Leading the Way Read Online Free Page B

and Dad say I’m way too young to be thinking of boyfriends. And Chad’s too busy for girls. He has a part-time job and he plays the guitar and practices preaching to the youth group at church and—”
    “Wow, you really like him, don’t you?” Katie asked. “Is there anything about him you don’t know?”
    Chad led the horse team past the two girls. “Hey, Skye, looks like we’ll see a lot of each other this summer, thanks to Mr. C. I can always use the extra money for my college fund!”
    Gulp! Skye felt her face turn red-hot as her mind went blank. Staring at Chad was the only thing she could do.
    “Skye,” Katie said, reaching to her side, “are you there?” Her hand found Skye’s arm. “Answer the man! You sure had enough to say about him just a second ago!”
    Chad burst into a hearty laugh as he led the horse team to the other side of the corral. “Skye, you’ve only been in the sun a few minutes, and you already have quite a burn. Better get some sunscreen!”
    “C’mon, Katie!” Skye grabbed her arm. “It’s time for your lesson—now!”
    “I don’t want to!” Katie sounded off.
    “Well, want to or not, now’s the time. C’mon.” Skye led Katie inside the barn where Mrs. Chambers had just finished cross-tying Boomer in the open hall. Seeing the two girls, she slipped into a nearby stall and came out carrying a hard hat and a bucket filled with grooming gear.
    Skye took the helmet from Mrs. Chambers. “Okay, Katie, time for your first lesson. Here’s your hard hat.”
    Skye gently set the helmet on Katie’s head.
    “What’s that for?” Katie felt the helmet.
    “State regulations,” Mrs. Chambers explained in no-nonsense terms. She walked next to Boomer and placed the bucket down. “There are all kinds of ways you could hurt your head. This rule is a good one.”
    “I bet I really look dumb,” Katie lamented.
    “All the students have to wear them,” Skye said. “It won’t take long to get used to. There’s a chin strap for you to snap shut.”
    “Oh, then it must look a lot like a bike helmet.” Katie snapped the chin strap in place.
    “Kinda,” Skye said.
    “For once I’m glad I can’t see,” Katie joked. “I looked weird in my helmet when I rode my bike. Do the horses have to wear them too?”
    Skye forced out a laugh. “Very funny. Although it probably wouldn’t hurt, the way some of the students act.”
    Mrs. Chambers pulled a currycomb from the bucket. “That’s right. It never pays to be rough with horses. The gentler you are with them, the gentler they’ll be with you. Okay, Katie, here’s what we’re going to do. Let Skye bring you right next to Boomer. I’ll give you a currycomb, and we’ll show you how to brush a horse.”
    A shroud of worry covered Katie’s face. “Is there a fence between us like yesterday?”
    “No, but it’s okay. He’s really gentle.”
    “I—I don’t think I want to do this.” Katie took a step back.
    “We’ll be right here with you,” Mrs. Chambers said. “Boomer’s tied, so he can’t walk away or step on you. I’ll hold him real steady while Skye shows you what to do. C’mon, try it. I think you’ll like it.”
    “This is still dumb, but all right.” Katie’s voice relaxed a little
    Skye turned to her. “Do you want my arm?”
    “No, I’ll try it myself,” Katie said.
    Side by side the girls edged forward. Mrs. Chambers handed Skye the comb and held the horse’s head steady.
    “Reach forward and feel how tall he is. He’s just right for you,” Skye said.
    Slowly Katie reached her hand forward. “Wow! He is so smooth! Just like a silk blouse my mother has. Hey, he really isn’t that big after all.” She leaned cautiously against Boomer’s withers. “Look, I can rest my head on his back. And he smells good too!”
    “The best smell in the whole universe, as far as I’m concerned,” Skye said, patting Boomer’s neck. “He feels smooth because in the summer, most horses have really short