,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#A
      ,ADV5TURES (! ,NOR?WOODS #AJ

       ,,LOIS ,,WALFRID ,,JOHNSON

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
        ,BE?ANY ,H\SE ,PUBLI%]S
         ,M9N1POLIS1 ,M9NESOTA

           ,COPY"R1 #AIID1 BY
        ,LOIS ,WALFRID ,JOHNSON

     ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N
       9 O!R ?AN SPECIALIZ$ =MAT
             IS PROHIBIT$4

          ,,ISBN #A-EEFFA-BDB-G

         ,TRANSCRIB$1 #BJJE1 BY
              ,LADYBUG ,BRL
            ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON

            ,9 ,?REE ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
       ,BRL PAGES P#A-P#E & #A-HB
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#B









               ,6,DIANE1
             ,R&Y1 & ,R5EE1
             2C ? IS HOME1

                   &
        ) SPECIAL LOVE 6,JESSICA









       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#C

        ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

,' 7#FC7 ,T]M9,N SYMBOL
99 7#CE1 #CE7 ,A/]ISK


















       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#D

                 ,3T5TS

                                   ,PAGE
#A4 ,FIRE6 """""""""""""""""""""""""" #A
#B4 ,SURPRISE ,MOVES """"""""""""""" #AD
#C4 ,AMBU%6 """""""""""""""""""""""" #BE
#D4 ,PAPA'S ,W>N+ """""""""""""""""" #CJ
#E4 ,J ,WAIT6 """""""""""""""""""""" #DA
#F4 ,! ,EMPTY ,B>N """"""""""""""""" #EJ
#G4 ,! ,4APPE>+ ,HORSE """"""""""""" #EH
#H4 ,": ,"!'S ,SMOKE """"""""""""""" #FI

               ,VOLUME #B
#I4 ,! ,UGLY ,MESSAGE """""""""""""" #HC
#AJ4 ,BIG ,4COV]Y """""""""""""""""" #IC
#AA4 ,:AT ,IF8 """""""""""""""""""" #AJD
#AB4 ,! ,UNWANT$ ,VISITOR """"""""" #AAA
#AC4 ,NO ,MATT] ,:AT6 """"""""""""" #ABJ
#AD4 ,B5'S ,TR\# """""""""""""""""" #ABG
#AE4 ,":'S ,PAPA8 """"""""""""""""" #ADA
#AF4 ,! ,=GOTT5 ,LANT]N """"""""""" #AEF


       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#E

               ,VOLUME #C
#AG4 ,:AT'S ,WORSE8 """"""""""""""" #AFE
#AH4 ,NEW ,CLUES """""""""""""""""" #AGG
#AI4 ,NEV]S ,DAM """""""""""""""""" #AIA
#BJ4 ,\ (! ,D>K;S """"""""""""""""" #BJE
#BA4 ,HELP6 """"""""""""""""""""""" #BAH
#BB4 ,"S"D """""""""""""""""""""""" #BBH
,AC"KL$G;TS """"""""""""""""""""""" #BDA















       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #A
      ,ADV5TURE (! ,NOR?WOODS #AJ

  ,BIG ,GU/ ,&]SON1 ,*>LIE ,SAUND]S1 &
,WALFRID ,JOHNSON LIV$ 9 ! ,GRANTSBURG
>EA 9 ! E>LY #AIJJ,'S4 ,JIM ,FRAWLEY 0
GATEKEEP] AT ,NEV]S ,DAM4 ,ROB]T ,LANG 0
! 3/RUC;N SUP]VISOR :O DESIGN$ ! ,LANG
GATE4 ,ORIG9,Y ,*>LES ,NEV]S [N$ !
NOR?WE/ ,WISCONS9 F>M ": ! DAM 0 BUILT4
,ALL O!R "*S 9 ? BOOK >E FICTITI\S4 ,ANY
RESEMBL.E 6P]SONS LIV+ OR D1D IS
CO9CID5TAL4

               #A ,FIRE6

  ,F ! 2G9N+ ,KA!R9E ,O',3NELL _H "KN X
0 GO+ 6BE AN EXTRA SPECIAL "D4 8,I C
H>DLY WAIT60 %E EXCLAIM$4 8,I'M GO+ 6BUY
! BE/ HORSE 9 ! :OLE _W60
  ,Z %E JUMP$ D[N F ! F>M WAGON1 ,PAPA
,NORD/ROM DROVE ON4 ,KATE H1D$ T[>D
,*>LIE ,SAUND]S' L>GE /A#4 ,H] /EPBRO!R
,&]S & _! FR ,]IK ,LUNDGR5 FOLL[$4
  ,=! "O HUNDR$? "T ,KATE PU%$ A H& DEEP
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #B
96H] POCKET4 ,! SILV] DOLL>S CLANK$ AG/
EA* O!R1 / SAFELY "!4
  8,I WANT A BLACK HORSE10 ,KATE SD4 8,A
BLACK HORSE )A :ITE BLAZE60
  ,&]S LAU<$4 8,KATE1 Y H 6SEE :AT
,*>LIE HAS = SALE4 ,Y C'T J "N A COLOR &
BUY AC 6T40
  ,B ,KATE PD NO ATT5;N4 8,Y J WAIT4
,I'LL F9D EXACTLY ! HORSE ,I WANT60
  ,NE> ! DOOR L1D+ 96! LIV]Y /A# A L>GE
PO/] CAU<T H] ATT5;N3

                 ,,W>N+
       ,,EXTREMELY ,,DRY ,,3DI;NS
      ,,CLE> ,,ALL ,,WE$S1 ,,TALL
       ,,GRASS1 ,,& ,,BRU% ,,AWAY
              ,,F ,,BUILD+S

  ,KATE />$ AT ! ^WS4 ,ALL ! WAY 6T[N !
FIELDS _H BE5 UNUSU,Y DRY4 ,ANY REM9D] (
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  8,DID Y SEE T80 %E ASK$ ! BOYS1 NO4+
T[>D ! SIGN4
  ,&]S NO4$ GRIMLY 8,I DON'T L 6?9K :AT
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #C
WD HAPP5 IF \R WOODS CAU<T FIRE40
  ,PU%+ ASIDE H] WORRY1 ,KATE PULL$ OP5
! /A# DOOR4 ,AL;G ! WALL HUNG H>;SES &
SA4LES4 ,/&+ AM;G !M 0 ,*>LIE ,SAUND]S
HMF1 ! ,BURNETT ,C.TY %]IFF & [N] (!
/A#4
  8,WE'RE "H 6LOOK =A HORSE10 ,&]S SD
QKLY1 Z ?\< AFRAID T ,KATE WD SAY ! WR;G
?+4
  ,*>LIE /ROK$ 8 BIG H&LEB> MU/A*E4 8,=
Y1 ,&]S80
  ,KATE'S TALL BLOND BRO!R %OOK 8 H1D4
8,= ,KATE1 SIR40
  ,*>LIE'S GR9 TOLD ,KATE T HE REMEMB]$
!M 2C (! MY/]Y !Y'D SOLV$ A FEW MON?S
2F4 8,I'VE GOT J ! HORSE =A SPUNKY GIRL
L Y10 HE SD1 L1D+ !M T[>D ! /ALLS4
  ,! /A# 0 FULL1 & ,KATE GUESS$ "! 7 M
?AN SIXTY HORSES "!4 ,Z !Y PASS$ "O
HORSE AF ANO!R1 %E LOOK$ AT EA* "O
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!M4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #D
  ,B ,*>LIE (F]$ "S?+ EV5 M EXCIT+4 ,N[
& !N HE B"\ A RAILROAD C> FULL ( BRONCOS
--WILD HORSES F \ WE/4 ,MAYBE HE'D H A
_S$ BLACK "O %E CD BUY6
  ,Z !Y R1*$ ! LA/ /ALL1 ,KATE /OPP$4
,"! 0 A BLACK HORSE1 ALL "R4 ,EV5 9 !
DIM;S (! /A# XS COAT 0 %9Y4
  8,H[ AB ? "O80 ,KATE CALL$ 6,*>LIE Z
HE WALK$ ON )! BOYS4
  ,*>LIE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,T'S N ! "O ,I _H
9 M9D40
  8,IS HE = SALE80 ,KATE ASK$ QKLY4
  8,PR9CE8 ,SURE10 ,*>LIE ANSW]$4 8,B
HE'S--0
  8,C ,I SEE HM PL1SE80
  ,&]S /EPP$ BACK1 LOOK$ AT ! HORSE4
8,KATE1 HE'S N = Y40
  ,KATE LOOK$ PA/ H] BRO!R 6,*>LIE4
8,PL1SE80 %E ASK$4
  ,*>LIE GL.ED AT ,&]S1 !N BACK 6,KATE4
8,H[ M* H Y RI4580 HE ASK$ H]4
  8,OH1 A LOT10 ,KATE SD QKLY4 8,I'VE
BE5 RID+ ,WILDFIRE1 MY BRO!R'S HORSE40
  8,AW1 ,KATE--0 ,&]S />T$4 8,Y HAV5'T
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #E
RI45 T M*40
  ,B ,KATE /OOD "!1 WAIT+4 ,*>LIE W5T
96! /ALL1 SNAPP$ A L1D ROPE ONTO
,PR9CE'S HALT]1 !N L$ HM \4 ,PR9CE TOSS$
8 H1D1 FI<T+ ! ROPE1 & PR.ED SIDEWAYS4
  ,*>LIE HUNG ON1 SP1K+ %>PLY4 8,SETTLE
D[N N[40
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! FIFTY OR SIXTY-FOOT >EA1 8 H1D HI< &
TAIL FLY+4
  8,ISN'T HE A GRT HORSE80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,NOPE60 ,]IK SPOKE =! F/ "T S9CE !Y'D
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SIX FEET TALL & BROAD %\LD]$ F F>M "W4
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& T4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #F
  8,:AT D Y M1N1 .NOPE80 ,KATE ASK$4
  ,&]S TURN$ >.D4 8,HE'S TOO M* HORSE =
Y60
  8,TOO M* HORSE60 ,KATE SPUTT]$4 8,T'S
! "O ,I WANT60
  ,&]S SNORT$4
  8,"E S9CE Y B"\ ,WILDFIRE1 ,I'VE WANT$
A BLACK HORSE J L H]40
  8,I HATE 6TELL Y1 MY DE> SI/]4 ,? IS N
A HORSE J L ,WILDFIRE4 ,X'S A /ALLION60
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SNAPP$ ON ! L1D ROPE & L$ HM BACK 96!
/A#4
  8,I C RIDE HM1 EV5 IF HE IS A
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  ,&]S %OOK 8 H1D4 8,NO1 Y C'T60
  8,X'S .MY M"OY60 ,:ILE 9 ,MI*IGAN'S
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DOLL>S Z A REW>D4 ,%E LOV$ ! FEEL ( MAK+
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  ,AG ,KATE R1*$ 9SIDE H] POCKET4 8,I'LL
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #G
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DON'T "K H[ !Y C 2 S /UPID60
  8,T'S ! WOR/ ,I'VE "E SE5 ,KATE ACT60
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8 "F _H M>RI$ ,KATE'S "M4 ,MAMA & ,KATE
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8,PHOOEY ON !M60 %E MUTT]$4 8,J 2C !Y'RE
BOYS1 !Y ?9K !Y "K "EY?+60
  ,! DIM /A# SEEM$ A COOL 3TRA/ 6!
,AUGU/ SUN4 ,Z ?\< %E 7 / SEE+ ! DRY
FIELDS ON ! WAY 96T[N1 ,KATE FELT _!
H1T4 ,A /RANGE ?"\ 5T]$ H] M9D4 ..,IF WE
DON'T /ICK TGR Z A FAMILY1 WE WON'T MAKE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #H
.X4
  ,KATE PU%$ ! IDEA AWAY ,"E S9CE 2COM+
A FAMILY !Y _H "W$ TGR4 ,:Y %D X 2 ANY
DI6]5T N[8 ,B ! ?"\ REMA9$1 L A
COCKLEBUR CL++ 6H] CLO?+4
  ,Z ,KATE CAU<T UP ) ,*>LIE1 ,PAPA
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H1D T[>D ,KATE4
  8,%E'S 9T]E/$ 9 ? HORSE10 HE SD EV5LY4
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%E SD4 8,N "S OLD NAG40
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL      #I
  8,B ,&]S IS "R10 ,PAPA ANSW]$4 8,T
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  8,HE'S EXACTLY :AT ,I'VE ALW WANT$60
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  ,PAPA LOOK$ AT H]1 A W>N+ 9 8 EYES4
  ,KATE CLOS$ H] M\?1 B H] ANGRY ?"\S
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7 4RESPECT;L1 ,PAPA WD WALK \4 ,%E WD H
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SEEM$ 6RIPPLE 9 ! SUNLI<T4
  ,KATE'S HE>T L1P$4 ,X 0 A _S$ HORSE1
ALL "R1 B N 9 ! SAME WILD WAY Z !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AJ
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/EP4
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  8,NEV]S80 ,KATE ASK$4 8,T'S ": MY
UNCLE ,B5 "WS4 ,I WOND] IF !Y "K EA*
O!R40
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AA
  ,ON ! ,/4 ,CROIX ,RIV]1 T5 MILES ABV !
TW9 VILLAGES ( ,/4 ,CROIX ,FALLS1
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RIV] 6SAWMILLS 9 ,/ILLWAT]4
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NUZZL$ H] %\LD]4 ,! HORSE SEEM$ FRLY
5\<1 B E RIB %[$4
  ,R1*+ \1 ,KATE /ROK$ ! M>E'S %A7Y
BACK4 ,%E FELT ANGRY AT AN [N] :O WD
MISTR1T A HORSE 9 ? WAY4 ,:5 %E & ,*>LIE
RETURN$ 6! O!RS1 ! M>E FOLL[$ ,KATE4
  ,&]S GR9N$4 8,M>Y _H A LL LAMB60 HE
CALL$4
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_H %$ _! W9T] HAIR4
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,KATE'S EYES4 ,_HN'T ANY"O GROOM$ !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AB
HORSES = MON?S8 ,:AT K9D ( FOOD 7 !Y
GETT+8
  ,HOP+ T NO "O _H SE5 H] TE>S1 ,KATE
BL9K$ !M AWAY4 ,B ,PAPA _H NOTIC$4
  8,Y C'T BUY A HORSE J 2C Y FEEL SORRY
= X10 HE SD G5TLY4 8,X HAS 6BE ! "R "O =
Y40
  ,KATE NO4$4 8,I "K4 ,B MAYBE ! "R "O
IS AN ANIMAL T NE$S A GD HOME40
  8,! HORSES _H ! SAME [N]10 ,*>LIE
EXPLA9$ 6,PAPA4 8,!Y /ICK TGR L FL1S ON
A DOG'S BACK40
  8,!Y'VE BO? BE5 NEGLECT$10 ,PAPA SD4
  ,AF ALL H] ID1S AB HAV+ A HORSE )A
SLEEK COAT1 X NO L;G] MATT]$ 6,KATE4 ,%E
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  8,C ,I RIDE ! BLACK M>E80 %E ASK$
SU45LY4
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HORSE80
  ,KATE NO4$4 8,%E LIKES ME40
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SURE JUMP F "O K9D ( ANIMAL 6ANO!R60
  ,KATE RAIS$ H] *94 8,I C *ANGE MY
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AC
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  8,Y'RE A GIRL1 N A WOMAN60 ,&]S SC[L$4
  8,:AT'S ! M>E'S "N80 ,KATE ASK$
,*>LIE4
  8,W9DS;G10 HE SD4
  8.,W9DS;G80 ,KATE FELT SURPRIS$4 ,X 0
A B1UTI;L "N1 A /RANGE 3TRA/ 6! HORSE'S
APPE>.E4 ,MAYBE ! ORIG9AL [N] _H RE,Y
LOV$ H]4 ,MAYBE ! M>E WD RIDE L ! W9D4
  ,PAPA /OOD BACK1 /UDY+ H[ ! HORSE 0
BUILT4 8,LET ,&]S TRY H] F/10 HE TOLD
,KATE4
  ,&]S JUMP$ ON1 WALK$ ! M>E >.D !
F;ED-IN >EA1 !N URG$ H] 96A TROT4 ,:5
,*>LIE OP5$ ! L>GE GATE1 ,&]S RODE 96!
/REET4
  ,KATE1 ,PAPA1 & ,]IK FOLL[$ HM4 ,Z !Y
TURN$ T[>D ! ,HICK]SON ,MILL1 ,KATE
CAU<T A QK MOVE;T \ (! CORN] ( H] EYE4
,:IRL+ >.D1 %E SAW A HAY WAGON CLOSE 6!
/A#4 ,! L>GE DRAFT HORSES HIT*$ 6! WAGON
/OOD AL"O1 Z ?\< WAIT+ =! DRIV] 6RETURN4
  ,Z ,KATE TURN$ T[>D ,&]S ONCE M1
,W9DS;G />T$ 6CANT]4 ,KATE &! O!RS WALK$
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AD
2H UNTIL ,&]S R.D$ A B5D 9 ! ROAD4
  8,W9DS;G MOVES WELL10 ,PAPA SD1 B
,KATE KNEW HE 0 HOLD+ BACK 8 OP9ION4
  ,J !N A %\T RANG \4 8,FIRE60
  ,KATE SPUN >.D4
  ,F NE> ! /A# A MAN %\T$ AG4 8,FIRE60
  ,A PLUME ( SMOKE ROSE F ! WAGON4
,GRE$Y FLAMES LICK$ AT ! HAY4
  ,KATE BROKE 96A RUN4 ,ALR ! FLAMES
L1P$ UPW>D 6! OP5 DOOR (! L(T4

          #B ,SURPRISE ,MOVES

  ,:5 ,KATE R1*$ ! GATE1 ,PAPA & ,]IK 7
"R 2H4 ,J !N ,*>LIE RU%$ \ (! /A#4 ,:ILE
,PAPA HELD ! T]RIFI$ HORSES1 ,*>LIE &
,]IK UNHIT*$ !M F ! WAGON4
  8,BUCKETS60 ,KATE CRI$1 & ,*>LIE RAN
BACK 96! /A#4
  ,Z ,KATE />T$ 6OP5 ! GATE1 ! HORSES
:9NI$ _! FE>4 ,J 9 "T1 ,KATE CLOS$ !
GATE AG4 ,IF ! HORSES BROKE \1 !Y WD
RACE "? ! /REETS ( ,GRANTSBURG4
  ,GRA2+ HOLD (! BO>DS1 ,KATE CLIMB$ !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AE
F;E4 ,Z %E DROPP$ D[N ON ! O!R SIDE1 !
FIRE BELL 2GAN 6R+4
  ,0! "T ,KATE R1*$ ! TR\< = WAT]+
HORSES1 ,*>LIE 0 "! ) BUCKETS4 ,KATE
DIPP$ !M 96! L>GE TANK1 FILL+ !M ) WAT]4
,*>LIE RAC$ ACR ! Y>D & H&$ !M OV] !
F;E4
  ,! HAY WAGON 0 BURN+ N[1 XS WOOD5
CROSS PIECES A SKELETON ( FLAME4 ,KATE'S
/OMA* KNOTT$ ) FE>4 ,IF ! /A# CAU<T
FIRE1 H[ WD !Y "E GET ALL ^? HORSES \8
  ,!N ,KATE SAW A V TALL MAN /RID+ AL;G
! /REET4 ,BIG ,GU/6
  ,9/1D ( TAK+ ! "T 6HIT* UP HORSES1 !
SEV5-FOOT1 SIX-9* VILLAGE M>%ALL PULL$ !
FIRE WAGON HMF4 ,9 GRT L;G /RIDES HE
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! HOSE "?1 & DROPP$ ! 5D 96! WAT] TANK4
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       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AF
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HOSE4
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WAT] ONTO ! HAY WAGON4
  ,0N[1 LL 0 LEFT ( X4 ,GU/ FLOOD$ !
*>R$ BO>DS1 SOAK+ E EMB]4
  8,T CD H BE5 A BAD "O10 ,*>LIE SD :5 !
FIRE 0 \4 8,I HATE 6?9K :AT MI<T H
HAPP5$ 6MY HORSES40
  ,BIG ,GU/ TOOK \ A L>GE H&K]*IEF &
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FIREMAN EMPTI$ A BUCKET ( WAT] OV] 8
H1D4
  8,:O />T$ ! FIRE80 ,*>LIE ASK$4 8,DID
ANY ( Y SEE "S"O HANG+ >.D80
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PASS$ ! WAGON4 ,%E REMEMB]$ H[ %E _H
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ANY"O LURK+ >.D4
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TAKE ONLY A M9UTE = "S"O 6-E >.D T
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  8,OR WALK AL;G ! ROAD10 ,]IK SD4 8,ALL
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,*>LIE4
  8,WELL1 ,I DON'T "K--0 ,*>LIE /ROK$ 8
H&LEB> MU/A*E1 Z ?\< N WANT+ 6?9K AB
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  ,:5 ,BIG ,GU/ &! O!R FIREFI<T]S LEFT1
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GET BACK 6F9D+ ! "R "O40
  ,DUR+ ! FIRE ,&]S _H RETURN$ )! BLACK
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SLUNG X OV] ,W9DS;G'S BACK4
  8,%E'LL FATT5 UP 9 NO "T10 ,*>LIE
PROMIS$4 8,%E J NE$S BETT] FE$40
  8,CD WE GIVE H] EXTRA OATS80 ,KATE
ASK$ ,PAPA4
  8,YAH10 HE ANSW]$ AF A MO;T ( ?"\4
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8,WE'LL D \R BE/40
  ,Z ,KATE DROPP$ 96! SA4LE1 ,PAPA /EPP$
CLOSE4 8,TAKE X EASY TILL Y "K H[ %E
ACTS10 HE W>N$4 8,:5 AN ANIMAL HAS BE5
MISTR1T$1 Y DON'T "K :AT X'LL D40
  ,L1N+ =W>D1 ,KATE CLUCK$ 6,W9DS;G4 ,!
M>E'S E>S TURN$ 6! S.D ( H] VOICE4 ,AT
F/ ,KATE WALK$ H] >.D ! P54 ,EA* "T %E
ASK$ ! HORSE 6D "S?+1 ,W9DS;G RESPOND$4
  ,]IK SWUNG UP ON ,BREEZA1 ! *E/NUT
HORSE1 & AL RODE >.D ! F;ED-IN >EA4
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96! /REET4 ,:5 ,]IK FOLL[$1 ,KATE
REMEMB]$ :AT HE _H SD 8..,T'S ! WOR/
,I'VE "E SE5 ,KATE .ACT60
  ,SU45LY %E FELT A%AM$4 ,%E WI%$ %E CD
TAKE BACK H] ANGRY ^WS4 ..,I'LL PROVE
6,]IK T ,I'M "S"O HE ADMIRES--"S"O MY
FAMILY FEELS PR\D .(6
  ,KATE URG$ ! M>E 96A CANT]4 ,HALFWAY
6! ,HICK]SON ,MILL1 %E R1LIZ$ "S?+4 ..,?
CD 2 MY HORSE--MY V [N .HORSE6
  ,Z ,]IK CAU<T UP1 ,BREEZA /AY$ EV5 )
,W9DS;G4 ,]IK GR9N$ AT ,KATE4 ,X 0 EASY
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #AI
6SEE T HE 0 5JOY+ HMF4
  ,:5 ,KATE & ,]IK RETURN$ 6! /A#1 ,PAPA
0 TALK+ 6,*>LIE4 8,I WANT 6MAKE SURE
,KATE GETS A SAFE HORSE10 HE SD4 8,A
HORSE T WON'T BUCK H] (F40
  8,I RODE BO? ,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA MYF10
,*>LIE ANSW]$4 8,I DIDN'T PICK UP A
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LA/ "O40
  ,:5 ,KATE SLID 6! GR.D1 ,PAPA OP5$
,W9DS;G'S M\?1 LOOK$ AT H] TEE?1 & PICK$
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HE TOLD ,*>LIE4 8,&! HOOVES NE$ TRIMM+40
  8,I "K10 ,*>LIE ANSW]$4 8,I'LL FIGURE
! CO/ (A BLACKSMI?'S "W 96YR PRICE40
  ,:5 ,*>LIE "ND ! AM.T HE WANT$1 ,KATE
FELT RELIEV$4 ,%E _H PL5TY ( SILV]
DOLL>S4 ,%E CD EV5 BUY "S?+ ELSE = H]F4
  8,>E Y SURE ? IS ! HORSE = Y80 ,PAPA
ASK$ ,KATE4 8,IF Y TAKE ,W9DS;G1 Y'LL H
6"W H>D 6GET H] 9 %APE4 ,C Y H&LE X80
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  8,Y C / *OOSE T PALE GOLD HORSE40
  ,KATE KNEW T'S :AT ,PAPA HOP$1 B %E
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%OOK H] H1D4
  8,!N "!'S "O 3DI;N10 HE ANSW]$4 8,IF !
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  8,YUP10 ,*>LIE ANSW]$4
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  8,Y DON'T H A :ITE BLAZE L ,I WANT$10
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/ROK$ ! HORSE 2T H] EYES4 8,B Y'LL HELP
ME1 WON'T Y80
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%E POSSIBLY "K :AT ,I'M SAY+80
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HORSES1 CD Y USE !M Z A T1M80
  ,PAPA LOOK$ AT ,KATE O4LY4 ,/&+ BACK1
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SAME GAIT40
  8,H[ M* =! TWO ( !M80 ,KATE ASK$
,*>LIE4
  8,IF Y WANT BO?1 ,I'LL GIVE Y A
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6LIFT40 ,AG ,*>LIE "ND 8 PRICE4
  ,KATE TOOK "O M LOOK AT ! HORSES4 ,%E
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T]RI# [N]4
  8,SOLD60 %E SD4
  8.,SOLD80 ,&]S ASK$4 8,>E Y S]I\S80
  8,YUP60 ,KATE GR9N$4 8,X'S MY M"OY60
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  ,HE NO4$4 8,ALL "R40
  8,:AT ON E>? >E Y GO+ 6D ) .TWO
HORSES80 ,&]S 0 / PUZZL$4
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       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #BB
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TWO4
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OP9ION AB H]4 8,WE ALL "W$ TGR 6HELP MY
C\S9 9 ,MI*IGAN40
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JI6Y40
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  8,YR H&60 ,KATE EXCLAIM$ Z ,/RET*
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HUNG D[N 6HIS WAI/4
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  ,W9DS;G TOSS$ H] H1D4 ,SU45LY %E J]K$
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FLAT AG/ H] H1D1 Z IF %E 7 R1DY 6KICK4


       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #BE

               #C ,AMBU%6

  ,Z %E SAW ! :ITES ( ,W9DS;G'S EYES1
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,BREEZA'S HALT]4
  8,:OA "!60 HE -M&$4 8,SETTLE D[N60
  ,H] HE>T 9 H] ?ROAT1 ,KATE BACK$ AWAY4
8,:AT DID ,I BUY80 %E ASK$ ! BOYS4 8,D
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  ,/RET* GL.ED T[>D ! MAN :O _H J >RIV$4
8,!Y'LL 2 F9E10 HE TOLD ,KATE4 8,J TR1T
'EM "R40
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ASK$ ,KATE4
  8,MY V [N60 ,AG ,KATE FELT ! PRIDE (
[N]%IP4 8,I J B"\ !M40
  8,Y LIVE CLOSE BY80 ,8 VOICE S.D$
LAZY1 Z IF J MAK+ 3V]S,N4
  ,KATE %OOK H] H1D4 8,ELEV5 MILES F
"H40
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WAY80 HE ASK$4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #BF
  8,D[N NE> ,TRADE ,LAKE10 ,KATE TOLD
HM4 8,ON ,W9DY ,HILL ,F>M40
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? "O 0 S H&"S & WELL DRESS$1 H[ CD X
POSSIBLY MATT]8 ,2SS1 ,&]S1 ,]IK1 &
,/RET* 7 "R "!4
  ,! MAN LIT ! CIG>1 !N WAV$ ! MAT*
6MAKE X G \4
  8,HEY1 WAT* :AT Y'RE DO+60 ,/RET*
W>N$4 8,WE'VE ALR _H "O FIRE 9 T[N TD40
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DIRT4 8,Y H A L;G WAY HOME1 ) RIV]S &
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LOOK+ GD 9 NO "T4 ,! LA/ P]SON :O [N$ H]
DIDN'T TAKE C>E ( H]40
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MAN'S FACE4
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6LIFT A HAT4 8,WELL1 GD LUCK ) YR
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,BREEZA1 HE R1*$ ! /REET4
  ,/RET* 0 / "W+ ON ,W9DS;G :5 ,PAPA
>RIV$4
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  8,:Y DON'T Y G AH1D1 SIR80 ,]IK ANSW]$
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  ,]IK L[]$ "O EYELID 9 A L;G SL[ W9K
6,&]S4 8,I'LL WAT* \ = YR LL SI/]10 HE
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!M4
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WAT* \ = MYF60 ,Z ,PAPA & ,&]S LEFT1
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #BH
,KATE TURN$ H] BACK ON ,]IK & MOV$ CLOS]
6WAT* ,/RET*4
  8,YR M>E HAS SMALL FEET10 HE TOLD
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!M )A %OE HE WD PUT ON ,BREEZA4
  ,:5 ,/RET* F9I%$ "W+1 ,KATE & ,]IK
SWUNG UP ON ! TWO HORSES4 ,)A QK WAVE (!
H& !Y LEFT ,/RET* 2H4
  ,Z ,KATE RODE AL;G1 A BREEZE BLEW ACR
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HORSE 2F1 %E F.D X EASY 6H&LE ! M>E4 ,:5
,KATE MOV$ ! RE9S EV5 SLI<TLY1 ,W9DS;G
RESPOND$ 6H] REQUE/4
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  8,I HOPE S40 ,9 ! BLACKSMI? %OP %E _H
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!Y WD H G"O BACK 6,*>LIE4
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  8,B N :5 T MAN CAME 6! %OP40 ,KATE
FELT 3C]N$ AB T4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #BI
  ,]IK GR9N$4 8,!Y SURE DIDN'T L HM4
,YET !Y'VE _H GD TRA9+ "S":40
  8,I J WI% !Y 7 M _S$10 ,KATE SD4 8,_S$
9 A GD WAY1 ,I M1N40
  ,]IK L1N$ BACK 9 ! SA4LE4 8,Y "K H[ P
ACT :5 !Y'VE BE5 B1T5 D[N8 ,HORSES >E !
SAME WAY4 ,:5 !Y'RE TR1T$ "R1 !Y %[ X40
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8,IF A MAN IS T AW;L 6HORSES1 :AT ELSE
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  8,:AT D Y M1N80 ,]IK ASK$4
  8,I WOND] ": T [N] IS N[8 ,"!'S A
MY/]Y ) ^! HORSES1 ,]IK4 ,I WANT 6"K M4
,B ,I'M ALM AFRAID 6F9D \40
  ,Z ,KATE URG$ ,W9DS;G AH1D1 ,BREEZA
PICK$ UP 8 PACE4 ,KATE 0 SLI<TLY AH1D (
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  ,KATE RE9$ IN4 8,:AT WD MAKE A TREE
FALL D[N80 %E ASK$1 FEEL+ UNEASY4 ,!
MIDSIZ$ MAPLE _H A WIDE SPR1D ( L1FY
BRAN*ES4
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       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #CJ
(! TREE &! BU%ES AT ! $GE (! ROAD4 ,:5
,]IK />T$ =W>D1 ,KATE'S M>E $G$ AH1D4 ,B
!N Z ,W9DS;G DREW CLOSE 6! TREE1 %E
/OPP$4
  8,G ON1 GIRL10 ,KATE SD Z ! M>E TOSS$
H] H1D4 8,"!'S ROOM = Y4 ,G >.D40
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/EP1 !N ANO!R4 ,! PASSAGEWAY 0 N>R[1 &!
L1VES (! TREE ?ICK4 ,:5 ,KATE DREW CLOSE
6! BRAN*ES1 "O ( !M TREM#D4
  ,/>TL$1 ,W9DS;G J]K$1 B %E OBEY$ !
PRESSURE F ,KATE'S LEGS4 ,Z ! M>E PASS$
! BRAN*ES1 A MAN'S H& R1*$ \ & GRA2$ H]
BRIDLE4
  ,KATE'S HE>T L1P$ 96H] ?ROAT4 ,FILL$ )
T]ROR1 %E GAZ$ D[N1 TRY+ 6SEE :O HELD !
BRIDLE4 ,A L>GE HAT HID 8 FACE4
  8,GI4YUP60 ,KATE CRI$1 URG+ ! HORSE
=W>D4 ,B ! MAN CLUNG 6,W9DS;G'S BRIDLE1
HOLD+ H] BACK4

            #D ,PAPA'S ,W>N+

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  8,H[ DID Y "E GET ALL ? "W D"O80 ,MAMA
ASK$4
  ,B5 GR9N$ AT ,PAPA4 8,C>L HELP$ ME4
,WE ?"\ WE'D SURPRISE ALL ( Y40
  ,KATE TURN$ 6,MISS ,SUNDQUI/4 ,KATE /
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #DG
FELT %Y ) ? PRETTY "Y WOMAN4 ,B N[1 SEE+
! 2G9N+ ( _! H\SE1 ! W$D+ SEEM$ R1L4 ,J
?9K+ AB X FILL$ ,KATE ) EXCITE;T4
  8,Y'LL LIVE "R NEXT 6U6 ,& Y'LL 2 MY
AUNT60
  ,:5 ,MISS ,SUNDQUI/ SMIL$1 ,KATE WANT$
6?R[ H] >MS >.D H]4 ,J 9 "T ,KATE ?"\
BETT] ( X4 ,EV5 ?\< %E 0 5GAG$ 6,B51
,MISS ,SUNDQUI/ WD 2 H] T1*] :5 S*OOL
/>T$ AG4
  ,Z ?\< "U/&+ H[ ,KATE FELT1 ,MISS
,SUNDQUI/ LOOK$ UP AT ,B54 ,:5 %E TURN$
BACK 6,KATE1 ! T1*]'S SMILE LIT H] EYES4
8,"!'S "S?+ SPECIAL WE WANT 6ASK Y10 %E
SD4 8,Y'RE ! "O :O GOT U TGR4 ,W Y 2 MY
BRIDESMAID80
  8,ME80 ,OV]COME 0SURPRISE1 ,KATE
GI7L$4 8,Y WANT .ME 6BE YR BRIDESMAID80
  ,! T1*] NO4$4 8,WE WANT .Y60
  8,RE,Y80 ,KATE ASK$4 8,D Y .RE,Y ?9K
,I C D X80
  8,Y BET*A10 ,&]S SD QKLY4 8,Y'D MAKE A
GD BRIDESMAID40
  ,KATE />$ AT H] BRO!R4 ,S* PRAISE 0
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #DH
R>E1 B %E KNEW T HE M1NT X4
  ,SU45LY ALL ! FUN ( 2+ 9 A W$D+ WELL$
UP 9SIDE ,KATE4 ,AG %E WANT$ 6?R[ H] >MS
>.D H] T1*]4 ,? "T %E ASK$4 8,C ,I HUG
Y1 ,MISS ,SUNDQUI/80
  ,! T1*] LAU<$4 8,ONLY IF Y CALL ME
,J5NY40 ,X 0 ,J5NY :O HU7$ ,KATE4
  ,:5 !Y RETURN$ 6,W9DY ,HILL ,F>M1 ,B5
& ,KATE /OPP$ AT ! F;ED-IN >EA NEXT 6!
B>N4
  8,"!'S "S?+ /RANGE AB YR HORSES10 HE
SD4
  8,"! >E A LOT ( /RANGE ?+S AB MY
HORSES60 ,KATE ANSW]$4
  8,Y B"\ !M F ,*>LIE ,SAUND]S80 ,B5'S
,5GLI% 0 ALR SURPRIS+LY GD4 8,I ?9K ,I
"K ": HE GOT !M40
  8,*>LIE SD X 0 A MAN F ,NEV]S ,DAM4 ,D
Y "K HM80
  8,WELL1 SORT (40 ,A %AD[ PASS$ OV]
,B5'S FACE4 8,A FEW WEEKS AGO ,I CAU<T
HM /1L+ F ! (FICE40
  ,B5 RAN 8 F+]S "? 8 LI<T BR[N HAIR4
8,I DIDN'T WANT 6SAY ANY?+4 ,:5 ,I'VE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #DI
BE5 A ?IEF MYF1 X'S H>D 6TELL ON "S"O
ELSE40
  ,KATE SAW ! PA9 9 H] UNCLE'S FACE4 8,Y
DIDN'T H ANY *OICE40
  ,B5 NO4$4 8,I TOLD HM 6PUT BACK !
M"OY4 ,HE WDN'T D X4 ,I _H 6TELL MY
BOSS4 ,MR4 ,FRAWLEY FIR$ ! MAN40
  8,:AT 0 ! MAN'S "N80 ,KATE ASK$ QKLY4
  8,HE CALLS HMF ,DUGAN40
  ,KATE DIDN'T "K ANY"O 0T "N4 ,YET
/RANGE ?+S _H BE5 HAPP5+4 8,:AT DOES
,DUGAN LOOK L80 %E ASK$4
  8,HE'S "Y10 ,B5 SD4 8,A SWELL--:AT D Y
CALL X80
  8,A SWELL DRESS]40
  8,YAH4 ,"S"TS HE WORE A TIE1 EV5 6"W40
  8,A TIE60 ,KATE'S M9D L1P$ BACK 6!
BLACKSMI? %OP4 ,%E EXPLA9$ :AT _H
HAPP5$4 8,WD ,DUGAN "E HANG >.D
,GRANTSBURG80
  8,I DON'T "K :Y N10 ,B5 ANSW]$4 8,)\T
A JOB HE HASN'T M* 6D40
  8,DID ! HORSES L HM80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,!Y HAT$ HM10 ,B5 TOLD H]4 8,DUGAN 0
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #EJ
M1N4 ,I SAW HM B1T !M )A :IP40
  ,B5 WALK$ 96! /ALL & /ROK$ ,W9DS;G'S
BACK4 8,SEE :AT A GD HORSE %E IS8 ,%E J
NE$S 6BE TR1T$ "R40
  ,KATE AGRE$4 ,%E 0 GLAD 6"K H] UNCLE
FELT ! SAME WAY4
  8,&! MAN1 ,DUGAN80 %E ASK$4 8,:AT
HAPP5$ 6HM80
  ,B5 FAC$ ,KATE4 8,I DON'T WANT 6TELL
Y40
  8,I ?9K Y BETT]40 ,KATE TRI$ 6S.D
CALM1 B H] /OMA* *URN$4 8,I ?9K ,I'LL
NE$ 6"K40
  ,B5 CAME \ (! /ALL4 8,AF ! BOSS FIR$
HM1 ,DUGAN F.D ME4 ,HE %[$ ME 8 FI/--0
  ,B5 HELD UP 8 [N CL5*$ FI/4 8,HE SD1
,8,J WAIT6 ,I'LL GET EV5 ) Y60'0

           #F ,! ,EMPTY ,B>N

  ,KATE %IV]$4 ,%E CDN'T HELP B FEEL
AFRAID ( ? MAN ,DUGAN4 ,IF HE SD S* A ?+
6,B51 :AT ELSE WD HE D8
  8,IS "! ANY R1SON :Y ,DUGAN WD WANT
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #EA
6GET EV5 ) ME80 ,KATE ASK$1 ?9K+ AB !
/RANG] :O TRI$ 6/OP !M ON ! WAY HOME4
  8,IF ,DUGAN "KS T WE'RE RELAT$--0 ,B5
PAUS$1 Z ?\< N WANT+ 6F"R5 H]4
  ,B ,KATE ALR FELT SC>$ 9 E "P ( H] 2+4
8,DOES ,DUGAN "K T Y LIVE "H :5 Y'RE N
"W+80 %E ASK$4
  ,B5 ?"\ AB X4 8,MAYBE4 ,HE "W$ 9 !
(FICE4 ,HE CD H SE5 ! LI/ ( "W]S & ": WE
-E F4 ,OR MAYBE ,I TOLD HM )\T ?9K+ AB
X4 ,IF ,DUGAN "KS Y'RE MY NIECE--0 ,B5'S
EYES D>K5$1 Z ?\< DR1D+ EV5 ! ?"\ (
,DUGAN MAK+ ! 3NEC;N4
  8,B "!'S "S?+ ,I DID10 ,KATE ANSW]$4
8,IF X 0 ,DUGAN AT ! BLACKSMI? %OP1 ,I
TOLD HM ": ,I LIVE4 ,I AL TOLD HM HE
_HN'T TAK5 C>E ( 8 HORSES40
  8,Y DID80 ,B5 %OOK 8 H1D4 8,T'S N S
GD40
  ,KATE 0 />T+ 6?9K ! SAME ?+4 ,:AT _H
SEEM$ AN 9NOC5T 3V]S,N _H ALR CAUS$ H]
ALL K9DS ( TR\#4
  8,"!'S "S?+ ,I DON'T "U/&10 %E SD4
8,BREEZA & ,W9DS;G >E GD HORSES4 ,:Y
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #EB
DIDN'T ,DUGAN TAKE C>E ( !M80
  8,HE IS J N SM>T10 ,B5 TOLD H]4 8,HE
DOESN'T TAKE C>E ( ANY?+ EXCEPT HMF40
  ,J !N ,L>S CALL$ !M4 ,Z !Y WALK$ T[>D
! H\SE1 ,B5 /OPP$ HALFWAY4 8,KATE1 Y H
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L O!R P4 ,HE'S S FULL ( ANG] T--0
  8,T :AT80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,DUGAN HATES ME S M* HE MI<T TRY 6GET
EV5 "? Y10 ,B5 ANSW]$4 8,HE CD D ANY?+--
EV5 "S?+ CRAZY40
  ,:5 !Y JO9$ ! RE/ (! FAMILY1 ,B5'S
WORRY SEEM$ 6FALL (F L AN OLD COAT4 ,EA*
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C>EFREE1 HAPPY "Y MAN4 ,ONLY ,KATE _H
SE5 :AT 0 RE,Y 9SIDE4
  8,I BAK$ A CAKE TD10 ,MAMA TOLD HM4
8,LET'S USE X 6CELEBRATE YR 5GAGE;T40
  ,:5 ,B5 LEFT 6TAKE ,J5NY HOME1 ,KATE
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6SAY GD-NI<T 6H] NEW HORSES )\T ANY"O
ELSE "!4
  ,NE> ! SUMM] KIT*5 ,KATE LOOK$ >.D4
,NEI ( H] BRO!RS 0 9 SI<T4 ,)\T MAK+ A
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #EC
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  ,WALK+ QKLY1 %E PASS$ "? 6! F;ED-IN
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  ,MOV+ SL[LY S %E WDN'T F"R5 ! M>E1
,KATE WALK$ OV]4 ,W9DS;G LIFT$ H] H1D Z
?\< %E RECOGNIZ$ ,KATE4 ,R1*+ UP1 %E
/ROK$ ,W9DS;G'S %\LD]4
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6! B>N4
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2L;G$ 6,&]S4
  ,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,WILDFIRE 7 ?REE
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"O (! ?REE4 ,)\T ,KATE SAY+ A ^W1
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,BREEZA WALK$ 96! /ALL ON ,W9DS;G'S
LEFT4
  ,LOOP+ ! L1D ROPE = AN EASY REL1SE1
,KATE TI$ X 96! R+ 9 ,W9DS;G'S /ALL4 ,:5
,KATE RETURN$ ) ANO!R ROPE1 ,BREEZA /OOD
WAIT+1 Z ?\< 6SAY1 8,I'M "H4 ,GET ME
R1DY =A GD NI<T'S SLEEP40
  ,8 EXPRES.N /RUCK ,KATE FUNNY4 8,Y
KEEP EA* O!R GD -PANY60 ,%E FELT GLAD T
%E _H B"\ BO? ( !M4
  ,:5 ,KATE W5T BACK 6! M>E1 ,W9DS;G 0
*EW+ ON ! 5D ( H] L1D ROPE4
  8,C'MON1 GIRL1 Y >5'T T HUNGRY10 ,KATE
TOLD H]4 ,AT ! OAT B9 %E TOOK A POR;N =
BO? HORSES4 ,!N %E F.D A SCISSORS & BRU%
& -B4
  ,:5 ,KATE />T$ "W+ ON ,W9DS;G'S MANE1
%E F.D X S TANGL$ T ! JOB SEEM$
IMPOSSI#4 ,! M>E /OOD /1 Z ?\< %E KNEW
,KATE 0 TRY+ 6HELP H]4 ,EV5 S1 ,KATE
F9,Y GAVE UP & />T$ BRU%+ ! M>E'S %A7Y
COAT4
  ,Z L;G BLACK HAIRS FELL \1 ,KATE KEPT
BRU%+4 ,) E PASS+ MO;T1 %E FELT M ANGRY
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AT ! MAN :O _H LET ! HORSE GET ? WAY4
,!N %E REMEMB]$ ,B5'S ^WS4 8.,J .WAIT60
,DUGAN _H SD4 8..,I'LL GET EV5 ) .Y60
  ,KATE _H NO D\BT T ,DUGAN WD D :AT HE
SD4 ,B .H[ 0 ! "Q4 ,H[ WD ,DUGAN TRY
6GET EV58
  ,Z ?\< ,B5 7 / SP1K+1 ,KATE HE>D 8
W>N+4 8..,DUGAN HATES ME S M*1 HE MI<T
TRY 6GET EV5 "? .Y40 ,KATE FELT SC>$ J
?9K+ AB :AT T MI<T M1N4
  ,W9DS;G'S BONY RIBS /UCK \ Z IF %E
_HN'T EAT5 WELL = MON?S4 ,IF ,DUGAN CD D
T 6A HORSE1 :AT MI<T HE D 6A P]SON HE
HAT$8
  8,Y NE$ A LOT ( OATS10 ,KATE TOLD !
M>E4
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,W9DS;G LOOK$ UP F EAT+4 ,:5 DU/ & OLD
HAIR FELL AWAY1 ! M>E SWIT*$ H] TAIL1 Z
IF FEEL+ BETT] AB H]F4
  ,X MADE ,KATE CURI\S4 ,CD A HORSE FEEL
PRIDE 9 H]F8 ,KATE DIDN'T "K4 ,YET N[ &
!N ,W9DS;G ALM SEEM$ HUMAN4
  ,PULL+ ,W9DS;G'S HAIR F ! BRU%1 ,KATE
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SEEM$4 ,_H "S"O TRIPP$1 !N CAU<T HMF AG/
! WALL8 ,Z ,KATE :IRL$ >.D1 A %AD[ SLID
ACR ! W9D[4
  ,=A MO;T ,KATE WAIT$1 WAT*+4 ,! %AD[
_H MOV$ QKLY--S QKLY T ,KATE WASN'T SURE
:AT %E _H SE54 ,CD X 2 A CL\D MOV+ ACR !
MOON8
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DOOR4 ,"? ! OP5 UPP] HALF %E LOOK$ \4
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%E CD TELL1 NO "O 0 "!4
  .,I .IMAG9$ .X1 ,KATE DECID$ Z %E
RETURN$ 6! M>E4 ,ONCE M %E LOOK$ AT !
TANGL$ MANE4 ,H[ CD .ANY"O LET A HORSE
GET ? WAY8
  ,PU%+ H] SC>$ FEEL+S ASIDE1 ,KATE W5T
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,W9DS;G1 & DROPP$ 6! GR.D4 ,SU45LY
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  ,KATE />$ AT H]4 8,IF ,I DIDN'T "K T
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DO+60
  ,LOOK+ UP1 ,W9DS;G MOV$ H] LIPS4
  ,KATE GI7L$4 ,= ALL ! _W1 ! HORSE
SEEM$ 6BE TRY+ 6TALK4 ,KATE WI%$ T %E CD
--T "SH[ ,W9DS;G WD TELL H] ALL T %E
KNEW4 ,B !N ! M>E GOT UP1 ONCE M /&+ Z
ANY HORSE WD4
  ,9 T 9/ANT ,KATE HE>D A CR1K 9 !
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L(T6
  ,KATE FROZE1 LI/5+4 ,Z %E /RA9$ 6CAT*
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SE5 "S"O AF ALL4 ,_H T P]SON -E 9 A DOOR
AT ! O!R 5D (! B>N8
  ,!N ,KATE _H AN EV5 SC>I] ?"\4 ..,CD
"! 2 TWO P8 ,"O \TSIDE8 ,"O 9 ."H8
  ,?REE LA4]S L$ UPW>D 96! L(T4 ,TWO 7
AT ! F> 5D (! B>N1 AWAY F ,KATE4 ,CLOS]
6! HORSES 0 A ?IRD OP5+4 ,YET T HOLE 0
AL \TSIDE ! CIRCLE ( LI<T F ! LANT]N4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #EH
,DEEP %AD[S LAY AL;G ! WALL4
  ,J !N ,KATE HE>D ANO!R CR1K 9 !
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HAYL(T6
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)\T MAK+ M* NOISE4
  ,Z FOOT/EPS CROSS$ ! FLOOR 6! OP5+ &!
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..,MAYBE HE FOLL[$ U HOME6 ,MAYBE X'S
.,DUGAN6
  ,SECONDS LAT] ,KATE HE>D "S"O ON !
LA4]4 ,D>K;S HID :O"E X WAS4
  ,KATE SPUN >.D4 ,FILL$ ) PANIC1 %E
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H] &! NE>E/ DOOR4
  ,ALR X 0 TOO LATE4 ..,:AT IF HE F9DS
ME .AL"O8

         #G ,! ,4APPE>+ ,HORSE

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PIT*=K & SNAT*$ X UP4 ,HOLD+ ! =K 9
FRONT ( H]1 %E FAC$ :O"E HID 9 ! D>K;S4
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  ,ON ! DIRT FLOOR (! B>N %E CD B>ELY
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?"\4
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  8,L>S60 ,FEEL+ FOOLI% AB H] FE>1 ,KATE
L[]$ ! PIT*=K4 8,:AT >E Y DO+ "H80
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8,HASN'T ANY"O "E TOLD Y N 6SN1K UP ON
"S"O80
  8,I WASN'T SN1K+40 ,L>S S.D$ RES5T;L4
8,I 0 J CURI\S40
  8,CURI\S1 MY EYE6 ,IF ,I _HN'T HE>D Y1
Y WD H SC>$ ME 6D1?40 ,KATE EY$ HM
SUSPICI\SLY4 8,H[ L;G H Y BE5 9 ! B>N80
  ,L>S %RU7$4 8,HALF AN H\R MAYBE4 ,:5
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  8,Y'VE BE5 "H HALF AN H\R80 ,ONCE M
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  ,L>S ?"\ AB X4 8,MAYBE =TY-FIVE
M9UTES40
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  8,:Y >E Y "H80 %E ASK$ HM AG4
  ,9 ! LI<T (! LANT]N ,L>S RAIS$ 8 *94
8,I WANT$ 6SEE ! HORSES40
  8,:Y80 ,KATE WANT$ 6"K4 8,>E Y PLANN+
6RIDE "O ( !M80
  ,L>S />$ AT H]4 8,Y H TWO HORSES1 & Y
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  8,2C--0 ,KATE />T$ 6TELL HM H[ !
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  8,Y C'T RIDE !M 2C ,I DON'T WANT Y
TO10 ,KATE SD4
  8,F9E SI/] Y >E60 ,L>S EXCLAIM$4 8,H[
SELFI% C Y BE80
  8,I DON'T WANT Y 6GET HURT10 ,KATE SD
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TALL] ?AN Y60
  ,KATE /RAI<T5$ 6H] FULL HEI<T4 8,I [N
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FA
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,W9DS;G1 Z ?\< 6HIDE 8 HURT4 8,Y SURE H
A HOMELY HORSE60
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,KATE SD /I6LY4
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  8,ALL "R60 ,L>S S.D$ Z IF X DIDN'T
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ANIMAL4
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& ,]IK DID ?+S TGR4 ,H[ (T5 _H !Y 9CLUD$
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T80
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( ,L>S4
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F9I%$4 8,Y C'T TELL ,PAPA40
  8,:Y N80 ,L>S ASK$1 J Z H"O/ Z ,KATE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FC
EXPECT$4 8,HORSES >E DI6]5T ) DI6]5T P4
,DIDN'T Y SAY !Y DIDN'T L T MAN AT !
BLACKSMI? %OP8 ,DUGAN1 DID Y CALL HM80
  ,KATE NO4$4 8,T'S :O ,I ?9K HE IS40
  8,IF ,DUGAN 0 M1N 6!M1 !Y'D REMEMB]10
,L>S SD4
  ,KATE />$ AT HM4 ,MAYBE ,L>S 0 "R4
,YET %E 0 AFRAID 6F9D \ 0TELL+ ,PAPA4
  8,S :Y D Y ?9K ,W9DS;G'S A CIRCUS
HORSE80 ,KATE ASK$4
  ,L>S LOOK$ UP AT ! CEIL+ ABV ,W9DS;G'S
/ALL4 8,SEE T KNOTHOLE8 ,I 0 WAT*+ Y4 ,I
SAW ,W9DS;G B[40
  8,X .0 A B[1 WASN'T X80 ,KATE FELT
EXCIT$ T ,L>S RECOGNIZ$ X4 8,B :Y WD T
MAKE H] A CIRCUS HORSE80
  8,REMEMB] :5 WE W5T 6! CIRCUS80 ,L>S
ASK$4 8,:5 Y & ,&]S 7 BUSY1 ,I WAT*$ A
MAN :O TRA9S HORSES4 ,HE %[$ ME "S ( _!
TRICKS40
  ,L>S PICK$ UP ! BRU% ,KATE _H US$ &
WALK$ OV] 6,W9DS;G4 ,US+ ! BRU%1 ,L>S
G5TLY TAPP$ ! UPP] "P (! M>E'S =ELEG4
,W9DS;G B[$ 6! GR.D4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FD
  8,SEE80 ,L>S GR9N$4 8,SEE :AT ,I TOLD
Y8 ,N[ ISN'T T A TRA9$ HORSE = Y80
                99 99 99
  ,! SUN _H J $G$ OV] ! HORIZON :5 ,KATE
SLIPP$ F ! H\SE ! NEXT MORN+4 ,) TWO
C>ROTS 9 H] POCKET %E H1D$ =! B>N4
  ,%E 0 "PWAY "! :5 ,LUTFISK B>K$4 ,A
MO;T LAT] HE RAN UP 6H]4
  8,GD BOY60 ,KATE DROPP$ 6H] KNEES &
SCRAT*$ ! DOG 2H 8 E>S4 8,": H Y BE580
  ,"ND =! DRI$ COD T ,SW$ES EAT AT
,*RI/MAS1 ,LUTFISK 2L;G$ 6,&]S4 ,N[ HE
YIPP$1 !N RAN AWAY F ,KATE 6DODGE 2H !
CORN] (! GRAN>Y4
  8,HEY1 ,LUTFISK60 ,KATE CALL$4 ,&]S _H
TAU<T ! DOG 6PLAY HIDE-&-SEEK1 & HE
WANT$ ,KATE 6FOLL[ HM4 ,:5 %E DIDN'T1 HE
RETURN$ 6H]4
  8,ALL "R1 .,LUTE .FISK40 ,Z ,KATE
DRAWL$ ! DOG'S "N1 HE WA7$ 8 TAIL )
PL1SURE4 8,": 7 Y LA/ NI<T :5 ,I NE$$
Y80
  ,:5 ,KATE W5T 96! B>N1 ,LUTFISK B.D$
AL;G NEXT 6H]1 !N RAN AH1D4 ,SU45LY HE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FE
/OPP$4 ,SITT+ D[N DIRECTLY 9 FRONT (
,KATE1 HE TIPP$ 8 H1D 6"O SIDE & B>K$4
  ,KATE LAU<$4 8,I "K4 ,WE H "S NEW
HORSES40
  ,ONCE AG ,LUTFISK B.D$ AWAY4 ,AT ! O!R
5D (! B>N1 ,PAPA1 ,&]S1 & ,B5 7 ALR
MILK+ C[S4 ,:5 ,LUTFISK R1*$ ,W9DS;G1 HE
SNI6$ >.D ! M>E'S HEELS4
  ,[N+ BO? HORSES / SEEM$ UNR1L 6,KATE4
,%E CDN'T 2LIEVE !Y 7 RE,Y H]S4 ,AF
TALK+ 6,W9DS;G A BIT1 ,KATE MOV$ CLOS]1
LETT+ ! M>E GET US$ 6H] AG4
  ,AT ! FRONT (! /ALL ! L1D ROPE 0
LOOSE4 8,:AT DID ,I D WR;G80 ,KATE ASK$
H]F1 / TALK+ AL\D4 8,I M/ N H TI$ X "R40
  ,TELL+ H]F N 6D T AG1 ,KATE LOOS5$ !
ROPE ! RE/ (! WAY4 ,%E L$ ,W9DS;G &
,BREEZA 6! F;ED-IN >EA \TSIDE ! B>N1 !N
LET !M 96! PA/URE4
  ,L A * LET \ ( S*OOL1 ,W9DS;G RAC$ ACR
! FIELD4 ,BACK & =?1 F "O 5D 6! O!R %E
CANT]$1 H] L;G MANE & TAIL FLY+ 9 ! W9D4
,BREEZA FOLL[$1 & ,LUTFISK RAN AL;GSIDE1
YIPP+ Z IF HE 5JOY$ 8 NEW FRS4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FF
  ,KATE CLIMB$ UP ON ! RAIL F;E4 ,ONCE
,W9DS;G DREW CLOSE1 Z IF 6*ECK H] \4 ,!N
%E L1P$ AWAY1 MAK+ L>GE CIRCLES >.D !
/UMPS 9 ! FIELD4 ,ON ! F> SIDE (! PA/URE
%E /OPP$1 PUT D[N H] H1D1 & NOS$ !
GRASS4
  ,AF WAT*+ ! HORSES =A :ILE1 ,KATE
:I/L$ = ,W9DS;G4 ,? "T %E CAME "R AWAY4
,:5 ! M>E DREW CLOSE1 ,KATE HELD \ A
C>ROT4 8,C'MON1 ,W9DS;G6 ,C'MON6 ,GD =
Y60
  ,CLOSE 2H ,W9DS;G1 ,BREEZA FOLL[$ L A
%AD[4 ,! SECOND C>ROT W5T 6HM4 ,KATE
PETT$ BO? HORSES1 FEEL+ PL1S$ AB ! WAY
!Y _H -E 6H]4
  ,CAT*+ ,W9DS;G'S HALT]1 ,KATE SNAPP$
ON A L1D ROPE & TOOK H] 96! B>N4 ,AF TY+
! ROPE 6! R+ AT ! FRONT (! /ALL1 ,KATE
RETURN$ = ,BREEZA4
  ,:5 ,KATE L$ HM 96! B>N1 %E F.D
,W9DS;G BACK+ \ ( H] /ALL4 ,KATE />$ AT
H]4 8,I'M SURE ,I TI$ YR ROPE60 ,? "T %E
0 C>E;L 6GET ! ROPE EXACTLY ! WAY ,&]S
TAU<T H]4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FG
  ,AF GIV+ EA* ( !M A M1SURE ( OATS1
,KATE />T$ GROOM+ ,BREEZA4 ,%E _H SET H]
M9D ON GETT+ BO? HORSES SAT9Y SMOO?4 ,%E
0 ONLY "PWAY "? BRU%+ !M :5 ,MAMA CALL$
H] = BR1KFA/4
  ,Z ,KATE /EPP$ 9SIDE ! SUMM] KIT*51 %E
F.D H] BRO!RS' BLANKETS & PILL[S 7 ALR
PICK$ UP4 ,:5 ,GR&PA & ,GR&MA CAME F
,SW$51 ,MAMA & ,PAPA _H GIV5 !M _! ROOM
ON ! MA9 FLOOR (! H\SE4 ,:ILE ,MAMA &
,PAPA US$ ! UP/AIRS B$ROOM1 ,&]S & ,L>S
SLEPT 9 ! SMALL1 "O-ROOM SUMM] KIT*54
,IF ,B5 CAME HOME1 HE1 TOO1 ROLL$ \ A
BLANKET ON ! FLOOR4
  ,N[ ! FAMILY 0 GA!R$ >.D ! TA#4
  8,I'LL HELP Y %OCK OATS TD10 ,B5 TOLD
,PAPA Z ,KATE SAT D[N4
  ,B ,PAPA %OOK 8 H1D4 8,Y DON'T H _M
"DS (F F ! DAM4 ,Y NE$ 6"W ON YR H\SE40
  8,Y'RE SURE80 ,EV5 Z HE ASK$1 ,B5
LOOK$ RELIEV$4
  8,I'M SURE10 ,PAPA ANSW]$4 8,X WON'T
TAKE L;G ON ! OATS40
  ,HE GL.ED T[>D ,MAMA1 & _! GAZE MET &
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FH
HELD4 ,X SEEM$ !Y 7 TALK+ )\T ^WS4 ,KATE
WOND]$ :AT !Y 7 TELL+ EA* O!R4
  ,:5 "EY"O F9I%$ EAT+1 ,PAPA R1D 6!M F
! ,BI# & PRAY$4 ,!N HE1 ,&]S1 & ,GR&PA
LEFT 6"W 9 ! OAT FIELD S\? (! H\SE4 ,L>S
W5T \ 6FE$ ! PIGS4
  ,Z SOON Z ,KATE CD GET AWAY1 %E
RETURN$ 6! B>N4 ,DOLLY1 ,FLORIE1 &
,WILDFIRE 7 G"O1 & ,KATE KNEW ! M5 7 US+
!M 6%OCK OATS4 ,BREEZA TURN$ 8 H1D 6GAZE
AT ,KATE1 B ,W9DS;G'S /ALL 0 EMPTY4
  .,T'S ./RANGE6 ,KATE ?"\4 ,PAPA WDN'T
H TAK5 H] )\T ASK+ P]MIS.N4 ,2SS1 HE WD
H HIT*$ ,W9DS;G 6,BREEZA1 N 6,WILDFIRE4
  8,":'S YR FR80 ,KATE ASK$ ,BREEZA4 ,!
M ,KATE ?"\ AB X1 ! M PUZZL$ %E FELT4
,!N %E REMEMB]$ ,L>S4 8,HE'S PROBABLY
RID+ ,W9DS;G60
  ,KATE HURRI$ F ! B>N4 ,\TSIDE1 ! GATE
6! PA/URE /OOD OP54 ,B ": 0 ,W9DS;G8
  8,L>S IS GO+ 6CAT* X = ?60 %E MUTT]$4



       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #FI

         #H ,": ,"!'S ,SMOKE '''

  ,ANG] WELL$ UP 9SIDE ,KATE4 ,%E SLIPP$
"? ! GATE1 SLAMM$ X %UT1 & LAT*$ X4
,%IELD+ H] EYES AG/ ! SUN1 %E GAZ$ ACR !
PA/URE4
  ,AT F/ %E SAW ONLY C[S4 ,:5 %E CLIMB$
UP ON ! RAILS (! WOOD F;E1 %E GOT A
BETT] LOOK4 ,"!1 NEXT 6! WOODS1 ,KATE
SAW "S?+ L>G]4 ,"S?+ BLACK4 ,W9DS;G6
  ,KATE BR1!D A SI< ( RELIEF4 ,B !N1 L A
FRE%LY K9DL$ FIRE1 H] ANG] GREW4 ..,L>S
M/ H LET H] \4 ,NO "O ELSE 0 "H 6D .X6
  ,"O MO;T ,KATE FELT SC>$ AB :AT CD H
HAPP5$ 6H] BRO!R4 ..,:AT IF ,W9DS;G ACT$
UP8 ,:AT IF ,L>S _H BE5 HURT1 EV5
.KILL$8
  ,! NEXT MO;T ,KATE FELT ANGRY T %E _H
TRU/$ ,L>S )A SECRET4 ..,/UPID BRO!R6
,HE TOOK ADVANTAGE ( .ME6
  ,KATE FLIPP$ H] BRAID OV] H] %\LD]4
,%E WD GET ? SETTL$ ) ,L>S "R N[4
  ,Z ,KATE HURRI$ BACK 6! SUMM] KIT*51
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GJ
,MAMA CAME \TSIDE4
  8,H Y SE5 ,L>S80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,HE'S ) ,PAPA1 ISN'T HE80 H] "M
ANSW]$4 8,IS "S?+ WR;G80
  8,I HOPE N60 ,KATE DID N EXPLA94
  8,W Y TAKE MORN+ C(FEE 6,PAPA80 ,MAMA
ASK$4
  ,F ! SUMM] KIT*5 %E BR"\ A BASKET
FILL$ ) COOKIES1 S&WI*ES1 &A GALLON J> (
HOMEMADE ROOT BE]4 ,ANO!R J> HELD C(FEE
= ,PAPA & ,GR&PA4
  ,PAPA &! O!RS 7 %OCK+ OATS AT ! F> 5D
(! FIELD 9 FRONT (! H\SE4 ,Z ,KATE DREW
CLOS] 6!M1 %E SAW ,GR&PA RID+ ON ! B9D]4
,! L>GE REEL LAID ! OATS )! H1DS ( GRA9
ALL 9 "O DIREC;N4 ,F "! !Y PASS$ 6! "P
(! MA*9E T TI$ !M 9 BUNDLES4
  ,&]S & ,PAPA FOLL[$ 2H1 SETT+ ! BUNDL$
/ALKS UP"R4 ,) AB T5 BUNDLES L1N+ AG/
EA* O!R1 ! H1DS ( GRA9 CD DRY4
  ,! M9UTE ,&]S SAW ,KATE1 HE /OPP$ "W+4
,PULL+ (F 8 /RAW HAT1 HE WIP$ 8 =EH1D )A
R$ B&ANA4 8,J 9 "T60
  ,Z ,KATE SET ! BASKET ON ! FRE%LY CUT
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GA
FIELD1 H] ANG] SPILL$ \4 8,":'S ,L>S80
  ,PAPA GL.ED T[>D ! $GE (! FIELD4 8,HE
W5T 6! SPR+ = MILK40
  ,L>S 0 J -+ OV] ! $GE (! HILL4
,UNWILL+ 6TALK 9 FRONT (! O!RS1 ,KATE
RAN T[>D HM4
  8,:AT D Y M1N 0LETT+ ,W9DS;G \80 %E
DEM&$4
  ,L>S />$ AT H]4 8.,I LET ,W9DS;G \8
,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80
  8,:O ELSE WD D X80 ,KATE ASK$4 8,"EY"O
ELSE IS "W+60
  8,IS T S80 ,L>S EXCLAIM$4 8,I'M "W+
TOO60
  ,9 8 H& ,L>S HELD A BUCKET ( MILK4 ,9
8 EYES "! 0 RES5T;T4 8,I DIDN'T TAKE YR
DUMB HORSE1 IF T'S :AT Y'RE WOND]+40
  ,KATE GL>$ AT HM4 8,X'S N :AT ,I'M
WOND]+4 ,X'S :AT ,I'M ?9K+4 ,IF Y DIDN'T
TAKE ,W9DS;G1 H[ DID %E GET \ 9 !
PA/URE80
  ,L>S %RU7$4 8,I DON'T "K1 & ,I DON'T
C>E40
  ,KATE'S ANG] RU%$ 6! SURFACE AG4 8,Y
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GB
DON'T .C>E80
  8,:Y %D ,I C>E80 ,L>S'S VOICE ROSE 9
ANG]4 8,Y H TWO HORSES1 & Y WON'T LET ME
T\* EI "O6 ,LA/ NI<T ,I GOT ! WOR/ 5D (!
B>GA960
  ,SC>$ T ,L>S WD SAY M1 ,KATE GL.ED OV]
H] %\LD]4 ,PAPA1 ,&]S1 & ,GR&PA 7 ALL
LI/5+4 ,KATE FELT SURE !Y _H HE>D4
  ,R1DY 6DEF5D H]F1 ,KATE OP5$ H] M\?4
,9/1D1 %E SAW ,GR&PA'S EXPRES.N4 ,?\< HE
DIDN'T "U/& ALL ! ,5GLI% ^WS1 ,GR&PA
KNEW EXACTLY :AT 0 HAPP5+4
  ,SEE+ 8 K9D OLD EYES1 ,KATE FELT
EMB>RASS$4 ,GR&PA _H RESPECT$ H]4 ,N[ HE
0 SEE+ ANO!R SIDE4 ,L ,]IK1 ,GR&PA 0 NO
D\BT 4APPO9T$4
  ,A HOT FLU% BURN$ ,KATE'S *EEKS4 ..,&
,I WANT$ ,]IK 6ADMIRE ME6 ,I WANT$ 6MAKE
MY FAMILY .PR\D6
  ,UNWILL+ 6FACE ,GR&PA &! O!RS1 ,KATE
/>T$ BACK ACR ! FIELD4 ,! /UB# LEFT F !
FRE%LY CUT OATS CRACKL$ ) DRY;S4 ,DRA7+
H] FEET1 ,KATE />$ AT ! GR.D4 ,) EA* /EP
H] MIS]Y GREW4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GC
  ,:5 %E R1*$ ! BEEHIVES AT ! $GE (!
FIELD1 ,KATE LOOK$ BACK4 ,PAPA &! O!RS
SAT ON ! GR.D1 EAT+4 ,>.D !M1 M ?AN HALF
(! FIELD 0 ALR %OCK$4 ,=! F/ "T ,KATE
R1LIZ$ "! 0 "S?+ DI6]5T F LA/ YE>4
  ,"? ALL H] MIX$-UP EMO;NS1 ,KATE GAZ$
AT ! %OCKS ( GRA91 =C+ H]F 6?9K4 ,:AT 0
X8
  ,!N ,KATE KNEW4 ,M ?AN ONCE 9 ! PA/
MON? ,PAPA _H LOOK$ 3C]N$4 ,AF LIV+ 9 !
C;Y MO/ ( H] LIFE1 ,KATE _HN'T "U/OOD
:AT X M1NT4 ,B "H1 NE> ! $GE (! FIELD ":
A FEW /ALKS _H BE5 MISS$1 %E CD SEE =
H]F4 ,! %OCKS ( OATS 7 F> A"P 2C "!
W]5'T _M /ALKS 6PUT 9 !M4 ,! H1DS ( GRA9
7 DRY & SMALL4
  ,N WANT+ 6FACE ! TRU?1 ,KATE HURRI$
T[>D ! H\SE4 ,YET %E CDN'T L1VE H] AW;L
?"\S 2H4 ..,"! HASN'T BE5 5 RA9 =! CROPS
6.GR[4
                99 99 99
  ,:5 ,&]S CAME 9 =! NOON M1L1 HE F.D
,KATE GROOM+ ,W9DS;G 9 ! B>N4 8,Y "K1
,KATE1 MAYBE Y 7 A BIT H>D ON ,L>S40
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GD
  ,KATE />$ AT ,&]S4 ,? P1CEMAK+ ROLE
SEEM$ \ ( "* = H] TALL1 T1S+ BRO!R4 8,S
Y'RE /ICK+ UP = ,L>S N[80 %E ASK$4
  8,NOPE6 ,J TRY+ 6SAVE Y F YRF60
  ,KATE GL>$ AT HM4
  8,I M1N X6 ,I DON'T ?9K ,L>S LET
,W9DS;G \4 ,"S HORSES "K H[ 6UNTIE A L1D
ROPE4 ,!Y PULL X ) _! TEE?40
  ,9 SPITE ( H] ANG]1 ,KATE R1LIZ$ T 8
^WS MADE S5SE4 ,TWICE ,KATE _H F.D
,W9DS;G'S L1D ROPE UNTI$4 ,ANO!R "T X 0
LOOSE4
  8,B :AT AB ! PA/URE GATE80 ,KATE ASK$4
8,H[ CD ,W9DS;G OP5 T80
  8,) H] NOSE10 ,&]S SD4 8,%E J PU%ES UP
! LAT*4 ,IF ,BREEZA _H BE5 LOOSE1 HE WD
H FOLL[$ ,W9DS;G40
  ,KATE GROAN$4 8,:AT %D ,I D80 %E ASK$4
  ,&]S L$ H] \ 6! GATE4 ,)A PIECE ( WIRE
HE %[$ ,KATE H[ 6FIX ! LAT* S ! M>E
CDN'T OP5 X4 8,Y'RE J LUCKY ,W9DS;G
DIDN'T OP5 ! GATE 6! ROAD40
  ,Z !Y />T$ BACK 6! B>N1 ,&]S L1N$
=W>D4 8,Y "K1 ,I'M RE,Y 3C]N$ AB Y1
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GE
,KATE40
  8,AB ME80 %E ASK$4 8,T'S A SURPRISE60
,X SEEM$ TOO GD 6BE TRUE4
  8,Y BET*A40 ,&]S PE]$ AT H] FACE4 8,IS
T A PIMPLE ,I SEE ON YR NOSE80
  ,KATE J]K$ BACK4 ,ONLY T MORN+ %E _H
/OOD 9 FRONT (! MIRROR1 WOND]+ :AT 6D AB
! SMALL1 R$ SPOT4
  ,&]S %OOK 8 H1D4 8,X'S L A B"R P9K
ROSE TURN+ 6DEEP R$40
  ,9 SPITE ( 2+ ?IRTE5 YE>S OLD1 ,KATE
/UCK \ H] T;GUE4 ,B ,&]S _H NO M]CY4
  8,IF Y H A PIMPLE ON YR NOSE1 ,]IK W
N"E L Y60 HE W>N$4
  ,KATE GL>$ AT HM4 8,&]S ,NORD/ROM6 ,I
HATE ! GR.D Y WALK ON60
  8,MAYBE10 HE ANSW]$ CALMLY4 8,B MAYBE
"!'S "S?+ Y NE$ 6LE>N F ME40
  8,"!'S N A ?+ ,I CD POSSIBLY LE>N F
Y60 ,KATE /ALK$ (F4
  ,&]S CALL$ AF H]4 8,I'LL %[ Y ANO!R
WAY 6TIE A ROPE4 ,X'S A WAY ": NO HORSE
ON E>? C GET LOOSE40
  ,KATE TURN$ >.D4 8,B :AT IF ,W9DS;G "E
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GF
.NE$S 6GET LOOSE80
  8,Y H 6BE "! 6CUT ! ROPE10 ,&]S SD4 ,&
HE M1NT X4
                99 99 99
  ,Z ,KATE CAME \ (! B>N1 %E SAW ,PAPA
"W+ AT _! ?REE BEEHIVES4 ,N[ 9 E>LY
,AUGU/ EA* ( ^? HIVES LOOK$ L A TALL
:ITE BUILD+4
  ,BEES CRAWL$ 9 & \ (! 5TR.ES4 ,M BEES
FILL$ ! AIR1 RETURN+ HOME ) NECT>4
,C>E;L 6N /EP 2T _! FLI<T &! HIVE1 ,KATE
MOV$ CLOS]4
  ,SEE+ H]1 ,PAPA GR9N$4 8,? HOT1 DRY
W1!R IS GD = "S?+60 ,ALL SUMM] ! BEES _H
/AY$ BUSY1 COLLECT+ POLL5 & NECT>4
  ,! BOTTOM "P ( EA* HIVE 0 MADE UP (
DEEP BOXES CALL$ HIVE BODIES4 ,EA* ( ^?
BOXES 0 FILL$ ) FRAMES ON : ! BEES BUILT
H"OYCOMB4 ,9 ! SMALL1 HEXAGON-%AP$
HOLES1 ! QUE5 LAID H] E7S & "W] BEES
/OR$ H"OY & POLL54
  ,0N[ ! HIVES 7 HI< ) SUP]S--SHALL[]
BOXES T ,PAPA A4$ 6! TOP4 ,SUP]S AL HELD
FRAMES ON : ! BEES BUILT H"OYCOMB4 ,F ^?
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GG
FRAMES ,PAPA WD TAKE ! H"OY T ! BEES
DIDN'T NE$ = W9T]4
  8,IF ALL GOES WELL1 WE'LL H A GD
SUPPLY ( H"OY60 HE TOLD ,KATE4
  8,IF ALL GOES WELL80 %E ASK$4 8,:AT CD
HAPP580
  8,OHHHH--0 ,PAPA S.D$ Z IF HE DIDN'T
WANT 6BORR[ TR\#4 8,SKUNKS SWAT ! SIDE
(! HIVES4 ,:5 ! BEES -E \1 ! SKUNKS GA!R
!M UP & EAT !M40
  8,EAT !M80 ,KATE CDN'T IMAG9E EAT+ A
M\?;L ( BEES4
  8,B ! WOR/ ?+ WD 2 A BE>10 ,PAPA SD4
8,WE DON'T SEE !M (T51 B--0
  8,A BE>80 ,KATE'S /OMA* TI<T5$4 ,2F %E
MOV$ 6NOR?WE/ ,WISCONS91 H] FR ,S>AH _H
W>N$ H] AB BE>S4 ,ONLY LATELY _H ,KATE
/>T$ 62LIEVE T ! WOODS 7 SAFE4
  8,!Y RE,Y TE> OP5 A HIVE40 ,PAPA LIFT$
(F A COV]1 LOOK$ 9SIDE1 & A4$ ANO!R
SUP]4 8,Y "K H[ BEES GLUE ! HIVE BOXES
TGR8 ,X'S "W PRY+ !M A"P4 ,B A BE> IS S
/R;G T NO?+ /OPS HM40
  ,PAPA %OOK 8 H1D1 Z IF HE DIDN'T WANT
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GH
6?9K AB X4 8,WE'LL H>VE/ ! H"OY SOON40
  ,KATE GUESS$ :AT HE 0 ?9K+4 ..,S WE
GET X \ ( H>M'S .WAY4
                99 99 99
  ,AF SUPP]1 ,PAPA & ,GR&PA1 ,&]S & ,L>S
WALK$ OV] 6,B5'S H\SE 6HELP )! BUILD+4
,MAMA W5T \TSIDE 6*ECK ! RA9 B>RELS %E
US$ = WA%+ CLO!S4
  ,?\< _! WELL GAVE A GD SUPPLY ( WAT]1
X 0 FULL ( IRON & LEFT ORANGE /R1KS ON !
CLO!S4 ,9/1D ( US+ T WAT] = H] WA%+1
,MAMA TOOK RA9WAT] T CAME (F ! RO( "? !
SP\TS 96B>RELS AT EA* CORN] (! H\SE4 ,B
N[ T WAT] 0 GETT+ L[4
  ,PUMP+ BUCKET AF BUCKET1 ,KATE C>RI$
WAT] 6,MAMA'S B1NS & TOMATO PLANTS &!
FRUIT TREES PLANT$ YE>S 2F4
  ,NE> ! G>D5 0 :AT ,KATE _H CALL$
8,MAMA'S GRASS40 ,LA/ SUMM] ,PAPA _H
/>T$ T GRASS 2T ! H\SE &! B>N4 ,E>LY 9 !
SUMM] ,KATE &! O!RS _H TRI$ 6KEEP X
ALIVE4
  ,B !N ,MAMA /OPP$ !M4 8,Y H 6WAT] \R
BIG G>D510 %E SD4 8,Y C'T D BO?40
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #GI
  8,I C TRY10 ,KATE TOLD H]4 ,%E KNEW !
GRASS 0 "P ( ,MAMA--"P ( WANT+ "S?+
B1UTI;L AT H] DOOR1 9/1D ( DIRT4
  ,B ,MAMA %OOK H] H1D4 ,ON ! WAY BACK
6! SUMM] KIT*51 %E TOOK "O LA/ LOOK AT !
GRASS4 ,)9 J A FEW "DS X _H TURN$ Z BR[N
& DRY Z "EY?+ ELSE4
  8,:5 X RA9S YR GRASS W -E BACK10 ,KATE
TOLD H] "M N[4 8,X W 2 GRE5 AG40
  8,YAH1 SURE10 ,MAMA ANSW]$4 ,B %E
TURN$ AWAY1 Z IF %E DIDN'T WANT 6SEE !
D1D-LOOK+ GRASS4
  ,:5 "! 0 NO L;G] 5 "DLI<T 6"W1 ,B5 &!
O!RS RETURN$ F 8 H\SE4 ,B5 LOOK$ EXCIT$
AB ALL T HE &! O!RS _H BUILT4 8,SOON
,J5NY & ,I C GET M>RI$60 HE TOLD ,KATE4
                99 99 99
  ,L;G 2F DAWN1 ,KATE HE>D ,B5 TAKE 8
HORSE F ! B>N & RIDE (F = ,NEV]S ,DAM4
,SOON AF ! SUN $G$ ABV ! HORIZON1 ,KATE
SLIPP$ F ! H\SE 96! COOL MORN+4 ,%E F.D
X A WELCOME RELIEF 6PULL ON A SW1T]4
  ,AT ! B>N ,KATE SA4L$ ,W9DS;G4 ,RID+ !
M>E1 %E TOOK ! CUT(F 6,B5'S H\SE4 ,A
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HJ
PRESS$-D[N L9E ( GRASS M>K$ A TRAIL 2T !
TREES4
  ,2F L;G1 ,W9DS;G CAME \ (! WOODS4 ,Z
,KATE LOOK$ AH1D1 ,B5'S H\SE ROSE F !
KNOLL NE> ! CREEK4 ,! GR.D SLOP$ UPW>D1
WELL ABV ": ! CREEK FL[$ 9 SPR+ FLOOD+4
  ,N[ ! E>LY MORN+ SUN %"O ON ! LOG
WALLS4 ,B5 &! O!RS _H "W$ H>D4 ,! H\SE
/OOD PR\DLY1 SIX OR SEV5 LOGS HI<4 ,SOON
,B5 WD PUT UP ! CROSS POLES =! FLOOR (!
L(T4
  ,RE9+ IN1 ,KATE SAT "! =A MO;T1 T\*$
0! B1UTY (! PLACE4 ,MISS ,SUNDQUI/ _H
ALW BE5 H] FAVORITE T1*]4 ,KATE CD H>DLY
WAIT 6BE H] BRIDESMAID4 ,YET X 0 M ?AN
T4 ,KATE WANT$ 6SEE BO? ,B5 & ,MISS
,SUNDQUI/ HAPPY4
  .,N .,MISS .,SUNDQUI/1 ,KATE CORRECT$
H]F4 .,J5NY4 ,X SEEM$ TOO GD 6BE TRUE T
S* A SPECIAL P]SON WD SOON 2 "P ( _!
FAMILY4
  ,L A PESKY FLY1 ! MEMORY ( ,DUGAN'S
?R1T BROKE 96! MORN+ /ILL;S4 ,AC 6,B51
,DUGAN 0 FULL ( HATE4 ,:AT MI<T HE D
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HA
6GET EV58 ,IF ONLY !Y KNEW1 !Y CD
PROTECT ,B5 & ,J5NY4
  .,& .ME1 ,KATE A4$ 6H]F4 ..,:AT CD
,DUGAN D 6HURT .ME8
  ,Z ,W9DS;G TOSS$ H] H1D1 ,KATE TRI$
6PU% AWAY H] FE>4 ,9/1D1 H] MUSCLES
TI<T5$ ) DR1D4
  8,GOD1 PL1SE HELP !M60 ,KATE'S PRAY]
SPILL$ \4 8,KEEP ,B5 SAFE4 ,KEEP ,J5NY
SAFE4 ,HELP U "K :AT 6D40
  ,FEEL+ P1CE;L AG1 ,KATE ONCE M LOOK$
T[>D ,B5'S H\SE4 ,SU45LY %E SNI6$4
  8,X'S MY IMAG9,N60 ,KATE TOLD H]F1 !N
R1LIZ$ %E _H SPOK5 AL\D4
  8..,D ALL Y C 6BE .C>E;L10 ,PAPA _H SD
M ?AN ONCE4 8..,ONLY "O /RAY SP>K &
"EY?+ W G UP 9 .SMOKE40
  ,KATE TRI$ 6PU% ASIDE H] WORRY4 ,PAPA
_H W>N$ !M S (T5 T %E 0 GETT+ JUMPY4 ,J
! SAME1 %E SNI6$ AG4
  ,NO L;G] CD %E FOOL H]F4 ,! W9D 0
C>RY+ ! SMELL "R 6H]4
  ,9 T MO;T ,KATE SAW X4 ,A ?9 WISP (
SMOKE1 B>ELY VISI# AG/ ! BLUE SKY4 ,A
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HB
WISP ( SMOKE F 9SIDE ,B5'S H\SE4

          ,,5D ,,( ,,VOLUME #A





















       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#A
      ,ADV5TURES (! ,NOR?WOODS #AJ

       ,,LOIS ,,WALFRID ,,JOHNSON

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
        ,BE?ANY ,H\SE ,PUBLI%]S
         ,M9N1POLIS1 ,M9NESOTA

           ,COPY"R1 #AIID1 BY
        ,LOIS ,WALFRID ,JOHNSON

     ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N
       9 O!R ?AN SPECIALIZ$ =MAT
             IS PROHIBIT$4

          ,,ISBN #A-EEFFA-BDB-G

         ,TRANSCRIB$1 #BJJE1 BY
              ,LADYBUG ,BRL
            ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON

            ,9 ,?REE ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
      ,BRL PAGES P#A-P#C & #HC-AFD
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#B

        ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

99 7#CE1 #CE7 ,A/]ISK
; 7#EF7 ,LR SIGN


















       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     P#C

                 ,3T5TS

                                   ,PAGE
#I4 ,! ,UGLY ,MESSAGE """""""""""""" #HC
#AJ4 ,BIG ,4COV]Y """""""""""""""""" #IC
#AA4 ,:AT ,IF8 """""""""""""""""""" #AJD
#AB4 ,! ,UNWANT$ ,VISITOR """"""""" #AAA
#AC4 ,NO ,MATT] ,:AT6 """"""""""""" #ABJ
#AD4 ,B5'S ,TR\# """""""""""""""""" #ABG
#AE4 ,":'S ,PAPA8 """"""""""""""""" #ADA
#AF4 ,! ,=GOTT5 ,LANT]N """"""""""" #AEF












       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HC
      ,ADV5TURE (! ,NOR?WOODS #AJ

          #I ,! ,UGLY ,MESSAGE

  8,GI4YUP60 ,KATE T\*$ H] HEELS ON !
M>E'S SIDES4
  ,W9DS;G SURG$ =W>D1 !N BROKE 96A
GALLOP4 ,) EA* /EP ,KATE CD SEE ! SMOKE
BETT]4 ,"! 0 A FIRE ALL "R1 & NO "O ELSE
0 >.D4
  ,9 NO "T AT ALL ,W9DS;G COV]$ ! REMA9+
4T.E4 ,:5 !Y R1*$ ! H\SE1 ,KATE SLID D[N
F ! SA4LE & RAN "? ! OP5 DOOR4
  ,9SIDE1 A H1P ( RU2I% LAY ": ! LOGS
=M$ A CORN]4 ,:AT LOOK$ L P9E BRAN*ES &
OLD GUNNYSACKS 7 PU%$ AG/ ! BOTTOM LOGS4
,! WALL _H CAU<T FIRE1 &! SMOKE CURL$
UPW>D4
  ,KATE H1D$ =! CREEK4 ,:5 %E R1*$ !
WAT]1 %E PULL$ (F H] SW1T] & DROPP$ X
IN4 ,)A QK MOVE;T %E YANK$ X \ & TORE
BACK 6! H\SE4 ,"! %E SWATT$ ! SW1T] AG/
! FIRE4
  ,AG & AG ,KATE P.D$ ! RU2I% & LOGS4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HD
,"U ! WET SW1T]1 ! FLAME SL[$ D[N1 B !
FIRE DIDN'T G \4 ,KATE FELT SURE X _H
SMOLD]$ =A "T1 EAT+ 96! LOGS4
  ,FRANTIC,Y %E LOOK$ >.D4 ,IF ONLY--
  ,0 "! A BUCKET ANY":8
  ,!N ,KATE REMEMB]$4 ,! LA/ "T %E 0 "H
%E _H SE5 "O4 ,B5 _H US$ X 6C>RY WAT] F
! CREEK4 ,": 0 X N[8
  ,L1V+ H] WET SW1T] ON ! SMOLD]+ P9E
BRAN*ES1 ,KATE RAN \TSIDE4 ,:5 %E F.D !
BUCKET1 %E HURRI$ 6! CREEK4 ,KNEEL+ D[N1
%E FILL$ ! BUCKET1 !N RAN UP ! BANK 6!
H\SE4 ,AIM+ C>E;LLY1 %E ?REW ! WAT] AG/
! BURN+ WALL4
  ,0! "T %E _H MADE S"EAL TRIPS1 ,KATE 0
\ ( BR1? & PANT+ ) EXHAUS;N4 ,F9,Y EV5 !
EMB]S 9 ! LOG WALLS 7 \4 ,ONLY !N DID
,KATE D>E 6SIT D[N4 ,ONLY !N DID %E
R1LIZE ! AW;L;S ( :AT _H HAPP5$4
  ,! BURN$ LOGS 7 AT ! BOTTOM CORN] (
TWO WALLS4 ,2C ! LOGS 7 NOT*$ TGR1 ,B5
WD H 6TE> ! H\SE A"P1 LOG 0LOG1 6TAKE !M
\4 ,IF HE DIDN'T1 HE'D ALW H A W1K WALL4
  8,OH1 ,B560 ,KATE FELT S BAD T %E
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HE
SPOKE AL\D4 8,X'LL SET Y BACK S M*60
,KATE KNEW H[ M* H] UNCLE WANT$ 6F9I% !
H\SE S HE & ,J5NY CD GET M>RI$4 ,H]
UNCLE _H PUT E SP>E MO;T 96F9I%+ X 2F
W9T]4
  ,!N ,KATE REMEMB]$ ! WOODS ) XS C>PET
( DRY L1VES4 ,9 NO "T AT ALL1 ! FIRE CD
H RAC$ "? ! TREES ALL ! WAY 6,W9DY ,HILL
,F>M4 ,)A /R;G W9D ! FIRE CD H BURN$ E
O!R H\SE 9 ! >EA4
  ,KATE TREM#D4 ,FILL$ )! AW;L;S ( X1 %E
R1LIZ$ "S?+ EV5 WORSE4 ,! FIRE M/ H BE5
SET4 ,"! 0 NO O!R EXPLAN,N = :AT _H
HAPP5$4 ,:O _H D"O S* A T]RI# ?+8
  ..,DUGAN SD HE 0 GO+ 6GET .EV54 ,L A
FI/ P.D+ A WALL1 ,B5'S ^WS /RUCK ,KATE'S
HE>T4 .,:O IS ..? MAN :O HATES ,B5 .S8
  ,FILL$ ) PANIC1 ,KATE KNEW "S?+ ELSE4
,%E1 TOO1 0 9 DANG]4 ,:O 0 LURK+ >.D ?
L"OLY PLACE8 ,IF X 0 ,DUGAN1 0 HE /
NE>BY8 ,_H HE EV5 WAT*$ :ILE %E PUT \ !
FIRE8
  ,KATE L1P$ 6H] FEET4 ..,I'VE GOT 6TELL
,PAPA "R .AWAY4 ,9 T MO;T %E REMEMB]$
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HF
,W9DS;G4
  ,:5 ,KATE B.D$ \TSIDE1 %E SAW ! M>E
NE>BY4 ,) H] RE9S DRA7+ 9 ! WAT]1 %E
DRANK F ! CREEK4
  ,KATE TUM#D D[N ! BANK4 ,R1*+ ,W9DS;G1
%E GA!R$ ! RE9S4 ,HOLD+ ! M>E'S BRIDLE1
,KATE L$ H] UP ! /EEP BANK4
  ,:5 ,W9DS;G NUZZL$ H] >M1 ,KATE FELT A
/RANGE -=T4 ,9 "EY?+ T HAPP5$1 ,W9DS;G
SEEM$ 6"U/&4
  ,AT ! TOP (! KNOLL \TSIDE ,B5'S H\SE1
,KATE PUT H] >M >.D ! M>E'S NECK4 8,H[ D
Y "K S M*80 %E ASK$4 ,R1*+ UP1 %E /ROK$
! HORSE 2T H] EYES4
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=! M>E'S -PANY4 8,Y'LL HELP ME1 WON'T
Y80
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  ,KATE GI7L$4 8,:AT A FR Y >E6 ,Y EV5
AGREE ) ME60
  ,) ,KATE 9 ! SA4LE1 ,W9DS;G H1D$ =
HOME4 ,SOON !Y 5T]$ ! WOODS4 ,Z ! TREES
>*$ ABV !M1 ,KATE FELT RELIEV$4 ,= ? "O
"D1 AT L1/1 NO FIRE _H RAC$ "? _!
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HG
BRAN*ES4 ,B !N1 ON A /RAI<T SEC;N (
TRAIL1 ! M>E SU45LY /OPP$4
  8,G ON1 ,W9DS;G60 ,KATE FLICK$ ! RE9S4
  ,UNWILL+ 6MOVE1 ! HORSE /OOD "!4
  8,C'MON1 GIRL6 ,I H 6GET BACK4 ,! FIRE
MI<T />T UP AG60
  ,W9DS;G'S E>S TURN$ T[>D ,KATE1 LI/5+4
,B :5 ,KATE CLUCK$ 6H]1 ! M>E TOSS$ H]
H1D4
  ,KATE 0 GETT+ UPSET4 8,Y'VE ALW OBEY$
2F4 ,:AT'S /OPP+ Y N[80
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H] FEET Z IF ROOT$ "!4
  8,W9DS;G60 ,KATE CRI$4 8,I H 6GET
HOME4 ,:O"E SET T FIRE HAS 6BE CAU<T60
  ,NO MATT] :AT ,KATE SD1 ,W9DS;G WD N
BUDGE4 ,F9,Y ,KATE SLIPP$ D[N F ! SA4LE4
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  ,KATE HUNG ON4 ,WALK+ 9 FRONT (
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?AN ONCE1 ! M>E TU7$ AT ! BRIDLE1 Z ?\<
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       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HH
  ,:5 ! M>E F9,Y SETTL$ D[N1 ,KATE SWUNG
UP 96! SA4LE4 ,/RANGELY1 ,W9DS;G OBEY$
H] AG4 ,AT ,KATE'S URG+1 %E BROKE 96A
TROT1 !N A CANT]4 ,FILL$ )! NE$ 6F9D
,PAPA1 ,KATE FELT RELIEV$4
  ,Z %E RODE UP 6! F>MH\SE1 ,MAMA CROSS$
! Y>D4
  8,KATE6 ,:AT HAPP5$80 %E ASK$4
  ,ONLY !N DID ,KATE R1LIZE H[ DIRTY %E
WAS4 ,%E _H WA%$ H] H&S 9 ! CREEK1 B H]
DRESS 0 COV]$ ) SOOT4
  ,2F %E CD EXPLA91 ,&]S CAME \ (! B>N4
8,Y LOOK L Y'VE BE5 PLAY+ 9 ! MUD60
  ,:5 ,&]S WALK$ CLOS]1 8 GR9 4APPE>$4
8,X'S SOOT6 ,":'S ! FIRE80
  ,KATE />T$ 6TELL HM1 B ,&]S /OPP$ H]4
8,J A M9UTE10 HE SD1 & RAN 6GET ,PAPA4
  ,QKLY ,KATE TOLD ALL ( !M :AT _H
HAPP5$4 ,PAPA TOOK "O LOOK AT ,&]S4
  8,WE BETT] GET OV] & *ECK >.D40
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SET (F ) ,KATE / ON ,W9DS;G4
  8,"S?+ ELSE HAPP5$10 ,KATE TOLD ,PAPA
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #HI
Z !Y H1D$ T[>D ,B5'S4 8,ON ! WAY HOME1
,W9DS;G WDN'T OBEY ME4 ,Y "K T /RAI<T
/RET* ( TRAIL "PWAY "? ! WOODS8 ,%E
/OPP$ "! & WDN'T G ON40
  8,Y DID "EY?+ Y USU,Y D 6GET ,W9DS;G
6OBEY80
  ,KATE NO4$4
  8,WELL1 WE C'T H T10 ,PAPA ANSW]$4
8,IF %E ?9KS %E C GET 0) "S?+1 %E'LL
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  8,? IS ": Y 7 2F80 ,PAPA ASK$ ,KATE4
8,"! CD 2 A BE> >.D40
  8,A .BE>80 ,KATE'S HE>T ?UMP$4 ,%E />$
96! WOODS4 ,! L1VES HUNG H1VY F ! TREES4
,BRAN*ES & BU%ES MADE X H>D 6SEE M ?AN A
%ORT 4T.E AWAY4 ,0 "! A BE> HID+ "S": 2H
^? L1VES8 ,A BE> R1DY 6P\NCE ON !M8
  8,\R BE>S USU,Y >5'T DANG]\S10 ,PAPA
TOLD ,KATE4 8,B ,I WDN'T WANT 6GET 2T A
FEMALE & H] CUBS40
  ,:5 !Y R1*$ ,B5'S H\SE1 ,KATE L$ ,PAPA
& ,&]S 9SIDE4 ,! *>R$ LOGS GLI/5$ 9 !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IJ
MORN+ SUN4 ,=A L;G MO;T ,PAPA /OOD 9
FRONT ( !M1 />+ 96! CORN] T _H BURN$4
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  8,Y PUT ? \ 0YRF1 ,KATE80 HE ASK$4
  ,KATE NO4$4 ,Z %E LOOK$ AT ! BURN$
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BO!R$ H]4
  8,Y 7 V BRAVE10 ,PAPA SD4 8,Y CAU<T !
FIRE :5 X 0 / SMALL4 ,B ,I'M AW;LLY GLAD
Y W]5'T HURT4 ,IF Y "E SEE A FIRE \ (
3TROL--0
  8,I "K10 ,KATE ANSW]$4 8,I %DN'T TRY
6PUT X \ 0MYF40
  ,Z ?\< %E 7 RELIV+ ! NI<TM>E1 %E SAW !
SMOKE CURL UPW>D4 8,X _H J />T$1 &!
CREEK 0 "R "H40
  ,EV5 ,&]S SEEM$ IMPRESS$4 8,W[1 ,KATE6
,I'M PR\D ( Y60
  ,KATE BL9K$ ) SURPRISE4 .,HE'S .*ANG+1
%E ?"\4 ,=! SECOND "T 9 TWO "DS1 ,&]S _H
(F]$ R>E 5C\RAGE;T4 ,KATE FELT ! W>M? (
8 APPROVAL4
  8,Y M/ H "W$ L CRAZY 6GET 5 WAT]10
,&]S SD4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IA
  8,I DID10 ,KATE ANSW]$4 ,J ?9K+ AB ALL
! TRIPS UP & D[N ! BANK1 %E FELT \ (
BR1?4 ,AG %E REMEMB]$ ! T]ROR ( SEE+ !
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  8,KATE10 ,PAPA SD G5TLY1 & %E KNEW !
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  ,:5 %E CDN'T SP1K1 ,PAPA W5T ON4 8,I
WANT 6PRAY = Y40
  ,/&+ 9SIDE ! H\SE ) NO RO(1 ,PAPA TOOK
(F 8 OLD /RAW HAT4 ,B[+ 8 H1D1 HE SPOKE
QUIETLY1 Z IF C]TA9 T ,GOD 0 "R "! ) !M4
  8,I ?ANK !E1 ,"F10 ,PAPA PRAY$1 &
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PROTECT+ ,KATE4 ,I ASK !E 6TAKE AWAY H]
FE>4 ,%[ H] H[ M* Y LOVE H]40
  ,/>TL$1 ,KATE RAIS$ H] H1D4 ,H[ DID
,PAPA "K8 ,H[ DID HE "K T DEEP D[N %E
FELT S AFRAID T %E CD B>ELY BR1!8
  ,!N F ! WOODS %E HE>D A BIRD *IRP+4 ,X
*IRP$ Z ?\< XS NE/ _H ALW BE5 SAFE1 Z IF
NO?+ _H HAPP5$ T CD H TAK5 X AWAY4
  ,/RANGELY1 ,KATE FELT -=T$4 ,:5 %E
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PRAY+4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IB
  8,"! W ALW 2 "TS :5 Y'RE AFRAID10
,PAPA TOLD !M4 8,B IF Y "K DEEP D[N T
,GOD LOVES & PROTECTS Y1 Y'LL MAKE X
"?40
  ,CALMLY1 Z IF NO?+ IMPORTANT _H
HAPP5$1 ,PAPA W5T BACK 6/UDY+ ,B5'S
WALLS4 8,EV5 ?\< Y CAU<T ! FIRE1 "!'S A
LOT ( DAMAGE10 HE SD4 8,HE C'T H W1K
LOGS AT ! BOTTOM40
  8,W ,B5 H 6/>T OV]80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,I ?9K WE %D ASK ,BIG ,GU/ 6-E \4 ,HE
CD LIFT T "P (! WALL & HELP U REPLACE !
BURN$ LOGS4 ,O!RWISE ,B5 W H 6TAKE "EY?+
A"P40
  ,PAPA PUT 8 /RAW HAT BACK ON 8 H1D4
8,Y DIDN'T SEE ANY"O >.D1 DID Y1 ,KATE80
  8,N AT ! H\SE10 %E TOLD HM4 8,I DIDN'T
LOOK 9 ! WOODS40
  8,GD10 ,PAPA ANSW]$4 8,I'M GLAD Y
DIDN'T40
  8,I DIDN'T WANT 6/AY "H 0MYF10 ,KATE
SD4 8,:O"E />T$ ! FIRE _H PL5TY ( "T
6GET AWAY40
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       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IC
H\SE1 WALK+ A DI6]5T WAY ?AN :5 !Y CAME4
,9 ! PACK$-D[N DIRT "S"O _H C>V$ \ A
MESSAGE4 ,KATE />$ AT ! ^WS4

  ,I ,,TOLD ,,Y ,,I'D ,,GET ,,EV5

  8,:AT A HORRI# ?+ 6SAY60 ,KATE CRI$ \4
  ,9 T 9/ANT H] S5SE ( ,GOD'S LOVE 0
/RIPP$ AWAY4 ,ALL ! FE> ,KATE _H FELT
DUR+ ! FIRE RETURN$4
  ,? WASN'T A * PLAY+ GAMES4 ,? MESSAGE
0 M1NT = ,B51 &= ANY"O ELSE :O C>$ AB
HM4

            #AJ ,BIG ,4COV]Y

  8,KATE60 ,&]S CALL$ F 9SIDE ! H\SE4
8,C'MON1 WE'RE GO+60
  ,B ,KATE /OOD "!1 UNA# 6SP1K4
  8,HURRY UP60 ,&]S %\T$ Z HE CAME >.D !
CORN]4 8,PAPA WANTS 6G BACK40
  ,9 ! NEXT 9/ANT ,&]S LOOK$ 96,KATE'S
FACE4 8,:AT'S WR;G8 ,Y'RE :ITE Z A <O/60
  8,X'S ,DUGAN60 ,KATE :ISP]$4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #ID
  ,&]S LOOK$ D[N4 8,OH-OH60
  ,J !N ,PAPA JO9$ !M4 8,WAS ? "H 2F80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S40 ,) N]V\S F+]S ,KATE
TWI/$ ! 5D ( H] BRAID1 TRY+ 6?9K X "?4
8,:5 ,I GOT ! FIRE \1 ,I WALK$ >.D !
H\SE4 ,I LOOK$ = ANY?+ ,I CD F9D--ANY?+
T WD %[ ME :O _H BE5 "H4 ,I WDN'T H
MISS$ ^! ^WS40
  ,PAPA LOOK$ GRIM4 8,S :O"E WROTE !M 0
"H AF Y PUT \ ! FIRE80
  ,KATE'S /OMA* 0 DO+ /RANGE FLIP-FLOPS4
8,HE M/ H HI45 9 ! TREES4 ,HE WAT*$ ME
PUT \ ! FIRE4 ,!N HE CAME BACK40
  8,B :Y80 ,&]S ASK$4 8,:O"E X IS CD H
/>T$ ! FIRE AG4 ,:Y DIDN'T HE80
  8,MAYBE HE 0 GO+ TO10 ,PAPA ANSW]$4
8,MAYBE WE RETURN$ J 9 "T40
  8,B IF T'S TRUE1 %DN'T ,I /AY "H &
WAT*80 ,&]S ASK$4
  8,Y CD10 ,PAPA TOLD HM4 8,B WE C'T H
"S"O "H E H\R (! "D4 ,WE'D N"E GET \R "W
D"O4 ,2SS1 ! M9UTE WE LEFT1 HE'D TRY
AG40
  ,ONCE M ,PAPA LOOK$ D[N AT ! GR.D4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IE
8,:O"E WROTE ^! ^WS HAS GOTT5 8 MESSAGE
ACR4 ,NEXT "T HE'LL /RIKE "S": ELSE40
  8,"S": ELSE80 ,! IDEA FILL$ ,KATE )
DR1D4 8,":80
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,PAPA ANSW]$4 8,I WI%
,I DID40
  8,I ?9K ,I "K :O T P]SON IS10 ,KATE
SD4 8,X HAS 6BE ,DUGAN60
  8,:O'S ,DUGAN80 ,PAPA ASK$4
  ,Z ,KATE EXPLA9$ :AT ,B5 _H SD1 ALL H]
FE> P\R$ \4 8,DUGAN TOLD ,B5 HE'D GET
EV510 ,KATE F9I%$4 8,X LOOKS L HE HAS60
  8,DID ,B5 SAY ANY?+ ELSE80 ,PAPA ASK$4
  ,KATE LOOK$ UP 96HIS CLE> EYES4
,SU45LY %E FELT GLAD %E CD TALK 6H]
/EP"F4
  8,B5 W>N$ ME10 ,KATE ANSW]$4 8,HE SD
,DUGAN HATES HM S M* T HE MI<T TRY 6GET
EV5 "? ME40
  ,KATE CLE>$ H] ?ROAT1 MADE H]F G ON4
8,B5 SD ,DUGAN CD D ANY?+--EV5 "S?+
CRAZY40
  8,I BETT] MAKE A TRIP 96,GRANTSBURG10
,PAPA ANSW]$4 8,I'LL H A TALK )! %]IFF4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IF
,MAYBE ,*>LIE W "K ": 6F9D ,DUGAN40
  ,Z !Y RODE BACK 6,W9DY ,HILL1 ,PAPA
LOOK$ AT ,KATE CURI\SLY4 8,H[ DID Y
HAPP5 6F9D ! FIRE80
  8,I L 6TAKE ? PA?10 ,KATE SD4 8,I L
6?9K AB ,B5 & ,J5NY GETT+ M>RI$ & LIV+
"H40
  8,X W TAKE ,B5 L;G] N[40 ,PAPA'S FACE
LOOK$ GRIM4 8,ALL T H>D "W ON ! H\SE--
WRECK$ 9 J A FEW4 M9UTES60
  ,B !N ,PAPA'S VOICE TURN$ G5TLE4 8,IS
"! ANY?+ ELSE BO!R+ Y1 ,KATE80
  ,Z ?\< HE 7 / SP1K+1 ,KATE REMEMB]$
,L>S URG+ H] 6TALK 6,PAPA4 ,%D %E TELL
HM AB ,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA ACT+ UP 9
,GRANTSBURG8 ,X _H FELT S GD 6TELL ,PAPA
AB ,DUGAN4 ,MAYBE ,PAPA WD "U/& AB !
HORSES TOO4
  ,:5 ,KATE EXPLA9$ H[ ! HORSES _H 2HAV$
AT ! BLACKSMI? %OP1 ,PAPA LI/5$ C>E;LLY4
  8,!Y ACT$ UP J :5 ,DUGAN CAME >.D80 HE
ASK$4
  8,T'S ! ONLY "T4 ,B5 SD T ,DUGAN :IPP$
! HORSES40
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IG
  8,& WE ALL "K HE DIDN'T FE$ !M "R10
,PAPA ANSW]$4 ,=A FEW M9UTES HE RODE 9
SIL;E1 ?9K+ AB X4
  8,L>S IS "R10 HE F9,Y SD4 8,HORSES D
ACT DI6]5T >.D DI6]5T P4 ,A /R;G-WILL$
HORSE W OBEY A RID] :O "KS :AT %E'S DO+1
B N "S"O ELSE40
  8,S ,L>S C RIDE ,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA80
,KATE ASK$4 8,X'S ALL "R80
  8,TELL Y :AT10 ,PAPA SD4 8,:Y DON'T ,I
RIDE ,BREEZA 96,GRANTSBURG8 ,X WD GIVE
ME A GD *.E 6*ECK HM \40
  ,KATE NO4$4 ,T 0 FAIR 5\<4 ,& X FELT
GD 2+ H"O/ ) ,PAPA4
  8,TM WE'LL TAKE ! H"OY (F ! HIVES10 HE
SD4 8,I WANT 6GET X 2F A BE> DOES60
                99 99 99
  ,! M9UTE !Y R1*$ HOME1 ,PAPA LEFT
6TALK ) ,*>LIE ,SAUND]S4 ,:5 ,PAPA
RETURN$ LATE T AFN1 HE SD T ,*>LIE &
,BIG ,GU/ _H PROMIS$ 6KEEP AN EYE \ =
,DUGAN4 ,YET ,KATE & "EY"O ELSE KNEW T
"! 7 ELEV5 MILES ( C.TRYSIDE 2T ! %]IFF1
,BIG ,GU/1 & !M4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #IH
  ,PAPA AL _H GD NEWS = ,KATE4 8,IF
,W9DS;G ACTS L ,BREEZA1 BO? ( !M >E GRT
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,& S C Y40
  ,TE>S ( RELIEF WELL$ UP 9 ,KATE'S
EYES4 ,:5 %E GAVE ,L>S P]MIS.N 6RIDE
,BREEZA1 8 GR9 /RET*$ ACR 8 FACE4
  ,AF SUPP]1 ,KATE1 ,&]S1 & ,L>S TOOK \
! ?REE HORSES4 ,Z !Y RODE B>EBACK AL;G !
WAGON ROAD T L$ 6,_S ,LAKE ,S*OOL1 ,KATE
TALK$ 6,W9DS;G4 ,:5"E ,KATE SPOKE1 ! M>E
TWIT*$ H] E>S1 Z IF TRY+ 6LI/54
  ,! TRAIL L$ !M CLOSE 6,RICE ,LAKE4 ,ON
A /RET* ( FIRM GR.D NE> A L>GE HILL1
,WILDFIRE TURN$ T[>D ! WAT]4
  8,WANT 6TRY SWIMM+80 ,&]S ASK$4
,WILDFIRE 0 US$ 6GO+ 96! SMALL LAKE )
,&]S4
  ,:5 ,KATE & ,L>S AGRE$1 ,&]S URG$
,WILDFIRE 96! WAT]4 ,KATE FOLL[$ ON
,W9DS;G4 ,L>S & ,BREEZA /AY$ "R 2H4
  ,Z ! WAT] ROSE >.D ,KATE'S LEGS1
,W9DS;G 2GAN SWIMM+4 ,"K+ %E CD SLIDE
(F1 ,KATE FELT HALF-SC>$1 HALF-EXCIT$4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL     #II
,B !N %E SAW ,&]S4 ,H] BRO!R 0 :OOP+ &
HOLL]+1 HAV+ ! "T ( 8 LIFE4
  ,WAT*+ HM1 ,KATE LET ! WAT] LIFT H] (F
,W9DS;G'S BACK4 ,) "O H& CLUT*+ ! RE9S1
%E FLOAT$ AL;GSIDE ! M>E4 ,) H] O!R H&1
,KATE CAU<T H] F+]S 9 ,W9DS;G'S MANE4
  ,Z ! COOL WAT] WA%$ OV] ,KATE'S >MS &
LEGS1 ! H1T (! "D FELL AWAY4 ,EV5 H]
MEMORY (! FIRE AT ,B5'S H\SE SEEM$ LESS
T]RI#4
  ,AF SWIMM+ A:ILE1 ,&]S & ,WILDFIRE
TURN$ T[>D %ORE4 ,W9DS;G FOLL[$1 & SOON
H] HOOVES F.D ! BOTTOM (! LAKE4 ,ONCE M
,KATE SWUNG ONTO H] BACK4 ,EA* "T
,W9DS;G LUNG$ =W>D1 ,KATE ROSE ) H]4 ,AG
,KATE FELT SC>$1 WOND]+ IF %E 7 GO+
6FALL (F4 ,B N[ %E 0 MOV+ )! M>E4
  ,/ CL++ 6,W9DS;G'S MANE1 ,KATE R1*$ L&
SAFELY4 ,SU45LY ! M>E %OOK H]F L A DOG4
,Z WAT] SPRAY$ >.D H]1 ,KATE LAU<$ )
DELI<T4
  ,F ,RICE ,LAKE1 ,&]S L$ !M BACK PA/ !
F>M H\SE4 ,:5"E ,KATE MOV$ A KNEE OR
FOOT1 ,W9DS;G OBEY$4 ,IF ,KATE MOV$ H]
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJJ
WRI/ EV5 SLI<TLY1 ,W9DS;G RESPOND$ 6!
RE94 ,YET H] H1D / DROOP$1 Z ?\< %E _H
NO LIFE4
  ,TGR ,KATE1 ,&]S1 & ,L>S TOOK ! TRAIL
"? ! WOODS 6! MA9 ROAD4 ,Z ! TREES ?9N$
\1 ,KATE HE>D ! /1DY B1T (A DRUM4
  ,W9DS;G LIFT$ H] H1D4 ,H] E>S TURN$
T[>D ! S.D4
  ,!N ,KATE HE>D O!R 9/RU;TS4 ,Z ! B&
MUSIC GREW L\D]1 ! M>E PICK$ UP H] PACE4
  8,LOOK AT H]60 ,KATE TOLD ! BOYS4 ,%E
LIK$ ? _S$ M>E %E 0 SEE+ =! F/ "T4 8,H Y
"E HE>D (A MUSIC-LOV+ HORSE80
  8,AW1 ,KATE--0 ,&]S GROAN$4
  8,MY IMAG9,N1 HUH8 ,WELL1 X'S N60
  ,ON ! ROAD ?REE "Y M5 CAME 96VIEW4 ,"O
( !M P.D$ A L>GE BASS DRUM4 ,! SECOND
PLAY$ A LIVELY M>* ON ! TRUMPET4 ,! ?IRD
"Y MAN MOV$ ! L;G SLIDE ( 8 TROMB"O 9 &
\4
  8,:O >E !Y80 ,KATE ASK$1 Z CURI\S Z
ALW4 ,X WASN'T E "D T ?REE MUSICIANS
WALK$ D[N ! ROAD4
  8,MEMB]S (! ,TRADE ,LAKE ,B&10 ,&]S
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJA
TOLD H]4 8,I'VE SE5 'EM 2F4 ,!Y PRACTICE
ON _! WAY 6REHE>SE ) ,MR4 ,PET]S40
  ,MR4 ,PET]S 0 ,KATE'S ORGAN T1*]1 & %E
KNEW HM WELL4 8,DID Y "K P 2LIEVE HE'S !
BE/ MUSICIAN 9 ALL ( ,BURNETT ,C.TY80 %E
ASK$4
  ,RE9+ IN1 ,&]S WAIT$ =! "Y M5 6PASS
BY4 ,B ,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA SEEM$ 6/& AT
ATT5;N4
  8,KATE1 C ,I RIDE ,W9DS;G =A FEW
M9UTES80 ,L>S ASK$ Z ! MUSICIANS M>*$ 2Y
!M4 8,I WANT 6TRY "S?+40
  ,:5 ,L>S SETTL$ 96,W9DS;G'S SA4LE1 HE
/RET*$ =W>D 8 LEFT FOOT4 ,J BACK (!
M>E'S FRONT LEG1 ,L>S PUT PRESSURE ON H]
SIDE4
  ,SU45LY ,W9DS;G /RET*$ \ H] "R =ELEG1
TAK+ AN EXTRA L;G /EP4 ,Z ,L>S PUT
PRESSURE 2H ! M>E'S "R LEG1 ,W9DS;G
/RET*$ \ H] LEFT =ELEG1 AG TAK+ A L;G
/EP4
  ,KATE LAU<$4 8,W9DS;G IS DANC+60
  8,X'S L ,I TOLD Y60 ,L>S EXCLAIM$4
8,%E C D TRICKS60
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJB
  8,B H[ DID Y "K ! SIGNAL80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,I WAT*$ ! HORSE TRA9] AT ! CIRCUS4
,I WOND]$ IF ,W9DS;G KNEW ! SAME CUES40
  8,DID Y TRY X ON ,BREEZA80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,YUP4 ,HE DOESN'T "K T TRICK4 ,B HE
CAME ALIVE )! MUSIC TOO4 ,MAYBE HE "KS
?+S T ,W9DS;G DOESN'T "K40
  8,W9DS;G HAS O!R TRICKS80 ,&]S ASK$4
  8,%E B[S10 ,KATE TOLD HM4
  8,AW1 C'MON1 ,KATE6 ,%E .B[S8 ,EV5 9 A
CIRCUS X'S UNUSUAL 6T1* TRICKS 6A M>E4
,HAV+ A HORSE IS GO+ 6YR H1D60
  8,B ,W9DS;G .DID B[60 ,KATE 9SI/$4
8,%E B5T H] =ELEGS 2N H]60
  ,)\T A ^W ,L>S SLIPP$ D[N F ! M>E &
WALK$ BACK 96! TREES4
  8,": Y GO+1 ,L>S80 ,&]S CALL$4
  ,SOON ! N9E-YE>-OLD RETURN$ )A SMALL
/ICK 9 8 H&4 ,G5TLY HE TAPP$ ! UPP] "P (
,W9DS;G'S FRONT LEG4 ,B5D+ H] =ELEGS 2N
H]1 ! M>E DROPP$ D[N ON H] KNEES4
  ,&]S YELP$4 8,%E RE,Y DOES B[60
  ,L>S W9K$ AT ,KATE4 ,)\T D\BT1 !Y 7
FRS AG1 & %E FELT GLAD4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJC
  8,I KEEP WOND]+ AB "S?+10 ,KATE SD Z
!Y RODE BACK 6! F>MH\SE4 8,B5 SAYS
,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA 2L;G$ 6,DUGAN4 ,B :Y
WD A CIRCUS SELL VALUA# HORSES80
  8,MAYBE X 0 A LL CIRCUS T W5T \ (
BUSI;S10 ,&]S TOLD H]4 8,MAYBE !Y _H
6SELL 6! F/ P]SON :O CAME AL;G40
  ,EA* "T %E LE>N$ "S?+ NEW AB ! M>E1
,KATE LIK$ ,W9DS;G EV5 M4 ,L1N+ =W>D1
,KATE WRAPP$ H] >MS >.D ! M>E'S NECK4
  8,Y'RE MY HORSE1 ,W9DS;G60 ,KATE
:ISP]$ 9 H] E>4 8,MY V [N HORSE6 ,I J
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  ,:5 !Y R1*$ ! F>M BUILD+S1 ,KATE OP5$
! GATE & LET ! M>E "?4 ,BREEZA FOLL[$
,W9DS;G 96! B>N1 AG GO+ 6,W9DS;G'S LEFT4
,WILDFIRE WALK$ 96H] USUAL /ALL1 SECOND
F ,W9DS;G'S "R4
  ,Z ,KATE /OOD BACK1 LOOK+ AT !M1 !
?REE HORSES SEEM$ A SPECIAL GIFT--A V
UNUSUAL GIFT = "Y P _! AGE4 ,YET = "S
R1SON T ,KATE CDN'T EXPLA91 %E FELT
UNEASY4

       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJD

              #AA ,:AT ,IF8

  ,J 2F SUND[N1 ,PAPA1 ,&]S1 & ,GR&PA
QUIETLY LEFT ! H\SE4 ,WALK+ T[>D !
SURR.D+ WOODS1 EA* TOOK A DI6]5T
DIREC;N4 ,KATE FELT SURE T %E KNEW :AT
!Y 7 DO+--KEEP+ A WAT*;L EYE4
  ,:5 !Y RETURN$1 ,KATE HE>D ,PAPA &
,MAMA TALK+4 ,M ?AN ONCE ! ^W .FIRE
PASS$ 2T !M4
  ,PAPA NE$$ 6GIVE NO M W>N+ AB FIRES4
,F ! OLDE/ 6! "YE/1 !Y KNEW ! DANG] ( J
"O RUNAWAY SP>K4 ,EA* "T ,KATE NE$$
6LI<T ! F>M LANT]N %E W5T 6A SPOT \ (!
W9D4 ,:5"E %E LIFT$ ! GLASS GLOBE 6LI<T
! WICK1 %E 0 C>E;L4 ,ALW %E FELT RELIEV$
6SET D[N ! GLASS1 CLOS+ 9 ! FLAME4
  8,TM WE'LL TAKE ! H"OY (F ! HIVES10
,PAPA SD J 2F GO+ 6B$4 8,IF WE "W H>D1
WE'LL GET X ALL SPUN \ & 96J>S 9 "O "D40
  ,AT BR1KFA/ ! NEXT MORN+ X 0 ALR HOT4
,9SIDE ! SUMM] KIT*51 ! TEMP]ATURE 0 EV5
WORSE4 ,MAMA _H />T$ A SMALL FIRE 9 !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJE
COOK/OVE 6MAKE C(FEE4
  ,! M9UTE !Y F9I%$ EAT+1 ! FAMILY
VANI%$--NO D\BT SE>*+ = COOL] AIR4 ,ONLY
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W9D[1 WA%+ DI%ES4
  ,\TSIDE1 L;G GRASS CURL$ OV] ! $GE (!
HILL4 ,X 0 :1T-COLOR$ N[ F ! H1T & LACK
( RA94 ,2T ! SUMM] KIT*5 &! B>N LAY !
BR[N1 D1D-LOOK+ GR[? T ,KATE / CALL$
8,MAMA'S GRASS40
  ,Z ,KATE R9S$ ! PLATES1 %E CDN'T HELP
?9K+ AB ! WOODS4 ,R$DI% BR[N NE$LES
COV]$ ! GR.D "U EA* P9E TREE4 ,2N ! OAKS
& MAPLES1 DRY L1VES C>PET$ ! E>?4
  ,LA/ AUTUMN ,KATE _H DRA7$ H] FEET "?
^? L1VES1 J 6HE> ! RU/LE4 ,UNTIL ? SUMM]
%E _H LOV$ T S.D4 ,N[ %E KNEW ! DANG] (!
DRY WOODS S CLOSE 6! H\SE4
  8,2F WE TAKE (F ! H"OY1 ,I WANT 6D
"S?+ EV5 M IMPORTANT10 ,PAPA SD4
  ,KATE TURN$ 9 SURPRISE4 ,Z %E WAT*$1
,PAPA P\R$ ! HOT C(FEE 96HIS SAUC]4
  8,"!'S A ,BI# V]SE ,I KEEP ?9K+ AB10
HE SD4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJF
  8,YAH80 ,MAMA ANSW]$4 8,:AT IS T80
  8,! "O T SAYS ,NOAH DID "EY?+ ! ,"L
-M&$ HM40
  8,:AT A /RANGE V]SE60 ,MAMA SAT D[N AT
! TA#1 GIV+ ,PAPA H] FULL ATT5;N4 8,:Y D
Y SUPPOSE ,GOD IS REM9D+ Y ( T80
  8,AN IDEA HAS -E 96MY H1D S"EAL "TS10
,PAPA SD4 8,I 2LIEVE X'S "S?+ ! ,"L
WANTS ME 6D40
  ,Z ,MAMA LI/5$1 ,KATE SAW H] EYES4
,R.D & L>GE & BLUE1 !Y SEEM$ FILL$ )
"QS4
  8,I NE$ 6PL[ >.D ! BUILD+S10 ,PAPA SD4
8,I WANT A T5- OR TWELVE-FOOT /RET* ( L&
)\T ANY GRASS OR BRU%40
  8,=A FIREBR1K80 ,MAMA ASK$4 8,Y ?9K--0
,%E /OPP$1 Z ?\< N WANT+ 6UTT] ! ^WS4
  8,I DON'T "K40 ,PAPA BLEW ON 8 C(FEE
6COOL X1 B 8 GAZE N"E LEFT ,MAMA4 8,I J
"K ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6PL[ ! GR.D40
  8,YAH80 ,A /RANGE LOOK FLA%$ ACR
,MAMA'S FACE1 Z ?\< %E 7 TRY+ 6HIDE H]
FE>4
  8,9GRID10 ,PAPA SD G5TLY4 8,"!'S "S?+
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJG
ELSE4 ,I NE$ 6PL[ 2T ! H\SE &! B>N40
  8,OH1 ,C>L60 ,X 0 ! F/ "T ,KATE _H "E
HE>D ,MAMA OBJECT 6"S?+ ,PAPA SD4 8,Y
"W$ S H>D 6GR[ T GRASS = ME4 ,WE ALL
C>RI$ WAT] UNTIL WE _H 6GIVE UP4 ,B :5 X
RA9S1 X W -E BACK4 ,X W 2 GRE5 AG40
  8,I "K4 ,T'S :Y ,I WANT 6TELL Y 2F ,I
PL[ X4 ,! GRASS IS S DRY T "O T9Y
SP>K--0
  8,Y'VE PRAY$ AB X80 ,MAMA ASK$4
  ,PAPA NO4$4 8,_M "TS40 ,Z ?\< HE HAT$
EV5 ! ?"\ ( DE/ROY+ ,MAMA'S GRASS1 HE
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  8,Y N"E -PLA9$ AB ! L;G W9T] :5 ,I
LEFT = LO7+ CAMP40 ,PAPA'S VOICE 0
G5TLE4 8,Y N"E -PLA9 AB ! H>D "W4 ,X W 2
WORSE )! GRASS G"O4 ,IF Y RE,Y SAY NO1
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  ,A L;G LOOK PASS$ 2T !M4 8,X HAS BE5
GD GRASS10 ,MAMA SD AT LA/4 8,X HAS
HELP$ 6KEEP ! MUD &! S& \ (! H\SE4 ,B ,I
GIVE ! GRASS 6Y40
  ,=A MO;T L;G] ,PAPA GAZ$ 96,MAMA'S
EYES4 ,L1N+ =W>D1 HE B5T 8 H1D & KISS$
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJH
H] ON ! *EEK4
  ,:5 ,PAPA W5T \TSIDE1 HE HIT*$ ,W9DS;G
& ,BREEZA 6! PL[4 ,!N HE F.D ANO!R H>;S
&A PL[ = BR1K+ SOD4 ,6T PL[ HE HIT*$
,DOLLY & ,FLORIE4
  ,&]S W5T F/ )! BIG DRAFT HORSES1 &
,PAPA FOLL[$ )! O!R TWO4 ,X 0 ! F/ "T
,KATE _H WAT*$ H] HORSES 9 H>;S1 & !Y
SEEM$ WILL+ 6"W4
  ,ON ! EA/ & WE/ SIDES (! F>M BUILD+S !
L& DROPP$ AWAY 9 /EEP HILLS4 ,A
HAYFIELD1 PA/URE1 & CROPL& LAY ON ! NOR?
& EA/1 &! OAT FIELD ON ! S\?4
  ,PAPA & ,&]S />T$ "!1 PL[+ S"EAL R[S
6SEP>ATE ! H\SE F ! DRY1 BR[N FIELD4
,EV5 ,MAMA CAME \TSIDE 6WAT* ! SOIL 2+
TURN$ OV]4
  ,Z ,MAMA W5T BACK 6"W1 ,PAPA & ,&]S
PL[$ FURR[S 9 ! SIDE (! HILL EA/ (!
H\SE4 ,3T9U+ ON ) _! CIRCLE1 ,PAPA &
,&]S CAME 6! F> SIDE (! B>N4
  ,KATE & ,L>S BR"\ ,WILDFIRE &! C[S
9SIDE1 & ,PAPA MADE AN OP5+ 9 ! PA/URE
F;E4 ,"! HE & ,&]S PL[$ ANO!R FIREBR1K4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AJI
,2Y ! TURN$-OV] GR.D 0 ! HAYFIELD &!
WOODS1 T L$ 6,B5'S H\SE4
  ,:5 ! T1MS ( HORSES R1*$ ! GRAN>Y !Y
_H 6/OP4 ,! BUILD+ 0 P]*$ TOO CLOSE 6!
$GE (! /EEP HILL = !M 6PL[ ON ! O!R
SIDE4 ,2Y ! GRAN>Y1 ,PAPA & ,&]S PL[$
AG1 -PLET+ ! CIRCLE4
  ,Z ,&]S TURN$ ,DOLLY & ,FLORIE BACK 6!
B>N1 ,PAPA /OPP$ HM4 8,WE NE$ 6PL[ 2T !
H\SE &! B>N40
  ,8 VOICE S.D$ H1VY1 & ,KATE KNEW T
,PAPA _H SAV$ ! DR1D$ JOB UNTIL LA/4
  ,&]S LOOK$ AT ,PAPA 9 SURPRISE4
8,MAMA'S GRASS80
  8,I'M AFRAID S10 ,PAPA ANSW]$4
  ,B ,&]S J /OOD "!4 8,W Y TAKE ,DOLLY &
,FLORIE80 HE ASK$1 Z ?\< N WANT+ 6/>T4
  ,:5 !Y *ANG$ PLACES1 ,PAPA DIRECT$ !
L>GE DRAFT HORSES 6! $GE (! GRASS4 ,=A
MO;T HE GL.ED T[>D ! H\SE1 Z ?\< WOND]+
IF ,MAMA WAT*$ F 9SIDE4 ,!N ,PAPA SET !
PL[ 9 ! GR.D & URG$ ! HORSES AH1D4
  ,&]S FOLL[$ )! O!R T1M4 ,2F L;G1 S"EAL
FURR[S LAY 2T ! H\SE &! B>N4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAJ
  ,9 E>LY SPR+ ,KATE _H LIK$ SEE+ S*
FURR[S4 ,ALW !Y *ANG$ 96NEWLY PLANT$
GR.D4 ,B N[ ,KATE HAT$ ! TURN$-OV] E>?4
,! FURR[S MADE H] AFRAID4
  ,:5 ,PAPA & ,&]S F9I%$ PL[+1 !Y 3NECT$
! F;E AG4 ,/ "W+ TGR1 !Y ROLL$ ?REE L>GE
B>RELS 6! $GE (! HILL NEXT 6! GRAN>Y4
,:ILE ,GR&PA PUMP$1 ! RE/ ( !M FILL$ !
B>RELS ) WAT]4 ,9SIDE ! GRAN>Y DOOR1
,PAPA PLAC$ BUCKETS &A PILE (
GUNNYSACKS1 R1DY = WETT+ D[N1 IF NE$$4
  ,Z ,KATE WAT*$ ,PAPA'S C>E;L PREP>,NS1
%E FELT GLAD T HE WANT$ 6D 8 BE/
6PROTECT !M4 ,AT ! SAME "T ,KATE FELT
SC>$4 ,H] /EP"F 0 DO+ "EY?+ HE CD 6SAVE
8 BUILD+S1 IF X CAME 6T4 ,YET ! BACK
SIDE (! GRAN>Y--! ONLY HOLE 9 ! CIRCLE--
MI<T 2 ! PLACE ": !Y NE$$ A FIREBR1K
MO/4
  ,) DR1D ,KATE REMEMB]$ H[ (T5 ! W9D
BLEW F T DIREC;N4 ,:AT IF A FIRE />T$ 9
! L;G1 DRY GRASS NEXT 6,RICE ,LAKE8 ,9
NO "T AT ALL1 ! FLAMES CD SWEEP UP !
HILLSIDE4 ,! H\SE & SUMM] KIT*51 !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAA
GRAN>Y & B>N WD ALL BURN 6! GR.D4
  ,KATE %U4]$4 ,%E TRI$ 6PU% ! ?"\
ASIDE1 B X WD N L1VE H]4

        #AB ,! ,UNWANT$ ,VISITOR

  ,Z ! FAMILY ATE _! NOON"T M1L1 ,]IK
CAME 6! SUMM] KIT*54 8,JOSIE'S "F IS
R1DY 6/>T ?RE%+10 HE SD4
  8,T *ANGES "EY?+10 ,PAPA TOLD ,MAMA4
8,I NE$ 6L1VE "R AWAY4 ,T M1NS ! ?RE%]S
W 2 "H TM40
  ,! NEI<BORHOOD F>M]S TOOK TURNS HELP+
"O ANO!R 0GO+ F F>M 6F>M4 ,B ,KATE
GUESS$ :AT ,PAPA 0 ?9K+4 ,HE 0 3C]N$ AB
GETT+ ! H"OY (F ! HIVES4
  ,Z ,]IK SAT D[N AT ! TA#1 ,KATE GAVE
HM A PLATE FILL$ ) ROA/ BEEF & POTATOES4
,:ILE ,PAPA & ,&]S F9I%$ EAT+1 ,KATE
TOLD ,]IK AB ! FIRE AT ,B5'S H\SE4 ,:5
%E DESCRIB$ ,DUGAN'S ?R1T 6,B51 ,]IK
SC[L$4
  8,D Y ?9K ,DUGAN CREEPS >.D ! WOODS 2H
U80 ,KATE ASK$4 8,D Y SUPPOSE HE WAT*ES
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAB
:AT"E WE D80
  8,I DON'T "K :AT ELSE 6?9K60 ,]IK
EXCLAIM$4 8,IF ,DUGAN SETS FIRES--0
  ,]IK LOOK$ AT ,PAPA4 8,:AT AB ! FIRE
AT ,*>LIE'S /A#8 ,IS "! "S R1SON ,DUGAN
WD H SET T80
  8,MAYBE HE'S AG/ ANY"O 9 AU?OR;Y10
,PAPA ANSW]$4
  8,L A %]IFF80 ,KATE ASK$4
  ,PAPA NO4$4 8,OR .ANY P]SON :O DOES !
"R ?+40
  8,L ,B510 ,KATE SD4
  8,L ,B510 ,PAPA ANSW]$4 ,HE PU%$ BACK
8 PLATE4
  8,B5 TOLD ME ,DUGAN WANTS M"OY1 & HE'S
WILL+ 6/1L = X40 ,KATE PULL$ H] L;G
BRAID =W>D & N]V\SLY TWI/$ XS 5D4 8,IF
WE KNEW :AT ,DUGAN MI<T TRY 9 ORD] 6GET
M"OY--0
  8,WE CD CAT* HM AT X60 ,]IK EXCLAIM$4
8,MAYBE T'S :AT HAPP5$--0
  8,)! TREE T FELL ACR ! ROAD60 ,KATE
F9I%$ = HM4 8,D Y ?9K "!'S ANY 3NEC;N80
  ,]IK GR9N$ AT ,KATE4 8,>E WE WOND]+ !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAC
SAME ?+80
  ,EV5 N[ ,KATE HAT$ 6?9K AB ! MAN HID+
2H ! BRAN*ES4 ,Z ?\< RELIV+ A BAD DR1M1
%E SAW H& R1* UP 6GRAB ,W9DS;G'S BRIDLE4
  8,B :AT DID WE H T 0 VALUA#80 ,KATE
ASK$4 8,! HORSES8 ,WD "S"O L ,DUGAN SELL
8 HORSES1 !N /1L !M BACK AG80
  8,X'D 2 Q A WAY 6MAKE M"OY60 ,&]S
BROKE IN4 8,SELL+ ! SAME HORSES OV] &
OV] AG4 ,B Y DON'T EV5 "K IF Y SAW
,DUGAN40
  8,I'VE BE5 ?9K+ AB T10 ,]IK SD4 8,I'M
PRETTY SURE ,I SAW "S?+ 2SS T BIG HAT4
,:5 ! MAN FELL BACK1 "S?+ WAV$--"S?+ T
CD H BE5 A NECKTIE40
  8,HMMM40 ,= ,KATE "S PIECES 7 FALL+
TGR4 8,B5 SD ,DUGAN IS A SWELL DRESS]4
,"S"TS HE WORE A NECKTIE1 EV5 = "W ON !
DAM4 ,MAYBE HE WANTS M M"OY ?AN HE MAKES
--M"OY = CLO!S40
  8,DOES ,B5 H ANY IDEA ": ,DUGAN IS80
,]IK ASK$4
  8,NOPE10 ,KATE TOLD HM4 8,NEI DOES
,*>LIE4 ,& ,BIG ,GU/ HASN'T SE5 HM EI40
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAD
  8,DUGAN HAS 4APPE>$ "R (F ! FACE (!
E>?10 ,&]S SD4 8,I WOND] ": HE'LL %[ UP
NEXT40
  8,W Y HIT* ,WILDFIRE 6! WAGON 2F Y G80
,MAMA ASK$ ,PAPA4 8,KATE & ,I NE$ 6USE
X40
  ,H] /EP"F'S GR9 TOLD ,KATE T ! TWO (
!M _H PLANN$ "S?+ SPECIAL = H]4 ,Z SOON
Z ,PAPA1 ,&]S1 & ,]IK 7 G"O1 ,MAMA PULL$
(F H] APRON4
  8,? AFN WE W BUY CLO? = YR DRESS60 %E
ANN\NC$4
  8,MY DRESS = ,B5'S W$D+80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,YAH1 SURE10 ,MAMA ANSW]$4 8,I WANT
6/>T SEW+ "R AWAY40
  ,KATE'S HE>T L1P$4 ,:5 %E ASK$ ,J5NY
IF H] DRESS %D 2 A C]TA9 COLOR1 ! T1*]
_H SMIL$4 8..,:Y DON'T Y WE> "S?+ BLUE
6MAT* YR PRETTY .EYES80
  ,KATE FELT BU2LY 9SIDE J ?9K+ AB
,J5NY'S ^WS4 ,X 0 FUN "K+ T H] T1*] ?"\
%E _H PRETTY EYES4 ,EV5 M1 ,KATE FELT
EXCIT$ EA* "T %E ?"\ AB ,B5 & ,J5NY
GETT+ M>RI$4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAE
  8,B :AT AB ! ?RE%]S -+ TM80 ,KATE ASK$
,MAMA4 ,LA/ YE> H] "M _H HURRI$ >.D !
KIT*5 = "DS1 GETT+ FOOD R1DY4
  8,I W MAKE ! PIES10 ,GR&MA SD QKLY4
  ,KATE />$ AT H] GR&"M4 ,%E _H N"E MADE
PIES 9 ,SW$5 & _H ONLY LE>N$ S9CE -+
6,AM]ICA4 ,0 ,GR&MA J Z EAG] Z ,MAMA =
,KATE 6H A NICE DRESS8
  ,2F ,PAPA LEFT1 HE BR"\ ,WILDFIRE 6!
HIT*+ RAIL4 ,KATE FELT PR\D T ,PAPA
2LIEV$ %E CD H&LE ! HORSE & WAGON4
  ,ON ! DU/Y ROAD 6,TRADE ,LAKE1 ,MAMA
HELD LL ,B]NIE 9 H] >MS4 ,= ,KATE X WD 2
A SPECIAL AFN ) H] "M4
  8,:AT IF WE C'T F9D ! "R CLO? "H80
,KATE ASK$ Z %E & ,MAMA />T$ UP ! /EPS (
,GU/AFSON'S ,M]CANTILE ,/ORE4
  8,!N WE'LL TRY ,TRAD] ,C>LSON'S40
  8,:AT IF !Y DON'T H BLUE80
  ,MAMA SMIL$4 8,!N WE'LL G 6,GRANTSBURG
ON ANO!R "D40
  ,W9DY ,HILL ,F>M 0 ELEV5 MILES F
,GRANTSBURG4 8,Y WD G ALL T WAY = J ! "R
COLOR80 ,X 0 H>D 62LIEVE4
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAF
  ,AT ! TOP (! /EPS ,MAMA /OPP$4 8,? IS
YR GR[+-UP DRESS1 ,KATE4 ,I'M GO+ 6SEW A
DRESS =! "Y LADY Y'VE 2COME40
  ,KATE BL9K$4 8,"S"TS ,I DON'T ACT L A
"Y LADY40
  8,I "K4 ,T :I/LE ( YRS--0 ,MAMA %OOK
H] H1D 9 DESPAIR1 !N SMIL$4 8,B ,I GUESS
Y NE$ 6BE A# 6CALL ,W9DS;G40
  8,I GUESS10 ,KATE ANSW]$4 ,%E FELT
RELIEV$ T ,MAMA "U/OOD4
  ,AT ! %ELVES FILL$ ) CLO?1 ,KATE SAW
?REE %ADES ( BLUE4 ,MAMA TOOK EA* BOLT (
CLO? & HELD X 9 FRONT ( ,KATE4 ,%E F.D
"O PIECE ( CLO? T 0 CLOSE1 B ,MAMA LEFT
! /ORE )\T X4 8,X'S N ! COLOR ( YR
EYES10 %E TOLD ,KATE Z !Y WALK$ D[N !
/REET 6,TRAD] ,C>LSON'S4
  ,= YE>S ,MAMA _H SEWN CLO!S = ,KATE1
US+ LEFTOV] SCRAPS F DRESSES = W1L?Y
LADIES4 ,N"E 2F _H ,KATE SE5 H] "M SE>*
\ J ! "R COLOR4
  8,WON'T ! CLO? CO/ A LOT80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,I'VE BE5 SAV+ MY EGG M"OY40 ,MAMA
SMIL$ Z ?\< %>+ A SECRET4 8,"E S9CE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAG
,J5NY CAME = ,B5'S BIR?"D1 ,I KNEW WE'D
H A MAT*60
  ,AT ,TRAD] ,C>LSON'S /ORE ,MAMA />T$ !
PROCESS ALL OV] AG4
  ,! L;G] !Y SE>*$1 ! M ,KATE WOND]$ IF
%E TRULY WD LOOK GR[N-UP :5 ! DRESS 0
F9I%$4
  ,F9,Y ,MAMA TOLD ! CL]K1 8,I WANT !
F9E/ CLO? ,I C BUY ,& BLUE 2SS6 ,>E Y
SURE Y'VE %[N ME "EY?+80
  8,WELL1 "!'S "O M BOLT ( CLO?--0 ,!
WOMAN TOOK X \ F "U ! C.T]4
  ,TAK+ A CORN]1 ,MAMA CRU%$ ! CLO? 6TE/
X = WR9KLES4 ,!N %E LIFT$ ! MAT]IAL UP
2N ,KATE'S *94
  8,AHHHH10 ,MAMA SD4 8,X IS J ! COLOR (
YR EYES40 ,TURN+1 %E TOLD ! CL]K ! NUMB]
( Y>DS %E WANT$4
  8,MAMA10 ,KATE :ISP]$4 8,Y DIDN'T ASK
! PRICE40
  8,I "K10 H] "M :ISP]$ BACK4 8,IF %E
CUTS ! CLO? F/1 ,I C'T *ANGE MY M9D40
  ,KATE GI7L$4 ,B :5 ,MAMA HE>D ! PRICE1
%E SWALL[$ H>D4 ,EV5 S1 %E OP5$ H] PURSE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAH
)\T HESIT,N4 ,LAY+ \ ! CO9S1 %E C.T$4
,AF PAY+1 %E _H "O P5NY LEFT4
  8,ALL YR H>D "W1 ,MAMA60 ,KATE SD Z !Y
LEFT ! /ORE4 8,"D AF "D Y COLLECT$ E7S40
,M* Z ,KATE WANT$ A B1UTI;L DRESS =
,B5'S W$D+1 %E FELT 3C]N$4 8,I HOPE !
DRESS W 2 WOR? X40
  8,X W10 ,MAMA ANSW]$4 8,X'S N J =
,B5'S W$D+4 ,X'S AL = .Y40
  ,DEEP 9 H] 2+1 ,KATE FELT W>M$
0,MAMA'S SMILE4 ,X REM9D$ ,KATE (A "T :5
%E 0 LL4 ,%E _H FALL5 D[N & SCRAP$ H]
KNEE1 & ,MAMA KISS$ ! HURT AWAY4 ,YET "H
0 "S?+ M4 ,MAMA'S LOVE R1*$ 96! FUTURE4
  ,ALL AT ONCE "! 0 "S?+ ,KATE KNEW4
..,MAMA RE,Y C>ES AB :AT K9D ( WOMAN
,I'LL .BE4
  8,?ANKS1 ,MAMA10 ,KATE SD S(TLY4
8,?ANKS =! B1UTI;L CLO?--=! DRESS Y'LL
MAKE40 ,KATE FELT OV]:ELM$ 0T GIFT4 ,!N
%E R1LIZ$ H] "M _H GIV5 H] "S?+ EV5
BETT]4
  8,?ANKS = ? SPECIAL "T ) Y10 ,KATE SD4
                99 99 99
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #AAI
  ,:5 !Y R1*$ ! TRAIL L1D+ 96,W9DY ,HILL
,F>M1 ,KATE /OPP$ AT ! MAILBOX4 ,%E F.D
A LR A4RESS$ 6H]4 8,X'S F ,B560 %E
EXCLAIM$ :5 %E SAW ! RETURN A4RESS4 8,HE
M/ H WRITT5 ! M9UTE HE GOT BACK 6"W60
  ,"R "! ,KATE OP5$ ! LR4 ,%E 0 SURPRIS$
6F9D X 0 WRITT5 ON "O ( ^? NEW TYP+
MA*9ES4 ,"S (! LRS 7 MISS+3

,DE ;R ;,K TE1
  ,I ;M 9 BIG TR\#4 ,IF ,DUG ;N W9S1 NO
JOB1 NO W$D+1 NO ,J5NY4 ,PLE SE SK
;F MILY 6PR ;Y = ME4
    ,B5

  8,B5 SAYS HE'S 9 BIG TR\#10 ,KATE SD Z
%E FIGUR$ \ ! ^WS )! MISS+ LRS4 8,HE
WANTS U 6PRAY = HM40
  8,OH1 DE>60 ,MAMA EXCLAIM$4 8,:AT C 2
WR;G80
  8,:AT"E X IS1 X M/ 2 AW;L10 ,KATE
ANSW]$4 8,B5 CDN'T WRITE "S?+ L T UN.S
HE'S RE,Y UPSET40
  ,DUR+ ! RE/ (! RIDE HOME1 %E & ,MAMA
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABJ
TALK$ AB :AT CD H HAPP5$4
  ,:5 !Y R1*$ ! B>N1 ,KATE JUMP$ D[N1
TI$ ,WILDFIRE'S L1D ROPE 6! HIT*+ RAIL1
!N HELP$ H] "M & ,B]NIE F ! WAGON4 ,Z
,MAMA />T$ T[>D ! H\SE1 ,KATE GL.ED T[>D
! HIVES4
  ,KATE GASP$4 ,NO L;G] DID ! HIVES /&
TALL & /RAI<T1 FILL$ ) _! W1L? ( H"OY4
,TOSS$ OV]1 LY+ E : WAY1 ! HIVE BOXES 7
SCATT]$ ACR ! GRASS4
  ,SICK AT HE>T1 ,KATE BROKE 96A RUN4

          #AC ,NO ,MATT] ,:AT6

  ,Z ,KATE DREW NE> ! HIVES1 %E /OPP$4
,AN ANGRY HUM FILL$ ! AIR--BEES UPSET AB
! DE/RUC;N ( _! HOME4 ,AFRAID 6WALK TOO
CLOSE1 ,KATE MOV$ SL[LY & QUIETLY4
  ,9 ! MID/ (! SMA%$ HIVES1 A FEW BOXES
/OOD ON ! GR.D1 "R SIDE UP4 ,Z ?\< A
MI<TY PAW _H SWATT$ !M "? ! AIR1 !Y 7
?REE & F\R FEET AWAY F _! USUAL PLACE4
  ,O!R BOXES 7 TIPP$ OV]1 BROK51 &
SCATT]$ AT E ANGLE4 ,FRAMES LAY FANN$
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABA
ACR ! GR.D4 ,ANY QUE5 )9 !M _H PROBABLY
BE5 KILL$4
  ,R1DY 6/RAI<T5 ?+S \1 ,KATE =GOT H]F &
/EPP$ =W>D4 ,9 MASS ! BEES ROSE F !
FRAMES4 ,Z _! ANGRY BUZZ+ 9CR1S$1 ,KATE
$G$ BACK1 NE$+ NO O!R W>N+4
  ,A TRAIL ( BROK5 FRAMES L$ (F 96!
NE>BY TREES4 ,M FRAMES & EMPTY HIVE
BOXES LAY 2N ! BU%ES ,"!1 TOO1 7 SMA%$
FRAMES1 WET ) H"OY4 ,SPILL$ \1 /EPP$ ON1
MATT$ 96! GRASS1 GOLD5 H"OY CLUNG
6"EY?+4
  ,TE>S WELL$ UP 9 ,KATE'S EYES4 ,ALL (
,PAPA'S H>D "W6 ,ALL ! H"OY !Y NE$$ =
W9T]6 ,! H"OY !Y NE$$ 6SELL4 ,! H"OY !
BEES NE$$ 6LIVE4
  ,OV]:ELM$ 0! 4A/]1 ,KATE LOOK$ D[N &
H] TE>S TURN$ 6ANG]4 ,NE> ": %E /OOD1 A
FRAME LAY ON ! GR.D4 ,A FRAME FILL$ )
H"OY & CAPP$ ) BEESWAX4 ,ACR ! H"OYCOMB
0 ! CLAW M>K (A L>GE BE>4
                99 99 99
  ,:5 ,PAPA SAW ! DE/RUC;N1 HE %OOK 8
H1D4 8,( ALL ! "TS :5 ,LUTFISK NE$$ 6BE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABB
"H1 X 0 TD40 ,9/1D1 ! DOG _H FOLL[$
,PAPA :5 HE HELP$ ! NEI<BORS ) ?RE%+4
  ,! CL1NUP 0 Z AW;L Z ,KATE EXPECT$4
,PAPA />T$ 0PUTT+ TGR ! HIVE BOXES T
W]5'T BROK54 ,B ,KATE KNEW T EV5 ,PAPA'S
BE/ ATTEMPTS CD CAUSE A FI<T AM;G !
BEES4 ,IF ! "R BOXES W]5'T PUT TGR1 "O
SET ( BEES CD ATTACK ANO!R1 EV5 KILL+ !
QUE54
  ,9 "O PILE ,PAPA SET ! FRAMES & BOXES
HE WD REPAIR4 ,9 ANO!R HE PUT "EY?+
DAMAG$ 2Y FIX+4 ,:5 HE F9,Y CLOS$ UP !
LA/ HIVE1 8 %\LD]S SLUMP$ ) 4C\RAGE;T4
  8,"!'S NO EXTRA H"OY1 IS "!80 ,KATE
ASK$1 ?\< KNEW ! ANSW]4
  8,I D\BT IF EV5 ! BEES H 5 = W9T]10
,PAPA SD4 8,& ,I DON'T "K H[ _M QUE5S 7
KILL$40
  ,:5 ! BEES 7 T UPSET1 N EV5 ,PAPA 0
WILL+ 6SE>* =! QUE5 T %D 2 9 EA* HIVE4
  8,WOR/ ( ALL10 ,PAPA SD1 8! BE> W -E
BACK40
                99 99 99
  ,! NEXT "D NEI<BOR+ F>M]S CAME 6?RE% !
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABC
OATS4 ,"O MAN F$ BUNDLES 96! HUGE ?RE%+
MA*9E4 ,:ILE /RAW SPEW$ \ A SP\T AT "O
5D1 A *A9 ) PA4LES C>RI$ ! GRA9 UP 6A
BUCKET-L SCALE4 ,F "! ! GRA9 SLID D[N A
PIPE4 ,"S (! M5 BA7$ ! GRA91 & O!RS
C>RI$ ! SACKS 6! GRAN>Y4
  ,:ILE ,MAMA & ,GR&MA PREP>$ ! M1L 9 !
HOT SUMM] KIT*51 ,KATE SET ! L>GE D9+
ROOM TA#4 ,Z !Y "W$ TGR1 ,KATE WAT*$ H]
"M & GR&"M4 ..,W ,I "E 2 ! K9D ( WOM5 !Y
.>E8 %E WOND]$4
  ,:5 ! ?RE%]S CAME 6! H\SE1 EA* MAN
/OPP$ AT ! BAS9 ON A B5* \TSIDE ! DOOR4
,Z SOON Z "EY"O CL1N$ UP1 !Y GA!R$ >.D !
TA#4
  ,PAPA B[$ 8 H1D4 8,WE ?ANK !E1 ,H1V5LY
,"F1 T ?\ >T ! GIV] (! H>VE/4 ,WE ?ANK
!E T ?\ WILT MAKE ! H>VE/ /RET* F> 5\<4
,WE B.S ? FOOD 9 ?Y "N4 ,AH-M540
  ..,:AT A /RANGE .PRAY]6 ,KATE ?"\ Z %E
C>RI$ ! M1T & POTATOES 9 F ! SUMM]
KIT*54 ,:AT DID ,PAPA M1N 0MAK+ ! H>VE/
/RET* F> 5\<8
  ,:5 ! M5 F9I%$ ,GR&MA'S GD PIE & /OOD
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABD
UP AG1 ,KATE F.D \4 ,T AFN ! ?RE%]S 7
GO+ ON 6! ,LUNDGR5 F>M4
  8,S SOON80 ,KATE ASK$ ,MAMA4 8,!Y'VE
BE5 "H ONLY "O MORN+60
  8,YAH10 ,MAMA SD1 Z ?\< %E W]5'T
SURPRIS$1 8,!Y >E D"O ?RE%+ "H40
  8,D"O8 ,ALR8 ,LA/ YE>--0 ,KATE BROKE
(F1 ?9K+ AB X4
  ,LA/ YE> X _H RA9$ AT J ! "R "TS4 ,:5
! F>M]S CAME = ?RE%+1 ! OATS FL[$ 96SACK
AF SACK4
  ,9 T MO;T ,KATE R1LIZ$ :AT %E _H D"O4
8,OH1 ,MAMA6 ,I B"\ TWO HORSES--N "O1 B
.TWO6 ,TWO HORSES T NE$ EXTRA OATS60
  ,:5 H] "M SD NO?+1 ,KATE "U/OOD4 ,MAMA
_H "KN F ! />T T "! WD 2 A PRO#M4 ,EV5
:5 ,KATE BR"\ ! HORSES HOME1 ,MAMA _H
ASK$1 8,PAPA ?"\ X 0 ALL "R80
  8,:Y DID ,PAPA LET ME BUY TWO HORSES80
,KATE ASK$4
  8,HE "KS T Y & ,&]S >E OLD 5 6MAKE
*OICES40 ,MAMA ANSW]$ S QKLY T ,KATE
FELT SURE H] P>5TS _H TALK$ AB X4
  8,B :AT IF ,I DON'T MAKE A GD *OICE80
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABE
%E ASK$4 ,M* Z %E LOV$ BO? HORSES1 &
ESPECI,Y ,W9DS;G1 ,KATE CDN'T HELP B
WOND] N[4
  8,!N Y H 6LIVE ) T *OICE10 ,MAMA SD4
8,T'S "P ( GR[+ UP40
  ..,S ,I 0 ."R1 ,KATE ?"\4 ..,! %OCKS 7
TOO F> A"P1 ! H1DS ( GRA9 TOO SMALL4 ,&
,I DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB ! .H>VE/6
  ,FEEL+ Z IF %E CDN'T BR1!1 ,KATE
HURRI$ 6! DOOR4
  8,J WAIT10 ,MAMA CALL$ AF H]1 Z ?\<
WANT+ 6GIVE ALL ! HOPE %E CD4 8,WAIT
TILL Y SEE :AT ,PAPA SAYS40
  ,B ,KATE CDN'T WAIT4 ,%E _H 6TALK
6,PAPA N[4 ,AT ! FRONT (! H\SE1 AWAY F !
O!R M51 %E F.D HM4
  8,MAMA SD Y DIDN'T GET _M OATS10 ,KATE
BLURT$ \4
  8,YAH1 T IS TRUE10 ,PAPA ANSW]$
SIMPLY4 ,HE LOOK$ AWAY1 ACR :AT _H BE5 !
OAT FIELD1 B ,KATE _H SE5 4C\RAGE;T4
  8,OH1 ,PAPA6 ,I'M SORRY T ,I B"\ TWO
HORSES6 ,HORSES T NE$ EV5 M OATS60
  ,KATE A*$1 J ?9K+ AB X4 8,I 0 TRY+
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABF
6HELP Y--6GIVE Y ANO!R T1M4 ,I WANT$--0
  ,KATE /OPP$4 ..,I WANT$ ,]IK 6L ME4 ,I
WANT$ HM 6H HORSE HE CD .USE4
  8,PAPA--0 ,KATE'S LIPS FELT /IFF4 ,%E
CD B>ELY ASK ! WOR/ "Q ( ALL4 8,W "! 2 5
OATS80
  ,H] /EP"F'S GAZE RETURN$ 6H]4 8,WE'LL
MAKE ! OATS /RET* Z F> Z WE C40
  8,B Y NE$ SE$ = NEXT YE>4 ,Y NE$ OATS
= .U 6EAT60
  8,YAH1 SURE40 ,PAPA WIP$ 8 =EH1D ) 8
BIG R$ H&K]*IEF4 8,B WE'LL D \R BE/
6MAKE ?+S /RET*4 ,MAYBE NEXT YE> "! W 2
M RA940
  .,RA91 ,KATE ?"\4 ..,H[ CD ,I 2 S
SELFI%8 ,I 0 S BUSY BUY+ TWO HORSES1 ,I
=GOT !Y NE$$ 6EAT6 ,I =GOT :AT HAV+
EXTRA HORSES WD D 6.,PAPA6
  ,TURN+1 ,KATE HURRI$ AWAY4 ,N TILL %E
R1*$ ! SPR+ AT ! BOTTOM (! HILL DID %E
/OP4 ,"! %E KNELT D[N & SPLA%$ WAT] ON
H] FACE4 ,B ,KATE CD N WA% AWAY H] AW;L
FEEL+S4
  ,:5 %E SAT UP AG1 ! COOL WAT] DRIPP$
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABG
ONTO H] %\LD]S4 ,GAZ+ \ ACR ,RICE ,LAKE1
,KATE REMEMB]$ ! ?"\ %E'D _H 9 ,*>LIE'S
/A#4 ..,IF WE DON'T /ICK TGR Z A FAMILY1
WE WON'T MAKE .X4
  ,9 ! NEXT 9/ANT ,KATE FLIPP$ H] BRAID
OV] H] %\LD]4 ..,NO MATT] :AT HAPP5S1
,I'M GO+ 6HELP MY FAMILY4 ,I'M GO+ 6D
:AT"E X TAKES 6/ICK .TGR6

            #AD ,B5'S ,TR\#

  ,T AFN ,MAMA LAID ! BLUE CLO? ON ! D9+
ROOM TA#4 ,C>E;LLY %E CUT \ ,KATE'S
DRESS4
  8,MAMA1 >5'T Y SORRY T Y B"\ S* F9E
CLO?80 ,KATE ASK$4 8,DON'T Y FEEL BAD T
Y SP5T S S* M"OY80
  8,NO1 ,KATE10 ,MAMA ANSW]$1 & ,KATE
KNEW H] "M WDN'T LOOK BACK4 8,I'M GO+
6SEW Y A DRESS Y'LL REMEMB] ! RE/ ( YR
LIFE40
  ,6,KATE'S SURPRISE ,MAMA WDN'T ALL[ H]
6TAKE EV5 "O /IT* 9 ! F9E CLO?4 ,KATE
KNEW X WASN'T 2C ,MAMA ?"\ %E CDN'T SEW
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABH
WELL 5\<4 ,(T5 H] "M _H TOLD ,KATE :AT A
GD S1M/RESS %E WAS4 ,X 0 "S?+ M4
  8,? IS YR GR[+-UP YE>10 ,MAMA EXPLA9$4
8,E GIRL NE$S 6REMEMB] H[ X FEELS 62COME
A "Y WOMAN40
  ,AT ! ,LUNDGR5S' F>M "! 7 EV5 FEW]
OATS 6H>VE/4 ,9/1D ( "W+ LATE1 ,&]S &
,PAPA RETURN$ HOME 9 "T = SUPP]4 ,Z !Y
5T]$ ! SUMM] KIT*51 ,KATE SAW ! LOOK 9
_! EYES4 ,]IK'S FAMILY 0 GO+ 6H A H>D
W9T] TOO4
  ,AF SUPP] T NI<T1 ,PAPA ?ANK$ ,GOD AG
=! H>VE/--= :AT !Y .DID GET4
  ..,H[ C Y PRAY T .WAY8 ,KATE WANT$
6ASK4 ,EV5 9 ! H>DE/ "TS %E _H N"E HE>D
,PAPA -PLA9 AB ,GOD4
  ,:5 ,]IK CAME OV] T EV5+1 HE & ,&]S1
,KATE & ,L>S W5T \ 6! B>N4 ,9 ! DIM LI<T
! BOY LOOK$ EV5 M TAN F "W+ 9 ! FIELDS
ALL "D4 ,Z !Y SAT D[N ON KEGS1 ,KATE F.D
A MILK+ /OOL4
  ,%E DR1D$ :AT %E _H 6TELL !M4 8,I'VE
D"O AN AW;L ?+10 %E SD4
  ,)\T SP1K+1 ! BOYS WAIT$ = ,KATE
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ABI
6EXPLA94 ,N"O ( !M CD HIDE H[ !Y FELT4
,KATE SAW X 9 _! EYES4 ,%E AL KNEW H[
IMPORTANT ! BIG "WHORSES 7 6! FAMILY4
  8,IF ,PAPA DOESN'T H 5 OATS = ,DOLLY &
,FLORIE1 H[ C ,I USE :AT LL "! IS =
,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA80 ,KATE ASK$4
  ,&]S SI<$4 8,I DON'T WANT 6TELL Y :AT
6D40
  8,I NE$ 6SELL ! HORSES1 DON'T ,I80
,KATE ASK$4 ,EV5 Z %E SPOKE1 %E WANT$
6CRY \ AG/ :AT %E 0 SAY+4 .,NO1 .NO1
.NO6
  8,MAYBE ,I CD SELL ,BREEZA1 B N
,W9DS;G40 ,YET ,KATE KNEW T WDN'T 2 5\<4
,9 ! L;G1 COLD W9T] AH1D1 ! OAT B9 WD 2
EMPTY4
  ,SU45LY ,]IK RIPP$ ! /RAW HE 0 *EW+ F
8 M\?4 ,L1P+ UP1 HE /ALK$ OV] 6A NE>BY
W9D[4 ,=A "T HE /OOD "!1 />+ \4 ,KATE
KNEW HE 0 ANGRY1 P]H M UPSET ?AN %E _H
"E SE5 HM4 ,B :5 HE TURN$ BACK1 HE LOOK$
H] 9 ! EYES4
  8,Y'RE "R1 ,KATE10 HE SD4 8,I DON'T "K
:AT ELSE Y C D4 ,B 2F Y SELL ! HORSES1
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACJ
LET'S GET !M LOOK+ BETT]40
  8,LET'S F9D \ IF !Y "K M TRICKS10 ,L>S
SD1 SP1K+ =! F/ "T4 8,IF Y CD SELL !M 6A
CIRCUS Y MI<T GET M M"OY40
  8,GD IDEA60 ,&]S EXCLAIM$4
  ,ONCE M ,]IK SAT D[N ON A KEG4 ,:5 HE
LOOK$ AT ,KATE1 8 EYES %[$ 8 3C]N4 8,!
L;G] Y KEEP ,W9DS;G1 ! H>D] X W 2 6SAY
GDBYE10 HE W>N$4
  8,I "K10 ,KATE TOLD HM4 8,X HURTS J
6?9K AB X40
  ,%E /OOD UP & WALK$ 96,W9DS;G'S /ALL4
,L1N+ CLOSE1 ,KATE :ISP]$ 9 ! M>E'S E>4
8,I LOVE Y1 GIRL40
  ,Z IF 9 AGREE;T1 ! HORSE GAVE A PLAY;L
NUDGE ) H] NOSE4
  ,A*+ 9SIDE1 ,KATE /ROK$ ,W9DS;G'S
NECK4 8,%E'S G5TLE ) ME10 ,KATE TOLD !
BOYS4 8,%E OBEYS Z IF %E WANTS 6PL1SE
ME40
  8,X'S L H] P]SONAL;Y FITS YRS10 ,]IK
SD4
  8,T'S GD1 ISN'T X80 ,KATE ASK$4
  8,Y BET*A60 ,=! F/ "T T EV5+ ,&]S
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACA
GR9N$4 8,:5"E "S"O C GET AL;G ) Y1 X'S
GD60
  ,KATE KNEW HE 0 TRY+ 6HELP H] FEEL
BETT]4 ,%E TRI$ 6LAU<1 B CDN'T MANAGE4
,9/1D1 %E TOLD ! BOYS1 8,Y'RE "R1 ALL (
Y4 ,I DON'T H ANY *OICE B 6SELL !
HORSES40
  ,F T MO;T ON ! "W 2GAN4 ,:5"E !Y _H
EV5 A FEW M9UTES ( FREE "T1 ,KATE &!
BOYS H1D$ = ,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA4 ,:5 N
GROOM+ !M1 !Y TRI$ 6FIGURE \ :AT !
HORSES KNEW4 ,2C ( 8 "T )! HORSE TRA9]1
,L>S CD FIGURE \ M ?AN ANY ( !M4 ,:ILE 9
! B>N "O "D1 HE DECID$ T ,BREEZA 0 A
LIB]TY HORSE4
  8,D Y REMEMB] T LIB]TY ACT AT !
CIRCUS80 HE ASK$ ,KATE4 8,"! 0 A LADY )A
L;G :IP4 ,%E N"E US$ X ON ! HORSES1 B X
SEEM$ 6BE A SIGNAL4 ,:5 %E CRACK$ ! :IP
OR MOV$ H] H& A C]TA9 WAY1 ! HORSES
OBEY$40
  ,KATE REMEMB]$ ALL "R4 ,X _H BE5 A
/UNN+ ACT )A DOZ5 :ITE HORSES4
  8,B ,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA >E A DI6]5T
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACB
COLOR10 ,KATE SD4
  8,MAYBE ALL ! HORSES 7 BLACK EXCEPT
,BREEZA10 ,L>S ANSW]$4
  8,! HORSES WE SAW SEEM$ 6"K H[ 6C.T60
,KATE EXCLAIM$4
  ,"O 0"O !Y _H L9$ UP 9 ORD]1 AC 6L>GE
NUMB] ON _! BACK4 ,J 2F ! F9ALE1 ! WOMAN
BLFOLD$ ! LA/ HORSE4 ,EV5 )! BLFOLD1 HE
RAN >.D ! R+1 !N TOOK EXACTLY ! "R PLACE
9 ! MI4LE (! L9E4
  8,:Y D Y ?9K ,BREEZA 0 A LIB]TY
HORSE80 ,KATE ASK$4 8,DON'T A LOT (
HORSES TAKE A C]TA9 POSI;N 2C (! WAY
!Y'RE HIT*$80
  ,!N %E REMEMB]$4 ,EV5 ! F/ NI<T1
,BREEZA _H *OS5 8 [N /ALL4 ,L>S _H AL
NOTIC$ H[ ,BREEZA ALW W5T 6,W9DS;G'S
LEFT4
  ,N[ HE SD1 8,LET'S TRY "S?+40
  ,Z ,L>S TI$ A BLFOLD OV] ,BREEZA'S
EYES1 ,KATE L$ ,W9DS;G \TSIDE4
  8,R1DY80 ,L>S %\T$4
  ,KATE SLAPP$ ,W9DS;G ON ! RUMP4 ,Z !
M>E RAN >.D ! F;ED-IN >EA1 ,L>S LET
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACC
,BREEZA \ (! B>N4 ,?\< BLFOLD$1 HE RAN
/RAI<T T[>D ,W9DS;G &! M>E'S LEFT SIDE4
  ,KATE LAU<$4 8,Y'RE "R6 ,H[ DOES
,BREEZA D X80
  8,0SMELL1 ,I ?9K10 ,L>S SD4 8,IN A
LIB]TY ACT T'S H[ HORSES "K ": 6G4 ,X
LOOKS L A HORSE IS F9D+ 8 NUMB]4 ,B !Y J
L9E UP 9 ! ORD] !Y H 9 ! /A#40
  8,S ,BREEZA IS TRA9$ 6F9D ,W9DS;G80
,KATE ASK$4
  ,L>S GR9N$4 8,YAH1 SURE1 Y BET*A60 ,HE
S.D$ J L ,&]S4
  ,ON ANO!R "D ,KATE & ,L>S 4COV]$ A
TRICK 0A3ID5T4 ,Z ,KATE SLID 6! GR.D AF
RID+ ,W9DS;G1 A :ITE H&K]*IEF FELL F H]
POCKET4 ,KATE DIDN'T NOTICE T %E'D LO/
X1 B ,BREEZA DID4 ,HE PICK$ UP ! HANKIE
9 8 TEE? & BR"\ X 6,KATE4
  ,T SU3ESS REM9D$ H] ( "S?+4 ,AT
,*>LIE'S /A# & !N AT ,B5'S H\SE1 ,W9DS;G
_H NO4$ Z IF SAY+ YES4 ,:5 ,KATE TOLD
,L>S AB X1 HE ASK$1 8,:AT DID Y SAY
6,W9DS;G J 2F %E MOV$ H] H1D80
  ,KATE ?"\ BACK4 ,%E CDN'T REMEMB] H]
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACD
^WS AT ,GRANTSBURG4 ,B AT ,B5'S H\SE--
  ,R1*+ UP1 ,KATE /ROK$ ! M>E 2T H]
EYES4 8,Y'LL .HELP ME1 WON'T Y80 %E
ASK$4
  ,9 ! NEXT 9/ANT ,W9DS;G NO4$ Z IF
ANSW]+4
  8,T'S X60 ,L>S CRI$4 ,AG ,KATE /ROK$
,W9DS;G 2T ! EYES1 SAY+ ! ^W .HELP4 ,:5
! M>E RESPOND$1 ,KATE REW>D$ H] )
C>ROTS4
  ,ON / O!R "DS1 ,KATE PRACTIC$ !
SIGNALS ,L>S _H %[N !M AT ,RICE ,LAKE4
,:5 ,KATE PUT PRESSURE 2H ,W9DS;G'S "R
=ELEG1 ! M>E /RET*$ \ H] LEFT LEG 9 AN
EXTRA L;G /EP4 ,:5 ,KATE GAVE ! CUE ON
,W9DS;G'S LEFT SIDE1 ! M>E EXT5D$ H] "R
=ELEG1 AG 9 AN EXTRA L;G /EP4
  ,0N[ ! HORSES _H />T$ 6LOOK BETT]4 ,!Y
W]5'T SLEEK YET1 B N Z %A7Y EI4
,W9DS;G'S RIBS / %[$1 B N Z M*4 ,:5"E
,KATE GAVE \ OATS1 %E M1SUR$ C>E;LLY1
?9K+ AB ! W9T] AH1D4
  ,! M "T %E SP5T ) ,W9DS;G1 ! M ,KATE
DR1D$ ! MO;T :5 %E _H 6GIVE H] UP4 ,X
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACE
WASN'T ! TRICKS T M1NT ! MO/ 6,KATE1 OR
EV5 ! POSSI# VALUE (! HORSES4 ,%E _H
LE>N$ 6LOVE BO? HORSES1 & ESPECI,Y !
M>E4
  ,(T5 ,KATE ?"\ AB ! %AD[ \TSIDE ! B>N4
,?\< %E TRI$ 6PU% X AWAY1 A NA7+ ?"\
REMA9$4 ..,:AT IF ,DUGAN /1LS ,W9DS;G &
.,BREEZA8 ,IF T HAPP5$1 ,KATE WD LOSE
BO? WAYS4 ,N ONLY WD ! HORSES 2 G"O4 ,%E
WDN'T 2 A# 6BUY ! OATS H] HORSES _H
EAT54
  ,Z "O WEEK1 !N A SECOND WEEK PASS$1
,KATE GREW M HOPE;L4 8,MAYBE ,DUGAN HAS
G"O AWAY = GD10 %E SD 6,&]S4 8,MAYBE
HE'S =GOTT5 8 GRUDGE AG/ ,B540 ,YET :5
,KATE LET D[N H] GU>D1 %E FELT UNEASY4
  ,EA* MORN+ ! FAMILY PRAY$ = RA9 &=
,B54 ,:5"E !Y PRAY$1 ,KATE WOND]$ :Y ,B5
_H S5T S* A LR4 ,:AT 0 GO+ ON8
  ,!N "O EV5+ ,B5 F9,Y CAME HOME4 ,? "T
,J5NY WASN'T AL;G1 & ,KATE WOND]$ AB X4
,:ILE EAT+ SUPP]1 ,B5 PICK$ AWAY AT 8
FOOD4 ,S9CE HE USU,Y ATE EV5 M ?AN ,&]S1
,KATE FELT SURE T :AT"E 0 WR;G WASN'T
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACF
BETT] YET4
  8,I'M RE,Y SORRY AB ! DAMAGE 6YR
H\SE10 ,PAPA SD4 8,B ,I ?9K ,I "K A WAY
6FIX X40
  ,PAPA _H WRITT5 6,B5 AF ! FIRE4 ,YET
6,KATE'S SURPRISE ,B5 DIDN'T WANT 6"K M
AB X4
  8,H[ IS X GO+ AT ,NEV]S ,DAM80 ,MAMA
ASK$1 Z ?\< TRY+ 6GET ,B5 6TALK4
  ,B ,B5 J %RU7$4 8,KEEP PRAY+10 HE SD4
  ,SOON ,KATE NOTIC$ T ,GR&PA & ,GR&MA 7
AL WAT*+ ,B54 ,X SEEM$ Z ?\< ! LI<T _H
G"O \ ( 8 EYES4 ,:AT CD 2 WR;G8
  ,:5 "EY"O F9I%$ EAT+1 ,B5 SD HE NE$$
6"W ON 8 H\SE4 ,F ! W9D[ (! SUMM] KIT*5
,KATE WAT*$ ,B5 /OP 9 ! GRAN>Y = 8
TOOLS4 ,KATE FELT SURE X 0 8 LOVE =
,J5NY T KEPT HM "W+ S* L;G H\RS4 ,YET Z
,B5 H1D$ T[>D 8 H\SE1 8 /EPS DRA7$4
  ,Z SOON Z ,KATE F9I%$ ! DI%ES1 %E
SA4L$ ,W9DS;G & FOLL[$ H] UNCLE4 ,:5 %E
R1*$ ! H\SE %E F.D ,B5 HEW+ A LOG--*IPP+
"O SIDE 6MAKE X FLAT4
  ,/&+ ON TOP (! LOG1 ,B5 WALK$
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACG
BACKW>DS4 ,E F\R 9*ES HE /RUCK ! "R SIDE
)A BIG BROAD AX4 .,:ACK6 .,:ACK6 ,YET HE
MOV$ Z ?\< 8 HE>T WASN'T 9 8 "W4
  8,:AT'S ! MATT]80 ,KATE ASK$4
  ,Z ,B5 DROPP$ D[N ON A /UMP1 ,KATE F.D
A PLACE ON ! GRASS 2S HM4 ,! LA/ "T %E
_H SE5 HM "H1 HE & ,J5NY GL[$ )
EXCITE;T4 ,:Y DID HE LOOK S 4C\RAG$ N[8
  ,=A "T ,B5 SAT )\T SP1K+1 />+ D[N
96CREEK4 ,:5 HE F9,Y />T$ 6TALK1 8 VOICE
0 L[1 ALM A%AM$4 8,D Y REMEMB] :5 ,I
TOLD Y AB ,DUGAN--! MAN ,I _H 6REPORT80
  ,KATE NO4$4 8,HE SD HE'D GET EV5 ) Y40
  8,HE'S BE5 G"O = OV] A MON? N[40 ,B5
JUMP$ UP & PAC$ >.D ! OP5 >EA NE> 8
H\SE4 8,B M"OY HAS BE5 MISS+60
  8,MISS+6 ,:AT D Y M1N80 ,KATE WASN'T
SURE T %E "U/OOD4
  8,DUGAN LEFT4 ,HE'S NO": 6BE F.D4 ,B
S9CE ,I />T$ "W+ 9 ! (FICE--0 ,B5 P.D$ 8
FI/4
  ,Z ?\< "K+ :AT 0 -+1 ,KATE FELT
BUTT]FLIES 9 H] /OMA*4
  8,TWO "TS M"OY HAS BE5 MISS+60 ,B5
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACH
EXCLAIM$4 8,AF ! F/ "T1 ! BOSS TALK$
6ME40
  ,B5 LOOK$ AWAY1 Z IF UNA# 6MEET
,KATE'S GAZE4 8,MR4 ,FRAWLEY SD1 ,8,B51
Y'RE A GD "W]4 ,I WANT 6TRU/ Y1 B Y'RE !
ONLY P]SON :O IS A WAT*MAN & "WS 9 !
(FICE TOO40'0
  ,9 FRONT ( ,KATE1 ,B5 /OPP$ PAC+4 8,H[
DID MY BOSS "K ,I 0 A ?IEF8 ,I HAV5'T
TOLD .ANY"O EXCEPT \R FAMILY & ,J5NY40
  8,HE A3US$ Y ( /1L+80 ,KATE ASK$4
  ,B5 %OOK 8 H1D4 8,HE SD1 ,8,I WANT
6TRU/ Y40'0
  ,KATE CDN'T BE> ! IDEA ( H] SPECIAL
UNCLE 2+ CALL$ A ?IEF4 ,B :Y WD ,MR4
,FRAWLEY TALK AB TRU/ UN.S HE WOND]$ AB
,B5'S H"O/Y8
  8,MAYBE HE TALK$ T WAY )\T "K+ :AT Y
DID 9 ,SW$510 ,KATE ANSW]$1 TRY+ 6(F]
HOPE4
  ,Z ,B5 DROPP$ BACK ON ! /UMP1 HE RAN 8
F+]S "? 8 HAIR4 8,LA/ WEEK M M"OY 0
MISS+4 ,MR4 ,FRAWLEY TALK$ 6ME AG6 ,HE
SD1 ,8,B51 WE H 6GET 6! BOTTOM ( ?40'
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ACI
,HE ?9KS ,I /OLE ! M"OY60
  8,DID HE SAY S80
  ,B5 %OOK 8 H1D4 8,B :O ELSE CD D X8 ,I
."K T ,MR4 ,FRAWLEY ?9KS ,I DID60
  8,B1 ,B51 Y DIDN'T60
  ,! TALL "Y MAN TRI$ 6SMILE4 8.,I "K ,I
DIDN'T4 ,& .Y "K ,I DIDN'T4 ,B :AT AB MY
BOSS80
  ,B5'S VOICE BROKE4 8,:AT AB MY ,J5NY8
,:5 WE 2CAME FRS1 ,I TOLD H] ,I _H BE5 A
?IEF 9 ,SW$54 ,I PROMIS$ H] ,I WD N"E
/1L AG4 ,H[ C MY ,J5NY M>RY "S"O )! "N
(A ?IEF80
  ,TE>S WELL$ UP 9 ,KATE'S EYES4 8,OH1
,B560
  ,Z ?\< ,J5NY 7 / /&+ "!1 ,KATE CD SEE
H] LOOK+ UP 96,B5'S HAPPY FACE4 ,Z IF
,MAMA 7 / BUY+ ! BLUE CLO?1 ,KATE
REMEMB]$ H] CO/LY *OICE4 ,%E REMEMB]$
ALL ! HAPPY PREP>,NS ,MAMA & ,GR&MA 7
MAK+ =! W$D+4
  ,B ! BLUE DRESS &! "W W]5'T IMPORTANT4
,ALL T MATT]$ 0 :AT WD HAPP5 6,J5NY &
,B54 ,IF ,B5'S "N WASN'T CLE>$1 "! WD 2
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ADJ
NO W$D+4 ,EV5 IF ,J5NY 2LIEV$ 9 HM1 ,B5
WD N"E M>RY H] :ILE 2+ CALL$ A ?IEF4
  ,? "T X 0 ,KATE :O JUMP$ UP4 8,T AW;L
,DUGAN IS GETT+ EV56 ,WE H 6F9D HM60
  ,=A MO;T ,B5'S EYES LIT ) HOPE4 ,!N HE
MOAN$4 8,B ": .IS ,DUGAN8 ,I N"E SEE HM6
,I WAT* ! WOODS1 ,I WAT* ! ROAD PA/ !
(FICE4 ,I ONLY "K T HE'S BE5 "!6 ,H[ C
WE CAT* "S"O WE _C SEE80
  ,AG ,KATE REMEMB]$ H] UNEASI;S AB
,W9DS;G & ,BREEZA4 ,%E _H N"E BE5 A#
6-PLETELY =GET T %AD[--T ?UD \TSIDE !
B>N4
  8,IF ,DUGAN IS / >.D--0 ,KATE ?"\ AB X
8,"!'S "O L9K 2T Y & U & ,DUGAN10 %E SD
SL[LY4 8,X'S ! HORSES60
  ,/&+ TALL]1 ,KATE FLIPP$ H] BRAID OV]
H] %\LD]4 8,WE'LL F9D ,DUGAN 2F HE
WRECKS YR GD "N60
  8,2F ,DUGAN /1LS AG80 ,B5 ASK$1 8
VOICE QUIET B DESP]ATE4 8,2F MY ,J5NY
GETS HURT80


       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ADA

            #AE ,":'S ,PAPA8

  8,2F YR ,J5NY GETS HURT60 ,KATE
EXCLAIM$4
  8,H[80 ,B5'S GAZE MET H]S4 8,H[ C Y
/OP ,DUGAN80
  8,I DON'T "K1 ,B540 ,KATE WI%$ %E CD
(F] M -=T4 8,B "SH[ WE W40
  8,Y PROMISE80
  8,I PROMISE4 ,I DON'T "K H[1 B WE W40
  ,:5 ,KATE RETURN$ 6,W9DY ,HILL ,F>M1
,MAMA ASK$ IF %E WD WAT* ,B]NIE =A :ILE4
,TAK+ ! BABY ) H]1 ,KATE SE>*$ \ ,&]S4
,%E F.D HM 9 ! SUMM] KIT*54 ,TGR !Y
TALK$ AB ,DUGAN & ,B54
  8,:AT C WE D80 ,KATE ASK$1 FEEL+ Z
DESP]ATE Z ,B5 _H S.D$4
  ,B ,&]S DIDN'T H ANY M ID1S ?AN %E
DID4 ,F9,Y ,KATE _H 6GIVE UP TRY+ 6?9K
(A PLAN4 ,%E FELT HOT & TIR$ & 4C\RAG$4
  8,TAKE ,B]NIE1 W Y80 %E ASK$ ,&]S4
  ,S9CE ! BIR? ( H] BABY BRO!R1 ,KATE _H
WANT$ 6SEE ,&]S HOLD HM4 ,B :5 HE TRI$
       ,,4A/] ,,ON ,,W9DY ,,HILL    #ADB
6SETTLE ! BABY1 ,&]S SEEM$ ALL >MS & BIG
H&S4
  8,"H10 ,KATE SD1 RESCU+ ,B]NIE4 8,I'LL
%[ Y :AT HE LIKES40
  ,HOLD+ H] LL BRO!R UP ON H] %\LD]1 %E
PATT$ 8 BACK UNTIL HE BURP$4 ,!N %E SAT
D[N NEXT 6,&]S4 ,) ,B]NIE 9 H] LAP1 %E
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