English Rider Read Free

Veronica was leaning into Podge’s stall. From where they were standing, the Saddle Club girls could see a hand holding a brush and grooming the gelding’s body, but they couldn’t see the rest of the groomer. “He’s such an adorable horse,” Veronica was crooning, stroking Podge’s broad head.
    Stevie rolled her eyes. “Guess who’s still sucking up to the new rich boy in town?” she whispered to her friends sarcastically.
    “Are you sure it’s Miles?” Carole whispered back with a giggle. “Maybe Veronica’s secretly in love with Mrs. Pennington.”
    “Shhh!” Lisa cautioned her friends, shooting a worried look forward. Veronica knew all about The Saddle Club’sprobation, and she had been doing her best to provoke them into violating it. Lisa knew that the snobby girl would love nothing more than to see The Saddle Club barred from riding for a couple of weeks.
    Hodge, who was stabled across the aisle from his brother, had come to the front of his stall to watch The Saddle Club’s approach. Luckily, Veronica didn’t seem to have heard them coming. She was leaning even farther into Podge’s stall to talk to Miles. “You’re so good with these horses, Miles,” she said admiringly. “You must work with them a lot.”
    “Actually, Hodge and Podge are Grandmother’s babies,” Miles said. “Grandmother only lets me groom them when her arthritis is really acting up. Besides, she thinks I don’t have enough to do since our second team is still in Pennsylvania. Most of the time I work with them.”
    “Well, you really know what you’re doing,” Veronica cooed. “And you have such strong hands!”
    Stevie pretended to gag. Carole elbowed her in the ribs.
    “Maybe we should come back later,” Tessa murmured.
    This time Veronica heard them. She turned around and saw The Saddle Club standing in the aisle.
    Carole braced herself for Veronica’s usual obnoxious comments. After the events of the previous evening, she was sure Veronica would be positively furious at all of them—especially Tessa. But something very surprising happened. Veronica smiled!
    “Oh, hello,” she said.
    Carole gulped, not sure how to respond. She glanced at Lisa. Lisa was looking over at Stevie. Stevie was just staring at Veronica in astonishment.
    Veronica wasn’t looking at any of them. She was directing her smile straight at Tessa. “Hold on a second, okay?” she said. “I need to talk to you.”
    “Uh-oh,” Carole muttered. But she still felt confused. Veronica’s voice didn’t sound threatening at all. In fact, it sounded—could it be?—
friendly
!
    Veronica leaned into Podge’s stall again. “I’ll see you later, Miles,” she called. “Thanks so much for telling me more about Cleveland Bays. I really learned a lot.”
    “Sure, anytime,” Miles called back from inside the stall.
    Veronica turned, and Carole caught a glimpse of her self-satisfied smile. She could guess what was going on—Veronica was trying to make Miles forget what had happened at the midnight steeplechase. And she obviously thought she was succeeding.
    Veronica hurried toward The Saddle Club. “Listen, Tessa,” she said. “I was thinking about something this morning.”
    “Uh, yes?” Tessa said uncertainly.
    “I really think we got off on the wrong foot last week.” Veronica still wasn’t looking at the other members of The Saddle Club. “I’m afraid I wasn’t quite as welcoming as Ishould have been. I feel kind of bad about it—especially since you’re a visitor to my country and everything.”
    Stevie let out a strangled snort. Carole elbowed her in the ribs again.
    Veronica ignored them. “Anyway, I was thinking we should try to start over and forget about the past. I mean, it would be a shame to let a few little misunderstandings keep us from being friends.” She shrugged and smiled. “You know, since we probably have a lot in common and everything.”
    Tessa looked slightly stunned. But her good manners took over.