Free On the Victory Trail by Marsha Hubler Page B

mother said more emphatically, “you need something in your stomach. Now, while Tom and I load the horses, I’d like you to go get something to eat. We’ll give you a half hour. Then come back here, and you’ll ride home with me.”
    Skye dismounted her horse and handed the reins to Mr. Chambers. “Thanks, Dad,” she said. “I could use a burger or something. What do you say, Morgan?”
    â€œYeah, I could use something to eat too.” Morgan glanced at the grandstand. “But I’m planning to meet some of the kids from church. They were sitting on the top row a while ago. They must be on their way over here now.”
    Mr. Chambers retrieved Morgan’s wheelchair from the truck and set it on the dirt-packed walkway that led from the show ring to the rest of the fairgrounds. Morgan handed Blaze’s reins to Mrs. Chambers while Mr. Chambers loosened Morgan’s legs from the Velcro safety strips on her saddle, gently slid her off into his arms, and placed her onto her chair.
    â€œThanks,” Morgan said, glancing at Skye and Sooze. “Hey, you two, come with me. Skye and I don’t have to be back in a half hour, do we, Mrs. C?”
    â€œNo, you have the rest of the afternoon,” Mrs. Chambers said as she tied Blaze to the back of their hauling trailer. “Sooze is the only one who needs to go home.”
    â€œThat’s so not fair,” Sooze whined.
    â€œDuh. Life’s not fair!” Skye said sarcastically. Then she asked casually, “Hey, Morgan, is Chad here?”
    â€œHe was supposed to be, but I haven’t seen him yet,” Morgan replied with a smile. “Come with me, and maybe he’ll join us along the way.”
    Sooze crowded herself next to Skye. “No, we’ll do our own thing. Thank you.”
    An artificial smile masked Skye’s regret at not getting to see Chad. “Sooze and I can grab something to eat and then we’ll meet you back here.”
    â€œSounds good. Then we can do the fair thing with all the kids later, okay? Hey, here they come now.” Morgan pointed across the field.
    Sooze folded her arms angrily. “This stinks! You guys always get to have all the fun.”
    Mrs. Chambers walked from the back of the trailer like she was stomping ants. “Sooze, it’s time you learned that there are consequences for unwise decisions and actions. That’s the way it’s going to be,” she said emphatically.
    â€œCome on,” Skye said to Sooze, tugging her arm, “you only have a half hour. Don’t waste it arguing.”
    Mr. Chambers pulled a wallet from his back pocket. “Do you girls have enough money?”
    â€œI do,” Morgan answered. She moved ahead slowly. “Where else can I spend that megabucks allowance you give me?”
    â€œI’ve got money,” said Sooze.
    â€œMe too,” Skye answered. “So I guess we’re out of here.”
    Morgan stopped in front of Skye, her troubled eyes reaching beyond her smiling face. “Skye,” she pleaded, “don’t you think you should go with us?”

chapter ten
    W ell — ” Skye hesitated. I would like to see Chad , she thought.
    â€œMorgan, we don’t need bodyguards,” Sooze huffed. “Right, Skye?”
    â€œSkye — ” Mrs. Chambers’ voice oozed with caution.
    Mr. Chambers glanced back as he led Blaze to the trailer. “Remember, girls, you’re on the honor system. We’ll trust you as long as you don’t give us any reason not to. And Sooze, you’re already up to your neck in quicksand.”
    Morgan looked down the walkway. “Here come the guys now.”
    Sooze grabbed Skye’s arm, abruptly pulling her away. “Come on. Let’s go!”
    â€œLater.” Skye said to Morgan. I’d rather be going with you , she thought. She glanced back at the three approaching friends. Each yelled hello and