Chapter 5
Meeting Mojo

Nobody noticed Monster’s new haircut right away because there was even more excitement the next morning.

Bryce, Miss Sophie’s part-time helper, was organizing bridles in the tack room. Dot was overseeing his work. Lily was using washable paint to draw rainbows on Willow. Bess had just given Cedar a bath and was waiting for him to dry.

A truck and trailer pulled into the Starbright Stables driveway.

“Who’s here?” Lily said, poking her head over the side of Willow’s stall.

“No idea!” Bess called back. She put Cedar in his stall. Bryce and Dot joined Bess.

Miss Sophie and Dr. Ahmadi met the driver. Bryce opened the trailer door. Miss Sophie disappeared inside. A moment later, she led out a handsome chestnut pony. It had four high white socks. Its dainty dished face had a huge white blaze down the center. Its small, tidy ears were perked. Best of all, a spot was near the top of its left leg. The spot was shaped like a heart!

“Girls, meet Mojo,” Miss Sophie said.

“He’s so pretty,” Dot cooed. The hearts in her eyes matched the heart on Mojo’s side.

“Where did he come from?” Lily asked. She looked from Mojo to Dot and frowned. She didn’t like how Dot was looking at the new pony. Her best friend was already going to be upset about leaving Monster behind.

“Believe it or not, Mojo belonged to Judy,” Miss Sophie said. “Well, her daughter, anyway. Her daughter has decided riding isn’t for her. Judy asked me if he could stay here.”

“Wow,” Dot sighed. “So cool.”

“He hasn’t had to do much over the past couple years, so he’s going to need a tune-up,” Miss Sophie said. She looked at Dot. “Dot, I was wondering if you would help me out.”

Noooo, Lily thought. It was so unfair. Dot was going to love this new pony and then lose him just as fast. She’d have to say goodbye to Monster and Mojo. As she watched Dot take the pony’s lead rope and walk him toward a grassy patch, her brain began to work.

I can’t let Dot get hurt, Lily thought, determined. She can’t fall in love with this pony!