Saddlebags Read Free Page B

None.”
    “You know, our parents came this time,” Stevie said.
    “That’s what we heard.” Walter nodded.
    “They’re meeting us here in a few minutes.” Lisa looked back toward the bunkhouses. “They’re still unpacking.”
    John smiled at Lisa. “While you’re waiting, come and meet my new horse.”
    Lisa followed John into the barn. She was having trouble keeping a huge grin from spreading across her face.
    “His name is Tex,” John said. “He’s a full-blooded quarter horse with great lines.”
    They walked to a stall at the far end of the barn. And there was Tex, a beautiful chestnut gelding.
    “It’s obvious he’s got great lines, John,” said Lisa. “Pleased to meet you, Tex.”
    “Likewise, I’m sure,” said John in a low voice.
    Lisa smiled. John hadn’t changed a bit. He was still warm and silly and serious all at the same time. “So tell me everything about him,” she said, “like how old is he … what’s his specialty …”
    “Well, he’s only three and a half, and he has very strong gaits and a sensitive mouth. He was quite well trained, up to a point.”
    “Which is where
you
come in.”
    “Exactly,” said John. “I think he’d make a super reining horse for wrangling
and
for showing.”
    “Reining?” Lisa asked, wrinkling her nose. “I don’t get it. Don’t we all do that?”
    John patted Tex and grinned. “Reining is like advancedtraining for a Western horse. It involves sliding stops, lead changes, pivots. Stuff like that.”
    “It must take lots of time,” said Lisa.
    “It has to,” said John. “Rushing can really ruin a horse. If you do it right, you have a superior roping horse—and show horse too. Advanced reining with Western quarter horses is the top technical competition.”
    “It must be useful on the trail and in wrangling too,” Lisa said.
    John nodded. “That’s where it started, after all,” he said.
    He took her hand as they headed back outside. The parents had gathered already.
    Lisa led John over to her parents. “Mom, Dad, this is John Brightstar.”
    “Pleased to meet you, John,” said Mr. Atwood, shaking John’s hand. “Are you one of the wranglers here?”
    “Well, actually, sir, my dad’s the chief wrangler, and I help him before and after school.” John turned and introduced the Atwoods to his father.
    “Good to meet you,” said Walter. “The horses are all saddled up and ready to go. Let’s go meet your mounts for the week.”
    As she and John followed the grown-ups over to thehorses, Lisa wondered if her mother had noticed the two of them holding hands. Mrs. Atwood certainly hadn’t shown any reaction.
    So far things are going fine, Lisa thought. I just hope I stop feeling so self-conscious around Mom.
    “Now, which horse are you going to give me?” Mrs. Atwood was asking Walter. “Do you have a nice, steady one?”
    “They’re all pretty steady, ma’am,” Walter answered, “but I’ve chosen one of the best for you. You’ll be riding Spot.”
    Spot was a good choice, Lisa thought. He was an Appaloosa gelding that Kate had ridden before she had adopted her mare, Moonglow, from a wild herd. Spot was one of the horses the Bar None used for guests these days. That meant he had to be well trained, reliable, and willing to put up with some less-than-decent riders.
    “Spot’ll be great for you, Mom,” said Lisa as they walked the horse out of the barn. “Now, remember, when you ride Western, you keep the reins much looser than you see us keeping them at Pine Hollow.”
    Mrs. Atwood gave her daughter a wink. Then she took the reins in her right hand, put her right foot in the right stirrup, and swung herself into the saddle.
    Lisa grimaced. “Mom, you mount the horse on the
other
side.”
    She turned to her father, to start instructing him. But before she could open her mouth, he swung himself up into the saddle from the left side of his horse, Tripper. At least he looked as if he knew what he was