Stable Groom

  “So do you think this means that because someone with as many qualifications as Denise sees something to admire in Red, then perhaps he is good enough to groom Veronica’s horse?” Lisa asked with mock seriousness.

  “I don’t know. Maybe if he gets a Ph.D. in equine studies, he’ll be fit to touch one or two hairs on the horse,” Stevie replied.

  “I guess that’s more likely than his ever becoming a Certified Riding Counselor with the Equestrian Center,” Carole said.

  “Oh, I almost forgot!” Stevie reached for her bag and fumbled in it. She withdrew a letter, unfolded it, smoothed it out on her knees, and began to read: “Dear Stephanie Lake,” the letter went. “Thank you very much for your interest in our Riding Counselor Certification program. I regret to inform you that the Equestrian Center is a state organization, not a national one. We can therefore certify only those instructors living and working in Indiana. We are truly sorry that we cannot be of more help.

  “Nevertheless, having read your letter several times, I would like to assure you that any instructor who has inspired the kind of devotion that Redford O’Malley obviously has must be a very good one. I doubt that a mere certificate would have an impact on that. However, we have included a copy of our handbook for Mr. O’Malley. He can study this book should he ever have an interest in working at a camp or riding program in Indiana.” Stevie refolded the letter with a flourish.

  “You don’t think he’d ever want to leave, do you?” Carole asked. They had all had such a good time with him while Max was in London that she felt even more appreciative of Red’s skills. And he and Denise made a great teaching team.

  Lisa shook her head. “He’s not going to go anywhere fast. He’s got Denise, his studies, a good job,and a boss who respects and trusts him. That should keep him right here in Virginia for a long time.”

  “Besides, if anything ever happens to Max, Red can take over,” Stevie pointed out. “After all, he’s practically married to Deborah!”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  BONNIE BRYANT is the author of many books for young readers, including novelizations of movie hits such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® and Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, written under her married name, B. B. Hiller.

  Ms. Bryant began writing The Saddle Club in 1986. Although she had done some riding before that, she intensified her studies then and found herself learning right along with her characters Stevie, Carole, and Lisa. She claims that they are all much better riders than she is.

  Ms. Bryant was born and raised in New York City. She lives in Greenwich Village with her two sons.