Horse Power Read Free

Corps had a way of moving people a lot. Sometimes the moves were even classified! Fortunately, her own father was most likely going to stay right where he was for the rest of his career.
    Colonel Hanson smiled at his friends. “You know, Jeanne used to tell me that instead of buying a house near whatever base I was stationed, we should just buy a moving van. It would save time packing the next time the Corps got another bright idea about my career!”
    “You got that right!” Mrs. Devine joked. “Now, let’s not talk about houses and moving anymore. It’s too nice being here with old friends—and new ones,” she said, smiling warmly at Carole. “So let’s dig into the feast.”
    Carole quickly discovered that Colonel Devine was a fine barbecue chef, and Mrs. Devine’s salads, munchies, and cool drinks made a great meal. They all enjoyed the fruit salad Carole had made, too.
    After the two families had eaten more than their fill, everyone tidied up and packed the leftovers into the car. The colonels had challenged each other to agame of tennis, and Mrs. Devine had some errands to run. The girls were on their own.
    “Great!” Carole said to Kate. “While our dads are at the courts, I can show you around the stables. I haven’t been there for a long time, and I want to see some of my old friends. Drop us off there, will you, Dad? When we’re done, we’ll hitch a ride on a bus and meet you at the courts.”
    “When it comes to horses, dear daughter, you’re never ‘done.’ We’ll pick you up at the stables.”
    Carole just grinned as she swatted her father on the arm.
    “I USED TO ride here almost every day,” Carole told Kate as they approached the Quantico stables. “But when we moved to Willow Creek, it was too far, and, besides, I wanted to study with Max Regnery. He’s a wonderful instructor. His former students include some Olympic riders. Can you
imagine?
It would be the most exciting thing in the world to be that good, I think.”
    “Hmm,” Kate responded noncommittally.
    “Well, I love the idea of that kind of competitive riding,” Carole said. “It’s like there would be a total focus on the most important part of my life—horses.” She smiled, just thinking about the possibility, but when she glanced at Kate, she saw only confusion and doubt in her new friend’s face. Carole guessed that Kate just wasn’t turned on to horses—yet. “Come on,let’s meet my friends,” Carole invited, stepping into the stable. She was convinced that she could, and
would
change Kate’s feeling about riding.
    Kate followed her into the large structure where the base’s horses were kept. Carole signed in with the stable manager, and explained that they were just visiting. Then she began the grand tour of the place.
    Carole loved to share her information about horses, and felt she had a great opportunity to introduce Kate to the subject. Even her best friends, Stevie and Lisa, sometimes complained about how much she could talk about horses, but Kate just listened politely to Carole. Kate patted some of the horses and, Carole was pleased to observe, didn’t seem in the least bit frightened of them. She had an easy and comfortable manner with the animals that wasn’t matched by her words. Carole figured she had her work cut out for her.
    “You’ll be a good rider,” Carole told Kate. “I can just see it in the way you handle the horses. You’re not afraid of them. That’s important.”
    “No, I’m not afraid, but, well, I—uh—” Kate seemed hesitant. “But I can’t agree with you that I’ll be a good rider.”
    “You’ll see,” Carole said confidently. “Come on, now, let me introduce you to another one of the horses I used to ride here. Now, this lady—she’s called Duster because of the way she flicks her tail all the time—would do just fine on the trail, but she
hates
to be ridden indoors. She’ll fuss and fume until she gets outside.…”Carole was off and running again,