Chapter Six

Everybody Hates Rory

Chloe and I had a lot more fun in the afternoon. Rick-Rack and Joker became buddies, so we didn’t have to make them speed up or slow down. They stayed together all by themselves.

We talked about riding in the Olympics or winning the Kentucky Derby someday. We talked about our other friends, and our families.

And the best part was, Ethan didn’t come back.

Everyone was glad when we reached the campsite in the Wilderness Preserve.

“Where’s the food?” Owen asked. He rubbed his stomach. “I’m starving.”

“Over there,” Rory said. He pointed.

The Senior Center Cowboys had set up tables and chairs in a big blue-and-white tent. One table was piled high with snacks. There were coolers full of ice and drinks.

“I ate a pound of trail dust.” Megan coughed to clear her throat. “I need a soda.”

“I’m wearing a pound of dust,” Savannah said. She brushed dirt off her arms and jeans. “Where’s the shower?”

“Over there,” Alice told her, pointing to the pond.

“Gross,” Savannah said. “Ponds are full of creepy creatures and slime!”

“Can we go swimming now?” asked a girl I didn’t know.

“You bet. Right after we take care of the horses,” Alice said. “You guys all know that the horses need to come first.”

Jennifer got off her horse and made a sad face. “I ache all over. Will you take Hero, Rory?” she begged. “Please?”

Rory got off Jupiter and took Hero’s reins. “You should walk around to loosen up your muscles,” he told Jennifer.

“Okay,” Jennifer said. I watched her limp toward the food tent.

Chloe and I walked Rick-Rack and Joker to a shady spot. We clipped their halters to the rope line and took off their saddles.

“Do you want to snack or swim first?” I asked Chloe.

“Snack,” Chloe said. “Riding makes me super hungry.”

The supply truck was parked by a cement tub. A water pump stood at one end of the tub. I pumped the handle and filled two buckets with water.

Chloe got the hay. We brushed our horses while they ate.

Messages to MonicaLuvsHorses

	ClaudiaCristina said: Hey, buddy!
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: Hey!
	ClaudiaCristina said: How’s the trail ride going?
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: So far it’s been pretty good. Riding is fun. But there’s a really annoying guy here who keeps bugging me and Chloe. And we have to use an outhouse. Yuck!
	ClaudiaCristina said: What’s an outhouse?
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: Um, you know . . . a toilet outside. Like an old-time porta-potty. Like people use at camp. What they used to use before people had bathrooms inside.
	ClaudiaCristina said: Ohhhhh. Ew.
	ClaudiaCristna said: Well, I have to go. Time to babysit. I just wanted to say hi.
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: I’ll call you as soon as I get home!
	ClaudiaCristina said: Have FUN!!! :)

When Rory walked by, he was still leading two horses.

“Where’s Jennifer?” I asked.

“I think she’s in the outhouse,” Rory said.

“Why would Jennifer go in the outhouse?” I wondered out loud. “It’s probably full of spiders and bugs. And you know how she feels about spiders and bugs!”

“I guess she had to use it,” Chloe said. “You know, when you gotta go . . .”

“Or maybe she’s just hiding so Rory will take care of her horse,” I said.

Rory tied Jupiter and Hero to the rope line. He took off both saddles and both bridles.

“Hey, Rory!” Owen yelled. “Bring me a bucket of water.”

“And a soda for me!” Megan shouted.

“I need a hoof pick!” a Holly Hills rider yelled.

Rory gave Jupiter and Hero water first. Then he delivered the water and hoof pick.

Savannah’s horse was tied beside Ethan’s horse. Ethan and Savannah were sitting on a tree stump, talking to her. As Rory walked by, Savannah asked Rory to bring her some hay.

Rory brought hay to his horse, Jennifer’s horse, and Savannah’s horse. Another Holly Hills girl asked him for help grooming.

“Why is everyone picking on Rory?” I asked.

“Habit,” Chloe said. “Owen orders Rory around all the time.”

I frowned. “But Rory’s not supposed to be working this weekend,” I said.

“Maybe Mark and Alice didn’t tell anyone that,” Chloe said.

Mark was talking to the Senior Center Cowboys. Alice was helping the lesson kids. They didn’t notice that Rory was doing way too many horse chores.

“We should say something,” I said.

“I can’t,” Chloe said. “Ethan might tell his friends I’m sticking up for Rory because he’s my boyfriend.”

“So?” I said.

“Then it would get back to Owen and Megan,” Chloe explained, “and I don’t want that rumor going around school.”

“Why not?” I asked. “You said yourself, Rory is really cute.”

“It isn’t true!” Chloe said. She blushed.

“And,” she added, “I don’t want it to get around.”

I smiled. I knew what she meant. She didn’t want Cameron to find out.