Snowfire by Terri Farley

Baxter flattened his ears and Conch widened the space between them.
    Megan did something to scold the horse, and Conch narrowed his distance from the other gelding. That worked until Baxter began forcing his tongue against his bit, trying to break into a run.
    Darby didn’t know how she was supposed to shorten the reins using just her right hand. Finally, she was stretched so far to her left, she had to decide whether to let go or be pulled out of the saddle.
    Darby let go. When Megan circled back, she said,“This stunt’s going to need some work.”
    Darby nodded, but then she said, “Try it with Cade.”
    â€œWhy?” Megan looked suspicious.
    â€œBecause he’s about a zillion times better rider than I am, and if we want to sell these horses, we want someone riding who makes them look good,” Darby insisted.
    She and Megan rode over to where Cade and Ann sat on the fence.
    â€œThose two are definitely not in sync,” Ann said when they arrived.
    â€œI’ll say,” Megan agreed, rubbing her arm. “At this rate one of us will wind up with a disconnected shoulder. Or dislocated. However you want to say it, one of us will pull the ball out of the socket joint. I saw it on that kinesiology handout.”
    â€œAre you totally set on entering this event?” Darby asked.
    â€œYeah,” Megan replied. “Sort of. Definitely. Come on; we’ll just have to practice.”
    Darby didn’t want to take the hand Megan offered her, so she asked, “Cade, will you try it? You’re a lot more experienced than I am. Maybe I would do better as part of a four-person team. I could ride Baxter in sorting, doctoring, and trailer loading, the kinds of things I’m a little more experienced at. That’s what Kimo suggested.”
    â€œBut, Darby,” Megan protested.
    â€œI’ll just slow you down,” Darby said, then gave Cade a pleading look Megan couldn’t see.
    â€œWhat do you think, Cade?” Megan asked.
    â€œI’ll give it a try,” he agreed.
    Darby realized that a hint of red had risen on Cade’s cheeks, like a sudden sunburn. These cowboys were sure easy to embarrass.

Chapter Nine
    A fter an early dinner, Megan helped Ann and Darby wrap half of a fresh batch of malasadas for their camping trip.
    â€œJonah loves malasadas,” Aunty Cathy said as she watched them.
    Jonah patted his belly. “I love them too much. But I can’t resist. Besides, I have another reason for wanting to take a batch along tonight.”
    â€œAnother reason besides eating them?” Darby asked.
    â€œYou’ll see,” Jonah said mysteriously as he left the kitchen.
    â€œMegan, I don’t know why you won’t come withus,” Darby urged. “It will be so much fun.”
    Megan laughed. “Oh, sure, I just love eating Jonah’s poi and jerky for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
    â€œIs it really that bad?” Ann worried.
    â€œNot if you’re a fan of mashed taro root without a drop of salt or sugar.”
    Ann made a face.
    â€œJust kidding. Sort of kidding,” Megan said. “And it’s not the only reason I’m not going, anyway,” she replied. “Cade and I need the time to practice, because once you two come back we’ll have to concentrate on the four-person team events.”
    Ann slid Darby a teasing glance, and Darby returned it. They’d already practiced right up until dinner.
    â€œ What? ” Megan asked, realizing something was going on.
    â€œYou know what ,” Ann teased. “Cade and you just have to work together this weekend.”
    â€œYes…we do,” Megan insisted. “Excuse me if I’d rather not break Cade’s arm by yanking him off Baxter. Your nickname is Crusher, not mine.”
    Ann and Megan had once both been on the soccer team at school before Ann had been sidelined by an injury, and they still acted like teammates