The Mystery Horse Read Free Page A

“Let’s walk by the stables,” Violet suggested. “Maybe we’ll see Oliver up close.”
    â€œI think all the horses are already in their stalls for the night,” Henry said. “Sarah said her father was going to round them up while we were having dessert.”
    â€œWell, we can at least try,” Violet said. She didn’t want to go to sleep without getting a glimpse of Danny’s horse.
    When they swung by the stables, Mr. Morgan was unloading bales of hay from a flatbed truck into the stable. Violet heard some soft whinnying sounds from the half-open door, and she hurried over.
    â€œMr. Morgan, can we help you?” she pleaded. “We’d love to see the horses.”
    For the first time, a frown flitted across Mr. Morgan’s face. “I don’t think so, Violet. You’d best go on to the bunkhouse for a good night’s rest.”
    â€œBut we’re not tired, and we could help you,” Jessie said. Benny gave a loud yawn and she nudged him in the shoulder.
    â€œYou’ve done enough work for one day,” Mr. Morgan said flatly. He seemed uneasy, and Jessie wondered if something was wrong. After they said good night, she turned to Violet.
    â€œI wonder why Mr. Morgan wouldn’t let us help him with the horses. Do you think we did something to annoy him?”
    Violet shook her head. “I don’t think so. I think he’s just tired. Don’t forget, he’s already put in a fifteen-hour day.”
    â€œAnd he has to do it all over again tomorrow,” Henry chimed in. “Starting bright and early.”
    â€œPoor Mr. Morgan,” Jessie said.
    Benny gave another giant yawn and stumbled into the bunkhouse. “Poor us!” he mumbled. “Now I know why they call it a working farm!”

CHAPTER 3
    The Mystery Horse
    â€œT hat’s right, Jessie,” Danny said encouragingly the next morning. “Use short strokes with the dandy brush, and don’t be afraid to press hard.” Jessie and Violet were helping Danny groom a horse named Oliver. He was a large Appaloosa with colorful markings and striped hooves. They were working in the north pasture, and Jessie suddenly noticed Daisy watching from a few yards away. “Are you sure you don’t want to help?” Jessie offered. “It’s a lot of fun.”
    Daisy shook her head. “He might kick me.”
    â€œOliver’s a gentle horse,” Jessie told her. She paused, resting her arm on Oliver’s gleaming flank. “I have an idea, Daisy. How would you like to comb his mane when we’re finished? You can even braid it if you like.”
    Daisy’s eyes lit up. “Maybe,” she said slowly. “If you promise to hold him still.”
    They had been working for over half an hour when Danny realized he had forgotten Oliver’s hoof pick. “I’ll run back and get it,” Violet said.
    The stable was cool and dark as Violet hurried past rows of empty stalls to the tack room. All the horses were supposed to be outside grazing, and she was surprised to hear a soft whinnying sound inside. Puzzled, she retraced her steps and found that one stall was closed and padlocked. She put her ear to the sturdy wooden panel and heard more whinnying. Why was one horse left all alone? And why was there a padlock on the door? She quickly grabbed the hoof pick and headed back to the pasture. She was very curious.
    When Violet returned to the pasture, she found Danny and Jessie using a soft brush to clean Oliver’s legs. “The area below the knees and hock is very tender,” Danny was explaining. “Always use a brush with soft bristles or a towel.”
    Violet was happy to see that Daisy had edged a little closer and was watching them intently. She handed Danny the hoof pick and said, “There’s one horse left all by himself in the barn. Do you have any idea why?”
    Danny shrugged. “Maybe he just