Spirit Riding Free--Pru's Diary

by Stacia Deutsch

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  DreamWorks Spirit Riding Free © 2018 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

  Cover design by Ching Chan.

  Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Little, Brown and Company

  Hachette Book Group

  1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104

  Visit us at LBYR.com

  First Edition: July 2018

  Little, Brown and Company is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. The Little, Brown name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

  Library of Congress Control Number 2018937949

  ISBNs: 978-0-316-47630-0 (paper over board), 978-0-316-52845-0 (Scholastic ed.), 978-0-316-47631-7 (ebook)

  E3-20180523-JV-PC

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 1

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 2

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 3

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 4

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 5

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 6

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 7

  Diary Entry

  Chapter 8

  Diary Entry

  Diary Entry

  Dear New Diary,

  It’s been almost four weeks that I’ve been on the road with Lucky and Abigail and El Circo Dos Grillos. The time has flown by. This is the most amazing adventure of my whole life. When Abigail and I went to Lucky’s house and discovered that she’d run away to join the circus, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d join the circus, too.

  Who’d have guessed?! Me! A clown?! I used to have terrible stage fright, and now, it’s pretty easy for me to perform with Boomerang. As Abigail says (over and over), “Who’d’ve thunk it?”

  I know… all this clowning around should be impossible for someone like me, but Boomerang makes it easy. That horse has been a clown his whole life, even if he didn’t know it. The first time we were in the ring together, the performance was an accident. He got away from me, I tried to catch him… after a few bumps and falls… ta-da—we were a clown show. Now we’re professionals, with costumes and decorations and a fan club, real live applauding and cheering fans. WOW!

  Abigail and Lucky are so supportive that they gave me this book to write down my creative ideas for the show… but I think I’ll use it for something more. I have a secret to share, and I figure a diary can’t tell anyone else… right? I’m not complaining or anything. I mean, I really love it here, and being with Abigail and Lucky all the time is the best thing in the world. The work is hard—setting up shows and breaking them down makes my muscles ache—but it’s also really fun, and seeing the circus come together is amazing. The food off the chuck wagon is good. I love seeing new parts of the frontier and have been to beautiful places I never even imagined. Every day is new and exciting, but the thing is…

  And this is hard to admit….

  But…

  I miss home. I mean, when Abigail and I discovered fluffy pillows, instead of Lucky, in Lucky’s bed, we left Miradero that very same day. We didn’t pack our own clothes or say good-bye to anyone. I left some notes, but it’s not the same as giving someone a big hug when you go away and saying, “See you later…. ”

  My mom and dad know where I am, and we send letters, but it’s not like being in Miradero, sleeping in my own room or working in the stable, mucking out Chica Linda’s very own stall.

  I have a letter from my dad that always cheers me up. Since this is the first entry in my new diary, I am going to put it here to read it whenever I want. The letter is a little torn and dirty, since I’ve read it a million times already, but it makes me super happy.

  Pru,

  Your mother and I understand that you’re out on the range, helping your friends on an adventure. We were worried at first… and might have grounded you for a year, if we’d only known your plans. But since we didn’t get that chance, we’re satisfied with knowing we raised you well and trust that you know how to make it for a while on your own.

  Thanks for letting us know you arrived safely at the circus. We want you to know how very proud we are of you.

  Your mom and I agree that every foal needs to learn to walk on his own legs. You’ve seen how it happens in the stable or in the field. The newborn babe stumbles as he tries to stand for the first time. He takes a few wobbly steps. Then he rises to his full height and joins the herd.

  You’re not a babe anymore, but you’re still like the foal. You may stumble, but know this, Pru—your friends and family are behind you to help steady your legs. Rise up, Pru Granger, and walk tall in that circus of yours.

  We look forward to the day you come back home. We’ll build a campfire and gather round to hear your wild stories from the frontier. Maybe you can show us your clown act? We’d all like that.

  You should also know, Pru, that I hired Turo to do some of your chores while you’re gone. He wants you and Abigail and Lucky to know he built you all a surprise in the horse stalls for when you get back.

  That’s all from Miradero.

  Dad

  PS: Your mom says, “Eat your vegetables.”

  My dad’s not a super-emotional guy, but he sure does write a nice letter! And I wonder what Turo did in the horses’ stalls. I’m sure Spirit, Boomerang, and Chica Linda will love it—whatever it is.

  Okay, Diary, that’s enough for today.

  Lucky and Abigail are waiting for me. We gotta get ready for our next stop—Durango City! I can’t wait to show off what Boomerang and I have planned. This show’s going to be the best one yet.

  Durango City was a small town in a valley between two large mountains. Pru had seen mountains before; there were several high peaks around Miradero, but none as high as these. She had to shield her eyes against the sunlight to look up, and even then, she could barely see the snowcapped tops.

  “Wow,” Pru said on a long breath. She was thrilled they’d have a few days in town. Sunset against those peaks might be a highlight of this whole trip. She could only imagine what kind of wild horses lived—

  “Stop daydreaming, Pru.” Abigail’s voice jolted Pru back to reality.

  “How did you know that I was daydreaming?” Pru asked, looking over at Abigail, who was loading boxes onto a small cart. Boomerang was tied to the cart, ready to pull the supplies.

  Abigail laughed. “Glazed-over eyes. Blank expression. Bit of drool. I invented that face.” She pointed at the tall stacks of boxes sitting nearby. “I can’t wait to get these cartons delivered so I can stare at those mountains, too! Did you try to imagine what kind of horses lived on the peaks?”

  Pru laughed. “You know me too well.”

  “Mustangs, of course,” Lucky said, coming up to her friends and joining the conversation. She was riding bareback
on Spirit. Looking down at her friends, she said, “Wild mustangs. Are there any other options?”

  “I was thinking unicorns,” Abigail replied. “I mean, if I were a unicorn and didn’t want anyone to see me, I’d find a home high up on a mountain where no one would ever catch me.” She added, “See the way the sun sparkles against the snow? You can see bright-colored flecks. Those are definitely the outlines of pink unicorns with purple horns. They’re flickering because they are playing.”

  “Unicorns? I’m pretty sure they don’t exist, Abigail,” Pru said, moving closer to Boomerang to rub his nose.

  “And if they did, are unicorns even horses?” Lucky asked.

  “Of course they’re horses, silly.” Abigail put her hands on her hips. “Everyone knows they’re horses. Aren’t they, Boomerang?” she asked her own horse, who pulled back against the rope she was holding and seemed to nod his head.

  “See?” Abigail told her friends. “Boomerang knows I’m right.” She pointed to the mountain. “I bet there is an amazing unicorn herd up there. We should explore—”

  “Señoritas!” It was Fito. He owned El Circo Dos Grillos with his wife, Estrella. “Less chatting. More working.”

  “I’ll help them,” Solana said. She was a circus performer and good friends with Pru, Abigail, and Lucky.

  Pru sighed. She was certain there were no unicorns on the mountain, but still, she’d have liked an adventure. Unfortunately, there’d be no time to explore those beautiful mountains. Not on this trip. These few days in Durango City were packed with things to do: They had to set up for all the performances fast because the circus had its first show that very same night. The next day there was an afternoon and an evening show. And the day after that, they’d pack it up to move on.

  With one last look at the mountain peaks, Pru told Abigail, “If you lead Boomerang and the cart to the performance area, I’ll get Chica Linda and meet you there. We’ll unload.”

  “I’ll stay here with Solana,” Lucky suggested. “We can organize the boxes to reload the cart.” She hopped off Spirit’s back. “Spirit can help us move things around.” The magnificent horse dipped his head to push a crate with his nose. It moved slowly toward Boomerang’s cart.

  Lucky grabbed the crate and looked inside. “Costumes for Solana’s trapeze act,” she reported. She lifted up a short red dress with sequins and a matching parasol.

  “Oh, that’s my favorite dress,” Solana cooed. “Okay, Boomerang, take good care of the deliveries.”

  Boomerang whinnied and started to move forward, dragging the cart, but without Solana’s box.

  “Hang on!” Lucky called, running after the cart. She caught up and gave the box to Abigail, who put it on top of all the other boxes.

  “Okay, Boomerang, let’s get to work!” Abigail took one last look up at the mountain peaks. “Oh, look, did you see that? It was a green unicorn! I’m sure of it. The sparkle in the snow was the same color as an avocado.”

  “Are you sure?” Pru squinted into the distance as Lucky shook her head.

  “Positive,” Abigail said while tightening her grip on Boomerang’s lead line. “Pru, Lucky, Solana—quick—make a wish! Green unicorns are rare and kinda like genies. They make wishes come true!”

  Pru and Lucky glanced at each other. Lucky shrugged.

  “No harm in wishing,” Lucky said. She closed her eyes.

  Solana took a turn.

  Green unicorns? Wishes? Pru didn’t buy it, so she moved her lips a bit but didn’t make a wish.

  “Whew,” Abigail said, heading toward the big white tent that was being built a short distance away. “We might never see a green unicorn again—that was lucky!” She glanced at her friend Lucky and laughed. “We have Lucky down here and more luck on the mountain. Things are looking fortunate for us in Durango City!” Whistling to herself, Abigail led Boomerang off.

  Chica Linda was in the temporary corral the circus folks set up for the horses. Pru hurried to the tack wagon and grabbed a saddle blanket, a saddle, and reins. There wasn’t time to groom Chica Linda now; she’d brush her down later.

  “Hey, Chica Linda,” Pru said while tossing the blanket over her horse’s back. She rubbed Chica Linda’s neck and explained, “Time to get set up for tonight’s show. Abigail and Boomerang are going to leave the boxes for us to sort through.” Chica Linda stood still while Pru tightened the saddle strap and made sure it was secure. “Are you sure you don’t want to perform?” Pru always asked. The clown show was her act with Boomerang. Chica Linda didn’t ever seem to want to be in the show.

  Her horse shook her head and backed away.

  “Okay,” Pru said, “but let me know if you change your mind.”

  “Are you talking to that horse?” A tall girl approached the corral. She was about Pru’s age but looked a lot older. Her dark hair was tied back in a high, neat bun. Pru had never seen this girl before.

  “Uh, yeah,” she said timidly. “We’re friends.”

  The girl snorted. “Sure you are. Girls can’t be friends with horses.”

  “Yes, they can,” Pru said. She looked around. There was no one else nearby. The girl was giving off a bad impression, but still, Pru was going to be polite. She cleared her throat and stood a little straighter. “Hi. I’m Pru.”

  “Are you with this sorry excuse for a circus, Pru?” the girl asked, not introducing herself.

  “It’s a really good circus,” Pru told her, staying positive. “Are you coming to the show tonight? You’d have a good time, I promise.”

  “I saw it,” she said in a rude tone.

  “What do you mean?” Pru asked while buckling Chica Linda’s bridle. She’d never seen this girl before.

  “We’re on the same circuit,” she said. Then she added, “My family is in the other circus. We’re leaving today.” The girl turned her eyes toward a wide-open area on the other side of town.

  Pru hadn’t noticed it before, but there was a circus tent there. It was being taken down, while their circus was setting up.

  “It’s not the first time we’ve overlapped,” the girl said. “Usually, though, we are ready to go when you arrive. In the last town, we were running late. I’m sure you didn’t notice, but I hung around to watch your act.”

  Pru needed to go help Abigail. Boomerang’s cart would be at the performance area already. She had the sinking feeling that the girl had nothing nice to say, but still, she couldn’t help asking, “What did you think?”

  “You’ll never be as good as we are,” the girl said as Pru slipped up onto Chica Linda’s back. “The audience won’t clap as loudly. Or cheer as enthusiastically. And I bet that no one will want your autograph.”

  “Really?” Pru gave a long hard look at the girl, then climbed down from Chica Linda’s back. “What’s your name?”

  “Catalina,” she replied, puffing out her chest, “from the Circus Libre.”

  “I personally guarantee that our circus is just as good as yours,” Pru said, stepping forward. “Better even.”

  “No chance,” Catalina said. “We’re the best circus on the frontier.”

  “Let me tell you about the best circ—” Pru started, when suddenly Abigail and Lucky appeared, rushing to her.

  “Pru, where were you?” Lucky asked, glancing from Pru to Catalina and back.

  “We’ve been waiting for you,” Abigail said. “I need the cart for another load and Boom—” Abigail stopped herself. “Who’s your new friend?”

  “She’s not my friend,” Pru said firmly. “This is Catalina, and she thinks her circus is better than ours.”

  “You told her she’s wrong?” Lucky asked, eyeing Catalina warily.

  Pru nodded.

  “Great! Then let’s go.” Lucky grabbed Pru’s arm while Abigail took Chica Linda’s reins. “There’s nothing more to say.”

  “But—” Pru protested as they left Catalina standing alone by the horse corral. Catalina winked at Pru, and that made Pru even more determined to prove herself
. She told Lucky and Abigail, “She said we were a ‘sorry excuse for a circus’! We have to show her how great our circus is. We have to prove we’re better.”

  “How would we ever do that?” Lucky asked Pru. “They’re leaving. We’re here now. And we will never see that girl again…. So none of this even matters, really.”

  “Plus, we aren’t going to have the best circus if we don’t help set up,” Abigail said. “Forget about her, Pru. There’s so much to do!” She shouted out toward the performance area, “We’re coming, Boomerang!”

  “But—” Pru glanced over her shoulder. Catalina was gone. With a big sigh, Pru turned her attention to the bustling circus in front of her and said, “I don’t know how, but somehow I have to show that girl she’s wrong about us.”

  After the evening show, Pru signed more autographs than she’d ever signed before. Her hand hurt from signing so many.

  She had added a trick with Boomerang that made the audience howl with laughter. Boomerang pushed a ball with his nose and knocked Pru down as if she were a bowling pin. Pru pretended to be mad at the horse, but it was an act. They did the same thing again and again and the audience cracked up every time. She loved the way the audience laughed with her.

  “If only Catalina could have seen this crowd!” Pru said to herself as she waved good-bye to the last two boys in her autograph line.

  “Come on,” Lucky said to Pru. “Let’s clean up fast, then go celebrate tonight’s great show.”

  “I helped the cook make cupcakes in the camp oven,” Abigail said proudly. “Since Boomerang is helping you, I had Chica Linda help me. They’re extra delicious.”

  Pru wondered what exactly Chica Linda had done to help bake. Maybe Chica Linda had culinary skills she didn’t know about. Did she wash her hooves before entering the kitchen?

  Just before Pru went to organize costumes and props for the next show, two young girls came running up to her with blank paper in their hands.

  “Can you sign this for me?” one girl asked. Her pigtails shook as she spoke. When Pru autographed the paper, she gasped. “You’re the most famous clown I ever met!”