“Not really,” Lisa pointed out. “Veronica did that herself.”
“True,” Stevie agreed. She grinned at the memory. Max had been so angry when Red had told him about Veronica’s accidental confession that he had ordered her off the property immediately. He had also revoked her Pony Club membership indefinitely.
“By the way, what did Veronica think when she saw her movie debut at the assembly today?” Lisa asked.
Carole gasped. “Oh, I forgot all about that! She must have been livid!”
“Oh, she was,” Stevie assured them, crossing her arms behind her head and leaning back against the couch with a self-satisfied grin. “Luckily, Ms. Vogel is convinced Veronica is just right for the role of Cleopatra.” She quickly told her friends about what had happened after that morning’s screening. “So I’m not sure whether to expect horrible revenge from Veronica or not. But if she wants to try anything, I’ll be ready.”
Lisa shook her head with a rueful smile. “Uh-oh. Here we go again.”
“Don’t worry,” Stevie said. “If Veronica does try anything, I’ll just have to carefully balance the rewards of getting her back against the risks, and then consider if and how I’m going to respond. It might not even be worth it, you know.”
“That’s very mature of you, Stevie,” Carole commented.
Stevie shrugged. “It’s the new me,” she said. “Calm, cool, collected, and mature.” She stood up. “This popcorn is good, but I’m still hungry,” she said. “How about some cookies? My mom just made them today. Oatmeal raisin.”
“Great!” Carole said, and Lisa nodded eagerly. Mrs. Lake’s oatmeal raisin cookies were famous throughout the neighborhood.
Stevie hurried out to the kitchen and returned a moment later with a plate piled high with delicious-looking cookies. Carole and Lisa each grabbed one and bit into it immediately.
Stevie picked up a cookie, too, but she didn’t take a bite. Instead, she watched her friends, a mischievous grin on her face.
Carole chewed for a second. Then a very strange expression crossed her face. She started chewing more frantically, reaching for her soda glass at the same time. She glanced at Lisa, who had a similar horrified expression on her face. Both girls quickly took huge gulps of soda, washing down their mouthfuls of cookie.
Then, in one breath, they gasped, “Stevie!”
Stevie grinned. “Oops,” she said. “My mistake. I must have given you my own secret-recipe jalapeño eggplant cookies instead.”
Lisa groaned. “I guess this means the real Stevie is back.”
Carole nodded. “And you know what that means.” She grabbed a sofa pillow. Lisa did the same.
“Ready?” Lisa said.
“Ready,” Carole said. “Aim, and fire at will. Pillow fight!” With that, they began pummeling Stevie with the soft cushions.
Stevie grinned as she grabbed another pillow and tried to defend herself from her best friends. The rewards of this particular practical joke had definitely been worth the risks. Definitely. It felt good to be back.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BONNIE BRYANT is the author of many books for young readers, including novelizations of movie hits such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, written under her married name, B. B. Hiller.
Ms. Bryant began writing The Saddle Club in 1986. Although she had done some riding before that, she intensified her studies then and found herself learning right along with her characters Stevie, Carole, and Lisa. She claims that they are all much better riders than she is.
Ms. Bryant was born and raised in New York City. She still lives there, in Greenwich Village, with her two sons.
Don’t miss Bonnie Bryant’s next exciting Saddle Club adventure …
SILVER STIRRUPS
The Saddle Club #65
Carole Hanson is used to being the best junior rider at Pine Hollow Stables. She’s taken it for granted in a quiet, nice way. She doesn’t need to brag about something that she’s good at, that she loves with all her heart, and that she plans to make her life’s work. Then a new rider starts taking lessons at the stable. She’s younger than Carole, and she’s a better rider. Carole is jealous, and this new feeling is ruining the place she loves best. Maybe being number one means more to her than she thought!
Carole soon realizes that the new student excels in the saddle, but on the ground she’s got a lot to work out. With dread, Carole also realizes that she is the best person to help this motherless young girl with her problems. But can she forge a friendship with someone she envies? Carole is fighting a battle with jealousy—and it looks like the green-eyed monster is winning!
Horse Capades Page 10