Galloping Gold Read Free Page A

gesture made her eyes fill with tears.
    But only for an instant.
    Was Mrs. Mookini embarrassed by her teary eyes? Did embarrassment plus fear equal anger? Maybe that’s why she glared at Sugarfoot as, hands shaking, she yanked her car keys from a pocket and started to walk away.
    â€œGemma, would you like me to drive you home?” Ramona offered.
    The woman’s sudden flush told them that Gemma Mookini’s tumble was turning into a far larger problem.
    â€œI’m not a helpless child—or crazy!” Mrs. Mookini snapped.
    â€œOf course not!” Ramona’s eyebrows arched in surprise.
    â€œThen don’t act like I am. I’ll drive myself home, and I’ll…”
    Darby looked at Ann’s father just as Mrs. Mookini did. Darby winced, wishing Tyson’s mother hadn’t caught the pity that showed on Ed’s face.
    Mrs. Mookini drew herself up, pinned her shoulders back, and lifted her chin. “On my drive home, I’ll think about what I’m going to tell everyone on this island!”
    Her head snapped in a decisive nod before she headed for the safety of her car.
    Â 
    Ed, Ramona, Ann, and Darby stared after Gemma Mookini’s car.
    â€œThat never shoulda happened,” Ed said finally. “I don’t know why we haven’t got rid of that crazy horse before now. He contributes nothing but trouble.”
    It sounded just like something Jonah would say, Darby thought. Everyone on a ranch, including animals, was supposed to help out.
    â€œDad, you know Mom and I will turn him into a good therapy horse. We’ve really made progress in helping Sugarfoot—”
    â€œâ€”shake off this bad habit,” Ramona insisted.
    â€œI can see that.” Sarcasm quaked through Ed’s words.
    Ann and Ramona looked at each other, hoping they could come up with something helpful.
    It wasn’t a good time for Darby to blurt, “She’s a legal secretary,” but that’s exactly what she did.
    â€œMeaning she could do a lot more than just gossip,” Ramona said. Her hand went to her forehead. Then her fingers gripped her temples.
    â€œNothing really happened.” Ann sounded as if she was trying to convince herself, too. “She was fine.”
    â€œShe wasn’t injured,” Ramona corrected her daughter, “but for most people, falling off a horse isn’t an everyday thing.”
    â€œCheer up,” Ed Potter said. “She seemed like a nice lady. It’ll probably come to nothing once she settles down, but I’d better make a phone call.”
    As he walked away, Darby noticed that Ed’s shoulders were slightly slumped.
    A nice lady. Darby really hoped so, but Tyson was mean. He didn’t tease, he tormented. She just hoped he hadn’t learned his ugly temperament at home.
    If the Mookini family sued…
    If the Potters lost their ranch…
    If…
    â€œDarby, honey,” Ramona said kindly. “We can’t climb into Gemma’s mind and change it. All we can do is prepare.”
    â€œIf I’d been able to—”
    â€œNo, it’s not your fault.” Ann shook her head. “If we’d accelerated his training, this wouldn’t have happened. That’s what we’ve got to do.”
    â€œNow?” Darby asked.
    â€œNot right this minute. He needs to settle down a little bit,” Ramona said. “But soon.”
    They watched Sugarfoot prowl up and down the fence, ears flicking in all directions.
    â€œSince school’s out, working Sugarfoot will be my first priority,” Ann promised.
    â€œAbsolutely,” Ramona said. Then she and Ann began brainstorming ways to cure Sugarfoot.
    Normally, Darby would have soaked up every word of new horse knowledge, but guilt pounded inher mind. She couldn’t think of anything except the trouble she’d caused.
    There was no way to undo what she’d done, but maybe she could help with