CHAPTER 1 TOUGH RIDING Dust hung in the air outside an old red barn The barn sat on a low hill where two boys watched a girl riding a horse One of those boys Wade leaned against a wooden fence post his chin resting in his hands Wade sighed I’ll never be able to ride like that he said
Javier stood near Wade and clapped him on the back Javier was Wade’s friend and a son of one of the ranch hands He was also the brother of the rider Maria’s been riding her whole life said Javier You just got here for the summer You can’t already expect to be as good as she is Wade watched He was both jealous and impressed Maria’s chestnut brown quarter horse Sammy responded to Maria’s every word Sammy dashed cut and jumped on command Maria rode over and hopped off Sammy’s
back She handed Wade the reins Want to take him out for a spin she asked Javier turned to Wade That’s a rare offer he said Maria almost never lets anyone else ride Sammy Wade wasn’t about to miss the chance He jumped into the saddle and flashed Maria a grin He nudged Sammy with his heels to let the horse know it was time to go Sammy didn’t budge C’mon boy Wade called Giddyup Nothing Maria and Javier were watching Wade guessed that everyone who was up at the
house was watching as well And there he sat looking like a fool Wade gave Sammy another nudge Nothing This time he reached back and gave the horse a swat on the backside Suddenly Sammy lurched forward and then danced to one side Wade clung to the pommel trying not to tip over sideways Just as Wade was about to regain his balance Sammy reared up kicked and whinnied
