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As Mr Cody came out of the barn with Double Down already saddled, he put a startled look on his wrinkled face

“Why, what is this?” he said in mock surprise “Where’d all you kids co your lessons? Let , is that it? Y’all picking up stakes and hightailing it out of here for greener pastures?”

The kids stared at the old farmer silently, their wide eyes on the saddled black horse They wanted to ask if they could ride, of course, but Mary Catherine had forbidden the host If he offered, they could accept, but they could never do so so rude as to ask In the silence, Chrissy and Shawna stared up at Double Down like they were going to explode

“Cat’s got all you guys’ tongues thisat them “Well, before you leave, could you do an old man one last favor? These horses of mine need to be rode, and I can’t find a cowboy or even an Indian anywhere to give them some exercise I know it’s last-minute and all, and I do hate to impose, but do you think you crew could ride ’em for me?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Mr Cody,” Mary Catherine said as the kids bounced up and down by the horse-yard gate “These kids do love the horses, but there is their schoolwork to consider Maybe we should just head back to the house and get our lessons out of the way”

“No!!!” they all squealed, unable to contain themselves another moment

“Horse Need to ride horse,” Trent chanted like the go

ofball he was as he pretended to pass out

“OK, OK,” Mary Catherine said, finally relenting “Foro”

She turned as a car caovernht as she rushed over

“What is it, Leo? Is soer

“No, no Everything is fine, Mary Catherine Sorry, I didn’t uys were OK one ood-bye”

Mary Catherine blinked at him rapidly

“What do youhere anymore?”

“Oh, no, of course not,” Leo said, s “I just meant that my shift is over”