Chapter 7
Stevie turned and looked at Michael with a smirk on her face.
"Mikey?" she asked
Before Michael could answer. Max spoke.
"You two know each other?" he asked
Michael nodded.
"Her mother is my dad's receptionist at the Arlington Research farm where we kept thunder before we came here." Michael explained.
"Oh yes," said Evelyn glomming onto Michael's arm, "Mikey and I go way back. Help with my horse, Mikey?"
"Since when do you ride?" asked Michael
"Oh, I've been riding for ages," said Evelyn with a wave of her hand, "Now come on Mikey, I just know your Thunder and my Mirage will be the best of friends!"
"Um, actually I have something important to talk to Max about," said Micheal peeling her off his arm, "I'll uh, see you later
"Okay," she oozed heading for the stairs with a little wave, "Don't be long, I'll miss you, Mikey."
"I hate that name!" Michael growled through clenched teeth.
"What was it you wanted to tell me?" asked Max
"First that we have Idea who vandalized the lounge and left that threat!" said Stevie
"Yeah," said Carole, "We had a 'Talk' with a small-time bookie named Jinx Martin he told us that There's a ruthless bookie\loan shark in town named Brandor Harrigan."
"He's also known as Butcher Harrigan," said Michael, "We think he's trying to get rid of the Pine Hollow because it's such a heavy favorite!"
"And if all his clients bet on the heavy favorite, there too big a chance that he could lose money instead of make it." Said Lisa
Max nodded
"I've heard of this guy," he said, punching up a file on the computer "The equestrian association once sent out a notice about him…here it is… According to their notice, he's pulled operations like this before. I'd better let them know he's in town."
"Good Idea." Said Michael as Max picked up the phone.
Having done all they could do, Michael and the Saddle Club turned and started down the stairs.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and walked out the door headed for the paddock where their horses were grazing.
When they got there, the horses met them at the fence. Michael was just petting Thunder's muzzle when suddenly he heard a voice that made him cringe.
"Mikey, Oh Mikey!" cried Evelyn in a sing -song voice.
Trying his best to hide an irritated look he turned toward Evelyn and saw her leading a Gray and black Arabian mare.
"Wow that's a beautiful horse!" said Carole, "That must be Mirage!"
"Yeah," said Lisa, "She's gorgeous."
"Hey Mike, you said her mother was a receptionist," said Stevie, "How could she afford a horse like that?!"
"Her paternal grandfather is rich," replied Michael, "and she's got him wrapped around her little finger. He'll buy her anything she wants."
"Hey Mikey!" she said, "You wanna go on a cozy little hack with me."
Before Mike could think of a polite way to say no, Evelyn turned and tried to mount up. But Mirage kept walking away ever time she tried to put her foot in the stirrup.
"Mirage, stop that!" cried Evelyn but instead Mirage just starting walking away quicker and quicker until she was practically trotting away with Evelyn chasing her.
"Come back here, Mirage!" she cried chasing her horse around the corner.
By now Michael, Lisa, Carole, Stevie and several of the stable-hands and other students who were around were laughing at the scene.
"It's pretty bad when your own horse doesn't even like you." Snickered Michael
"Yeah," laughed Stevie, "I can't wait to see her in the lesson tomorrow."
The others nodded still snickering.
The next day, Michael and the girls were all lined up for their lesson when to their surprise Evelyn appeared riding Mirage.
"Wow, she actually made it into the Saddle." Said Stevie, "I'm shocked."
"Now, Stevie," said Max, "That's enough of that."
"Yes, Max," replied Stevie
Evelyn rode Mirage through the open gate in into the riding ring heading straight for Michael. Michael felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Suddenly Mirage stopped dead in her tracks and knelt down lowering her head and dumping Evelyn end over end out of the saddle to land on the ground. Then looking satisfied with herself Mirage walked off.
The whole scene caused a burst of laughter and snickers from the group. Even Max was biting his lip and trying not to laugh.
"Oh, that horse!" exclaimed Evelyn, "She's making me look like a fool!"
"You'll just have to keep working with her." Said Max
Evelyn stood up and walked toward the gate.
"Nobody told me riding would be so much work." She muttered, "Now where is that horse?"
After Max sent a nearby stable hand to help Evelyn find her horse, he continued with the lesson.
A little while later the lesson ended and all the riders started out of the riding ring. As Michael and the Saddle club passed the gate, a voice called out to Michael.
"Michael, Michael Bennett, is that you?"
Michael turned and saw a pretty twelve-year-old girl with red hair and green eyes next to Mrs. Reg. She was holding onto a walking stick as she came an favoring her right leg as she came.
"Christa MacKeller," said Micheal his face widening into a smile, "It's good to see you again."
"How do you two know each other?" asked Mrs. Reg
Christa patted her right leg.
"About eight months ago I was in a car accident. My parents weren't hurt but I wasn't so lucky. I met Michael when his dad helped me. Dr. Bennett rebuilt my knee and hip joints so I could walk normally again. Michael helped me with my physical therapy and I'm still improving. Very soon I shouldn't even need this walking stick anymore."
"It's great that you're doing so well, Christa." Michael smiled happily.
"Thanks, Mike." She smiled back.
Michael, the girls and Mrs. Reg started toward them when they notice Max talking to two men in business suits.
"Where did they come from?" asked Stevie
"I don't know exactly," said Mrs. Reg, "They showed up while Max was teaching the lesson, said they wanted to talk to him about something."
Max shook his head. When he did that, one of the men grabbed him from behind and held him. The other man put on a pair of brass knuckles.
"You should have been more reasonable, Mr. Regnery." The man with the Brass knuckles said.
He drew back his fist but before he could swing his arm was caught.
Michael had sprinted over as soon as he saw the man grab Max.
"Hello Nolan," growled Michael Before knocking him cold with one punch.
Michael turned his glare on the guy holding Max.
"Tino," he snapped, "Let him go."
Tino immediately let Max go.
Michael motioned to Nolan who was unconscious on the ground.
"Tino, pick Nolan up and get out of here," he snapped, "Tell your boss Brandor Harrigan that Michael Bennett says hello, and you tell that if he sends anymore of his bullies over here, they're going to end up like that!"
Tino dragged Nolan into the car and drove off.
"Thanks Michael," said Max
"No Problem," said Michael, "But don't think this is the last we've heard of Brandor Harrigan!
To Be Continued…Please Review