Chapter Seven
Laverne threw back her head and took a deep draught of the late, spring air, smelling sweetgrass and hyacinths. She exhaled steam. The night before had been clear and cool, almost frosty, and the dew was heavy on the grass, but the sun promised warmth soon. She relaxed in the saddle, feeling the gentle trot of the horse under her. When the line from the saddle horn went taut, she turned and shouted over her shoulder. “Come on, Lazybones! If you don’t keep up, I’ll drag your ass!”
Muffy was bathed in sweat as she staggered wearily along. Her wrists, wrapped in rough rope, were extended before her. The other end of the rope was tied to the saddle horn of the trotting horse. Her legs were damp with dew, and strands of grass had snagged between her toes. At first, when Laverne
