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any of those bones in her hooves. You need to get a vet to look at her as soon as possible. That’s my best advice.”
    The full impact of Jacob’s words hit her like a horseshoe between the eyes. Jordan leaned against the wall and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She’d just spent most of her savings on a horse she knew very little about. A horse that was lame and might have to be put down anyway. Maybe she needed to just take one step at a time. “I know,” she said. “But for now, I just want to get her home and make her happy.”
    Jacob nodded. “How are you going to get her home?”
    That was a good question. Jordan frowned. How would they get the big mare home? Especially with sore feet. She couldn’t exactly walk her the ten miles to their house.
    â€œWe’ve got a trailer,” Nicole said, “but there’s no way Star will fit in it.”
    â€œMy dad and I could deliver her to you if you can wait until Monday,” Jacob offered.
    Jordan smiled. “That would be really great. I’m going to need a few days to get the place ready anyway.” That’s the understatement of the year, she thought. They’d fixed the stall up for Ned when he’d stayed with them a few days. But it was pretty flimsy. They’d need to reinforce it and make it bigger to hold an animal Star Gazer’s size.
    Plus, she’d need the extra time to figure out how to tell her mom that a huge horse was coming to live with them.
    Jordan’s head was beginning to hurt. What was she going to tell her mother? They were already living on a shoestring budget, and her mom only had plans for raising a few chickens. What would she say when the Yoders delivered Star Gazer?
    Jordan knew one thing for sure. She should forget about her plans to enter the pulling contest at the fair. When her mother found out she’d just bought an injured draft horse, Jordan would be so thoroughly grounded, she wouldn’t see the light of day for an entire year.

eight
    Jacob led them back to Star Gazer’s pen. This time, when Jordan stood by the mare, she looked at her through new eyes. Star Gazer was hers! She’d waited for this day for so long—and now it was finally here. She had a horse of her very own!
    She placed her hands on either side of Star’s head and rubbed the mare’s large cheek bones. She almost had to stand on her tiptoes. Everything about this horse was massive. The halter they’d found in the barn definitely was too small. Nothing that fit a normal-size horse would work on Star. Good thing there were a lot of draft horses in the area. She’d seen Amish-made halters in the local tack store. She’d be shopping there soon—right after she mowed a few more lawns.
    â€œWell, I’ve got to get back to work,” Jacob said. “But don’t worry about your mare. You took care of ol’ Ned for us, so now we can return the favor.” He waved and walked away, then turned back, pulling a small pad of paper out of his pocket. He scribbled something on the top sheet, tore it out, and handed it to Jordan. “Here’s our phone number in case you guys have any questions or need anything.”
    He gave her a mischievous grin, daring her to ask him if Mennonites were allowed to use modern gadgets like phones.
    Jordan beat him to the punch. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. Mennonites can have telephones.”
    â€œHey, now you’re catching on,” Jacob teased. “Brother Fisher follows the old Amish ways and doesn’t own one. But he can come over and use ours if he feels like it.” He turned to the Wilsons and tipped his hat. “Have a good day. You guys can check out at the cashiers. Once you’ve paid for everything, I’ll help you load up your smaller purchases.”
    An hour later, Jordan was sitting on the porch steps with her cage full of speckled chickens. Her mother would be home