Free Small Town Filly (Sandbar Stables Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Bethanie Cushman Page A

were Jeannie Turner and her daughter Mary, with Sue Wood staying close to them. Following along on the huge black mare was Lance, watching everyone closely, with Fanny sticking right alongside Jet.
    As they made their way down the beach, Alex began to relax a little. She noticed that they were attracting quite a lot of attention from other people along the beach, and she saw many folks watching them from the windows of the condos and hotels. Alex waved to them as they walked along.
    Even people on jet skis and fishing boats slowed their watercraft to take in the sight of eleven horses—bay, black, chestnut, and pinto—walking together down the white sand beach in the beautiful morning light. Alex waved to them, too, as did some of her other riders.
    Just for fun, Alex guided Ginger towards the white edges of the surf, and was delighted when the little red-gold mare was willing to get her feet wet in the water of the Gulf of Mexico. All she could think about was that if she was successful, this kind of thing would be her everyday job.
    She could hear Lance talking to one of the riders. "Just sit up nice and straight," he said calmly. "Keep your heels out of her sides, so she doesn't get too fast. Remember, your heels are like the gas pedal on a car. They make the horse speed up."
    "Okay," said a shaky little voice. Alex turned around to see little Mary Turner hunched over the saddle and looking nervous. Her mother, Jeannie, watched closely, frowning at Lance and at Sunrise, Mary's horse.
    Alex caught Lance's eye, and he just nodded to her. He seemed to think the little girl would be all right, and Alex could see that Sunrise was walking calmly with the rest of the bunch. She sighed and turned around again, keeping an eye out ahead of them.
    It was not long before they reached Lighthouse Point. Before she could start to turn around, she heard Lance calling her.
    As soon as everyone got their horses stopped, Lance came jogging up to her on Jet. "Remember," he said, raising his voice enough for all of the riders to hear, "we're going to be heading back towards the barn now. It's real important that the horses be kept to a walk, so that they don't get in a rush to get back home. Don't pass anyone up. If you need any help, just holler for me or for Alex. Okay?"
    The riders all looked at each other. "Okay," they said. "Okay."
    "Good," said Lance. "Everybody turn around slowly, go past me, and keep your horse only at a walk."
    The riders did as Lance told them, and in a moment all of the horses were heading towards home just as calmly as they had gone out. Alex was very proud of all of them, and was very pleased to see that the riders were enjoying the trip.
    Well, most of them were enjoying it. A glance back showed her that Mary Turner was still hunched forward as Sunrise walked along, clinging to the saddle horn tightly with one hand and gripping the little mare's sides hard with her heels. But Lance was close behind her, and Alex knew that he would help the child if she needed it.
                  Alex noticed that Sue Wood had moved up closer to the front on the long-legged Pearl. Alex grinned at her. "Having a good time, Sue?"
                  "Oh, yes, I am! I rode a few times years ago as a kid, but nothing like this!"
                  "Nothing like a beach ride," said Alex. "I think everyone's enjoying it, and all the horses are behaving very well."
                  "I just love this horse," Sue went on. "I wasn't sure about it at first, because he's so tall. But he's so pretty, and so smooth!"
                  "Lance thinks maybe he's a Saddlebred—a show horse," said Alex. "That's where he gets the long legs and the high head carriage. And yes, he's always sweet. He's actually got a nice trot and a very smooth canter, too."
                  "Wow. I'd love to try that sometime," said Sue, sounding a little surprised at her own