Team Challenge Read Free Page B

double-zero chick from work, and Mom kinda fell apart. But since we’ve been here she’s brightened up and she’s been looking for love, as they say.
    On the Internet.
    I know, I know, it freaks me out, but what can I do? She’s really careful and sensible about it, and I’ve promised to support her. Her friend Carol supports her, too, which isn’t surprising, seeing as how Carol dates men like we’re all on a downward slide toward the end of the world. I blame Carol and her interfering ways for getting Mom into it all.
    “That’s nice,” I said, managing to make it sound as though I meant it. I’m getting better at that. “Who’s this one? Old or new?”
    “Second date,” mumbled Mom, stuffing half a samosa in her mouth and leaving filo pastry crumbs on the side of her face.
    “Well, if you’re going for Indian food, don’t do that,” I advised. “It’s most unattractive. Who’s this guy?”
    “His name’s Greg. He’s a teacher. Divorced. He’s got two sons, seven and twelve years old. They live with their mother. He’s very nice, and he was very attentive on our first date—and very interested to learn about your passion for horses. Apparently, he used to ride in his youth.”
    “Oh, good, perhaps he can come and be our fourth team member,” I suggested, glumly. “Do you think he can possibly pass as under sixteen?”
    “Doubtful—he’s got a beard.”
    “Oh, yuck!”
    I was getting fed up with trying to think of someone to complete our team. It was so frustrating! If only my old friend Kirsten didn’t live so far away, she’d have thought up something great for the wild card event.
    The next day, I was tacking Drummer up to go for a ride by ourselves when James turned up.
    “Going riding?” he said.
    I nodded.
    “Want some company?” he asked. “I’m a bit fed up at the moment.”
    Naturally, I didn’t say no.
    It didn’t take him long to get Moth in from the field and tacked up, and we rode out along the bridle path that led down to the lake. Moth’s bright chestnut coat gleamed in the sunlight, her four white legs moving in step with Drum’s black ones. Moth has a white face, too, but you can’t see that very well when you’re riding next to her, and she always goes along in a hurry, puffing and slamming her hooves down like an old-fashioned charger, with James playing the role of her knight. At least, that’s how I see it.
    “How’s the jumping going?” I asked James. “Did your chat with Moth help?”
    “Yes, it did, but it’s all been for nothing,” James groaned.
    “Why?”
    “Cat told me yesterday that I can’t be on her team. It appears that Leanne had already asked two of her much-more-talented-than-me friends to do the show jumping and the cross-country.”
    “What?” I cried, my heart leaping.
    “Yeah, I know. What a bummer, huh?” continued James. “I mean, talk about a letdown. She’s nabbed India Hammond for the show jumping, so I get ditched. Leanne thinks she stands a better chance with India and her amazing pony, the Dweeb, than Moth and me. How rude!”
    “But that’s wonderful!” I shrieked, sitting up and reining in Drummer. I blessed India, whoever she was—selfish of me, but you know.
    “Ow!” said Drummer. “Tone it down, will you? Some of us have big ears.”
    “Oh, thanks a lot!” James exclaimed, turning in the saddle to frown at me.
    “We’re looking for someone to be on
our
team!” I shouted, bouncing up and down on Drum.
    “Hey, I’m not a trampoline. Sit still up there or get off!” grumbled Drum.
    “But…but…you’ve got four people already,” James said.
    “Not anymore! Dee’s mom’s forbidden her to do it— says it’ll ruin Dolly’s chances of qualifying for HOYS.”
    “Oh, awesome!” James said, beaming from ear to ear before forcing his face into looking seriously sad. “Bad luck about poor Dee-Dee, though.”
    “Of course.”
    “Yeah, of course.”
    I don’t think either of us really meant