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“Did you know that Shane is moving in with Cheyenne?” she asked, her head tipped to one side.
“Why’s that?” Liv pretended innocence.
“Because his aunt is married to my dad, and he needs a place to stay.” Cheyenne said with a shrug. “It’ll be pretty tight at our place, but we’ll manage to squeeze him in somewhere.”
“Don’t worry,” Liv told her. “You won’t have to squeeze him in. He’s staying in the bunkhouse at the Lucky Star. He’s working at our place this week, anyway.”
“Oh!” Cheyenne gulped. “But maybe he’d rather stay with relatives--family.”
“Maybe,” Liv agreed. “He’s old enough to make up his own mind where he wants to live.” She took a deep breath. “There’s my mom. Looks like we’d better get going--got to get back to the ranch and make that bunkhouse nice and cozy--for Shane.”
She wished Sophie was there to see the disappointed frown on Cheyenne’s face.
“Drop by and see us sometime.” Liv waved goodbye. “If you’re out near the Lucky Star ranch.”
“Uh…sure.” Cheyenne gave a fake little wave back. She looked as though she’d just bitten into a lemon, Liv thought to herself, grinning.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Why’s that?” Liv pretended innocence.
“Because his aunt is married to my dad, and he needs a place to stay.” Cheyenne said with a shrug. “It’ll be pretty tight at our place, but we’ll manage to squeeze him in somewhere.”
“Don’t worry,” Liv told her. “You won’t have to squeeze him in. He’s staying in the bunkhouse at the Lucky Star. He’s working at our place this week, anyway.”
“Oh!” Cheyenne gulped. “But maybe he’d rather stay with relatives--family.”
“Maybe,” Liv agreed. “He’s old enough to make up his own mind where he wants to live.” She took a deep breath. “There’s my mom. Looks like we’d better get going--got to get back to the ranch and make that bunkhouse nice and cozy--for Shane.”
She wished Sophie was there to see the disappointed frown on Cheyenne’s face.
“Drop by and see us sometime.” Liv waved goodbye. “If you’re out near the Lucky Star ranch.”
“Uh…sure.” Cheyenne gave a fake little wave back. She looked as though she’d just bitten into a lemon, Liv thought to herself, grinning.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Don’t let them touch my horses--you hear?” he shot over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry.” Dayna looked after him. Her face was regaining its normal color. “Daddy can act peculiar sometimes, but don’t worry. We just don’t pay him any attention, Mama and me, when he’s like this.” She smiled at Liv and Sophie. “You two go get your horses and meet us outside that little barn. I’ll get ours tacked up.”
As Liv and Sophie walked away, Sophie grabbed Liv’s arm. “That was awful,” she whispered. “As if we’d bother with his horses when we have Cisco and Cactus Jack!”
― Coyote Canyon
“I’m sorry.” Dayna looked after him. Her face was regaining its normal color. “Daddy can act peculiar sometimes, but don’t worry. We just don’t pay him any attention, Mama and me, when he’s like this.” She smiled at Liv and Sophie. “You two go get your horses and meet us outside that little barn. I’ll get ours tacked up.”
As Liv and Sophie walked away, Sophie grabbed Liv’s arm. “That was awful,” she whispered. “As if we’d bother with his horses when we have Cisco and Cactus Jack!”
― Coyote Canyon
“Where in tarnation did Dayna and Cheyenne ride off to?” he shouted at Temo.
Temo came out of a stall with an empty feed bucket. “I think they rode over to the Lucky Star ranch, Señor.” He spoke politely to the older man.
Sam Regis grew red in the face. “How many times have I told Dayna I don’t want her hangin’ around Ted Starr’s spread,” he yelled. “And I especially don’t want my purebred mares anyplace near that worthless Spanish stallion of his.”
“Si, Señor,” Temo agreed, but this time there was a smile on his handsome face that Sam couldn’t see in the darkening barn. The idea of calling Diego worthless was a joke to Temo. There never was a finer horse; a true throwback to the brave stallions brought by the Spanish explorers and bred for years to withstand the worst the desert could throw at them. In Temo’s opinion, Diego was worth a hundred of Señor Regis’s horses.”
― Coyote Canyon
Temo came out of a stall with an empty feed bucket. “I think they rode over to the Lucky Star ranch, Señor.” He spoke politely to the older man.
Sam Regis grew red in the face. “How many times have I told Dayna I don’t want her hangin’ around Ted Starr’s spread,” he yelled. “And I especially don’t want my purebred mares anyplace near that worthless Spanish stallion of his.”
“Si, Señor,” Temo agreed, but this time there was a smile on his handsome face that Sam couldn’t see in the darkening barn. The idea of calling Diego worthless was a joke to Temo. There never was a finer horse; a true throwback to the brave stallions brought by the Spanish explorers and bred for years to withstand the worst the desert could throw at them. In Temo’s opinion, Diego was worth a hundred of Señor Regis’s horses.”
― Coyote Canyon
“You’ve come a long way,” Liv said. “You never cared about the riding stable horses back home.”
“Those horses weren’t Cisco,” Sophie grinned.
They led Cisco and Cactus Jack to the corral, slipped off their halters and watched them sink gratefully to the ground and roll like two large puppies in the sand. “There goes all our hard work.” Liv laughed. “Dirty as ever.”
“Cisco’s wonderful,” Sophie said. “I can trust him. We’re on the same wavelength. Maybe he wasn’t a special horse till I started riding him. Maybe I wasn’t a very good rider. But together we’re good.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Those horses weren’t Cisco,” Sophie grinned.
They led Cisco and Cactus Jack to the corral, slipped off their halters and watched them sink gratefully to the ground and roll like two large puppies in the sand. “There goes all our hard work.” Liv laughed. “Dirty as ever.”
“Cisco’s wonderful,” Sophie said. “I can trust him. We’re on the same wavelength. Maybe he wasn’t a special horse till I started riding him. Maybe I wasn’t a very good rider. But together we’re good.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Dayna, wait,” she called ahead. “I hear Tux up there.” She pointed at the tumbled rocks.
She saw Dayna slowly turn Champagne and head back at a slow walk.
“Why would Shane’s dog go up there?” she drawled.
“Maybe he found Bando.” Liv tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “Isn’t that what we’re all trying to do?”
“I don’t hear any barking,” Dayna said doubtfully.
Liv blew out an exasperated breath. “Well, I heard him. Are you coming with me to look, or not?”
“Oh all right, but this is a total waste of time,” she heard Dayna mutter behind her. “We’re never gonna find that colt alive.”
“Don’t be so sure.” Liv called over her shoulder as she leaned forward to help Cactus Jack climb over the stony surface. “These Spanish horses have survival skills your fancy palominos could only wish for.”
Dayna caught up. “That’s a laugh.” She shrugged. “My dad says your grandparents’ horses are just scruffy little leftovers from the past. The herd is down to, what? Thirty-three horses now and it’s gonna keep shrinking. So much for their survival skills.”
“We can build it up again. And there are thirty-four horses if we can find Bando.”
― Coyote Canyon
She saw Dayna slowly turn Champagne and head back at a slow walk.
“Why would Shane’s dog go up there?” she drawled.
“Maybe he found Bando.” Liv tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “Isn’t that what we’re all trying to do?”
“I don’t hear any barking,” Dayna said doubtfully.
Liv blew out an exasperated breath. “Well, I heard him. Are you coming with me to look, or not?”
“Oh all right, but this is a total waste of time,” she heard Dayna mutter behind her. “We’re never gonna find that colt alive.”
“Don’t be so sure.” Liv called over her shoulder as she leaned forward to help Cactus Jack climb over the stony surface. “These Spanish horses have survival skills your fancy palominos could only wish for.”
Dayna caught up. “That’s a laugh.” She shrugged. “My dad says your grandparents’ horses are just scruffy little leftovers from the past. The herd is down to, what? Thirty-three horses now and it’s gonna keep shrinking. So much for their survival skills.”
“We can build it up again. And there are thirty-four horses if we can find Bando.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Look, Dayna--this isn’t the end.” The narrow beam of her light showed a slit in the cave wall to their right. Beyond was darkness.
“If you think I’m goin’ in there--”
Dayna’s protest was interrupted by a distant yelp.
“That’s Tux, for sure,” Liv cried. “Maybe he’s found Bando.”
“And maybe he’s found another cougar.” Dayna twisted out of Liv’s grip and ducked for the cave entrance. “He’s just a dumb dog.”
“Shane’s dog,” Liv reminded her.
“All right, Shane’s dumb dog! You are really startin’ to get on my nerves, you know that?” Dayna muttered.”
― Coyote Canyon
“If you think I’m goin’ in there--”
Dayna’s protest was interrupted by a distant yelp.
“That’s Tux, for sure,” Liv cried. “Maybe he’s found Bando.”
“And maybe he’s found another cougar.” Dayna twisted out of Liv’s grip and ducked for the cave entrance. “He’s just a dumb dog.”
“Shane’s dog,” Liv reminded her.
“All right, Shane’s dumb dog! You are really startin’ to get on my nerves, you know that?” Dayna muttered.”
― Coyote Canyon
“We came to see you,” Cheyenne was speaking only to Shane. “I want you to come back to town with me. I’m sure you’d be more comfortable with your own family. Can’t these here twins look after Navajo?”
Shane shook his head. “Can’t discuss it right now,” he muttered. “Have to look for a lost colt out in Wild Horse Creek canyon.”
“Oh! Is that why you’re all saddled up? We could help,” Cheyenne said. “Couldn’t we, Dayna? We’re very experienced ridin’ in this country.”
For a second, Dayna looked unsure of what to say. Then she tossed back her pigtails. “I guess we could. For an hour or two. I’d have to be home before dark.”
But we don’t want you, Liv wanted to shriek. She knew Dayna didn’t care about the little colt. She was just volunteering to look for Bando to please Cheyenne.”
― Coyote Canyon
Shane shook his head. “Can’t discuss it right now,” he muttered. “Have to look for a lost colt out in Wild Horse Creek canyon.”
“Oh! Is that why you’re all saddled up? We could help,” Cheyenne said. “Couldn’t we, Dayna? We’re very experienced ridin’ in this country.”
For a second, Dayna looked unsure of what to say. Then she tossed back her pigtails. “I guess we could. For an hour or two. I’d have to be home before dark.”
But we don’t want you, Liv wanted to shriek. She knew Dayna didn’t care about the little colt. She was just volunteering to look for Bando to please Cheyenne.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Now, as consciousness returned she remembered her foot slipping, remembered struggling to keep her other precarious foothold, then losing her balance and slipping deeper into the crevice--scrabbling desperately at the wall in a attempt at getting a grip with her fingernails.
I’ve totally destroyed my manicure she thought, giggling to herself hysterically.”
― Coyote Canyon
I’ve totally destroyed my manicure she thought, giggling to herself hysterically.”
― Coyote Canyon
“What a mess I made of things,” Sophie sighed at last, smoothing the brush down Cisco’s side. “I practically threw Shane into Cheyenne’s arms. Why did I have to go and embarrass him in front of everybody?”
“At least Shane isn’t hopelessly in love with someone else.” Liv stared straight ahead, the currycomb motionless in her hand. “Did you see the way he looked at her?”
Sophie knew Liv was talking about Temo. “I saw.”
Liv leaned against Cactus Jack’s warm chestnut shoulder for comfort. “It’s so hopeless. Temo would never look at me like that in a million years,” she said sadly. “And Dayna’s not good enough for him.”
“I know,” said Sophie, straightening Cisco’s mane, “but I feel sort of sorry for her, too. She’s been hiding her feelings for Temo, maybe even from herself. Out there, in the cave, when he was helping her, there wasn’t any place to hide. She’s in trouble. I don’t think her father would let his daughter date a lowly cowhand.”
“I know!” was Liv’s anguished cry. “But I don’t care! She’s rich and can have everything she wants. Why should she have Temo, too?”
― Coyote Canyon
“At least Shane isn’t hopelessly in love with someone else.” Liv stared straight ahead, the currycomb motionless in her hand. “Did you see the way he looked at her?”
Sophie knew Liv was talking about Temo. “I saw.”
Liv leaned against Cactus Jack’s warm chestnut shoulder for comfort. “It’s so hopeless. Temo would never look at me like that in a million years,” she said sadly. “And Dayna’s not good enough for him.”
“I know,” said Sophie, straightening Cisco’s mane, “but I feel sort of sorry for her, too. She’s been hiding her feelings for Temo, maybe even from herself. Out there, in the cave, when he was helping her, there wasn’t any place to hide. She’s in trouble. I don’t think her father would let his daughter date a lowly cowhand.”
“I know!” was Liv’s anguished cry. “But I don’t care! She’s rich and can have everything she wants. Why should she have Temo, too?”
― Coyote Canyon
“As they rode into the Lucky Star ranch yard an hour later, Liv wished she hadn’t mentioned Temo to Dayna.
She’s going to tease him about me, for sure, Liv thought and he’ll be embarrassed and think I’m a dumb little kid.
Liv remembered the first time she had seen Temo. He was more handsome than Shane, she decided, with chiseled lips, a straight nose and flashing dark eyes full of laughter. Where Shane was thin as a desert fence post, Temo was solid--strong, but tender underneath.
She remembered how he had risked his job at the Silver Spur to help them save their grandparents’ horses, how he had brought them blankets and food when they were hiding on the ranch, how he smiled when he called her muchacha, little girl, how he rode like the wind on his black-and-white paint horse, so at home in this big wild country.
She wondered about his life--why he stayed on working for Sam Regis when he didn’t like or respect him. His family worked there; that was part of the reason, she knew. She had been hoping to find out more about him at lunch today.
“I’m glad we didn’t have to stay for lunch.” Sophie slipped from Cisco’s saddle in front of the low wooden barn. “I didn’t want to face Dayna’s father again.”
Liv dismounted with a sigh. As usual, she and Sophie had been thinking about the same thing in totally different ways. Sophie hated the thought of lunch at the Silver Spur, while Liv was longing for the chance to see Temo and his family.
It was as if she and Sophie were two sides of the same coin.”
― Coyote Canyon
She’s going to tease him about me, for sure, Liv thought and he’ll be embarrassed and think I’m a dumb little kid.
Liv remembered the first time she had seen Temo. He was more handsome than Shane, she decided, with chiseled lips, a straight nose and flashing dark eyes full of laughter. Where Shane was thin as a desert fence post, Temo was solid--strong, but tender underneath.
She remembered how he had risked his job at the Silver Spur to help them save their grandparents’ horses, how he had brought them blankets and food when they were hiding on the ranch, how he smiled when he called her muchacha, little girl, how he rode like the wind on his black-and-white paint horse, so at home in this big wild country.
She wondered about his life--why he stayed on working for Sam Regis when he didn’t like or respect him. His family worked there; that was part of the reason, she knew. She had been hoping to find out more about him at lunch today.
“I’m glad we didn’t have to stay for lunch.” Sophie slipped from Cisco’s saddle in front of the low wooden barn. “I didn’t want to face Dayna’s father again.”
Liv dismounted with a sigh. As usual, she and Sophie had been thinking about the same thing in totally different ways. Sophie hated the thought of lunch at the Silver Spur, while Liv was longing for the chance to see Temo and his family.
It was as if she and Sophie were two sides of the same coin.”
― Coyote Canyon
“It’s people who let you down, not animals, Liv thought bitterly. People like Shane’s dad, and her own father. Their dad had announced last Christmas that he was leaving the family and moving in with another woman, and Liv had felt her trust in people tottering ever since. Maybe it happens to everyone when they get to be thirteen, she thought. You realize not every adult is worth your respect, let alone your love.”
― Coyote Canyon
― Coyote Canyon
“I’m sorry I said what I did when Cheyenne--wanted you to go with her,” she mumbled as they rode toward Coyote Canyon. “It wasn’t my business.”
“Oh, Cheyenne.” Shane’s thin face twisted into a scowl. “She’s always after me to be some kind of family to her, or boyfriend, I don’t know what.” He turned in his saddle to look at Sophie. “If I was lookin’ for a girlfriend, which I’m not, but if I was…well, never mind.”
Sophie gulped. What had Shane been going to say? That he wouldn’t choose Cheyenne, that maybe he’d choose her if she were older?
Shane went on, “But if it was family I wanted, it wouldn’t be my aunt’s. It would be your grandparents, and your mom and Liv and you.”
“It would?” Sophie felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. The sun seemed to sparkle on the dry dusty desert as they rode along. Shane hadn’t said anything about his own father, but this wasn’t the time to ask. “That’s okay with me.” She tried to sound casual. “I--we can be your good friends--like family.”
“That’s fine.” Shane gave her a shy grin.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Oh, Cheyenne.” Shane’s thin face twisted into a scowl. “She’s always after me to be some kind of family to her, or boyfriend, I don’t know what.” He turned in his saddle to look at Sophie. “If I was lookin’ for a girlfriend, which I’m not, but if I was…well, never mind.”
Sophie gulped. What had Shane been going to say? That he wouldn’t choose Cheyenne, that maybe he’d choose her if she were older?
Shane went on, “But if it was family I wanted, it wouldn’t be my aunt’s. It would be your grandparents, and your mom and Liv and you.”
“It would?” Sophie felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. The sun seemed to sparkle on the dry dusty desert as they rode along. Shane hadn’t said anything about his own father, but this wasn’t the time to ask. “That’s okay with me.” She tried to sound casual. “I--we can be your good friends--like family.”
“That’s fine.” Shane gave her a shy grin.”
― Coyote Canyon
“You don’t have to stay in town,” Liv said. “You could sleep in Gran’s and Granddad’s room until they get back.”
“No, I couldn’t do that.” Shane shook his head violently. “Wouldn’t be respectful.”
“There’s a bunkhouse near the barn,” Sophie pointed through the window. “You could move in there.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Jess beamed. “At least for this week while you’re not in school.”
“I don’t like to put my troubles on you.” Shane shook his head again. “Never know what Pa’s likely to do.”
“We’ll share our troubles,” Jess said gently. “The girls’ grandfather called, and he thinks we should bring the horses up to the ranch. I agree, especially after the girls told me about the foal being attacked by a coyote yesterday.”
“I hear you,” Shane said. “I guess I’d better round ’em up and bring ’em in.”
Jess nodded. “Take Cactus Jack or Cisco for now. When you bring in the herd, choose another horse to ride till Navajo is better.”
“You can take Cactus Jack,” Liv volunteered. “Then Sophie can go with you.”
Sometimes Sophie felt as if Liv really did understand her, after all. Liv loved riding Cactus Jack in the desert, and she was giving her a chance to be alone with Shane.”
― Coyote Canyon
“No, I couldn’t do that.” Shane shook his head violently. “Wouldn’t be respectful.”
“There’s a bunkhouse near the barn,” Sophie pointed through the window. “You could move in there.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Jess beamed. “At least for this week while you’re not in school.”
“I don’t like to put my troubles on you.” Shane shook his head again. “Never know what Pa’s likely to do.”
“We’ll share our troubles,” Jess said gently. “The girls’ grandfather called, and he thinks we should bring the horses up to the ranch. I agree, especially after the girls told me about the foal being attacked by a coyote yesterday.”
“I hear you,” Shane said. “I guess I’d better round ’em up and bring ’em in.”
Jess nodded. “Take Cactus Jack or Cisco for now. When you bring in the herd, choose another horse to ride till Navajo is better.”
“You can take Cactus Jack,” Liv volunteered. “Then Sophie can go with you.”
Sometimes Sophie felt as if Liv really did understand her, after all. Liv loved riding Cactus Jack in the desert, and she was giving her a chance to be alone with Shane.”
― Coyote Canyon
“I’d better come down there and help you get him up. The thing is--” He investigated the ladder. “I don’t know if this’ll hold my weight. It could have been here since the outlaw days--seventy, eighty years or more.” He shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to give it try.” He turned to put his boot on the first fragile crosspiece.
“Wait.” Sophie had been thinking. “Take off your shirt.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Wait.” Sophie had been thinking. “Take off your shirt.”
― Coyote Canyon
“By the time they’d had their massage, dressed and dried their hair, Dayna looked perfect. She was wearing a pale pink dress that set off her tan and matching sandals. It was obvious she’d planned this barbecue to impress Temo. She’d already mentioned his name sixteen times--Sophie had counted.
“Temo’s meat for the birra is going to be so-o good,” Dayna sang out as she led the way to the outdoor courtyard.
“What’s birra?” Liv asked.
“It’s Temo’s special recipe,” Dayna sighed. “From his mother, Marita. Isn’t that a lovely name?”
“But what is it?”
Dayna twirled the end of one pigtail around her finger. “It’s a kind of delicious Mexican stew, and Temo will cut off slabs of the meat he’s been cooking to put in it, and you’ll just die it’s so good.”
Nineteen times, Sophie thought.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Temo’s meat for the birra is going to be so-o good,” Dayna sang out as she led the way to the outdoor courtyard.
“What’s birra?” Liv asked.
“It’s Temo’s special recipe,” Dayna sighed. “From his mother, Marita. Isn’t that a lovely name?”
“But what is it?”
Dayna twirled the end of one pigtail around her finger. “It’s a kind of delicious Mexican stew, and Temo will cut off slabs of the meat he’s been cooking to put in it, and you’ll just die it’s so good.”
Nineteen times, Sophie thought.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Phew!” Liv gasped. “I don’t think I’d like to try that again!”
Shane untied the sleeves from around Liv’s neck and scooped Tux into his arms, shirt and all. He felt carefully around the dog’s hind end, with Tux madly licking his face and whining with joy the whole time. “I’m pretty sure nuthin’s broke,” Shane said. “Just mebbe twisted, or sprained.”
He smiled. “Tux looks pretty good wearin’ my shirt, don’t you think?”
Sophie hugged Liv hard. Tux looked good in anything at this point, and Shane looked amazing without a shirt. She was glad he couldn’t see her blushing in the dim light.”
― Coyote Canyon
Shane untied the sleeves from around Liv’s neck and scooped Tux into his arms, shirt and all. He felt carefully around the dog’s hind end, with Tux madly licking his face and whining with joy the whole time. “I’m pretty sure nuthin’s broke,” Shane said. “Just mebbe twisted, or sprained.”
He smiled. “Tux looks pretty good wearin’ my shirt, don’t you think?”
Sophie hugged Liv hard. Tux looked good in anything at this point, and Shane looked amazing without a shirt. She was glad he couldn’t see her blushing in the dim light.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Navajo’s walking a little easier than this morning,” Liv said.
“Was it just this morning?” Sophie couldn’t believe it. This felt like the longest day of her life.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Was it just this morning?” Sophie couldn’t believe it. This felt like the longest day of her life.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Did you just tell me to take my shirt off?” Shane stared at her. “Why on earth would I do that?”
“For T-Tux,” Sophie stammered in her eagerness to explain. “Throw your shirt down to Liv. She can use it as a sling to carry Tux up the ladder. She’s lighter than you are.”
“Like one of those baby slings,” Liv called from below. “Brilliant. Do it, Shane.”
“All right. But I hope you girls know what you’re doin’.”
― Coyote Canyon
“For T-Tux,” Sophie stammered in her eagerness to explain. “Throw your shirt down to Liv. She can use it as a sling to carry Tux up the ladder. She’s lighter than you are.”
“Like one of those baby slings,” Liv called from below. “Brilliant. Do it, Shane.”
“All right. But I hope you girls know what you’re doin’.”
― Coyote Canyon
“D’you think you might be able to find your way?”
“Of course we can,” Liv told her. “Guess we’ll have to have that lunch and massage some other time.”
“Sure thing.” Dayna promised. She flashed Liv a wicked grin. “I’ll say hi to Temo for you.” She mounted Champagne in one smooth motion and rode away, leading the other horses.
Heading off in the opposite direction, Sophie squirmed in her saddle as if a burr of jealousy was stuck under her jeans. Did Shane just forget about her when he was with Cheyenne and Hailey? She hadn’t had a chance to tell him about the coyote’s attack on Diego’s colt. He could at least have said goodbye instead of speeding off that way in his truck. She’d never seen him drive. Up to now he’d always appeared at the Lucky Star Ranch riding Navajo.
I like him a hundred times better on horseback, Sophie thought.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Of course we can,” Liv told her. “Guess we’ll have to have that lunch and massage some other time.”
“Sure thing.” Dayna promised. She flashed Liv a wicked grin. “I’ll say hi to Temo for you.” She mounted Champagne in one smooth motion and rode away, leading the other horses.
Heading off in the opposite direction, Sophie squirmed in her saddle as if a burr of jealousy was stuck under her jeans. Did Shane just forget about her when he was with Cheyenne and Hailey? She hadn’t had a chance to tell him about the coyote’s attack on Diego’s colt. He could at least have said goodbye instead of speeding off that way in his truck. She’d never seen him drive. Up to now he’d always appeared at the Lucky Star Ranch riding Navajo.
I like him a hundred times better on horseback, Sophie thought.”
― Coyote Canyon
“Are those the girls you met at Dayna Regis’s spa?” Jess asked as she and Liv left the store.
“The dark one’s Cheyenne and the blonde one is Hailey. They’re both fifteen.” Liv nodded. “I don’t think I exactly warmed up our friendship but at least I didn’t let them walk all over me.”
“Liv!” Her mother stopped walking and stared at her. “What did you say?”
“Not much.” Liv grinned again. “I just told them Shane was probably going to stay with us this week and then I invited them to come visit.”
“I see.” Jess frowned. “But it seems to me Shane has enough troubles right now without a bunch of girls fighting over him.”
“I know, Mom, but I couldn’t help it,” Liv shrugged. “Those girls act like they own him--especially Cheyenne. She claims to be some kind of cousin, but she’s not really related to Shane.”
“Seriously, Liv. Shane’s our friend. I wouldn’t want to see him embarrassed.”
“Don’t worry.” Liv shrugged. “I don’t think Shane will even notice. He’s got more important things to worry about.”
― Coyote Canyon
“The dark one’s Cheyenne and the blonde one is Hailey. They’re both fifteen.” Liv nodded. “I don’t think I exactly warmed up our friendship but at least I didn’t let them walk all over me.”
“Liv!” Her mother stopped walking and stared at her. “What did you say?”
“Not much.” Liv grinned again. “I just told them Shane was probably going to stay with us this week and then I invited them to come visit.”
“I see.” Jess frowned. “But it seems to me Shane has enough troubles right now without a bunch of girls fighting over him.”
“I know, Mom, but I couldn’t help it,” Liv shrugged. “Those girls act like they own him--especially Cheyenne. She claims to be some kind of cousin, but she’s not really related to Shane.”
“Seriously, Liv. Shane’s our friend. I wouldn’t want to see him embarrassed.”
“Don’t worry.” Liv shrugged. “I don’t think Shane will even notice. He’s got more important things to worry about.”
― Coyote Canyon
“We have to get the rest of the herd in before we lose any more horses.”
“I’m going to look anyway,” Sophie insisted. “I have to find out what happened to Bando.” She wasn’t going to break down--wasn’t going to cry until she knew for sure, until she saw with her own eyes that the colt was dead. She thought of their promise to her grandmother to look after the horses while she was away. How could they let Gran down so totally and how could they say, “We think his bones are somewhere on the side of the canyon, but we don’t know for sure”?”
― Coyote Canyon
“I’m going to look anyway,” Sophie insisted. “I have to find out what happened to Bando.” She wasn’t going to break down--wasn’t going to cry until she knew for sure, until she saw with her own eyes that the colt was dead. She thought of their promise to her grandmother to look after the horses while she was away. How could they let Gran down so totally and how could they say, “We think his bones are somewhere on the side of the canyon, but we don’t know for sure”?”
― Coyote Canyon
“That stunt you pulled…breaking the piñata when my mother came in…you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
“I had to do something.” Sophie grinned. “You and Temo looked, well, you know.”
“It was because Dayna looked so hermosa, so beautiful,” Temo said softly. “For a minute I couldn’t catch my breath.”
“And you looked so--” Dayna didn’t finish. Her eyes had gone dreamy again.
“Hey!” Hailey cried. “Are you guys in love or something?”
Dayna and Temo exchanged embarrassed glances.
“You are!” Cheyenne gasped.
“We have to keep it a secret from everybody,” Dayna said firmly. “You too, Chey, if you want to stay my friend.”
“As if I’d tell,” Cheyenne crossed her heart.
“Shane, are you in, amigo?” Temo asked.
“I don’t even know what you’re talkin’ about.” Shane shrugged. “But I never talk to anybody about my friends.”
“Good, then it is a pact,” Temo said.”
― Coyote Canyon
“I had to do something.” Sophie grinned. “You and Temo looked, well, you know.”
“It was because Dayna looked so hermosa, so beautiful,” Temo said softly. “For a minute I couldn’t catch my breath.”
“And you looked so--” Dayna didn’t finish. Her eyes had gone dreamy again.
“Hey!” Hailey cried. “Are you guys in love or something?”
Dayna and Temo exchanged embarrassed glances.
“You are!” Cheyenne gasped.
“We have to keep it a secret from everybody,” Dayna said firmly. “You too, Chey, if you want to stay my friend.”
“As if I’d tell,” Cheyenne crossed her heart.
“Shane, are you in, amigo?” Temo asked.
“I don’t even know what you’re talkin’ about.” Shane shrugged. “But I never talk to anybody about my friends.”
“Good, then it is a pact,” Temo said.”
― Coyote Canyon
“As they tramped in, Temo turned from the big stone barbecue with a long grilling fork in his hand. He froze at the sight of Dayna. Once more, it was as though the two of them were alone in the sunny ramada with its roof of woven grass and the light filtering through on their faces. No one else mattered.
A short woman with her hair piled on her head hurried from behind the barbecue with a platter of tacos in her hand. “Temo, aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friends?” she asked with a smile. “Temo, what is wrong? Are you sick?”
“No, Madre,” Temo muttered, but he still couldn’t take his eyes off Dayna.
Dayna’s mother, Brenda Regis, picked that exact moment to stride in from the spa. “Howdy, everybody,” she crooned. “Hope you’re all hungry as coyotes.” She glanced at her daughter, who was still gazing at Temo with lovesick eyes.
“Dayna, what’s the matter with you, honey?” She looked Dayna up and down, then her eyes went to Temo, and then to Temo’s mother. The two women stiffened.
Say something, Sophie prayed silently to Dayna. Order Temo around in that bossy voice of yours. Quick, before your mother and his mother figure this out.
But Dayna stood stunned, incapable of speech.
Sophie gave Liv a nudge. “Follow my lead,” she whispered and then in a louder voice shouted, “Hey, is this a good time to break the piñata?” She dived forward to snatch the long fork from Temo’s hand. “Whee!” she shouted. “Fun! Come on, everybody. Let’s see what’s inside!”
She poked at the paper horse. Liv grabbed a barbecue brush and bashed at it too. Cheyenne and Hailey joined in with shouts of glee. The paper horse flew to pieces, scattering small objects and cactus candy all over the picnic table. Some fell into the punch bowl with a splash. More landed in the salad plate. Laughter and confusion broke the spell of tension in the air as they all dived for the piñata’s.
Dayna snapped out of her trance. “Look what I’ve got!” She held up a plastic whistle, then blew a shrill note. “Time to eat, everybody.”
Temo turned back to the barbecue. The spell was broken, the danger past. His mother, Marita, gave him another frightened glance, but went on laying food on the table.
Dayna’s mother picked a piece of candy out of her hair and said, “Well! We usually break the piñata after the meal, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”
― Coyote Canyon
A short woman with her hair piled on her head hurried from behind the barbecue with a platter of tacos in her hand. “Temo, aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friends?” she asked with a smile. “Temo, what is wrong? Are you sick?”
“No, Madre,” Temo muttered, but he still couldn’t take his eyes off Dayna.
Dayna’s mother, Brenda Regis, picked that exact moment to stride in from the spa. “Howdy, everybody,” she crooned. “Hope you’re all hungry as coyotes.” She glanced at her daughter, who was still gazing at Temo with lovesick eyes.
“Dayna, what’s the matter with you, honey?” She looked Dayna up and down, then her eyes went to Temo, and then to Temo’s mother. The two women stiffened.
Say something, Sophie prayed silently to Dayna. Order Temo around in that bossy voice of yours. Quick, before your mother and his mother figure this out.
But Dayna stood stunned, incapable of speech.
Sophie gave Liv a nudge. “Follow my lead,” she whispered and then in a louder voice shouted, “Hey, is this a good time to break the piñata?” She dived forward to snatch the long fork from Temo’s hand. “Whee!” she shouted. “Fun! Come on, everybody. Let’s see what’s inside!”
She poked at the paper horse. Liv grabbed a barbecue brush and bashed at it too. Cheyenne and Hailey joined in with shouts of glee. The paper horse flew to pieces, scattering small objects and cactus candy all over the picnic table. Some fell into the punch bowl with a splash. More landed in the salad plate. Laughter and confusion broke the spell of tension in the air as they all dived for the piñata’s.
Dayna snapped out of her trance. “Look what I’ve got!” She held up a plastic whistle, then blew a shrill note. “Time to eat, everybody.”
Temo turned back to the barbecue. The spell was broken, the danger past. His mother, Marita, gave him another frightened glance, but went on laying food on the table.
Dayna’s mother picked a piece of candy out of her hair and said, “Well! We usually break the piñata after the meal, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”
― Coyote Canyon
“We’ll have a dip in the spa pool, and a massage and lunch. We can use it after that horrible cave and bats in our hair.”
“They don’t really get in your hair, you know,” Liv said quietly. “Bats have echolocation. They never hit anything.”
“Well, it feels like they’re in your hair,” Dayna shivered.”
― Coyote Canyon
“They don’t really get in your hair, you know,” Liv said quietly. “Bats have echolocation. They never hit anything.”
“Well, it feels like they’re in your hair,” Dayna shivered.”
― Coyote Canyon
“We didn’t bring bathing suits,” she hissed in her sister’s ear.
Dayna overheard. “Don’t worry about that. We’ve got a bikini grab bag full of tops and bottoms that will fit you.” She started down a wide hall. “C’mon, the pool’s this way. You two are gonna just lo-ove it!” She tossed back her blonde pigtails and disappeared through another set of doors.
“I’m not going to love it.” Sophie hissed at Dayna’s departing back. “What are they doing with swimming pools and fountains at this place? I thought they were short of water. Isn’t that why they wanted Granddad’s land, and his spring? Isn’t that why they wanted to get rid of the horses--so they could claim the land wasn’t being used for anything?”
― Coyote Canyon
Dayna overheard. “Don’t worry about that. We’ve got a bikini grab bag full of tops and bottoms that will fit you.” She started down a wide hall. “C’mon, the pool’s this way. You two are gonna just lo-ove it!” She tossed back her blonde pigtails and disappeared through another set of doors.
“I’m not going to love it.” Sophie hissed at Dayna’s departing back. “What are they doing with swimming pools and fountains at this place? I thought they were short of water. Isn’t that why they wanted Granddad’s land, and his spring? Isn’t that why they wanted to get rid of the horses--so they could claim the land wasn’t being used for anything?”
― Coyote Canyon
“Lunch arrived quickly. Again Sophie and Liv shared a glance. They recognized the green glop next to the corn chips--that was guacamole--made from avocados. The tacos and beans looked familiar. But what, Liv wondered, was that slab of stuff that looked like boiled cardboard? She picked up her knife and fork and tried to cut off a piece.
Loud bursts of laughter erupted from Dayna and her friends.
“That’s a corn husk,” Hailey giggled. “You can’t cut through it. You unfold it, like this.” She deftly flipped the corn husk over and folded back the ends to reveal a steaming center of cornmeal, cheese and green chilies.
“It’s a tamale,” Cheyenne explained. “Haven’t you ever had one before?”
― Coyote Canyon
Loud bursts of laughter erupted from Dayna and her friends.
“That’s a corn husk,” Hailey giggled. “You can’t cut through it. You unfold it, like this.” She deftly flipped the corn husk over and folded back the ends to reveal a steaming center of cornmeal, cheese and green chilies.
“It’s a tamale,” Cheyenne explained. “Haven’t you ever had one before?”
― Coyote Canyon
