Chapter 2

It had been a long month since Veronica found the stamp and saved Pine Hollow from closing down. Everything had slowed to what was a normal pace and even Kristy and Veronica were becoming closer to The Saddle Club. It was now time for the stables to be reopened to the riders and the guests.

Veronica wandered around Pine Hollow in search of a certain red head to show off her new outfit that her father had bought her just hours before.

When Scooter had come into view, Veronica called out to him, quickening her pace.

"Scooter, wait up!"

"Hey, Veronica, I'm glad you found me. You look amazing by the way" Scooter told her. He leaned in and kissed Veronica on the cheek. "Veronica, remember I told you that I phoned my parents and told them about the way our picnic went and how we have become close friends ever since? Well they have written me a letter asking me to bring you home for the summer. So, what do you say? Shall I write them back and confirm the plans?"

"I'd love to Scooter, it's just, I don't know if they'll like me. I'm not like you." Veronica confessed a small tear running down her cheek

"Oh Veronica!" Scooter pulled her in closer to himself and held her tightly. "They'll love you! You're perfect. And if I love you, they'll love you as well."

Scooter comforted Veronica's fear, and she knew everything would be okay if she went with him.

"Scooter, I would love to meet your parents." She offered sniffling away the last tear. "Of course, you will have to come meet mine as well. That's just the DiAngelo way."

"Of course." was all Scooter said with a smile on his face. He leaned in and hugged her and they stayed in their embrace, happy to be with each other.

In another part of the grounds:

"Red, I don't know what to say about everything." Kristy stammered slightly blushing.

"Just say that you will agree to date me, Krity. All these years and I never realized it until it was almost too late. Please go to Jb's Diner with me sometime. Just the two of us no one else."

"Okay. It's a date!" Kristy agreed.

He responded with a laugh and putting his hand and fitting it with hers.

They walked and talked for some time until she had to go to her riding lesson with Max.

Phil and Stevie were out in the pasture discussing the month's activities.

"I'm so glad that you don't have to leave Pine Hollow, Stevie. It'd be drab and no fun around here without you."

"Yea, I would have missed it too. I would have missed Carole, Lisa and me ridding the trails; Comanche, Bart, Delilah, Samson, Patch, and, Prancer. Then there's Max, Deborah, Mrs. Reg, Drew." Stevie listed off names of things and people she would miss. Purposely avoiding Phil's eyes and name.

"I meant I would miss you, Stevie. Because then we couldn't and wouldn't be able spend as much time together as we do. And you are growing on me. I like you, a lot."

"I knew what you meant Phil, I was just playing with you! Besides, you've grown on me too." Stevie smiled and kissed her boyfriend.

"Well, Stevie, I think we should get back. I'll race you!" Phil was up on his horse and laughing before Stevie even knew what was going on.

"Oh no you don't! Come back here Phil!" Stevie jumped up on her horse, Belle and quickly rode off after Phil.

Both were laughing the whole way not caring about the race anymore.

Once they reached the stables, they made sure to put their horses in the riding ring and let them cool off before they put them in the stables.

Just standing on the rails watching the horses, they were joined by Kristy who was accompanied by Red. Lisa, Carole, Veronica, and Scooter came soon afterwards.

"It's so good to see you all again!" Kristy cried out. "Let's go have a bite to eat and drink at Jb's Diner and catch up!"

Everyone nodded and agreed that that would be the best thing to do after they have put their horses in their proper stalls.