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 Two
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995
Lauraine Snelling
Previously published in five separate volumes:
Shadow Over San Mateo
Copyright © 1993
Out of the Mist
Copyright © 1993
Second Wind
Copyright © 1994
Close Call
Copyright © 1994
The Winner’s Circle
Copyright © 1995
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.
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 978-1-4412-7026-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Contents
SHADOW OVER SAN MATEO BOOK SIX
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 Carolyne Mozel’s
fifth and sixth grade class of 1992-1993.
What a super bunch of kids—top readers,
excellent writers, and just plain fun.
J
ust get through the ceremonies. Get through the ceremonies.
Tricia Evanston hung on to her brother’s words as the waves of applause rolled from the stands and across the track infield. Trish and her Thoroughbred Spitfire had just won the famed Belmont Classic, the third diamond in the Triple Crown. Trish was the first woman jockey to win the honor.
But none of it mattered now. Not the trophies, not the applause, not the money. Unknown to her during the race, Trish’s father had died at the hospital just before the race of her life began. When she didn’t see him in the crowd, a nod from her brother confirmed her worst fears.
Just get through. Don’t think. Don’t feel. Get through.
Trish responded to the media as they clamored for her attention. She waved and smiled. And smiled some more. Her jaw felt like it would crack from the strain. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
She didn’t dare look at her brother, David, and just leaned on the arm he had clamped around her. Spitfire stood at attention, ears forward, as the syndicate owners lined the shallow brick risers behind them. The blanket of white carnations covered the horse’s withers and up onto his neck. When the cameras flashed again, he blew on Trish’s neck, then nudged David.
Patrick O’Hern, their trainer and friend, clenched Spitfire’s reins with one hand and Trish’s shoulder with the other. “Easy, lass,” he whispered.
Trish could hear him murmuring. She bit her lip until the sticky-sweet taste of blood nearly made her gag. Patrick’s voice had that same soothing song her father’s had; the song that calmed horses and riders—and now broke her heart.