Summer Rider Read Free Page A

round were broken by ajump-off, with a shorter course of jumps and a much shorter time limit. If more than one rider had a clean round in the jump-off, the winner was the one with the fastest time.
    Todd just shrugged. “It will be the first time ever,” he declared. “We’ll end up with the exact same time in the jump-off, and all the rest of you will have to eat our dust.”
    Stevie and Carole laughed, but Lisa didn’t join in. She knew Todd was just being silly, but his words still bothered her. Taking a deep breath, she asked herself,
What would Piper do?
She wouldn’t pay any attention to Todd’s bragging, that was for sure. She would just work that much harder until she could prove everyone wrong.
    Lisa smiled a little at the thought. Just because Piper wasn’t there in person anymore didn’t mean she couldn’t still be Lisa’s inspiration. Lisa would start by working even harder to fit everything she had to do into her days, even if it meant occasionally giving up something frivolous, like going on trail rides with her friends. From now on, discipline was going to be her watchword. It would be good for her. It would make her strong, just like Piper. Instead of gossiping and giggling with her friends, she would spend more time reading. Instead of wasting time on arts and crafts and trail rides, she would work harder to get herself and Major into shape for the show. Maybe she would even start jogging. Piper had jogged every day, and she had mentioned once that the exercise cleared her mind and helped her concentrate. Lisa had always hated jogging, butthat was just because she hadn’t taken it seriously enough before.
    For a moment she felt exhilarated by her new goals, but then she started to feel a little sad. It would be much more fun if Piper were around to share it all with. Lisa wished she knew what had happened to her friend. But Barry wouldn’t tell her anything, though she had asked him over and over. She had tried to phone Piper’s house at least once a day since the older girl’s disappearance, but nobody ever answered. Still, she would keep trying. That was another vow she had made to herself. She wouldn’t rest until she knew why Piper had left.
    Meanwhile, Stevie was watching Barry, who had taken a seat with Betty, one of the senior riding instructors. The two of them were deep in conversation, and their faces were serious.
    “Don’t you guys think Barry looks a little pale today?” Stevie commented.
    Carole glanced at the camp director. “Actually, he does look a little pale,” she said. “I hope he’s not coming down with something.”
    Stevie finished the last bite of her sandwich and pushed her plate away. “Well, whatever he’s coming down with,” she commented darkly, “I have the funniest feeling he caught it from those guys in the car.”
    “Give it up, Stevie,” Todd said.
    Stevie was still staring at Barry and Betty. “I wish I could read lips,” she said. “I’d love to know what they’retalking about. They’re sitting kind of close to the trash cans—maybe if I got up and just kind of strolled casually past—”
    “Forget it,” Carole interrupted. She crumpled her napkin and dropped it on her empty plate. “Whatever they’re talking about, it’s none of your business.”
    “It’s my business if Barry is being blackmailed or something,” Stevie argued. “After all, he’s our friend. If he’s in trouble, we ought to try to help.” She paused, squinting again at Barry’s mouth. She still couldn’t make out a single word. “The more I think about it, the more the blackmailing theory makes sense.”
    “How do you figure that?” Phil asked skeptically.
    “It’s just a hunch right now,” Stevie admitted. “But it’s a
strong
hunch. And I’m sure I can prove it if I keep my eyes open for more clues.”
    Carole had heard enough. It was time to leave before Stevie’s imagination ran away with her completely. “Come on, let’s get going.” She