Free The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson Page B

disappointed.”
    â€œOh . . .”
    â€œBut it’s not your fault.”
    There was a long silence with only the sound of the mantel clock ticking, and Lucy was thinking hard. Surely there was some way out of this. Then it hit her. “What about the train in Flagstaff?” she said suddenly. “It might be slow, driving in the snow and all, but I’ll bet George could get you that far, Veronica. Then you could get a train ticket and—”
    â€œBut what about George?” Veronica’s eyes grew wide.
    â€œHe could come back here and stay with us until Christmas . . . or until the roads get better.” Lucy was smiling now, pleased that she, all by herself, had come up with such a perfect plan. “If you want, I’ll even go ask George about this for you. I know where he is and I’m sure he’ll—”
    â€œNo.” Veronica’s pale blue eyes turned as frosty as a January morning. “That’s not necessary.”
    â€œBut you could be in Los Angeles soon,” Lucy told her. “With all the sunshine and orange trees and Hollywood and everything.”
    Veronica let out a sad sigh. “Can I tell you a secret, doll?”
    Lucy twisted her mouth to one side. On one hand, it was always delicious getting to hear a secret. On the other hand, she felt wary of Veronica. “All right . . .”
    â€œRemember I told you about my bad friend, the one who was taking me to Hollywood to make me a star?”
    Lucy nodded. “The man who left you on the highway?”
    â€œYes. And I told you how he took my money.” Veronica held out her hands with palms up. “I am broke.”
    â€œBroke?” Lucy thought about Veronica’s fine clothes and jewelry and shoes and suitcases. She looked like a rich lady.
    â€œPenniless.”
    Lucy blinked. “Oh.”
    â€œYou promised to keep my secret, doll.”
    Lucy swallowed hard. “So you can’t afford to buy a train ticket?”
    â€œNo, I can’t.” She sadly shook her head. “I need George to get me to Hollywood. And since I told you that secret, I might as well tell you another.” She peered at Lucy. “Can I trust you?”
    â€œI guess so.”
    â€œThe truth is, I think George fancies me as much as I fancy him. I think that when we get to California, we will continue getting acquainted, and, well . . .” She giggled. “If George should come to his senses and propose to me, well, I might just forget all about becoming a famous movie actress and star as his wife instead.”
    â€œWhat?” Lucy could not believe her ears.
    Veronica shrugged. “I don’t know for sure . . . but I might enjoy being married.”
    Lucy didn’t know what to say, and manners or no manners, she suddenly felt the need to get outside and breathe some fresh air. Maybe it was the strong smell of Veronica’s flowery perfume or stale fingernail paint or just Veronica herself, but Lucy felt like she was suffocating. Without saying another word, she turned and dashed from the room, grabbed hercoat and boots, and, thankful that Grandma wasn’t in the kitchen, streaked outside and toward the barn.
    The next thing she knew, she was in Mama’s arms with tears streaming down her cheeks. “What is it?” Mama demanded as she stroked Lucy’s hair. “What happened?”
    â€œOh, Mama!”
    â€œWhat? Lucy, please, talk to me. Is it Grandma? Do I need to—”
    â€œNo, no, it’s not Grandma.” Lucy stepped back, wiping her nose with her sleeve right in front of Mama.
    â€œWhat then?” Mama put a warm hand on Lucy’s cheek. “Talk to me.”
    â€œIt’s Veronica,” Lucy sputtered. “She—she’s going to—to marry George!”
    It was almost as if some kind of light went out of Mama’s blue eyes. Although she wasn’t frowning, her mouth