Free Silver Spurs by Miralee Ferrell Page B

we’ll replace all of this in time for the show. Maybe they can find another location.”
    Mom hunched a shoulder. “I doubt it. She said it was a minor miracle they found us when they did. I’m guessing they’ll have to cancel the show completely. It’s a real shame, since it could have brought a lot of business to the barn, not to mention all the people who will be disappointed.”
    â€œPlus the ones, like Melissa, who won’t be able to earn the points they need to move on to regionals.” Kate couldn’t keep from blurting out the information. After all, even though she didn’t particularly like Melissa, she was one of their boarders.
    Mom groaned. “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right, Kate. That’s not going to go over well with a lot of people.”
    Dad frowned. “I can’t see that we have any choice.”
    Kate cleared her throat. “Uh, can I make a suggestion?”
    All eyes swung her way. “Go ahead,” Dad said.
    â€œYou have money put aside to buy a lesson horse. Maybe we should use that to fix things instead—and you could use the money I have in savings too.”
    Mom’s eyes lit with hope, then quickly dimmed. “No, I don’t think so, but thank you for offering, honey. The show landed in our laps. We didn’t ask for it. As nice as it would have been to host, we can’t sacrifice the long-term investment of a lesson horse or your money in the hope that the show will make enough to pay that back.”
    Dad nodded. “I agree, although it was a sound idea, Kate.” He jerked his head toward the house. “Nan, you probably had better call. No sense putting it off.”
    Tori’s mom waved a hand. “May I make a suggestion?”
    Mom smiled. “Of course. And we apologize. We should have waited to have this discussion until after you’d gone home.”
    â€œNo, mi amiga , it’s fine. Would you wait for an hour or two before you make that call?”
    Dad frowned. “I’m not sure that’s fair to the show coordinator.”
    Kate edged forward. “But it’s not like they have somewhere else they can go, Dad. Would another hour or two hurt?”
    He turned to Tori’s mom. “Do you have a reason for asking?”
    â€œI do, but may I wait to tell you? It may be nothing. In the meantime, shouldn’t we ask God for direction in case He has another idea?”
    The stern expression on Dad’s face melted, and he looked a little sheepish. Kate wanted to giggle. He was usually the one telling their family they needed to talk to God about decisions. “I should have thought of that first. How about you folks come inside for coffee and cinnamon rolls?”
    Tori’s dad exchanged a glance with his wife, then shook his head. “May we take one or two to go?”
    â€œKate, Tori, would you girls run into the house and bring the plate out?”
    Kate didn’t wait to be asked again. She grabbed Tori’s hand, and they raced across the edge of the pasture that separated the lawn from the arena. As soon as they were out of earshot, Kate leaned close to her friend. “What’s up with your mom?”
    â€œI have no idea.” Tori turned wide eyes to Kate. “All I know is, we’d better take her advice and pray. Because if whatever it is doesn’t happen, or God doesn’t do something quick, this show is toast. At least that’s the way your dad sounded.”
    Tori reached for the door and pulled it open, letting Kate go through first, then following. “But I have a feeling she’s going to ask my dad if they can loan your parents the money. They’ve been saving for years to buy our own house.”
    Kate stared at Tori. “There’s no way Mom and Dad would accept that. They won’t take a chance with their own money for the lesson horse, so they’re not going to risk