“But, Willie . . .” Mary began, but her sentence was stopped short by the loudspeaker. “Please take your yearlings to the rail while we take a few moments to pin this class.”
“See, they’re goin’ to let them walk around while they decide on the ribbons for grooming and showmanship,” Willie explained. “That way they don’t have to stand in one spot for so long.”
“Willie, what’s happening?” Jody whispered over the rail as she led Star past.
“They’re going to give the ribbons for this class, and then you’ll go right into the next one!” Mary answered before Willie had a chance. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine!” she said encouragingly as Jody walked on.
It wasn’t long before the voice boomed over the loudspeaker once again.
“I have the results of class number three, yearling grooming and showmanship. Please line up your yearlings. Line up facing the judge, please.”
Mary jiggled nervously by the rail as Jody led Star back into line. A little girl with blonde pigtails skipped through the gate carrying a strip of cardboard that held the fluttering ribbons for first through sixth place. She took her place next to the judge and grinned at the competitors.
“Oh, Willie, this is too nerve-wracking!” Mary exclaimed as Jody tried again to square Star up. “Jody, don’t worry about it now,” she continued to the air. “The judging is all over!”
“If you are remaining in the ring for the next class,” began the announcer, “please step forward and accept your ribbon, and when all placings have been called, hand it to someone outside the ring. In sixth place,” the voice continued, “is number twenty-eight, Julianne Prettyman and Gold Bar.”
Cheers erupted from a group of spectators as Julianne Prettyman happily stepped up with her palomino yearling to receive her prize.
“In fifth place, the team of Jessica Ferguson and Revlon.” The woman standing next to Jody and Star proudly led her skewbald pinto yearling out of line and accepted her pink ribbon.
“Oh, Willie, do you think Star placed? He looked good, didn’t he? Do you think he could have made the top four? Or maybe he didn’t place at all, and he’s in seventh or eighth place! Jody will be so upset!” Mary rambled, clutching the top rail of the ring with white-knuckled fingers.
“Hush now and listen to the announcement,” Willie admonished. “I think you might hear Jody’s name called yet.”
“In fourth place, Brandon Gorin and Nellie’s Nugget.”
Brandon, the only boy in the ring, smiled broadly and trotted his flashy chestnut filly from the end of the line, halting neatly in front of the ribbon girl, who reached out and patted Nellie’s Nugget on the shoulder as Brandon took the white ribbon from her grasp.
“Oh, Willie, I can’t stand the suspense,” Mary wailed. “And look, Jody is looking so nervous and Star is starting to stomp his foot like he always does when he’s getting in an ornery mood,” she continued in a panic.
“He’ll be alright in a minute,” Willie insisted. “He’s just gettin’ tired of standin’ in one spot, just like the others. He’s not the only one movin’ around. Now will you hush up and listen?”
Mary clapped her hand over her mouth to quell her outbursts as the next announcement came. “And in third place, the team of Jody Stafford and Star of Wonder.”
Mary’s hand flew from her mouth as a happy shout emerged, and she jumped up and down with delight as Jody led Star forward and accepted her yellow ribbon. Willie grinned like a schoolboy in spite of himself, and putting two fingers in the corners of his mouth, he whistled loudly and then clapped right along with Mary. Jody, her head held high and grinning from ear to ear, led Star easily back into line and waited patiently for the top two ribbons to be announced before she trotted to ringside, so she could hand her ribbon over to Mary. But as she reached the fence, she held the ribbon briefly to her chest and looked first at Mary, and then Willie, as if making a decision. Then she reached over the top fence board and held the ribbon out to Willie.
“Can you hold this for me, Willie?” she asked quietly. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done for us.”
Mary smiled at Jody as Willie wordlessly accepted the ribbon, nodding and tugging on his ear lobe. No one spoke until the next announcement came clearly over the loudspeaker.
“Again, our next class is class number four, yearling conformation. If you are not in this class, please exit the ring.”
“Look, Willie, some of them are leaving! They must not be signed up for this class,” Mary observed happily. “That means Star has a better chance!” But Mary’s glee was short-lived as she watched three of the yearlings exit, because taking their place were four new yearlings, coming in through the gate just as the others went out.
“Willie, what’s happening?” Jody whispered in a panic. “Why are there four more coming in?”
“Because there’s four more entered in this class, that’s why,” Willie replied gruffly. “Those other three left because they were just entered in grooming and showmanship. Maybe because their yearlings don’t have such good conformation. And look, the bay colt is leaving now too,” Willie said, pointing at the rambunctious colt, who was trying to break away from his handler again as she led him to the gate. “Probably because he won’t behave. So now it’s nine, just like the last class.”
“And that’s your class,” continued the announcer as the gate was officially closed. “Please take the rail with your yearlings.”
“Jody, you should do even better this time!” Mary stage-whispered as Jody turned to walk Star along the rail. “Star’s the prettiest colt in the whole class!”
Willie didn’t speak but carefully folded the streamers of the cherished ribbon over and tucked it safely in the top pocket of his overalls.
“Willie, what exactly is the judge looking for this time?” Mary asked. “Do you really think Star has a good chance?”
“We’ll see,” Willie said simply. “He’s lookin’ for how well he’s put together, the trueness to his breed, how well he moves, and just his overall appearance in general.”
As Mary turned from Willie to watch the class, she noticed a man standing a slight distance away along the fence rail, closely observing Jody and Star as they walked along the rail. Then the man turned and looked at Willie in what Mary could only consider a glare. Mary continued watching the man, thinking that she must be imagining that he was only watching one colt in the class. But now it became painfully obvious that his gaze was locked firmly on Star alone.
“Willie,” Mary began in a whisper, tugging on Willie’s shirt sleeve. But before she could get her next word out, the man sidled over until he was standing close enough to hear whatever it was Mary was going to say next. Then he turned to Willie and glared again at such length that Willie noticed this time.
“How do?” Willie asked genially, turning to the man and tipping his hat.
“I’m alright. How are you?” the man replied in a less than friendly tone.
“Doin’ just fine,” Willie began, then he turned his attention back to the ring where the judge was asking the yearlings to line up.
“That your colt out there?” the man asked. “That piebald paint?”
“No, sir. Belongs to the girl showing him.”
“You know anything about him?”
Something in his tone of voice made Willie turn and give the man his full attention. Mary was trying to watch the activity in the ring, where Jody was just at that moment being questioned by the judge, but she also turned and looked at the man questioningly. There was something about him that she definitely didn’t like.
“Mary, you stay here in case Jody needs you. I’ll be back,” Willie said.
“But, but, Willie, what . . .”
“Stay here, I said,” Willie commanded in his you’d better mind me voice. And then he walked away with the man, leaving Mary standing alone at ringside and feeling a sudden sense of dread.
9
The Mysterious Man
; MARY TRIED IN vain to pay attention to what was going on in the ring, but she could see Willie and the mysterious stranger standing a short distance away having a very animated conversation. The man pointed at Star several times, gesturing wildly and shaking his finger in Willie’s face. Willie only shook his head and tugged repeatedly on his ear lobe. Mary was busting to hear what was being said but she knew she had to obey Willie. And Jody would be really upset if she wasn’t by the ring to support her.
“I have the results for class number four, yearling conformation,” came the announcement from the loudspeaker.
“What, it’s over already?” Mary asked herself. She had been so distracted by the nearby conservation that she had barely watched the class. She saw Jody glance her way and gave her the thumbs-up signal as the announcer continued.
“In sixth place, number thirty-nine, Sir Lancelot, shown by Megan Brebner.”
Mary applauded politely but from the corner of her eye saw Willie and the man approaching the rail to watch the placings.
When the announcer bellowed, “fifth place goes to number twenty-eight, Julianne Prettyman and Gold Bar,” the group by the rail cheered even more loudly than in the previous class. Clearly pleased with winning yet another ribbon, the petite Miss Prettyman took the pink ribbon and waved to her family of fans.
“In fourth place is the team of Melissa Buckminster and Mr. Fritz.” At the sound of her name, Melissa Buckminster squealed with delight. She had been in class number three and had not placed at all.
Mary stood by the rail biting her fingernails as each name was called. Without Willie to talk to, she had no outlet for her opinions. So she could only wait impatiently as her heart practically beat out of her chest in anticipation of the ribbon Star might get.
“Third place goes to Apollo, number sixty-two, shown today by Melissa Proctor.”
Jody looked over at Mary and shook her head, certain that she had not placed in the ribbons. But Mary gave her the thumbs-up once again to demonstrate her loyalty, all the while keeping an eye on Willie and the stranger, who were watching the proceedings in silence.
“In second place is number fourteen, Ashley Eilers and Harmony.” Ashley clapped her hands upon hearing her name called once again for second place, the same placing she had received in the grooming and showmanship class.
Mary jiggled uncontrollably, stomping her feet in place and swallowing hard to keep from crying out of sheer nervousness. It seemed forever before the announcer finally declared the name of the winner.
“And in first place in yearling conformation is number thirty-four, Jody Stafford and Star of Wonder.”
Star took one of Mary’s brown curls in his teeth and pulled.
Mary fairly shrieked when she heard Jody’s name called. She wanted to run out into the ring and hug her best friend, but she satisfied herself with cheering at the top of her lungs when Jody stepped up to accept her ribbon. In her excitement, Mary forgot that Willie told her to stay put and ran over to be next to him at the rail.
“Willie! Can you believe it? We won! We won!” she shouted. Willie nodded and looked down at Mary with a forced smile that was not at all like him. And when Mary glanced over at the man still standing next to Willie, she saw him staring grimly out into the ring as Jody led Star to the gate. Then he turned abruptly and was gone.
“Jode! You did it! You did it!” Mary squealed the minute Jody and Star exited the ring. “See, you were shaking your head because you didn’t think you placed, but I knew you did! I just knew it!” And she threw her arms around Jody with another squeal of delight while Star took one of Mary’s brown curls in his teeth and pulled.
“Ow!” Mary yelped, trying to pull the section of hair from Star’s mouth without leaving any behind. Jody dissolved into a fit of giggles and gave Star a great big pony hug around his neck.
“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it!” Jody said breathlessly. “Just think, Mary, this is only our second show, and we got another blue ribbon! First with Lady, and now with her baby!”
“Yes, we are definitely destined for stardom!” Mary laughed. “Willie, did you see Jody’s ribbon?”
Mary had to turn to ask the question, because Willie was hobbling along behind the two girls and hadn’t said a word.
“Yes, I seen it. Another one to add to your collection,” he said half-heartedly.
“Willie, you were right about him being well put together. That’s exactly what the judge said!” Jody continued, too happy to notice Willie’s down-turned face.
“Oh, what else did he say?” Mary prodded. “Did he say Star was the prettiest colt at the whole show? Because he is, you know. That’s what I said. Oh, Jody, do you think we should enter some more classes? We know the judge likes Star. Maybe we could win some more ribbons!”
“No!” Willie spoke suddenly in a voice Mary and Jody had seldom heard from him. “We’ve had enough for one day. Git Star over to the truck so we can git loaded up. If we hurry up, I can still make it home for milkin’.”
“But, Willie, you don’t have to do the milking any . . .” Jody began, but Mary poked her with an elbow before she could finish her sentence.
“OK, Willie, I was just getting carried away, I guess,” Mary said sheepishly. “And Star’s probably getting tired. We’ll gather everything up while you get the truck ready.”
Without another word, Willie turned and headed toward the old pickup truck. Mary and Jody stood for a minute and watched him, and then Jody turned and looked at Mary with a worried look on her face.
“What’s wrong with Willie?” she asked. “He didn’t even look happy about my ribbon, and he’s hardly said a word!”
“I don’t know, Jode. I don’t know,” Mary said ominously. “But I think we’re going to find out.”
10
Bad News
THE RIDE HOME to Lucky Foot Stable in Willie’s pickup truck was much quieter than the ride to the show had been. Mary and Jody spoke softly to each other about the judge’s comments, the good and bad qualities of the other yearlings at the show, and about how surprisingly good Star’s behavior had been. But Willie was silent throughout the ride, lost in his own thoughts. Mary was dying to ask what those thoughts might be, but somehow she knew it wasn’t the right time and that Willie would share them when he was ready.
Finnegan was waiting in the driveway when the trio arrived home, and he greeted them by barking ecstatically and turning in circles. Mary and Jody unloaded Star on the barn hill and took him to his stall, where they fawned over him and gave him pieces of carrot for a treat. Then they flew out to the big pasture, Finnegan nipping at their heels, to tell Lady and Gypsy all about the show. They found the two mares dozing under the weeping willow tree, switching flies with their tails.
“Lady! Look what Star won! You would have been so proud of your baby!” Jody yelled, running across the pasture waving Star’s ribbons over her head. Lady, not the least bit impressed by this pronouncement, simply shook her head and began grazing. Jody hugged Lady around the neck and Mary gave Gypsy a kiss on the end of her nose. Then the girls flopped down on the soft grass beneath the tree as Finnegan rolled around on his back between them.
“Lad, the judge in the conformation class said that Star was going to grow into a fine looking horse,” Jody continued to Lady, “and he asked me your name and the name of Star’s sire.”
“Did you tell him it was the Black Stallion?” Mary giggled.
“No, I was honest and said I didn’t know his name. We never did find out anything about his father after that day we saw him at the show.”
“Wait, Jode, did you say the judge said he would be a fine looking horse?” Mary asked.
“Yes, he asked me how tall he was, and I said fourteen hands, and he said he would probably grow at least another hand or so. So, Lady, he’ll be taller than you!”
“Well, his father was huge, remember? Or maybe we just thought he looked huge because he was rearing up and being so mean,” Mary recalled.
“Uh-oh, Jode, Willie wants us for some reason,” Mary said, bouncing up from the grass and pulling Jody up by the hand. “I wonder what’s wrong.”
“I was wondering what was wrong the whole way home,” Jody said as they walked to the gate.
“Well, I don’t know, but there was this man at the show that was watching you and Star and talking to Willie about something,” Mary said hesitantly.
Jody stopped in her tracks and turned to Mary. “Watching me and Star? What do you mean?”
“Well, he was just watching you in the show and nobody else. And he didn’t look too happy, and then he was talking to Willie for a long time, and Willie wouldn’t let me listen . . .”
“Mary! Why didn’t you tell me this before? What did he want? What did he look like?” Jody said in a sudden panic.
“Well, I didn’t have a chance, and I don’t know what he wanted, and why are you getting so upset before you know what it’s all about?”
“I don’t know, I just got a really bad feeling all of a sudden, that’s all,” Jody said. “We have to ask Willie!” And she took off at a trot toward the gate with Finnegan right beside her.
“Wait, Jody, I think Willie will tell us soon enough,” Mary called after her. “You know he doesn’t like it when you ask him questions. Let him tell us when he’s ready,” she continued wisely, picking up a trot herself to keep up with Jody.
By the time the girls reached the gate, Willie was tapping his foot impatiently and looking more unhappy than ever.
“Willie, what’s wrong?” Jody asked, fearful of what the answer might be.
“Well, why don’t you think a minute and tell me what’s wrong?” Willie answered, stone-faced.
A Star Discovered Page 6