Chapter Ten

MVH

Messages to MonicaLuvsHorses

	Guitar_Rory said: I saw what happened.
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: What a jerk! I am going to avoid him for the rest of the weekend.

“I thought you and Ethan were getting along,” Chloe said as we sat down to eat dinner. “How come he’s sitting with the Holly Hills kids?”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I said. I hoped Chloe would just assume I was sick of Ethan. I didn’t want to tell her what had happened.

Luckily, Rory changed the subject. “Your mom’s potato salad is really good,” he told me.

“Yeah, it goes great with the corn on the cob!” Alice added.

Chloe bit into her hamburger. “I’m really hungry after this long day,” she said. “Who knew doing so much riding would be so tiring!”

After dinner, Mark made an announcement. “The Senior Center Cowboys will clean up,” he said. “Grab your jackets and flashlights. The campfire starts in fifteen minutes!”

After we got our jackets, Chloe had to use the outhouse. I waited outside.

That’s when Ethan ambushed me.

“Can I talk to you?” Ethan pleaded. “Please?”

“You’ve got one minute,” I said sternly. Ethan had been annoying me all day. I wasn’t going to let him spoil the bonfire, too.

“I’m sorry I told Savannah we were together,” Ethan said.

“Why did you tell her that?” I asked.

“Because I didn’t want to tell her the real reason I like to hang out with you and Chloe,” Ethan said. “In case it hurt her feelings.”

“What is the real reason?” I asked.

“You guys have more fun,” Ethan said, shrugging. “My horse friends take themselves way too seriously, especially Savannah.”

“Some of the Rock Creek riders do, too,” I said.

“I know,” Ethan agreed. “Owen and Megan are too worried about winning the Most Valuable Horse trophy to have a good time. Who needs that?”

“Not me,” I said.

“Me neither,” Ethan said.

“Do you want me to pretend I’m your girlfriend?” I asked.

Ethan smiled and shook his head. “No, it’s stupid to care what Savannah thinks,” he admitted.

I nodded. Just like I was stupid to care what other kids thought about Joker. And then I realized something else. Chloe and Rory and I had misjudged Ethan the same way.

Chloe, Ethan, and I walked to the campfire circle together. Rory sat down between me and Chloe.

Chloe looked at me with a smug smile. I knew what she was thinking.

Messages to MonicaLuvsHorses

	Horses4Chloe said: I TOLD YOU RORY LIKES YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	MonicaLuvsHorses said: WE’RE JUST FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	Horses4Chloe said: We’ll see!

The Senior Center Cowboys handed out graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows, and toasting sticks. Then they sang dorky old camp songs. Everyone ate s’mores and sang along.

Savannah, Owen, and Megan looked bored until Mark stood up. He held the Most Valuable Horse trophy for everyone to see.

“There are many different types of horses,” Mark said, “and they are all good at different jobs. A good trail horse stays calm no matter what happens.”

“And a good trail horse is safe and easy to ride,” Chase added. “Only one horse lived up to that today.”

“We’re proud to present the Most Valuable Horse award to —” Mark paused to build up the suspense. Then he said, “Monica Murray and Joker!”

“Joker won?” I squealed and jumped up and down. “I have to call Buck!” I told Chloe and Rory.

I got Buck’s phone number from Grandpa. When I called, I told Buck what had happened and how Joker had helped us round up all the horses.

On the other end of the line, Buck laughed. “That’s great news, Monica,” he said. “Joker is a fine horse.”

“He is,” I agreed. Then I asked, “So do you have a nice place to keep the trophy?”

Buck was silent for a second. “Well,” he said slowly, “there’s a certain thirteen-year-old girl who deserves that trophy just as much as my old plug does. I think you should keep it, Monica.”

“Really?” I said. A huge smile stretched across my face. “Thanks, Buck!”

I handed the trophy to Chloe. “Can you hold this for me?” I asked.

“Where are you going?” Chloe asked.

“To give Joker a big hug,” I said. “And carrots. Lots and lots of carrots.”

Messages to Horses4Chloe

	MonicaLuvsHorses said: I had an amazing weekend!
	Horses4Chloe said: Me too! :) See you soon!