Fabulous Five 027 - The Scapegoat Read Online Free Page B

barn.
    "Keeping him for yourself, were you?" said Nicki.
Then she looked at Christie, who couldn't keep from smiling. "I guess not."
Nicki was holding the reins of a small bay. "I prefer Sunshine, myself."
    Christie was glad Nicki seemed to be teasing. It meant she
was really over her crush on Connie.
    Phoebe was already mounted on a dark brown mare with a white
blaze on her face. Her name was Sapphire. Charlie was on a stocky white horse
named Snowfall, and Davey was riding a tall, gangly horse named Jester. Connie's
horse was a gold color and was named Buttercup.
    The stable boy put a saddle on Rigel and adjusted the stirrups.
Connie handed Christie a hard riding cap, and she mounted the small horse
easily. It was the first time she had used a flat, English-style saddle. It was
more comfortable than the Western-style saddles she had used back in the
States.
    The others followed Connie out of the barnyard and across an
open field. Christie could tell he was an expert rider by the way he held the
reins loosely with both hands. He rode with his back straight, and posted. . .
.
    They spent the morning riding along trails that wound
through woods and over low hills.
    "This is all Farrell property," said Phoebe once when
she and Christie were riding side by side. Phoebe's hair was pulled back in a
ponytail, and her face was pink from the wind. "I guess it's been in their
family for years and years. Is it anything like this where you used to live?"
    Christie nodded. "Some areas are as quiet and green,
but this is incredible."
    "I'm glad you're starting to like our country,"
said Phoebe.
    "I'm getting used to it," replied Christie. "It's
very nice. Especially the people. I'm glad you, Nicki, and Ellie are my friends
now." She smiled. "It makes living here easier."
    Phoebe smiled back. "You're a bit of all right
yourself, Christie. We're glad to have you for a chum."
    Once, when they stopped to give their horses a drink at a
stream, Christie took a deep breath of the country air and looked out over the
rolling English countryside. It is beautiful, she thought, even if it doesn't
feel completely like home yet.
    "How are you and Rigel getting along?" asked
Connie, moving close to her.
    "He's wonderful," answered Christie. "He does
everything I ask, and he's so easy to ride."
    "Arabians are that way. They're really very smart, and
they let you know it. Rigel's a bit of a show-off."
    Christie patted the horse's shoulder. "I don't think he's
a show-off at all."
    After riding for nearly three hours, they returned to the
stable. In spite of how easy Rigel was to ride, Christie was glad to dismount
and stretch her legs.
    "My bum's sore," complained Nicki, rubbing her
backside.
    "That's not the only part of me that hurts."
Phoebe laughed as she rubbed her legs. "I swear, my horse was as big
around as your American Goodyear blimp, Christie."
    They walked to the house, laughing and chattering.
    A servant brought them lunch on a broad veranda overlooking
the neighboring fields. Christie was ravenous, and the sandwiches and sweet
rolls were delicious.
    While she ate, she watched Connie talk to Davey and
Eleanore. He looked so different from Chase. Connie was blond with sparkling
blue eyes, and Chase had black hair and intense dark eyes. They were about the
same height, but Chase was more muscular from swimming. Connie is definitely
more relaxed than Chase, Christie thought. It was amazing how nice Connie was
even though his family owned two estates and had servants.
    When Christie saw her father's car coming along the road,
she felt disappointed. She hated for the day to end.
    As the girls were getting into the car, Connie took Christie's
hand and squeezed it. "Rigel told me to tell you he wants you to come back
and see him."
    Christie smiled. "Tell him I will."
     
    "Did you have fun?" asked Christie's mother,
putting her book in her lap. Christie dropped down in the chair next to her.
    "Lots. It was a great day. Connie let me ride an
Arabian