Free Show Jumper by Bonnie Bryant Page B

and with each other on a few occasions, it always felt special to stay in a motel together for a horse show. Since Mrs. Reg was in a separate room, they felt almost grown-up and independent, although they knew she would check on them if she heard any noise.
    “I can’t believe they don’t have a pool here,” said Stevie as Carole inserted their room key into the lock. “I packed my bathing suit and everything. I thought big motels like this always had pools. I wish we had picked somewhere else to stay. I wish—Hey, what’s
that
?” As Carole opened the door, Stevie had glanced inside. She gave a whoop of happiness. Shouldering her way past her friends, she ran through the door and stopped in front of the large-screen television that dominated the room.
    “Oh, did I mention that they have ninety-six channels here?” Carole said, grinning and dropping her bag on the bed. “The desk clerk happened to tell us that, but I guess you were too busy thinking about the pool.”
    “Pool? Who wants to go swimming?” Stevie said in rapture. She plunked down on the spare cot that they’d requested so that the three of them could share one room. “I’ll take the cot,” she said unnecessarily, since she was already stacking pillows, kicking off her shoes, and making herself comfortable. “After all, it’s the closest to the television.”
    With a lot of not-so-gentle persuasion from Carole and Lisa, Stevie reluctantly agreed to brush her teeth and change into her pajamas. But after that she settled down on the cot, remote control in hand, and began seriously flipping channels. “Hey, look, I found a great film on the life of an Alaskan sled dog owner!” she called out.
    “She’s out of commission for the rest of the night,” Carole said to Lisa with a chuckle. “I’m going to take a hot shower to relax, okay?”
    Lisa nodded. “Sure,” she said. “I promised to call my mother after we checked in.”
    Mrs. Atwood was staying at the same hotel as Veronica and her parents. She had tried to persuade Lisa to stay there, too, but Lisa had refused, knowing she would have much more fun sharing a room with Stevie and Carole. Digging a card with the hotel’s name and number out of her bag, she plunked down on the bed and dialed. After a minute the hotel operator connected her to her mother’s room.
    “Hi, Mom, it’s me,” said Lisa when the phone was answered on the second ring.
    “Lisa!” Mrs. Atwood said in a chirpy voice. “I was just looking over my outfit for tomorrow. Darling, I didn’t see you at the show today. Did you get there okay?”
    “Yeah,” answered Lisa. “We had a lot to do, though.”
    “Did you see who was in the VIP box at the Macrae?” Mrs. Atwood continued in excitement. “The mayor of Philadelphia. Mrs. Grace Fairhill, the leading patron of the arts in Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Van—”
    “Mom, I’ve just got to get some sleep,” Lisa said firmly, interrupting her mother as she continued to listthe occupants of the VIP box. Although she was glad her mother was having fun at the Macrae, she just wasn’t interested right then in hearing about all the society people who were attending the show. She wanted to focus on her riding. After saying good night, Lisa hung up the phone and crawled into bed.
    Carole emerged from the bathroom, wearing her pajamas and looking refreshed. “That felt great!” she said. “I could sleep for a week.” She got into the other bed and turned out the light. Then she sat up again. “Stevie,” she said firmly, “we’ve all got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. No more television.”
    “What did you say?” Stevie said absently. She was watching an infomercial advertising an exercise device that claimed to make muscles bulge.
    Stretching out on her bed, Lisa joined the argument. “Television off.” Stevie ignored her, too. Lisa sat up and looked at Carole, who nodded.
    After a brief pillow fight in which Lisa and Carole stormed Stevie’s