Galloping Gold by Terri Farley Page B

so she said, “It is a fund-raiser.”
    When supercompetitive Ann chimed in to say “It’s all about teamwork and determination,” her lecturing tone was aimed at Tyson.
    â€œAnd speed,” Tyson scoffed. “Otherwise you wouldn’t catch me doin’ it.”
    Tyson probably knew he wouldn’t have been included if he hadn’t been so fast, Darby thought.
    Pauli gave Tyson a playful punch, then said, “It’s about bragging rights, too. When Jewel whips everyone else, they’ll be standing in line for one of her foals.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Megan said, but she was looking at Cade.
    â€œWe’ll see,” Ann taunted the guys. “We’ve got a pretty fast horse, ourselves.”
    â€œPretty pupule , you mean,” Tyson sneered.
    Tension crackled between Ann and Tyson.
    Of course he knew, Darby thought, but did he have to bring it up?
    â€œNo joke,” Tyson went on, turning to Pauli. “Her crazy horse tried to kill my mom.”
    â€œOh, come on!” Ann snapped. “My horse didn’t touch your mom. She just fell off a completely different horse because she was scared of mine.”
    Megan grabbed Ann’s sleeve and jerked her sideways.
    â€œBack off, Crusher,” Megan said, but Ann wrested her arm from Megan’s grip.
    â€œNo! He can back off!” Ann moved closer to Tyson.
    â€œI’ve seen this show before”—Megan tried to make their anger into a joke—“and don’t anybody say anything about a redhead’s temper.”
    No one thought it was funny.
    Darby had felt this building pressure before, too, just as fights were starting at school. But she couldn’tlet her best friend pick a fistfight with Tyson right here at ‘Iolani Ranch.
    â€œAnn,” Darby said under her breath, “is your dad going to let you race, if—”
    â€œNaw, don’t call her off. Let the malihini take a swing,” he taunted.
    All of a sudden the racket of sawing and pounding stopped and Darby saw the tall construction worker headed their way. For a fraction of a second she almost felt sorry for Tyson, because he didn’t see his father coming after him.
    â€œI know,” Darby blurted. “We’ll have a practice race, like—in three days, yeah?”
    â€œA grudge match,” Megan said, backing her up. “Then we’ll see who’s got a fast horse.”
    â€œAnd an out-of-control rider,” Pauli said, smiling at Ann.
    â€œTyson.” Darby’s voice was just above a whisper, but he heard and looked in the direction she did.
    Tyson turned. He pretended to storm away from the conflict, but he wanted to face his father before George Mookini confronted him in front of his friends—and enemies.
    Darby exhaled, and she must have closed her eyes for a second, because when she opened them, everyone was looking at her.
    â€œWhat?” she asked.
    â€œWhy did you do that?” Ann demanded.
    â€œDo what?” Darby blinked innocently, even thoughshe knew her act was unconvincing.
    â€œYou know what,” Pauli said. He studied her for a few seconds, then looked away.
    Cade beamed at Darby, and she couldn’t figure that out at all.
    â€œNo big deal,” Megan said. “I’ve seen her rescue a pig before.”
    â€œMegan!” Darby gasped.
    â€œThe pig was cuter,” Megan added.
    â€œWhy? He’s always picking on you. Why would you save—” Ann broke off when Pauli refocused on the girls.
    â€œYou’re just way too nice for your own good, girlfriend,” Megan said, slinging her arm over Darby’s shoulder.
    â€œUh- huh !” Ann hung her arm over Darby’s other shoulder.
    Bonded together that way, with Darby in the middle, they faced Pauli and Cade and made a date for a ride-and-tie showdown.

Chapter Ten
    D uring their first day of practice, the girls rode in the rain