Sea Horse Read Free

fuel—and the unusual trees and bushes. Even the grass felt different as it brushed her feet. It was coarser than the grass at home.
    She glanced at the sky above her. It seemed impossible that this was the same sky she could see out her window in Willow Creek, but it was. Now it was clear, with a few scattered puffy white clouds. In the far distance, she could see a large mass of darker clouds.
    Lisa followed a footpath through the hotel’s garden and found herself at a dirt road. She looked for a sign or somebody to direct her, but no guide was in sight. Then she glanced at the road, and spotted the familiar marks of hooves. Feeling a little bit like Davy Crockett, she followed the hoofprints until they led her to her goal, the stable.
    The stable was buzzing with activity. One group of riders had just returned from a trail ride, and another group was gathering to leave. Lisa was impressed with the horses. She could tell immediately that they were well cared for. The grooms waited attentively, holding the reins while the riders dismounted, and helping riders down.
    A woman who was clearly in charge was standing inthe center of the yard giving the stablehands orders on which horses to put away and which to keep out. Lisa watched as the woman sized up the riders about to go on the trail, matching them with horses she thought they could manage.
    “What do you mean, you’ve taken lessons?” she was asking a man.
    “Well, I had some lessons a few years ago,” the man answered vaguely.
    “Walk, trot, and canter?” the instructor asked.
    The man shrugged. “I guess so,” he said.
    “Ride Pal, then. He’s the bay over there.”
    The man looked confused.
    “Bay means brown with a black mane and tail,” the instructor told him. “But, actually, I think you’ll do better on Jasper, here.” She patted the flank of a gray horse.
    Lisa knew that the man’s uncertainty about the three gaits and his unfamiliarity with horse colors had told the instructor a lot. As Lisa had learned, it was important to match riders and horses correctly or an instructor could have a disaster on her hands. Lisa thought the instructor had handled the situation well.
    “You’re not riding in
that
outfit!” the instructor said sharply. Lisa was surprised to find she was speaking to her.
    “Oh, no,” Lisa said. “I’m not riding today. We just got here and I’m looking around.”
    “Look all you want, but stay clear of the horses,” the instructor said. “They’re big animals.”
    The woman turned and began speaking to somebodyelse as abruptly as she’d spoken to Lisa. Automatically, Lisa stepped back, out of the way. She entered the stable, hoping she wouldn’t annoy anybody there.
    Lisa liked the stable immediately. It was a white stucco building, unlike the wooden structures she was familiar with. It had a wide aisle and big stalls for each horse. Lisa counted twenty-eight stalls, plus a tack room and a feed room. About half the horses were outside, either leaving or coming back from the trail. The remaining horses stood patiently, munching at their hay and sipping at their water. One horse lifted his head curiously as Lisa walked by. Lisa paused. The horse stuck his head out over the door. Lisa patted him on his cheek and neck. He sniffed at her.
    “I told you, they’re big animals. Be careful!” the instructor said with annoyance. She’d entered the stable silently and now strode toward the tack room, carrying a broken stirrup leather in her hand.
    “I’m okay,” Lisa assured her, but she jumped back from the horse anyway, feeling very unwelcome. She was determined to ride, though.
    “Can I ask you something?” she asked while the instructor rummaged through a rack of leathers.
    “Not now,” the woman said. “Wait until these riders are out, then I’ll answer your questions. In the meantime, why don’t you wait in the office?”
    Lisa nodded and politely followed the woman’s suggestion. She would much rather