Galloping Gold Read Free Page B

Sugarfoot’s training.
    When Ed came back from the house, he looked resigned.
    â€œWhat is it, Dad?” Ann asked.
    Ed shook his head slowly, indicating it was nothing Ann would like.
    â€œI talked to our insurance man. He said Sugarfoot’s a ‘proven liability’ and we should get rid of him.”
    â€œNo!” Ann shouted.
    â€œOh, Ed.”
    â€œWhat’s that mean—a ‘proven liability’? Usually I can figure things out, but this one’s tricky,” Ann chattered nervously. “Liability…but wait. He said we should get rid of Sugarfoot. That doesn’t mean we have to, right?”
    â€œIf we had a dog that bit people, and we already knew it was dangerous and kept it around, and then it hurt someone…”
    â€œIt would be easy for someone to sue us and win,” Ramona finished for her husband.
    â€œYep.” He nodded. “He said it would serve us best—if the Mookinis do sue—to be able to document in court that we’ve removed all threats to ranch visitors.”
    â€œBut why?” Ann demanded. “We just won’t let him do it again.”
    â€œWe thought we could keep him from doing itthis time,” Ramona said.
    â€œYou could have them sign something like we have for guest riders,” Darby suggested, “a form that says they ride at their own risk.”
    â€œWe could, but there’s more,” Ed told them. “If we knowingly keep a menace, it could invalidate all of our ranch insurance.”
    Before moving to Hawaii, Darby hadn’t thought about insurance. It was no more than another bill in the stack her mother tried to pay each month. But earthquakes and tsunamis had taught her that adults paid those bills for a reason. If the Potters had no insurance and another earthquake opened zigzag fissures under their house or a storm flattened their riding arena, they’d have to use all their savings to protect Heart of Hawaii.
    What if they ran out of money and moved back to Nevada, just when Darby and her mom were settling here? Darby closed her eyes and wished it was yesterday, and none of this had happened. She couldn’t stand the idea of losing her best friend.
    â€œBut wait,” Ramona said. “What if he was cured?”
    Ed looked puzzled. “There’s no cure for crazy.”
    â€œEd Potter, you’ve been around horses as long as I have,” Ramona pretended to scold her husband. “You know something causes a problem like this. We just haven’t figured out what it is yet.”
    â€œWe can’t give up on him, Dad,” Ann added.
    â€œIf she did take us to court—and really, I just don’tsee that happening”—Ramona looked thoughtful as she continued—“but if she did, what if we could demonstrate that he was over this…” She searched for a word but only came up with “This thing.”
    â€œWe’ll bring in an expert,” Ann declared.
    â€œWe have pret’ near a century of horse expertise standin’ right here”—Ed gestured at the four of them—“and I’m not payin’ for a horse psychiatrist, Anna Susannah! That’s just the last straw.” Darby was just thinking she’d never heard Ann’s entire name when her best friend put her hands on her hips and faced off with her dad.
    â€œWhy not?” Ann asked.
    Darby took a deep breath as Ann’s glance flashed between her father and Sugarfoot. Ann usually thought before she spoke, but Darby was afraid Ann was getting carried away.
    â€œWhy not?” Ann repeated. “We can afford it!”
    â€œWell, we won’t be able to for long, if our insurance company cancels us!” Ed’s voice grew louder with each word.
    Darby wanted to cover her ears. She shouldn’t be here in the midst of this family turmoil. Even if she had caused it.
    â€œIt wouldn’t have to be a horse psychiatrist,”