Free Season of Fear by Christine Bush

be involved with any of the violent acts that had happened on the ranch, lately or five years ago.
    But there was only one motive, wasn't there? Whoever had planned this accident must have been the culprit who was responsible for the jeep crash and Laura Ridley's death on the prairie. Sara's boyfriend had been in the stable. He had supposedly saddled Devil earlier in the day. Or had someone else done that, sure that everyone would assume it had been Mac?
    Robin was so preoccupied as she sped across the even ground, straining her thoughts to solve the mystery that seemed to draw her like a magnet, that she was surprised when the figures of men and horses appeared on the horizon ahead of her. She had ridden Devil without a problem; she had stayed easily in the saddle as he had carried her for miles. His speed' was great, his proud nostrils still flared, his eyes still gleamed with the light of a feisty champion. He was a fine horse. Maybe Sara and Devil were alike, Robin realized, arrogant on the outside, but with kindness and warmness inside. She gave the horse a gentle pat.
    She had reached the group of working men now, and quickly spotted Alex's blond head in the middle of the group. Robin brought Devil to a quick halt and slid from his proud back, her stomach in a knot.
    "Alex, there's been an accident. I need your help."
    "What happened, Robin? Are you hurt?"
    "It's Sara. A beam fell in the stable and she's trapped under it."
    "Oh, no!" The color drained from his face. "Is she all right?"
    "She may have a broken foot, but other than that, I think she's okay."
    He snapped into action. Within seconds, several hands were pounding the ground on the backs of their horses, heading for the stable. Robin climbed back atop Devil and galloped alongside Alex as he drove his jeep to the ranch.
    Sara had not moved. With so many strong backs to assist, the beam was quickly lifted and Sara freed. Alex carried her slim body to the jeep and they sped off into town.
    A very relieved Robin walked back to the house alone, while the hands scrambled back and forth in the stable, repairing the damage so the horses could be housed for the night.
    Robin cooked a simple supper that evening and fed the boys when they returned from their jaunt, informing them of the accident, and assuring them that Sara was getting good medical care.
    When she and her father returned that evening, Sara's face was once again smiling. She wore a white cast on her right ankle and made her way around the house on a pair of crutches.
    "It's only for a few weeks," she said good-naturedly as she ate her dinner with Alex at the kitchen table.
    Robin sat quietly with them. She knew Sara had no idea that the occurrence had been more than an accident, but she had no wish to bring up the truth. For even without proof, Robin knew that someone had been behind the mishap. Alex met her eyes briefly across the table, and Robin knew his suspicions matched her own.
    "Wasn't Robin magnificent?" Sara went on, her dark eyes shining with admiration. "She just hopped up onto Devil and took off. I was really impressed. Western saddle and all, she handled him like a charm."
    "He's a beautiful horse. Sara," Robin said.
    Sara's face clouded over. "I'm so sorry about Ladyfingers. Robin, she was really getting to be just like your own horse. But I'll tell you what. You can ride Devil anytime you want to while I'm grounded with this thing." She pointed to her cast. "He'll need to get some exercise, and you're the only person I'd trust to ride him."
    "Thank you, Sara. That's really good of you. "The picture of the falling beam flashed in her mind, and a chill traveled up her spine.
    Should she use this moment to announce her intentions to leave? To say she had no need of a horse, that she'd be taking a bus back to the bustle of Chicago?
    Of course she couldn't. Robin could no more have walked out on Sara and the Ridleys at that moment than she could have walked out on her own father in his hour of