McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr Page A

headed out the door to wait for her part of the performance.
    Time passed quickly, and soon the moment arrived for McKenzie to climb on the back of Olive, the ostrich. The ostrich race was a fun rivalry, pitting the North against the South. McKenzie’s job was to race her ostrich for the Confederates, or the South. Ben, a boy she knew slightly, wore a blue uniform and was racing for the Yankees, or the North.
    The large door to the arena opened, and Olive darted through. McKenzie clung to her back, trying to keep from falling off. Olive’s spindly legs plodded the ground, bouncing McKenzie up and down.
I hope this ostrich knows what she’s doing
, McKenzie thought, peering around Olive’s long, skinny neck.
    The crowd roared with laughter as she and Ben raced around the course. She dug her heels into Olive’s side, trying to spur her to go faster, like she did with her horse, Sahara, back home.
    Ben pulled ahead and quickly crossed the finish line. McKenzie, however, plodded along on Olive’s back.
I think Olive knows I don’t know what I’m doing
, McKenzie thought.
This ostrich is going to make a fool of me. I just know it!
    The moment those words flitted through her mind, Olive spun around. McKenzie clutched the ostrich’s gangly neck as it veered toward the show ring fence. Olive picked up speed and flung McKenzie from her back.
    McKenzie sailed through the air and landed on the ground with a thud. She looked up as Olive trotted toward the finish line like a good little ostrich.
    McKenzie felt her face growing warm, but the crowd roared with applause as they jumped to their feet.
    I’m getting a standing ovation for being dumped off an ostrich
, McKenzie thought.
    â€œAre you okay?” A boy in a Yankee uniform raced to her side.
    She nodded shyly as she let him help her to her feet.
    â€œTake a bow,” he whispered in her ear. “Act like it was all planned.”
    She did as he said and bowed toward the spectators of the South. Then she turned and bowed to the northerners. The crowd laughed and cheered as the boy pulled McKenzie out of the arena.
    For the first time since she started working for the Dixie Showcase, McKenzie couldn’t wait to change her clothes and leave.

    â€œI’ve been thinking,” McKenzie said to Miss Val and Sydney after returning home. “Could we rent some mountain bikes while you go out for supper with your friend? Then we can look for that place up in the hills where we saw the statue.”
    Miss Val thought for a moment. “These Ozark hills are killers going uphill. I have a better idea. I know a couple, Dale and Mary Taylor, who raise horses. They’re always willing to let friends take the horses out for exercise. Let me give them a call.”
    â€œOoh, that sounds like fun,” Sydney said enthusiastically.
    McKenzie felt excitement ripple through her body. “I would love to go horseback riding. I really miss my horse, Sahara. I ride her almost every day at home. I know I ride at the Showcase, but it’s not the same as riding around where I want.”
    â€œHave you ridden horses much, Sydney?” Miss Val asked, pulling into her driveway.
    â€œNot really,” Sydney replied. “I’ve only ridden a couple of times.”
    â€œIt might be best if you two rode double, then.” Miss Val punched a number into her cell. “McKenzie’s our resident horse expert.”
    Within minutes Miss Val had arranged for the girls to take one of the Taylors’ horses out for the evening. After changing into blue jeans and eating a quick supper, Miss Val dropped the girls off at the Taylors’ house.
    â€œI’ll be back by 8:30,” Miss Val called out the open car window. “Have fun!”
    Fifteen minutes later, McKenzie and Sydney sat on the back of Jasmine, a tame and gentle brown mare.
    â€œMiss Val told me you girls are looking for a statue you saw while riding the Duck