The day dawned clear and bright over Pine Hollow Stables. Max Regnery the owner stood next to his truck tying a tarp over the saddles in the back of the truck. Hitched up to the back of the truck was the long horse trailer. Inside the trailer were Comanche, Starlight, and Prancer. Lisa, Carole and Stevie were already packing their stuff into the truck. They were on their way to Dartmouth a small city on the sea coast. They were going to compete in the junior regionals. Veronica and Kristy were going to but their parents were hauling their horses to the competition in their own private trailers.
Just as the girls finished they heard Veronica and Kristy chattering like a pair of chipmunks.
"Oh he's so gorgeous," said Veronica dreamily. They were looking at an issue of Time Magazine. On the front cover was a picture of the young treasure hunter J. Kyle Ellison. The headline read, J. Kyle Ellison: The Man, the Myth, the Legend.
"It says here that he just found a missing Jade Dragon lost during the Ming Dynasty," Said Kristy, she looked at the picture of his face he was a handsome boy of about 16 with brown hair and brown eyes in the picture he was wearing a bluish green button up shirt and a brown leather jacket he was sitting behind a desk with the jade statue halfway in front of him, "he can find me anytime," said Kristy hugging the picture to her chest.
"What's the matter with them?" asked Red O'Malley, the head stable hand as he helped the saddle club girls into the truck.
"They're in love." Said Stevie rolling her eyes
"Again," Red groaned, "Let's just hope for the guy's sake they never actually meet him."
"All aboard," called Max, "Let's get going we have a four hour drive ahead of us and if we don't sign In before 5:30 not only will be not be allowed to compete we'll also lose out entry fee." the time passed quickly for the girls were occupied with talking playing games and singing. After about two hours the pulled into a restaurant to eat. The trio slid into a table to and picked up their menus they could hear Veronica in the booth on the phone behind them complaining about the food that she had even gotten yet.
"Guess what!" she said to Kristy, "Daddy is going to call and asked J. Kyle Ellison to come and be my escort at the pre-competition reception!"
"You're so lucky," Kristy gushed
"Either you've got it or you haven't." she said in a loudly smug voice knowing that the saddle club could hear her.
"That Veronica and her smug attitude make me mad enough to chew nails!" Carole snarled.
"Well maybe this will cheer you up," said Lisa hanging up her cell phone, "I just got of the phone with my Godfather Gavin McIntyre I told him that we're coming to Dartmouth and he insisted on putting us up at the estate!"
"Wait a minute," said Stevie, "Estate, McIntyre, you don't mean Sir Gavin McIntyre the billionaire is your godfather!"
Lisa nodded. The trio began to talk excitedly.
The Pine Hollow entourage stood looking up at the McIntyre Mansion. It was a restored castle that was brought in from Scotland. Above the door was the McIntyre coat of arms. The two massive Oak doors swung open before Max could ring the doorbell. Out came a man who appeared to be in his mid- sixties. He had white hair and a neatly groomed white beard and was about the same height as Max. He immediately scooped Lisa up into a big hug.
"It's so good to see you again princess," he said in a soft deep voice with a Scottish accent. After a round of introductions and handshaking, Sir Gavin led the group inside. As they rounded a corner into the study they saw a large leather-bound book that was set up on its end. As they watched a page in the book turned. A hand snaked around from behind the book and felt around until it touched the sandwich that was sitting on a plate in front of the book. The hand picked up the sandwich and disappeared behind the book
"Jason," said Sir Gavin, "put the book down for a minute there are some people here who would like to meet you." The munching sound stopped and the sandwich which now had a bite taken out of it was returned to the plate. A split second later the book was lowered to reveal the face of a bespectacled 16 year old boy. The boy had brown hair and brown eyes and was nice looking in spite of the glasses.
"Ladies and Gentleman," Sir Gavin announced, "this is Jason my grandson."
"Jason," he said, "These folks are the equestrians from Pine Hollow, Lisa you already know."
"Welcome," said Jason, "I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in." Max waved off the apology and after the usual pleasantries were exchanged sir Gavin rang for the butler had them all shown to their rooms. After that they went for a short ride. After putting the horses in the guest stalls at Sir Gavin Stable there on the estate they returned to the main house.
"Hey guys," said Lisa bursting through the door. The girls froze and looked up. Lisa took one look at what was on the bed in front of them and burst out laughing. Between the two of them they had collected every article ever written about J. Kyle Ellison.
"It appears I discovered my best friend's secret obsession." She said between giggles
"Don't tell anyone okay," they pleaded almost in unison, "If Veronica finds out we'll never hear the end of it."
"Don't worry," said Lisa, "Your secret's safe with me." Then as they put the articles back in the cookie tin Lisa Changed the subject.
"Papa Gavin says that we can use the Jacuzzi and the pool if we want to."
"We don't have bathing suits." Said Stevie
"Follow Me." said Lisa the lead them across the hall to the room that she usually used when she was there. She pushed opened the door to the closet revealing at least 15 to 20 different swim suits. Carole and Stevie dropped their Jaws to the floor.
"Papa Gavin tends to spoil me when I'm here." She said with a smile, "Take your pick." Stevie pick out a one piece that was blue with silver stripes, Carl picked a black and purple swim-suit and Lisa chose a modest two piece red swimsuit. They decided to swim first and save the Jacuzzi for last. They were just settling into the Jacuzzi after their swim when Kristy who was up of the high dive gave a squeal.
"I just saw J Kyle Ellison's Modified Hummer go by." She said jumping up and down.
"Are to sure," said Veronica running up to the ladder. Before Kristy could answer she was reminded that a diving is spring loaded on the last bounce her feet went out from under her, the board caught her by her rear bounce her out into space causing to do the most painful belly flop anyone present had ever seen.
As the Saddle Club girls walked back into the house after their laughter had subsided Carole leaned over to Lisa.
"Do you think that J. Kyle Ellison could really be here in Dartmouth?" Just then Lisa Caught sight of a pair of glasses on the table were Jason had been sitting.
"Anything is possible." She said