The Challenger by Terri Farley Page A

toward the front porch light.
    She ran a zigzag pattern. She flapped her arms and sang “Jingle Bells” as loud as she could. Anyone who saw her would think she was crazy, and Sam didn’t care. She was still yards from the front porch when she jumped—and made it.
    She wrapped her arms around her ribs and stared into the darkness. Blaze wasn’t out there, but she hadn’t been alone.
    All the way back to the house she’d followed her own footprints in the snow. Inside them, tracking her out to the barn and through the old pasture, she’d seen the soft padded print of a mountain lion.

Chapter Eleven
    S am rushed inside. Her hands were cold and clumsy as she hung her coat. She stared at the brown leather and swallowed hard. Head down, walking into the wind, had she looked like a deer to the young cougar?
    It was her warmest coat, but she wouldn’t wear it around the ranch for a while. She hoped she wouldn’t have to explain to Gram and Dad.
    â€œYou can bring your plate in here, Samantha,” Gram called from the living room.
    â€œThat’s okay,” Sam said, searching for a quick excuse. “I’m going to study while I eat.”
    Sam didn’t want to hurt Gram’s feelings, but she didn’t want to talk about what it took to be a ranch woman, either. Not now.
    The yearling cougar had come to River Bend with his mother. He’d learned he could find food here, and he’d probably eaten the hen.
    Would the cougar still be hungry? How much would it take to satisfy his appetite? Could he eat a lone horse like Moon, who didn’t have the protection of a herd?
    Dad might know. Or Jake. She had to ask one of them, and soon. The young cougar was getting brave.
    Sam had finished her meal when she heard floor-boards creak overhead. The sound was followed by the click of Blaze’s toenails as he came downstairs. Sam heard him start to whine.
    She opened the door between the living room and kitchen and let him through.
    â€œAnd where were you when I needed a bodyguard?” she whispered.
    The Border collie gave Sam a brief wave of his tail. Then he stood with ears pricked, staring as if he could see through the wall.
    Just as Sam started to worry, Blaze lost interest in whatever he’d heard. He flopped down on the floor and rested his head on his front paws. He seemed to doze, but his ears stayed alert.
    Sam opened her algebra book and considered the single index card her teacher had said they could use for notes on tomorrow’s quiz. She’d need more than this puny white piece of paper to record what she had to remember from this chapter.
    â€œHow was that meat loaf?” Gram called.
    â€œReally good,” Sam answered. “And the mashed potatoes were perfect.”
    She should go in and talk with Gram and Dad, but the football game had cut into her study time. She didn’t want to walk through the living room and take the chance of being distracted by the television.
    Blaze growled so suddenly, Sam jumped. The rumble grew deeper and more vicious as the dog rose to his feet.
    â€œBlaze, hush,” Sam said.
    The dog’s fur stood up across his shoulders and his lips drew back to show his teeth. It had to be the cougar.
    â€œYou’re not going out,” she whispered to the dog, but he ignored her.
    Even if the young cat was inept and Blaze was furious, the dog would be hurt. If Blaze was in danger, Dad would protect him. Dad’s rifle was in a locked case in the living room, but he could have it out and loaded in seconds.
    Blaze gave one loud bark, then subsided into growls again.
    â€œHe sounds serious,” Gram said. Sam thought she was talking to Dad.
    â€œBlaze!” Sam’s voice couldn’t cut through the sudden volley of barks or the lunge against the kitchen door. Dad’s feet hit the floor in the other room.
    â€œWhat in the—” Dad’s single stride took him halfway across the