Read Online Midnight Mystery: 4 (Winnie the Horse Gentler) by Dandi Daley Mackall - Free Book Online

Ohio.”
    Catman swallowed the last Oreo whole, then recited: “House Resolution No. 16, the 116th General Assembly of Ohio, 1985: ‘Whereas “Hang On Sloopy” is of particular relevance to members of the Baby Boom Generation, who were once dismissed as a bunch of longhaired, crazy kids, but who now are old enough and vote in sufficient numbers to be taken quite seriously—’”
    Colonel Coolidge held up his hand, as if he couldn’t bear to hear more.
    And I hadn’t even known Ohio had a state rock song.
    Just then Bart Coolidge burst through the door, panting. “Colonel! Sorry I’m late! It took some doing to get that trailer you asked for, but we had one on the back lot.”
    Usually Bart Coolidge is jolly, ready with a corny used-car joke. And when he comes home, he rushes to his wife and kisses her as if they haven’t seen each other for years. But now he just glanced sheepishly at her. Apparently the Colonel didn’t like mushy stuff any better than he liked lawn ornaments. I thought of Romeo and Juliet.
    “I’m starved!” Bart announced.
    The Colonel threw his napkin onto his plate. “Let’s go!”
    “Go?” Bart repeated. “But I haven’t eaten.”
    “Gluttony is a sin! That extra weight may have kept you off the high wire!” Colonel Coolidge slipped his jacket back on and strode to the door.
    “Good luck at the circus tonight!” I called.
    The Colonel wheeled around. “Don’t just sit there! And you— ” he pointed at Bart—“take this girl to her horse! They shall perform this very night!”

“Winnie!” Lizzy shook my chair. “They’re waiting for you!”
    I hadn’t budged since Colonel Coolidge said Nickers and I were performing tonight. “But he said we’d be Ashland greeters. We’re not ready yet!”
    “Nonsense!” the Colonel shouted from the door. “We need you tonight!”
    “Can’t argue with the Colonel,” Catman whispered.
    Bart Coolidge drove the used trailer to my barn. Nickers wasn’t crazy about stepping in. My Arabian used to be called Wild Thing, and now I remembered why. It took a handful of oats, four false starts, and lots of sweet-talking to get her loaded.

    The whole circus had moved overnight to West Salem, a small town about 10 miles east of Ashland. Nickers snorted and pawed the ground when I unloaded her.
    Catman’s dad wandered off, and I led Nickers through the midway to get her used to the lights and noises. Her ears flicked as we passed vendors, screaming teens, and sideshow acts. I recognized Gabrielle, dressed in a jungle costume, holding a giant python, and calling herself The Snake Lady. And Dinglehopper was a barker, shouting, “Step right up! Get your tickets here!”
    “Keep your eye on that sneaky clown,” I whispered to Nickers.
    “Mommy! Look at that beautiful horse!” a little boy screamed, pointing at Nickers.
    I smiled at him, so proud of my horse. She was beautiful.
    Before long, Nickers settled down, and I led her behind the menagerie tent to rehearse. She did every trick perfectly . . . except the bow. I knew it was crazy to still care so much about getting Nickers to bow. Dad and Lizzy wouldn’t even be there for Mom’s birthday. But I couldn’t let it go. I wanted it to be my birthday present to Mom. She always opened and closed with a bow.
    Ramon trotted up on Midnight and slid off. His black stallion pranced in place and pulled at the bridle. Nickers arched her neck and snorted.
    “Your horse is beautiful!” Ramon shouted, struggling to hold on to Midnight.
    “Thanks! What’s with Midnight?”
    “You’re asking me?” Ramon scratched his horse on the neck, and Midnight quieted a bit. “I just fed him and walked him around. I hope he’s not too jumpy to get through the acts.”
    Lizzy ran up, with Catman trailing behind. “Winnie! This is so exciting! I can’t believe you’re actually in the circus! With elephants and clowns and—” Lizzy stopped and stared at Ramon.
    He grinned at her. “Either I’m