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the
pack of dogs. Eldon and Samuel eased the raft into the river and helped the
others huddle in the center of it. Both men stepped aboard, each with a long
pole. Together they planted them against the ground and pushed off into the
current.

CHAPTER 11
    Felicia
    AT THE END of the first week of school, the three girls talked Felicia into coming with them to the stable.
    â€œYou can watch us ride.”
    â€œOr, you can ride yourself.”
    â€œNo. She can’t without taking a lesson.”
    â€œDo you want to have a lesson?” asked Dodie.
    â€œUm…I don’t know. I have to talk to my mom.”
    â€œLet Felicia see what it’s like. Maybe she’ll hate the place.”
    Dodie laughed. “Are you kidding? She’ll love it.”
    Felicia wasn’t so sure. Horses were big animals. What if she got in the way and one accidentally stepped on her foot? And couldn’t horses sense when you were nervous? What if she got on one and it didn’t behave and decided all on its own to gallop into town with her still in the saddle? She didn’t want to be seen as the clumsy “city slicker” who didn’t know her way around a barn.
    â€œWe all love it,” enthused Sophie.
    â€œIt’s so much fun,” added Renate.
    â€œOkay,” said Felicia. “I’ll come.”
    The barn was located on the edge of town, a thirty-minute walk from the school. Felicia followed the girls inside to a large tack room. She looked around at saddles on brackets and reins neatly strapped together hanging from hooks while the other girls changed into riding clothes. They zippered chaps over their pants, then lugged the gear out into the corridor between the stalls.
    â€œSo far, you all look like Wonder Woman.”
    â€œThe saddles aren’t that heavy. Here, try one.”
    Felicia picked up a saddle and sank almost to her knees, pretending to collapse with the weight. She replaced it on a post as the girls laughed at her theatrics.
    â€œNow for the best part,” said Renate.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWe go and get our horses.”
    â€œFrom where?”
    â€œThe field. Come with us.” She picked up a halter and lead rope.
    Felicia trailed behind the girls and watched as they persuaded their horses to accept the halter. Dodie’s horse was the only one to resist. Every time she approached him, he wandered away.
    â€œThis calls for severe measures,” said Dodie.
    â€œWhat are you going to do?” asked Felicia.
    â€œBribe him.” Dodie lifted a peppermint from her pocket. “Look what I have, Cecil.” The horse ambled over, lowered his head for the treat, and Dodie slipped on the halter.
    Back in the barn, Felicia watched the girls prepare their mounts for the lesson. As they strapped on their helmets, their teacher arrived.
    â€œWhat’s keeping you all? We could have started five minutes ago.”
    â€œCecil took forever.”
    â€œToo much visiting, I think.”
    â€œFrancine, this is Felicia. She’s come to watch us today.” Renate made the introduction.
    â€œHello, Felicia, and welcome. You want to watch the lesson? The best place to do that is over there.”
    Felicia sat on an old kitchen chair at one end of the arena and watched the action from behind a barrier. By the middle of the lesson, she stood and leaned against the top board as her new friends trotted along the sides of the enclosure. Felicia enjoyed the sound of hooves thumping and leather saddles creaking.
    â€œAren’t they finished yet?”
    Felicia recognized the voices behind her. These were the whisperers from the back of the class. “Hi.”
    They were slender and attractive. Felicia knew the taller, prettier one was called Ashley. She couldn’t remember the name of the other one. Their riding attire looked expensive. Ashley wore cream-colored jodhpurs that tapered into long, glossy boots. Neither girl said hello.
    Felicia