9

The Mysterious Man

MARY TRIED IN vain to pay attention to what was going on in the ring, but she could see Willie and the mysterious stranger standing a short distance away having a very animated conversation. The man pointed at Star several times, gesturing wildly and shaking his finger in Willie’s face. Willie only shook his head and tugged repeatedly on his ear lobe. Mary was busting to hear what was being said but she knew she had to obey Willie. And Jody would be really upset if she wasn’t by the ring to support her.

“I have the results for class number four, yearling conformation,” came the announcement from the loudspeaker.

“What, it’s over already?” Mary asked herself. She had been so distracted by the nearby conservation that she had barely watched the class. She saw Jody glance her way and gave her the thumbs-up signal as the announcer continued.

“In sixth place, number thirty-nine, Sir Lancelot, shown by Megan Brebner.”

Mary applauded politely but from the corner of her eye saw Willie and the man approaching the rail to watch the placings.

When the announcer bellowed, “fifth place goes to number twenty-eight, Julianne Prettyman and Gold Bar,” the group by the rail cheered even more loudly than in the previous class. Clearly pleased with winning yet another ribbon, the petite Miss Prettyman took the pink ribbon and waved to her family of fans.

“In fourth place is the team of Melissa Buckminster and Mr. Fritz.” At the sound of her name, Melissa Buckminster squealed with delight. She had been in class number three and had not placed at all.

Mary stood by the rail biting her fingernails as each name was called. Without Willie to talk to, she had no outlet for her opinions. So she could only wait impatiently as her heart practically beat out of her chest in anticipation of the ribbon Star might get.

“Third place goes to Apollo, number sixty-two, shown today by Melissa Proctor.”

Jody looked over at Mary and shook her head, certain that she had not placed in the ribbons. But Mary gave her the thumbs-up once again to demonstrate her loyalty, all the while keeping an eye on Willie and the stranger, who were watching the proceedings in silence.

“In second place is number fourteen, Ashley Eilers and Harmony.” Ashley clapped her hands upon hearing her name called once again for second place, the same placing she had received in the grooming and showmanship class.

Mary jiggled uncontrollably, stomping her feet in place and swallowing hard to keep from crying out of sheer nervousness. It seemed forever before the announcer finally declared the name of the winner.

“And in first place in yearling conformation is number thirty-four, Jody Stafford and Star of Wonder.”

Star took one of Mary’s brown curls in his teeth and pulled.

Mary fairly shrieked when she heard Jody’s name called. She wanted to run out into the ring and hug her best friend, but she satisfied herself with cheering at the top of her lungs when Jody stepped up to accept her ribbon. In her excitement, Mary forgot that Willie told her to stay put and ran over to be next to him at the rail.

“Willie! Can you believe it? We won! We won!” she shouted. Willie nodded and looked down at Mary with a forced smile that was not at all like him. And when Mary glanced over at the man still standing next to Willie, she saw him staring grimly out into the ring as Jody led Star to the gate. Then he turned abruptly and was gone.

“Jode! You did it! You did it!” Mary squealed the minute Jody and Star exited the ring. “See, you were shaking your head because you didn’t think you placed, but I knew you did! I just knew it!” And she threw her arms around Jody with another squeal of delight while Star took one of Mary’s brown curls in his teeth and pulled.

“Ow!” Mary yelped, trying to pull the section of hair from Star’s mouth without leaving any behind. Jody dissolved into a fit of giggles and gave Star a great big pony hug around his neck.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it!” Jody said breathlessly. “Just think, Mary, this is only our second show, and we got another blue ribbon! First with Lady, and now with her baby!”

“Yes, we are definitely destined for stardom!” Mary laughed. “Willie, did you see Jody’s ribbon?”

Mary had to turn to ask the question, because Willie was hobbling along behind the two girls and hadn’t said a word.

“Yes, I seen it. Another one to add to your collection,” he said half-heartedly.

“Willie, you were right about him being well put together. That’s exactly what the judge said!” Jody continued, too happy to notice Willie’s down-turned face.

“Oh, what else did he say?” Mary prodded. “Did he say Star was the prettiest colt at the whole show? Because he is, you know. That’s what I said. Oh, Jody, do you think we should enter some more classes? We know the judge likes Star. Maybe we could win some more ribbons!”

“No!” Willie spoke suddenly in a voice Mary and Jody had seldom heard from him. “We’ve had enough for one day. Git Star over to the truck so we can git loaded up. If we hurry up, I can still make it home for milkin’.”

“But, Willie, you don’t have to do the milking any . . .” Jody began, but Mary poked her with an elbow before she could finish her sentence.

“OK, Willie, I was just getting carried away, I guess,” Mary said sheepishly. “And Star’s probably getting tired. We’ll gather everything up while you get the truck ready.”

Without another word, Willie turned and headed toward the old pickup truck. Mary and Jody stood for a minute and watched him, and then Jody turned and looked at Mary with a worried look on her face.

“What’s wrong with Willie?” she asked. “He didn’t even look happy about my ribbon, and he’s hardly said a word!”

“I don’t know, Jode. I don’t know,” Mary said ominously. “But I think we’re going to find out.”