The Mystery of the Broomstick Horse

By Linda J. Dalton

The family moved from New England not long ago. In Wyoming, Karah found that she loves sunrises, horses and adventure. The Knowles family purchased the old Summers Hill Ranch, which is surrounded by the mountains and the Wind River Reservation. In those hills Karah and her friend pursue adventures daily. Her parents never know just what Karah and Morning Star will be bringing home next.
Returning home after a day seeking antlers and arrowheads, Black Jack spooked on something hidden in the sage. Karah tried to urge him ahead, without success. Upon closer inspection she saw what resembled a ragged broomstick. She struggled to remove it from the sage and discovered that it was a horse a broomstick horse. She hurriedly tied it to her saddle, then she and Black Jack high-tailed it for home.
Dad, thinking it might be an Indian thing, advised her that she might consult Morning Stars grandfather. After supper, Karah found that the little horse, which had been left in the mudroom, had miraculously disappeared!
This story unfolds as a series of tasks must be accomplished before the Little Horse can be set free. The girls entrust Twisted Hair with events that have happened in the past and will happen in the future.
This book will hold your interest, and you will find that you cannot wait to turn to the next page. I hope that you will enjoy reading my Mystery of the Broomstick Horse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479747825

Linda J. Dalton

I was born to parents from South Dakota and Massachusetts. I loved visiting my grandparents on the farm, learning that Grandma had traveled by wagon train from Nebraska Territory to the Dakotas as a young girl. She met and married my grandpa. They settled in Beresford with a few dairy cows. My western roots sprouted in Brookings, and I’ve vacationed on farms and ranches ever since. I’ve gathered eggs, milked cows and eaten vegetables right out of the ground. I’ve lived in Massachusetts all my life, but my heart and soul reside in the West. Two weeks each year, as I boast “my best vacation ever”, you can find me on a ranch in Wyoming. Ranch animals, including my kitties Cougar and Bear (who are my biggest fans) and the mountains are part of me! I try to live my life to the fullest. Creatively, I enjoy watercolors and do pen and ink drawings. I also decorate cakes. I grow flowers and veggies in my summer garden. Enter … WRITING! I started early with a little poem, then small clips about Potato Trees and such. My first book, The Mystery of the Broomstick Horse is finally complete after working at it for ten years. Children nowadays may not know what a broomstick horse is. It can be your best friend when you reside in the city. You and your “horse” can invent all kinds of adventure.

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Copyright © 2012 by Linda J. Dalton.

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.

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CONTENTS

Chapter One   The Thin Wavy Line

Chapter Two   Star Light, Stars Bright!

Chapter Three   The Legend Of The Wheel Horse

Chapter Four   Beeteentoo Nii Bisiseet

Chapter Five   A Shining Clue

Chapter Six   The Broomstick Reappears

Chapter Seven   The Strangest Dream

Chapter Eight   The Discovery

Chapter Nine   The Star Child

Chapter Ten   Going Home!

Chapter Eleven   The Newest Legend

~Acknowledgement~

For a number of years I have had the pleasure

of working with the cowboys

on the spring cattle drives in the

Owl Creek Mountains of Wyoming.

Had it not been for this wonderful experience

I would never have seen, heard or felt

what the mountains and prairies had in store for me.

With much inspiration, initiative and a lot of heart …

I could put my experiences into my writing.

I wish to dedicate

The Mystery of the Broomstick Horse

to Frank and Karen, Jon, Holli, Josh, Hank and Sherri

from the HD Ranch in Thermopolis;

My horse Washaki, for putting up with me and of course the cows,

for never doing what they were told!

Thank you!

CHAPTER ONE

The Thin Wavy Line

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It was unusual that she woke up earlier than six on a day there was no school. So why today? Nevertheless, with great intent and presence of mind, she got out of bed at four o’clock. She was desperately trying to remember what she had dreamt that night, but she could only recall galloping wild horses and constellations. Still thinking about her dreams and not knowing why she was up, she dressed quickly in faded blue jeans and a red plaid shirt. Without turning the light on, she searched for her gloves in the blackness of her room and shuffled around in the dark until she found them.

Karah braided her brown hair in a single strand that hung to her shoulders. She didn’t know why she was in such a hurry either. After all, it was Friday and there was no school. In the mudroom, she pulled on her boots; and as she slunk out the backdoor, she grabbed her hat with the pinched brim and a handful of apple treats.

It was the beginning of September, and the morning air was cool and crisp. She thought she should take her jacket, but she knew when the Wyoming sun rose it wouldn’t be long before the temperatures warmed. The outside world was so quiet, which was why she liked it here so much.

Two years ago, Jon and Melinda Knowles had purchased the old Summers Hill Ranch and had moved the family to the west to raise their daughter and fulfill their lifelong dreams. They had come from a midsized city near Boston and were tired of the noise of traffic, sirens, and barking dogs—especially at all hours of the night.

Humming to herself, Karah thought of all this. She remembered the porthole-sized piece of sky above the house surrounded by tall old trees and the houses built back to back. She couldn’t ever remember hearing the birds in her backyard. But here… right now, these birds were chirping a happy song.

Wake up… it’s morning! they called.

Karah was awake, and she was enjoying the bright new day. As she walked toward the barn, listening, she thought, It’s so quiet here! I can even hear the sound of the gravel under my feet. I love this place!

I truly love this place, Karah said out loud.

She noticed the alfalfa in the pastures gently waving in the breeze, and the sky which had a brilliant blue beginning to the west with blue-gray billowing clouds. The eastern sky was ablaze with pink, orange, and gold. The sun was just on the horizon, and she knew if she waited a minute, everything would change. Watching the sun rise was just about the best part of the morning. Karah knew that God had created this amazing new day, and she was determined to enjoy every bit of it.

A jackrabbit crossed her path, and another sat down in front of her, looking right at her, then it hopped away. Karah stumbled on a stone as she whirled around to catch a glimpse of the antelope springing across the pasture.

The thirteen-year-old reached the barn where she could see the horse through the little window. Karah heard him stamping his feet as she entered the barn. She lifted the halter from the nail, then opened his stall door. She slipped it over his nose and scratched his right ear as she buckled the cheek strap. He shook his head and nickered to her.

So you’re hungry, are you? she asked him. He nickered again. She thought it fitting to have named him Shamrock’s Black Jack because his green halter and sheepskin saddle pad reminded her of St. Patrick’s Day.

She led him out of his stall and fastened the lead rope to the ring on the wall. Karah unlocked the hasp on the grain-room door, took a large coffee can from the shelf, and filled it halfway with the pellet grain. She added a handful of molasses sweet feed and threw in the apple treats she had brought from the house. The noise of the grain in the can had now aroused the other horses. After dumping Jack’s breakfast on the floor in front of him, she replenished the can five more times and filled each one’s feed pan. She then topped off the water buckets.

While Jack munched on his grain, she retrieved her grooming box from the tack room and brushed his belly. It was still caked with mud from rolling in the dirt, which she let him do after each day’s ride. She carefully brushed his head, paying special attention around his eyes and legs, but scratched his rump hard. He arched his back then stretched his neck and held his head high in the air. At last she combed his mane and tail, which were snarl-free from constant brushings.

Karah said, You are so pretty. I just know that you could get a blue ribbon. Black Jack was happy just eating his grain.

It took a few minutes to get her saddle out. She brought out the Kelly-green pad that Granddad had sent out for her birthday and placed it on his back. She thought that she’d probably get it dirty, so she took it off and replaced it with an older pad and saddle blanket. She tossed up her saddle, and after loosely fastening all the straps, she slightly tightened the cinch and looped the bridle around the horn while she led the other horses out into the corral. The Knowleses owned four horses that Karah took care of during the summer months. There was Drum Roll, Chug-A-Lug, PO, and Black Jack.

Drum Roll was the black-and-white pinto that her dad bought a few months ago. The seller warned him that the horse was a bucker, but once he got his kicks out, he was a fine mount. The first day, when Dad had saddled him and hopped on, all eyes were upon them. Karah and her mom sat atop the fence expecting a good show, and they were not disappointed. The horse kicked up his heels and, with his head down, bounced all over the corral. They tapped sticks on the wood fence posts, creating a drumroll. It was then that they decided that Drum Roll should be his name.

The liver chestnut known as Chug liked root beer. He could drink it right out of the can and would stretch his neck out and roll his top lip like he was laughing.

PO was a stocky pale-colored Palomino, a 14.3-hand pony as they called him. He had a very mild temperament, which suited Karah’s mom just fine as she did not ride too well or even that often.

Then there was Black Jack. Jon purchased the ten-year-old gelding along with the ranch. Karah told everyone that he was special and the prettiest of the lot. He had a white patch on his left front foot and a small white smudge on his forehead, which she said resembled a deerfly. She absolutely liked him the best.

Two other horses were boarded at Summers Hill Ranch. They belonged to the Rhodes brothers, Snicker and Jake, who ran the rodeo circuit during the summer. Their horses stayed at the ranch the rest of the year. Little Knight was a blue roan quarter horse with tiny black flecks in his coat, and Harvest Dancer was a bold Arabian with indescribable coloring.

Karah split them up into three separate corrals. Most of them got along with one another, but Little Knight didn’t like any of them. He looked so lonely by himself. Drum was also by himself, but she’d put Jack out with him later when her chores were done.

The brilliant sun had risen, and the temperature was considerably warmer. Karah tightened the cinch one last time, then she put the bridle over Black Jack’s head and fastened the straps. After hanging up the halter, she was finally ready to go.

Karah led Black Jack out of the barn then mounted up. She rode to the far side of the house, whistling a merry tune. Off in the distance, she noticed a dust trail and wondered if someone was coming or going. She watched with a steady eye till she could pick out the big brown-and-white Appaloosa. The strikingly spotted horse was Sunny Skies, who belonged to her soul mate, Morning Star Hagen, who lived on the reservation alongside the Wind River.

I came to help you today, she said. Morning Star had a squeaky little laugh, and her voice crackled when she spoke. Karah thought it was very unique.

I could sure use the help today, Karah said. I have a bunch of stuff to do, and I’m a bit late doin’ it. So thanks for your help. First, we gotta put some hay out in the pasture for those pesky cows, Karah told her. And I’m sure the birds, too, will get their breakfast by picking the seeds out of it.

The two girls rode out to open range where the cows were waiting impatiently. While Morning Star held both horses, Karah slung forkfuls of sweet hay over the fence with a big pitchfork.

Seven forks should do it for this crowd. Now we’ll head for the other side of the fence for the rest.

Karah remounted, and the two girls galloped the horses across the meadow. They liked to run on the soft ground, and the girls finished the haying in no time at all.

Dad had given Karah the responsibility of taking care of the horses and doing some light chores in the barns on the weekends during the school year, and to her amazement, she liked to do the work. She loved having her own jobs, especially the ones that included riding. It all made her feel older somehow. She decided that ranching and working with the animals might be her calling after she graduated from high school. Having her own horse ranch and living in the mountains was going to be just about the best thing in the world.

The fresh air and sunshine made them hungry. Admiring the day, Morning Star and Karah walked carefully along the creek, laughing and looking for a good slope to sit on. The two girls dismounted, and Karah let her reins drop to the ground. Morning Star held on to one of hers. They sat in the shade of the Cottonwoods, watching nature unfold. Morning Star opened her blanket bag and pulled out some elk Slim Jims and some buffalo jerky.

Grandfather made it from the bull elk that Jumps-Over-The-River took last fall, Morning Star said. And I brought peanut butter sandwiches with your favorite huckleberry jam, and I got some juice boxes too.

Where did the jerky come from? asked Karah.

Laughing, Morning Star answered, The store!

Oh.

After eating, they stretched out in the grass, gazing up at the sky and listening to the cicadas in the fields. Grasshoppers jumped all around them, and bumblebees buzzed above their heads in the warm sun. Black Jack and Sunny munched happily on the grass, switching their