Golden Ghost by Terri Farley Page B

days ago, now dead.
    â€œSorry, Gram,” she said. “The chicken looks good and it smells incredible, but I don’t seem to be hungry.”
    Dad and Brynna were doing a better job of appreciating Gram’s spicy Southwestern dinner.
    â€œI’ll have Sam’s share,” Dad said.
    Then Brynna chimed in. “This is wonderful, Grace. Whoever thought of combining chili peppers and chocolate was a genius. What did you say this sauce is called again?”
    â€œ Mole ,” Gram said. “Like olé, but you add an m on the front.”
    Good manners won out over emotions when you were an adult, Sam supposed. Although none of them discussed the dead horse at the dinner table, Sam knew they were all thinking about her.
    Dr. Scott had met Brynna, Dad, Sam, and Jake at the scene of the mare’s death. He said he was unable to state a cause of death without further study.
    They’d have to wait to learn if Phantom and his band had been exposed to danger.
    They finished the meal in silence, but no one left the table.
    â€œHow did the study session with Jake go?” Brynna asked, finally.
    â€œFine,” Sam said, looking down at her plate. “I’mnot as hopeless as he thought I’d be.”
    â€œGood,” Brynna said. “And how’s your room?”
    â€œMy room?” Sam made a mental tour of her bedroom. “It’s the same as always.”
    â€œHmm,” Brynna’s tone was puzzled. “I thought that since you’re on vacation, you might have a little time to clean up your room.”
    Va-ca-tion. Mentally, Sam sounded the word out and defined it for Brynna. Days off weren’t meant for dusting and folding and picking up.
    â€œMaybe I’ll come up tonight after dinner and give you some suggestions,” Brynna offered.
    â€œUh, no. That’s okay,” Sam said.
    â€œWell then…” Brynna’s voice trailed off. She leaned back in her chair, surveyed the kitchen, then perked up. “Since Sam wants to clean her room alone after dinner—”
    â€œWait,” Sam said. “I didn’t say—”
    â€œâ€”I’ll help you clean the kitchen, Grace. How would that be?”
    To judge by her expression, Gram was no more thrilled by Brynna’s offer of help than Sam had been, but she was more polite.
    â€œThere’s not much to do, dear,” Gram said. Then she shot a quick glance at Dad and turned back to Brynna with a smile. “But thank you. I’d love some company.”
    â€œGreat,” Brynna said. “I’ll just go upstairs and change out of my uniform. I’ll be right back.”
    As Brynna sprinted up the stairs, Dad spread his hands wide. His sheepish smile included Sam and Gram.
    â€œI think she’s just figuring out where she fits in,” he said.
    â€œThat’s to be expected,” Gram said.
    After Gram was so generous, Sam couldn’t very well complain. Still, math and room cleaning were two things she hated. Brynna had insisted she review math every day and now she had to clean her room, too.
    Sam tried to be understanding. Her life at River Bend hadn’t changed that much. It was still home. Brynna, on the other hand, had left a cozy apartment, where she could do whatever she wanted, any time of the day or night. Now, she was surrounded by people and she had to consider what they thought and wanted every minute she was home.
    Sam crossed her arms and cinched them tight against her body. She’d be nice, but she was drawing the line now. Extra algebra and after-dinner housework were the limit. The best she could do was keep quiet. She would, but only because Brynna loved mustangs.
    Â 
    An hour later, Sam had dusted the shelves that held her collection of glass horses. That didn’t take long, but arranging the horses into little herds and family groups did. Next, she made her bed so that all of the blankets were on top of the mattress