Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley Read Free

traffic, then she’ll be yours. All yours. You won’t mind sharing her with your old Pops for just one day of each week, will you?”
    To which Molly could only say, “’Course not, Dad.” But the words stumbled around the lump in her throat.
    Molly and her father sighed in unison, each for a different reason.

CHAPTER 5
I’M HERE NOW
    T he Moores’ house in Sawdust Valley was a modest frame dwelling on three acres of land. The only outbuilding was an old shed that had been unused for years. Lady Sue settled into the shed as if it had been built for her. She didn’t seem homesick, or frisky, either. Even when Molly turned her out into the pasture.
    Except when she was eating, Lady stood so still she might have been in a museum. She didn’t object to the vet who came to rasp her teeth or the blacksmith who came to trim her feet or the leg rubbings and poultices Mr. Moore gave her.
    Dr. Bill Winquist commented on her “quiet demeanor.” “Usually, I have to use a twitch to distract a horse while I file its teeth.”
    The blacksmith made almost the same comment. “Appears she ain’t worn shoes in a devil of a time. Yet she ain’t skittish. Most always when feet has been neglected, I got to give the lip a good twist to tone down the kickin’. Do you want I should shoe her, front and back?”
    â€œYes, four new shoes,” Mr. Moore said, proud of his new mare. But Molly wondered if Lady had any spunk at all!

    Freddy Westover came over to watch the shoeing. Smokestack trotted up a few minutes later, taking a spot right beside Molly. He sniffed at the pieces of hoof lying on the ground—they were too tempting to resist.
    â€œShe’s o-l-d,” Freddy stretched out the word. “She’ll end up a flea-bitten gray.”
    â€œI like grays,” Molly snapped. Suddenly she felt old, too. Freddy had that effect on her. He could always make her feel stupid.
    â€œShe’ll probably end up a roan,” Mr. Moore said with authority. “And I wager she won’t flinch at anything. What Molly and I care about is performance, not color.”
    Freddy left before the end of the shoeing. When all four of Lady Sue’s hooves had bright new shoes, Molly’s father paid the blacksmith. Then, bridling the mare, he swung his leg over her back and settled into position. He clucked and jiggled the reins.
    Like a barn swallow in flight, Lady Sue wheeledand with a soaring motion was up, up, and away. Mr. Moore looked excited—like a little kid. Molly stared after them, pleased with her father’s happiness but even more astounded at Lady’s eagerness. Pops gave a commanding whoa—and Lady willingly stopped. He walked over to Molly and, almost bowing, he handed the reins to her. For the first time, Molly felt a flutter of excitement.
    Do I want to ride her bareback? Molly thought. I’ll stick to bareback, since Pops already rides her without a saddle and she is fine like that. Pops is much bigger than I am! She might behave differently with my weight.
    Molly led Lady Sue easily to the fence. The horse stood very still while Molly climbed the rails and mounted. Lady didn’t even move as Molly settled onto her back. And who should show up at that very moment but Freddy on Strolling Joe. Lady was immediately aware of them. She let out a whinny as if to say “I’M HERE NOW.”
    Freddy sneered. “Molly! Does the old mare know how to walk?”
    Molly clicked to Lady, and instead of a walk she broke into a trot! It took Strolling Joe’s fastest walk to catch up with her. Freddy’s expression was kindled with surprise, and while Molly held fast to Lady’s mane, she suddenly felt a burst of pride at being her owner!

CHAPTER 6
I RIDE HER EASY
November
    Dear Diary,
    Gosh, in only a month, Lady Sue’s looking so much better. Maybe it’s her winter coat coming in. But she doesn’t look as