Free Moonrise by Terri Farley Page A

heart fell as she realized the filly would have gone if she could have.
    Tempest shouldered past Sunny and resumed her reckless race around the corral.
    The front porch light flashed on in time to show Tempest running. Her head shook from side to side in frustration. More than anything, she wanted to chase after Moon and follow her half brother back to the open range.

Chapter Ten
    H ooves pounded across the ten-acre pasture.
    The screen door slammed open and light feet crossed the wooden porch.
    The only thing missing from this night alarm was the sound of Blaze barking.
    â€œWas it the Phantom?” Brynna called as she hurried across the ranch yard, tying the sash on her red bathrobe.
    Sam was astounded to see her. The last time there’d been a commotion like this, Dad had come running with a rifle.
    Sam didn’t have an instant to answer before she flattened herself against the corral fence. Dark Sunshine used nips to drive Tempest into the barn.The mare was angry. No way did Sam want to get between her and Tempest.
    At last the filly’s head drooped in weariness and she obeyed. They trotted into the barn, Sunny still scolding with a clack of her teeth.
    Sam followed the horses, shot the stall bolt behind them, then let herself out of the corral gate to meet Brynna.
    â€œI can’t believe Dad’s not right behind you,” Sam said.
    â€œI pulled rank and told him I was the wild horse expert.” Brynna pushed her loose hair away from her face.
    â€œHow did you know it was a—I mean, what you asked before—it wasn’t the Phantom. It was Moon, the black…” Sam tried not to sputter, but thoughts pelted through her mind faster than her tongue could put them in order.
    Finally, Sam shook her head and asked, “How did you know it wasn’t the dogs?”
    â€œCatch your breath,” Brynna said, resting one hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Your Dad and I both knew, because we heard the stallion. He was romancing the mare, not trying to drive off wild dogs.”
    That was what she’d guessed, but Sam still couldn’t believe Dad hadn’t come running. Brynna must have recognized her amazement.
    â€œMy claim to be the wild horse expert never would have worked if I hadn’t beaten him down thestairs,” Brynna conceded. “And the only reason I could do that was the stiffness from his fall. Wyatt’s in a little pain.” Brynna nodded with certainty. “Not that he’ll admit it, but bruises don’t lie.”
    â€œHe’s not hurt badly, is he?” Sam asked.
    â€œDo you think your Gram and I would let him play the tough guy if he needed to see a doctor?”
    â€œNot really…” Sam began.
    â€œNot a chance.” Brynna crossed her arms and lifted her chin.
    The night seemed to settle around them, and both Brynna and Sam looked toward the hillside.
    â€œIt was Moon,” Sam said.
    Brynna took a deep breath, and her arms fell to her sides. “We haven’t seen him for a while.”
    Last fall in Arroyo Azul, Sam and Brynna had seen the young stallion battle his sire.
    The challenge had been bloody and brief. The young stallion had courage but little experience. He had speed and stamina, but his sire had strength and strategy. New Moon had fled the fight and remained at Aspen Creek with only a half-grown cougar for company.
    â€œDid he have any mares with him?” Brynna asked.
    â€œI didn’t see any,” Sam said. She was about to tell Brynna what Linc had said, when she remembered a sighting of her own. “But earlier today I saw somehorses, just barely,” she admitted, recalling her stranding in the lake on Ace. “Mostly what I saw was dust, but that’s when I heard those hounds baying for the first time. That dust cloud on the hill might have been Moon with a couple of mares.”
    â€œLast fall Jake saw him with a mare, didn’t he?”
    Sam considered her