Stable Hearts by Bonnie Bryant Page A

for anyone! She was married, for one thing. To Max the Second.”
    “Max the Second has been dead for an awfully long time,” Lisa argued. “I bet Mrs. Reg probably would like to have someone to go to movies with, and out to dinner and stuff like that. She probablywould like a boyfriend. I just can’t imagine her going out with Mr. Stowe.”
    “I would agree with you guys except that I saw her face,” Carole persisted. “She wouldn’t look that upset for any other reason. I’m sure I’m right. She likes Mr. Stowe.” She put Starlight back in his stall. Lisa and Stevie put Prancer and Belle away, too, and they met in the center of the aisle.
    “It’s too bad Mr. Stowe doesn’t like her back,” Lisa said at last.
    “I know,” Carole replied. “I couldn’t believe he didn’t say anything about how nice she looked out there on Eve. I think he only saw the horse. I don’t think he noticed Mrs. Reg at all.”
    “Men,” Stevie said heavily. “They’re all creeps. Still, maybe we could do something about Mrs. Reg and Mr. Stowe. Maybe we could—”
    “No.” Carole cut in firmly. “We can’t do anything about this at all.”
    “I agree,” Lisa said. “All we’d probably end up doing is embarrassing Mrs. Reg, and I’d never risk that.” She checked her watch. “Come on. Let’s go back to my house. It’s time to get ready for the dance.”
    They put their gear away, put on their winterjackets, and started walking to Lisa’s house. “Imagine someone liking Mr. Stowe!” Stevie said, shaking her head.
    “I know,” said Carole, sighing. “He’s so old.”
    “W HAT ARE YOU wearing, Stevie?” Lisa asked. She modeled her new sweater in front of her mirror. Carole’s suggestions had been good. The sweater looked great over black leggings and a black turtleneck.
    “I don’t know,” Stevie said. “What difference does it make now?”
    “You must have brought something to wear,” Carole said. “What were you planning on wearing when you thought Phil was coming?” She pulled Lisa’s red sweater over her head.
    “That’s just it,” Stevie said with a sigh. “I couldn’t think of anything I liked well enough. I’ve outgrown some of my favorite stuff. And now I just don’t care. I’m so angry at Phil. The creep.”
    “So you came to spend two nights at my house, and you didn’t bring anything to wear to the dance?” Lisa asked.
    “Well …” Stevie looked vaguely embarrassed. “I meant to ask you guys for help last night, but I got so excited after I talked to Philthat I forgot. It doesn’t really matter. I’ll just wear what I have on.”
    Lisa looked at Stevie’s torn, dirty jeans, old gray sweatshirt, and cream-colored turtleneck. She went into her closet and started rummaging around. “Here are some clean jeans,” she said, tossing Stevie a pair. “And here. How about this?” She held up a dainty white sweater with pearl buttons and a lace collar.
    “Uh, Lisa, no offense—”
    Carole cut in. “It’s not exactly Stevie’s style.”
    Lisa looked at the sweater again. “Guess not. No. It’s not even really my style, but it looks sort of valentiney.”
    “I don’t feel valentiney,” Stevie declared.
    “That’s the problem,” Carole said. “None of us does. Stevie, I have an idea. You wear the sweater I was going to wear—the one Aunt Jessie gave me. It’s navy, so it’ll go with your turtleneck.”
    “It’ll go with my mood, too,” said Stevie. “I feel blue. It’s just not
right
to be separated from your boyfriend on Valentine’s Day.” She buttoned the clean jeans. “Thanks for the clothes, though.”
    Lisa felt a twinge of exasperation. “You know, Stevie, you don’t have to be separated from Phil,” she said.
    Carole twisted her ponytail and pinned it against her head. “Poor Dime,” she said whimsically. “Maybe that’s his problem. Do you suppose he has a girlfriend that he doesn’t want to be apart from?”
    Lisa turned around and