Free True Riders by Catherine Hapka

Maddie’s party goes okay this afternoon, Brooke thought as she pulled on her clothes and brushed her teeth. Over the past couple of days, Maddie had told the other Pony Posters that she wanted to wait until after her birthday to talk to her parents about the move. But it already sounded to Brooke as if Maddie was starting to accept that it was definitely going to happen.
    Thinking about that made Brooke feel sad. Maddie had such a special connection with Cloudy, but the pony didn’t belong to her. There was no way Cloudy would be going with the family when they moved. How would Maddie ever recover from losing such an amazing pony?
    Brooke shook her head, deciding not to think such depressing thoughts, at least right now. The whole Pony Post would be there to support Maddie through whatever happened. For the moment, though, all Brooke could do was wait for her friend’s next update.
    Adam couldn’t make it over until after lunch, since his family went to church on Sunday mornings, so after breakfast Brooke did all her homework for the weekend. She was halfway through her word problems for math when her mother stuck her head into the room to let Brooke know they were leaving for the twins’ friend’s party.
    â€œWe’ll be back around two or three,” she said, looking oddly informal in jeans and a cardigan.
    â€œOkay.” Brooke wandered to the window and watched as her stepfather helped the twins into the SUV and then shoved a huge, sloppily wrapped gift in beside them. Then Brooke texted Adam, reminding him to get there as soon as he could. With any luck they’d be able to finish their ride before her family got home.
    An hour later she glanced at the clock after finishing the last of her homework, and realized that Adam would be there in less than fifteen minutes. After logging on to the Pony Post, she quickly typed in another brief message for Maddie, wishing her well at the party. Then Brooke hurried downstairs, gulped down half a sandwich, and headed out to the barn.
    It was still cold, but the clouds had cleared out and the wind was barely a whisper. While she tacked up, Brooke went back to brooding over Maddie’s problem. It was weird to think of her living in a whole other country, though it really wouldn’t affect Maddie’s friendship with the other Pony Posters much, other than adjusting to an even bigger time difference. Her friendship with Cloudy? That was another matter. . . .
    â€œHey, there you are!” Adam exclaimed, hurrying into view around the corner of the shed. “I knocked at the house but nobody answered.”
    â€œEveryone’s out at some kiddie party.” Brooke tightened the girth another notch. “So we should have some peace and quiet for a change.”
    â€œCool.” Adam handed her the bridle, which she’d hung on the door. “So, what are we waiting for?”
    Brooke quickly bridled her pony and led her out to the stump she used as a mounting block. I shouldn’t take this for granted, she thought, her mind still mostly on Maddie. No matter how annoying it is to have to share Foxy with the twins, at least I know I won’t have to move and leave her behind—
    â€œWatch it!” Adam warned as Foxy lifted her head and sidestepped just as Brooke was putting her foot into the stirrup. “Here, I’ll hold her while you get on.”
    â€œThanks.” Brooke swung aboard quickly, though the pony moved forward, bumping into Adam, before Brooke could get her right foot into the stirrup. “Whoa, Foxy! Hold still.”
    â€œIt’s okay. She’s just excited about doing more jumping. Right, Foxy girl?” Adam rubbed the mare’s face.
    Brooke shoved her foot into the stirrup and shortened her reins. “We need to warm up before we start jumping,” she reminded Adam.
    â€œOkay, so do it.” He grinned at her, stepping back out of the way.
    Brooke’s mind