Read Online Third-Time Lucky by Jenny Oldfield - Free Book Online Page A

idea!”
    Kirstie caught sight of Matt through the window and beckoned him inside. “Shh!” she warned, her finger to her lips, as the phone conversation continued.
    “Lennie, you surprise me!” Sandy laughed. “Here’s me thinking you were on my side. And what do I get? More Zak Stone! OK, so you recall hearing Red Mitchell sing this man’s praises. But that was then. This is now. How come you get behind this hippy stuff?”
    Holding her breath, thanking Lisa for convincing Lennie to make the call, since no doubt it had been her friend’s idea, she prayed that Sandy would sway their way.
    “So, you hear Mr. Stone’s still living in his hermit hideaway on Rainbow Mountain?” She cupped her hand over the phone and raised her eyebrows at her son. “Can you believe this?”
    Matt shrugged.
    “How’s Lucky?” Kirstie whispered, realizing that he’d just come from the barn.
    He shook his head and turned away.
    “… OK, Lennie, I’ll think about it. Thanks for the call.” Sandy put down the phone, staring thoughtfully out of the window.
    “What’s to think about?” Kirstie began.
Please,
    please, please let me do this!
she begged silently.
Give Lucky a chance!
    “Matt?” Her mom glanced up at last. The look on her face said she was at a loss.
    At first he didn’t reply. The silence seemed to go on forever. “The horse is pretty weak. I don’t know for sure that he could stand the journey,” he began slowly.
    “And are you certain that there’s nothing either you or Glen can do for him if we keep him here?” Sandy double checked all the possibilities. Her gaze drifted to Kirstie’s face, held by her intense stare.
    Matt shook his head. “We’ve drawn two blanks,” he admitted. “Even with Glen’s test results to identify the infection, if that’s what it is, there still ain’t a lot we can give him.”
    Two blanks. Two failures.
Please, please give him a third chance!
    “You want to take him to Montana?” Sandy asked.
    “I guess,” Matt agreed quietly.
    Yes!
Kirstie closed her eyes.
Third-time lucky! It has to be!
    Tuesday, midday, Lucky was loaded in a truck borrowed from Lennie Goodman, who’d driven it straight over from Lone Elm the moment Sandy had agreed to the plan. The horse had gone in without protest, too weak and ill to take in much about his change of surroundings. His coat, wringing wet across the shoulders and withers, was dull and lifeless, his legs and beautiful flowing tail bandaged tight for the journey.

    “Easy, boy!” Kirstie whispered and cajoled him into position, tying him firmly so that he didn’t come to harm when the truck swayed and jolted along the narrow country roads.
    Lucky looked back at her with a passive, uninterested stare. No spark, no pleasure in her gentle touch. Nothing.
    “We’re gonna get you better. Trust me.” If ever she’d wanted him to understand her words it was now. But then maybe he did know what her hands and eyes told him. In any case, he stood patiently in the stall inside the truck, waiting for the journey to begin.
    “I’m not gonna make a big deal,” Sandy told Kirstie and Matt as she helped bolt the ramp into place then saw them into the cab. “That’s what moms do at times like this, so I won’t!”
    Still, there was a worried crease between her eyes, and a sack full of tinned beans, chips, and chocolate bars that she’d prepared, now tucked safely between Kirstie’s feet. And she’d already asked them three times over about money, motels, cell phone, and maps.
    “OK, no big deal!” Kirstie agreed.
    Matt started the engine, checked the fuel gauge, and leaned out of his side of the cab for a few final words with Charlie about the possible temperamental aspects of Lennie’s elderly diesel truck, since their own was still laid up in the maintenance shed.
    Kirstie caught sight of Lisa standing quietly on the house porch with her grandpa. “Why don’t you come?” she mouthed, for at least the third time.
    “…