Silver Spurs (13 page)

Kate couldn't remove her eyes from the gorgeous mare. “Wow. She's awesome. And that girl really knows how to ride.”

She watched as the horse took the corner at a fast pace and galloped toward the final set of three, her rhythm and speed looking flawless. She soared over the first and second jump, then hesitated slightly before clearing the third with a slight rub that didn't knock down the rail. She crossed the line, and the clock stopped several seconds ahead of the first rider, to the sound of cheers from the crowd.

Kate's hopes plummeted. She didn't see any possible way Capri could compete against that.

“Carol Saunders, riding Majesty's Wonder, completed a clean round with zero time faults. Our final rider is Melissa Tolbert, riding Capri, owned by Kate Ferris.”

Kate tried to hide her grin but couldn't quite manage it. She was so proud of her horse. Even if she got third, she didn't care—that was more than she'd hoped for or would have been able to win if she'd been riding. But for Melissa's sake, she prayed she'd do better.

Capri and Melissa entered and cantered around the edge of the arena. Just before Capri crossed the line to start the clock, the mare stumbled, and a soft gasp rose from the spectators. Melissa picked up the mare's head with her reins and urged Capri forward, briefly stroking her neck, then tightened her reins.

“Come on, girl, you can do this.” Kate whispered the words, almost afraid to speak.

A hint of moisture showed on Capri's neck, but the mare didn't seem to be laboring as she headed toward the first jump and took it with ease. The spectators seemed to release a collective sigh, and Kate's hope increased a notch. Only four more to go.

Capri barreled down on the second jump at a higher rate of speed than Kate had seen thus far. She sailed over it with inches to spare, then cut the corner at a fast clip and galloped on to the set of three.

Colt gripped her shoulder on one side, and Tori squeezed her hand on the other. Kate's parents and Pete stood across the arena. She'd noticed them seconds before Capri entered the ring, but she was grateful for the presence of her friends. She didn't think she could have stood the stress on her own, even though she knew her parents would have been there for her if she'd asked.

Capri launched herself over the first jump, landed, and took one long bound before clearing the second. Her feet hit the turf between the two jumps. She took two shorter strides and bounded over the final hurdle without so much as a rub. Melissa rode like a jockey now, up on the mare's neck, urging her around the final turn and into the homestretch. She crossed the line as cheers erupted around the arena, with the loudest shouts coming from Kate and her friends.

Kate wanted to climb through the rails, run to her horse, and throw her arms around her. She had no idea what her time had been and couldn't remember what time she had to beat, but she was proud of Melissa and Capri, regardless. She spun on Colt. “The time? How did she do on the time?”

“Don't know,” he admitted. “I was so excited, I didn't pay attention to what the other rider got. But she rode totally clean!”

Tori thumped Kate on the back while screaming in her ear, “She did it, Kate. I just know it.”

The crowd quieted as the speaker system crackled again. “Melissa Tolbert, riding Capri, also completed a clear round with no faults. We'd like all three riders to bring their horses to the center of the ring, please, to get your ribbons.”

Carrousel, Majesty's Wonder, and Capri lined up where instructed, their riders still in their saddles. A hush blanketed the crowd as the shuffling of papers sounded clearly over the speaker. What was taking so long?

The announcer cleared his throat. “Third place goes to Carrousel, owned and ridden by Tom Jenkins, with four jumping faults and no time faults. Congratulations on a job well done.” The crowd applauded as a young girl stepped forward to present a huge white ribbon with a rosette in the center.

“Second place and first place were less than one second apart, so the judges had to make a decision, as this would technically be considered a tie at this age level. Due to the fact that Majesty's Wonder rubbed the final rail and Capri did not have any rubs, second place goes to Majesty's Wonder, owned and ridden by Carol Saunders. Congratulations on a great ride.”

Kate shrieked, not at the second-place win, but at what that meant for Melissa and Capri. “I can't believe it. I cannot believe it!” She grabbed Tori and hugged her so tight, her friend gave a little squeal. “Sorry.” She released her and stepped away.

“And finally, first place, as well as the high-point winner for this show, earning a set of silver spurs, is Melissa Tolbert, riding Capri, owned by Kate Ferris. If Kate Ferris is in the crowd, could you please come join Miss Tolbert and Capri?”

Kate's heart jolted, and her feet froze in place.

Colt hissed at her and gave her a shove. “So get moving. You
are
Kate Ferris, right?” His happy grin woke her up, and Kate crawled through the bars, praying she wouldn't faint.

She jogged across the seemingly endless expanse of grass, then came to a stop beside Capri's shoulder. Joy like nothing she'd ever known filled her, and she whispered under her breath, “Thank You, God, so much.” She stroked Capri's shoulder, not caring that it was sweaty. Right now she could lay her face on it and cry, she was so happy.

The young girl presenting the ribbons came forward and handed Melissa the blue rosette and an open box containing a pair of burnished silver spurs. Melissa stood still while a photographer snapped a picture of the three of them, then she leaned toward Kate, extending the ribbon. “This is Capri's. She earned it, not me. You're one lucky girl, Kate, and I'm honored I got a chance to ride her.”

Kate accepted the ribbon with trembling fingers, hoping she wouldn't drop it. This was more than she'd ever expected. Nothing in the world could ever top this.

Epilogue

Kate, Tori, and Colt lounged on the grass next to the fence surrounding the outdoor arena. Kate snickered and pointed at Tori's hair. “You're no longer a dark brunette. You have white highlights.”

Tori made a face. “Well, you have white freckles all over your face and hands, so I guess we're even.”

Kate narrowed her eyes at Colt. “How come you don't have any paint anywhere, huh? It sure looks like you've been loafing while the two of us have been working.”

Colt leaned back on his hands and smirked. “Nope. I happen to be a professional, while you girls are amateurs, that's all. Leave it to a guy to do a job right.”

Kate picked up her brush and flipped it at Colt. It didn't have much paint on it, but a few dozen tiny drops flecked his face, hair, and neck. She giggled and grabbed his brush before he could. “Professional, huh? Well, this
girl
is faster than you are, so there.”

He gave a pretend glower, then laughed. “Guess you won that one. Hey, have you guys seen Melissa since the show? It's been three days, and she hasn't been around that I've seen.”

Kate made a face. “As far as I know, she hasn't been here at all except once when I was gone. I've been wondering if she's going to move her horse somewhere else, or maybe she's sick or something.”

Tori smoothed her palm over the grass beside her. “Seems kind of weird after you let her ride Capri and all. I know she thanked you at the show, but I thought she'd at least come around afterward. I didn't even get a chance to see her spurs.”

Kate nodded. “Yeah, I know. I've been wondering if she's going back to how she was before. You know, she made her mom happy, got what she wanted by winning the points she needed to move on to the next level, and now she'll be a snottier Melissa than ever.”

“Anything's possible, I guess,” Colt said.

Kate handed him his brush and picked up her own. “We'd better get this fence finished. I promised Dad we'd do it today. He and Mom want to get this place dressed up and make some improvements. We made enough from the show to buy stall mats for all the boarders' stalls.”

“Cool.” Tori dipped her brush in the paint can and swiped it across a rail. “Hey, who's that?” She pointed at a car driving into the parking area.

Kate shaded her eyes against the sun. “I'm not sure.”

They waited until the door opened and a figure stepped out of the passenger seat—one dressed in old jeans and a scruffy T-shirt. “Melissa,” Kate breathed. “She must have come to change Mocha's leg wrap. Mom said she came one other day, but I missed her.”

The girl didn't head toward the barn but strode toward them, hands in her back pockets. She glanced from one face to the other and smiled, then started to giggle. Kate stiffened. This was exactly what she'd expected. The high-and-mighty Melissa Tolbert intended to make fun of how they looked. “What's the problem?”

Melissa sobered and pulled a paintbrush from her back pocket. “I brought my own. If I help, will you promise not to turn me into a towhead, like Tori?” Her eyes sparkled as she glanced at Tori, then back to Kate.

“Huh?” Kate shook her head, not certain she'd heard correctly. “How did you know we were painting? I'm sure you don't carry a paintbrush with you wherever you go.”

Melissa grinned. “I called and talked to your mom. I asked what you guys were doing. I was going to see if you wanted to go have a Coke or something, but she said you were all painting the fence. So I decided you'd get finished faster if I helped. But not unless you promise not to make me look like him.” She pointed at Colt this time and giggled again.

Kate couldn't believe her ears. “Seriously? You want to help
us
?”

Melissa's smile faded. “If you'll have me.”

Colt grinned. “Fine by me. But you have to fit in, or no can do.” He flipped his brush at her and smirked. “Now you look like the rest of us, and we'd be happy to have your help.”

She rolled her eyes and dipped her brush in the paint can, then held it up threateningly. “I have a pretty good aim, so I'd be careful if I were you.” She shook it at him and laughed, then turned toward Kate. “I owe you big-time,” she said in a serious tone. “My mom was ashamed when she found out you'd overheard us and sacrificed your classes for me. When I told her you guys were painting and said it was the least I could do to say thanks, she drove me here. I hope you'll forgive me for the way I've treated you guys. I'd like to be friends, if that's possible.”

A sense of peace washed over Kate. She tugged on Melissa's free hand. “Sit. We're lazy painters, but we can use all the help we can get.” She flashed a smile. “Besides, you can never have too many friends.”

 

… a little more …

When a rockin' concert comes to an end,

the audience might cheer for an encore.

When a tasty meal comes to an end,

it's always nice to savor a bit of dessert.

When a great story comes to an end,

we think you may want to linger.

And so we offer …

P.S.
—just a little something more after

you have finished a David C Cook novel.

We invite you to stay awhile in the story.

Thanks for reading!

Turn the page for …

• Secrets for Your Diary

• Colt's Favorite Horse Cookies

• Author's Note

• Acknowledgments

• About the Author

• Sneak Peek at Book Three:
Mystery Rider

• Books by Miralee Ferrell

 

Secrets for Your Diary

Secret #1

Kate, Tori, and Colt all share a love of horses. But they share something else too. All three have been treated as if they don't exist by the “popular crowd.” Kate's the new kid at school, Tori is from a low-income home and doesn't look like everyone else, and Colt is homeschooled.

Have you ever felt ignored at school or at any other activity? How did you handle that feeling? Did being ignored make you think of yourself differently? How did you respond to those in the in-crowd as a result? Who helped you during this tough time? What did that person say or do that made a difference?

Note from Kate

Sometimes we feel all alone—like no one else has ever experienced what we're going through. Believe it or not, your parents and teachers were your age once and probably went through something similar. And the Bible says that Jesus experienced rejection and pain too. Don't ever be afraid to talk to Him or to an adult you trust about hard things you're dealing with. There are people who care and want to help.

Secret
#2

Kate feels a flicker of jealousy when Colt and Tori think Melissa does a good job jumping Mocha. Tori notices Kate's reaction. A short time later, when Tori and Kate discuss Melissa, they have no idea she's listening. They're joking, but Melissa doesn't take it that way. She flings back, “I can't imagine being friends with either of you, or why you'd think I'd care to be.”

Have you ever overheard someone talking about you? How did that make you feel? Or have you been caught talking about someone else? What did the person you were talking about say or do? Why do you think Melissa said what she did? What would you have said or done if you had been Melissa?

Note from Kate

Many times people say things because they're hurting and don't want anyone to know. Before you get angry, take a minute and put yourself in their place. They might have had a horrible day or come from a bad home life that makes them want to hurt others. Praying for them can make a huge difference in how you feel about them, and it might even help them change too!

Secret #3

Melissa's actions, in general, drove Kate crazy. After all, who would want to hang out with a girl who is as snotty as Melissa? But then Kate is surprised by Melissa's gentle treatment of Pete, feels bad that Melissa took a bad fall and got spooked, and overhears the pressured conversation between Melissa and her mother. Those three events begin to change Kate's view of Melissa and why she acts the way she does.

When has a person you don't like very much surprised you by doing something kind? Tell the story. How did that event change your view of that person? When bad things happen to people you don't like, how do you respond? Do you feel bad, like Kate did? Or do you say to yourself,
Well, she/he deserved it
?
How might you respond instead so that you, like Kate, can make a friend?

Note from Kate

Try an experiment. Find someone who's not kind to you and do something nice for that person. Don't do it hoping he or she will change but because it's the right thing to do, and you never know if your actions might make a difference in that person's life. I know it's not easy to be kind to someone who's mean, but if nothing else, pray for him or her and ask God to work a miracle—in your life or the other person's.