Chapter 1
All of Pine Hollow was abuzz. Earlier that morning Max had called everyone into the lounge. He had an announcement to make. When everyone was finally assembled Max spoke.
"Pine hollow is expecting a very important visitor later this afternoon," he said, "I have just been informed that Princess Katherine of Aragon and Her mother the Queen are Coming to Pine Hollow for a few weeks!"
Princess Katherine was the crown princess of a small but powerful and prominent southern European country. She was also no older than the Saddle Club girls.
"What," Said Lisa, "How did a princess find out about a quiet little place like Pine Hollow!?"
"Apparently from that Article that the Magazine Equestrian International did about us," Max Replied, "Apparently her royal highness came across the article, liked what she saw, and convinced her mom that this was the place they should come on their Vacation."
"Of course I'll take charge of entertaining her Highness while she's here." Said Veronica
"Why you," snapped Melanie
"Because, a Princess is a person of breeding and stature not unlike myself." Sniffed Veronica
At this most of the girls in the room rolled their eyes. By now most people at Pine Hollow were used to Veronica's pomposity.
"Arrogance, thy name is Veronica," whispered Stevie just loud enough for the other Saddle Club Members to hear her.
Lisa and Carole snickered. Just then Mrs. Reg spoke up.
"Now I expect all of you to make sure that the princess and her mother have a nice time. That means behave yourselves."
Now, about three hours later, the whole stable was still buzzing with excitement. Veronica and Kristy were in the lounge planning out the princess's entire itinerary for her. Besides riding of course the envisioned a stay complete with fancy dinners at the country club, concerts by the Willow Creek Chamber orchestra, and a host of other things that sounded really boring to the Saddle Club. Stevie was getting a drink out of the refrigerator. When Lisa and Carole came blasting in.
"Stevie," they said almost in unison, "Come quick, the Queen and Princess's horses are here!" the girls raced out side and watched as the expensive horse trailer, which had just pulled up, was unloaded. The first horse to emerge was the princess's horse it was a silver andalusian grey with a black mane and tail. The second horse that was unloaded was a beautiful black mare. The royal stable hand that had been driving the truck. A man named Silas finished the check in with Max and grabbing the black mare's lead rope lead the horse to its stall. A girl wearing Jeans, a white button up blouse, and a baseball cap with her long braided dark hair pulled through the adjustment band in the back of the hat got out of the truck and lead the Andalusian into the Stables as well.
"You'd think that a girl, who was the princess's personal stable hand, would have enough sense to dress a little better than that." Veronica snorted, as she watched the girl.
Stevie gave the back of Veronica's head and leaned over to Carole, as they walked back into the stables.
"One of these days I am going to punch her in the nose." She growled.
"Simmer down Stevie," said Lisa, "Veronica will put both feet in her mouth eventually, she always does."
A few seconds later they reached the new andalusian grey's stall. The girl they saw earlier was there grooming the horse.
"Wow," said Carole, "That is a magnificent horse."
The girl looked up and smiled,
"The princess would agree with you," she said, "She really loves this horse. His name is Echo." The girls all said hello to Echo. The friendly grey nuzzled their hands.
Just then Veronica came walking by with Kristy at her heels. She walked past the Saddle Club and up the stairs to max's office.
"Max," she complained, "You said the Princess would be here this afternoon, if she doesn't get here soon we won't have time for that private dinner I arranged at the country club. They won't hold the private dining room forever!"
"What do you want me to do?" said Max sounding a little exasperated for once, "I can't hurry the princess up!"
"Is she always like that?" asked the girl stable hand,
"Worse," said Stevie.
"By the way," said the girl, "My name is K.C."
"Oh I'm Stevie," replied the tall blonde, "and these are my friends Carole and Lisa." The girls exchanged greetings. Suddenly Stevie looked at her watch.
"Hey guys," she said, "We'd better tack up, it's time for our dressage lesson." the others nodded.
"We'll see you later, K.C." said Lisa as the girls hurried off toward the tack room. A few minutes later they were riding past one of the practice rings. When Lisa saw a heart wrenching sight, the Royal head stable hand, a hard faced green eyed man named Raul, who had arrived in his own truck, was on the Black mare riding the horse hard around the ring. And the horse was getting lathered up, but Raul wouldn't let him stop and kept slapping his flank with a riding crop.
"Raul," cried Silas, "What are you doing?! That's the Queen's horse!"
"This smart aleck tried to throw me," snapped Raul, "I'm teaching him a lesson." Lisa jumped off Prancer and ran over to the fence.
"Stop," she cried, "you're going to kill her!"
Raul ignored the girl's pleas. Lisa jumped the fence and ran into the ring in front of the horse. the horse reared violently and Raul landed in the dirt. Lisa stood there comforting the horse.
"It's okay," she said soothingly, "It's over!" Raul was even more enraged. He jumped up.
"You little twit!" he thundered, "are you trying to make me break my neck!?" he turned on Max who had just come running up to the fence.
"I'm telling the queen about this, Regnery!" he raged
"So am I!" snapped another voice. Raul whirled around only to get a riding crop across the face hard enough to break the skin. He hit the ground from the blow and looked up in surprise holding his bloody cheek.
The girls were surprised to see a furious K.C. standing there looking Raul fearlessly in the eyes. But they were even more surprised at the fear in Raul's eyes, and even more surprised at the two words that escaped the man's lips.
"Your highness!"
To be Continued…
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