Trail To Justice by Susan Page Davis

Author:Susan Page Davis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-08-22T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

As Chuck held Rascal still for the veterinary exam, he watched Ruby lead her palomino away. This would be a highpoint of the day for her, he could tell. Her eyes had gleamed when she spied her parents waiting for her.

A police officer and another man intercepted her after she’d turned Lancelot over to Jeff’s crew. More about the fire?

“Trot him out,” Dr. Hogan said.

Chuck obeyed, keeping his eye on Ruby. When John released him with a favorable report, he hurried across the field. Now Ruby was over near her Jeep, hugging her parents. But the two men waited a few yards away, so it wasn’t over yet.

“Hey, Chuck!” Billy jogged out to meet him. “Want me to take Rascal for you? Ruby said you’re eating lunch with her and her family.”

“Sure. Thanks a lot.”

“We’ll take good care of him. You can count on that.”

Chuck smiled in acknowledgment and let him take the reins. When he turned toward the Dales’ parking spot, Ruby was hugging a white-haired woman. That must be Grandma. He heard Ruby say, “Did you all hear about the fire at the starting booth this morning?”

“No,” said her dad. “What happened?”

“I’ll have to tell you later.” She looked up and spotted him. “Oh, here comes Chuck. He can tell you. I need to go speak to the fire marshal.” Their bewildered glances landed on Chuck. Ruby winced and said to him, “Do you mind explaining to Mom and Dad why I have to go talk to that cop and the fire marshal?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.”

She hurried back to the waiting men.

Chuck turned to Martin Dale.

“What happened?” Martin demanded.

“Ruby’s all right. There was a fire this morning at the starting area. She was the first to arrive, and she reported it. The fire chief told us it was arson and that the fire marshal would want to talk to her later. I think that’s what this is about.”

“Was anyone hurt?” Ruby’s mother asked.

“No. The registration booth burned, and there was some damage to a shed the riding club had out there to hold supplies. Nothing serious.”

“Well, let’s get out the lunch so we’ll be ready when Ruby’s done,” the older woman said. “By the way, I’m Ruby’s grandma.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Chuck shook her hand with a grin.

“And this is my sister-in-law, Elsie,” Grandma added. “Say, Linda, where did you put the paper plates?”

Ruby’s mother turned to help her find the picnic settings.

“Who are those kids wiping Ruby’s horse down?” Martin asked.

“Oh, those are some new friends.” Chuck grinned and nodded toward Jeff, who was leading Annabelle across the field. “See that guy in the red shirt?”

“How could I miss him?”

Chuck laughed. “Well, that’s the two-year champion, Jeff Tavish. Ruby and I have been riding with him. His brother and a couple of friends insist on taking care of our horses along with Jeff’s.”

“That’s mighty nice,” Martin said.

“Yeah.”

Jeff caught Chuck’s eye and waved.

“Say, we’ve got a ton of food,” Linda said. “Maybe we should invite them to join us?” She shook out a quilt and spread it on the dead grass.

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