Horse Tale by Bonnie Bryant Read Free Book Online Page B

Chocolate’s back.
    “Great,” John said, smiling back. “My father and I will be bringing in the horses early the morning of the auction. I’ll give you a few lessons before then so you can help.”
    Lisa opened her mouth to answer, but before she could speak, she was interrupted by Stevie, who was leading Stewball past them toward the corral gate. “Hey, John, I couldn’t help overhearing what you guys were talking about,” she said loudly, a huge grin on her face. She glanced around at all of her friends, making sure she had their attention. “And I thought I’d better tell you that one of the horses you’ll be cutting out for the auction is good old Stewball, here.”
    “What do you mean?” Lisa asked, annoyed that Stevie had obviously been listening to her conversation with John. “The Devines aren’t selling Stewball.”
    Carole and Kate came over, too. “What are you saying about Stewball?” Kate asked. “I don’t think my parents are planning to sell him.”
    “Oh, yes, they are,” Stevie replied. She looked around at her friends and grinned broadly. “I wanted to wait to tell you all the big news when Stewball could be with me to hear it.” She slapped the horse fondly on the neck. “
I’m
buying Stewball. Frank agreed to it—he’s arranging to have him shipped to Virginia right after the auction.”
    “Really?” Lisa exclaimed. “You’re kidding!”
    “Scout’s honor,” Stevie replied solemnly. “I talked to my dad last night. Stewball’s coming home to Pine Hollow.”
    “That’s wonderful!” Lisa exclaimed. “Isn’t that wonderful, Carole? Stewball’s going to live at Pine Hollow!”
    “It
is
wonderful! You’re sure your parents really agreed to this, Stevie?” Carole asked, sounding excited but a tiny bit skeptical.
    But John had a different question for Stevie. “What’s a dude like you going to do with a cutting horse like Stewball out East?” he asked bluntly.
    For a second Stevie looked taken aback. Then she put her hands on her hips and glared at John. “For your information, John Brightstar, Stewball is a
very
smart horse. He very well may be the smartest horse you or I have ever met—in fact, he’s a whole lot smarter than some wranglers I could mention.” She paused for breath, turning to sling one arm over Stewball’s neck. “That means he’s more than capable of learning anything anyone tries to teach him. I’m sure he’ll make a great English riding horse.”
    John shrugged and turned to adjust Chocolate’s stirrups. Lisa couldn’t read his expression as he answered Stevie. “That’s probably true,” John said calmly. “He probably could learn to be an Eastern horse at that. I just wonder whether he’ll like it.”
    “Of course he will,” Stevie replied with a wave of herhand. She was just too happy to remain angry with John for long. “He’ll love it. And I know he’ll especially love being with me, just like I’ll love being with him. That’s the most important part, right?” She looked to her friends for support.
    “You’re absolutely right,” Carole said, nodding. “You and Stewball have a wonderful relationship. I’ve always thought so. You’re practically made for each other.”
    “True,” Lisa added. She looked at John. “Maybe you just haven’t really seen Stevie and Stewball together enough to understand just how well they get along. I mean, you should have seen the way he rescued her from the big bad bank robbers yesterday.” She giggled. “If a horse came to my rescue like that, I’d know he was definitely the horse for me—Eastern, Western, whatever.”
    John shrugged again. “You could be right.” He gave Chocolate a pat. “She’s all ready to go,” he told Lisa, obviously trying to change the subject. “Let me give you a leg up.”
    “Thanks,” she said. Carole and Kate hurried to finish with their own horses. Stevie was already aboard Stewball, leaning forward and chattering into his ears. He was