Secret Star Read Free Page B

and silver hoop earrings danced in her ears.
    Inez Garcia jerked her sunglasses off. She stuck them in her shirt pocket as if she wanted a closer look at everything. Her eyes swept over Sam, feinted toward Ace, touched on each building and pasture, and returned to Sam. Then, Inez Garcia smiled.
    â€œHi,” Sam managed as the woman came closer.“I’m Samantha Forster.”
    â€œI’m so glad to meet you,” Inez said. Despite her exotic looks, she sounded pretty normal. “It’s not a long drive from Alkali where the rest of the crew’s set up, but I was afraid I’d miss the turnoff.”
    â€œA lot of people do,” Sam said. “When I first moved home from San Francisco, I’d forgotten about landmarks. I didn’t know how to give directions without talking about cross streets and exit signs, but you found us.”
    Stop blabbing, Sam scolded herself, but when she heard hooves shifting in the trailer, she couldn’t help adding one thing more. “It sounds like Bayfire’s ready to get out.”
    A shadow swept over Inez Garcia’s face.
    â€œMs. Garcia, did I—is something wrong?”
    â€œNo. Of course not. And please call me Inez.” She drew a breath. “Nothing’s wrong. In fact, your ranch is lovely and I’m sure Bayfire will be quite comfortable here. It’s not home, where he shares the stable with a mule, two burros, and a zebra, and he has his own paddock with a view of the San Gabriel Mountains, but he needs a change. And this”—she nodded toward the sun-streaked Calico Mountains—“is far different.”
    â€œI bet,” Sam said, but she wasn’t thinking of Bayfire. River Bend Ranch must seem pretty dull to someone who owned a zebra. Sam felt like she should apologize. “I’m sorry no one else is here to—”
    â€œThis is perfect,” Inez assured her. “In fact, if you have something else to do, please go right ahead. Just explain where you’d like me to put Bayfire, then we’ll settle in on our own.”
    â€œThat corral is for him,” Sam said, pointing past Tempest and Dark Sunshine. The buckskin and her foal stood at quivering attention. “I’m sorry it doesn’t adjoin his stall—”
    Sam broke off. Why couldn’t she stop apologizing?
    â€œReally,” Inez said, laying a warm hand on Sam’s arm. “We are very low-maintenance guests and grateful for the quiet. Don’t give us a thought.”
    Inez glanced up at the sound of the small white plane overhead. For an instant, she looked even more distressed.
    Sam wished she could figure out what was worrying the trainer.
    â€œI see your horse is saddled,” Inez said. She fidgeted a little, clearly eager to be alone.
    â€œWe’re going out for a ride,” Sam said. “Ace needs some exercise, but—I don’t mean to be pushy, but do you think I could see Bayfire first?”
    â€œOf course,” Inez said, but she didn’t sound flattered, and her manner was so competent as she unlatched the trailer door, Sam didn’t even try to help.
    â€œBack,” Inez said.
    On command, Bayfire made his appearance. As he backed down the ramp, the stallion’s haunchesgleamed. Sturdy, graceful black-shaded bay legs ended in white hind socks. He wore no halter, but his ears were cast back, listening for Inez’s voice.
    â€œReverse,” Inez ordered, and the horse turned to face them.
    â€œHe looks like Ace,” Sam blurted. Then, at the astonished expression on Inez’s face as she followed Sam’s eyes to the little bay mustang, Sam added, “Well, a pumped-up version of Ace.”
    Bayfire had the thicker neck and broader chest of a stallion. His black mane and tail were full, but his red bay coat was no more burnished than her horse’s. Bayfire’s forehead wore a white star, too, just like Ace’s.
    â€œThere is a