You Can Lead a Horse to Murder by Tara Meyers

Author:Tara Meyers [Meyers, Tara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Forest Grove Books
Published: 2018-03-11T22:00:00+00:00

FOURTEEN

Ember couldn’t get the thought out of her head. “You’d think his farrier was using gold horseshoes!” The drunken declaration made by Sandy Ellsworth that morning had taken on a whole new meaning.

Dodging a branch, Ember forced herself to slow down. The hike was supposed to be about relaxing, not to see how hard she could push it. Stopping in the middle of the groomed dirt trail, she put her hands on her hips and breathed heavily. The strong pine scent was soothing, and the warm air made it feel like it permeated everything.

The trail was steeper than she remembered. It was a good workout. Daenerys sat obediently at her feet, taking to the hiking experience like she’d done it all her life.

Unclipping the straw from the built-in camel pack, Ember took a long swallow of lukewarm water. Daenerys had just had a dip and drink from one of the many streams they crossed. She’d need a bath for sure when they got home. Smiling, Ember knelt down and gave the dog a hug.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered into the silky fur of her friend’s neck.

Yanking her head back unexpectedly, Daenerys whipped around to stare up the trail, back the way they’d come. Thrown off balance, Ember almost fell but caught herself and hopped to her feet. Though not growling a warning, the dog obviously heard something.

Her right hand hovering over the bear spray clipped to her waist, Ember breathed a sigh of relief when a young couple and black lab came into view. It was bear season, and there was a warning about recent sightings at the trailhead, in addition to a cougar.

“Hello!” Ember called out far in advance of passing. “My dog is leashed but is in training.”

Stopping about ten feet away, the smart girl placed a hand on the top of the lab’s head and waited to see how the two dogs reacted to each other. When all they did was wag and wiggle and whimper in earnest, wanting to play, they allowed the two to “introduce” themselves. After a solid two minutes of sniffing and then bouncing around each other, the three of them said goodbye and parted ways.

“Good girl,” Ember praised. She scooped a treat from a convenient pouch built into her backpack strap and tossed it to Daenerys. She found it amazing how the two of them were already so comfortable with each other. It was a perfect match. Her Aunt Becky had always been good at pairing up animals to people.

Her Aunt Becky. That gave her an idea that might put to rest the feeling she couldn’t shake about the income Tom was receiving for his work at the Ellsworth Stables. They were practically back at the trailhead, and she figured they might have cell reception. Digging her phone out, she was rewarded with a one-bar signal.

Ember paused first to sign out on a sheet located near the entrance to the trail. It was a way to help keep track of its use, as well as to locate the last-known location for a missing hiker.

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