Stable Farewell by Bonnie Bryant Page B

nodded shyly. “Stevie and Lisa and I all wanted you to have it.”
    Cam pinned it to his jacket immediately. “I can’t wait till somebody at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center asksme where I got this,” he said. “I’ll tell them, ‘Sorry, but it’s a very exclusive club,’ ” Cam joked. “All right, now you open yours.”
    Carole fumbled with the wrapping paper on her box but finally got it open. “You got me a pin, too!” she exclaimed.
    “I guess great minds think alike,” said Cam, smiling.
    Inside the box was a horseshoe-shaped stickpin. Carole could hardly believe Cam had picked out such a perfect gift. She gulped a little before she managed a thank-you.
    “When I saw it, it reminded me of the good-luck horseshoe here that you told me about,” Cam said. “I …” He hesitated and looked down, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’ll still be a good friend, you know, Carole. At least, I’ll try to be.”
    Carole could read more from Cam’s face than from what he said. He seemed to realize, like her, how hard long-distance friendships could be, especially when the friendship was just getting started. All of a sudden Carole was conscious of the silence. She wanted to break it, but, for the millionth time, she didn’t know what to say. “Cam …”
    “Yes?”
    Carole paused a minute as the door to the changing room swung open. Veronica strode in, her cheeks wet withtears. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Cam and Carole. “Oh … hi. I didn’t know anyone was in here.” Abruptly Veronica wiped her face with her hand. “There’s so much dust in the barn, I must have gotten some in my eyes,” she said, visibly trying to compose herself.
    “Is the party still going on?” Carole asked, tactfully changing the subject.
    Veronica shook her head. “It’s just about over. Katie’s here for Garnet now.”
    “Wow, we’d better go see her off,” Carole realized.
    “Yeah, she’ll be gone soon,” Veronica added, almost wistfully.
    “I’m going to miss that horse,” said Carole, hoping to put Veronica at ease. “She’s a sweetheart.”
    “Yes, she is sweet …” Veronica’s voice trailed off. Then she seemed to snap back to attention. “She’s awfully sweet—but then there’s Danny. You wouldn’t exactly call him ‘sweet,’ but he’s still the perfect horse. Everyone agrees. Even Max can’t fault him. Did you know—”
    By silent, mutual consent, Cam and Carole headed for the door, nodding and smiling. They weren’t about to get trapped listening to Veronica bragging while Garnet left for her new home.
    Outside, Stevie and Lisa were helping Katie put up theramp of the trailer. All the kids had gathered to say their final good-byes. Once the ramp was secure, Katie hugged each of The Saddle Club members in turn, ending with Carole, who ran up to join the group. Then Katie picked up the basket of treats the Pony Clubbers had given Garnet and hopped into the front seat of the truck. She rolled the window down and waved. “Maybe we’ll see you at Pony Club events!”
    “Don’t forget to write!” Lisa called. She had made Katie promise to keep them posted on Garnet’s progress as an endurance trail horse.
    “And that goes for you, too, Garnet!” Stevie called. “No excuses!”
    “Bye, everyone!” Katie called.
    The group waved and called their good-byes. Stevie, Lisa, and Carole stood together and watched the trailer as it lumbered down the driveway. Finally it rounded the corner and the chestnut rump disappeared from view. The three girls sighed. It was hard to watch an old friend leave, human or equine. Carole was so preoccupied with watching Garnet go off to her new home that she momentarily forgot that her time with Cam was almost over. But while the trailer had pulled out, another car had pulled in. All at once Carole realized that it was Cam’s mother in her station wagon. Stunned that Mrs. Nelson had arrived soquickly, she turned to look for Cam. She