Chapter One

Silly Questions and One Hurt Horse

Everyone at Rock Creek Stables was super excited. Along with another stable, Holly Hills Farm, we were having an overnight trail ride that weekend!

At the meeting, I sat between Chloe and Rory.

“Be here at seven o’clock tomorrow morning,” Alice said.

Megan groaned. “Why so early?” she whined.

“We’re leaving at eight, and you have to get your horses ready,” Alice explained.

“That’s Rory’s job,” Owen said, turning up his nose.

“Not this weekend,” Alice said. “Everyone takes care of his or her own horse this weekend.”

Messages to Guitar Rory

	MonicaLuvsHorses said: Some of the kids who own their own horses at Rock Creek Stables are snobs. They like to ride and show off, but they don’t like doing the work.
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: Don’t let them boss you around just because you work here! This weekend is supposed to be FUN for all of us!
	Guitar_Rory said: I know. Thanks. You’re the best!

Messages to MonicaLuvsHorses

	Horses4Chloe said: Rory totally has a crush on you.

“We’ll take trails and dirt roads to the campsite,” Alice went on.

“We’re staying on the Wilderness Preserve,” Rory said.

“It’s an empty field,” Owen said.

“In the middle of nowhere,” Megan added.

“That sounds creepy,” Jennifer said. She shuddered.

I thought it sounded like fun. I’d camped out in backyards with parents and lights and a bathroom nearby. I’d never slept under the stars in the wilderness!

“The clearing won’t be empty,” Alice said. “Food, tents, and other gear will be trucked into the campsite.”

“What kind of food?” Jennifer asked. “I can’t eat beans or bologna.” She gagged and made a sick-face. “I’ll throw up.”

“The Senior Center Cowboys are in charge of the Chuck Wagon,” Alice said. “They’ll have lots of good things to eat.”

Jennifer didn’t look like she believed her.

Messages to GrandpaJones1945

	MonicaLuvsHorses said: Do you know anyone who’s a Senior Center Cowboy?
	GrandpaJones1945 said: Yes. Me! I’m coming on the trail ride!
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: REALLY? Cool!
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: So what’s on the menu?
	GrandpaJones1945 said: Your mom is making her famous potato salad . . .
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: What else?
	GrandpaJones1945 said: You’ll have to wait and see! ;)

“Are there bugs?” Jennifer asked.

It was a silly question, but Rory didn’t laugh. “We’ll be outside,” he answered. “So yes, there will be bugs.”

“I hate bug bites.” Jennifer frowned. “They itch, and I’m allergic.”

“Bring bug spray,” Chloe suggested.

“And if that doesn’t work, we can use mud packs,” I added. “You pack mud onto your skin, and it keeps the bugs away.” I knew Jennifer wasn’t going to like that suggestion.

“Gross!” Jennifer made another face.

“And don’t forget,” Alice said. “One horse will win the Most Valuable Horse trophy. If you want it to be your horse, take good care of him during the ride. We’ll be there to help, but you need to do the work.”

After the meeting, Chloe and I took Rick-Rack and Lancelot to a small pasture. We wanted our horses to work off some energy so they’d be calm on the trail ride. They ran and bucked as soon as we turned them loose.

“Why is Jennifer going on the ride?” I asked. “She hates outdoor stuff.”

“Everyone else is going,” Chloe said. “I guess she didn’t want to feel left out.”

“Do you know the kids from Holly Hills Farm?” I asked.

“I’ve met Savannah Summers and a few others at horse shows,” Chloe said. “But I don’t know them well.”

I watched the horses play. Lancelot wheeled and then stopped suddenly. When he started walking again, he was limping.

My heart stopped. “Lancelot is hurt!” I whispered. Then I leaped over the fence.

Messages to MonicaLuvsHorses, Horses4Chloe, Guitar_Rory, OwenIII, Pretty_Megan, JenniferHeartsShopping

	AliceAtTheStable said: Horses run when they’re scared or startled.

I didn’t run. If Lancelot jumped or bolted, he might make his injury worse. I held out my hand and spoke softly. “What’s the matter, boy?” I asked.

Lancelot limped over to me. I held his halter while Chloe checked his leg.

“He’s missing a shoe,” Chloe said.

“Would that make him limp?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Chloe said. “Let’s ask Alice.”

We took both horses back to the barn. Rory saw Lancelot limping and hurried over.

“What happened?” Rory asked.

I quickly explained. “I’ll go get Alice,” Rory said.

“I’ll put Rick-Rack into his stall,” Chloe said. “Be right back.”

While they were gone, I scratched Lancelot behind the ears and tried not to worry.

Soon, Alice, Rory, and Chloe were back. Everyone was quiet while Alice checked Lancelot’s hoof.

“He’s got a bruise,” Alice said. “He just needs a few days to rest, and he’ll need some new shoes.”

“Thank goodness!” I whispered.

“I’ll call your mom and tell her what happened,” Alice told Chloe. “We’ll get the vet out here as soon as possible.”

Chloe looked up sharply. “Wait a second,” she said. “That means that Lancelot can’t go on the trail ride!”

“No, he can’t,” Alice agreed.

“That’s okay,” I said, hugging Lancelot’s neck. “I just want him to be all right.”

“But we don’t have an extra horse,” Alice said. “I assigned the lesson horses to other riders last week,” she added.

I was glad that Lancelot was going to be okay.

But I really, really didn’t want to miss the trail ride.

Messages to MonicaLuvsHorses, Horses4Chloe, Guitar_Rory, OwenIII, Pretty_Megan, JenniferHeartsShopping

	AliceAtTheStable said: Cars with flat tires can’t be driven, and horses with sore feet can’t be ridden.
	OwenIII said: Guess that means Monica can’t come!