Blue Ribbon Champ Read Free Page A

sure where her Bible was. Her bedroom had become a hideaway of frustration where she punched pillows and cried. Outside her room, she endured Joey, who never let her out of his sight. Horseback riding? Picnics? Board games during family time in the evenings? Joey was right there next to Skye. Every free minute she could find, Skye stowed away in the barn with Champ, the only one who seemed to really understand.
    With an attitude as sour as a rotten grapefruit, Skye found herself in frequent mother-daughter discussions with Mrs. C. But even the threat of groundings didn’t help Skye snap out of her sullen mood. On the calendar in her bedroom, she scored a huge red X on the day in August when Joey would leave Keystone Stables. Skye lived for that day.
    Skye also lived for Sunday school and her teen class more than ever. She cherished the time when Joey attended his own class. However, her joy was short-lived.
    In the church service, as usual, the Keystone Stables family and students filled an entire row. Without fail, Joey managed to squeeze himself in next to Skye. Total embarrassment arrived like clockwork when Joey would blurt out during chorus time every single Sunday, “My birthday’s in September!” While the pastor humored Joey, Skye would slide down in the pew, turn red-hot, and bury her face in her hands. The humiliation was almost too much to bear.
    Now Tuesday morning had arrived, and Skye was thrilled for a very special reason. No working with Joey today!
    The farmers’ market at the Snyder County Auction Grounds beckoned, and although all the new students were going, Skye hoped for the best. “Maybe today will be the start of my new life,” she joked with Morgan as the two sat in the backseat of the traveling minivan. “Maybe Joey’ll get lost.”
    As the van pulled into the market, the students exploded with chatter about the prospects of an exciting time. Joey, buckled in the seat in front of Skye, glanced back, wiggled his fingers and smiled, and squared his cowboy hat firmly just as Mr. Chambers always did. “Where are we, Mr. C.?” Joey yelled as he turned and looked out the side window.
    “At a place full of food and fun,” Mr. Chambers answered. “Keister’s Flea and Farmers’ Market!”
    “Ooh,” Joey yelled, “I don’t like fleas. They itch!”
    “They don’t itch,” another student said, “but they bite! My dog told me that once.”
    Mrs. Chambers looked back and smiled. “Kids, there are no fleas for sale. But wait until you see all the veggies, toys, and other things on display. You’ll love this place.”
    Skye folded her arms and glanced out the window, her heart racing with the thought of horse models of all shapes and sizes.
    Morgan’s words were packed with excitement. “Skye, what are you hunting for today? I’m going to see if there are any bargains on computer games. Remember last month when I found that old Star Wars game for just a dollar? Now, that’s a deal—and one that fits my budget.”
    As the van joined a caravan of vehicles creeping at a snail’s pace to park, Skye’s eyes darted wildly.
    On both sides of the road, vendors were selling their wares. Mounds of fresh cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and baskets of fresh fruit covered tabletops. Dozens of other tables, under canopies, displayed baseball cards, stuffed animals, old sleds, dolls, antique lamps,and used clothing. Adjoined to the backs of the stands were rows of trucks, vans, and Amish buggies, resting from their earlier arrival and hasty unloading.
    Eager vendors were making their pitch to a steady flow of shoppers. Other marketers lounged in the shade of their beach umbrellas. Hands folded on rounded bellies, they scrutinized every person who came near their wares.
    The shoppers, some already toting heavy bags, milled around the tables like ants after sugar cubes. Sunburned farmers in baseball caps mingled with plump ladies in tank tops and shorts. Wide-eyed children stared and, when