Golden Filly Collection One
Books by
Lauraine Snelling
Golden Filly Collection One
*
Golden Filly Collection Two
*
Secret Refuge
(3 in 1)
D
AKOTA
T
REASURES
Ruby • Pearl
Opal • Amethyst
D
AUGHTERS OF
B
LESSING
A Promise for Ellie • Sophie’s Dilemma
A Touch of Grace • Rebecca’s Reward
H
OME TO
B
LESSING
A Measure of Mercy
R
ED
R
IVER OF THE
N
ORTH
An Untamed Land
A New Day Rising
A Land to Call Home
The Reaper’s Song
Tender Mercies
Blessing in Disguise
R
ETURN TO
R
ED
R
IVER
A Dream to Follow • Believing the Dream
More Than a Dream
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5 books in each volume
Golden Filly: Collection One
Copyright © 1990, 1991, 1992
Lauraine Snelling
Previously published in five separate volumes:
The Race
Copyright © 1990
Eagle’s Wings
Copyright ©1991
Go for the Glory
Copyright © 1991
Kentucky Dreamer
Copyright © 1991
Call for Courage
Copyright © 1992
Cover design by Dan Pitts
Cover photography by Lauri Wade Higdon
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations are from the
Good News Translation
—Second Edition. Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
E-book edition created 2011
ISBN 978-1-4412-7025-2
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Contents
LAURAINE SNELLING is an award-winning author of over sixty books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold over two million copies. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writers’ conferences across the country. She and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, a basset named Chewy, and a cockatiel watch bird named Bidley. They make their home in California.
Originally published in the early 1990s, these books reflect the cultural and social aspects of that time. In order to maintain the integrity of the story, we opted not to impose today’s styles, technologies, laws, or other advancements upon the characters and events within. We believe the themes of love of God, love of family, and love of horses are timeless and can be enjoyed no matter the setting.
To my daughter,
Marie, who won her race and now wears her crown.
T
he rising sun peeked through feathery mist.
Two Thoroughbreds rounded the far turn on the three-quarter mile track at Runnin’ On Farm. Side by side, both riders stood high in their stirrups to hold the surging animals under control.
“Now, Tricia!” Hal Evanston, the rider on the gray, shouted above the thunder of pounding hooves.
His daughter, Tricia, nodded, loosened the reins, and crouched back in the saddle, her face almost buried in two-year-old Spitfire’s black mane. “Okay, boy,” she whispered to the colt’s twitching ears. “Let’s see what you can do.”
The colt leaped forward. He snorted, then settled into ever-lengthening strides. The white fence blurred as Spitfire gained speed. Beside him, old gray Dan’l valiantly attempted to keep pace. Another furlong and the black was stretched out, running free. The gray dropped back, blowing hard.
Tricia urged the colt on, using her hands and feet. She thought about the whip in her hand but decided against it.
“Come on, baby,” she crooned. “Let it out. Let’s go all the way.” The horse gave a little more. His heavy breathing drowned out the thunder of his hooves. As they passed the entrance gate, Tricia remembered her father’s instructions. She eased back on the reins.
“That’s enough for now, fella.” She chuckled as Spitfire shook his head. She pulled the reins tighter, rising in the stirrups to gain more control. Gobs of lather splashed past her as he shook his head again. Tricia ducked her face into his sweaty mane for protection.
“Come on, Spitfire,” she coaxed him. “You gotta slow down. We’re in cool-down time now. You’ll get to race again. I promise.”
The feisty colt slowed to a canter, tossing his head and playfully fighting the snaffle bit. The desire to race on around the track screamed from every taut muscle. His blue-black coat was lather-flecked and dripping wet, but he’d finally tasted real racing. Centuries of selective breeding had led to this event. He was a Thoroughbred in every line and hair of his seventeen-hand, long-legged body.