Saddle Sore Read Online Free PDF Page A

air. “You were right—no fences,” she said. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. I love it here.”
    “We do, too,” Stevie said. “That camp was the only bad week we’ve ever had here. Part of that was our fault, but part was just bad luck.”
    “And part was because we had to work the whole time,” Carole said. “I don’t mind work in general, but I have to admit, it’s a lot more fun to just ride.”
    “A whole week of riding,” Emily said. “This is wonderful.” The trail they had been on widened further into open prairie. Lisa, Kate, and John waited for them to catch up, and they all rode on together. “You know,” Emily continued, “when I was a little girl, I used to daydream about beingin a place like this. Even before I knew how to ride, I pictured myself on a galloping pony, bareback, with the wind blowing and the whole prairie stretched out before us. We could run forever and never get to the end.” She gave a self-conscious laugh. “Silly, isn’t it?”
    “Not at all,” Kate declared. “And it’s a daydream that can come true. Spot’s a horse, not a pony, and I think you’d do better to keep the saddle on him for now, but we’ve got the prairie and the wind, and we can certainly gallop. Want to?”
    “You bet!”
    Kate launched Moonglow into a gallop and Emily sent Spot right behind. The others followed, laughing. Carole bent over Berry’s neck, feeling the mare’s strides swallow the ground. Thoroughbreds were the fastest horses over long distances, but nothing could beat a quarter horse in the first quarter mile. Berry caught Moonglow and passed her. Tex streaked ahead of even Berry, and Chocolate surged right on Berry’s heels.
    John’s arm went up to signal to the others that he was slowing down. One by one, they brought their panting horses to a walk. Emily’s faceglowed. “That was fabulous!” she said. “Thank you, Kate, thank you!”
    Kate grinned. “You’re welcome. But remember, this is only the first morning. We’ll have lots of gallops this week. What now? Do we keep going, or head back?”
    “I hate to say this,” Stevie said, “but I’m starving.”
    “I second that,” Emily said.
    Kate turned Moonglow. “Back it is. But really, what were we thinking? Next time we’ll bring food.” Then she said to Emily, “Something about the prairie makes people hungry. You should see how much some of the ranch guests eat.”
    “I hope nobody’s keeping track of what I eat,” Stevie said, in mock alarm.
    “Oh, we have been,” John said with a straight face. “But the deal is, as long as you still eat less than Stewball, we won’t charge you for groceries.” He turned to Lisa. “I have to tell you, though, she’s getting pretty close. I’ve been encouraging old Stewball to eat up, but Stevie may be in trouble soon.” They all roared. “Hey, there’s my dad waving. I’d better go.” John said good-bye to all of them, then loped across theprairie to where his father stood next to a pickup truck loaded with hay.
    “Does he always work so hard?” Emily asked.
    “Always,” Kate confirmed. “John’s a born rancher. We’re lucky to have him and his father here.”
    As they approached the ranch buildings, they saw a large car pull up and stop outside the house. “That must be Monica,” Kate said. She urged Moonglow into a faster walk. “Come on, let’s go say hello.”
    By the time they were close, a man and a woman had gotten out. The man was unloading suitcases from the back, while the woman leaned over an open back door, speaking to someone inside. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins,” Kate called cheerily.
    Both adults jumped, as though startled, and when they turned toward Kate, both looked worried. In fact, thought Lisa, they looked as though they wished they hadn’t come. They greeted Kate in muted voices, and Lisa thought it looked as if they were making a big effort to smile.
    “I’m glad you’re back,” Kate said.