Dude Ranch by Bonnie Bryant Page B

didn’t realize how breathtakingly beautiful the landscape was around her. When she arrived at the crest of the hill and Stewball drew to a halt next to Arrow, she looked up.
    “Oh!” she gasped.
    “I knew you’d understand,” Christine said.
    Stevie looked out over the range. From the top of the hill, in the dissipating darkness, she could see for miles in all directions. To the west, the sky was still dim, though the stars had disappeared and the moon was long set. To the east, however, the sun was cresting over the mountains that surrounded the valley, home of The Bar None, Two Mile Creek, and Christine’s family. The sky was a brilliant mix of pinks, purples, and gold, boldly streaking the horizon.
    “Look at that orange stripe!” Lisa said. “Isn’t that something?”
    “And the clouds that are pink, by the mountain peak there,” Carole observed. “It looks just like cotton candy.”
    “Wait a minute, though, and all the colors will switch,” Christine said.
    While they watched, the sky brightened and the bold colors of dawn become pale pastels, and, finally, the deep blue of the daylight sky, streaked by high white wispy clouds.
    “Look, there are our horses!” Kate said. The girls followed her gaze. The ranch’s horses were in their pasture, perhaps two miles away, awakening for the day. They lifted their heads to see the dawn and then began munching contentedly on the sweet grass of the range.
    “And there’s the main house,” Carole said.
    “And our bunkhouse,” Lisa added. “They look so small from here!”
    “They even look smaller than
my
house,” Christine said.
    “Where is your house?” Stevie asked, suddenly very curious.
    “Over that way,” Christine said, pointing. “See, there’s a small wood-frame house with an old barn attached. That’s my home. Mom promised breakfast for us. We should get there just as the first griddle cakes go on the skillet.”
    “That’s a great idea,” Stevie said. “Because the next sound you’re going to hear is the growling of my stomach. I can’t believe how hungry I am these days!”
    “Oh, yes I can,” Christine said. “So let’s get to it!”
    Going down the hill turned out to be even trickierthan going up it. At least there was more daylight for the riders to see by so they managed okay. It just went slowly.
    When they reached the flat part of the range, the girls first began trotting and then loping along, enjoying the freedom of the open countryside.
    Stevie, Carole, and Lisa had never had more fun or felt more joyful on horseback. They were almost sorry when they pulled up to the Lonetrees’ house.
    Stevie hadn’t known quite what to expect, but whatever it was, the Lonetree house wasn’t it. They lived in a modern ranch house set near a hillside, with a creek cutting across their backyard. The barn, next to the main house, was home to Arrow and two other horses. There was a small paddock out back of the barn. The girls unbridled their horses and put them in the paddock. They also saw to it that there was plenty of cool water in the trough for the horses, and some fresh hay.
    “Our turn!” Christine announced, once the horses had been taken care of.
    The girls followed her into the house. It was very modern, decorated in a distinctly southwestern style. The floors were bare ceramic tile, and each of the rooms had tile set into the adobe walls. The tiles were decorated with Indian patterns. There was a big fireplace in the living room, which was also decoratedwith linen-covered chairs and a low coffee table, inlaid with more of the decorative tiles.
    The kitchen, where they met Mrs. Lonetree, was completely modern, down to the microwave oven. Mrs. Lonetree greeted the girls with a warm smile and a handshake.
    “I’m so glad to meet you all,” she said. “Christine told me about how wonderful you were to her when Tomahawk died. I just want to thank you.”
    “Thank
us
?” Stevie asked, surprised. “Tomahawk saved my