Leading the Way

by Marsha Hubler

  Skye squeezed between the fence railings, took the reins, and petted Boomer’s muzzle.

  “What happens if a rider or a horse hits a barrel?” Katie asked.

  “If you just brush against it,” Mrs. Chambers said, “you aren’t penalized, but it does slow the horse down a little.”

  “The worst thing that can happen is knocking over a barrel,” Skye added. “You get five seconds slapped onto your total time. You get docked some points for losing your hat too!”

  “And there goes your chance of winning a ribbon or placing at all,” Mrs. Chambers said.

  “Wow. I’m ready to start,” Katie said. “I can’t wait!”

  “You girls can start anytime,” Mrs. Chambers said as she slipped through the fence railings and pointed toward two objects lying on the lawn behind the girls. “I see your helmets are ready for you to get started.”

  “What’s wrong with right now?” Skye asked.

  “Yeah.” Katie’s voice bubbled. “How about right now?”

  “Go for it!” Mrs. Chambers said. “If you need me, I’ll be helping Joey with his first lesson in hoof cleaning.”

  “Okay, Mom.” Skye turned to Katie. “I think the best way to do this is for you to sit in the saddle. I’ll mount in back of you. I’ll tell you when Boomer approaches a barrel.”

  “That’ll work,” Katie said.

  Helmets in place, the girls mounted the horse and started their practice. For an hour, they simply walked through the cloverleaf pattern of barrels. Boomer led as though he were an electric horse on a track.

  “Just remember,” Skye explained as they rounded a barrel, “if your first turn is clockwise, then the next two must be counterclockwise. Boomer knows this. See how he starts to cut even before you rein him?”

  “Yeah, I can sense that in the way his body moves. This is too cool.”

  “And remember to let him have his head as he’s coming out of the cut. You just hang on to the horn and press your legs into his sides. That’ll tell him that you’re ready for the next barrel. After you round the third one, you race for the finish line like his tail’s on fire. He can really move.”

  Both girls giggled.

  “When do you think we’ll be ready to trot and run?” Katie asked.

  “Mom and Dad will have to decide that, but I think in a few weeks you’ll be ready for Mom to work with you. Let’s do one more run, and we’ll call it quits for the day. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Katie said.

  The team walked through two-thirds of the course before anyone spoke. Skye’s attention wandered to the paddock where Chad was busy with his students.

  “I’ve been thinking…” Katie said.

  “Oh…about what?” Skye came back from her daydream.

  “The horse show’s at the end of the summer, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it’s the third week in August. It starts the twenty-third or something like that. Why?”

  Katie paused before answering.

  “Do you have something up your sleeve?” Skye asked.

  “My birthday is the twenty-first.”

  “And?”

  “Do you know what I want more than anything else in the world?”

  “To be able to see,” Skye said emphatically.

  “No—well—besides that.”

  “I give up. What?”

  “I want my parents to get back together. Don’t you remember our talk the other day?”

  “Oh, right. So what does the horse show have to do with your parents? Or your birthday?”

  “Well, when we talked, you said I needed a goal, something to show my parents that I’m getting on with life.”

  “And so here we are, on Boomer’s back, goin’ in circles.”

  The girls giggled again.

  “I wanna barrel race in that horse show, Skye.”

  Skye swallowed hard. “Gosh, I don’t know, Katie. That’s only two months of practice time. Are you—”

  “Listen, Skye.” Katie’s tone was as determined as ever. “I know I can do this, especially if I know my parents are coming to see me.”

  “Well, how will you get them here? And at the same time?”

  “For my birthday!” Katie’s excitement was obvious. “I know they’ll both come for that, and then they can stay for the horse show, and they can see me ride this super horse, and—”

  “Whoa, Boomer!” Skye said as the girls rode the horse across the finish line. “And whoa, Katie! That’s expecting an awful lot of yourself and your parents in such a short time.”

  Skye slid off the horse, and Katie followed. The girls led Boomer to the barn.

  “I can do this,” Katie said, smacking her gum. “If I win the blue ribbon, they’ll get back together. I just know it.”

  “Well, let’s discuss your plan with Mom and Dad first. And maybe we should all pray about it.” Skye had exhausted her arguments.

  “You pray about it,” Katie said. “I’ll just do it!”

  Chapter eight

  The next few weeks found Skye and Katie practicing barrel racing every chance they had. Katie progressed so well that Mrs. Chambers started working the routine with her. Together they rode Boomer in a slow canter.

  By the end of July, Mrs. Chambers agreed that Katie was ready to run the course by herself. Despite Katie’s pudginess, her natural riding ability impressed everyone. She credited her skill to her younger years of cheerleading and sports. Most impressive, though, was her new attitude. Casting Skye’s caution to the wind, she believed that her family’s future depended on her winning a blue ribbon at the horse show. Katie had something to prove!

  Skye and Katie were becoming the best of friends, sharing their hopes and dreams. Of all the things they loved to discuss, horses topped the list. But Skye had little success convincing Katie to trust more in God. She couldn’t even get her new friend to church or to youth activities.

  Through the month of July, Katie’s parents visited only twice, at different times. Mrs. Thomas came on her weekdays off from work. Mr. Thomas came on weekends. Skye wondered if he were intentionally avoiding his wife. Caught in the middle, Katie tried to be upbeat, showing the “new” her to everyone around.

  Now, the last Saturday in July, Mr. Thomas was visiting again, and Mr. Chambers suggested a trail ride to take advantage of the beautiful warm day. On a dirt road winding through the backwoods of Keystone, Mr. Chambers and Mr. Thomas led the way on their horses. Skye and Katie followed close behind on Champ and Boomer. Katie fed her mouth a steady flow of candy from a stash in her shirt pocket.

  Skye leaned forward and stroked Champ’s silky mane. “Katie, we’re going through some thick woods now. You should see how green everything is.”

  “Sh-h,” Katie whispered. “I wanna hear what they’re talking about.” She pointed forward. “And, Skye, I can feel that we’re in the woods. It’s much cooler in the shade.”

  “So, Keith, how long since you’ve been on a horse?” Mr. Chambers asked.

  “It’s been years.” Mr. Thomas’ chubby hand rubbed through a head of straight blond hair. “I had forgotten how great riding is. I grew up in the country. I always had a pet pony or some grade horse my dad had picked up at auction. But after Katie’s mother and I were married, we moved to the city where there were more job opportunities.”

  “You’re in sales?” Mr. Chambers asked.

  “Yes. Books. Wholesale. Right now, I’m trying to get a distribution business started online. If I can make it work from a home office, I’d like to move back to the country.”

  Mr. Chambers squared his Stetson. “Going into my own computer business was the best career decision I ever made. I had no idea that the Lord had this kids’ ministry in mind for Eileen and me. Buying Keystone opened up a whole new world for both of us.”

  “I’d really like to be out in the wide-open spaces again.” Mr. Thomas shot a quick glance back at his daughter. “And the way Katie has taken to riding, maybe we could look into getting a horse for
her.”

  “We, Dad?” Katie was all ears. “You mean you and Mom?”

  “No, I should have said ‘I,’ not ‘we.’ Nice try, Katie, but your mother and I have too many differences to get back together right now.” Mr. Thomas punched his thumb over his shoulder. “You’d think there’s nothing else to talk about but her mother and me. Katie sounds like her replay button is stuck.”

  “I don’t know many kids who are glad about their parents’ divorce,” Mr. Chambers said. “It’s important to try to understand their viewpoint.”

  “I thought she’d be glad we split up.” Mr. Thomas spoke as if Katie were miles away. “All we did was fight. Katie even told her mother and me that she hated us. Now, that’s hard to swallow from your own kid. I just couldn’t cope anymore.”

  “Dad, I don’t hate you,” Katie interjected. “I didn’t mean that at all.”

  “Well, you could’ve fooled me. It sure sounded like it,” Mr. Thomas said. “A few times I thought the three of us were headed for a knock-down drag-out fight. Wrestlemania at the Thomas house!”

  “Mr. Thomas?” Skye could keep quiet no longer.

  “Hello!” he answered.

  “Could I say something?”

  “You’re on,” he said.

  “I think I know a little bit how Katie feels,” Skye said. “Life can really be screwed up and all, but a kid still loves her parents—deep down.”

  “Some kids sure have a funny way of showing it.” Mr. Thomas glanced back and scowled at his daughter.

  Mr. Chambers pointed to his right and deliberately changed the subject. “Let’s take this trail that follows the stream. It leads through a huge cluster of pines to the back line of our property. Then we can swing around to another dirt road. That’ll bring us to the pasture and pond right behind the barn.”

  The group headed off the road. Single file, each horse and rider took the narrow path into deeper woods that melded into a forest of towering pines. After a short distance on the new trail, the riders dismounted, allowing the horses to sip from the gurgling brook. Trying to ignore the tension between Katie and her dad, Skye basked in the beauty of the woods, the feel of the ride, the awesome smells of the horses and pine trees.

  “It doesn’t get any better than this, does it, Katie?” Skye said as they all mounted and started through the woods again.

  “It would be if Mom were here!” Katie said loud enough for her father to hear.

  “Duh,” Skye whispered. “Just cool it! You do sound like your replay button is stuck!”

  “Katie, need I remind you that your mother hates horses?” Mr. Thomas’ tone sounded mocking. “By the way, I thought you did too.”

  “Katie doesn’t hate them,” Skye informed the man. “She loves them, especially Boomer.”

  The riders reined their horses out of the pines and onto a dirt road.

  Besides a pocketful of candy, Katie focused on convincing her dad that all was not lost. “Dad, remember how I said I hated everything?”

  “How could I forget?” Mr. Thomas said. “Four years of nothing but ‘I hate this; I hate that; I hate you.’”

  “She didn’t mean it,” Skye said.

  “Well, maybe I did hate some things, but it was because of my blindness, Dad. That’s why I want you to see that I’ve changed. I don’t hate everything. Skye and Mr. and Mrs. C. have shown me that I need goals. And now I have some.”

  “Hmm,” Mr. Thomas said. “Well, I have to hand it to you. You did surprise me by riding that horse.”

  “Dad,” Katie rushed her words, “do you remember what next month is?”

  “August!” he said without hesitation.

  “What’s in August?” Katie asked.

  Mr. Thomas scratched the back of his neck. “Well, I know school usually starts. Am I missing something here?”

  “It’s my birthday!” Katie informed him.

  “Oh, that’s right,” Mr. Thomas said. “You know I’m terrible with dates.”

  “And there’s a horse show!” Skye couldn’t resist putting her two cents’ worth in.

  Katie placed her index finger to her lips. “Sh-h,” she said.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Skye whispered and shrugged her shoulders.

  “Just sh-h,” Katie repeated.

  “We always make a big deal of birthdays at Keystone.” Mr. Chambers chuckled. “Whether you’re fourteen or forty, we do it up right!”

  “Yeah,” Skye said. “We’ll probably have a big party with balloons and cake and everything!”

  “I hope the cake is chocolate. Dad, can you come for my birthday?” Katie pressed her father.

  Without missing a beat, Mr. Thomas asked, “Will your mother be here?”

  “Probably not,” Katie answered coolly.

  Now how does she know that? Skye reasoned. She didn’t even ask her yet.

  “And what about the horse show?” Mr. Thomas asked.

  “Katie’s been—” Mr. Chambers started.

  “It’s a secret,” Katie interrupted, “but I might have a big surprise.”

  “You mean you might be riding in the horse show?” Mr. Thomas asked.

  “She and Boomer…” Skye almost gave it away. “Oops, sorry!”

  “It’s a secret!” Katie interrupted again with a more pointed tone. “Will you come? My birthday is just two days before the show. You could stay for both.”

  “Well, I can’t make any promises,” Mr. Thomas said, “but I’ll check my schedule.”

  “I think you’d really enjoy the show,” Mr. Chambers said. “It’s the big event of the year in Snyder County. I hope you can make it.”

  “Is it on a weekend?” Mr. Thomas asked.

  “Yes,” Mr. Chambers answered. “It’s always held the last Saturday in August.”

  “Well, we’ll see,” Mr. Thomas said.

  “Dad, please!” Katie pleaded.

  “Katie, that’s the best I can do. We’ll see.” Mr. Thomas’ response was stern this time.

  The group followed the dirt road that led to a fenced pasture.

  “Everyone, stop here.” Mr. Chambers dismounted. “I’ll swing the gate open. We’ll ride to the barn by encircling the pond. It’s a little shorter than taking the road.”

  The group waited while Mr. Chambers unlatched the gate. He swung it open, and Mr. Thomas rode through, followed by Katie. Skye brought up the rear, leading Mr. Chambers’ horse.

  In seconds, every horse had succumbed to the lure of the succulent grass. Like nails to a magnet, their heads were drawn to the ground. In greedy snatches, they grabbed and nibbled, trying to catch a quick meal while Mr. Chambers secured the gate.

  “Skye,” Katie whispered, “where’s the barn?”

  “It’s about a hundred yards straight ahead,” Skye said. “But the pond is—”

  “I’m gonna show Dad how much I’ve learned.” Katie pulled up Boomer’s head and kicked him in the belly. “Watch!”

  In an accelerating trot, Boomer started running through the field, straight toward the water.

  “Hey, Dad,” Katie yelled. “Watch how good I can ride!”

  “Katie, get back here!” her dad yelled. “You’re heading—”

  “Boomer knows the way to the barn!” Katie yelled back.

  “You’re heading right toward the pond!” Mr. Chambers shouted and took a running leap unto his horse.

  “Katie! Cut him to the left! Katie!” Skye screamed.

  Chapter nine

  Whoa, Boomer!” Katie screamed. She yanked the reins to her left. In a hoofbeat, the champion barrel racer cut sharply in that direction.

  Boomer went one way, and Katie went another. She flew off the horse’s back and plunged into the pond with the biggest belly flop Skye had ever seen.

  Splash! Water exploded like a mushroom cloud. Weeds and mud flew everywhere.

  “Katie!” everyone yelled at once.

  Mr. Chambers kicked his horse into high gear toward the pond. Close behind rode
Skye and Mr. Thomas.

  Katie’s chubby arms and legs flailed like mini paddle wheels. More water, weeds, and mud flew. Somehow, in seconds, she managed to turn herself around. She sputtered and gagged, trying desperately to regain her balance on a bed of slippery stones.

  Splash!

  Back she flopped, fighting the waist-high water that forced her into an unwanted sit.

  “Don’t move!” Mr. Chambers yelled.

  “C’mon, Champ.” Skye urged her horse into a full gallop.

  “We’re coming!” Mr. Thomas’ voice had risen an octave.

  “I’m okay.” With both hands, Katie fought clinging hair, weeds, and mud, wiping them away from her face. “I’m okay, I said.”

  Paying no heed, three anxious riders and their horses galloped full speed ahead.

  Again, Katie tried to stand.

  Splash!

  This time, only the girl’s head and shoulders remained above the water. “Oh, I give up!” she shrieked.

  Suddenly, as though an invisible feather had teased her nose, Katie started to giggle. By the time the horses slid to a stop, she was laughing like a drenched hyena.

  “Katie, I’m here!” Mr. Chambers jumped from his horse, ran into the water, and led the girl out.

  Skye and Mr. Thomas made quick work of dismounting.

  “Does anything hurt?” Mr. Thomas asked.

  “N—No!” Doubled over in laughter, Katie forced her words out. “Just my sides—from laughing.”

  “That was pretty dumb.” Skye’s fear suddenly dissolved. “And what’s so funny?”

  “I—I’m okay…” Katie could barely speak. “That—I guess that was my bath for today!”

  Skye, now giggling herself, pulled muddy clumps away from both sides of Katie’s headgear. “You look ridiculous! Pond grass is sticking out from under your helmet. You look like one of Mom’s potted plants.”

  “You do look kind of funny.” Relieved, Mr. Thomas snickered. “I’m sure glad you were wearing that helmet.”

  “But helmets only protect heads, not belly buttons!” Mr. Chambers’ comment delivered the final verdict.

  Peals of laughter exploded. Even Champ joined in with a whinny.