Read Online Jumper by Michele Bossley - Free Book Online

ammunition.”
    Kayla stared. “What kind of ammunition?”
    â€œDog biscuits, of course.” Grandpa grinned. “Now stay put. I’ll be back.”
    Reluctantly, I climbed back in the truck. Kayla and I watched Grandpa disappear through the trees.
    Kayla looked at me. “We’re not really staying here, are we?”
    â€œNot on your life,” I answered. “Let’s go.” I jumped as the door creaked loudly, piercing the silence. I paused, but Grandpa did not reappear.
    â€œWait for me,” Kayla whispered. She buttoned up her blazer and thrust her hands into her leather riding gloves.
    â€œYou sure you don’t want your helmet?” I teased. She looked like she was ready to jump fences, not traipse through the bushes.
    â€œI’m cold, and I didn’t really plan this out, okay?” Kayla retorted. “You’re not exactly a fashion plate yourself.”
    That was true. I hadn’t stopped at home for clothes, so I was wearing one of Grandpa’s old flannel shirts, which came down nearly to my knees, my jeans and jacket, his woolen tam, and mismatched gloves—one navy wool, the other black leather.
    â€œNo one’s looking at us anyway,” I said. “Let’s get going.”
    We stepped carefully through the trees, trying to be as quiet as possible, followingthe direction Grandpa had taken. The pine boughs lifted and swayed in the wind; the ground was crusty with remnants of ice. It seemed like we’d been walking for hours when Kayla pushed aside a clinging branch and we reached the edge of a pasture. I could see a house at the far end, painted white with river-stone pillars along the porch—nice. Probably expensive too. There were several outbuildings—a shed, a large barn, a garage. I could also see a corral, and there were quite a few horses in it.
    â€œLet’s get closer.” Kayla nudged me.
    I didn’t need to be told twice. We skirted the edge of the pasture, creeping toward the corral. A big semitrailer was parked nearby. I couldn’t see Grandpa anywhere.
    Kayla nudged me again, tilting her head toward the semi. I gave a quick nod, and we slunk through the bushes, trying not to be visible from the house.
    I
did
hear a dog barking and winced as it became louder. Bellamy was sure to come out of the house if it didn’t stop soon. The dog burst out of the trees, snuffing eagerly atthe ground. Something came flying out of the bushes, and the dog leaped for it, crunching it between its teeth.
    â€œWhat was that?” Kayla said.
    I stifled a giggle. “Grandpa’s throwing the dog treats.” The dog looked up and waited, wagging its tail. Another dog biscuit sailed out. The dog gulped it down, then circled the bushes, but it didn’t bark.
    I breathed a sigh of relief. There was no sign of anyone near the house or the barn. If ever Grandpa was going to get those forms, now was the time...
    I saw him slide out of the bush and edge toward the passenger side of the semi. He gingerly tried the handle. It opened easily, and Grandpa stepped up to look inside.
    The next few seconds seemed to last for hours, but at last I saw Grandpa emerge with a fistful of papers in one hand. At the same time I heard the crunch of gravel. Jim Bellamy appeared suddenly in the doorway of the barn, leading a horse by its halter, in full view of the truck. I had no time to warn Grandpa. Bellamy looked startled, like someone who’swalked into a room full of people with green hair, but he soon recovered.
    He tethered the horse and strode over to the semi. “Hey, Gus. Something I can help you with?”
    Grandpa’s expression was bland, giving nothing away. “Maybe. I’ve been told you’re shipping some horses today.”
    â€œYeah. So?” Bellamy said.
    â€œSo, I have reason to believe that at least one of them is a wild horse from the military auction,” Grandpa answered.
    â€œAnd