Crown Prince Challenged by Linda Snow McLoon Read Free Book Online

mother in a bad mood. Sarah had thought about calling her, but decided it would be best to explain what had happened in person.
    When Sarah arrived home, tantalizing aromas told her dinner was ready and reminded her how hungry she was. She quickly removed her paddock boots and washed her hands in the half-bath. She stepped into the kitchen and found her mother near the stove, facing her with hands on her hips. Sarah recognized the look—her mother wasn’t happy. Mrs. Wagner brushed past her to call into the den, her words clipped: “Dinner’s ready.”
    Sarah quickly sat down at the table. She held her left arm close to her side, hoping no one would notice the scratches. Mr. Wagner and Abby appeared at once. The family usually dined promptly at six, and everyone was hungry for the dinner that was twenty minutes late. Mrs. Wagner brought a steaming chicken and rice dish out of the oven and placed it on a hot pad on the table.
    Sarah decided to get it over with. Before Abby could start her usual nonstop chatter about her day at school, Sarah took a deep breath and launched into her explanation while the others were still settling into their chairs.
    â€œI’m sorry I’m late, but I took Prince on his first trail ride today,” she said in a voice she hoped sounded casual. “Something totally weird happened. A flock of wild turkeys flew up and spooked Prince. He took off down the trail where the trees are thick, and a branch knocked me off. I’m fine, and except for a small cut on his leg, Prince is too. But I had to walk back to the barn, and it took extra time. Then I gave him a bath and walked him dry. I’ll try hard not to be late again. I am
so
hungry!”
    Mrs. Wagner abruptly put down the large spoon she was about to dip into the serving dish. For a moment the family just stared at Sarah, and then everyone started talking at once, firing questions at her like drill sergeants.
    â€œAre you sure you’re all right?” her mother wanted to know.
    â€œWhere did Prince run after you fell off?” Abby asked.
    From her father: “Does Jack know this happened?”
    Sarah told them as much as she could. Her parents occasionally looked solemnly at each other as she spoke, and once her father interrupted her story. “You were able to stop Gray Fox with a pulley rein when he ran away with you at the beginning of the summer,” he said. “Didn’t that work with Crown Prince?”
    â€œI didn’t have time. The pine trees were too close. I went off Prince before I could even try to stop him. It was just a fluke accident that will never happen again.” Her dark eyes pleaded for understanding.
    â€œYou were lucky this time,” her mother said, “but you might not be as fortunate in the future. I’ve been concerned all along that you might be in danger riding a horse as large and strong as Crown Prince. Now I’m even more worried. You were thrown off him on your very first trail ride!”
    Sarah’s face darkened into a scowl. “More like
knocked
off him, Mom. You make it sound like Prince bucked me off, like he
wanted
to dump me!” she protested. “It was totally an accident, for crying out loud. The branch was right over the trail.”
    â€œJust a minute,” her father said. “There’s no need to overreact. While Crown Prince was on trial, Jack oversaw everything you did with him. Now things are different. It’s to be expected that you’ll be acting more independently and riding the horse on your own, but does the lack of supervision put you at risk? That’s what we need to know.”
    Sarah felt her temper rising. “Dad, do you want me to, like, live in a bubble, where I’m totally safe but away from the whole world?” She shook her head. “I could have an accident just riding my bike to Brookmeade! Abby could get hit by a broken bat when she’s playing softball. You