Horse-Sitters

by Bonnie Bryant

  Stevie watched, dumbfounded, as Veronica pulled out a credit card and paid. “I can’t believe it,” she whispered to her friends. “She’s buying my bridle! It’s just not fair.”

  “She’s just doing it to make you mad,” Carole whispered back soothingly.

  “Well, it’s working,” Stevie snapped. She glowered at Veronica, but the other girl didn’t even glance at The Saddle Club as she took the bag from the clerk and sauntered out of the store.

  “What a jerk,” Lisa said when Veronica had gone. “Maybe we should be glad we’re not rich like her, if that’s what money does to your personality.”

  The salesclerk walked over to them. “Hello, girls,” she said pleasantly. “I noticed you were looking at the bridle that young lady just bought. Are you interested in it? I have another one just like it in the back.”

  “No, thank you,” Stevie said. “I’ll just take this.” She held up the cheek strap. “I don’t have enough money for a whole new bridle.”

  But as the woman turned to lead her back to the cash register, Carole and Lisa heard Stevie mutter under her breath, “Not yet, anyway.”

  CAROLE RELUCTANTLY PULLED her feet out of the cool water of Willow Creek. “I guess we should head back now,” she said. It was the warmest day of spring so far, and the girls had headed for Pine Hollow right after school for a trail ride. They had ended up at their favorite spot, a secluded area along the banks of the creek that had given their town its name. Their horses were dozing in the shade nearby as the girls dunked their feet in the running water.

  “Do we have to?” Stevie moaned. She was lying on her back, eyes closed, legs dangling off the bank. “It’s so nice here.”

  Lisa stood up and stretched, then reached for her socks and boots. “Don’t worry, Stevie. We’ll have all summer to do this,” she reminded her.

  “If I survive that long,” Stevie said, opening her eyes but not sitting up. “I can’t believe how much work my teachers have been giving out lately. Haven’t they ever heard of winding down the school year?”

  Carole laughed. “If you had your way, the school year would start winding down around the second week in September.”

  “No, the first week,” Stevie corrected with a grin. She sat up and reached for her socks. “Anyway, I guess we should be getting back. I just remembered—Aunt Eugenia will be here soon.”

  “How could you forget?” Lisa asked, rolling her eyes. “Max has been running around frantically for the last day and a half.”

  “I don’t understand it,” Carole said, perching on a rock while she waited for her friends to finish putting on their boots. “Max is usually so levelheaded about everything. The last time I saw him this distracted was when he had just met Deborah.”

  “Maybe he’s in love with Aunt Eugenia,” Stevie joked.

  Lisa shook her head thoughtfully. “I doubt it,” she said, “but there is something going on. I wonder what?”

  “Max is probably just in a weird mood or something,” Stevie said with a shrug. “Anyway, we have more important things to think about, remember?”

  Carole groaned. “Please, Stevie. Don’t start up about your moneymaking schemes again. That’s all you’ve been able to talk about since Veronica bought that stupid bridle the other day.”

  Stevie looked hurt. “What do you mean?” she protested. “This isn’t just about the bridle—although Belle does deserve it. I’m also trying to think of ways to raise money for your stuff.” Carole and Lisa had pointed out how much they wanted the videos and the chaps. They’d been trying to make her feel better about not being able to afford a new bridle, but the plan had backfired. Stevie was determined that The Saddle Club should have all the things they wanted, and she had been coming up with all sorts of wild schemes to earn money.

  “Come on, Stevie,” Lisa said. “Most of your plans have been pretty, well, impractical.”

  “No they haven’t,” Stevie said. “I still think we could raise a lot of money by holding a bake sale outside the supermarket. My brother’s scout troop did it, and they made a nice profit.”

  “Your brother’s scout troop had two dozen parents baking for them,” Carole reminded her. “Besides, I’m not sure most people would think donating money for Lisa’s new riding chaps is quite as worthy a cause.”

  “Well, how about my party-planning service?” Stevie said. “The Saddle Club knows how to plan a great party. We’ve done it plenty of times for free. Why shouldn’t we get paid for it?”

  “Nobody wants to spend a lot of money to hire someone to plan their party unless it’s a wedding or something,” Lisa said. “And nobody’s going to hire people our age to plan their wedding.”

  “My personal favorite was your plan to get Max to pay us to repave the driveway and parking area at Pine Hollow,” Carole said with a laugh as she walked over to her bay gelding, Starlight, and got ready to mount.

  “How about the one where she had the three of us mowing every field and lawn in the county with Max’s little riding mower?” Lisa added.

  “Of course, he’d probably demand a share of our profits for the use of the mower,” Carole pointed out. “That’s why I prefer the one where she has you giving ballet lessons to little kids in my basement. No overhead, you know.”

  By this time Carole and Lisa were both laughing, but Stevie didn’t look nearly as amused. “Very funny,” she said huffily, swinging up onto Belle’s back. “Here I am trying to help you out, and you’re treating it like a big joke.” She urged Belle into a trot and headed off down the trail.

  Carole glanced at Lisa and shrugged. Stevie had a quick temper, but she usually didn’t stay angry for long. Besides, her friends knew it was really Veronica that Stevie was mad at, not them.

  “I guess this isn’t the best time to mention my other favorite Stevie plan,” Carole said.

  “You mean the one where she sells off her brothers to the highest bidder?” Lisa guessed.

  Carole grinned. “Exactly.”

  A SHORT WHILE later The Saddle Club arrived back at Pine Hollow. Carole and Lisa had caught up to Stevie moments after leaving the spot by the creek. As they’d expected, she had already forgotten all about her annoyance and was busy thinking up new moneymaking ideas.

  As the girls dismounted and started to lead their horses inside, Stevie was chattering about her latest brainstorm, which involved franchising lemonade stands to all the elementary-school kids in the area. But Carole’s attention was drawn to another conversation taking place nearby. Polly Giacomin was standing near the outdoor ring talking to Max. She seemed worried, but Max wasn’t paying much attention to her. Instead he kept glancing at his watch and then at the driveway. Carole guessed that he was waiting for Eugenia’s arrival, but she couldn’t believe he was so distracted that he wasn’t even listening to Polly. Carole slowed down, trying to hear what was going on. Her friends noticed and did the same. Even Stevie stopped talking.

  “But, Max,” Polly was saying urgently, “do you think he’ll forget everything he’s learned while I’m away? I’ll be gone for almost a week, and this dressage stuff is still pretty new to him.”

  “Mmm,” was Max’s only reply. “When did you say you’re leaving, Meg? Um—I mean, Polly?”

  “Tomorrow morning,” Polly said, looking annoyed. The Saddle Club guessed that it wasn’t the first—or even the second—time she had said it. “I won’t be back until next Wednesday night. What do you think we should do?”

  “Do?” Max repeated, glancing at his watch again. “What do you mean, Veron—er, Polly?”

  The Saddle Club could see Polly taking a deep breath. “What should we do about Romeo’s dressage training? I hate to think he’ll forget everything while I’m gone if nobody works with him.”

  “Don’t worry, Polly,” Max said, peering over her head toward the road at the end of the drive. “Red will see that Danny—er, Starlight—er, I mean, Romeo will get some exercise while you’re away. Don’t worry about a thing.”


  Polly rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Max,” she said sarcastically, turning and stomping away.

  Max didn’t even notice. He glanced at his watch again, then spun on his heel and headed inside.

  The Saddle Club exchanged mystified glances. It wasn’t at all like Max to ignore a rider’s concerns, especially since Polly was right. Romeo had been making wonderful progress lately in his dressage training, but if nobody worked with the horse for almost a week, it was quite possible he would backslide. Carole spoke up and said so.

  “I know,” Lisa said. “It would be a shame if all Polly’s hard work went to waste just because Max is acting bizarre for some reason. What do you think could be the matter with him?”

  Carole shrugged in response, but Stevie didn’t seem to have heard the question. She was staring in the direction Max and Polly had gone with a thoughtful look on her face.

  “Stevie?” Lisa said. “What is it?”

  “Hmm?” Stevie said. “Oh, nothing. Come on, let’s get the horses settled. Aunt Eugenia should be here soon, and I don’t want to miss meeting the woman who has that kind of effect on Max.”

  THE GIRLS FINISHED their stable chores just in time to see Max’s small horse van trundle slowly up the driveway with Deborah at the wheel. She brought the vehicle to a careful stop, then opened the door and jumped out. She paused long enough to give Max a peck on the cheek and the girls a cheerful wave. Then she walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.

  “It’s about time, Deborah,” a strident, high-pitched voice said from inside the cab. “I thought you were planning to leave me sitting in here all evening.”

  Deborah laughed. “Don’t be silly, Aunt Genie,” she replied. She held out her arm to help the owner of the voice climb out of the trailer. The woman who emerged was white-haired and wrinkled, but despite her obvious age she appeared hearty and energetic. Carole wondered why she hadn’t simply opened the door and climbed out herself.

  Max stepped forward. “Hello, Aunt Eugenia,” he said in a quiet, tentative voice. “I hope you had a pleasant trip.”

  The old woman stared at him coldly. “Hardly,” she said, drawing out the single word until it sounded like a whole sentence. “Deborah drove like a maniac. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. And my poor baby Honeybee must be beside herself. She’s not used to such treatment.”

  Deborah smiled and shook her head. “Really, Aunt Genie,” she said. “The way you go on!” She turned to Max. “I don’t think we hit forty miles per hour the whole way here.”

  “Hmmph,” Eugenia replied. She peered past Max at the three girls, who were watching in silence. “And whom have we here?” she inquired suspiciously.

  “These are three of Max’s best young riders,” Deborah replied, waving The Saddle Club over. She introduced them each by name. Lisa, well trained by her mother, stepped forward to offer the old woman her hand.

  “How do you do, Ms. Eugenia,” she said politely.

  Eugenia took Lisa’s hand limply and stared intently into her eyes. “Are my old ears failing me at last? This seems to be a young lady with some manners.” She dropped Lisa’s hand and turned back to Max. “I thought all young people these days were like you and my Deborah, here—unschooled and boorish.”

  Stevie glanced at Max eagerly, waiting for his response. She was sure he’d be annoyed by the insult and say so. But she was disappointed.

  “Would you like to come up to the house, Aunt Eugenia?” Max said, smiling blandly. “I’m sure you could use some refreshment after your trip. My mother has some tea ready for you.”

  “Are you mad, young man?” Eugenia snapped. “What about my poor baby, trapped back there in that cramped little vehicle you call a horse trailer?” She snorted. “Horse trailer, indeed. Barely enough room for a good-sized cat back there.” She stomped around to the back of the van with Max and Deborah right behind her. The Saddle Club followed, not wanting to miss a thing.

  Stevie was doing her best not to break into a grin. Someone was scolding Max—the man who scolded them for a living!

  “Of course, Aunt Eugenia,” Max said quickly. “I was going to have Red settle her in for you. You don’t have to worry.”

  “Oh, don’t I?” Eugenia said sharply. “I’ll be the judge of that, if you don’t mind.” She started to pull at the heavy pin holding the van doors shut.

  Deborah stepped forward and gently pushed Eugenia’s hands aside. “Don’t be silly, dear,” she scolded. “The door is much too heavy for you.”

  “Let me do it,” Stevie offered quickly, stepping forward.

  Eugenia peered at her. “Is this how you run things here, Max?” she said testily. “Having young girls do all the work while you sit around and collect the money?”

  The statement was so outrageous that Carole was sure Max would have to respond. But although she thought she saw his meek smile falter for a split second, he didn’t say a word.

  “Don’t be silly, Aunt Genie,” Deborah teased good-naturedly. “I’ve told you how hard Max works. Why, I hardly get to see him as it is. If you put ideas into his head, he may never have any time for me at all, and then where would I be?”

  “You might be better off, for all I know,” Eugenia replied shortly. “But more importantly, if he’s so terminally overworked, I suppose I’ll have to take care of my Honeybee myself, hmm?”

  “Of course not, Aunt Eugenia,” Max put in. “She’ll have top-notch care here during your visit, just like all my horses.”

  “My horse is not just like all your horses, young man,” Eugenia said. “She requires special care. Her veterinarian has her on several different medications, and it’s very important that she receive proper attention. Someone needs to monitor her closely.”

  “I understand your concerns, Aunt Eugenia,” Max said carefully. “But the truth is, Red and I do monitor all our horses with the greatest care. So there’s really no need for you to worry.”

  Eugenia drew herself up to her full height. “I see,” she said coldly. “If I understand what you’re telling me, I can’t expect my Honeybee to receive any special treatment while she’s here. I suppose that means I’ll have to hire someone myself to come in and give her the care she needs.”

  Max opened his mouth to answer, but before he could say a word Stevie broke in. “I have just the solution, Ms. Eugenia,” she said quickly. “May I offer you the services of my friends and myself—experienced horse-sitters!”

  A FEW MOMENTS later the deal was final. Carole and Lisa, stunned, watched as Eugenia and Deborah, arm in arm, headed off toward the house with Max trailing rather forlornly behind them.

  As soon as the adults were out of sight, Carole turned to Stevie. “Are you crazy?” she asked.

  “Like a fox,” Stevie declared proudly. “Didn’t you hear how much she’s going to pay us? And all we have to do is take care of one horse for a few days. This is the best moneymaking idea ever. And it fell right into our laps.”

  Lisa shrugged. “I guess it could be okay,” she said. “It’s not going to pay for your new bridle—let alone the other stuff—but it’s a good bit of money. And even with school and riding lessons and everything else, it shouldn’t take up too much time if we all work together.”

  “Right,” Stevie agreed. “Now, come on, let’s get Honeybee put away. Max said we should put her in that empty stall next to Nero’s. It’s all ready for her. We want to make sure the old girl is settled in before Aunt Genie finishes her tea.” With that, she swung open the doors of the trailer, revealing a wide palomino rump. At that moment, a loud snort came from somewhere beyond that rump, and then an even louder whinny.

  “Uh-oh, not a moment too soon,” Carole said. “It sounds like Honeybee wants out.” While Stevie set up the ramp, Carole climbed into the trailer and went to the horse’s head, talking soothingly all the while. But as soon as she reached for the old mare’s halter, Honeybee’s head darted forward, and she bared her teeth. Carole just avoided getting her hand nipped.<
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  She continued talking softly to the mare. After a moment she tried again, with the same result.

  “What’s going on in there?” Stevie asked, poking her head in.

  “I don’t think Honeybee likes me,” Carole said. “Either that, or she’s happier being in this trailer than we thought. She won’t let me touch her halter.”

  “Let me try,” Stevie offered.

  Carole gladly traded places with her. She climbed out of the van and told Lisa what was going on.

  “I hope that doesn’t mean Aunt Eugenia’s personality has rubbed off on her horse,” Lisa said.

  Carole shook her head. “She really is something, isn’t she?” she said. “I can’t believe Max let her get away with all those things she was saying about him. He’s so proud of Pine Hollow—with good reason—and she was practically insulting it right to his face.”

  “Not to mention insulting him,” Lisa added. She glanced up at the van. “Look, Stevie’s got her going.”

  Sure enough, Honeybee’s wide hindquarters were moving slowly backward as Stevie guided the mare down the ramp. “Great,” Carole said. “I guess Stevie doesn’t taste as good as I do.”

  “Don’t be so sure about that,” Lisa said with a grin.

  Carole looked again and saw that Honeybee’s ears were pinned back and she had a large chunk of Stevie’s long hair in her mouth. She seemed to be rolling it around between her teeth. Stevie’s own teeth were gritted, but she was speaking patiently to the horse as she led her out of the van. “I had to trick her,” she told her friends, speaking in the same soothing voice so that Honeybee would think she was still talking to her. “I was trying to distract her by waving my left hand at one side of her head while I grabbed the halter with my right hand. But she was more distracted by my hair.”

  Finally Honeybee was safely on the ground. Lisa stepped forward to take hold of the mare’s halter, and as Honeybee turned to try to nip at her, Stevie managed to yank most of her hair free—although a few dark-blond strands still trailed from the horse’s rubbery lips.