toward the front porch light.
She ran a zigzag pattern. She flapped her arms and sang âJingle Bellsâ as loud as she could. Anyone who saw her would think she was crazy, and Sam didnât care. She was still yards from the front porch when she jumpedâand made it.
She wrapped her arms around her ribs and stared into the darkness. Blaze wasnât out there, but she hadnât been alone.
All the way back to the house sheâd followed her own footprints in the snow. Inside them, tracking her out to the barn and through the old pasture, sheâd 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 wouldnât wear it around the ranch for a while. She hoped she wouldnât have to explain to Gram and Dad.
âYou can bring your plate in here, Samantha,â Gram called from the living room.
âThatâs okay,â Sam said, searching for a quick excuse. âIâm going to study while I eat.â
Sam didnât want to hurt Gramâs feelings, but she didnât 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. Heâd learned he could find food here, and heâd 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 didnât 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 Blazeâs 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.
âAnd where were you when I needed a bodyguard?â 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 heâd 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 tomorrowâs quiz. Sheâd need more than this puny white piece of paper to record what she had to remember from this chapter.
âHow was that meat loaf?â Gram called.
âReally good,â Sam answered. âAnd the mashed potatoes were perfect.â
She should go in and talk with Gram and Dad, but the football game had cut into her study time. She didnât 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.
âBlaze, hush,â Sam said.
The dogâs fur stood up across his shoulders and his lips drew back to show his teeth. It had to be the cougar.
âYouâre not going out,â 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. Dadâs 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.
âHe sounds serious,â Gram said. Sam thought she was talking to Dad.
âBlaze!â Samâs voice couldnât cut through the sudden volley of barks or the lunge against the kitchen door. Dadâs feet hit the floor in the other room.
âWhat in theââ Dadâs single stride took him halfway across the
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