Crown Prince Challenged by Linda Snow McLoon Page B

that?”
    Paige hesitated a minute. “You should know that Kelly is telling people Jack won’t let Prince in a class with other horses because he’s a kicker.” Paige put down Quarry’s leg and looked at Sarah to gauge her reaction.
    Sarah swallowed hard as she felt a rush of anger. This is what she’d been afraid of! Kelly and Nicole were bad-mouthing Prince, and what they were saying was totally false. Apparently they didn’t have a problem telling a flat-out lie.
    â€œPaige, I think Jack would tell me first if he thought Prince couldn’t be ridden in a group. I hope you didn’t buy that ridiculous story.”
    Paige threw her head back and laughed. “If I believed everything I heard around here, I’d really be a dumb blonde!” Sarah’s grin turned into a scowl as she turned to go. “Look, Sarah,” Paige said, “don’t let them get under your skin. Crown Prince will be able to tell you are tense and angry. Have a good ride, and stay away from the wild turkeys.”
    â€œYeah, I know. Thanks, Paige,” Sarah said, as she walked slowly away toward the shavings shed to get a wheelbarrow. The smut campaign against her and her horse was in high gear. She just had to shake it off.
    Later, after finishing Prince’s stall, Sarah swept the two tack rooms and feed room. She’d do the aisles and lounge after she rode. She was leaving for the paddock when she heard the sound of paws skittering down the aisle behind her. Looking back, she saw her favorite Jack Russells bounding toward her, with Mrs. DeWitt not far behind. Sarah laughed and leaned over, clapping her hands to the dogs. Spin got to her first and jumped up to be petted. Cameo caught up to them a few seconds later. The puppy didn’t know Sarah very well, but her tail was wagging just as furiously as Spin’s. Sarah laughed as she stroked their backs and rubbed their ears.
    â€œGood morning, Sarah,” Mrs. DeWitt called out, smiling warmly. “And how is that handsome horse doing these days?”
    Sarah stood up. “His leg is healing great. I don’t have to wrap it anymore, so I’ll put the things you loaned me by your stall. Jack says I can ride Prince this morning, but I’m going to start using polo wraps on him in front.”
    â€œIt’s wonderful that you can ride him again!” Mrs. DeWitt said, coming up to her. “How about polo wraps? Do you have any?”
    Sarah nodded. “Rita gave me a box of things she didn’t need when I first got Prince. The polos are a little tired, but they’ll do.” She couldn’t help laughing again when Spin approached her with a towel he’d grabbed from a tack box. He was ready for a tug-of-war. She grabbed the end of the towel and held on while Spin pulled on it with all his might, growling furiously. Cameo didn’t need any encouragement to join in when Sarah offered the puppy her end of the towel. Turning back to Mrs. DeWitt, Sarah said, “Are you getting ready to ride?”
    â€œYes, as a matter of fact, I’m expecting my son to drop Grace off any minute. We’re going to ride on the meadow trail. We have to go early because Grace has a piano lesson right after lunch.”
    I wonder if I should ask her about Kelly and Nicole?
Sarah thought. She desperately needed some advice on how to handle those girls, and there was no one better to listen and help. Telling her parents anything negative that involved Crown Prince was out of the question.
    â€œMrs. DeWitt, can I ask you about something?”
    Mrs. DeWitt’s face clouded. “Of course, Sarah. What is it?”
    Sarah shifted uncomfortably, not sure how to begin. Finally she told Mrs. DeWitt the whole story as quickly as she could. “I wish I could just concentrate on Prince and his training, but Kelly and Nicole are going to make trouble for us in that class. I just know it.”
    â€œIt’s not an