Silver Spurs Read Online Free Page B

widened. Melissa swiveled toward a tall brunette woman who looked as if she could have been Melissa’s older sister. “Mom, this isn’t a good idea.”
    Kate opened her mouth, wanting nothing more than to put the girl in her place, then snapped it shut and gritted her teeth. This was a customer. A rude one, but still a customer. Right now they needed all the business they could get. She mustered a smile. “Hey, Melissa. Nice horse.” It sounded lame even to her, but it was all she could force out.
    â€œHmmph.” Melissa’s dark-blonde curls bounced on her shoulders as she swung away from Kate. “Mom, are you sure this is the only barn with an opening? I don’t want to leave Mocha with”—she flipped the end of the rope toward Kate and Tori and scowled—“inexperienced people. They might not know how to take proper care of a Thoroughbred.”
    Mrs. Tolbert cast a look at Kate’s mom, who stared at Melissa. Mrs. Tolbert inclined her head. “Forgive my daughter. She’s disappointed she can’t board her mare where most of the Pony Club members board their horses, and the owners are very exacting in their care and meet the members’ expectations.”
    Melissa spun on her heel and frowned. “It’s not necessary for you to apologize for me, Mom.” She waved her hand around, then turned toward Kate’s mom. “I suppose we don’t have a lot of choice right now, but I do hope you’ll do everything the same way the members of our Pony Club have been taught.”
    Melissa’s mom gave her a tolerant smile. “There might be an opening at another facility in a couple of months, but we’ll make do here for now.” She turned to Kate’s mom. “You will have a quality trainer coming in to give lessons, won’t you? I’d hate to have to trailer Mocha across town.”
    Mom nodded. “I’ve contacted a trainer with excellent references. She’ll give group lessons if we have a minimum of four students. We have three now, and your daughter makes four. I’m sure it won’t be long before we’ll have more. I’m curious, why didn’t you stay at the barn where you were boarding?”
    Kate held her breath, half hoping Melissa’s mom would decide their barn wasn’t good enough for her daughter’s horse and leave. A prick of conscience niggled at Kate. They’d done a lot of work getting the barn ready, and her parents had spent money they probably couldn’t afford. She’d best be asking God to let Melissa stay, not leave, no matter how much Kate would hate having her here.
    Mrs. Tolbert’s smile faded. “Melissa won’t be taking group lessons, only private—at least once the trainer starts accepting private students. We expect her to win the championship at the show this summer.”
    â€œI see. I imagine something can be arranged.”
    Mrs. Tolbert tapped her fingers against her crossed arms. “You’ll get back to me after you’ve spoken to your trainer about those lessons?”
    â€œOf course.” Mom dipped her head in a brief nod. “If Melissa wants to turn her horse out in the arena to stretch his legs, we’ll get the paperwork done. Would you follow me to the office?”
    Mom and Mrs. Tolbert headed down the alleyway while Kate and Tori stood frozen in place. Kate motioned toward a nearby stall but didn’t meet Melissa’s eyes. “We got this stall ready for your horse. You can put him in now, or turn him loose in the arena like my mom suggested. It’s up to you.” She didn’t wait for a response but grabbed Tori’s arm and dragged her toward the outer barn door. “Let’s get out of here,” she hissed.
    Kate dashed beside her friend down the aisle that separated the stalls from the indoor arena, then skidded to a stop at the door. She gave it a shove, and they stepped out