CHAPTER 6
“Something’s wrong,” Molly said.
“I’ll go call Ms. North,” Kari said. She headed for the barn. “I saw a phone in the tack room.”
“Ms. North is too far away,” Molly said, running ahead. “I’m going to get Casper and go find Gabrielle.” She opened the barn door and went inside.
“You can’t take a horse out alone!” Kari exclaimed.
“I know, but this is an emergency,” Molly said. She took a deep breath and looked Kari in the eye. “You’ll have to hold Casper while I get on.”
Kari gasped. “No way,” she said.
“Kari, you have to,” Molly said. “I need your help. And so does Gabrielle.”
“But what if he bites me?” Kari asked nervously. “Or kicks me? Or steps on my foot or something? I really can’t touch that horse.”
“He won’t do anything,” Molly said. “Come on. If Gabrielle is hurt, we have to help her.”
Kari took a deep breath. “Fine,” she said. She got Casper’s saddle and bridle from the tack room. Then she stood back as Molly took Casper out of his stall.
Molly had to hurry, so she only had time to quickly brush the horse’s back and check his feet for stones. After she put Casper’s saddle on, she led him outside. Kari slowly followed.
“This isn’t hard, Kari,” Molly said. “Just hold the reins tight under his chin so he can’t walk away.”
Kari slowly walked up to the horse. Her hand shook when she took the reins. Molly knew that would make some horses nervous, but Casper didn’t even twitch.
“What if he moves?” Kari asked.
“Pull back and say ‘whoa!’,” Molly told her.
Molly stretched to get her left foot in the stirrup. Then she grabbed the saddle, hopped, and pulled herself up.
“Okay. I’m on,” she said.
Kari gave Casper a quick pat on the neck and stepped back. “Good luck,” she told Molly.
Molly turned Casper down the bridle path and kicked him into a trot.
The trail through the woods was pretty, but Molly was too worried about Gabrielle to enjoy it. After a few minutes, she pulled Casper back to a slow trot. She didn’t want to move too quickly, in case she had to duck under a tree branch.
“Gabrielle!” Molly yelled. “Gabrielle!”
“I’m over here!” Gabrielle called.
Molly trotted Casper forward. Soon, she spotted Gabrielle sitting on a big log.
“What happened?” Molly asked.
Gabrielle stood up and brushed off her pants. She had dirt on her face, but she didn’t look hurt. “A stupid squirrel scared Rebel,” she said. “He moved back, and I fell off.”
“Where is Rebel?” Molly asked.
“He ran away,” Gabrielle said. “I tried to catch him, but he’s too fast. I’m really worried.”
“Casper’s not speedy, but he goes faster than we can,” Molly told her. She moved the horse over to the log and said, “Get on behind me.”
Gabrielle frowned and asked, “Are you sure he rides double? If he can only handle one rider, this is a really bad idea.”
“It’s fine,” Molly said. “Nothing bothers Casper.”
After Gabrielle got on, Molly kicked Casper into a slow jog. Both girls searched the woods for the lost horse.
After a few minutes, Gabrielle gasped. “There he is!” she said, pointing ahead.
Rebel’s reins were tangled in a patch of bushes. He was breathing hard, and sweat covered his coat. He was stuck, scared, and tired.
Gabrielle slid to the ground. She moved slowly toward Rebel, talking softly as she walked.
“Easy, boy. It’s okay,” she said quietly. She untangled the reins and led Rebel out of the brush. Then she carefully got on his back.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Molly asked.
“Yeah. Thanks,” Gabrielle said. She turned and rode back toward the barn.
Molly frowned. Then she patted Casper’s neck. “Good boy,” she said softly. “You saved the day.”