Bring Home the Murder by Theresa M.; Jarvela

bowlegged.”
    Meggie laughed and waited for Shirley to familiarize herself with Beauty. She showed Shirley the proper way to curry comb and brush a horse. After they finished grooming the animals, Meggie bridled and saddled them the way Molly had instructed.
    She checked each cinch a second time to make sure the saddles were tight enough and led the horses out of the barn. She handed the mare’s reins to Shirley and tied Black to the fence.
    A large wooden platform stood near the barn door. Meggie instructed Shirley to stand on top of it. “It’ll be easier to get into the saddle. Just put your left foot in the stirrup and throw your right leg over the saddle.”
    After several tries, Shirley managed to mount the horse and wiggled into a comfortable position. A cheesy grin spread across her face. “So far so good. But what do you say we don’t run the horses? I don’t think I’m ready for that.” She bent low, patted Beauty’s neck and waited for Meggie to adjust the stirrups.
    Meggie untied Black and opened the gate. She mounted the stallion and shook the reins. “Giddy up.”
    The leather saddle creaked as Meggie rocked slowly back and forth over the horse’s hips. She glanced over her shoulder to check on her friend. Beauty hadn’t moved away from the wooden platform.
    â€œYou need to give her more rein,” Meggie called and lifted her arms to demonstrate.
    Shirley took her advice and flicked the reins. Beauty pranced ahead and almost collided with Black.
    â€œWhoa!” Shirley pulled back on the reins and brought the mare to a standstill. Her face lit up. “She obeyed me. I think I’m going to get the hang of horseback riding.”
    When Meggie suggested she ride Beauty up next to Black so the horses could walk side by side, Shirley jiggled the reins and urged her mount to move a little faster. Soon the two horses and their riders were traversing across the meadow.

 
    Chapter 14
    T he sun beat down from a big blue sky. An osprey glided overhead. The horses plodded on and left the meadow behind. From somewhere nearby the familiar cry of a killdeer rent the air. Meggie pointed the bird out, related how they made their nests on the ground and oftentimes faked a broken wing to distract predators.
    Soon open spaces gave way to wooded areas. Birch leaves rustled in the warm summer breeze and a woodsy pine perfume floated through the air.
    The gurgling brook caught the rider’s attention, and they coaxed their horses to the edge of its bank. A rabbit peered at them from the other side of the brook. The furry creature studied the horses and riders but soon lost interest. It hopped one way, then the other and finally sprang off into the woods.
    They lingered until the horses grew restless. Insects attacked in droves. The stallion shook his head and swished his tail in an attempt to ward off the bloodsucking flies. Beauty became more agitated than Black. She flung her head up and down and lifted her back leg to brush off the pests.
    â€œI think it’s time to leave,” Shirley remarked. “These deer flies must take steroids. They’re big enough to pick me up and carry me away.”
    â€œI’m with you. What do you say we climb the hill?” Meggie laughed. “For old time’s sake.”
    Shirley agreed to the suggestion and let Beauty follow Black’s lead.
    At the base of the hill Meggie leaned forward and grabbed the saddle horn. She moved in rhythm with the stallion. When they reached the crest, Meggie looked out across the property and listened to the clip clop of Beauty’s hooves behind her. “We couldn’t see much the other night. It’s serene, isn’t it?”
    â€œI think we saw more than we expected or wanted to.” Shirley lifted the brim of her sombrero. “You’re right. It is serene.”
    â€œMake sure you don’t hurry down the hill,” Meggie advised when they