"You thought that I had a crush... on Ben?"
"Well... I, uh..."
Lexi began laughing. "I can't believe this! Oh, Ace, you silly goof! Ben was only helping me get Ghost ready. I told you that, like, a million times!"
Ace blinked. This was not the reaction he had expected, but he guessed it was better. "I'm sorry, Lex. It's just that... well... you were spendin' so much time with him, I was just... " His voice trailed off.
"Jealous?" Lexi offered.
Ace rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I guess you could say dat..."
Lexi smiled at him. "I forgive you, Ace. Now that I think about it, I did kinda ignore you."
"Dat's okay, I forgive you, too. Now, about dat dance..."
Lexi linked her arm in Ace's. "It's a date!"
Ace smiled. "Great!"
"Lexi Bunny on Ghost." Was called over the loudspeaker.
"Oh, I've got to go." Lexi began to mount Ghost.
"Wait.. " Ace grabbed her arm. When Lexi looked back at him, Ace gently kissed her cheek. Lexi stared at him in suprise, then smiled. "Well, what are you waitin' for?" Ace asked. "Go kick some tail out dere!"
"Yes, sir!" Lexi giggled , hopping up on Ghost's back. She asked for a trot as they entered the ring. Then, the starting signal sounded, and Ghost took off at a fast canter. They turned sharply around the first barrel, then the second, then the last, then they crossed the finish line. They hadn't been as fast as Rev and Rusty, but very close.
Ace, Tech, Rev, Cassidy, Duck, Slam, and Rachelle were cheering as loud as they could. They ran to the gate after her round. Lexi slid off Ghost and hugged Ace. Ace hugged her back. "Great job."
Rachelle untied Flaxen and hopped up on her, as her turn was after Lexi's.
"Good luck, Rachelle." The others called out after her. Rachelle waved back at them. They cheered for her as she and Flaxen performed their round. Much to their suprise, they tied with Rev and Rusty's time.
Then, all the barrel racing contestants were called into the ring so they could hand out the ribbons. Rev and Rachelle tied for first place, and Lexi placed second.
When they had dismounted and exited the ring, Tech put his arm around Rev's shoulders. "Great job, buddy."
"Thanks, Tech!" Rev said happily.
"And great job, Rachelle and Lexi!" Cassidy added, and the three girls high-fived each other.
"What's next?" Duck asked.
"Show jumping." Ace answered.
Cassidy gulped. It would be her turn soon, and she was dreading it.
A few minutes later, Cassidy was sitting on Phantom, waiting her turn. Tech, riding Lucky, walked up to them. Tech noticed that she was biting her lip furiously. He reached out and set his hand on hers. "Don't worry, you'll do fine. I know it."
Cassidy looked at him in suprise. Thinking that he startled her, Tech removed his hand. Cassidy touched his shoulder. "Thanks Tech. That means a lot to me." She smiled at him.
Tech smiled back. Just then, Cassidy's name was called. Phantom walked towards the gate.
"Good luck, Cass." Tech called out to her. Cassidy glanced over her shoulder and waved. Tech joined the others at the fence.
Cassidy and Phantom trotted around the ring once before beginning the course. When they went past the gang, Tech noticed a small look of fear on her face. Tech gave her an encouraging thumbs-up. Cassidy nervously smiled at him.
'Okay, Cassidy. Focus. You can do this. You have to do this. If you don't, you'll be letting Phantom, Tech, and yourself down' Cassidy took a deep breath and asked Phantom for a canter as she pointed her at the first jump.
"Please be good Phantom." Cassidy whispered to the paint horse beneath her.
(End Chapter)