The Wildest Heart by Terri Farley

Author:Terri Farley
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2005-09-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Brynna’s eyes widened, but then she looked away, staring out into the pasture. There wasn’t a horse in sight.

“Since he’s an adult horse and knows what to watch for on the range, I’m sure he’d survive,” Brynna said slowly, “but I’d need to do some research.”

“Do you think he’d still be a leader?” Sam knew it wasn’t a fair question, but Brynna was a biologist. She’d explain the truth, no matter how ugly.

“It’s unlikely,” Brynna said. “Horses interpret what’s around them with sight, smell, and sound. He’d be missing a full third of what he needs to know about his world.”

Sam thought of her own world. If it were divided into three parts, there’d be her family, horses, and her friends. Which third could she do without?

She couldn’t choose. And the Phantom hadn’t been allowed to choose.

“Herd stallions are always on guard,” Brynna added. “Without his full alarm system, his herd wouldn’t be as safe.”

“But mustangs don’t talk that much,” Sam protested.

“You mean neighs and whinnies,” Brynna said.

“Yeah, they move their heads and tails and ears and eyes, right? The Phantom would still have all that.”

“He would,” Brynna said. “But I think you may be getting all worked up about something that won’t even be an issue this time tomorrow.

“As long as I’m out here,” Brynna continued, “I want to check the herd and see if we’ve got any other injuries, or any strays. After I talk with the fire chiefs, I’ll come right back and we’ll saddle up.”

It would have been fun, riding out to check on the Phantom’s herd as they mingled with Mrs. Allen’s mustangs, but Sam couldn’t be excited. She was too afraid she’d find the Phantom in misery.

“You’re looking pretty flushed,” Brynna said, touching Sam’s cheek with the back of her hand. “Why don’t you go inside and cool off while I do business. I’ll meet you at the house as soon as I’m finished.”

An oasis couldn’t have felt more welcome than the garden path up to Mrs. Allen’s front door. Inside, Sam understood why Mrs. Allen always kept the drapes drawn. It was as good as air-conditioning, even though she didn’t like the darkness.

Alone in Mrs. Allen’s house, Sam wasn’t sure what to do. It was awful quiet without the patter of the little dog feet.

Sam looked at the kitchen clock. It was only 3:30. Had it been just this morning that she and Callie arrived? And just three hours ago that they’d been making a lunch to take to the tree house? If it had been a school day, she’d just be getting home and putting on clothes in which she could do chores, then ride.

She glanced around the house for chores. Mrs. Allen had left her house tidier than usual. Sam imagined her filling the hours until she could drive to the airport by scrubbing the kitchen sink and counters, vacuuming, dusting, and arranging her bills into neat stacks. Even the dogs’ dishes were shiny and arranged on a scrubbed plastic mat.

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