The Unicorn Thief Read Free Page A

stand a chance.
    â€œWonder!” Ben said firmly.
    The feet came down, still in her own stall. Wonder hadn’t jumped quite high enough. But was it just because Ben had distracted her? Could she really jump out of the stall? She never had before, but she seemed to amaze them with some new feat almost every day.
    Ben hurried to open Sparkler’s stall. The frightened pony rushed out. Before he could get hold of her to take her outside, there was a flash of white mane and flying hooves. Ben jumped back and plastered himself against the stalls at the side of the aisle.
    â€œStop right there!”
    Hooves skidded on the dirt floor of the aisle, sending stray bits of wood shavings flying.
    Twig was there, soaking wet, jacketless, and in stocking feet. She grasped Sparkler’s halter in one hand and held her other palm out, the picture of calm determination and authority. “Just what do you think you’re doing, Wonder?”
    Wonder dipped her head and neighed her appeal to her rider. Mrs. Murley ran in and took Sparkler from Twig. Mr. Murley was right behind her.
    Twig caught a handful of Wonder’s mane, then slipped her arms around her neck.
    Ben let out a breath of relief and strode to the stall the two unicorns shared. Though they were solidly built, the walls rumbled with Indy’s angry movements.
    â€œThere, now. I’m here.”
    Indy pawed the ground and fixed Ben with a fierce stare. And Ben saw, not anger anymore, but fear and yearning, barely contained by the stallion’s dignity. Mr. Murley stayed back a few paces behind Ben in the aisle, quiet and still, just in case Ben needed him.
    â€œI’ll get this troublemaker out of here.” Mrs. Murley snapped a lead on Sparkler’s halter and took her outside.
    As Ben opened the stall door, Indy gave the air one last slash with his horn, just to show Ben he really meant it.
    Behind him, Ben sensed Mr. Murley jolt and move closer.
    â€œIt’s okay,” Ben told his uncle before he could jump in front of him and upset Indy all over again. “Indy, stand down.”
    Indy bowed his head, though he sent Ben a sideways look of contempt with his eyes, the dark, liquid silver color of all unicorns. Ben stroked Indy’s neck. “It’s just the rain, Indy-boy. I know it sounds strange.”
    The island wind attacked the glass with a heavier pelting, trying to batter its way in. Or to drive Indy out, where he belonged. Indy neighed, ears pinned back.
    â€œAh, Indy. You’re right. I’m sorry. Your island wants you, and you want your island.” Ben stroked Indy’s neck, and Wonder jumped in a circle around Twig, showing her own younger, fresher brand of impatience. “You too, Wonder. Outside with both of you. Sparkler can come back in and calm down where she feels more comfortable.”
    The ponies nickered their agreement, and Wonder nuzzled Ben’s side.
    Mr. Murley glanced at the skylights, at the downpour pounding the glass.
    â€œThey’ll be all right,” Twig said. “They can handle a little rain.”
    Mr. Murley did what he could to help turn the unicorns out. Which mostly meant staying out of their way and opening the paddock gates.
    Twig ran back to the house to get her jacket and to get Mandy to help her calm Sparkler. Ben had a little talk with Indy about staying in the pasture and making sure Wonder did too. Indy and Wonder were expert jumpers, a combination of natural ability and the training Ben and Twig had put them through. They could leap the fence and disappear into the woods if they wanted to. But both creatures were loyal to their riders, and Wonder would follow Indy’s lead.
    The unicorns leaped in the rain. They kicked up mud and turf, delighting in the fresh, wet air. Mr. Murley stood at the pasture gate, watching them. David Murley was the great-grand nephew of Edward Murley, an early settler in Washington state, and the first Earth Lander to