The Mystery of the Zorse's Mask Read Online Free Page A

me.
    â€œYou sure did,” Chloe says then turns to me. “We can’t make you a Sparkler, but we can give you something to wear while you’re helping with our project. You’ll have to return it when the fund-raiser is over, but until then, everyone will treat you like you’re one of us.”
    She digs into her backpack and pulls out a tiny silver charm on a necklace, identical to the necklaces each of them is wearing.
    A sparkling star perched on a crescent moon.
    I’m temporarily a Sparkler.

Chapter 4
    Good-Bye, Zed

    Saturday morning, I wake up with a bad feeling. Today Caleb Hunter comes to take Zed—unless we can stop him. If there’s anything shady about Caleb, we’ll find out. Then it’ll be war—the CCSC against CH.
    When I get to Becca’s two-story white farmhouse trimmed in yellow, her mother tells me she’s gone to the pasture to catch Zed.
    Mrs. Morales is an older version of Becca—same shiny, black curls, only shorter; long, black lashes; and full lips framed by an oval face. She’s smiling as she steps down from the porch, but I notice shadows under her eyes, like she didn’t sleep well.
    â€œKelsey, I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, giving me a warm hug. “Becca is going to need friends today.”
    â€œYeah,” I say. “She really loves Zed.”
    â€œI do too, but she blames me.” Mrs. Morales shakes her head wearily. “I don’t want Zed to leave either, but legally I have to return him to his owner.”
    â€œI guess,” I say uneasily.
    â€œBecca thinks I’m being unfair, but I’m just doing my job. It’s not easy running Wild Oaks alone.” She clutches the stair rail like it’s all that’s holding her up. “I wish Becca could understand that giving up Zed is hard on me too.”
    She looks at me like she’s hoping I’ll say I understand. I glance down at my sneakers. One of the laces is loose, so I bend down to tie it. When I stand up, the awkwardness is gone and Mrs. Morales is smiling again.
    â€œBecca is in the back pasture.” She points beyond the barn. “You girls have fun.”
    I hurry away, past the barn, to a fenced pasture. Unlatching the livestock gate, I make sure it’s shut firmly behind me. I spot Becca by a bathtub that’s been converted to a water trough. Dust swirls around my sneakers as I cross the pasture. Becca has her back to me as she holds out her hand to Zed, trying to bribe him with oats. But Zed isn’t having any of it.
    â€œCome on, Zed,” Becca coos. Her other hand dangles a rope behind her back. “You know you want the yummy oats.”
    Zed snorts and stomps a hoof.
    â€œYou’ll have to try harder,” I say.
    â€œMaybe I’ll let Caleb Hunter catch him,” Becca grumbles. “Zed’s stubborn. He can’t be forced to do anything—you have to win his trust. It took a month before he’d let me ride him.”
    â€œIt would be cool to ride him,” I say.
    â€œHe likes you, so he might let you on his back. You can try when I catch him.” She flings the lassoed rope toward Zed’s neck, but he jerks away and she misses.
    â€œIf you catch him,” I tease as Zed prances just out of reach.
    â€œOrnery zorse,” Becca mutters. “Did you know that a zorse is three times stronger than a horse? Last week while I was in school, he broke into the vegetable garden and refused to leave. One of our volunteers, Hank, couldn’t catch Zed. By the time Mom got there to coax Zed out, he’d eaten a bunch of tomatoes and was chomping carrots. It’s impossible for a man to get near him.”
    â€œUnless it’s the man who used to own him,” I say, then wish I hadn’t when I see the pained look on Becca’s face. “I’m sorry, Becca.”
    â€œIt’s not your fault. I was stupid to get attached.” She