Cookie drove up as the children rode into the corral. They quickly told her about the horse thieves and they all ran inside to call the police. Slim sat at the office computer. He jumped up when they came in. Just a little computer work, he said, qui...
Did anyone call about Dragon? asked the children as they walked in to breakfast. Not yet, said Cookie. But its still early. Not everyone has seen our flyers. The children ate quietly, then went to do their chores. Please, ring the cowbell if anyone c...
The children lay awake in their bunks. One hour passed. And another. But sleep would not come. Henrys back was sore from digging the fence posts. His face and arms stung from the locust branch scratches. Violet thought about the woman whose horse, Bu...
The children sat on the corral fence. Cookie and Bucky stood next to them, looking grim. Jessie sniffed, her eyes puffy from crying. Let me get this straight, the policeman said. This morning you told me that two of your horses were stolen. But then...
Easy, girl. Thats a good horse. Nice horse. Violet spoke softly to each horse as Benny fed them carrots and apples. Jessie took the pictures. There were few horses in the west pasture, and the three children quickly took one photo after another. They...
Clang, clang, clang. The metal cowbell rang out over the ranch. Come and get it! yelled Cookie. Clang, clang, clang. The dining room quickly filled with hungry workers. Benny climbed in between Violet and Jessie. What happened to your boots? asked Vi...
Henry raced Lightning across the ranch. He rode and rode until he saw the huge branch that had crushed the wire fence. Whoa, boy, he said, pulling back on the reins. Henry climbed down and tied Lightning to a tree, then went to take a look. The heavy...
After breakfast, Cookie and Alyssa walked the children back to the corral to see their horses. Benny spotted Lots-o-Dots standing with Bucky in a shady corner. Here, boy, he called. Benny held out a biscuit hed saved from breakfast. Lots-o-Dots trott...
The children sat on the corral fence as Cookie and the young woman talked to the policeman. So, the policeman said, writing in his notebook, youre the new head wrangler. The young woman nodded. My names Alyssa. Ive been riding here at the ranch since...
Six-year-old Benny Alden bolted awake in the middle of the night. Where was he? He sat straight up in bed. His heart drummed. This wasnt his bed! Far away, a horse whinnied. Benny breathed a deep sigh. Now he remembered. He was on vacation with his b...