Behind the Bit (Canterwood Crest) by Burkhart Jessica

Author:Burkhart, Jessica [Burkhart, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2009-04-30T00:00:00+00:00

17

RACE YOU!

MR. CONNER’S CLINIC, DAY 7

DAYS UNTIL BELLES MEETING: 4

IT WAS LATE ON SUNDAY MORNING AND I HAD the day off from classes. I had just gotten off the phone with my parents and had worked hard to sound cheerful and not at all stressed. Mom had wanted to talk more about the clinic, but when I’d told her I had to go work Charm, she’d let me go.

Charm did need a workout, but I didn’t want to practice. What had happened to riding for fun? I missed trail riding and exploring the woods around the campus.

I pulled on my riding boots. You and Charm both need the practice, so stop whining, I told myself.

I checked my e-mail one last time. Zero unread messages. Argh!!!! I was so sick of seeing that message! Maybe my e-mail to Jacob had gotten lost. But if I re-sent it and he got it twice, I’d look desperate. I shut down the computer and looked at my phone. I didn’t have to ride for practice. If I wanted to trail ride, why not?

Trail ride in a few mins. Want 2 go? I sent the message to Eric.

Last 1 tacked up has 2 buy hot choc.

I smiled, yanked on black paddock boots and a coat and hurried to the mirror. I quickly twisted my hair into a bed-head, I-didn’t-take-forever-to-do-this ponytail and pulled a few tendrils around my face.

I jogged to the stable. Eric wasn’t in Luna’s stall, so I figured I had him beat. I ran to the tack room, hoping Mr. Conner wouldn’t catch me sprinting, and saw Eric inside. His back was to me—he was gathering Luna’s tack into his arms.

“You!” I said. “You’re not going to win.”

“Ha!” Eric teased, spinning around. “I’m already out the door. Bye!”

“This so isn’t over!” I huffed, racing over to Charm’s saddle rack.

He skirted around me and ran out. I noticed that Phoenix’s tack was missing from the rack next to Charm’s and figured Jasmine had probably paid Mike or Doug to clean it. I scooped Charm’s gleaming saddle and bridle into my arms and hurried to his stall.

“Charm,” I said, hurriedly. “Want to trail ride?”

Charm pricked his ears at my voice and stepped up to the stall door. He nickered at me and stood back to let me open the door. As I crosstied him, Eric brushed Luna on a set of crossties ahead of me.

“You’re behind, Silver,” Eric called.

“Keep telling yourself that, Rodriguez,” I said.

I picked Charm’s hooves and whisked a body brush over him. Charm knew it was a race. His ears pointed forward and he struck the ground with his left foreleg. He stood still while I saddled him and opened his mouth easily to take the bit.

“Almost done!” I taunted.

“Too late!” Eric said.

We unclipped our horses at the same time and I led Charm toward Eric and Luna.

Eric was a few steps ahead of me. He’s going to win! Then I saw his helmet on the counter.

“Not so fast,” I said. “You forgot something.

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