Chapter Seven

The Boss of the Chuck Wagon

Messages to MonicaLuvsHorses

	GrandpaJones1945 said: You and Chloe better hurry up! We’re running out of food over here.
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: We’ll be right there. Save me some potato salad!

Grandpa was on duty in the mess tent. He grinned when Chloe and I walked in. “Are you having a good time?” he asked.

“Fantastic!” I said.

I gave him two thumbs up. “Joker is a great trail horse, just like you said.”

“Are you sorry you called him lazy and scruffy?” Grandpa teased.

“He is lazy and scruffy,” I teased back. “But he’s easy to take care of, and he does what I want him to.”

Thinking about taking care of Joker made me think of how Rory was being forced to help everyone else. I sighed.

Grandpa frowned. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Chloe and I looked at each other.

“Mark gave Rory the weekend off so he could enjoy the campout,” I said.

“But some of the kids are bossing him around like they do at the barn,” Chloe explained.

“That’s not fair,” Grandpa said. He squinted and rubbed his chin. “So I’d better do something about it.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked.

“You’ll see,” Grandpa said with a twinkle in his eye.

While Grandpa walked over to Mark, Chloe and I sat down at an old picnic table outside the tent. We could see the whole campsite.

First Grandpa spoke to Mark. Then he marched over to the rope line. He pulled Rory aside and whispered in his ear.

Rory nodded and ran over to join us.

“What’s going on?” Chloe asked as he sat down.

“Monica’s grandpa told me to take a break,” Rory said. “Mark’s orders.”

Grandpa stayed by the rope line. He spoke in a gruff voice. “Listen up!” he called out. Everyone turned to look.

“This trail ride has rules,” Grandpa continued. “Rule number one: Everyone takes care of his or her own horse.”

“You’re not the boss of us,” Owen said, folding his arms in front of his chest.

“No, but I’m the boss of the Chuck Wagon,” Grandpa said. “Nobody eats until their horse chores are done.”

“But you have to feed us!” Megan whined.

“I will,” Grandpa told her. “As soon as you feed and water your horse.”

Nobody moved for a minute. Then everyone got busy.

Owen and Megan rushed to the hay bales. Jennifer tried to duck behind a truck, but Chase handed her a bucket.

I noticed that Savannah and Ethan were standing next to their horses, but it seemed like they were arguing. Savannah threw up her hands and stomped away.

Ethan untied his horse. Then he walked over and tied the horse back up next to Joker and Rick-Rack. Then he stood there, staring at his horse.

Rory nudged Chloe. “Do you want Ethan to move his horse?” he asked.

Chloe shook her head. “That’s okay,” she said. She looked at Ethan and frowned. “It looks like he needs help,” she added. “I guess I should go see what his problem is.”

“I’ll go with you,” I said.

Ethan smiled when he saw us. “I took Major’s saddle and bridle off, but the grooms at Holly Hills do everything else. What should I do next?” he asked.

“Water, then hay, and then brush him,” I said.

“And don’t forget to clean out his feet,” Chloe added.

Chloe and I helped carry everything from the supply truck, but we let Ethan do the work.

Major liked to slosh his nose in his water bucket. Ethan’s shirt got wet.

Major pawed his hay. Ethan had to shake the packed grass to loosen it. A hundred bits stuck to his jeans.

The dust on Major’s coat made Ethan sneeze.

“No wonder Savannah wanted me to groom Blue Magic,” Ethan said. “This is hard work.”

“Major worked hard for you all day,” I pointed out.

“You’re right,” Ethan said with a sheepish grin.

Soon, everyone was done grooming the horses. We each stood next to our horse while Mark and Chase inspected our work.

Owen had to clean Merlin’s feet again.

Megan had to refill Dandy’s water bucket.

Savannah had to keep brushing until Blue Magic’s saddle mark was gone.

Rick-Rack, Joker, and Major were perfect.

“Cool!” Ethan said.

He had done everything right, and I could tell he was proud.

I watched Ethan high-five Rory.

Messages to Horses4Chloe

	MonicaLuvsHorses said: Maybe he’s not so bad after all!