Chapter Behind Left This is the worst day ever I said as I lugged a feed bucket out to the aisle There were bits of straw hay and half-chewed apples stuck to the bottom Khadija carried out the water bucket It’s only nine o’clock in the morning The day just started Cheer up Cassidy I groaned How can I cheer up when everybody but me is leaving for an overnight trail ride I folded my arms over my chest I’m going to be stuck here mucking out stalls Don’t be so dramatic said Ryleigh It’s just one night Twenty-four hours She jabbed a pitchfork into the straw on the floor lifted up a heap and shook it The clean straw fell through 4
the tines leaving hardened manure on top Technically thirty hours said Ainsley as she pushed the wheelbarrow toward Ryleigh But who’s counting I rinsed out the buckets I’m counting You’re leaving in a few minutes What am I going to do here all alone Here was Storm Cliff Stables It’s a summer camp for girls who love horses I’m the exception though because I don’t exactly love horses yet I like them but I’m still getting used to being around them This is my first year here with Ryleigh Ainsley and Khadija We’re bunkmates They’ve known each other for four years and call themselves the Three Horseketeers I really wish they’d make me the fourth Horseketeer Khadija grabbed a can of Tinkle Sprinkle You won’t be alone Cassidy Lots of campers aren’t going The horses will keep you company 5
The Pony Girls aren’t allowed to go either She shook the can over a wet spot on the ground This gets rid of the urine smell Don’t forget to use it The Pony Girls are eight years old I screeched And besides Maverick I’m not really comfortable around the other horses yet Maverick is a rescue horse He’s missing an ear and is blind in one eye He doesn’t like
too many people around here but he lets me lead him around the arena Aunt Jane says my singing calms him down Minka’s staying said Ainsley Minka is a black bossy Percheron mare She’s eighteen hands tall The biggest horse at camp Aunt Jane said she needs to rest so I’m riding Duke instead said Ainsley
