Cassie smiled. “Forget science, for once. Just enjoy the magic.”
Alex laughed. “I’ll try!”
A butterfly with pink wings flitted beside them. It did a happy loop in the air, as if it was enjoying the blustery wind, then fluttered away.
A moment later, Cassie spotted something moving near a wooded area at the edge of the beach. “Is that Sunbeam, Alex? Down there, near the trees?”
“Yes!” said Alex. “Let’s fly a little lower.”
Cassie tugged on Alex’s hand, guiding them back to the ground. With a flurry of whirling leaves and silver sparkles, they landed in a small clearing in the woods.
Alex brushed himself off. “The wind’s dying down,” he said. “Here comes the sun!”
“Never mind the weather,” said Cassie. “Where’s that runaway pony?”
But Sunbeam was nowhere in sight.
“Sunbeam! Sunbeam!” Cassie and Alex called. But the pony didn’t show himself.
Then Cassie saw something light-colored at the far edge of the woods.
“Look!” she cried, pointing. “There’s Sunbeam!”
They raced through the trees and came out into a grassy field dotted with grazing sheep and golden buttercups.
“You must have seen a sheep,” said Alex. “Sunbeam’s not here. I’ll keep checking in the woods.”
The sheep! Of course!
Cassie thought hard about her crescent moon charm. Instantly, the bracelet glowed and silver sparkles streamed from it. They swirled around Cassie’s head, flashing in the sunlight.
“Excuse me!” she called.
Sparkles danced toward a big, woolly sheep nearby.
“Are you talking to me?” asked the sheep.
Cassie nodded. It was working! “Has a pretty dappled pony come by here?”
“Bah!” said the sheep. “He might be pretty, but he’s not very well behaved. He nearly sent my little Baabaa flying.” She nodded to a lamb prancing giddily among the buttercups.
“Which way did the pony go?” asked Cassie.
“Toward the duck pond,” said the sheep.
“Thanks!” Cassie said with a wave. She was halfway across the field before she realized that Alex hadn’t followed her. “Come on, Alex!” she called out.
“Cassie, we’re not done searching the woods,” said Alex, stepping out from among the trees.
“But the sheep said . . .” Cassie stopped and laughed. “Silly me. You couldn’t understand her, could you?”
“Understand who?” asked Alex.
“That nice sheep.” Cassie jangled her bracelet. “I’ve been talking to her. Come on, let’s go to the duck pond. I’ll explain on the way.”
But there was no sign of Sunbeam there, either. Cassie crouched down, showering a tiny yellow duckling with silver sparkles. “Have you seen a dappled pony?”
The duckling’s eyes opened wide. “Yes. He drank some of my pond — and he almost drank me up, too!”
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” said Cassie. “Which way did he go?”
“To the pigsty,” said the duckling. “He’d better not upset Snorter.”
Cassie thanked the duckling and hurried to the pigsty, trailing clouds of silver sparkles. Alex ran after her.
“What now?” said a cranky voice from behind the sty gate.
It was a large pink pig, who snapped at the sparkles that swirled around his nose.
“You must be Snorter,” said Cassie.
“If you’ve come to find that greedy pony, you’re most welcome,” said the pig. “Please get him out of our farmyard.”
“He’s such a sweet pony,” said Cassie. “He won’t cause any trouble.”
Snorter grunted angrily. “Won’t cause any trouble?” He stomped a muddy hoof. “That pony ate my lunch!”
Cassie noticed an empty bucket by the pigsty gate. “Oh, no!”
“Is that all you can say?” the pig snorted. “That pony’s probably started eating my dinner already, too. Find a wheelbarrow full of apples, and I’ll bet you find your pony.”
“Alex, look for a wheelbarrow,” Cassie instructed.
Alex checked all around the pigsty wall. “Not here,” he said. “I’ll look behind that barn.” A moment later, he yelled, “Cassie, come quick!”
She ran behind the barn and there, munching happily on the apples in the wheelbarrow, was the runaway pony.
“Sunbeam!” Cassie threw her arms around his neck, sending silver sparkles whirling around them both.
“Uh-oh. Am I in trouble?” neighed the pony.
Cassie stroked him gently. “No, you’re not in trouble, Sunbeam.”
The pony looked up at her in surprise. “Can you understand me? How do you know what I said?”
“It’s a long story,” said Cassie, “and we have to get back to Sita.”
Sunbeam tossed his head.
“What’s wrong?” asked Cassie. “You love Sita, don’t you?”
“Of course.” The pony nodded. “I’ll go back, I promise. Later.”
Cassie looked into his huge dark eyes. Was it her imagination, or did Sunbeam look sad? “Why did you run away?”
“The bangs and clatters frightened me,” he said. “So did the donkeys and their braying.”
“But, Sunbeam,” said Cassie, “it was just the wind blowing everything around, and the donkeys were scared, too. The wind’s died down now, so there’s nothing to be scared of anymore.”
“Yes, there is.” Sunbeam pulled away. “There’s . . . the competition.”
“Oh, of course,” said Cassie. “Sita told me that you don’t like jumping.”
“I hate it!” Sunbeam neighed. “Jumping really scares me.”
Cassie stroked his neck softly. Oh, no, she thought. Poor Sunbeam!
Cassie looked at Alex. “We have to help Sunbeam get over his fear of jumping,” she whispered. “I really want to make Sita’s wish come true.”
Before Alex could reply, a cheery voice called out, “Hello, young Cassie.”
A smiling, round-faced man came down the path from the farmhouse, carrying a large china bowl.
“Farmer Greg!” Cassie said. “Please don’t be angry, but this pony ate Snorter’s lunch . . . and some of his dinner.”
“Don’t worry. Plenty more where that came from,” said the farmer with a chuckle. “Bert called and told me to watch out for a runaway.” He handed the bowl to Cassie. It was full of carrots. “I thought these might help catch the pony, but I see you’ve found him already. Help yourselves.”
“Thanks,” said Cassie and Alex, each taking a carrot.
“I saw you talking to the pony, Cassie,” said Farmer Greg. “It looked like you were hoping he’d reply!”
“Oh, I was just calming Sunbeam down,” Cassie said. She couldn’t explain what she was really doing. Farmer Greg would never believe her!
The farmer laughed. “Well, keep at it,” he said. “With a bit of practice, he might be able to answer you!”
A bit of practice? That gave Cassie an idea. “We’ll take Sunbeam back to Bert’s stables, but can we use your paddock for a while first, please?”
“Of course you can! If you need riding helmets, there are some in the barn,” said Farmer Greg. He put the bowl of carrots on a low wall. “I’m off to check the sheep. Back in a bit.”
Cassie found two buckets and took them into the paddock, where the horses trained. She put the buckets upside down, a few feet apart. “Would you hand me that broom please, Alex?” she called.
As soon as Cassie laid the broom over the buckets, Alex realized what she was doing. “You’re making little jumps,” he said.
“That’s right,” said Cassie. Then she whispered, “I know what will tem
pt that greedy little pony to jump!”
She filled her pockets with carrots, then concentrated hard on her crescent moon charm. Instantly, her arm tingled.
“What are you up to?” asked Alex.
“Watch.” Cassie walked over to the pony in a drift of silver sparkles. “Sunbeam, we’re going to play Catch the Carrot. Would you like to play, too?”
“I don’t know how,” said Sunbeam sadly.
“It’s easy,” said Cassie. “Just copy Alex.” She held out a fat carrot and cried, “Come on, Alex, catch the carrot!” Then she ran.
Alex chased after her. As they circled around toward Sunbeam, Cassie slowed down, and Alex grabbed the carrot.
“I win!” he said, and took a big crunchy bite. “Yummy!”
Sunbeam trotted to Cassie. “Can I play now?” he asked.
“Okay.” She waved a carrot in front of his nose. “Go!” She ran off and the pony trotted after her. As she reached the first jump, she thought about her bird charm. She tingled from head to toe, silver sparkles swirled around her, and she took off. Wheee! She floated over the broom.
But Sunbeam stopped. He wouldn’t jump.
Cassie floated back and forth over the broom a couple of times. “This is fun!” she cried, waving the carrot. “Yum!”
This time, Sunbeam trotted toward the jump — and leaped right over it!
Hooray! thought Cassie. One more time . . .
Sunbeam followed her over the next jump, too!
Cassie decided he deserved a reward, so she let him catch the carrot. It was gone in a flash!
“Let’s play again!” said Sunbeam, neighing with excitement.
“Okay.” Cassie floated over the jumps, while the pony leaped after her.
The next time he caught a carrot, he said, “I didn’t know jumping could be so much fun!”
While Sunbeam crunched on his snack, Alex whispered, “Don’t feed him any more, or he’ll be too full to jump in the competition.”
“You’re right,” said Cassie. “Let’s take him back to the stables. Sita will be so worried, and she’ll need time to get him ready.” She paused. “There’s just one problem. I don’t think I can fly with you and Sunbeam. Even if I could, we don’t want anyone to see us.”
“But it will take forever to walk back,” said Alex. He glanced at his watch. “The competition starts in an hour.”
Cassie stroked the pony’s silky mane. “How are we going to get back in time?”
Sunbeam’s ears twitched. “I’ve got an idea!”
“I’m strong,” Sunbeam said. “I’ll give you both a ride. If I trot all the way back to the stables, we’ll be there in no time.”
“You smart little pony!” Cassie cried.
“What did he say?” Alex looked confused.
“We can both ride Sunbeam back to the stables,” said Cassie. Then she stopped and thought. “But I’ve never ridden a pony before.”
“Me neither,” said Alex, suddenly looking worried.
Cassie spoke to Sunbeam again. “We don’t know what to do,” said Cassie. “It’s a little bit scary to ride on a pony.”
“You helped me be brave,” said Sunbeam. “Now I’ll help you! All you need are riding helmets.”
“Farmer Greg said we could borrow some,” said Cassie. She ran into the barn and found two black helmets. She and Alex put them on.
“Fasten the strap under your chin,” said Sunbeam.
Cassie did.
“You, too, Alex,” said the pony. But Alex didn’t move.
Cassie giggled. “Sorry, Sunbeam, I keep forgetting that I’m the only one who can understand you.” She showed Alex how to fasten his hat.
Sunbeam trotted to a low wall. “Stand on that, then climb up onto my back. You first, Cassie, then Alex behind you. Hang on tight.”
Once they’d climbed up, Cassie couldn’t believe how high they were!
“Take the reins,” said Sunbeam, “but don’t pull. I’ll do all the work. Off we go!”
As he walked forward, Cassie felt Alex hold on to her waist. She gripped the front of the saddle.
“Relax,” said Sunbeam. “You’ll enjoy it. Oh, I wish I had a carrot,” he muttered.
Cassie giggled. “I heard that!”
“I’m going to trot now,” said Sunbeam. “It’ll feel strange at first, but you won’t fall, I promise.”
“We’re going to go faster, Alex,” Cassie warned. “Hang on!”
His arms tightened around her middle as Sunbeam trotted along. “I’m going to fall off!” cried Alex.
“You won’t,” Cassie promised.
Soon, they got used to the jogging motion, moving up and down to Sunbeam’s rhythm.
“Look!” said Alex, suddenly. “There’s Bert’s hat — over on that wall.”
Cassie asked Sunbeam to go to the stone wall. The pony had to hop over a little ditch to get there.
“Whoa!” cried Alex.
“Great jump!” said Cassie.
Alex leaned over and grabbed the hat. “The wind brought it all this way!” he said as Sunbeam trotted on.
Just before they reached the stables, Cassie spotted something shining in a hedge nearby. “The crown!” she cried. “Stop, Sunbeam!”
“A silver crown stuck in a hedge?” said Alex. “Where did that come from?”
Cassie grinned. “The crown is Stella Starkeeper’s. It blew off when she came to see me.” She leaned over to pick it up, but she couldn’t reach.
“I’ll get it,” said Alex. He slid off Sunbeam’s back and passed the crown to Cassie. “You can wear it home!”
Cassie thought the crown looked much too big, but she tried it on anyway. A tingle ran through her.
“It fits!” she cried. That’s magic, too, she thought.
Mrs. Shah’s car was just pulling into the stables as they arrived. Sita leaped out. “Sunbeam!” she cried.
“There’s my Sita,” said the pony. “Hold tight!” He ran even faster. They reached the gate in a flash! Sunbeam nuzzled Sita’s neck, and she hugged him happily.
“Thank you so much for bringing him back,” she said, looking up at Cassie and Alex. “How did you find him?”
“Well . . .” Cassie shrugged and grinned at Alex. “I just asked around!”
Cassie and Alex were thrilled when Mrs. Shah invited them to the Pony Championship. They raced up the hill to Starwatcher Towers to change, and Cassie stowed Stella’s crown in her nightstand drawer for safekeeping.
Ten minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Cafferty waved good-bye as Cassie and Alex drove off beside Sita in the backseat of the big green truck, with Sunbeam in the trailer behind them.
Sita was quiet. Cassie touched her arm. “Are you okay?”
“I’m nervous,” Sita said. “I’m afraid that Sunbeam will refuse to jump. I really want to win a prize.”
Mrs. Shah smiled. “Winning is a bonus. It’s trying that’s important, sweetie.”
“I know,” Sita said in a small voice. “But I want to win.” She turned to Cassie and whispered, “For Mom.”
Cassie crossed her fingers.
When they reached the showground, everyone helped groom Sunbeam. Sita cleaned any spots of mud off his body, and Cassie brushed his glossy mane. Then Sita showed her how to use a smooth, damp cloth to remove dust from the pony’s coat and give it an extra shine. Alex helped Mrs. Shah put oil on Sunbeam’s hooves.
As Cassie brushed Sunbeam’s mane, he leaned his head against her.
“He likes you,” said Sita.
“I like him, too,” said Cassie. “I’m beginning to understand ponies.”
Alex spluttered with laughter, but no one noticed because there was an announcement over the speaker system: “The competit
ion starts in five minutes.”
“I’ll be right back!” Sita cried, grabbing a bag from the car. She disappeared into the horse trailer.
Soon she came out wearing a black jacket and hat, cream-colored riding pants, and shiny boots.
Cassie gasped. “You look fantastic!” she cried.
“I don’t know who looks better, you or Sunbeam,” Sita’s mom said, smiling.
Cassie could see that Mrs. Shah was proud of Sita. I hope she’ll be just as proud of Sunbeam, she thought.
Sita slipped her foot into one of the stirrups that hung from Sunbeam’s saddle. She swung into the saddle and rode off to line up for the competition.
“Good luck, Sita!” Cassie and Alex cried. “Good luck, Sunbeam!”
They headed for the roped-off arena where the show-jumping course was set up with colorful jumps — a stack of hay bales, a wooden fence, and a log lying across a pair of sturdy posts. Some spectators had folding chairs or blankets to sit on while they watched. On the far side of the arena, the judges sat at a long table. Ponies and riders waited nervously outside for their turn.
When the announcer said, “Next is Sita Shah and Sunbeam,” Cassie held her breath.
Sunbeam entered the ring, the starting bell rang, and they were off! The first jump was low, so he sailed over it.
Cassie heard Mrs. Shah gasp in surprise as the brave little pony cleared jump after jump. “Only two to go,” she said.
Sunbeam jumped again.
“Just one more,” said Alex.
“Come on, Sunbeam,” Cassie murmured.
But the pony’s hind leg caught a striped pole and sent it clattering to the ground. A groan went up from the crowd.
“Just one jump down for Sita and Sunbeam,” said the announcer. “Maybe we’ll see you in the second round.”
Mrs. Shah explained that if no one got a perfect round, then those who had only knocked down one fence would go again to see who was the winner.
Wish Upon a Pet Page 2
