Free A Horse for Mandy by Lurlene McDaniel Page B

wrong.
    “Listen,” said Laura, “meet me back at the house in a few minutes.” She dug her heels into Diablo’s side and galloped off. Mandy felt hurt and bewildered.
    Later, back at Solana’s stall, Mandy groomed her horse expertly. But she couldn’t keep her mind off her friend. She brushed Solana’s buttercolored coat, untangled her black mane, and mulled over her own thoughts.
    She had been Laura’s friend since third grade. That was when her father first began practicing in Devonshire and became the veterinarian at the Callahan Stables. She remembered how unpopular Laura had been at school. “Snotty” was what most of the other girls had called Laura Callahan. She was a loner—keeping to herself, her nose in a book. At first Mandy had thought she was just shy. But later she realized that Laura chose not to be a part of the crowd that giggled and whispered together in the lunchroom.
    Then, during that first summer, Mandy went with her father to the Callahan Stables. She got to know Laura better. Their mutual love of horses brought them together. They rode and groomed and fussed over all kinds of horses. Mandy realized that Laura had dreams of becoming a real horsewoman. Laura wanted to ride great show animals and collect trophies and ribbons.
    When Laura was in the fourth grade, her parents gave her Diablo, a show-winning Tennessee Walker. What fun the two girls had had with him! Laura had never minded sharing her horse with Mandy. She even encouraged her friend to ride him.
    That was why Laura’s behavior this morning had been so baffling to Mandy. Didn’t Laura know that now they could have more fun than ever? They could ride together without having to take turns. They could go off on picnics, each on her own horse.
    She brushed and brushed Solana’s coat until it gleamed.
    “You’re going to brush the fur right off her, if you’re not careful.” The deep masculine voice startled her. She jumped and dropped the grooming brush.
    Mandy whirled around and looked into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” the blue-eyed, blond boy said. “My name is David Mannington. Who are you?”

Three
    “I —I’M Mandy,” she stuttered, feeling her face turn red. Suddenly she stooped to retrieve the brush. But David had the same idea. Their hands touched, and their heads bumped. Mandy dropped the brush again. “Oh, my goodness...”
    David began to laugh, his blue eyes dancing. “We haven’t gotten off to a very good start, have we?”
    Mandy was still too flustered to say anything. She backed up into the safety of Solana. But the sound of David’s laughter got to her. She started to giggle. “No, I guess not.”
    “Then let’s start over again,” he said. “I’m David. And you’re Mandy. This, I take it, is your horse?”
    “Why, yes,” Mandy said, still not daring to look him straight in the eye. “This is Solana. She’s my birthday present.”
    “Well, happy birthday. Are you stabling her here?” he asked.
    “Yes. My father is Doc Wilson. He looks after the Callahan ranch. Are you keeping a horse here?”
    He reached over and patted Solana. “No, I’m working here this summer . . . you know, helping out. I’m new here. We just moved in on York Street. Thought I’d better get a job so I can buy school clothes . . . you know, stuff. Get to know some of the kids, too. You go to school in town?”
    Mandy finally began to regain her composure. “Yes. I mean, I’ll be at the middle school this fall.”
    “Great!” David said. “Then I already know somebody. I’m starting eighth grade there. Know anything about the track team?”
    Before she could answer, Laura walked up. “I’ve been waiting forever at the house. What’s keeping . . .” Her voice trailed off when she saw David.
    “Hi,” he said. “I’m David Mannington.”
    “I’m Laura Callahan.” Mandy could tell that he was having the same effect on Laura that he was having on her.