The Winning Summer by Marsha Hubler

Author:Marsha Hubler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Zondervan

Chapter Eight

The next few weeks found Skye and Katie practicing barrel racing every chance they had. Katie progressed so well that Mrs. Chambers started working the routine with her. Together they rode Boomer in a slow canter.

By the end of July, Mrs. Chambers agreed that Katie was ready to run the course by herself. Despite Katie’s pudginess, her natural riding ability impressed everyone. She credited her skill to her younger years of cheerleading and sports. Most impressive, though, was her new attitude. Casting Skye’s caution to the wind, she believed that her family’s future depended on her winning a blue ribbon at the horse show. Katie had something to prove!

Skye and Katie were becoming the best of friends, sharing their hopes and dreams. Of all the things they loved to discuss, horses topped the list. But Skye had little success convincing Katie to trust more in God. She couldn’t even get her new friend to church or to youth activities.

Through the month of July, Katie’s parents visited only twice, at different times. Mrs. Thomas came on her weekdays off from work. Mr. Thomas came on weekends. Skye wondered if he were intentionally avoiding his wife. Caught in the middle, Katie tried to be upbeat, showing the “new” her to everyone around.

Now, the last Saturday in July, Mr. Thomas was visiting again, and Mr. Chambers suggested a trail ride to take advantage of the beautiful warm day. On a dirt road winding through the backwoods of Keystone, Mr. Chambers and Mr. Thomas led the way on their horses. Skye and Katie followed close behind on Champ and Boomer. Katie fed her mouth a steady flow of candy from a stash in her shirt pocket.

Skye leaned forward and stroked Champ’s silky mane. “Katie, we’re going through some thick woods now. You should see how green everything is.”

“Sh-h,” Katie whispered. “I wanna hear what they’re talking about.” She pointed forward. “And, Skye, I can feel that we’re in the woods. It’s much cooler in the shade.”

“So, Keith, how long since you’ve been on a horse?” Mr. Chambers asked.

“It’s been years.” Mr. Thomas’ chubby hand rubbed through a head of straight blond hair. “I had forgotten how great riding is. I grew up in the country. I always had a pet pony or some grade horse my dad had picked up at auction. But after Katie’s mother and I were married, we moved to the city where there were more job opportunities.”

“You’re in sales?” Mr. Chambers asked.

“Yes. Books. Wholesale. Right now, I’m trying to get a distribution business started online. If I can make it work from a home office, I’d like to move back to the country.”

Mr. Chambers squared his Stetson. “Going into my own computer business was the best career decision I ever made. I had no idea that the Lord had this kids’ ministry in mind for Eileen and me. Buying Keystone opened up a whole new world for both of us.”

“I’d really like to be out in the wide-open spaces again.

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