The Renegade by Terri Farley Page A

Sam couldn’t figure it out, but when he nuzzled her palm, she let him.
    “You spoil him with sugar cubes,” Karla said.
    “Almost never,” Sam said.
    “He’s sayin’ otherwise.” Karla laughed, then sneaked another glance at her watch before looking toward the range.
    “He’s not supposed to wander,” Sam agreed. “But since school started, he hasn’t been getting as much work as he needs and he’s been getting out of his corral.”
    “An escape artist.” Karla looked at Ace with new eyes. “Usually means they’re pretty smart.”
    A torrent of wind slashed through the ranch yard and Karla’s copper curls blew in her eyes. She looked ready to go, and then Dad came loping across the bridge into the yard.
    “Now, there’s a horse,” Karla said.
    Dad rode Banjo, and the Quarter horse looked great. Collected and gleaming on his neck and shoulders, the gelding was all a working horse should be.
    Karla Starr could just eat her heart out, Sam thought, because Dad would never sell Banjo.
    “I should probably go, but I’d really like it if you could introduce me to your dad first.”
    Karla caught Sam’s questioning look and laughed.
    “I knew because you two look just alike,” she said.
    Sam motioned for Dad as he brought Banjo down to a trot. Dad looked impatient, displeased to have company, and downright peeved over Ace.
    “Mr. Forster, I’m Karla Starr,” she said before Sam could perform an introduction. “I love that gelding you’re riding. He’d make a great pickup horse--”
    “Excuse me.” Dad made an apologetic gesture. “Samantha, what is Ace doing loose?”
    “Dad, I think he’s figured out how to work the latch--”
    “That’s clear. I want you to fix it. And when you start those lessons tomorrow, use him. That horse is bored.”
    Karla Starr gave a between-us-adults chuckle, but Dad ignored her.
    Sam thought of Rachel hauling on Ace’s tender mouth and knew there was a better way to end his boredom. She needed to take him out and run him. She was grounded, but maybe Dad would agree--for Ace’s sake.
    A raindrop struck her eyelid. Sam blinked. Could those clouds really be ready to give them the rain they needed? A storm would excite Ace. He’d really run for her then.
    “I know you all are busy,” Karla said, “but I mean what I said. I’d pay top dollar for a horse like your gelding. He’s strong enough to carry one rider and pick up a cowboy when his bronc or bull ride is over.”
    “I’ll remember,” Dad said, but he was looking skyward and holding back a smile.
    Now, while he was pleased, Sam tried to ask.
    “Dad, I know if I took Ace out now, I could take the edge off his energy and he’d stay put.”
    Wind rushed through the cottonwood trees and the horses in the ten-acre pasture began to run.
    All at once, there was a tapping sound as rain hit the brim of Dad’s Stetson.
    Ace tossed his head up, nostrils eager for the rain-sweet air. Then he neighed so loudly Sam covered her ears.
    “Please, Dad?”
    “Get him tacked up and run him into the wind,” Dad said. “But just for a little while.”
    “Thanks--”
    “Don’t thank me. Thank your loco horse, and take Jake with you.” Dad gestured toward the barn where Teddy Bear was tied. “Get after it, and don’t be late for dinner. I’m sure Ms. Starr will excuse you.”
    “Of course.” The woman slid her fingers into her pocket and withdrew two business cards. “Sam,people would pay good money to see Ace do what he’s getting in trouble for.”
    Then, looking at Dad, she added, “I don’t love my animals, I let them feel useful.” Then she handed him the second card. “Just in case you change your mind.”
    There was something flirty in the gesture that made Sam wish Brynna Olson were there.
    Dad nodded politely, and Karla Starr was already driving away when Sam noticed the dog in her truck.
    An Australian shepherd stared through the truck’s back window. Its one white eye made the dog’s stare