Chapter Three
Mia hurried back into the barn. She ran into Maren’s office.
“Maren? Can I talk to you?” she asked.
Her instructor looked up. “What is it, Mia?” she asked.
“I have an idea,” Mia said. “I know you might not like it. But I wanted to ask anyway.” Her voice shook. “I heard that Diamond is going to be sold.”
“Yes, that’s right,” Maren said. She nodded. “He isn’t working out. He’s just too dangerous.”
“What if I could have one more chance here? And Diamond could too?” Mia asked. “I could work with Diamond every day.”
“I don’t know,” Maren said.
“It would be a kind of test for me,” Mia said. “I want to show you that I can work here without making any careless mistakes. I know that we both can get better.”
Maren tapped her finger against her cheek. Then she nodded. “All right, Mia. I’ll give you and Diamond one more chance,” Maren said.
“Oh, thank you!” Mia exclaimed. “You won’t regret this, really!”
“But there’s one more thing,” Maren said. “You both must show that you’ve improved by the time of the Rocky Ridge Rumpus. That means no biting for Diamond. And no careless mistakes for you.”
The Rocky Ridge Rumpus was the student horse show at the barn. It was only four days away! Could she really get Diamond to improve by then?
But this was her only chance. “It’s a deal,” Mia said, sticking out her hand.
“Done,” Maren replied.
They shook hands.
“Good luck, Mia,” Maren said. “I’ll be rooting for you!”