Driving Team by Bonnie Bryant Page A

made.”
    They trooped back to Mrs. Atwood’s car. The three girls sat in the back, dying to talk about little Cynthia but not daring to in front of Mrs. Atwood. Finally Stevie broke the awkward silence.
    “I’m really glad we bought that dog for Veronica,” she said. “But I think I’ll wait until the day of the demonstration to give it to her.”
    “How come?” said Lisa. “I mean, why not sooner?”
    “I don’t know,” replied Stevie. “It seems like Robespierre will either have recovered or not by then. If he’s better, then the little china dog will be like a celebration. If he’s not, well, then at least it will be something to remember him by.”
    “That’s a good idea,” said Carole.
    “Yes, it is,” Lisa agreed. “She’ll really appreciate it then, one way or the other.”
    Carole frowned. “In the meantime, though, Stevie, if she’s so upset about her dog, how are you going to manage the driving demonstration with her?”
    “Oh, it won’t be a problem,” Stevie said confidently. “She’s really pretty cooperative once you get past that hard armor she seems to always wear.”
    “Veronica?” Lisa said. “Cooperative?”
    Stevie nodded. “We had a super-long talk the other day. I think we finally found common ground.”
    She settled back in the seat and smiled while Carole and Lisa looked at each other, both of them raising their eyebrows in doubt. They’d never known Veronica to work on common ground with anyone.

W EDNESDAY AFTERNOON WAS cold and cloudy, so riding class was held in the indoor ring. Stevie sat on Belle expectantly, watching for Veronica to lead Danny in. When Max began the class without her, Stevie knew Robespierre’s condition must be grim.
    “What’s the matter with you?” Lisa asked as they warmed the horses up in an extended trot. “You look like you’ve lost your last friend.”
    “I was just thinking about Veronica,” Stevie replied sadly. “She’s not here today. I bet she’s at poor Robespierre’s bedside, just waiting for the end to come!”
    “Oh, Stevie, you don’t know that. Why not try to be optimistic?” Lisa said, smiling hopefully. “Maybe thedog got better and Veronica went shopping to celebrate.”
    “Well, I guess that’s a possibility,” Stevie admitted.
    “Anyway, you’d better pay attention in class now and worry about Veronica and her dog later, when Max isn’t watching.”
    “You’re right,” said Stevie, trying to smile. “There’s nothing I can do about Robespierre, anyway.”
    Riding class passed quickly, ending with one of Stevie’s favorite exercises, in which the riders dropped their reins and jumped a series of cavalletti with no hands. Max congratulated the class on doing a good job, and soon all the riders except Stevie had brushed their horses down and were on their way home.
    “Hey, Stevie, what are you doing this afternoon?” Carole asked as she and Lisa stopped by Belle’s stall, their school backpacks slung over their shoulders.
    “I’m going to work with Danny and Belle in the driving harness,” replied Stevie, holding up one set of the harness she’d cleaned over the weekend. “Red said he would help me.”
    “I would help you, too, except I’ve got to go to the dentist.” Carole looked over at Lisa. “Could you stay and help Stevie this afternoon?”
    Lisa shook her head. “I’d like to, but I’ve got this huge report in French due tomorrow, and I’ve barely cracked the book.” She shrugged. “Sorry.”
    “It’s okay,” Stevie said with a smile. “I’ll be fine. And Red will be terrific.”
    “Will you call us and let us know how it goes?” asked Carole.
    “Sure,” Stevie replied. “I’ll talk to you both tonight.”
    Carole and Lisa left, and Stevie and Belle were alone. Stevie draped the heavy harness over her shoulder and clipped a lead line on Belle. “Come on, girl,” she said, unlatching the stall door. “Let’s go see if we have better luck learning to drive