Wyoming Friends

By Sandy Zabel

Eleven year old Hannah and Zoe are neighbors and also best friends. Zoe comes to stay for an undetermined time with Hannah when her newborn brother has health problems and her parents have to stay with him in the hospital in a distant city.
Hannah and Zoe, who love to ride their horses, take on all kinds of adventures and problems in their time together.
This is the first of a two part series with Hannah and Zoe. The second book is, "Wyoming Family Reunion."
These two books comprise the authors efforts in NaMoWriMo's challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Between the two books there were 50,042 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Two His Glory Publishing
• Release date: Nov 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301198221

Sandy Zabel

Hi Writing must be in my blood since my father (Harold Scott) was a writer, my sister was a writer and now my daughter is a writer. I have always enjoyed writing. Some of my inspiration comes from listening to children talk and use their imaginations. I also illustrate my books and I love to draw coloring pages and color them with children.

Book preview

Wyoming Friends

by

Sandy Zabel

COPYRIGHT © 2012 SANDY ZABEL

Published by Sandy Zabel of Two His Glory Publishing at Smashwords.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Ebook ISBN 9781301198221

This book is dedicated to the National Novel Writers Month website. Without their challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November, I would never have undertaken this book or the next, Wyoming Family Reunion since I divided the 50,000 words into two books.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Sandy Zabel

Chapter 1 The Break-in

Chapter 2 Blood in the Snow

Chapter 3 An Undesirable Friend

Chapter 4 The Miracle of Mr. Brooks

Chapter 5 A Sudden Thaw

Chapter 6 Matchmaking Fun

Chapter 7 A Big Decision

Chapter 1 The Break-in

'

Eleven year old Hannah stretched lazily in her bed. Her long, dark brown hair fanned out in a wavy mass over her pillow. It was a beautiful morning and she was so happy her best friend, Zoe was going to be staying with her for awhile. Then she remembered why Zoe was going to be staying and felt sad. She looked over the edge of her bed at the trundle bed beside hers. Zoe lay quietly on the lower bed but Hannah didn't think she was sleeping.

Zoe, Hannah whispered. Are you awake? Zoe turned over and stretched. Her short golden brown hair stuck out in all directions. Opening her eyes she smiled up at her friend.

Good morning. What time is it? Zoe asked.

I think it's about nine o'clock, but I'm not sure. Let me look. Hannah rolled over so she could see the clock on the dresser. It is just nine. Looking back at her friend she said, I'm glad you're here.

I am too, Zoe said

Are you very scared about your brother?

I am a little, she stated. From what Mom said he is so tiny and I don't understand what is wrong with him. Mom said something about his heart and that affects his lungs and breathing. Even though he wasn't born early, the Doctors said his lungs haven't developed enough yet. I didn't know newborns could have so many problems.

Well, you do know I am praying for him, don't you? Hannah said her blue eyes serious.

Yeah and I appreciate that. That really makes Mom feel better, Zoe said. "Dad said we will leave little Todd in God's hands. Are you hungry?

I am. Hannah said and bounced to a sitting position on her bed. Her Mom always said she was so thin because she was forever bouncing around with so much energy even though she ate like her older brother. Let's go see what Mom has for breakfast, and then we'd better ride over to your house and make sure all the doors are locked. Your folks left so fast they weren't sure they had locked up properly.

After the girls were finished with breakfast they saddled their horses and rode over the hills to the Circle T ranch Zoe's parent's owned. She hadn't been born on the ranch but was so glad they had moved there. Zoe's Dad, Ethan Taylors always wanted to live on a ranch and had bought and moved his small family there five years ago when Zoe was six.

The girls knew Jake, the Taylors' ranch foreman was around the place but he hadn't especially been asked to watch the ranch house. When the girls arrived they tied their horses to a hitching rail made just to tie horses to. Hannah led the way as they walked around the corner of the house to the front door. Zoe tried the handle but it was locked tight and wouldn't budge. Together they turned and started on around the next corner of the house. It was a large, sprawling one story house so it was a ways to get to the next corner. As they passed each window the girls looked to see that it was closed. As they rounded the last corner Hannah stopped suddenly.

Zoe look! she stated. Something isn't right. Both girls started running toward the back door. As they reached it they could see that it wasn't closed tight.

Hannah stopped before they reached the first porch step. Do you think we should go in? she asked. What if someone is in there?

I don't know, Zoe said backing up a step. Maybe we should go get Jake.

I think that's a good idea. Hannah said.

Both girls ran to their horses and after mounting galloped to the barn where they thought Jake might be.

Jake, Jake! Zoe called.

What! I didn't think you were here. Jake came out of the barn and stood looking at the excited girls. He was an older man but was still lean and hard working. Has something happened?

We went up to the house and the back door is open. We didn't go in, Zoe stated pointing to the back of the house.

Good, that was the right thing to do, Jake said. Let's go see what's going on.

The girls followed Jake as he took long strides to the house.

You stay out here while I go in and check to see if anyone is in there, Jake ordered. The girls sat their horses waiting impatiently for Jake to return.

Do you think he will find anyone? Zoe asked. Do you think he will be alright? I don't want anything to happen to Jake. Zoe was fidgeting in her saddle. Hannah looked at her with a frown on her face.

I don't want anything to happen to him either. Do you think we ought to go in and see if he's alright? she stated but didn't make a move to get down from her horse. The girls looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

Just as they had about decided to go inside, Jake came out.

There isn't anyone here now, but it looks like someone has been.

Can we come in and look? Zoe asked.

"Sure, but don't touch anything. The Sheriff will have to come and look things over and we don't want to disturb any clues as to who was in there.

Eagerly the girls slid from their saddles and followed Jake in the back door and into the kitchen. It looked like someone had fixed themselves something to eat. A dirty pan was on the stove and dishes were on the table. A couple of glasses were in the sink and one glasslooked like it had had milk in it.

Jake turned and went down the long center hall with the girls following him. He led them to Zoe's parent's room. The bed had been slept in and was all messed up with the bed spread laying half on the floor. The bathroom smelled like someone had taken a shower and left the shampoo bottle open.

Someone has been here, Zoe breathed quietly. They slept in Mom and Dad's bed. I don't like that.

I don't either, Jake said. We need to get the Sheriff out here. Turning he led them out the back door and to their horses. "Do you want to ride to town and get the Sheriff? I'll stay here. I have some work to do close around the