Read Online Stagecoach by Bonnie Bryant - Free Book Online

she hasn’t. And we’re not going to forget about her, either. We’ll smooth things over with Max about practice,” Carole vowed.
    “Even if everything’s okay with him, though, it’s going to be tough for Lisa to get Prancer ready. I think the worst thing would be for her to go and really mess up, like she did at the last show with Prancer,” said Stevie.
    Carole agreed. “I might want to quit riding after two horrible shows,” she speculated.
    “I can hardly see you wanting to quit, Carole Hanson,” Stevie remarked.
    “You’re right,” Carole wailed. “I don’t have anything else to do!”
    Stevie burst out laughing. She knew exactly what Carole meant, but it sounded hilarious. Both she and Carole were completely happy riding, doing Horse Wise, seeing their boyfriends, Phil and Cam, when they could, and—for Stevie’s part—getting in and out of trouble. They liked to think of school as something they did on the side.
    Lisa was different. She cared a lot about grades, andjudging from her success at the auditions, she was a talented actress.
    “I understand what you’re saying,” Stevie said when she had controlled her chuckles. “We’re both afraid that being great at two things—four if you count acting, singing, and dancing, all of which she has to do in the play—is going to force Lisa to choose.”
    “And she might not choose riding,” Carole finished. “Especially if she thinks she’s not doing a good job.”
    “You know what I say? Saddle Club meeting at Pine Hollow tomorrow afternoon,” Stevie decided.
    “Without Lisa?” Carole asked. She didn’t want them to get too used to having two-person meetings.
    “Lisa will be there in spirit, because that’s what we’re going to talk about,” Stevie answered, “Getting her to this rally and keeping her in The Saddle Club. If we don’t have the meeting, her days being there for real might be numbered.”
    Carole had to agree.

W HEN C AROLE GOT to Pine Hollow the next day, she was all set to sit down with Stevie and plan their attack. She had spent her English and math classes jotting down points they could use to persuade Lisa to put acting second—at least once the play had ended. Stevie, however, seemed to have already made—and activated—her own plan. She was saddled up and riding outside. She waved to Carole from the outdoor ring. Carole waved back automatically and then stopped in her tracks. Instead of Topside Stevie was riding Prancer.
    Suddenly it hit Carole. Why hadn’t they thought of that before? Prancer needed work, and so did Stevie. Topside, on the other hand, did not. The most important thing was keeping him fresh and interested for therally. A little light schooling and a trail ride or two would do the trick. Riding Prancer, Stevie could sharpen her skills
and
help Lisa get the mare ready.
    “Pretty good idea, huh?” Stevie called, trotting down the long side of the ring.
    “Are you kidding? It’s a
great
idea!” Carole yelled after her. She watched the mare’s briskly swinging trot for a few minutes in admiration. She looked energetic but relaxed. Stevie sat proudly in the saddle. At the end of the ring they picked up a canter. Prancer chucked the bit up in her teeth and shied away from the rail. Stevie laughed and made her trot until she stopped playing. They were obviously enjoying each other immensely.
    “Want someone to watch you?” Carole asked when Stevie approached again.
    “Definitely—we can use all the constructive criticism we can get.” She brought Prancer down to a walk and came over to Carole for a quick chat.
    “I’ll be your ‘stage coach’ first, as Lisa said, and then we can switch,” Carole commented.
    “It’s a deal,” Stevie said.
    For the next half hour the two girls gave Prancer an intensive private lesson. Carole planted herself in the middle of the ring and barked criticism and commands. “Too fast! Too late! Canter now!” Far from being an annoying chore, watching