Read Online A Winning Gift by Catherine Hapka - Free Book Online Page B

meant all four kids were responsible for finding their own breakfast that day. Tillie had solved the problem by convincing her boyfriend-of-the-week to pick her up early to go out for waffles at the local diner. Normally Maddie would have tried to wheedle her way into tagging along, but today she was just glad to have Tillie out of the house.
    â€œSays who?” Maddie mumbled in the general direction of her brother, already tapping in Bridget’s name.
    U are still coming to the barn today, right? she texted.
    After yesterday’s lesson, Bridget had seemed a little more cheerful than Maddie had expected. She’d hung out in the grooming area, joking around with the twins and Seth, who’d stopped by to ask how Wizard had done. After the others left, Maddie had made her promise to return the next afternoon for another pony ride on Cloudy. Bridget had hesitated for only a moment before agreeing.
    Maddie just hoped she wouldn’t back out once she thought about it—or once the bruise on her hip started to hurt. But Bridget texted her back a moment later.
    Don’t worry. I won’t chicken out, lol.
    Maddie smiled. OK. See u at school , she texted back.
    As she slipped the phone into her pocket, her mother hurried into the kitchen dressed for work. “You kids almost ready?” she asked, checking her watch. “I’ll drop you off a little early. I need to stop at the bakery on my way to the base and put in the order for your cake.”
    â€œCake?” Ryan looked up from his milk. “What kind are you getting, Maddie?”
    â€œI’m not sure.” Maddie glanced at her mother. “Chocolate?”
    â€œWhat else?” Her mother winked, then grabbed a coffee thermos from the top of the refrigerator and started filling it from the pot Maddie’s father had left.
    â€œMaybe you should have a carrot cake instead,” Ryan said. “Get it? Horses like carrots, right?”
    Tyler wrinkled his nose. “I still can’t believe you’re having your party at the barn. That’s weird.”
    â€œNo weirder than the ninja party you had last year,” Maddie countered. But her heart wasn’t really in it. She’d been looking forward to celebrating her birthday at the barn. But now she wasn’t sure it was such a good idea. How was she going to act normal at her party when she knew she’d be leaving soon? Especially when it was going to be at the very place she’d miss the most?
    I should just talk to Mom and Dad already , she told herself, glancing at her mother’s back as she poured the coffee. Admit that I know and find out more about what’s going to happen. Maybe that’ll help me deal with it .
    It seemed like a good idea, at least in theory. In practice? Not so much—not right now, anyway. Her mom was in a rush, and her dad wasn’t even home.
    No, now definitely wasn’t the time. Maddie was relieved as she realized that particular awkward conversation would just have to wait.

    â€œReady?” Maddie tightened the girth on Cloudy’s saddle, then stepped back and brushed off her hands.
    Bridget was slowly running a brush over the mare’s rump. “Not quite yet,” she said. “I want to clean off this spot.”
    Maddie stepped around to look. “Silly—that’s one of her spots,” she said. “Not dirt.”
    â€œOh. Um, then, I guess I’m ready.” Bridget glanced around the quiet stable.
    Maddie followed her gaze, relishing the unusual quiet. A gaggle of adult lesson riders had just been finishing their post-ride grooming when the two girls had arrived, and now that they’d cleared out, the place was practically deserted. There were no other lessons scheduled for more than an hour. Vic and Val had other after-school activities that day. Ms. Emerson was busy in the office. Even Seth hadn’t arrived yet.
    â€œGreat. Let’s go.” Maddie quickly