Show-Jumping Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page B

told him what she had in mind. “But we’ll have to hurry before Zoe, Saffron, or my mom come out here.”
    Comet nodded. “I will help you. But are you sure that this is what you want?” he asked, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
    Alex didn’t hesitate. “This time—definitely!”
    She felt a familiar warm tingling sensation flowing down to the tips of her fingers. Large violet sparks ignited in Comet’s caramel-colored coat, and a cloud of tiny bright lights like busy worker bees fluttered into the air. The glittering little helpers spreadout, gathering everything they needed before they got to work. Alex watched in astonishment.
    Splash!
A hose sprayed warm soapy water over Princess, washing the mud from her coat, mane, and tail.
Swish!
Towels swept back and forth drying her.
Rustle!
Brushes buffed her coat, and combs gently untangled her mane and tail.

    Princess sighed with contentment, enjoying being pampered. She even lifted each hoof in turn for it to be picked out, brushed, and oiled. Finally she was finished. Her coat gleamed like silver, and her mane and tail were brushed to a glossy silkiness.
    “She looks wonderful. Thanks, Comet!”
    “I am glad that I could help,” Comet neighed as every last little glowing bee disappeared, and the deep-violet sparks faded from his coat.
    They were only just in time. Zoe and Saffron were leaving the house and crossing the yard.
    Saffron’s eye widened when she saw Princess. “Alex? What . . . wow! I can’t believe it!” she gasped delightedly. She wasdressed in a pair of Alex’s overalls and a spare pair of jodhpurs, which were tucked into a pair of her mom’s old riding boots.
    “How did you manage to get Princess looking like that?” Zoe asked.
    You wouldn’t believe me, even if I could tell you!
she thought. “I love a challenge! Anyway, I didn’t want to hang around and get bored, while everyone fussed over Saffron,” she lied happily.
    While Saffron was admiring her perfectly groomed pony, Zoe leaned close to whisper to Alex. “You can’t fool me. You did it to stop Saffron from getting into trouble, didn’t you?”
    Alex shrugged. “Well, I did feel a bit sorry for her. I didn’t want her to get in trouble with her dad.” She would have loved to tell Zoe the truth, but shecouldn’t do that without giving away Comet’s secret. She knew that she would never tell anyone about her magical friend.
    Comet seemed to know what she was thinking. He tossed his head and gave a soft whicker of approval.
    Saffron turned to Alex. “Thanks, Alex. I won’t forget this,” she said warmly. “I . . . I know I can be a pain. It’s the way I am, but I don’t mean anything by it. Friends, okay?”
    Alex flushed. “I guess I haven’t been that easy to get along with, either,” she admitted honestly. “It’ll be different from now on.”
    “Yeah!” Zoe did a little dance of triumph. “Does this mean we can all concentrate on having fun and gettingready for the Pony Club fund-raising event?”

    “You bet!” Alex and Saffron exclaimed happily.

Comet’s warm magic swirled around Alex as they paused on the heathery hillside a week later. His sides were heaving after a thrilling gallop, and as he looked out across the wide expanse of the land, he caught his breath.
    Alex relaxed in the saddle, full of the afterglow of another exciting ride on the magic pony. If she lived to be a hundred,she would never forget the joy of riding him.

    She had spent the afternoon at Zoe’s house, watching some of Saffron’s show-jumping DVDs. Zoe’s mom had gotten pizza and snacks and turned the event into a party.
    Now Alex and Comet were cutting across the fields on their way home.Another search among the rock formations had proved fruitless. There had been no more signs of Destiny.
    “It was so much fun today and Saffron was great. We’re all getting along better. But Zoe will always be my best friend,” Alex told him happily, resting her hands in her