Autumn Trail by Bonnie Bryant Read Free Book Online

the past year. Chad always insisted that she wasn’t really his girlfriend, but it was obvious that he liked her a lot.
    Stevie and Alex exchanged a look, then started chanting in unison, “Chad and Ellen, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I—”
    “That’s enough, you two,” Mr. Lake interrupted. Stevie would have sworn her father was trying to hold back a smile. “Stop teasing your brother.”
    “Stevie,” Mrs. Lake said, obviously trying to change the subject, “I’m sure you’re looking forward to the Festival this year.”
    “Sure, Mom,” Stevie said distractedly. Thinking about Chad and Ellen had reminded her of another romantic couple—namely, Max and his mystery woman, Lillian. And that reminded her that unless The Saddle Club could come up with a solution to Max’s personnel problem, it was likely that Max wouldn’t be able to see his girlfriend that weekend at all.
    Suddenly the perfect solution popped into Stevie’s mind. She was so excited that she almost choked on the mouthful of peas she was eating. After gulping down some water, she was able to speak. “Mom, Dad? I have an idea,” she said, trying to sound as mature as possible. She didn’t have time to think of the best way to approachthem with the idea. She’d just have to tell them her plan and hope for the best.
    Her parents looked at her, surprised by the serious tone of her voice. “Yes, Stevie? What is it?” her mother asked.
    “Well, you see, Max has this problem. He has a very special friend he wants to visit this weekend, but he can’t go unless he can find someone to help Red at the stable.”
    “And?” Mr. Lake said expectantly. Although Stevie’s parents claimed to disapprove of most of Stevie’s schemes, she suspected that they often rather enjoyed hearing them. However, she also knew that just because they listened to them didn’t guarantee that they would be willing to go along with them.
    She took a deep breath. “I was thinking, Max hardly ever gets time off, and he deserves a vacation for a change. And Carole and Lisa and I were just talking about the meaning of Thanksgiving the other day—”
    She was interrupted by a snort from Chad. “I bet you were. The meaning of Thanksgiving according to you guys must have something to do with horses. Let me guess, you decided that the real reason the Pilgrims came to America was because we have better riding trails.”
    “Chad,” Mr. Lake said warningly.
    Normally Stevie would have come back with an insult of her own, but right now she didn’t want anything todistract her. So she just gave her brother a withering look, then turned back to her parents.
    “Anyway, we decided that the best way to celebrate Thanksgiving was by doing something to help someone else, you know, without thinking of yourself at all,” she said earnestly. “Something generous and totally selfless.”
    Mr. and Mrs. Lake looked at each other in surprise. “What a lovely thought, Stevie,” Mrs. Lake said. “But what exactly did you have in mind?”
    “I want to stay here this weekend and help out so Max can go on his trip,” Stevie said. “After all, practically no one knows the stable and the horses better than I do. And I’m pretty sure I can stay at Lisa’s house while you guys are gone. They’re just having Thanksgiving dinner at home this year.” No matter how selfless she was being, Stevie didn’t consider staying with Carole for a single moment. There was no way she was staying in the same house as Veronica!
    Mr. Lake looked thoughtful. “But what about the Fall Festival? I thought you loved that.”
    “Oh, I do,” Stevie said. “But that’s what Thanksgiving is about, isn’t it? Helping other people, even if you have to give up some things to do it.”
    “Well, Stevie, I’m proud of you,” Mrs. Lake said.
    “For wanting to help Max, you mean?” Stevie said.
    Mrs. Lake chuckled. “Well, that too. But mostly I’m proud of you for just coming out and asking us aboutthis,