Firefly by Terri Farley Page A

nodded. She’d listen to Dr. Scott, but he wouldn’t change her mind.
    â€œFirst off, if you don’t work with that injured colt, no one will. Not in time for the auction.”
    He was probably right, Sam thought.
    â€œSecond, I’m not just asking you to do this for the good of the colt, but for your own good, too. I knowthat’s a parent kind of thing to say, and I grant you, helping that little paint will be a lot harder than what you’re doing with this baby.”
    Together they looked at Tempest. Without thinking, Sam touched the cheek that was still faintly marked where Tempest’s hoof had cut her on the first day of halter-breaking.
    Dr. Scott must have followed her thoughts, because he gave a dismissive wave.
    â€œWith the wild colt, there’s a greater chance of failing than there is of success….”
    â€œGreat.” Sam hadn’t meant to say it. The word had just popped out.
    â€œBut you’ll change his life if you work with him. Tempest will be waiting for you when you’re done.”
    â€œI appreciate what you’re saying—” Sam started, but Dr. Scott wasn’t finished.
    â€œI don’t have to tell you there are better riders than you,” he said.
    â€œNo,” Sam put in. Why did he think that would be persuasive?
    â€œBut you have an instinct for thinking like a horse that is, in my experience, unparalleled.”
    Sam took a deep breath, thinking about the compliment. She pictured two twigs lying side by side. Parallel to each other, right? Then she imagined railroad tracks running into the distance, with only one rail on the right side and the crosspiece meeting nothing on the left.
    Unparalleled. It was difficult to believe Dr. Scott, but if he happened to be right, maybe the injured colt could complete the picture. Maybe Pirate could be the other rail running along beside her. What if she could help him, and he transformed into as wonderful a tamed horse as he had been a wild one?
    Sam shook her head. It just didn’t make sense. Jake could do that, but her?
    â€œWhat if I’m not good enough?” Sam asked. “What if I just scare him even more?”
    â€œSo, you think it’s better not to try?”
    â€œNo. Of course not, but what if I try and—”
    â€œSam, if you try hard enough, you’ll improve his life, forever.”
    Â 
    Sam wished she’d worn her bathing suit to bed.
    According to the thermometer outside the kitchen, it had still been eighty-two degrees when she’d gone upstairs.
    â€œTake a glass of ice water up with you and just try to sleep,” Gram had urged her.
    That had been at about ten o’clock, but she’d just heard the grandfather clock strike one.
    She would have stroked Cougar and let his purr lull her to sleep, but the last time she’d seen her cat, he’d been stretched out in front of the kitchen’s screen door, hoping for a breeze.
    It was ridiculous, lying flat on her back with her arms out so they didn’t touch her nightgown. She’dneed her sleep to be ready for tomorrow, but that thought made her mind swirl faster.
    Dr. Scott’s praise had convinced her to help Pirate.
    For her, it had been a big decision, but when she’d told Dad, Brynna, and Gram, they’d just nodded their agreement, then ignored her as they prepared for the HARP girls’ arrival.
    Brynna had been on the phone, talking with Mrs. Allen, for nearly half an hour. Since Brynna had to drive into the Reno airport to pick up the HARP girls and Mrs. Allen had to make the same trip to meet Gabe’s plane, the two women had tried to consolidate the trips into one.
    From what Sam heard, it wouldn’t work, but she’d been more concerned about the time she’d spend with Mrs. Allen and Gabe once he was at his grandmother’s ranch.
    â€œI’m not sure how I’m supposed to act around Gabe and everything,” Sam had told