Read Online Astra by Chris Platt - Free Book Online

horse. And Steven is right. Chances are, Astra might never be strong enough to carry a rider—even one as small as Lily.”
    Lily wanted to scream and throw things around the barn. What was the matter with the adults here? Everyone wanted to talk about the worst possible scenario. What about the best outcome? What if Astra got well and she could ride her? Well, if her father ever lifted his no-riding rule, anyway.
    â€œI don’t care!” Lily shouted to be heard over all the discussion. “This was my mother’s favorite horse. She was going to make her a national champion. Even if Astra can’t do anything more than walk and crop grass, I want her! That’s what my mom would want. Don’t you understand?”
    She stared at each of them in turn. Surely, at least one person here could understand what she was going through? Didn’t they see how important this was?
    â€œLily…” Her father spread his hands in a hopeless gesture.
    â€œIf money is the problem, I’ll donate the veterinary work,” Dr. Tison volunteered. “Your family trusted me, Dan, when I first got out of vet school. You’ve been friends and clients of mine for many years. I know how important this is to Lily—and would have been to her mother. It’s the least I could do in memory of her.”
    â€œPlease, Dad,” Lily begged. If her father didn’t say yes, she didn’t know what she’d do. “I’ll work really hard. You won’t have to spend any money on Astra. I’m all she has now. I can’t let her die.”
    Her father didn’t answer. She could see the war going on inside him. He knew how much this horse meant to her, but he also remembered losing his wife in a terrible accident with this same horse. “I don’t know, Lily. I just don’t know.”
    Astra chose that moment to flail her legs and grunt loudly. Lily took two steps, intent on running back to her side, but Dr. Tison put a hand on her shoulder and held her back.
    â€œNot so fast, Lily,” Dr. Tison warned. “She could accidentally strike you with those front legs if she does that again.”
    â€œThe doc is right,” Lily’s father said. “And this proves my point about the danger of you getting hurt.”
    Lily crossed her arms. “That’s so unfair!” she protested. “I could get hurt riding my bike to the store. I could get hurt walking to the school bus. I could get hurt during gym class at school.” She clamped her lips shut, knowing she’d gone too far, but she was unable to stop herself. She’d managed to holler at every adult there and double the load of worry for her father. Not only was she going to lose Astra, but she was going to be in major trouble later. And she deserved it. Lily hung her head, knowing she’d lost the battle. Would it do any good to throw herself at Mr. Henley’s feet and beg him to let Astra live?
    Mr. O’Neil sighed. “Give me a few days to get a stall ready at our place,” he said to the ranch owner.
    Lily’s head snapped up in surprise. Did her father just say… yes?
    Mr. O’Neil turned to Lily. “I expect you to keep up your end of the bargain. You’ll be here to help Steven for a few hours after school when he needs you, and on the weekends. And the no-riding rule is still in effect.”
    Lily nodded her head vigorously. She felt like one of those bobblehead dolls she’d seen on car dashboards. “I promise!” she said. She ran to her father, threw her arms around him, and hugged him tight. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she exclaimed.
    â€œWell, finish up here and call me when you’re ready to come home,” Mr. O’Neil said with a small smile. “You’ve got school tomorrow. Astra is in good hands here.”
    Lily gave her dad one last squeeze and ran back to Astra’s side. The beautiful Arabian mare