The Prize by Stacy Gregg Read Free Book Online

work.”
    â€œSo this Blackwell guy, he’s, like, a top showjumper?”
    â€œUh-huh,” Georgie said. “I’ll be working for him for six weeks and if he gives me a good grade then I’m through into the second-year eventing class – otherwise, well, I’m just through.”
    â€œSo you’re working for him during school?”
    â€œUh-huh,” Georgie said. “And after school and weekends – you know, helping out at the competitions.”
    â€œSo I should expect to see you again when? Next Christmas, maybe?” Riley said sarcastically.
    â€œIt won’t be that bad!” Georgie was taken aback. “We’ll figure something out.”
    Riley looked doubtful. “I hardly get any time with you, Georgie. All the other guys at my school are always taking their girls out on dates. We never go anywhere together.”
    â€œWe’re together now,” Georgie said. “I bet most girls don’t get up at four a.m. to be with their boyfriends!”
    Riley looked hurt. “I thought you liked coming to Keeneland Park.”
    â€œI do!” Georgie groaned. “And I don’t need to go on a date with you. I’m happy just being here like this. It’s not my fault that I have school and this apprenticeship – this is who I am, Riley.”
    â€œI get that,” Riley said. “I guess I was hoping you’d be able to help me out over the next few weeks with Marco’s training.”
    â€œI’ll try,” Georgie said, “but this apprenticeship is really important.”
    â€œSo the Firecracker isn’t important?” Riley frowned. “It’s a $232,000 race. I think it’s a bit more important than impressing some showjumping guy.”
    Georgie felt herself getting flustered. She took a deep breath. “Listen, can we not get into a fight about this?”
    Riley didn’t say anything. He cast a surly glance at his watch. “It’s almost six thirty. I’ll mix Marco’s feed and then we’ll go.”
    The drive back to Blainford was tense and silent. But eventually, as they got closer to the school, Riley’s mood seemed to thaw a little.
    â€œSo, anyway,” Riley said, as he pulled up outside Badminton House to let her out. “I could really do with someone for Marco to race against. I was thinking that maybe you could come out again with me and ride Talisman?”
    â€œWhen?” Georgie asked.
    â€œMonday? Pick you up after dinner? We can give them an evening workout under the lights.”
    Georgie was going to be crazy busy on Monday. It was their first day of the apprenticeships and she had Belle to look after and schoolwork too, but after the conversation she’d just had, she didn’t really see how she could say no to Riley.
    â€œOK,” she smiled and kissed Riley goodbye. “See you then.”

    At midday on Monday Alice and Georgie were waiting in front of the red Georgian brick buildings of the Academy for the minibus to take them to their apprenticeships.
    â€œI can’t believe I’ve got stuck with dressage,” Alice groaned.
    â€œI can’t believe I got stuck with Kennedy,” Georgie said as she watched the showjumperettes approaching.
    Georgie noticed that Kennedy Kirkwood had somehow managed to substitute a pair of expensive navy Animo breeches with Swarovski crystals on the pockets for her regulation jods. She wore her glossy red hair loose and flowing over her shoulders as well – not very practical when she was about to spend the afternoon mucking out Dominic Blackwell’s stables.
    As the minibus pulled up in front of the school buildings, Kennedy tried to push her way past Georgie and Alice.
    â€œWhat’s the hurry, Kennedy?” Alice said. “There’s no first-class section on a minibus. You’ll have to sit in economy with the rest of us.”
    There was a titter from the crowd of