One day, Sahara hoped, she would be able to read more of the words in these books. For now, she enjoyed paging through them, searching. The books were important, but not just for the words they contained. They were a symbol of all that had been lost in the past. It was important that people remember such things — so that nothing might ever be forgotten again — especially nothing as useful, or as beautiful, as horses.
Finally droopy-eyed, she turned the light toward old Auntie, who slept soundly at last. Sahara pulled her blanket snug, and with one last pat to Banner, closed her eyes and drifted into a deep and restful sleep.
In a bright valley filled with tall grass, Sahara slipped the headgear off Promise and let the young horse run. Faster and faster she galloped, never getting out of sight, but making great loops around the long valley with her strong, long legs. How she glimmered. The baby coat was gone now, replaced by soft, golden dapples, and her black mane and tail flowed in the light breeze. Promise called out with a piercing whinny, and then galloped back to Sahara, sliding to a stop in front of her, putting her head down to feast on the short tender grass at the edge of the azure pond.
Sahara practiced sliding a leg across the young horse’s back, sitting upright for a moment, feeling the thrill of the animal’s strength as the horse trembled beneath her. Promise’s ears flicked back and forth as if hearing some faraway sound. Sahara followed the horse’s gaze into an alder grove high on the next hill and heard a shrill whinny of greeting in the distance. Shading her eyes against the bright sunlight, Sahara gasped in surprise. A smoke-colored horse trotted briskly across the valley. With just a slight limp, as if from an old injury, the horse moved steadily toward them, appearing eager for their company.
Acknowledgments
It takes a lot of people to help make a book. I brought part of a first draft of this novel to my critique group several years ago, who loved it and encouraged me to finish. Their continued support and helpful comments carried me all the way through to the end and beyond. I had an agent who loved this novel and also helped me work on it, but was ultimately unable to sell it. Continuing to believe in the story, I pursued publication and was thrilled when the folks at Musa Publishing took a chance on me right out of the gate.
So in no particular order, I have the following to thank:
Those who took part in a college research project I completed many years ago regarding women and their passion for horses.
Katrina Stonoff and Rob Southern for their excellent words of wisdom and encouragement.
Anne Rounds for helpful comments on an early draft.
Joanna Volpe who spent many hours with this story and who helped me overcome my tendency toward passive voice.
Celina Summers, Lisa Dovichi, Kelly Shorten, Coreen Montagna, and most especially Kathy Teel, my fantastic editor at Musa Publishing.
My husband — who helped me unravel plot problems, put up with a writer’s moodiness, and also for doing the dishes.
For Copper, Cloudy, Joker, Daniel, Fudge, Paint and every other good horse I’ve known or ridden. Thank you for the joy and inspiration.
About the Author
Linda Benson’s passion for horses has influenced most of her choices in life. She has ridden literally hundreds of miles horseback, competed in equine events ranging from barrel racing to jumping, team penning to endurance riding, sold and marketed horses for a living, and owned a successful saddle and tack shop.
In addition, she has been a veterinary assistant, a realtor, a children’s librarian, a zoo keeper, a race track groom, and owned a native plant nursery.
She is the author of two middle grade books, The Horse Jar (which has been translated into Spanish) and Finding Chance, both from an educational publisher.
Her next novel, called Six Degrees of Lost, is due for publication in 2012, also from Musa Publishing.
Ms. Benson currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a varying menagerie of animals. And she writes.
www.lindabenson.net
www.lindabenson.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/Girl.Remembered.Horses.LindaBenson
Table of Contents
Cover
title page
Copyright Information
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Acknowledgments
About the Author