Free Silver Spurs by Miralee Ferrell Page A

ready when they’re needed. Now I wish we’d left them in the barn.”
    â€œIt was a huge windstorm, but it’s not like you thought the tree would crash down on top of everything. So what happens if the jumps are all busted?”
    Kate winced, not liking the picture that question created in her mind. “Dad says we’ll have to call the show coordinator and cancel.”
    Tori gasped. “Why? Can’t you buy new jumps or fix them? We can help repair the fence. My dad’s handy with a hammer and nails.”
    â€œThat’s nice of you, but it takes money. More than we have right now. Dad even wondered if we should have opened the barn for business.” She dropped her voice to a loud whisper so Tori could still hear. “And Mom looked like she’d been crying when I came out this morning. I thought I was the only one in the family who was looking forward to this show, but I think Mom wanted it to be a success too.”
    â€œMan, I’m so sorry.”
    Kate gave Tori a weak smile. “Thanks. I’m going to tell my folks they can use the two hundred dollars I have in savings from my birthday and from Christmas money my aunts and uncles have sent me the last several years, plus what I’ve saved from doing extra chores.”
    â€œWould that be enough?”
    Kate hesitated, wondering if her parents had thought that far. “I know they have close to enough put aside to buy a lesson horse soon, if we can find one at a reasonable price. I wasn’t going to tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise. Now I wonder if they should use that money to fix things instead. But we need a good lesson horse if we’re going to bring in more people.”
    Tori nodded. “That’s tough. Tell you what—I’ll be praying that God sends an answer.”
    Kate smiled, glad for the gazillionth time that Tori was her best friend. “Thanks. Ready to go drag some branches out of the way?”
    Tori grinned. “Lead me to them!”

    Two hours later, the majority of the tree had been cut, a nice stack of firewood leaned against the house, and a pile of branches sat in a clear spot where it would be safe to burn. The chain saws were silent, and the crew stood near the broken fence surveying the damage.
    Kate gulped back a sob, determined not to cry, but she knew the show was doomed. Most of the old jumps were splintered, and at least three of the six new ones were damaged. Nothing remained of the fence where the tree had landed, and an even larger section on the side was broken than they’d first thought.
    Tori moved close and bumped shoulders with Kate. “Don’t give up yet. It’s not over just because a few things are broken.”
    â€œTell that to my dad.” Kate whispered the words, but she knew they were true. Dad stood with his arms crossed and a scowl darkening his usually happy face. This was definitely not good.
    Mr. Jiménez and his wife tugged off their gloves and walked to Kate’s parents. “We’re sorry we can’t stay longer,” he said. “We’re expecting company for lunch, and Mary needs to get home.”
    Dad nodded and pumped the man’s hand. “We’ll have you folks over for supper soon. If there’s ever anything we can do to help you, please let us know. You’ve been a godsend today.”
    Mr. Jiménez motioned toward the remains of the trunk that still needed to come down. “I can help you take that down when you’re ready, and I’ll bring my log splitter over for the big pieces. Makes it a lot easier.” He waved as he and his wife walked away.
    Kate sidled close to her mother and tapped her arm. “Has Dad made a decision?” She tried to keep her voice low, but Tori’s mother looked their way.
    Dad swung around and faced the small group. “Nan, you’d better call the coordinator and tell her what happened. I don’t see how