “I’d still be wandering around the barns if Lynn hadn’t helped me find you,” Sam explained. “We just rode in—”

  “I didn’t,” Lynn protested, “But Samantha is quite the equestrian.”

  Sam shook her head, then finished, “—and I’d just unsaddled Ace when I heard my name on the loudspeaker. I had no idea where to go or what was wrong.”

  “I hope I didn’t scare you,” Brynna said.

  “Not too much,” Sam said, but she noticed Brynna didn’t rush to say nothing was wrong.

  In fact, her stepmother glanced away from Sam and back toward the doctor who was examining the dark-haired girl’s eyes. He said something like “equal and reactive.”

  “I just thought as long as I was here, I’d check and see how the drive went,” Brynna said, turning back to Sam.

  “Great,” Sam told her. “Except Ace doesn’t like the city much.”

  “My cameraman caught his great bucking bronco imitation,” Lynn joked. “You might catch it on the evening news.”

  Oh please, no, Sam thought. If Dad saw her on the news and spotted her riding mistakes—Sam shuddered. She didn’t want to imagine what he would say. Or do.

  Brynna’s eyes swept Sam from head to toe, but Sam saw no sign of panic. One thing she appreciated about Brynna—especially compared to Dad and Jake—was her stepmother’s willingness to believe Sam could mostly take care of herself.

  Or maybe Brynna was preoccupied with the girl on the examining table. Again, Brynna turned back toward the doctor.

  “I’m glad I happened to be in,” the doctor said, more to Brynna than to the girl. “Usually I don’t arrive until just before the events begin.”

  “Dr. Yung volunteers his time during the rodeo,” Brynna put in. “He’s an orthopedic surgeon,” Brynna explained, as if it were kind of a joke.

  Sam wasn’t sure, but she thought orthopedic doctors specialized in broken bones.

  “I’m really fine, Mrs. Forster,” the dark-haired girl said. She didn’t look at Brynna or the doctor. Her eyes fixed on the space between Sam and Lynn.

  “This won’t take much longer,” Brynna assured her.

  “Thanks for giving me a lift, but you don’t have to stay.” The girl sighed, looking as if Brynna had pulled a trick by bringing her to the rodeo doctor. “I’ll call Kevin and he’ll be here in a couple hours to pick me up.”

  Although Lynn did nothing but pass her thumb over the notebook she carried, Sam knew the reporter had realized, just as Sam had, that this was probably the girl from the rollover.

  Sam looked at her more closely.

  Her dark hair was cut short, with curls going every which way. She was cute, but pale and shaken. As the doctor lifted hair away from her temple, Sam wondered if the girl had suffered a head injury.

  “Really, I’m fine,” she said. She tried to duck away, but the doctor held her steady. “My head’s okay.” Then, surrendering, she added, “It’s my shoulder that hurts.”

  The girl was fighting tears. Sam could see them shining in her eyes.

  It didn’t surprise Sam that Brynna saw them, too, and created a diversion.

  “Sam, this is Diana McKenzie. She’s a student in the school of nursing at the university, and she rides.” Brynna smiled at Sam, urging her to join in the distraction.

  “Diana, this is my daughter Samantha. She’s a horsewoman, too.”

  Daughter. Ever since Brynna had revealed her pregnancy, she’d referred to Sam as her daughter instead of her stepdaughter. Sam tried to squash down her inappropriate joy, wondering if it was over this acceptance, or the fact that Brynna had called her a horsewoman.

  Even though she wasn’t, it was cool that Brynna had said it.

  “Diana had an accident this morning,” Brynna began.

  “And your mom was nice enough to give me a ride here.” Diana shrunk from the probing over her ear. “They didn’t think I should drive, but I really don’t want to leave my car—ouch!”

  “You took a pretty good knock to the head,” the doctor was saying, checking her eyes once more. “Driving might have been a mistake.”

  “And your car’s fine,” Lynn said. “If it’s the yellow Scout, that is.” Diana nodded and Lynn hurried on, “The sheriff had it towed to his office in Darton, but he said there was hardly a scratch on it.”

  “Oh, thanks,” Diana said questioningly.

  “I�
�m Lynn Cooper. I was called out to the scene of the accident to do a news story, but don’t worry—” She held up a hand when Diana shrunk away from her. “I’m not working now. I was just being Samantha’s guide.”

  “Uh, but you’re doing a story about the accident?” Diana wet her lips. Her face was suddenly red and perspiration dotted her upper lip.

  Diana wasn’t as untouched by the crash as she thought. Sam recognized shock when she saw it.

  “It’s her dad’s truck and trailer,” Brynna explained.

  “Ah,” Lynn said, nodding. “Well, I’m pretty sure cows stampeding through the streets of town will be a bigger story than your accident.”

  When Diana didn’t smile, Lynn added, “I’m also sure your father would be more concerned about you, wouldn’t he?”

  “I guess,” the girl said on a sigh.

  “You’re getting the care you need—”

  “I’m fine,” the girl protested. “I just need to call Kevin.”

  “—the truck’s fine,” Lynn went on, “and there was no horse in the trailer, right?”

  “No!” Diana’s eyes widened and their hazel shade turned almost green. “Of course not.” Diana swayed, then purposely straightened her shoulders.

  “There wasn’t a horse,” Diana repeated, as if they hadn’t heard her. “I was going to pick up my horse.”

  Dr. Yung made a “settle down” sound in his throat and glanced toward Brynna. Sam knew that look. It meant the two adults had decided Diana wasn’t going anywhere soon.

  “Does your Dad live nearby?” Lynn asked.

  “He has a horse farm near Phoenix,” Diana said, wearily. “Arizona.”

  Looking worn out, she leaned her palms on her knees and stared at the floor.

  “No problem,” Lynn said. “This is a small local station. He won’t hear about it from me.”

  Sam watched Diana—and not just because she was afraid she’d pass out and fall forward.

  Sam told herself she was suspicious for no reason. She’d had a troubling day, that’s all. But if Diana’s family farm was in Phoenix and she’d been going to pick up her horse, why had she been driving north, away from Phoenix, with an empty horse trailer?

  Sam knew she might have her geography wrong. She wished Jen were here listening, too.

  Brynna glanced at her watch. She should be at work, Sam thought, but she didn’t seem to be in a hurry.

  “Any excitement on the cattle drive?” Brynna asked.

  Sam told her stepmother about seeing Tinkerbell and Teddy Bear, Katie Sterling, Mr. Martinez, and Duke Fairchild.

  “What about that wild horse?” Lynn asked.

  “Wild horse?” Brynna asked. Her tone sharpened a bit, since the welfare of wild horses was her business.

  Sam blinked. She and Jen had ridden out alone this morning when they saw the Phantom.

  “You know,” Lynn said, sounding frustrated. “The blond one?”

  “Oh! The mare that followed us in!” Sam said. “She’s not wild.”

  “Well, she wasn’t wearing any kind of”—Lynn’s hands gestured around her own head—“leather getup for riding.”

  Sam laughed. “She’s a stray,” she told Brynna. “A really beautiful—”

  “I’m going to be sick,” Diana blurted.

  Her face had gone milk white, and she weaving, trying to keep her balance.

  Dr. Yung was simultaneously steadying her, reaching for a plastic basin and saying, “We’re going to need a little privacy here…and Brynna? Could you do me a favor and phone for an ambulance?”

  Chapter Seven

  Linc Slocum crowded to the front of those gathered outside the first aid station as Diana was loaded into the back of the ambulance.

  Sam figured it was paranoid to think he was glaring at her. Still, she wished he’d been someplace else as Brynna snatched her keys out of her pocket and rattled off instructions.

  “I’m sure I’ll talk with Wyatt before you do, but if by some chance I can’t reach him before he picks you up, tell him why I was so late to work and where I’m going, okay?”

  “I will,” Sam said. She hesitated before she added, “I was going to try to call him and tell him not to come until later. Do you think he’d mind? Mr. Ryden wants us—me and Jen—to be his guests at the first performance of the rodeo tonight.”

  “Wow,” Brynna said. She frowned after the ambulance as it drove off. “You ask, and if he hesitates, just tell him I’ll come back into town for you.”

  “Okay,” Sam said slowly, but she was pretty sure the rodeo ended late.

  After all, there’d be fireworks, courtesy of Linc Slocum.

  Sam tried not to glance at him. She would have been successful, too, if he hadn’t given a snort. She and Brynna both looked, and caught him glaring after Lynn Cooper as she waved good-bye and hustled off to work.

  It figured that Linc Slocum wouldn’t like reporters, Sam thought. Rumor said Linc Slocum had a shady past. He probably wouldn’t like seeing the truth in print.

  “I’d really better get going if I’m going to be there to help her check into the hospital,” Brynna said. “She won’t feel like filling out all those forms.”

  When Brynna covered her mouth against a yawn, Sam couldn’t help admiring her stepmother. Tired as she was, Brynna had not only found medical care for a reluctant stranger; now she wanted to be beside her to help her with paperwork.

  Sam knew she shouldn’t force Brynna to make two round trips between the ranch and Darton in one day. In the last few weeks, she’d bet her stepmother had taken a hundred naps. Every time she sat still, her eyelids drooped and she fell asleep.

  “Do you have to go with her?” Sam asked. Surely there were people at the hospital to help Diana McKenzie.

  “I think I should,” Brynna said, shifting her keys in her hand. “I’m trying to get her to call her parents, but she’s not going for it.”

  “Just do it,” Sam said. Brynna rarely had qualms about getting involved when the welfare of kids was concerned. “It’s for her own good.”

  Sam bit her lip after the words escaped. She sounded like Gram!

  Brynna smiled. “I would, but Diana’s over eighteen years old. That makes her a legal adult and in charge of her own medical decisions.”

  “I bet you’ll talk her into it,” Sam said. Brynna could be pretty convincing.

  “I’ll try,” Brynna said. “And don’t worry about wearing me out,” she added. “Tomorrow’s Saturday and I can sleep in. I wouldn’t want you to miss this rodeo.”

  Brynna kissed Sam on the cheek and left.

  When Sam looked around for Linc, he was gone and she was glad.

  She shouldn’t be surprised, Sam told herself as she walked in what she hoped was the direction of the barn. Linc didn’t like to be thought a bully, so he rarely said anything to her in front of other adults.

  He’d slipped up once today. When Linc had grumbled that remark about her being unwelcome, he hadn’t expected Hal Ryden to hear. Whatever was bothering him, Linc wasn’t likely to blame it on her again. At least not in front of Brynna.

  If she knew Linc, he’d gone home. The fairgrounds baked under the late-afternoon sun, and though there was an atmosphere of excitement preceding this first rodeo performance, he’d be happier in his air-conditioned mansion.

  With the barns in sight, Sam took a shortcut between two high-sided corrals. She had to hurry. She’d been gone so long that she wouldn’t blame Jen for leaving without her. After all, they were both curious to learn more about the beautiful chocolate mare.

  Sam caught a whiff of cigarette smoke. She’d seen signs warning against smoking in the barn or grandstand areas. She couldn’t imagine the rules would be much different over here, where the bucking cattle were confined with bales of flammable hay.

  People who had permission to be here, behind the scenes, probably wouldn’t be so careless. The smoke must have blown to her from the carnival area.

  Despite her hurry, Sam
paused to stare at a pen of Brahma bulls. Three clustered around a plastic water bucket hanging on the side of their corral, while others dozed.

  “Well if it’s not Miss Stick-her-nose-in-where-it-don’t-belong.” Linc Slocum stepped into her path, holding a cigarette. “I think I’ll walk with you a piece and give you a little friendly advice.”

  “Thanks, but I’m in kind of a hurry,” Sam said as she kept walking.

  “Oh now, don’t tell me you have something better to do than spy on people,” he sneered.

  She could sprint away from him, Sam thought. Linc’s pumpkin-shaped body looked unsteady in his stylish boots.

  Sam didn’t run. She couldn’t let him think he’d scared her off, but he must have seen her consider the idea.

  “I was just joshin’,” he said in a too-sweet tone. “But I did see the way you were sizing up that girl they put into the ambulance.”

  “What are you talking about? I was not,” Sam snapped.

  “’Course you were. It’s a hobby with you, girl. You’ve just gotta know other folks’ business.”

  Sam shook her head, focused on the barns, and Ace’s bay head hanging over one of the stall doors.

  Linc was nuts. She didn’t spy on people. She never had, except maybe on Dad and Brynna before they got married, but she’d been younger then.

  Sam took a quick turn between two corrals. One held two big Brangus-looking cows and calves and had a sign that read, BORN TO BUCK.

  She heard Linc’s boots scuff on the dirt. He was still behind her.

  Where was everyone else? Shouldn’t someone be getting the animals ready for the show?

  “I kinda understood you diggin’ into my background so I couldn’t have that mustang stallion, but then you cozied up to old lady Allen and talked her into opening that wild horse sanctuary by telling her all about my plans for building a resort on her cattle ranch.”

  “She’d already made up her mind,” Sam said. “Besides, I was only telling her the truth.”

  “I’m sure that truth’s gonna be a real comfort to her. She could have been a millionaire if she’d sold that ranch, instead of worrying over a bunch of useless animals, wasting money that could keep her safe and comfortable in her old age.”