High Hurdles (40 page)

Joe still hadn’t looked at DJ. She felt like spraining her leg just so he would look at her with all the concern he was wasting on the creepo. And now she was supposed to share her lunch. Could things get much worse?

They could. After the food was gone, Joe helped Tony to his feet again. “Well, you can’t walk your horse out, that’s for sure. How about if I lead him?” He turned to look at DJ. “DJ, Major can ride double.”

“Tony can ride Josh. I don’t mind walking.” Amy stepped forward.

“No, thanks for volunteering. DJ?”

“All right.” Why should she have to give Tony a ride—the fall was his fault. He’d ruined their whole day. “Get on,” she hissed, her back to Joe so he couldn’t see her.

“I’d rather walk.”

“Well, I’d rather you walked, too, but when Joe says to do something, it’s best to do it.” She stabbed a finger in his direction. “Now, get on.”

Once Tony was mounted, DJ accepted Joe’s assistance to get in the saddle. Still, he said nothing more to her. She felt like giving the rider behind her an elbow in the gut.

“You’re the biggest snob I ever knew.” He made sure his whisper didn’t carry to Joe’s ears.

“Redneck.”

“How would you know?”

“I heard the way you talk to Hilary. She’s gone out of her way to help you, and you keep on making her life miserable. If she wasn’t so nice, she’d have told Bridget about you weeks ago, and you’da been out on your can.”

“I suppose you’re one of those do-gooder Christians.” The tone of his voice said what he thought of those who followed Christ.

“Sure am. So’s Hilary—that’s why she puts up with you.”

“You okay back there?” Joe called from the front of the line.

“Fine, sir,” Tony answered.

“You may be fine, but I’m sure not. I’d rather dump you in the creek.”

“Just let me off, Miss Christian. I can walk.”

DJ nudged Major into a trot.

Tony groaned and hung on for all his worth.

In a few steps, DJ ordered Major to walk again. Where had she gotten such a mean streak? Was this the way Jesus wanted her to act? What would Gran say if she knew what was happening? Joe knew, and that meant Gran would hear about it.

They were halfway down the trail when Tony asked, “So why hasn’t Hilary told Bridget?”

“Because Bridget wants us to learn to handle things on our own. Each student worker is assigned a new person to train. You got Hilary, the best trainer of all.” DJ wanted to add, 
And if you don’t knock off the racial slurs, Hilary will leave,
 but she’d promised not to say anything. “You’re lucky—you really are.”

Hilary was the first to see them ride back onto the Academy grounds. She ran up the hill and took the reins of the injured horse. “What happened?” She looked up to see Tony behind DJ. “Are you hurt?”

“Take his horse to the stall and get some ice while we unsaddle these horses. DJ can ride Tony over to the office. When will your mother be here, son?”

“Six.”

“Then we better call her. You probably should get that ankle looked at.” Joe dismounted at the barn door. “Go on, DJ, take him over while I put Ranger away.”

DJ did as he said. How could Hilary take care of Tony’s horse like that when he’d been so mean to her? Let alone be polite to him?

In front of the office, DJ slung her leg over Major’s neck and slid to the ground. “If you scoot up the saddle . . . no, that won’t work.” She stepped closer to the horse. “If you slide off carefully, I can catch you so you don’t put all your weight on that foot.” Between them, they got Tony sitting on one of the chunks of log kept there for that purpose.

“If you’ll hold Major’s reins, I’ll go call your mom.” DJ got his phone number and dialed. After telling his mother what happened, she returned to the shady spot where Tony now had his injured leg propped on another wood block. “She’ll be here as soon as she can. You want me to get you some ice while we wait?”

Tony looked up at her as though he didn’t trust what he was hearing. “Y’all sure you want to do that?”

“Yes or no.”

“Yes, please.”

DJ returned with two plastic bags filled with ice cubes. She helped stack them around the ankle of his dusty boot. “Sorry you won’t be in the show tomorrow.”

“Me too.” He stared at the ice bags. “Thanks for the ride.”

“You’re welcome.” DJ headed back to the barn, Major trotting behind her. Joe and Hilary were working with the injured horse, and Amy was brushing Ranger and Josh down. DJ put her tack away. “You ready to wash?”

Together, they bathed their horses, brushed them, and fastened on coolers. By the time they were finished, Amy dashed for her bike to head home. “See you in the morning,” she called over her shoulder.

DJ fed both Ranger and Major before ambling back to the stall where Joe had just finished. “He going to be all right?”

“With some rest. Lucky he didn’t break it.”

“Joe, I’m sorry.” DJ looked up at him. “Please don’t hate me.”

“Hate you?” Joe shook his head and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Never. I was disappointed in you, though. Riding off like that was thoughtless.”

“But everyone knows to stay on the trails. You’d think . . .” She stopped. The thought that they might have had to destroy Tony’s horse made her heart pound. If that had happened, she never would have forgiven herself. If today had been part of God’s plan for answering her prayers, she sure didn’t understand Him.

“I better get home. Show mornings always come earlier than others.” At the thought, her butterflies took a practice flight. After a day like today, who knew what tomorrow would bring?

Chapter • 15

Show time—two days’ worth.

“This is our day, big guy. I can feel it.” DJ tickled Major’s upper lip, loving the whiskery feel on her fingertips. She could hear the sounds of other riders readying their horses for transport. Horses nickered, and a whinny came from off to the right, floating through the fog like a phantom song.

DJ shivered in the chill. One good thing about summer shows, she didn’t freeze getting to the site. But then, today, even after the sun came out, she wouldn’t be sweating bullets, either. She forked out the dirty shavings while Major ate his breakfast, then brought up a cart of clean bedding to dump in as soon as he was out of the stall. That way, he wouldn’t get more dust on him.

DJ picked his hooves. She probably should have had him shod first, but it was too late now. She always put it off as long as she could because it made such a dent in her bank account. At this rate, she’d never get a new saddle.

“Mornin’, kid,” Joe said with a grin.

“Overslept, did you?” DJ dropped the last hoof.

“Now, none of your smart remarks. I’m supposed to be retired, you know.”

“Plain tired’s more like it.” DJ hid a snicker. Giving Joe a bad time was almost as much fun as teasing Gran. “By the way, I fed your starving horse for you. 
He
 shouldn’t suffer because you can’t get out from under the covers.” It wasn’t as if Joe didn’t feed Major every morning, but laughing at the menacing look on his face made her feel lighter and less nervous.

She jogged past the other riders to find Bridget.

“We will send the jumpers first load, as usual,” Bridget said, consulting her clipboard. “Mr. Yamamoto is in charge. By the way, DJ, Tony called to say he would not be showing today but that his ankle is only sprained. They had the vet out to check on his horse, and he will be out of commission for a couple of weeks. What happened up there?”

DJ’s first racing thought was 
Tony didn’t tell her
. The second: 
Please don’t ask me any more questions about it
. “Ah . . . Tony’s horse tripped and threw him.” That much was the truth.

“Were you racing?”

DJ stared at Bridget as if she’d left some of her marbles at home. “No way!” A swift knife stab of pain that Bridget would even think that, and another of guilt. Technically, it could have been called racing by an innocent bystander.

“Well, then, I am glad no one was injured worse. It is a shame that Tony has to miss the last big show of the season.”

“Yeah, right.” DJ headed for the trailer. 
I’m sure we’ll all miss him terribly
.

DJ trotted over to where the slight man wearing the Academy sweat shirt was letting down the ramp to the six-horse trailer. “Who you want first, Dad?” Mr. Yamamoto told all the student workers to call him Dad—he claimed it made life easier.

“If Major is ready, let’s start with him, then Prince. Have you seen Hilary yet?”

DJ shook her head. “I’ll go see if he’s been fed. Maybe something happened to make her late.”

With a swift dash by Prince’s stall to see that he was eating, DJ told Amy to get a move on readying Major. The barns were bustling as she dodged horses, kids, adults, and a baby in a stroller. Life at the Academy was definitely a family affair.

“Major’s first.” DJ slipped under the tie across her stall opening and snapped the lead shank to her horse’s halter.

“I’ll throw those shavings in as soon as you get going.” Joe checked the buckles on the sheet and gave Major an extra pat. “You’re out of here, kid.”

“Thanks.” DJ swallowed her resident troupe of butterflies and clucked to Major. Was there any more exciting place on earth than a barn preparing for a show? Her broad grin brought forth answering smiles and greetings from everyone she met.

Major walked into the trailer as if he did it every weekday and three times on Sunday. Josh followed while DJ went to get Prince. That was the rule: If riders weren’t there to take care of their horses, whoever was would do it for them.

She stopped by Tony’s stall to see the gelding. The horse turned from his grain pan and nickered. “At least 
you
 know how to be polite.” DJ looked around to make sure no one else heard her.

She opened the web gate to Prince’s stall and snapped a lead shank to his halter. “Hey, guy, come with me, okay?” The rangy Thoroughbred snuffled her shoulder and followed docilely.

If DJ let herself think ahead to the show-ring, she wouldn’t be able to keep her feet on the hard-packed dirt.

But where was Hilary?

For the first time in DJ’s memory, the horses were loaded with no fireworks on the loading ramp. Even Patches walked right in as if he’d been doing this all his life. Mrs. Johnson clapped her hands like a little kid. DJ’s students wore grins that nearly chased the sleep from their eyes. But still no Hilary.

“You want me to call her?” DJ asked Bridget.

“If you want.” She handed DJ a slip of paper. “Here’s her number.”

DJ let the phone ring and ring. No answer. “They must be on the way.”

“Maybe she slept through her alarm,” suggested Krissie from her place glued to DJ’s right hip. The little blonde had been bouncing like a tennis ball all morning.

DJ shook her head. “Not Hilary. The show means too much to her.” DJ felt a little worm of fear wriggle in her belly. 
Please, God, don’t let anything have happened to Hilary
.

They loaded students into the vans and cars with their waiting parents, and the caravan eased out of the drive. DJ rode in the front seat of Joe’s Explorer. Last time Tony had been riding in that spot—and Hilary had been in back with her. Things sure were different today. DJ didn’t like it one bit.

“Gran will be coming with Lindy, and Robert will meet them there with the boys.” Joe looked over at her with a smile.

DJ groaned. “Now you tell me. Do they have to come?”

“Why, child, I thought you’d be pleased.”

“I am—I think. But when my family’s around, the butterflies act as if I’m performing for the president of the Olympic games or something. Joe, you have no idea what I feel like inside.”

“Sure I do. When I was a member of the force’s mounted drill team, I had worse butterflies than when I faced an angry crowd. The anticipation gets to you.”

Even after they had the horses tied to the rope stretched between trees and the announcer had made the first call for Hunter/Jumper, Hilary wasn’t there.

“Should we saddle her horse?” DJ and Amy looked at each other.

“Yeah, she’ll be here.” Amy turned to leave. “You saddle Prince, and I’ll go ask Bridget to make sure Hilary is last on the program.”

“Good idea.” DJ had already changed into her riding gear, but, with Joe’s help, she managed to stay neat.

God, please, please,
 please 
make Hilary all right. Help her to get here in time
. The prayer kept pace with her hands as she brushed the tall sorrel horse. Hilary usually braided Prince’s mane—DJ should have done that.

She looked over at Major. She and Joe had finished his braid just a few minutes before. The red ribbons made Major look like a professional show horse. Having someone to help her sure made a difference. A nice difference. What would it be like when the boys and Shawna started showing? The thought made her gasp. What a circus that would be!

“DJ, we’s here.”

“Good luck, DJ. Now stay back, boys. You can hug DJ later.” Robert grinned at her. “We just wanted you to know you had a rooting section.”

“You look pretty, DJ. Major too.” The boys couldn’t move. Robert had them in a steel grip.

“Say good-bye. See you later.”

As they left, the squawk boxes announced the second call for Hunter/Jumper.

DJ mounted Major, and Joe unsnapped Prince’s lead line. Together, they started around the track to the warm-up ring on the other side of the huge covered arena. The Black Diamond Riding Center sprawled over ten acres and looked like a place out of the movies. Tubs of blooming plants, white-board fences, a shaded picnic area, and an enclosed plot with swings and climbing equipment for bored children. With stalls for over a hundred horses and four rings beside the covered area, the place made DJ drool.

But where was Hilary?

Riders loosening up their horses circled the open arena, big enough to equal the two at Briones combined.

“Hilary’s on last. You’re in the middle,” Amy said with a rush. “How about if I warm up Prince?”

“Good idea.” Together, the two girls entered the arena and joined the circling throng. If all of these riders were entered in Hunter/Jumper, the class would take hours. DJ’s heart sank. She didn’t have a chance.

She put that thought out of her mind and focused on Major, slowly warming him up and concentrating on the event ahead of them.

The announcer called the first entrant. She could hear the applause and then a groan from the spectators.

The next time around the arena she saw Joe flag Amy. Hilary stood by his side. DJ trotted over to join them. “What happened?”

“First our car wouldn’t start, then it stalled halfway here.” Hilary adjusted her stirrups and mounted as she spoke. “I can’t thank you enough for taking care of Prince for me.” She held out a hand. “See, I can’t quit shaking.”

“Take a deep breath and let it all out.” Bridget had joined them. “You will be fine. Relax your shoulders and breathe deeply again.” Bridget’s voice held all the calm of a summer lake. “Now, Hilary, you know how to concentrate, so get out there and do it. Forget what has happened and do your job.”

“Thanks, Bridget. How is Tony’s horse?”

“He will be okay in a week or two. Thank you for all the extra time you put in with him last night.”

DJ looked from Hilary to Amy and gave a brief shake of her head. What was Hilary, a saint or something? Amy raised an eyebrow. It was obvious she wondered the same.

“Two more and you’re on.” Bridget nodded toward the gate to the show-ring. “Do your best. That’s all anyone can ask.”

DJ waited her turn, Joe standing beside her.

“I think it’s worse being your grandfather than showing myself.” He looked up at DJ with a smile. “Know what I mean?”

“Yep, that’s how I feel when my students are in the ring. I want them to do well so badly.” DJ stroked Major’s neck. “You know, nothing seems to bother this guy. He’s calm as a sleeping dog, but I can tell he’s ready to go.”

“His years of police training in action. Sure wish it worked for me.” He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. “Okay, kid, do it. I’m going up into the stands where I can see better.”

The announcer called DJ’s number. She took a deep breath, let it out, and trotted into the ring.

“Go, DJ! Y’all can do it.”

The Southern accent. She didn’t dare look. Tony Andrada was in the stands and cheering for 
her
.

DJ put everything out of her mind but the jumps ahead. She signaled Major and away they went. Plain fences, an oxer, three jumps of varying heights, an in and out, a brush. DJ thrilled to being airborne. She and Major were one. The rhythm of canter, thrust, fly, and land echoed in her heart. Perfect. Yes! This was what she wanted most in life.

They completed the round to a burst of applause. Two small voices screamed, “DJ! DJ!” A glance up at the stand told her the entire family was there, even Andy and Sonya with Shawna.

DJ bit her lip. They had 
all
 come to see her and Major. She rode out of the ring to their enthusiastic cheers.

“Way to go.” Tony, on crutches, was the last to congratulate her.

“That was some jumping, kid, and, Major, you didn’t look too bad yourself.” Joe met her outside. He clapped one hand on DJ’s knee and slapped the horse’s shoulder with the other. “I’m so proud of you I could pop.”

Amy trotted up. “That was great, DJ. And did you notice who is here?”

“I know. Tony. I can’t believe it.”

“And he was cheering for you—man, was he ever cheering. What do you think happened?”

“Got me.” She stopped to listen. “Hilary’s up next. I want to go watch.”

“I’ll take Major, you go on.” Joe reached for the reins. “I already saw the jumper most important to me.”

DJ blew him a kiss as she dismounted and ran for the arena.

Hilary jumped a flawless routine.

Tony Andrada shouted and cheered as if they were best friends.

“God must’ve done a miracle.” DJ looked at Amy and shook her head. “I can’t believe it.”

Five people made it into the second round, DJ and Hilary included.

“I thought last time was bad—this is worse.” Even under her gloves, a hangnail tempted DJ to chew it. She wouldn’t make it around the arena again. She had to go to the bathroom.

The first entrant knocked a bar down. The second jumped clean.

DJ rode in third position. “Okay, fella, this is the test.” With each clean jump, she felt more like she was flying. Up, airborne, and down. Major kept his ears forward and grunted with each landing. “One more.” Thrust, fly, and—the tick echoed in her mind. She finished the course and exited to cheers, Tony one of the loudest.

DJ glanced up at her cheering sections—one made up of family, the other of academy riders.