Horseshoe by Bonnie Bryant Read Free Book Online Page A

halt as Veronica cut directly in front of her. “You’re in my way!”
    “Sorry,” Veronica said sarcastically. “Max, this just isn’t fair. I don’t have room.”
    “You need to make room for the drill, Veronica, not the other way around.” Max sounded measurably less agreeable than he had the first time, Lisa thought.
    “Excuse me, Stevie.” Veronica next swung Garnet’s hindquarters around in front of Belle.
    “I wouldn’t do that again if I were you,” Stevie warned her. She transferred her crop from her outside to her inside hand and gave Veronica a meaningful glare. A crop was a mild type of whip used to get a horse’s attention when it misbehaved or wasn’t listening. Crops were short, but long enough, Lisa guessed, for Stevie to whack Veronica with hers if she tried. Lisa grinned in admiration. Sometimes she wished she could be as bold as Stevie.
    She had her chance a few minutes later, when Veronica cut in front of her. Imitating Stevie, she said not a word in reply to Veronica’s insincere apology—she merely held her crop up, and glared. After that Veronica left The Saddle Club alone, but she continued to get in the way of the other riders.
    The worst part was that every time someone had to yank their horse to a halt to avoid hitting Veronica, it messed up the precise patterns of the drill. Several times they had to start over, and they hadn’t tried toset it to music yet. Lisa could feel the frustration mounting among the members of Horse Wise. If they didn’t relax and concentrate, they’d never be able to get it right.
    Finally, with only a few minor interruptions, they managed to get to the part where they crossed through the center. Carole, remembering her earlier conversations with Jessica Adler, felt very concerned that Jessica get it right. Jessica needed to feel that she could do it, Carole thought. As soon as she herself had crossed the center and changed directions, she turned in the saddle to watch Jessica cross.
    Penny was feeling more cooperative, and Jessica was trying hard. Carole saw her use her legs to urge, not kick, Penny, and at the same time loosen her hold on Penny’s mouth. She’s learning fast, Carole thought in admiration. She’s really getting it. Penny began to respond just as she should, lengthening her strides and covering more ground without really picking up speed—when Veronica cut through the center.
    Jessica, panicked, hauled Penny to an abrupt halt. Veronica looked down at her coolly, trotting past with perfect ease. “Haven’t you gotten this figured out yet?” she asked the little girl. Jessica, her face white, began to cry. Veronica, Carole saw with utter fury, didn’t even notice—she just swept Garnet around thecorner of the ring and looked for more riders to annoy.
    Carole broke out of the drill pattern and rode Starlight to Jessica’s side. “I’ve had enough of Veronica,” she whispered fiercely. “I can’t believe what she just did to you. I’m going to ask Max to make her leave right now.”
    Jessica looked horror-struck. “No!” she cried.
    “It’s not your fault. She’s being ridiculous, and she shouldn’t be allowed to upset everyone like this.”
    “No,” Jessica begged. “Please, Carole, I don’t want Veronica to leave.” She looked even more upset.
    “Okay,” Carole said unwillingly. “If you really want her to stay, I won’t say anything to Max.” Not that Max needs me to say something, she thought. He has eyes, and surely he can see what a distraction Veronica is being.
    “I really want her to stay,” Jessica said. “I do.”
    “You’re doing fine.” Carole switched the subject and tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry—you were riding just right before Veronica got in your way.” She rode Starlight back to the rail, wishing there were more she could do for Jessica.
    Carole was correct in thinking that Max had noticed Veronica. She saw him looking straight at the office window, and then give a funny