Bold Beauty by Dandi Daley Mackall

Aren’t you going to jump the hedge?”
    I didn’t answer. I kept my head down as I led Beauty past Dad and into the barn.
    Richard trailed after me, with Summer at his side. “That’s what we needed to see. Thanks, Winnie.”
    I snapped Beauty into the cross-ties. I couldn’t look her in the eyes.
    Lizzy, Dad, and Catman walked up. Lizzy still looked puzzled. “Why didn’t Winnie jump the hedge?”
    Catman whispered something to her, and her expression changed. She shot me a look of pure pity, which hurt worse than anything she could have said.
    I glared at Catman, knowing he’d told her I’d chickened out.
    â€œWe’ll see you in the house, Winnie,” Dad said, herding Lizzy and Catman out of the barn.
    I kept brushing Beauty, trying not to think about what I’d done. What I’d not done. I thought Spidells had left until I heard Richard’s voice outside the barn.
    â€œGlad I caught you! I’m at the Willis place.” He was talking on the cell phone. “No, Winnie hasn’t had any more luck with this horse than we did.” He chuckled. “She’s a good kid all right. And very talented too, when it comes to ordinary horses. . . . Wait ’til you see the hunter I’ve found for you. More money, but can he jump!”
    He paused. My ears buzzed. I couldn’t breathe.
    Richard chuckled. “Your wife will come around. Tell her not to worry about the mare. I’ve made some calls to a camp in Columbus. . . . I agree. Poor Winnie did her best, but she couldn’t handle the high jump. . . . Sure! Tomorrow afternoon, right here. I’ll bring the trailer. Glad I could help.”
    Summer honked, and I listened to the gravel crunch as Richard ran to his car.
    I hung out in the barn, saddle-soaping tack, scrubbing the soft soap into saddles and bridles until they foamed clean and shiny. Anything so I didn’t have to talk to humans.
    It was dark when Lizzy came looking for me. “You okay?”
    â€œI’m fine!” I insisted, pushing past her and outside, where stars winked at each other.
    â€œIt’s okay to lose your confidence, Winnie. Everybody—”
    I wheeled on her. “Who said I lost my con- fidence? Catman? Well, I didn’t!” I stormed toward the house. Lucky for Catman, I didn’t see him anywhere.
    Lizzy dogged me. “You should have told Dad and me!”
    â€œThere’s nothing to tell!” I screamed, making it to the front steps.
    â€œWinnie?” Dad shouted from the shed.
    I pretended not to hear.
    I ran to the bedroom, slammed the door, kicked off my boots, slipped into my pj’s, and dove into bed. I hadn’t lost my confidence! That was ridiculous.
    A long time later I heard Lizzy come in. I pretended to be asleep as she got ready for bed and clicked on her reading light.
    A knock came at the door.
    â€œCome on in, Dad!” Lizzy called.
    I didn’t budge. The door opened, and footsteps crossed to my bed. I squeezed my eyes shut. The footsteps moved to Lizzy’s side of the room.
    â€œNight, Lizzy,” Dad whispered.
    â€œNight, Dad.” Then Lizzy slipped into praying: “God, thanks for being Immanuel. Help Winnie turn around and see that you’re in that boat with her.”
    I knew she was talking about what Ralph had said in church, about Peter and the other fishermen and the storm, and Jesus sleeping in the boat. But I didn’t care. All that mattered was Bold Beauty. I’d let her down. And tomorrow she’d be gone forever.
    Dad left, and Lizzy read for a few minutes before turning off the light. Within seconds I heard the Lizzy-snore I’d known my whole life.
    I sat up in bed. The full moon shined a spotlight through the window. White streams of light washed the pasture. I could see the outline of the hedge. In a few hours Bold Beauty would be taken away to a place where no one