Galloping Gold by Terri Farley Page A

glanced up to make sure they hadn’t distracted Dr. Luke, then wrote in the margin of her notes, What about his mom?
    Nothing yet, Ann wrote back. She drew a face with a wavy mouth, as if Gemma’s silence could mean good news or bad.
    So Tyson’s mother hadn’t retracted her threat to sue the Potters, Darby thought as she tried to turn her attention back to the young veterinarian. It would be just like Tyson to ambush them with some evil bit of news right after the class.
    Why was he here, anyway? He didn’t ride, did he? Tyson was friends with Pauli, but so what? Pauli + Cade + Jewel = a good team. Where could surly Tyson fit in?
    Megan must have come to the same conclusion, because she shook her head as she considered the guys and whispered, “Someone’s going to get punched if those three hang out together very long.”
    Darby nodded in agreement, but then something came back to her that Kimo had said about Tyson months ago. He’d said Tyson and his rough friends got into plenty of trouble, but he’d mentioned Tyson had one thing going for him—he was the fastest cross-country runner the island had ever seen.
    Still, Darby couldn’t imagine Cade and Tyson as partners. Did Cade know Tyson had called her a haole crab? Had he heard that Tyson jumped tourists who wandered into secret surfing spots?
    But Cade was smart and he knew all about bullies. He’d figure Tyson out before it was too late.
    This time, refocusing on the class worked. Darby turned back in time to hear Dr. Luke explain that a ride-and-tie competitor didn’t have to be a good rider, but must be able to handle an excited horse.
    â€œThe rider needs confidence,” the vet said. “He can’t be afraid of the horse, because an out-of-control horse and a fearful rider are dangerous to themselves and every other living thing on the racecourse.”
    â€œOw!” Darby muffled her gasp, but elbows had jabbed both sides of her rib cage. Megan rolled her eyes toward Tyson.
    Ann smiled at her and whispered, “One good thing is that if this doesn’t work, we’ll find out in a big hurry.”
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    After the class, Darby and Ann were more convinced than ever that the race was just the challenge Sugarfoot needed.
    â€œHis speed will count, but he can’t do all that rowdy chasing,” Darby said.
    â€œI think the hard part for Sugarfoot—”
    â€œWhat?” Megan asked, shouting over the racket of power tools. “If I’m going to be your coach, I have to be able to hear what you’re saying.”
    â€œ Are you going to be our coach?” Darby asked.
    â€œSure,” Megan said, and while Darby’s fist shot up in celebration, Megan motioned for Ann to go on. As they moved farther away from the construction, Ann said “I think the hard part for Sugarfoot will be standing there, tied to a tree, while he waits for one of us, and all these other horses and riders go stampeding past.”
    Sheila must have overheard Ann, because she putin, “That was the hard part for Samba. He was born to run, and he couldn’t figure out why we made him stand still while there was a race going on. But he got it, after a while.”
    Walking as they talked, Sheila and Sissy met up with their brother at the same time that Megan, Darby, and Ann became part of the guys’ group.
    Cade and Pauli were talking about the race entry fee. “Two hundred dollars, bro.” Pauli gave a low whistle. “Outrageous good luck that Dr. Luke’s got us covered.”
    Tyson stood a step apart from the others. Megan considered him openly, then asked, “Can you ride?”
    â€œHe’s learning,” Pauli said, sounding sort of protective.
    But when Tyson answered, his tone was bored. “I guess, but I still can’t believe they’re not givin’ no prize.”
    Darby had thought the same thing, but the words sounded rude coming from Tyson,