Chapter
SEVEN

Jess watched as the boy landed on Comet’s back and began jumping up and down. His sneakers made a slapping sound against the painted wooden saddle.

Comet gave an angry neigh and slowly turned his head to look at the boy, but, of course, only Jess could see this.

Suddenly Comet’s deep violet eyes flashed with mischief, and rainbow sparkles twinkled in his mane. He bunched his hindquarters, kicked out strongly, and gave a mighty buck.

“Argh!” Liam appeared to shoot high into the air. He whizzed toward a trash can about five feet away and landed backside first, getting jammed in the butt with his legs and arms sticking up and waving helplessly. “Help! I’m stuck!” he cried.

His friends jumped down and ran over. Grabbing his arms and legs, they pulled him out.

“Are you okay, bro?” asked one of them.

“What did you do that for?” another asked.

Liam scrambled to his feet, looking red-faced and shaken. “I just felt like it, okay?” he bluffed, eyeing the carousel horses warily. “That dumb merry-go-round is kids’ stuff, anyway. I’m going on the bumper cars,” he decided, slouching away.

“Hey! Wait for us!” The others hurried to catch up with him.

Mai scratched her head as she watched them go. “I don’t get it! What just happened?”

“Beats me,” Jess said innocently, grinning at Comet. “I’m just glad they’ve gone. Oh, good. Here’s Dad coming back. I’ll go and get us a cold drink.” She scooted off before Mai could ask her any more awkward questions.

A few days later, Jess and Comet were exploring the cliff path. Below them, the sandy bay was visible in a wide curve. Seagulls soared overhead.

There had been no sign of Destiny or any other ponies, and Comet was becoming more worried.

Jess stopped Comet near an area where the path widened. She took in the wide sky, the deep folds and grassy slopes, and the cliff with the Needle stretching out to sea. The cliff path snaked across the hills, leading into the valley and the town of Lower Treen.

“I hoped we might bump into Ellen again,” she said. “Maybe she took the riders somewhere else today after that scare in the sea. I hope she didn’t get into trouble with her mom or Lana’s parents.”

Comet’s long white mane lifted in the fresh sea breeze. “I would like to see her and Bliss again,” he whinnied.

“Me too,” Jess said eagerly. “We’re not far from Bridgemore Stables. Want to go there? We can keep a lookout for Destiny on the way.”

Comet snorted eagerly, pulling at his bit and springing forward.

Jess moved in time with his powerful strides, taking in big breaths of the clean, salty air. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the wonderful sensation of riding the magic pony. There was no one else around, and she loved the feeling of freedom. It was as if she and Comet were totally alone in the whole wide world.

The cliff path gradually led downward, and slopes of green hillside rose up on either side of them. Comet’s hooves clattered as he stepped out onto the track that led into the town.

Almost opposite, Jess spotted a large redbrick building set back from the road. Beside the gatepost there was a sign with a rearing horse and the words Bridgemore Riding Stables.

Jess turned Comet in through the gates and they went toward the yard. She could see Pie, Bliss, and some other ponies tethered outside. As they rode up, Ellen came out. She was holding a body brush and a currycomb.

The moment Ellen saw that the visitors were Jess and Comet, her face lit up. “Hi, you two! I’m so glad you came by.”

“We’ve been exploring the cliffs,” Jess told her, dismounting and holding Comet’s bridle. “We thought we might see you taking another ride.”

Ellen shook her head. “I wish,” she sighed. “We’ve had more cancelations. In fact, we only have four bookings for the whole day. I said I’d groom the spare ponies while Mom took the customers out. I thought it might take her mind off things. She’s worried sick about trying to keep the riding school going.”

“Oh, that’s awful,” Jess sympathized. She remembered Ellen telling her that a brand-new horse stable had opened up farther down the coast. It looked as if things could only get worse for Ellen and her mom. “Do you want a hand?” she offered. “I’m used to grooming the circus ponies.”

Ellen nodded, cheering up a bit. “Okay. Thanks. It’ll be more fun if we do it together.”

Jess tied Comet up next to Bliss. The chestnut pony gave a neigh of welcome and snuffled Comet’s spotted neck.

“Aw, look at those two. Aren’t they sweet!” Ellen said. “Bliss’s really taken with your spotted pony!”

Jess grinned. Comet’s irresistible, all right! she thought adoringly.

She filled a bucket of water so Comet could have a drink, before starting work. For the next hour it was pony-pampering time. Jess picked out hooves, brushed ponies’ coats, and combed out manes and tails. Soon all the ponies were shiny and clean.

“Phew!” Jess swept a strand of dark hair back from her sweaty forehead.

“Time for a drink and a snack! I think we’ve earned it,” Ellen announced. She led Jess into the large farmhouse-style kitchen.

They sat at the wooden table with their cold drinks and bags of chips. Munching on her snack, Jess looked out the kitchen window. She could see the road that curved past open fields and then back to the coast. Sunlight glittered off the nearby sea. “What a beautiful view,” she said admiringly.

Ellen nodded. “I love it here and I’d hate to move, but Mom says we might have to. She wants to improve the stables, so we can offer indoor lessons and stuff. So she’s been trying to sell a field she owns just outside the town to get more money to be able to do it. But no one wants to buy it, because it’s not good for building houses on.”

“What a shame,” Jess said. “Is it a big field?”

“Yeah, pretty big. You can see for yourself if you go back to the beach by the road, instead of across the cliffs. It’s got a ‘for sale’ notice. Why?”

“Oh, just wondering,” Jess said. She was starting to tingle with excitement, as an idea began forming in her mind.