Free Crazy Horse by Jenny Oldfield Page A

name and number and showed them.
    Kirstie narrowed her eyes to read the scrawl. “Columbine Falls Sale Barn—970-555-0929.”
    “What is it?” Matt snatched the paper. “Why has Sheriff Francini given you this?”
    Sandy’s smile broadened. “He got there before us, Matt. He said he’d spent yesterday evening calling the barns to the south of here to see if there was a horse like Cadillac going through the sales. He drew blanks. Then, late last night, a call came through. The caller had heard he was asking questions, said he had a mystery tip-off, if the sheriff wanted to hear it.”
    Matt listened and nodded. “Saying what, exactly?”
    “Telling him that a gray gelding fitting Cadillac’s description had been located at Columbine Falls Sale Barn in southwest Colorado.”
    “Let’s go!” Matt’s reaction was instantaneous. He reached for his jacket and hat. “The Falls is 200 miles from here; that’s a three-hour drive. C’mon, Mom, let’s get moving!”
    Sandy steadied him. “According to the tip-off, the horse is scheduled to be put through a sale early this afternoon. That gives us plenty of time to go down and identify him.”
    Matt nodded. “What about Sheriff Francini?”
    “He’s not coming. He’s been in contact with the county sheriff down there, fixed up for us to meet him at midday.” All was organized and in order, Sandy gave them to understand. But even she couldn’t hide her excitement.
    “What about me? Can I come?” Kirstie begged. She didn’t want to miss the big moment when Matt walked into the sale barn to claim his horse.
    “You’ve got school!” her mom reminded her. No arguments, no softening under pressure.
    And so a silent, pale, frowning Kirstie was dropped off at the gates of San Luis Middle School at eight-thirty that morning. She’d pleaded and reasoned to no effect. “No way, Kirstie!” Sandy had stood firm. “School is important. Matt and I can do this without your help!”
    Left out in the cold, overlooked and rejected; that was how she felt when Lisa came up to her in the school yard. Her mom and brother would be away all day, reclaiming the stolen horse. They’d have all the joy and relief, all the pleasure of a great reunion.
    “Why the black looks?” Lisa quizzed. “No one died, did they?”
    “Nope.” Kirstie walked on ahead, chopping her replies, taking it out on Lisa.
    “What then?”
    “Crazy Horse came home.”
    “Hey, Kirstie, that’s great!…So how come you’re not over the moon?” Lisa ran in front of her to intercept her.
    “And they found Cadillac!” she snapped, sidestepping into the classroom. “At least, they think they did. In some sale barn in the south. That’s where Mom and Matt are driving right this very minute!”

8
    Lisa twisted her plaited friendship bracelet, working herself up to a big statement. “Being your friend means a lot to me,” she told Kirstie. “But I guess to you, it doesn’t mean as much.”
    “How do you figure that out?” Kirstie blushed. Though she stood in line for the school bus to take her home at the end of the day, her mind was elsewhere.
Had Mom and Matt gotten to the sale barn in time?
she wondered. Was it truly Cadillac that the mystery caller had spotted?
    “If
I
was in
your
place, I wouldn’t shut
me
out.” Lisa’s sentence came out all mixed up. “Not like you did all during today!”
    “Like when?” The yellow bus drew up. Kids began to climb in.
    “Like when I saw you in the yard this morning. Like when you went by in the corridor at break. Like now, for instance!”
    Kirstie reached the front of the line. “Look, I’m sorry, OK? I’ve got a lot of stress.”
    “Right! Which is why you need me!” Lisa’s green eyes flashed angrily at the boy behind Kirstie, who shoved them aside so he could get on the bus. “That’s what friends are for!”
    Kirstie sighed. She knew Lisa was right.
    “Are you girls getting on this bus or not?” the driver called, ready to press