Read Online Take the Reins by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online

dropped open. Mr. Conner turned to me. When his back was to Heather, she caught my eye and smirked.
    â€œMr. Conner,” I said. “It wasn’t like that at all.”
    â€œThen tell me what it was like,” he said. His stern voice made me shiver in my warm jacket.
    â€œHeather ran into us when we headed for the jump.” With every word I spoke, I could feel Heather’s eyes burning into me. “But I should have pulled up sooner.”
    Mr. Conner sighed. “Get your story straight, girls. I don’t know who started this little rivalry and frankly, I don’t care. You both could have been injured. Charm and Aristocrat could have torn a ligament or worse—broken a leg. Cool down your horses and put them away. Once they’re back in their stalls, I want you both in my office.”
    I kicked Charm into a trot and headed for his stall. We walked around for ten minutes before I brushed him and put him away. Charm stepped into his stall and took a drink. I dragged my feet down the aisle, and with one last glance at Charm, who was still drinking, shuffled to Mr. Conner’s office.
    Heather stood outside his door. “You know he’ll take my word over yours,” she whispered.
    Maybe Heather was right. I’d done nothing but mess up in front of Mr. Conner. But no matter what she said, I would never have intentionally put Charm or Aristocrat in danger.
    â€œAre you gonna knock on the door or what?” Heather asked.
    â€œSure, if you can’t even knock on a door without help, I’ll do it for you,” I said, surprising myself with my own courage.
    I rapped at the door, but I could feel Heather’s eyes growing wide beside me.
    â€œCome in,” Mr. Conner said.
    Heather pushed in front of me and took the only chair. I stood beside her and clenched my hands.
    â€œIt appears that we have a serious safety issue,” Mr. Conner started. “You both displayed very questionable behavior out there today.” Mr. Conner shook his head. “I don’t care how long you’ve been here, whether you’re new or not. I’m disappointed in both of you.”
    â€œSasha has been deliberately provoking me,” Heather said. “She’s trying to secure her spot on the advanced team by baiting me. I’m not sure if I can ride with her anymore.”
    â€œBeing on a team, Ms. Fox, means being part of the group.” Mr. Conner’s tone was firm. He rubbed his hand across his chin and his large gold wristwatch flashed in the sunlight streaming inside his office window. “If you want to be part of the Canterwood riding team, you willdo just that—be a part of the team. Is that going to be a problem?”
    Heather sunk low in her seat. “No, sir, that’s not a problem.”
    â€œThis won’t happen again,” I offered.
    â€œGood. And to ensure that it doesn’t , you two are going to be spending more time together. Saturday morning. Seven o’clock. You will both be here, mucking stalls.” He looked back down at his desk and picked up an envelope. “And remember that all of this will be taken into account when I decide who gets a seat on the advanced team. You’re excused.”
    Heather pushed her chair back and tiptoed out the door.
    I raced to Charm’s stall, leaving her behind.
    I barely made it inside the stall before the tears started. “I’m so sorry, Charm,” I whispered to him. He looked at me, his soft eyelashes fluttering, and nudged me with his velvety muzzle. “You could have gotten hurt today. And it would have been all my fault. We should have backed off the second Heather headed for the jump.” I wrapped my arms around Charm’s strong neck and rested my head against him. He leaned into me and, in his own way, hugged me back.
    â€œSasha?” Callie’s head poked over the stall door. Shecame into the stall and stroked Charm’s neck.