ready when theyâre needed. Now I wish weâd left them in the barn.â
âIt was a huge windstorm, but itâs not like you thought the tree would crash down on top of everything. So what happens if the jumps are all busted?â
Kate winced, not liking the picture that question created in her mind. âDad says weâll have to call the show coordinator and cancel.â
Tori gasped. âWhy? Canât you buy new jumps or fix them? We can help repair the fence. My dadâs handy with a hammer and nails.â
âThatâs nice of you, but it takes money. More than we have right now. Dad even wondered if we should have opened the barn for business.â She dropped her voice to a loud whisper so Tori could still hear. âAnd Mom looked like sheâd been crying when I came out this morning. I thought I was the only one in the family who was looking forward to this show, but I think Mom wanted it to be a success too.â
âMan, Iâm so sorry.â
Kate gave Tori a weak smile. âThanks. Iâm going to tell my folks they can use the two hundred dollars I have in savings from my birthday and from Christmas money my aunts and uncles have sent me the last several years, plus what Iâve saved from doing extra chores.â
âWould that be enough?â
Kate hesitated, wondering if her parents had thought that far. âI know they have close to enough put aside to buy a lesson horse soon, if we can find one at a reasonable price. I wasnât going to tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise. Now I wonder if they should use that money to fix things instead. But we need a good lesson horse if weâre going to bring in more people.â
Tori nodded. âThatâs tough. Tell you whatâIâll be praying that God sends an answer.â
Kate smiled, glad for the gazillionth time that Tori was her best friend. âThanks. Ready to go drag some branches out of the way?â
Tori grinned. âLead me to them!â
Two hours later, the majority of the tree had been cut, a nice stack of firewood leaned against the house, and a pile of branches sat in a clear spot where it would be safe to burn. The chain saws were silent, and the crew stood near the broken fence surveying the damage.
Kate gulped back a sob, determined not to cry, but she knew the show was doomed. Most of the old jumps were splintered, and at least three of the six new ones were damaged. Nothing remained of the fence where the tree had landed, and an even larger section on the side was broken than theyâd first thought.
Tori moved close and bumped shoulders with Kate. âDonât give up yet. Itâs not over just because a few things are broken.â
âTell that to my dad.â Kate whispered the words, but she knew they were true. Dad stood with his arms crossed and a scowl darkening his usually happy face. This was definitely not good.
Mr. Jiménez and his wife tugged off their gloves and walked to Kateâs parents. âWeâre sorry we canât stay longer,â he said. âWeâre expecting company for lunch, and Mary needs to get home.â
Dad nodded and pumped the manâs hand. âWeâll have you folks over for supper soon. If thereâs ever anything we can do to help you, please let us know. Youâve been a godsend today.â
Mr. Jiménez motioned toward the remains of the trunk that still needed to come down. âI can help you take that down when youâre ready, and Iâll bring my log splitter over for the big pieces. Makes it a lot easier.â He waved as he and his wife walked away.
Kate sidled close to her mother and tapped her arm. âHas Dad made a decision?â She tried to keep her voice low, but Toriâs mother looked their way.
Dad swung around and faced the small group. âNan, youâd better call the coordinator and tell her what happened. I donât see how