Read Online Starlight Christmas by Bonnie Bryant - Free Book Online

Thoroughbred bay,” Stevie told him. “Lisa rides Pepper, a dappled gray.”
    “Hmmmmmmm,” A.J. said thoughtfully. “These are new riders, right? Pretty green?”
    “Absolutely,” Lisa assured him. “If they weren’t new at the stable, they’d never go along with this kind of prank just to be Veronica’s flunkies!”
    “Think they can tell the difference between two bays or between a dappled gray and an Appaloosa?”
    “Oh,
my
,” Stevie said, getting the drift of A.J.’s idea. “The famous old switcheroo?”
    “Precisely,” A.J. said proudly.
    “Devious!” Lisa said in sincere admiration.
    “But how are we going to protect Carole’s horse, Barq?” Stevie asked. “After all, she’s the main target, because Veronica wants to lead the Starlight Ride. And, most of all, how are we going to keep Veronica out of the ride?”
    A.J. scratched his chin thoughtfully. Everybody watched him. “There are ways,” he said. “There are ways. Trust me.”
    Lisa and Stevie had the funny feeling that that was exactly what they could do.
    “Listen, we’re going to have to get there early,” Phil said. “Is that okay?”
    Lisa and Stevie exchanged glances. “We have to get there early anyway,” Stevie said.
    A FTER DINNER AND dancing and singing, Phil suggested that the four of them go out to the stable in the Marstons’ backyard and check on the horses. Phil had his own horse, a bay gelding named Teddy. A.J.’s horse, a gray mare named Crystal, was also stabled at the Marstons’.
    A.J. led the way, walking with Lisa and talking animatedly. Stevie couldn’t hear what he was saying, but Lisa was laughing hard enough to assure Stevie they wouldn’t miss Stevie and Phil for a few minutes.
    “Why didn’t you tell me you had such a wicked friend?” Stevie asked Phil.
    “Most of the time, we just keep him in his cell,” Phil explained solemnly. “We let him out on holidays and special occasions that call for his brand of genius. Besides that, I was afraid you might like him better than me.”
    “No way,” Stevie said firmly. “He’s nice, of course, but he’s no Phil Marston.”
    Phil stopped and turned Stevie toward him. The night was cool and clear. It reminded Stevie of the wonderful, romantic nights at riding camp last summer. Phil looked as if he was thinking the same thing. He looked deep into her eyes and smiled. Then he leaned down toward her—
    “Phil! Stevie! Get over here,
fast
!” A.J. yelled. Stevie and Phil ran across the lawn and into the stable.
    “Look!” A.J. cried as Phil and Stevie joined him and Lisa. “Teddy’s gotten cast! We’ve got to help him up!”
    Stevie took stock of the situation immediately. She knew that being cast meant that a horse was lying down so that he couldn’t get up. It usually happened in a stall because his legs were trapped against a wall, or because his back was against it so tightly that he couldn’t get enough leverage to roll over and rise.
    Teddy was lying on his side with his feet up in the air, wedged against the wall. He was flailing furiously, but his work was only serving to worsen the situation. More than that, he was in danger of hurting himself with sharp kick or hitting his head or face against the wall.
    “I’ll get your dad,” A.J. said.
    “I think we can do it,” Stevie said. “But go ahead, just in case. Got some rope?” she asked.
    Phil, accustomed to Stevie’s quick thinking in emergencies, responded immediately. He handed her several lengths of a thick, strong rope. Without a word, she and Lisa began working together. Phil stayed by Teddy’s head, petted him, and talked to him, trying to keep him calm.
    With Phil to soothe him, Teddy instantly ceased his flailing.
    “This horse is a good sport,” Lisa said.
    “He and I have been through a lot together,” Steviesaid, recalling a terrifying ride they’d shared at Moose Hill. “I think we built up a sort of mutual trust.”
    She and Lisa looped the rope around the