Chasing Dream by Dandi Daley Mackall

Author:Dandi Daley Mackall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian
ISBN: 9781414369778
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2012-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

9

Tricks

Once I’m home, I brush Dream and cool her off. She’s sweatier than usual, so it takes me a long time. I tell her that I love her and that she did great. But I know nobody else is thinking about how great my horse is.

Pinto Cat tries to hop up onto Dream’s back like she always does. But Dream shakes her off.

That’s a first.

“Sorry, Pinto Cat,” I say.

The calico struts away, tail high and switching like she’s scolding her friend.

I muck out the yard and fertilize bushes and trees. We have the healthiest trees in town.

When I’m done, I walk the fence again, checking posts and planks. Even when I’m feeling down, I love being around my horse. I feel better simply being close to her. And I think more clearly when I talk to Dream.

I pick up a soft-bristle brush and go back to grooming Dream. Right about now in every house with a fourth grader in Hamilton, families will be talking about Cassie and Misty winning the race. The other kids will fuss over Misty at horsemanship tomorrow. And I’m glad. At least, part of me is glad. I’m happy for Misty and for Cassie. I really am. If Dream and I couldn’t win that race, I’d want Cassie to.

But I can’t stop wishing people were talking about Dream and how special my horse is.

Maybe I could teach Dream a few tricks. I read a book once on how to get your horse to say yes and no, to count, and to bow. Stuff like that.

I’m still brushing Dream when I hear the back door slam. I expect to see my brother, but instead it’s Colt.

He lifts a hand in a half wave. “Hey, Ellie.”

“What’s up?” I can tell something’s wrong. Colt and I have been best buddies since kindergarten.

He shrugs. “Looks like your family just got bigger this weekend. I have to stay with you guys. Mom’s going out of town on business. And she can’t find a house sitter on short notice. She even tried Dad, but he’s not answering the phone.”

Since Colt’s parents split up, Colt is supposed to go to his dad’s in St. Louis every other weekend. But I don’t think that’s working out.

“Cool. You can help me teach Dream a couple of tricks.” I nod for him to come over. But when he does, Dream sidesteps out of the way.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into Dream. She’s not herself today. Don’t take it personal. She just shook off Pinto Cat.” I scratch Dream’s withers and under her jaw. That always calms her down and can even put her to sleep. But not today. She won’t hold still.

“Maybe it’s a full moon,” Colt says. “Weird things are happening over at our place too. Somebody—or something—must have broken into the barn really early this morning. Then whatever it was disappeared into thin air.” He says this in his bad imitation of a monster’s voice. “It ate more grain from the bin. I mean a lot of it, too.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.