Horse-Sitters Read Free Page B

meeting the woman who has that kind of effect on Max.”
    T HE GIRLS FINISHED their stable chores just in time to see Max’s small horse van trundle slowly up the driveway with Deborah at the wheel. She brought the vehicle to a careful stop, then opened the door and jumped out. She paused long enough to give Max a peck on the cheek and the girls a cheerful wave.Then she walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.
    “It’s about time, Deborah,” a strident, high-pitched voice said from inside the cab. “I thought you were planning to leave me sitting in here all evening.”
    Deborah laughed. “Don’t be silly, Aunt Genie,” she replied. She held out her arm to help the owner of the voice climb out of the trailer. The woman who emerged was white-haired and wrinkled, but despite her obvious age she appeared hearty and energetic. Carole wondered why she hadn’t simply opened the door and climbed out herself.
    Max stepped forward. “Hello, Aunt Eugenia,” he said in a quiet, tentative voice. “I hope you had a pleasant trip.”
    The old woman stared at him coldly. “Hardly,” she said, drawing out the single word until it sounded like a whole sentence. “Deborah drove like a maniac. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. And my poor baby Honeybee must be beside herself. She’s not used to such treatment.”
    Deborah smiled and shook her head. “Really, Aunt Genie,” she said. “The way you go on!” She turned to Max. “I don’t think we hit forty miles per hour the whole way here.”
    “Hmmph,” Eugenia replied. She peered past Max at the three girls, who were watching in silence. “And whom have we here?” she inquired suspiciously.
    “These are three of Max’s best young riders,” Deborah replied, waving The Saddle Club over. She introduced them each by name. Lisa, well trained by her mother, stepped forward to offer the old woman her hand.
    “How do you do, Ms. Eugenia,” she said politely.
    Eugenia took Lisa’s hand limply and stared intently into her eyes. “Are my old ears failing me at last? This seems to be a young lady with some manners.” She dropped Lisa’s hand and turned back to Max. “I thought all young people these days were like you and my Deborah, here—unschooled and boorish.”
    Stevie glanced at Max eagerly, waiting for his response. She was sure he’d be annoyed by the insult and say so. But she was disappointed.
    “Would you like to come up to the house, Aunt Eugenia?” Max said, smiling blandly. “I’m sure you could use some refreshment after your trip. My mother has some tea ready for you.”
    “Are you mad, young man?” Eugenia snapped. “What about my poor baby, trapped back there in that cramped little vehicle you call a horse trailer?” She snorted. “Horse trailer, indeed. Barely enough room for a good-sized cat back there.” She stomped around to the back of the van with Max and Deborah right behind her. The Saddle Club followed, not wanting to miss a thing.
    Stevie was doing her best not to break into a grin. Someone was scolding Max—the man who scolded them for a living!
    “Of course, Aunt Eugenia,” Max said quickly. “I was going to have Red settle her in for you. You don’t have to worry.”
    “Oh, don’t I?” Eugenia said sharply. “I’ll be the judge of that, if you don’t mind.” She started to pull at the heavy pin holding the van doors shut.
    Deborah stepped forward and gently pushed Eugenia’s handsaside. “Don’t be silly, dear,” she scolded. “The door is much too heavy for you.”
    “Let me do it,” Stevie offered quickly, stepping forward.
    Eugenia peered at her. “Is this how you run things here, Max?” she said testily. “Having young girls do all the work while you sit around and collect the money?”
    The statement was so outrageous that Carole was sure Max would have to respond. But although she thought she saw his meek smile falter for a split second, he didn’t say a word.
    “Don’t be