Free Golden Filly Collection One by Lauraine Snelling Page A

other two yearlings. “And Mom wants you to call her. She asked us to come in for dinner. I told her what’s going on.”
    “And…”
    “She wasn’t very happy. Don’t blame her. I’m not either.”
    David tied the two colts to the outside rings. “Why don’t you go work Anderson’s two. The three of us will get this place in shape. Dad said to put Brad on the payroll again so we can count on the extra help.”
    “How’s the filly?”
    “About the same. At least she’s drinking.”
    “I’ll call when I need a leg up. Those four been out on the hot walker today?” She nodded toward the horses they’d been training.
    “Yup. Be careful with that hellion.”
    “What’d he do now?” Trish knew immediately that Dave meant the Anderson colt, Gatesby.
    “He sure spooks easy.”
    “I know.”
    “Be careful.”
    “Yes, mother hen.” Trish laughed as she evaded her brother’s swat.
    Always one to get the worst out of the way first, Trish cross-tied Gatesby in his stall, brushed him down, then bridled and saddled him.
    He stood, docile for a change, with only his ears responding to her soft monologue. Trish knew he behaved better for her than anyone, but he sure was a handful. And today they should be training him at the starting gate. Time was running out on getting him ready for the first part of the season.
    Brad gave her a leg up when she called for help. The colt just stood there until Trish was settled and she clucked him off. He set out for the track in a flat-footed walk, looking around him with only mild interest.
    Trish waved her thanks and concentrated on the warm-up. The entire session, even to walking him around the gates, only drew some snorting and eye-rolling on the colt’s part. She patted his neck and smoothed his mane down as they stood a few feet from the starting gates. That metal monster would be enough to scare anyone, she thought. Wait till he’s boxed in with gates closed in behind and in front of him. She rubbed the horse’s neck again and turned him toward the stable.
    “We’ll work you with Dan’l tomorrow,” she said as he twitched his ears. “All of us will be at the gate at once. That should make things easier.”
    The sun had set by the time she finished working Anderson’s three-year-old. He’d already raced one season and was being reconditioned after an injury during the summer program in Spokane. He was a willing animal, without the contrariness of Gatesby. Trish breezed him twice around the track for the pure joy of running.
    She scraped him down and rinsed the sweat off with warm water. Brad had taken care of Gatesby, so with both animals snapped to the hot walker to cool off, Trish spent a moment with old Dan’l.
    “Tomorrow you get to train the kids.” She rubbed his head, right behind his ears, a favorite place. “Hope they watch you and learn fast.” Dan’l rubbed his nose against her chest and blew softly in her face.
    For a moment Trish could pretend everything was all right. Her father was working in one of the other stalls; the exerciser sang its creaky song, and all the animals were healthy. Her mom was up baking cookies and soon dinner would be on the table.
    “Where do you have the sick ones now, Trish?” Dr. Bradshaw’s question broke her reverie.
    She swallowed as she turned away from Dan’l and her dream. “Down at the old barn. I’ll show you.”
    The mercury yardlight had come on before they had all the sick animals in separate clean stalls and the racing stock exercised. Training had been minimal, compared to what Trish knew needed to be done.
    “How’s your dad?” Rhonda asked as they trudged up the rise to the cars.
    “Not coming home right away,” Trish sighed.
    “Are you going in to the hospital tonight?”
    “No, it’s too late.” Trish kicked a small rock ahead of her, the action slowing her steps so David and Brad pulled ahead.
    “That why your mom’s mad?” Rhonda stopped beside her friend.
    “Yup. She can’t