Stage Fright / Goodbye, Sweet Prince / Brotherly Love by Catherine Marshall

Author:Catherine Marshall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc.
Published: 2010-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

“Well, it’s a beautiful farm,” Miss Alice said. “I’ll give it that much.”

Christy surveyed the manicured lawn and immaculate stables. The imposing white house was a few hundred yards from the stables. A broad path lined in stately oaks led to the front porch. “Should we go knock on the front door?”

Miss Alice dismounted and tied Goldie to a nearby tree. “We’re here to visit Prince,” she said firmly. “Better to arrive unexpected and see how he’s doing first. Then we’ll say hello to Mr. Collins.”

They started for the largest barn. In the fenced-off field in the distance, several beautiful horses grazed contentedly. “They look happy enough,” Christy whispered to Miss Alice. “Maybe Mr. Pentland’s friend was wrong. Maybe this is all some terrible mistake.” But even to her own ears, her words sounded hollow.

The barn was cool and quiet, filled with the sweet scent of hay. Most of the stalls were empty, and there were no stable hands in sight. Christy and Miss Alice walked slowly down the aisle, taking in the brass name plates on the door. Rebel. Jericho. Long Shot.

And then, there it was: Prince.

Christy ran her fingers over the engraved name. Suddenly, a terrible noise met her ears—the heart-breaking sound of an animal in pain.

“Prince!” Christy cried. “That’s him, I know it is!”

She ran down the aisle to the end of the barn, with Miss Alice close on her heels. At the open door, they stopped short.

In a nearby paddock stood four men. Prince was in the middle of the paddock. His mouth was foaming. His coat was slick with sweat.

“Told you he can’t be ridden.” One of the men spat in disgust. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he ain’t saddle-broke.”

“I’ll show him who’s boss,” another man said.

Christy grabbed Miss Alice’s arm. “That’s Uriah Wynne,” she said, “the stable hand at the auction.”

Uriah grabbed a whip and coiled it in his right hand. Slowly he approached Prince, talking to him under his breath. “You better mind me, boy, or you’ll be worm food before I’m through with you,” he muttered.

With each step closer, Prince grew more agitated. His ears flickered wildly, and his eyes were wide with fear. Suddenly, he reared up, his great hooves flailing in the air, towering over Uriah.

Crack! In a flash, Uriah let loose the whip. It caught Prince on his right shoulder, and the stallion leapt back in shock.

Again Uriah let the leather whip fly. The whip cracked, and the stallion reared up in pain.

“I don’t care what it takes,” Christy cried in horror. “I’ve got to find a way to get Prince away from here!”

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