Colts and Caves

By Claudia Anderson

After moving to an 80 acre farm from a house in the city, the adventures and fun seemed to be endless for the Smith children. The hay lofts high in the big barn were the perfect place for escape and solitude. Heaped with bales of green, sweet smelling hay, it was ideal for tunnels and caves. The horses are a big part of their lives but when tragedy strikes, the siblings stand together to give strength and support. New friendships are made and some are lost. Will the love of Romeo help to mend the broken hearts? Follow the adventures of the Smith children as they grow through this summer of challenge and change.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9781462841547

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Copyright © 2009 by Claudia Anderson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Dedication

To those whom I love,

For without them, this would never have been possible.

My siblings, my forever friends.

Through thick and thin; always there for each other.

Thanks for the love:

Emily, Guy, Yvonne and Toni

To my parents, with much love

To my husband and daughter

For believing in me and allowing the time

To Joe Routhier

For the illustrations

And my loving friends for their encouragement

Chapter 1

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The tunnel was so dark and close that she could hardly breathe. Would it collapse? Was it large enough? Marie breathed in deeply, as deeply as she could. The air was stifling, pressing down hard on her, but she kept going. She had complete trust in her older brother and he was right in front of her, at least she hoped he was! Darkness had swallowed him from her sight. Guy, she spoke in a hushed whisper. Say something. Are you right in front… . Suddenly she tumbled down into a room size cave.

Wow, I really hate crawling through there, she shuddered. Marie’s heart was thumping wildly as she tried to relax and breathe normally. Her brown eyes adjusted as she looked at Guy, sitting across from her on a ledge of hay.

Relaxed, a smile split his face from ear to ear. Like it? he beamed as he pushed his dark, wavy hair out of his eyes.

This is so awesome. You made it bigger than it was last time I was here.

Just a couple of rows. Bales are really hard to move alone. Guy settled in, lantern lit, water bottle in the corner and a couple oatmeal cookies in his pocket. Life always seemed so quiet and carefree as the sister and brother, friends always, talked and dreamed together.

The afternoon wore on and soon the two made their way back through the tunnel of hay. Emerging from the passageway, Marie gulped in the fresh air. I feel so claustrophobic when I am in there, Marie said as she brushed the hay from her hair and clothes, but it sure is a great place. Standing down on the main floor, her dark eyes scanned the hay loft they had just left. It was amazing! You couldn’t even tell there was a tunnel and a secret cave hidden among all those bales. Dad had said it was okay as long as they had kept it to one side of the barn. Marie looked to the other side, to another hay loft which looked identical, full of hay. One side was all they needed. As she looked around she felt comforted. She loved the serenity of the big barn. Barn swallows flew high in the rafters as they found their way to their nest. The light was beautiful as golden sunbeams filtered through each tiny crack that made up the wall of the barn. The pattern of light looked like stripes with a light haze as dust from the hay floated higher and higher. Marie said a quick prayer of thanks to the Lord for the beauty that surrounded her.

The day was hot as the sun crawled higher into the sky. It felt great to be in the fresh air and out of the confines of the suffocating hay tunnels. Race you to the house! Guy yelled already running ahead, his long legs pumping hard.

Look out! too late, Guy didn’t see the dog as she ran along side and cut right in front of him and down he went.

Tuck and roll, tuck and roll, Marie screeched as she ran after him, trying hard not to bust up laughing.

Out of breath she caught up with Guy, who by that time was a heap on the grass, Tilly beside him licking his face. You okay? she asked as she plopped on the ground. Did you break anything? You are such a klutz. She chattered away at her brother as she casually cracked all the knuckles on both her hands.

Yeah, I’m good. Tilly cut me off, came at me from the side and knocked my feet out from under me.

Sure, sure it’s always the dogs fault, She giggled as she pulled Guy to his feet. I’m hungry, how about you? Lovingly she draped her arm over his shoulder and off they went in