High Hurdles Read Online Free Page A

owner.
    “Someday I’ll have a horse of my own.”
    “Yes, I am sure you will.” Bridget laid a hand on DJ’s knee. “I know you will. Now, take care of the ones you can.” She patted Megs’ neck and walked out of the gate. Two people were waiting to talk with her outside the arena.
    Feeling as if she were floating on a cloud, DJ nudged the mare into a trot. She had plenty of work to do.
    Along with each shovelful of shavings and manure, she tossed out another moneymaking idea. She had to buy a horse of her own. But first she had to earn the money. Counting the check this morning, her total now stood at $189.89. If only she didn’t have to buy things like presents and give part of her earnings to Sunday school.
    “I’m never going to a movie again,” she muttered, spreading the clean shavings she’d hauled in.
    “What’s up?” Amy stopped with her wheelbarrow.
    “The Ortegas moved away and took Diablo with them.”
    “That’s why his stall is empty?”
    “Yup. At least now I don’t have to spend Gran’s money for entry fees. I won’t be showing.”
    “Not ever?”
    “Don’t be dumb.” DJ leaned on her pitchfork. “Bridget says I can use school horses to show, but none of them are ready for Saturday.”
    “You can use Josh.” Amy offered her most prized possession.
    “Ames, you know that won’t work. Our classes are usually at the same time—besides, I’ve never ridden him in competition.” She looked deep into her friend’s eyes. “You’re the best. Thanks.”
    “James isn’t here—again.” Amy rolled her eyes. “I’ve had to do most of his work.”
    “Again? What’s with him, anyway?”
    “Wish I knew.” Amy picked up the handles of the barrow. “Gotta finish so I can work Josh. Hey, how did your lesson go?”
    “Great. I was born to jump, I just know it.” DJ closed her eyes and saw five interlocking rings on the back of her eyelids. She crossed her fingers and breathed her prayer. Someday, the Olympics .
    “Ames, I have to find some ways to earn money this summer. You had any brilliant ideas lately?”
    “Sorry.” Amy shrugged and trundled her wheelbarrow down the aisle.

    That evening when her mother returned home from her latest business trip, DJ had just finished setting the table.
    “Darla Jean, how many times have I asked you to put your bike away? One of these days I’m going to run over it, and then where will you be?” Lindy Randall dropped her briefcase on a chair and crossed to the sink to pour herself a glass of water.
    DJ clenched her teeth. She’d been so anxious to tell Gran the bad news, she’d forgotten her bike. Fiddle. She slammed the napkins down on the table and headed for the garage. Now she didn’t dare mention needing extra money for her horse fund. Double fiddle.

Chapter • 3
    “DJ, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scold you first thing.” Lindy stood in the doorway to DJ’s room. She had changed out of her business suit and into an emerald lounging outfit.
    “I know. It was my fault. I couldn’t wait to tell Gran about Diablo.” DJ looked up from her drawing. “You look nice.” Her mother always looked stylish, dressed in the latest fashion. DJ looked down at her tanned legs topped by the cutoffs she’d put on after her return from the stable. Jeans or shorts and T-shirts—what else did a kid need anyway? Besides her outfits for competition, of course, and Gran made most of those.
    “Thanks, can I come in?”
    “Sure.” Her mother’s recent insistence on privacy—both her own and her daughter’s—still caught DJ by surprise sometimes.
    Lindy looked down at her daughter’s drawing of a jumping Thoroughbred. “You’re getting to be very good at that, you know. I’m glad one of us got Mother’s talent.” She sat down on the end of the bed. DJ watched her mother pleat the fabric of her pants. Something was up. But what?
    Lindy looked up, her chin-length hair swinging as she moved her head. “What happened with