Horse-Sitters Read Online Free PDF Page A

to put in a little extra time here at Pine Hollow, but with some careful planning it should be okay.”
    Lisa shrugged and sighed. “Well, maybe you’re right,” she said. “I guess two horses won’t be that much trouble.”
    “That’s the spirit,” Stevie said. “Now come on, let’s go out and wait for Aunt Genie. We’ll ask her about that medicine and then we’ll be done.”
    “Good,” Carole said, rubbing her stomach. “It’s almost dinnertime, and I’m starving. Wrestling with Honeybee really gave me an appetite.”
    The Saddle Club strolled down the aisle. As they turned the corner toward the entrance, they nearly collided with a breathless Veronica diAngelo, who was hurrying along at breakneck speed.
    “Watch where you’re going,” she snapped.
    “Same to you,” Stevie retorted. “You know Max’s rules about running in the stable.”
    Veronica ignored her comment. “Where’s Max?” she demanded. “I need to speak to him immediately.”
    “He’s not here,” Lisa replied. She
could
have told Veronica that Max was just up at the house and that he would be returning soon, but somehow she didn’t feel like sharing that information.
    “What do you mean, he’s not here?” Veronica said in annoyance.
    “She means that this place, the place where you are right now, is exactly where Max
isn’t
right now,” Stevie replied. “Which part didn’t you understand?”
    “Shut up, Stevie,” Veronica said. “I need to see Max. It’s very important.”
    “Is something wrong with Danny?” Carole asked with concern. As much as she disliked Veronica, she would never want a horse to be in danger.
    “Of course not. He’s perfect as always,” Veronica replied haughtily. “The matter I have to discuss with Max is private. In other words, none of your business.” She tossed back her long, black hair. “One thing I can tell you, though: If Max knows what’s good for him, he’ll have to start spending a little more time around the stable for the next week or so.” With that, she turned and stomped away.
    “I wonder what that was all about,” Lisa said.
    “I don’t,” Stevie said. “She probably broke a nail cleaning tack and wants to tell Max she’s suing him.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous, Stevie,” Carole replied. “What would Veronica be doing cleaning tack?” All three girls laughed.
    “Come to think of it, what’s Veronica doing here today at all?” Lisa said after a moment. “We didn’t have a riding lesson today, and she certainly didn’t show up to put in a few hours’ work mucking out stalls.”
    Before her friends could reply, the girls heard another voice calling their names. They turned to see Mr. French, one of Max’s adult riders, approaching.
    Carole smiled at him. “Hi, Mr. French,” she said. The other girls added their greetings. They all liked the friendly man. He worked for the State Department in Washington, D.C., which meant he always had plenty of interesting stories to tell. More importantly, he was an enthusiastic rider, even though he hadn’t been doing it for very long. Recently Mr. French had bought his own horse, a Tennessee walking horse named Memphis. The mare was a beautiful chestnut with smooth gaits and a gentle, even disposition.
    “Hi, girls,” Mr. French said. “I’m glad I caught you. Listen, I was just talking to a friend of yours in the tack room—Polly Giacomin. She tells me you’ll be keeping up with her horse’s training while she’s out of town.”
    “That’s right,” Stevie said proudly. “We’ve just started a new career as professional horse-sitters. Training, grooming, exercising—we do it all.”
    “I’m glad to hear it,” Mr. French said with a smile. “Actually, I was hoping to engage your professional services myself. I just found out I have to leave the country for a week, and I washoping you’d look after Memphis for me while I’m gone. Of course I’d pay you the going rate.”
    Lisa spoke up before