Read Online Wild Thing by Dandi Daley Mackall - Free Book Online

taut. His eyes were as wide as Wild Thing’s. “You too!” I shouted. “Let that horse go!”
    “Winnie,” he said, “go home and leave this to me. We can handle her.”
    But Wild Thing didn’t want to be handled. She lowered her head and snorted. I sensed what was coming. She was seconds away from bucking violently.
    “See?” Summer said smugly, pointing to the horse as if Wild Thing’s nose-to-the-ground position signaled defeat instead of a gathering tornado. “This nag just needs to know who’s boss.”
    “She knows who’s boss,” I said. “And you better get out of her way because she’s about to prove it.”
    Before I’d finished talking, Wild Thing burst into the paddock like an exploding cannonball.
    Summer screamed. “Help!” She let go of her rope and fell backwards.
    Richard held on. But he was no match for the Arabian. Her galloping force jerked him off his feet, dragging him in the dirt as the mare tore around the paddock.
    “Let go!” I shouted.
    He released the rope and rolled in the dirt. Then he jumped to his feet, swearing and cursing. “Wait ’ til I get my hands on you!” he shouted.
    “No!” I cried.
    The mare circled the paddock, tail high, neck arched. The ropes dragged behind her, snakes dancing in the dust. I wanted to unhook them, but she wouldn’t let me near her. She galloped, stopped, changed directions, cantered, trotted—getting as far away from us humans as she could in that fenced-in paddock.
    Richard slammed the gate so the horse couldn’t get out. He stalked her, hate burning in his eyes as he muttered curses. I was terrified of what he’d do if he got hold of her.
    “Summer!” he yelled. “Get over here! Now!”
    Summer didn’t argue. She walked back out to us.
    “We’ll scare her into the corner and take her down,” he said.
    “You can’t—!” I protested.
    “Shut up!” he yelled. “Summer, do as I say!” He waved his arms above his head and whooped, running at Wild Thing.
    The mare pivoted, changing directions in a gallop.
    “Now!” he screamed. “Summer, do it!”
    They yelled, arms waving, backing Wild Thing into the corner.
    The mare reared. Terror shone from her eyes as she snorted and pawed. Closer and closer they came, trapping her.
    I couldn’t stand it. I rushed up behind Richard and shoved him toward his sister. Wild Thing stopped rearing and stood trembling. I figured I had two seconds before she exploded. Reaching up, I unlatched her halter and yanked it off. The halter and ropes slid to the dust. “Run!” I screamed.
    Wild Thing had the opening she needed to escape.
    “Go, girl!” I shouted.
    She took off from a standstill and raced around the paddock, gaining speed. “Jump!” I cried. “Jump!”
    She raced straight for the fence and with a smooth leap, cleared it by a foot. I held my breath as she landed in the south pasture turf and kept running.
    “You little—!” Richard shouted, charging at me.
    Summer was right behind him. “We had her! How dare you?”
    “You’re both idiots!” I screamed, anger sparking behind my eyeballs. My chest heaved.
    “What did you say?” Summer demanded.
    “Stupid idiots!” I shouted.
    “Oh yeah?” Summer yelled. “We are, are we? And do you know what you are?”
    I waited. Nothing she could call me mattered. They’d wrecked everything I’d gained with Wild Thing. I’d have to start all over.
    “No, you tell me, Summer,” I said. “What am I?”
    A smile slowly appeared on Summer Spidell’s lips. “Fired!”
    Fired? I looked desperately to Richard. He’d overridden Summer once. I couldn’t be fired. I needed the money. I needed to be close to Wild Thing.
    But Richard’s expression was meaner than his sister’s. “That goes double for me. Get out of here—and don’t come back!”

Victoria was standing in the stable doorway, watching everything.
    “Ring! Ring! Uh-oh!” Her bird flapped its wings and bobbed. Even it mocked me.
    I pushed past Victoria