Horse-Sitters by Bonnie Bryant Read Free Book Online Page B

“I think that’s your newest tenants arriving, Max,” she said sweetly.
    “What?” Max said.
    “The polo ponies. Oh, did I forget to mention? They’re due to arrive today. Right now, by the sound of it.” Veronica smirked. “You’d better get out there and greet them. How would it look if you left them standing around in the driveway? After all, I hear this is the best full-service stable in the area.”
    Max just stared at her for a moment. “You mean the horses you just told me about—they’re arriving
now
?” he demanded, his red face turning an interesting shade of deep purple.
    Veronica shrugged. “Sorry about that,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. “But it looks as though there’s not much you can do now except give in and take the boarders. I’ve heard Mr. Haverford-Smythe has quite a temper. If you turn his horses away at the doorstep, he’ll probably see to it that you never get another boarder again as long as you’re in business.” She pausedand examined the perfectly manicured nails on one hand. “Which may not be long,” she added softly.
    “Veronica, this is not some kind of game!” Max shouted. The Saddle Club had never seen him so angry. “Taking in boarders is a serious business. I can’t in good conscience accept horses I don’t have the staff to care for, no matter what you or anybody else says. You know Red and I are up to our eyeteeth in work as it is. You’ll just have to go out there and tell your friend he has to go elsewhere.”
    Veronica shrugged and frowned. “Hey, it’s your reputation, not mine,” she said sullenly.
    Max frowned but didn’t say anything else. Carole guessed that he was thinking about what Veronica had said. It was true that it wouldn’t look good for Max to turn away business at the last minute. He knew and The Saddle Club knew that it was all Veronica’s fault that Max was in this mess, but Mr. Haverford-Smythe didn’t know that. He would just think Max was disorganized or, worse, dishonest. Carole hated the thought that Pine Hollow’s reputation could be damaged by the likes of Veronica diAngelo.
    But before she could ponder it further, she felt Stevie push past her. “Hey, Max,” Stevie said. “I have the perfect answer to your problem.”
    Max sighed. “Stevie, please. I don’t have time for any of your crazy schemes right now,” he said, rubbing his forehead with one hand. “I have to deal with this first.”
    “But that’s exactly what I want to talk to you about,” Steviesaid. “I think I know a way to make you
and
the polo ponies’ owner happy.”
    “Uh-oh,” Lisa whispered to Carole. “You don’t think she’s actually going to—”
    “The answer is let The Saddle Club Horse-Sitting Service take over,” Stevie announced happily.
    “She just did,” Carole said grimly. “This is it. She’s finally snapped.”
    But Stevie and Max didn’t hear her. “What do you mean?” Max asked Stevie, looking cautious but hopeful. “You want to take care of the polo ponies while they’re here?”
    “Yup,” Stevie said. “For half your usual boarding fee, of course.”
    “Of course.” Max rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
    “If Red will just include the ponies in his morning feeding rounds, we’ll do everything else,” Stevie continued. “All you have to do is provide the stalls and the supplies.”
    “Hey, wait a minute, Max,” Veronica broke in angrily. “A second ago you refused to even consider letting me help out.”
    “That’s because I know what your version of helping out looks like,” Max said sharply. “These horses need real care, Veronica. And I’m sorry to say that I just don’t think you’re up to the job.” He turned back to Stevie. “Do you really think you can do it? Without neglecting your schoolwork or your other chores?”
    “I know we can,” Stevie said confidently.
    “All right,” Max said. “You’ve got yourself a deal. Come on, let’s get out there and meet our newest