Show-Jumping Dreams (9 page)

“Well, yes—usually,” Steph admitted. She still wasn’t sure that this was a good idea, but her dad had gone out of his way to get her a ride and she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “I guess I could go over there and take a look.”

“That’s the spirit! Come on, grab your riding gear. I’ll have a quick word with your mom. See you in the car.”

Despite herself, Steph felt a bit brighter because of his enthusiasm. Maybe getting to know some new ponies would be fun and help her miss Fleur less—at least for a little while. “Okay.” She sighed. “Thanks, Dad.”

She went into the house, put on her boots, and came back out holding her riding hat by the chin strap.

“All set!” Mr. Danes started the engine.

It was only a few minutes’ drive to Marshall’s Stables. Mr. Danes and Steph went toward the office just as Judy Marshall was coming out. She was a slim woman with dark hair, a round face, and friendly blue eyes.

“Hi! You must be Steph. Nice to meet you,” she said, smiling.

“Nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Marshall,” Steph said, making an effort to be polite. She still wasn’t sure that she wanted to do this.

“Call me Judy. Everyone does. Come and meet the ponies.” She turned to Mr. Danes. “Steph will be fine now. We’ll look after her.”

“See you later then, sweetie. Have a good time.”

“Bye, Dad.” Steph watched him walk away and then followed Judy toward the main stable block.

The smart redbrick buildings were around two sides of a square. Two smallish ponies were tied up outside the tack room. A boy and a girl in riding gear stood waiting to mount.

“Judy? Someone’s on the phone for you!” a voice called.

“Coming!” Judy answered. She turned to Steph. “Sorry, but I need to take this call. Why don’t you have a look around? Just check with a staff member before you take a pony out, okay?”

Steph nodded, smiling awkwardly. “Thanks, Judy.”

She walked toward the loose boxes. The ponies turned to look at her, twitching their ears curiously. Steph went along the row, stroking and patting each one in turn. Their names were on the doors: Jiggy, Binky, Misty, Lady, and Rags. They were all nice, but none of them were Fleur. She fondly remembered the little chestnut pony’s silky mane.

At the end of the row, there was an empty box. As Steph reached it there was a bright flash and sparkling rainbow mist filled the walls of the box. Rainbow drops settled on her skin, glittering in the afternoon light.

“Oh!” Steph blinked, trying to see through the strange mist.

As it slowly cleared, she saw that there was in fact a pony in there after all. It was a handsome black-and-white piebald with a broad white stripe down its nose and large deep-violet eyes. How could she have missed it before? But Steph couldn’t deny he was there now and as the pony looked at her inquisitively, Steph felt her heart melt just a little.

“Hello, you!” she crooned gently. She’d never seen a pony with eyes that color. Maybe she could ride him.
But just so I can tell Dad that I did
, Steph thought quickly.

Opening the door, she went inside and lifted her hand to stroke the pony’s satiny cheek. It turned to look at her.

“Can you help me, please?” it asked in a velvety neigh.

Sue Bentley’s books for children often include animals, fairies, and wildlife. She lives in Northampton, England, and enjoys reading, going to the movies, and watching the birds on the feeders outside her window. She loves horses, which she thinks are all completely magical. One of her favorite books is
Black Beauty
, which she must have read at least ten times. At school she was always getting scolded for daydreaming, but she now knows that she was storing up ideas for when she became a writer. Sue has met and owned many animals, but the wild creatures in her life hold a special place in her heart.