Chapter 5

The blacksmith was only about ten minutes from Pru’s stables, but the horses were desperate to go for a walk. Pru measured Sandy for her saddle while Lucky helped Abigail tack up Boomerang and Chica Linda. Spirit was spending some time with his herd, so Lucky would go on foot. Everyone agreed that it would be best if Sandy stayed behind in the barn to get some rest after all that rearing and bucking. Also, they didn’t want to chase her through the streets of Miradero.

When they arrived at the shop, they saw Turo was already busy helping another customer. Lucky noticed that the girl, who was about the PALs’ age, was sitting in a wheelchair. She had shiny black hair plaited into twin braids and wore a pale-green dress that complemented her deep-brown eyes. She had a friendly face, but a shy demeanor. Lucky couldn’t be sure, but she thought she’d seen her around Miradero before.

“I’ll be with you ladies in just a moment,” Turo said as he smiled and waved to Lucky, Abigail, and Pru. “Just finishing up with Caroline here.” Turo made some notes in his ledger and handed her a ticket. “I should have that new set of horseshoes for your grandmother ready by next week. By the way, these are my friends Lucky, Abigail, and Pru.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Caroline smiled. She thanked Turo and wheeled toward the door.

“Let me get that for you!” Abigail reached around her and pushed the door open.

“Thanks,” Caroline said, ducking her head shyly. She looked as if she wanted to say more, but instead just added, “See you around.” She wheeled herself out.

Lucky and the others quickly filled Turo in on their unusual needs. He would need to craft a custom miniature saddle, bridle, bit, and headstall. Since he was their friend (and loved a challenge), Turo gave them a discount and promised to get started right away. “Shouldn’t take too long if these measurements you’ve given me are correct. Are you sure she’s this little?”

“Yup, definitely. Checked them twice just to be sure,” assured Pru. After spending her whole life around horses, she had learned some very unusual equestrian-related skills. Turo had a lot of work to do, so the girls said a quick good-bye.

Caroline was still outside. She was entranced by Boomerang and Chica Linda. She reached up to pet their silken manes and kept giggling every time they snorted near her head.

“Caroline, right? Lucky remarked. She pointed to the horses. “They’re cute, huh?”

“Adorable!” Caroline nodded. “What are their names?”

“That’s my horse, Boomerang, and Pru’s horse, Chica Linda,” said Abigail as she pointed to each. “Want to feed them some biscuits?” She procured a wax paper square from her pocket and unfolded it to reveal a neat stack of oat biscuits.

Caroline happily obliged. “I’ve always wanted a horse. You guys must have so much fun taking care of them! Especially during the summertime.” Caroline sighed. There was sadness in her voice. “This whole summer is going to be so… boring.”

“Why’s that?” wondered Lucky.

“Well”—Caroline sighed again—“I just got to Miradero. I always spend the summer here with my grandparents. This year was going to be special. My cousin William and I were even going to build a Founders’ Day Parade float to kick off the summer… but he got stuck with a bunch of makeup work so he doesn’t end up in summer school, and now I’m stuck reading and teaching piano lessons.”

Abigail handed Caroline a few more biscuits so Boomerang would stop trying to lick the poor girl’s braids. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“It’s all right, but I still really wish I was spending my time planning for the Founders’ Day Parade. I just love the beautiful floats, and I’ve wanted to be in it ever since the first time I saw it,” Caroline admitted wistfully.

“Tell me about it!” Pru agreed. “The parade is the best! I remember when I was seven, Mr. Winthrop made this float that looked like a giant ice cream sundae. The people who rode on it threw saltwater taffy out to us. Ugh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! Someday, I hope Chica Linda and I will be chosen to ride in the front.”

“Me too!” Abigail blurted out. “But teaching piano seems fun, too, though.”

Caroline smiled, but her eyes kept darting back to the horses. “Oh, it is! It’s really exciting when a student finally learns to play a melody! When the notes just click for them—there’s nothing like it.”

Lucky knew exactly what she meant. That’s why she was so eager to teach Sandy. She was positive the horse would become well-trained with a little time and effort. Plus, that time and effort could turn Lucky into a great trainer as well. “Practice makes perfect, right?”

“Exactly. Practice, practice, practice!” said Caroline, trying to hold back her giggles. But it wasn’t because what Lucky said was funny. It was because Boomerang was licking the crumbs off her hands and it tickled. She seemed to be a natural with the horses. “Boomerang, you’re so silly!”

“Hey, you should come by my dad’s stables sometime and meet the others,” offered Pru.

“Definitely…” Lucky added, thinking of today’s training with Sandy and how it had gone so differently than she’d hoped. “But maybe you’d better give us a few days first. Our new horse is, um… how do I put it lightly?” Lucky bit her lip. “A little unruly.”

But that could all change with a little practice, practice, practice.