Chapter 8

When they arrived back at the barn, the PALs had a surprise guest waiting for them. “Caroline!” Lucky called out and waved. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey there, everyone!” Caroline lit up when she caught sight of Spirit, Chica Linda, and Boomerang trotting toward her. “I thought I’d get some fresh air in between piano lessons. It’s such a gorgeous day.”

“You can hang out with us for a while if you’d like.” Pru smiled and dismounted from Chica Linda. “Wait out here for a minute while we brush these guys down. Then you can meet Sandy!”

Caroline beamed. “I can’t wait!”

After getting their horses settled in the barn, Lucky and Pru headed back out to Caroline.

“We should probably warn you that Sandy can be a bit wild,” Lucky advised.

“Like Spirit?” Caroline asked, confused. But as soon as Abigail released Sandy from her stall, it all made sense. The miniature horse burst out of the barn, full of energy. She kicked out her legs and galloped in circles. She twirled again and again before shaking her mane and giving a high-pitched whinny. The PALs all jumped into the pen to try and wrangle the little horse.

“She’s so funny!” Caroline clapped her hands together in delight as she watched the horse evade the capture attempts by Abigail, Pru, and Lucky.

“Maybe you are a performing horse, Sandy!” Abigail called out, trying to corner Sandy near some barrels. “Look at you, entertaining the audience. Now, be a good horsey and—oof!”—Abigail tripped over her shoe and stumbled against a barrel as Sandy went careening toward the other side of the ramada—“hold still.” Abigail sighed, watching her run off again.

This time, however, was different. Sandy burst through the fence’s wooden gate—and headed right for Caroline! Lucky sprang into action, chasing after her. “Sandy, whoaaa!” she shouted at the top of her lungs. “Whoa!” The voice command hadn’t worked yet, so she wasn’t confident it would this time, either.

But something miraculous happened. Sandy stopped! Her hooves skidded to a halt just before she reached Caroline. “Easy, girl,” Caroline said softly. Sandy took two steps forward. “That’s it. Easy…” The little horse inched even closer until finally she was near enough to bend her muzzle down to Caroline. Caroline smiled as she petted Sandy’s face and scratched behind her ear. Sandy snorted happily.

Sandy was listening! Lucky’s jaw dropped. “Are you guys seeing this?!” she whispered to Abigail and Pru, careful not to disturb the moment. When Lucky glanced over at them, expressions of shock registered on their faces, too. Sandy regarded Caroline with a gentle sweetness that she hadn’t displayed all week. She was totally calm and collected.

“Let’s try something.…” Pru rushed over and picked up Sandy’s rope lead, which was dragging on the ground. Pru then instructed Caroline to wheel forward alongside her and the horse. Sure enough, Sandy walked slowly beside them. When Caroline stopped, she stopped. Then the horse just stared at Pru for the next command.

“Whoa,” breathed Abigail. “What is happening?”

They’d tried so many different tactics to train Sandy so far, but none of them had worked. Now she was responding to this new friend as if they’d known each other for years. This was exactly the demeanor Lucky and her friends had been trying to draw out of the wild little horse. The wheels in Lucky’s head were spinning. This was their chance. They wouldn’t have to return Sandy to Mr. Rollins. The PALs could succeed in becoming Trail Trainers!

“Caroline, I hope you’re not busy after your next piano lesson,” Lucky said, practically bubbling over with joy. “’Cause we have a lot of training to do with Sandy and we could use your help. I can’t believe how much she loves you!”

“Sign me up!” Caroline replied with the biggest smile. Maybe Miradero wouldn’t be so boring this summer after all.