Mountain Mare Read Free Page B

“I’d guess he got them from old Western novels. You know, like Zane Grey? But he’s never given any indication that he reads.”
    â€œI’m not criticizing,” Hal said. “Wouldn’t be anycattle drives like this, or maybe even rodeos, if folks didn’t long for the Western way of life. Then I’d have to get a desk job.”
    He shook his head and gazed toward the graying horizon.
    â€œNow, as it concerns you two, Wyatt tells me you can handle a herd of range-wild cattle on your own, so this corral-bred bunch should be simple.”
    Jen gave a quick laugh. “How big a herd?”
    â€œWe only have a hundred head—”
    Sam sucked in a breath. She and Jen had handled a herd of six grown cattle and four calves. They had been wild enough to elude capture on earlier roundups, but still, ten was a lot different than one hundred.
    â€œâ€”rest of the stock was trucked to the fairgrounds, so this drive is just for fun. We’ll get the tricky part done by early afternoon. I have some seasoned riders along who’ll keep the dudes out of your way,” Hal assured them. “Dudes think they’re helping, but mainly they’re just harassin’ those cows.”
    Glad for the darkness, Sam felt a blush heat her cheeks. Only last year, she’d been the one “harassin’” the cattle. Not only that, she’d actually caused a stampede.
    â€œIt’s taken Ace all year to teach me to just hang on and let him do his job,” she admitted.
    â€œThat’s the sign of a good workin’ horse—lettin’you stay aboard until he shows you what he can do,” Hal said.
    â€œMr. Ryden?” Jen asked, clearly thinking of something besides Ace. “After we get down off the mountains, are we taking them along the highway?” Jen asked. Her head was tilted to one side as if she were picturing the approach to Darton.
    â€œFor a little bit,” Hal said. “But mostly we’ll use side streets. The Sheriff’s Department has put up barriers and roadblocks, and they offered help with crowd control if we need it.”
    Sam imagined a parade route with cheering crowds on each side as cattle stampeded down the street.
    â€œNow, since we’ll be taking them right into the fairgrounds and it’s not every day someone brings a herd through town, we need to do something about your duds.”
    Sam didn’t follow his logic, and neither did Jen.
    â€œDuds?” Jen looked down at her jeans and the pink-and-green plaid flannel she wore over a brighter pink T-shirt.
    The outfit was very subdued for Jen, Sam thought, and her own clothes were practically monochromatic.
    â€œIsn’t this okay?” Sam asked, considering her blue shirt and blue jeans.
    â€œDidn’t you two ever play dress-up?” Hal asked, grinning. “We have lots of extra duds for the rodeogrand entry—you know, at the very beginning? When we wear matching gear, it makes quite a splash.”
    â€œBut, if we’re really working today…,” Sam began carefully.
    â€œI won’t put you in anything that’ll slow you down,” Hal said. “Y’see, ladies, we’re goin’ for the look you’d wear in a Western Pleasure class at a horse show. Nothing too fancy. Real cowboy gear—chaps, gloves, vests, and such—with a touch of color. Black and blue-green are my trademark colors, mostly because they look good on any horse.”
    Sam hadn’t thought about using color to complement a horse’s coat for a long time, but suddenly she thought of the soft halter she’d fashioned for Blackie from a red flannel nightgown.
    Sam smiled at the memory. The scarlet noseband and cheek pieces had framed his dark eyes and set off his ebony coat and inky mane, making him look magical. The Phantom had been an incredible horse, even as a yearling.
    She blinked herself back to the present. Black and teal