Muddy Paws Read Online Free Page B

around here? she thought.
    Martin saw the scornful look on her face. He blushed. “There’s a lot of skill involved in plowing, you know. Dad lets me try sometimes and I’m getting really good at it,” he boasted. “I’m going to get a license when I’m fourteen. Then I can compete, too!”

    â€œYou’re doing all right, but you’ll need a lot more practice first,” his dad said.
    â€œI know that,” Martin said in a sulky voice.
    Oliver patted his son on the shoulder. “Fergy could use a wash and brush up. She’s pretty dusty after her journey. Any volunteers?”
    Martin’s head came up. “Beth and I will do it. Won’t we, Beth?”
    Beth frowned. Cleaning a tractor was definitely not on the top of her “fun to do” list. It was right at the bottom, next to cleaning smelly sneakers. But Martin seemed in an unusually good mood, so she nodded.
    â€œOkay. I don’t mind.” But if he starts bossing me around again, I’m leaving him to do it , she thought.
    Beth helped Martin collect buckets, sponges, and cleaning liquid. Storm came outside and lay down with his chin resting on his paws as she and Martin started work.
    â€œThere’s all kinds of plowing, you know. Tractor-trailed, mounted, reversible. You have to be very skilled to work a plot and make perfect ins and outs,” Martin explained enthusiastically as he sponged soapy water over Fergy’s bright-red hood. “They have world championship competitions. One day Dad might be good enough to participate.”
    Beth didn’t reply. She was scrubbing hard at a greasy mark on Fergy’s red grill.
    â€œHey! Are you listening? Or are you ignoring me on purpose?” Martin flicked soapy water at her.
    â€œWho said that?” Beth joked and flicked water back at him.
    Martin’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Oh yeah!”
    Beth dodged out of the way as another sponge full of water flew toward her. “Missed!” she teased.

    Laughing, they flicked soapy water back and forth.
    Beth giggled as she pushed her damp hair out of her eyes and crouched behind the tractor. She was smaller than Martin and managed to avoid getting too wet, but most of her soapy flicks found their mark.
    Martin’s T-shirt was soon drenched. “Right! Now you’re in for it!” He grabbed the whole bucket and lifted it into the air.
    â€œDon’t you dare!” Beth shrieked breathlessly.
    As she went to flick more water at Martin, a tiny shower of golden sparks crackled around her hand and tingled against her fingers. The soapy sponge shot out of her hand. It zoomed through the air with perfect aim and splatted in Martin’s face.
    â€œPhoof!” Martin spluttered. He took a step backward and slipped over onto his backside, tipping the entire bucket of water all over himself.
    Beth cracked up laughing. She was helpless. She glanced across at Storm who wore a wide doggy grin and wagged her finger at him, scolding him gently.
    â€œSorry, Beth. I thought he was going to hurt you!” Storm yapped.
    Scowling, Martin slowly got up. His dark hair was plastered to his head and water was dripping off the end of his nose.

    Beth tried to stop laughing at the look on Martin’s face, but her mouth kept twitching. “You should see yourself,” she gasped, holding her ribs.
    Suddenly Martin burst out laughing, too. “That was a great shot—for a girl! Come on, let’s get some clean water.”
    Beth went with him to fill her bucket from the outside tap. Staying at Tail End Farm was starting to feel a lot better these days.
    She was amazed at Martin. This was the most friendly he’d been since she arrived. And all because they’d had a water fight and she’d beaten him. I’ll never understand boys , she thought as they finished cleaning the tractor.

Chapter SIX
    Beth stood in the barn beside her aunt and watched her