Taking the Leap by Suzanne Weyn

Author:Suzanne Weyn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2014-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

When Eric and Plum pulled up in Plum’s mother’s black SUV, Taylor was even happier than usual to see Eric. His presence meant she wouldn’t have to be alone with Mercedes in the barn.

Eric got out of the car and went to the backseat, where he took out a plastic grocery bag. “Hey, how did your first lesson go?” he asked Taylor as he shut the car door behind him.

“You’re giving lessons?” Plum questioned disdainfully. “You?”

Taylor ignored Plum’s shocked and derisive tone. “Uh-huh,” was all she said. Why was everyone so upset about her being an instructor? Turning her attention back to Eric, she smiled. “The lesson went really well, I think. The kids seemed happy, anyway, and I know they learned a lot.”

Plum rolled her eyes. “I give up. Taylor Henry giving horseback riding lessons. What’s next?” Shaking her head in exaggerated bewilderment, Plum headed into the main building.

“Don’t mind her,” Eric apologized for his cousin. “I think it’s great that you’re teaching. Are you getting paid?”

Taylor nodded happily. “Mrs. LeFleur takes half the price of the lesson, and she gives me half. It’s the same thing she did with Daphne. I’m so glad I’ll be making some money. There are so many things I want to get for Pixie and Prince Albert.”

“I know you want to get blankets for them.”

“That will be the first thing. Horse blankets are so expensive, though. I hope I can save enough money before it gets too cold.”

An icy wind shook the branches of the bare trees, as if to underline Taylor’s concern with an example of how bad the weather could get. Folding her arms, Taylor shivered. “And it hasn’t even snowed yet,” she added. “Are you going to take Jojo out for a ride?”

“Later, I hope.” Eric reached into his plastic bag and took out a white block about the size of a brick. “It’s a salt lick,” he explained. “I want to put it up in the pasture. You’re really not supposed to feed deer in the winter. It causes all sorts of problems. It encourages lots of deer to hang out in one area, which isn’t good, for one thing.”

“Then why do you want to do it?” Taylor asked.

Eric studied the label wrapped around the white block. “This block isn’t too bad. It’s fortified with minerals and apple juice. I’m not going to leave it out there all winter. I just want to see if I can lure Spots back with it. I read an article online that said baby deer bond with whoever raised them.”

“That was mostly you,” Taylor said.

“I know,” Eric agreed. “That’s why I’m hoping that he’ll come to me if he’s hungry enough.” He tossed the salt block from hand to hand. “It probably won’t work.”

“It’s worth a try,” Taylor encouraged him.

“Come on,” Eric said. “We’ll go now.”

Prince Albert was still saddled from the lesson. Eric quickly tacked up Jojo, and together they walked the horses toward the upper pasture. “How are you doing with your jumping?” Eric asked as they traveled side by side.

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