The Impossible Murderer by Allison Osborne

Author:Allison Osborne [Osborne, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-09T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter V

Testing a Gentle Horse

Irene dug a piece of bacon from her teeth with her tongue, wondering if she possibly ate too much for breakfast, and how the food would sit when she and Joe went on their ride shortly.

She stood in the middle of the covered riding arena, holding a rope clipped to Snowball’s halter. The horse stood beside her and bumped her with his nose, seemingly eager to get on with their task. Mrs. Richardson’s helper, Young George as everyone around here seemed to call him, had scrubbed the horse clean yesterday and he was gorgeous, even to Irene. His white coat gleamed in the sun and his big black eyes stared curiously at everything around him.

Eddy stood on the other side of her and they both peered down at Joe, about twenty feet away. He laid on his back in the dirt, arms at his side.

Eddy shook his head. “He’s as crazy as you are. No wonder you two get on so well.”

“What if he tramples you?” Irene yelled to Joe.

“If my theory is correct,” Joe called back. “Then he will avoid me at all costs. He’s a gentle horse, and he pays attention to where his hooves are placed.”

Eddy shook his head again. “I almost don’t want to watch this. If this doesn’t work, and that horse kills him, I may have to arrest you.”

“Then let’s hope Joe is correct,” Irene said.

She made the clicking sound with her mouth that Joe had taught her and jogged forward. Snowball instantly obeyed, trotting at her side. They approached Joe and Snowball tilted his head sideways. He slowed to a stop, inches from Joe’s arm.

Irene hopped over Joe and tugged the rope, encouraging Snowball to come forward, but the horse wouldn’t budge. His neck stretched out, but his feet never moved. He snorted and crossed his hooves over one another, tilting his head again, watching Joe as he carefully sidestepped around him. Dirt flung onto Joe's shirt and he clamped his eyes shut as a chunk tumbled over his nose. By the time Snowball got around to Irene, Joe's hair was coated in dust, and dirt had settled into the corners of his mouth.

Joe rolled to his hands and knees and rubbed his hair with his hands, then wiped his face. He straightened and had done a good job of cleaning himself except for a small smudge on his chin.

He patted Snowball's nose.

“You didn’t kill anyone, did you, big fella?”

Snowball’s lips wiggled and he craned his neck to chew on Joe’s vest.

“That was your point?” Irene said, realizing her heart was beating a little too hard in her chest.

“Of course,” Joe shrugged. “It’s nothing less crazy than some of the stunts you’ve pulled.”

“I have never laid down and allowed a horse a chance to trample me. I didn’t like the worry it gave me, either.”

Joe and Eddy laughed in unison as Eddy patted Snowball.

“Shall we list all the ways you’ve nearly given us a heart attack?”

She rolled her eyes at Eddy.

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