Heart of Thunder 2
Chapter 2
The bodyguards started toward Michael and the girls. Michael held up his hand.
"Guys you don't want to do this." The blank expressions on the faces of the bodyguards didn't change. A split second later just as the guards came one step closer, Thunder reared and struck out with his front feet. He caught the two bodyguards in the chest and sent them flying backwards to land right in the middle of the fancy picnic.
"good thing you guys were wearing body armor," chuckled Michael, then he turned serious again. He walked thunder up next to Collin, reached down, grabbed Collin by the and picked him up off the ground with one arm.
"Now I believe the lady said you're not supposed to be on this side of the property line," growled Michael, "So pack up, pick up, and get out of here!" he dropped Collin on top of De Luca.
"Now!" he added.
"Hey you can't do that!" cried Veruca and Tracy jumping up. Stevie jumped out of the saddle and stood there cracking her knuckles.
"Stevie's been dying to fight both of you," said Lisa warningly, "so I wouldn't start anything if I were you, she kicks, bites, and pulls hair!"
The two snobby girls suddenly looked scared and checked their hair.
"Do yourselves a favor and scram." Growled Carole.
Finally, the four brats decided that discretion was the better part of Valor; they grabbed their stuff and took off towards the institute.
"Good Riddance!" muttered Stevie climbing back on Belle, "I am so looking forward to crushing them this weekend at the County Tournament."
The others nodded in agreement.
Lisa looked at her watch.
"Oh, guys we'd better get back for our jumping lesson. We've only just got time to make it. the others nodded, and they started back down the trail.
"hey Lisa," said Stevie not hiding a smile very well, "what's the big idea of telling those girls that I kick, bite, and pull hair?"
"Well don't you?" chuckled Lisa
"Yeah," said Stevie with a grin, "but you shouldn't give away my strategy like that!"
They all laughed.
A few minutes later they arrived back at Pine Hollow. They soon were in the jumping ring. Michael was watch as Lisa jumped the first two gates. Just then he caught a piece of a conversation behind him.
It was Jess and Melanie.
"Hey," Melanie was saying, "There's some kid from the high school hanging out at JB's taking bets on the competition this weekend."
"Was it a skinny kid with stringy hair, ripped jeans and a black leather jacket?" Jess asked
"yeah." Said Melanie, "how did you know?"
"That's Jimmy 'Jinx' Martin he was the bookie of Willow Creek High." Answered Jess, "and to answer your other question, my older brother Bailey has a bit of a gambling problem. He's placed bets with Jinx before and lost his allowance and then later his paycheck more than once."
"I'm sorry about that." Said Melanie
"It's not your fault." Said Jess, "it does mean however that I'd better call my folks and tell them that Jinx Martin up to his old tricks and to keep an eye on Bailey. Bailey has stayed away from gambling for a while, but Jinx knows had to push his buttons."
Melanie nodded.
The rest of the conversation was lost as Max told Michael that it was his turn. Michael and Thunder started toward the first gate.
"Take it easy boy," he whispered, "we have to keep your full capabilities a secret." Thunder seemed to understand exactly what Michael was saying. They took the gates nice and easy.
"Very good," said Max, "How would you like to compete with the Pine Hollow team?"
"Sure," said Michael.
"Great," said Max, he turned to the Saddle Club, "Girls show him the ins and outs of Omoksee riding after the lesson."
The girls nodded.
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That evening after being drilled left and right by the Saddle Club Michael was back in the barn. He had put Thunders tack in the tack room and had just started to put Thunder back in the stall, but Thunder balked and wouldn't move.
"What?" asked Michael, looking at his horse, "I thought you'd be glad to call it a day?"
Thunder gave his head a shake and pulled Michael toward the door.
Michael suddenly realized something.
"You want to race, don't you?" Thunder threw his head up in a nod.
Michael chuckled and shook his head. He and Thunder walked to the race track. They stood at the starting line. Michael looked all around to make sure no one was watching.
"Okay," he said, "One race and then it'll be time for supper."
"Ready, Set, Go!"
They took off running and became two blurs of motion as they circled the track and more than a hundred miles per hour. After circling the track seven times in less than a minute, they skidded to a stop.
Michael looked up at Thunder.
"Are you happy now!" he chuckled. Thunder did his nod again.
Michael was still smiling as he put Thunder's lead on and turned toward to the stables. His smile immediately disappeared when he saw the Saddle club standing there with their mouths hanging open.
"I-It's T-Time for s-supper!" stammered a half-stunned Stevie.
To Be Continued…please leave a review.