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

seeing double, or this is your twin.”
    I sighed. “Ramon, this is my little sister, Lizzy. Lizzy, I told you about Ramon.”
    Ramon led Midnight closer, as if he meant to shake Lizzy’s hand.
    Lizzy squealed and stepped back. “Sorry. Horses make me nervous.”
    Ramon laughed. “Guess you’re not twins!”
    Catman and Lizzy left to get good seats, and Ramon and I took the horses into the menagerie tent.
    Gabrielle rushed by and shoved a bag at me. “Colonel said to give you this. Put it on. Greeting starts in five minutes.”
    “Don’t mind Gabrielle,” Ramon said, after she’d left and we’d settled our horses into stalls. “It’s tough sharing the ring with an elephant and a camel, especially when the elephant gets most of the applause.”
    Ramon had me change in the Colonel’s trailer, which he and the Colonel shared. I was surprised how houselike it looked inside, with couches and chairs and a TV. On a wooden table sat the army canteens Catman had told us about, 12 upside down, four still standing upright. It made me sad, like seeing a flag at half-mast. I thought about my family’s table and imagined four canteens set out, three up, one down.
    I hurried to the bathroom and put on the white ballerina-like outfit, white tights, and white slippers that were too big. I kept my back to the mirror so I wouldn’t have to see myself. How could I possibly go out there in this getup?
    I stayed in the bathroom until Ramon knocked on the trailer door. “Winnie! Time to go!”
    I took a deep breath and faced the mirror. For a minute, I wasn’t sure it was me. My hair was still straggling out of my braid, and my freckles hadn’t gone anywhere. But the rest of me looked like a circus performer. Gold glittered from the high neck of the ballet dress. It fit snug down to my waist, then spread out to my knees.
    Ramon held the door as I stepped out of the trailer. “Wow!”
    My face burned. I hoped he couldn’t see me blush.
    As I led Nickers into the Big Top, I could feel people staring. Kids pointed at Nickers. Gabrielle and her mom were working the spectators on one side, Barker and the clowns the other.
    “Go, Winnie! Sweet!” Lizzy cheered from the stand. She and Mrs. Barker waved. Catman gave me the peace sign.
    I closed my eyes, hearing voices and noise roaring in my ears. God, I can’t do this! Why did I come here? Why did Dad have to leave?
    Nickers nuzzled my neck. It felt like an answer, like God saying, You know Nickers and I are with you. Can’t be that bad.
    “Look at her!”
    I opened my eyes to see a little girl, maybe five years old, holding her mom’s hand and pointing at me.
    “What’s your name?” I asked, my voice raspy. Lizzy says she wishes she had my “unique” voice, but I cleared my throat.
    The girl moved closer to her mother, but her big brother answered for her. “Ashley.”
    I nodded. “Nickers, are you glad Ashley came to the circus?”
    I moved my finger toward Nickers’ chest, and she nodded yes.
    Ashley and her brother laughed.
    “Should these guys go to bed early tonight?” I asked, moving my hand to Nickers’ withers.
    Nickers shook her head no.
    The parents clapped for us before taking their seats. Barker ran over and told me what a great job I was doing.
    I repeated my “act” four times. Then Lizzy called me over, and I “worked” their section of the bleachers. Nickers shook hands, answered questions, and counted. I wished Dad were here to see us.
    The ringmaster blew his whistle. Ramon gave me the high-five sign as I fell in behind him for the parade.
    A white Lipizzan galloped past and cut in line. Gabrielle shouted through her fake smile, “Know your place, cowgirl!”
    She had to be related to Summer.
    When the parade ended, I stabled Nickers in the menagerie tent, put my real clothes back on, and raced to the bleachers to sit with Lizzy and Catman.
    “You guys rock!” Lizzy exclaimed before running off to sit with friends.
    I glanced at Catman,