Free Golden Filly Collection One by Lauraine Snelling

the track. I know I’m late getting started, but I just purchased the one. A couple of people at The Meadows recommended Hal. Could you have him get back to me?”
    “Sure will,” Trish answered. “What’s your number, Mr. Carter?”
    Dollar signs played tag in her head as Trish ran down to the barn. She found David and Caesar out with the mares. “David,” she called as she reached the gate, “guess what?”
    “Get me another lead shank, will you?” He was leading the brood mare who’d been coughing the afternoon before.
    “She’s worse?”
    “I think so. We’ll take ’em all up and check temps. That’s the only way to be sure.”
    Where are we gonna put more sick horses? Trish’s mind raced as fast as her feet. Guess we better clean out the old barn. They’d be isolated over there all right.
    Brad and Rhonda met them at the barn. Trish had one mare and David the two others. One of them coughed again.
    “Looks like you need help for sure.” Brad took the lead ropes. “Where do you want them tied?”
    “Bradshaw said we have to keep them isolated, so how about the old barn?” Trish looked at David for confirmation. At his nod, she continued.
    “Rhonda, grab the wheelbarrow and throw in a couple of forks. We’ll have to clean those old stalls out. Brad, tie those two to the outside rings and I’ll get some straw after I take this one down.” She rubbed the coughing mare’s nose. “Pregnant as you are, you don’t need to be sick too.”
    “When’s she due?” Brad asked as they led the animals out.
    “Around the twentieth, I think.” Trish rubbed the mare’s neck as they walked. “I keep telling Dad that if she foals on my birthday, the foal should be mine.”
    “Sounds good to me,” Brad agreed.
    They tied the animals up. While David checked temperatures, Trish helped Rhonda with the cleaning gear.
    “We better call Bradshaw,” David said when he came into the dim barn. “One temp with those three, and I think another of the yearlings is coming down with it. He wasn’t kidding when he said it was contagious.”
    How do we keep the racing stock safe? Trish thought as she dog-trotted back up to the house to call the vet. We’ve got to be able to move Spitfire and the others to the track next week.

Chapter
    09
    T he phone was ringing as Trish came through the door.
    “Runnin’ On Farm,” she panted. “Trish speaking.” She paused and smiled at the response. “Hi, Mom. No, David’s down at the barn. We’ve got a couple more sick ones. I just came up to call the vet. How’s Dad?”
    “He’s in the recovery room,” her mother answered. “They did the bronchoscopy about an hour ago. How about you and David meeting me here at the hospital for dinner and then you can visit with your dad for a while?”
    “I don’t know.” Trish felt caught in a trap. “I told you the mare is sick, and so is another yearling. Even with Rhonda and Brad helping, it’ll take several hours to prep stalls.”
    “Where are you putting them?”
    “Down in the old barn.” At the silence in her ear, Trish swallowed. “We’re doing everything we can and…”
    “Yes, I know.” Marge bit off each word. “The horses always come first. But not if your presence here could help make your father feel better.”
    “Tell Dad I’ll call him later…when we know more.” The line went dead without a good-bye. Why couldn’t David have been the one to talk with her? He always manages to make things better, Trish thought. I just make it worse.
    She called the vet and left a message for Dr. Bradshaw to come as soon as possible. Her chemistry book stared up at her accusingly from where she’d dropped it on the counter. She gave it a push. Somewhere I’ll find the time to study. Her feet dragged on the way back to the stable. She hadn’t told David about the Carter phone call. Fat chance they had of taking on any more horses now.
    “I left a message on his machine.” Trish found David bringing up the