Summer Camp Adventure Read Online Free Page A

like I’ll be starting with ‘The Rascal.’” She pointed to a youngster standing behind Tim.
    “The Rascal?”
    “Yeah, your friend and mine, Jonathan Martin. He’s my first rider.
    “Hey, you’re definitely starting out with a bang! Get it? Jonathan? Firecrackers last night? Bang?”
    “You are too funny,” Skye said, twisting her lips into a smirk. “See you soon.”
    By eight o’clock, Skye had saddled Buddy, Jonathan’s assigned black gelding, and she had the boy mounted, ready to start in the corral.
    Along with Skye, Mr. Wheaten, Tim, and another volunteer all stood beside their assigned riders and mounts.Skye squared her Stetson and prayed, “Lord, help me teach this kid.”
    Jonathan sat tall in the saddle, smiling at Skye like she was the love of his life. He wore a blue safety helmet, a brown and purple plaid shirt, blue jeans, and black leather boots with horses’ heads carved in the design. “I know how to ride,” he signed.
    “You do?” Skye signed. “When did you learn?”
    “I took lessons back home. I’ve been riding since I was five.”
    “That’s great! Then this should be easy for you. Now take both reins in one hand.”
    “No.” Jonathan shook his head sharply. “I do it this way.” He took one rein in each hand and then looked beyond Skye at the waiting arena.
    Skye tapped the boy’s leg. Jonathan’s glance shifted back to her. “No, Jonathan. That’s how you ride English style. You will learn to ride Western here.”
    “I always ride this way!” Jonathan’s hands gestured in obvious anger. Frustration swept over his face, and he yanked down the helmet, his curly hair sticking out over his bent ears. Releasing the reins, he folded his arms and put on an I-want-my-own-way pout.
    Forcing a smile, Skye tied the reins into a knot and slipped them over the horn of the saddle. “There. That will make it easier for you to hold them in one hand.”
    “No.” Jonathan shook his head, his lips pinched in defiance.
    “Don’t you like me anymore?”
    Jonathan nodded.
    “Then why don’t you pay attention to what I say?”
    Jonathan’s hands flew into a frenzy. “I don’t like when you tell me what to do!”
    “Having trouble, Skye?” Mr. Wheaten said, leading his team around the corner.
    “Yes,” she said without turning. “He is so stubborn!”
    “Pray for wisdom.” Mr. Wheaten’s voice trailed away.
    “I already did!” Skye yelled back. Her attention back to the boy, she signed, “Let’s try this. You hold the reins, and I’ll lead Buddy around the corral. But use only one hand. Okay?”
    “No!” Jonathan signed and then folded his arms tightly again.
    “Then you can’t ride,” Skye signed. “All the horses here are trained Western. If you try English, Buddy won’t work.”
    Jonathan flashed a look of contempt and grabbed the reins sharply from the horn. Buddy flinched, threw his head up, and took several quick steps back.
    “Easy, boy!” Skye grabbed the horse’s bridle and then stroked him on the neck to calm him down. She darted an angry look at Jonathan. “If you do that again, your lesson will be over!”
    Sticking out his tongue, Jonathan raised his hands to his ears and wiggled his fingers. But then, as though he were the best boy in the whole world, he lit up the whole corral with a Cheshire-cat smile.
    Skye set her Stetson tightly down on her forehead. “When you’re ready to put those reins in one hand, then we’ll walk around the corral.”
    Jonathan sat, arms folded, smile replaced by a pout.
    Folding her arms, Skye matched Jonathan’s pout with her own. She stood there a full five minutes before Jonathan gave in.
    The contest of wills finally over, Jonathan grabbed the knot of the reins with one hand and promptly stuck out his tongue.
    “Now we’ll go around one time,” Skye signed. “Then we’ll turn the other way and go around again. Ease up on the reins. And don’t kick him in the belly! We’re just going to walk slowly.