Free Finding Kate by Julie Pollitt Page A

a light brown haze.
    “What do you think so far?” Will said, riding up next to her.
    “I could get used to it.” The mountains in the distance were majestic and breathtaking. “The views are amazing here,” Kate said.
    “I bet Chicago is beautiful.”
    “It is, if you can see past the buildings. The quiet solitude here is mesmerizing. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
    “Too bad you have to go back to the city in the fall.” Will said.
    “Right.” Part of her felt at home. In the short time since arriving in Wintervale, she felt a peace she’d never felt before. Maybe the quiet calm of the country had something to do with it.
    Who was she kidding? She didn’t belong here. Sure, riding a horse was incredible, but she was a city girl. Kate wanted to fit in here. But as she looked around at the others riding, she felt like an outsider. She’d watched them all morning. They helped each other and had a camaraderie she hadn’t experienced before.
    Will wiped his face with a handkerchief. He handed her a yellow bandana. She took it with thanks and wiped her sweaty brow. Then she tied it around her neck, adjusting the camera strap. By now, she must’ve taken one hundred pictures. She couldn’t wait to sit down someplace air-conditioned, with a seat that didn’t move beneath her, and write the story. With the solid lead she already had in mind, she knew it would be a great story.
    Trying to stave off the thoughts of returning to Chicago, she asked Will, “How is Emma doing?”
    “She’s got a bit of her spirit back. That woman’s a fighter. Unfortunately, it’s just a matter of time.”
    His face softened as he talked about Emma. She wondered if tears were mixed in with the sweat. Kate knew brain cancer usually spelled the end. She just prayed Emma’s death wouldn’t break Will’s heart. His willingness to watch over her proved how much he cared for the woman.
    “We’ve got a stray on the west side!” One of the wrangler’s voices came through on the walkie-talkie Will carried.
    He stood up in his stirrups and scanned the area. He spotted a calf and pointed. “He’s heading toward the river.” His fingers clutched the radio and he said, “I’ll get him. I just hope it’s not too late.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
    Will pulled back on his reins, heading west toward the stray calf. He slid the tips of his fingers into his mouth, letting off a high-pitched whistle.
    A dog shot out from behind some cows and ran up alongside Will’s horse.
    “Attaboy, Max.”
    Will winked at Kate. “You want to see him get the calf?”
    “Definitely.”
    With a nod at the other wrangler, Will galloped away from the drive. Kate yanked on the reins to follow. Mabel jerked right, throwing Kate off balance in the saddle. She edged her left foot back into the stirrup and righted herself.
    Will bolted ahead. Not wanting to get left behind, Kate flipped the reins against her horse’s neck. Mabel lunged forward. The thrust tumbled Kate’s body backward. The reins slipped from her grasp. Her thighs squeezed the sides of the saddle as she scrambled to grab the saddle horn.
    “I thought you were a calm horse,” Kate muttered, bouncing up and down. Her camera, strapped around her neck, flipped behind her and hammered against her back. A jolt of adrenaline coursed through her body. Everything she knew about horses came from western movies. That knowledge wasn’t much help at the moment.
    The ground beneath Kate blurred as Mabel picked up her speed. The horse’s hooves thundered against the earth. Kate fought against momentum to lean forward in an attempt to reach the reins. The reins flopped alongside the horse’s head, repeatedly eluding Kate’s grasp. Unable to grab anything but mane, Kate gripped a handful of horsehair. Her fingernails dug into her palms. The next good bounce yanked Kate backward, but she held on tight.
    Interpreting her yank as instruction, Mabel slowed to a halt. When Kate caught her