Horse-Sitters Read Free Page A

has
you
giving ballet lessons to little kids in
my
basement. No overhead, you know.”
    By this time Carole and Lisa were both laughing, but Stevie didn’t look nearly as amused. “Very funny,” she said huffily, swinging up onto Belle’s back. “Here I am trying to help you out, and you’re treating it like a big joke.” She urged Belle into a trot and headed off down the trail.
    Carole glanced at Lisa and shrugged. Stevie had a quick temper, but she usually didn’t stay angry for long. Besides, her friends knew it was really Veronica that Stevie was mad at, not them.
    “I guess this isn’t the best time to mention my other favorite Stevie plan,” Carole said.
    “You mean the one where she sells off her brothers to the highest bidder?” Lisa guessed.
    Carole grinned. “Exactly.”
    A SHORT WHILE later The Saddle Club arrived back at Pine Hollow. Carole and Lisa had caught up to Stevie moments after leaving the spot by the creek. As they’d expected, she had already forgotten all about her annoyance and was busy thinking up new moneymaking ideas.
    As the girls dismounted and started to lead their horses inside, Stevie was chattering about her latest brainstorm, which involved franchising lemonade stands to all the elementary-school kids in the area. But Carole’s attention was drawn toanother conversation taking place nearby. Polly Giacomin was standing near the outdoor ring talking to Max. She seemed worried, but Max wasn’t paying much attention to her. Instead he kept glancing at his watch and then at the driveway. Carole guessed that he was waiting for Eugenia’s arrival, but she couldn’t believe he was so distracted that he wasn’t even listening to Polly. Carole slowed down, trying to hear what was going on. Her friends noticed and did the same. Even Stevie stopped talking.
    “But, Max,” Polly was saying urgently, “do you think he’ll forget everything he’s learned while I’m away? I’ll be gone for almost a week, and this dressage stuff is still pretty new to him.”
    “Mmm,” was Max’s only reply. “When did you say you’re leaving, Meg? Um—I mean, Polly?”
    “Tomorrow morning,” Polly said, looking annoyed. The Saddle Club guessed that it wasn’t the first—or even the second—time she had said it. “I won’t be back until next Wednesday night. What do you think we should do?”
    “Do?” Max repeated, glancing at his watch again. “What do you mean, Veron—er, Polly?”
    The Saddle Club could see Polly taking a deep breath. “What should we do about Romeo’s dressage training? I hate to think he’ll forget everything while I’m gone if nobody works with him.”
    “Don’t worry, Polly,” Max said, peering over her head toward the road at the end of the drive. “Red will see that Danny—er, Starlight—er, I mean, Romeo will get some exercise while you’re away. Don’t worry about a thing.”
    Polly rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Max,” she said sarcastically, turning and stomping away.
    Max didn’t even notice. He glanced at his watch again, then spun on his heel and headed inside.
    The Saddle Club exchanged mystified glances. It wasn’t at all like Max to ignore a rider’s concerns, especially since Polly was right. Romeo had been making wonderful progress lately in his dressage training, but if nobody worked with the horse for almost a week, it was quite possible he would backslide. Carole spoke up and said so.
    “I know,” Lisa said. “It would be a shame if all Polly’s hard work went to waste just because Max is acting bizarre for some reason. What do you think could be the matter with him?”
    Carole shrugged in response, but Stevie didn’t seem to have heard the question. She was staring in the direction Max and Polly had gone with a thoughtful look on her face.
    “Stevie?” Lisa said. “What is it?”
    “Hmm?” Stevie said. “Oh, nothing. Come on, let’s get the horses settled. Aunt Eugenia should be here soon, and I don’t want to miss