by Toni Mari
Other people shuffled around their horses doing morning chores. Michelle smiled at us. “Thanks for helping.”
“Of course,” I immediately replied.
Shawn was less enthusiastic. “Don’t get used to it,” he grumbled.
As Windsong gobbled his morning grain, I turned to Shawn. “I never said thank you last night. You saved me.”
“I told you I would be there for you. We’ll stick together, we won’t let her do anything else. I promise.”
“We still have to take showers and get dressed. And I’m starving. How am I going to do all that and still not leave Windsong unprotected?”
“We’ll take turns, and Michelle will help.”
“What if she tries to plant something again?” My head throbbed, thinking of all the ways Alison could sabotage me.
“Hey, we’ll be careful, and then Erica will be here. We’ll tell her everything, and she’ll know how to take care of it. Remember, Michelle is on our side, too.” He folded me against his chest and rubbed my back.
Taking a few deep breaths, I willed myself to calm down and get on with the day. When I stepped back and lifted my head to say thanks again, Shawn dipped his head and locked his lips on mine. The pleasant tremors his lips created had me melting into him. His chest rose with an unsteady rhythm and he ripped his mouth away, pressing me tight against him.
“Not the time nor the place, but we will continue that discussion later.” Releasing me with a shaky smile, he volunteered, “I’ll go get breakfast, then we’ll take turns showering and getting dressed.”
Michelle paused in Windsong’s stall, loaded pitchfork floating in the air, and stared at me over the wheelbarrow. “Wow, later sounds like it’s going to be interesting.”
I was not ready for that discussion later, or ever, or why did he have to be such a great kisser? Or did it only feel great because I had feelings for him? I did have feelings; he was my friend. And if I didn’t have to consider what he was feeling, I could happily hang out with him and share the occasional kiss or hug. But to define what was happening was too much, too concrete, and more than I wanted to deal with right now.
Shawn brought me an egg sandwich and the aromatic cup of coffee I craved. He went to dress in the required sick green polo and khaki pants, promising to return quickly so I could prepare. I helped Michelle bathe Windsong and Donner and had braided half of Windsong’s mane before Shawn returned.
“I tried Erica’s cell but didn’t get an answer. Maybe she’s still on the plane or something,” he reported as he rolled open the stall door. He looked at his watch. “You better go get your shower.”
Michelle called from Donner’s stall, “Go! I’ll finish him up for you.”
I stepped off the crate and dumped my braid kit into the empty feed bucket. With the crate in hand, I eased past Shawn. I almost took a bite out of him, he smelled so delicious.
I ran back to the trailer, pulling my pony tail loose on the way. We would be presenting the horses to the veterinarian and one of the judges to be inspected for soundness. It was very formal, and I had to look as good as Windsong did. I needed to take a superfast shower, do my make-up and hair, and then rush back to the barn to lead Windsong to the assigned arena. I hoped Erica got there soon.
I swung up the path to the barn, still tucking in my shirt. The aisle in front of Windsong’s and Donner’s stalls was empty. Where were Shawn and Michelle?
Bam! Bam! The sound of metal horseshoes smashing into the wall rang through the air. I ran down to Windsong’s stall. He was rearing and slamming his feet into the sides of the stall. His eyes were wide, and his nostrils fluttered with his heavy breathing. Bam! He kicked again.
I grabbed his halter and flung the door open. “Whoa! Whoa!” I waved my arms.
His head came up and he barreled past me, knocking me to the side.
I spun around and took off after him. “Oh no!”
He pounded out of the barn, swerving around people.
“What happened?” Shawn shouted as he met me at the end of the aisle.
“Where were you guys? I don’t know what is wrong with him,” I screeched. “We have to catch him, he can’t do this. It’s going to kill him.”
“Easy, Jane. This place is full of horse people. We’ll get him before he gets hurt.”
Tears streaming down my face, I looked around hopelessly. “You don’t understand, this could literally kill him.”
“There he is!” Shawn pointed to the middle of the parking lot where Windsong’s sleek black body rose above the cars, forelegs pawing the air.
We dodged people and horses, racing toward him, with the halter and lead tangling in my legs at every step. We rounded the last row of cars, and skidded to a stop. The bumper of a low-slung sports car was under Windsong’s belly, and the driver’s face panicked as he leaned forward over the steering wheel. I yelled, “Windsong!” He twisted his body and his front legs and landed harmlessly within inches of the car’s hood. He wheeled around, ears swiveling like radar until they locked onto me, and he dashed toward us. Shawn lifted his arms to block him from passing us, but I knew he would stop in front of me. He lowered his head, sides heaving and sweat dripping from his body. With a hand trembling as much as he was, I buckled the halter on.
“What happened?” Shawn asked again. “Some girl screamed about a loose horse, so Michelle and I went to help. Next thing I know, Windsong flies out of the barn with you on his heels.”
I stroked Windsong’s neck, trying to calm his breathing and my own as we walked back to the barn. His coat was ringing wet and his braids were loose and frayed. “He was flipping out in his stall, I don’t know why.”
Michelle caught up to us and took the lead rope from me. “We only have a few minutes until we leave for the jog and now look at him. Let’s hustle! Maybe I can clean up him up a little.” Windsong clopped down the aisle toward his stall, but a few yards away, he balked. Michelle tugged on his head and I clucked and waved my arms behind him, but he still refused to go, hopping from side to side and trying to turn around.
I looked at Shawn, and awareness dawned in his eyes. “Wait,” he said. “Let me go check his stall.”
I followed him with my heart beating as hard as Windsong’s. A long black snake was stretched out in the middle of the stall. “Eww!” I shrieked.
Shawn poked it with a manure rake, but it didn’t move. He hooked it and lifted. “I think it’s dead. Do you think Windsong killed it?”
I leapt back as he carried it past. “I don’t know—just get it out of here!”
Shawn took the snake away to the muck pit. Michelle’s eyes were big. “Poor Windsong.”
“C’mon. Let’s go hose him off. We can’t leave that sweat on him for the jog.”
I held the horse and tried to stay clean while Michelle hosed him. I glanced at my watch. “Hurry. We can’t be late.” Windsong had recovered and was trying to nose my clean team shirt for treats. Michelle casually talked about his big run while I fretted silently about how she did not even realize how dangerous it could have been to his health. I squeezed my eyes shut, thanking my luck stars that his heart didn’t give out and that we weren’t scraping his prone body off the parking lot.
Melinda followed the groom who led Belvedere down the aisle, and she stopped beside the wash stall. “What are you doing? You’re gonna be late.”
“Trust me, we’re hurrying. Windsong just killed a snake in his stall and he got all sweaty.”
“Eww. This place must be infested with them. Alison and I saw a snake today too. Except it was dead.”
I froze. “What? What did you say?”
“We saw a dead black snake on the side of the path on the way to the breakfast truck. Alison kicked it off the path.”
“She touched it? She wasn’t afraid of it?”
“No, in fact, she said something about most horses being afraid of snakes but that Moon wasn’t.”
“Could she have . . . ? Nooo, she wouldn’t. But, bu
t it must have been her. It must have been,” I muttered to myself.
Melinda became suspicious, her nasally voice rising, “What are you talking about?”
“A few minutes ago, Windsong ran out of his stall because a snake was in it. I think Alison threw it in with him She could have killed him! He has a heart condition!”
Melinda huffed. “How could she do that? Weren’t you there?”
“Someone yelled about a loose horse. Everyone in the barn ran out to help. She did it. I’m sure of it!”
Melinda’s mouth hung open. “This has gone way beyond interesting.”
#
Chapter Forty-Three
Counting on the warm summer sun to finish drying Windsong, Michelle grabbed a groom kit. “I’ll touch him up when we get in line to wait our turn.”
With me leading Windsong and Michelle leading Donner, we hustled out of the barn.
“What am I going to do?” I asked Shawn and Melinda, who walked beside me. I had told Shawn my suspicions too.
“Nothing. What can you do?” Shawn shrugged.
“I don’t understand why you think Alison put the snake in the stall.” Melinda was still just curious, loving the drama of the moment.
“Long story,” I mumbled. Windsong’s coat was drying in crusty lumps. I tried to smooth it down with my hand as we walked. All that did was make my hand filthy, but his coat still stuck up everywhere. I handed the lead to Shawn and snagged a clean towel from the touch-up kit Michelle was carrying. I rubbed my hands vigorously and was about to take the lead rope back from Shawn when I caught sight of Alison. Moon’s silvery form, being lead by a groom, was nearly at the arena and Alison slowly followed her horse, but her eyes inspected Windsong. She met my gaze and a triumphant smile grew on her face. Her shoulders shook in silent laughter.
Fury exploded in my head. My hands began to shake, so I tightly balled them into fists. She was not going to get away with it this time. I hissed over my shoulder at Shawn, “I’ll be right back.”
I jogged right up to Alison. Her eyebrows flew up and, still smiling, she said, “What?”
I poked my finger into her chest. “I know you threw that snake into Windsong’s stall! You could have killed him!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jane.” Her smile said otherwise.
Clasping my hands together to keep from strangling her, I leaned closer, nearly touching her nose with mine. “He panicked, got loose, and ran straight for a moving vehicle in the parking lot. You are not going to get away with it this time.”
Never flinching, her grin widened. “Really, who’s going to stop me? You?” She snorted.
By this time, Michelle and Shawn with the horses were a few steps behind me. Melinda moved beside us. I threw my hands up, my voice rising. “What is wrong with you? Windsong has a heart condition. A scare like that could have been fatal.”
Her jaw tightened, and the grin finally dropped off her face. “You don’t get it. No one can stop me. I get what I want, always.” She spit that last word in my ear, using two hands to push my shoulders.
I stumbled back, realizing for the first time that we were surrounded and everyone was listening. A tremor ran through me and I lifted my fist. “You are sick.”
Robert put a hand on my arm as he stepped between us. “What is going on here? Jane?” I never took my eyes off Alison. She crossed her arms, waiting for my explanation, daring me to say something. My chest rose and fell as I tried to think. “Jane?” Robert insisted.
Alison’s grin grew, triumph shining out of her eyes. We were just outside the gate of the arena, and the ring steward looked expectantly at our group. I spun around, gathering my thoughts. Was I willing to risk everything? If I told, would anyone believe me? Shawn’s gaze met mine. He gave a tiny shake of his head, rolling his eyes in the direction of the judge. I looked back at Alison’s face, so smug. She licked her lip. “No problem here.” She turned toward her horse.
“Wait.” I spun back to Robert and squared my shoulders. What she had done was wrong, and no matter the consequences, I was not going to stand by and watch her get away with it. “This may sound implausible, sir, but Alison has been sabotaging me and my horse. Today, her antics endangered Windsong. She needs to be stopped.”
Robert blanched. “Whaaat?”
Alison’s eyebrows flew up, and she put a hand on Robert’s arm. Robert’s head swung toward her. “Mr. Peterson, she is jealous of me and has been treating me badly since I met her,” Alison spoke softly, eyes round and innocent.
“Remember when Windsong got sick and I couldn’t ride in the clinic? She caused that—she threw manure in Windsong’s water!”
“Ridiculous.” Alison drew her icy, privileged upbringing around her like a cloak. “She’s raving, most likely the drugs. I saw them in her camper myself.”
I rushed to defend myself, to make Robert’s shocked expression go away. “You planted them! They were your drugs. Wait! You have to listen to me, Robert. She threw a snake into Windsong’s stall. The fear could have triggered a heart attack. It could have killed him! She tried to kill my horse!” My throat closed. From the look on his face, I could tell he didn’t believe me. Alison was right, there was no stopping her.
She spoke in that authoritative voice she inherited from her bossy father. “The horse is unfit, I suggest we cut them from the team right now, and get on with our inspections.”
I covered my eyes, defeated. I expected Robert to agree, for everyone to follow her to the ring. And then Shawn stepped forward. “I have been with Alison when she’s had drugs, we’ve taken them together many times. I know she planted them in our camper for her father to discover last night.”
Then Melinda chimed in. “I was with Alison when we saw the dead black snake this morning. She easily could have gone back and picked it up later and taken it to the barn. And I’ve never seen Jane take drugs, or drink.”
Her eyes met mine, and she gave a tiny nod. Shawn slipped an arm around my shoulders.
The ring steward approached the group. “Mr. Peterson, someone has to go in the ring.”
Robert scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “Okay.” Robert pointed at us. “Let’s get through the jog right now. But immediately following it, we are going to have a team meeting to get to the bottom of this.” He strode past us into the arena.
#
Chapter Forty-Four
All four horses passed the veterinary inspections, including Windsong. I didn’t realize how much that had been worrying me until I slid his halter off. He took a treat out of my hand, licking my palm.
“I am so happy you are okay,” I whispered.
Shawn stepped up next to me. “I still can’t get Erica on the phone. Maybe her plane was delayed for some reason.”
“Maybe she’ll arrive in time for the meeting with Robert.”
“Yeah, she should be here by then. She’ll straighten everything out.”
“I still can’t believe I confronted Alison. Who was that crazy girl?”
Shawn grinned. “I know. You were scary. But she messed with your horse. That’s so wrong.”
“I can’t believe you and Melinda. I can’t thank you enough for backing me up. For a minute there, I thought Robert was going to send me back to the barn. Then you stepped up. Thank you so much.”
“Anything for you. Plus—I’ll repeat myself—she was so wrong.”
I put my hand on his arm. “No, really. It means a lot, what you did.” I took his face in my hands and kissed his lips. His arms went around me and he pulled me close.
Melinda interrupted us. “Robert said to meet him in the secretary’s office in an hour. He is rounding up the technical delegate.”
I ripped away from Shawn, turning away so Melinda didn’t see my reddening face.
Shawn let out a frustrated sigh. “We have time to get some lunch then.”
I didn’t meet Shawn’s eyes. “You two go. I want to stay and keep an eye on Windsong.”
; After a minute of silent waiting, another noisy stream of air erupted from Shawn. “Okay, I’ll bring you something.”
Once they walked away, I flopped in a chair and pulled out my phone. My mom answered on the first ring, and after I filled her in on the day’s events, I moaned, “What am I going to do?”
My mother’s tone was comforting but firm. “You are going to tell the truth. You did the right thing for all of it. Your horse was approved for performance. You reported Alison. Now you will tell the truth. If the officials feel they must eliminate you from the competition, then you will respectfully abide by their decision.”
“But I have spent so long getting here, and now, I may have blown it.”
“No, Jane. You haven’t blown anything. I have never been more proud of you. You have stood up for the right thing, and I don’t need you to get a ribbon to know you are a winner.”
After I hung up, I realized that I was the only one worried that I wouldn’t be able to bring home a ribbon. Shawn and Melinda had risked their places on the team to support me. My mother was proud of my actions, despite the results. I knew Erica, and even Kate, would not let Alison get away with what she did if they were here. And there was someone else who would have been impressed with me. I would have felt so much stronger if Cory were there.
I picked up my phone and called him. It went straight to voice mail.
With a deep breath, I said, “Hi Cory. Umm, I’m sorry. Some stuff has happened here and I’m about to go into a meeting where they will decide if Windsong and I can stay on the team and compete. And I just wanted you to know that you were right. You were always right. And I’m sorry I got mad at you. Umm, anyway, I hope that horse is okay and, umm, that you have, you know, a good day. Right. Bye.” I pressed end.
An hour later, clutching my folder containing Windsong’s health documents, I walked to the meeting. Melinda was on one side of me and Shawn on the other. We passed through the door and stopped, still shoulder to shoulder, three teenagers. Mr. McBride greeted us with a hostile stare from his power seat behind a conference table. Alison was on his left, casually lounging in the chair, her legs crossed and her expression fashionably bored. Robert and the technical delegate were also sitting at one end of the table.