Silver Spurs Read Free Page B

getting up? Capri slowed and stopped halfway down the arena by the rail, her head hanging and the reins dangling. The mare was seemingly content to do nothing now that she’d unloaded her rider.
    Kate skidded to a halt next to Tori, her hands shaking. Tori lay on the ground with her eyes closed. Suddenly she coughed. “Can’t breathe.”
    â€œI’ll get Mom. Don’t move.” Kate raced across the arena and headed for the house. Her best friend couldn’t be seriously hurt. It would be all her fault if she was. Kate almost stopped running, but there was no time now to reflect on what Mom or Dad would say. Why didn’t I think things through before I did something so foolish?
    A minute later, Kate flew across the arena with her mother on her heels. Mom was always telling Kate she was too impulsive. Kate knew Capri acted up sometimes, but she’d been so sure that the mare would behave herself on the lunge line. She’d envisioned herself as a trainer—stupid, that’s what she was.
    â€œTori, are you alive?” She bent over Tori and peered into her friend’s eyes. At least they were open now. That was a good sign. “Can you talk?”
    â€œI guess so.” Tori drew in a hard breath and coughed again.
    Mom knelt and smoothed Tori’s hair off her forehead. “Where does it hurt, honey?”
    â€œAll over.”
    Kate tried to hold back the tears. “Can you move your legs?”
    Tori shifted her position on the ground and rotated her ankles, then bent her knees. “My legs are okay, I guess.”
    Mom blew a strand of hair out of her eyes before turning to Kate. “ What in the world happened here? Why was Tori riding Capri?”
    â€œIt was my idea, Mom. I made her do it. I’m so sorry.” Tears brimmed over Kate’s lower eyelashes and trickled down her face, but she didn’t care. She’d been brain-dead to think she could give Tori lessons.
    Tori pushed up on one elbow. “No, you didn’t. I wanted to.”
    Kate would have loved nothing more than to believe that, but she had to be honest, especially after the way she’d acted. “Nuh-uh.” She shook her head. “You said she looked too big, and you were scared, but I didn’t listen. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. You don’t hate me, do you?”
    â€œOf course not. You’re my best friend. I’d never hate you. Now help me up.”
    Mom placed her arm under Tori’s shoulders and helped her sit. “Are you sure? How are you feeling?”
    â€œA lot better. I think hitting the ground knocked the wind out of my lungs. I don’t hurt anywhere now.” She reached her hand toward Kate. “Come on. Pull me up.”
    Relief flooded Kate, and she grinned. “Cool. Then I guess we should catch Capri and unsaddle her.”
    â€œNo, young lady.” Mom glared up at Kate. “ You’ll catch Capri and unsaddle her, not Tori. She needs to rest. Better yet, I’ll drive her home. She could have been seriously injured. No more letting anyone ride your horse without checking with me first. Understood?”
    â€œYes, Mom.” Kate kicked at a clod of dirt. The relief she’d felt evaporated. Tori said she felt fine, but dread wormed its way into Kate’s mind. What if this accident had crippled her friend? Kate suddenly felt sick. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she whispered to Tori.
    Tori scowled. “Knock it off. I’m fine.” She glanced at Kate’s mother. “Mrs. Ferris, I appreciate you wanting to take me home, but I’m really okay.”
    Kate stared at her friend for another long moment, wanting to be sure. At the stubborn little tilt of Tori’s chin, Kate’s tense shoulders relaxed. “Good.” She swung toward her mom. “This is why we need a trainer. It wouldn’t have happened if we had someone at our barn giving us real lessons