Moondance Alexander Page #4

Around 8:
00?

No. It's time for

your one-month evaluation.

- It is?

- Mm-hmm.

- What evaluation?

- To see if you and Checkers

are ready to go out on a trail.

- A trail?

- Yeah. And you passed.

So saddle up.

This is a really pretty area.

And I can tell Checkers

likes it too.

You're a good match for that horse.

- It's funny how we met each other, isn't it?

- Yep.

- Some might call it destiny.

- That's what my mom says.

So, how long have you

been riding, Mr. Longpre?

If you're gonna keep up with the questions,

you may as well call me Dante.

Okay. How long have

you been riding, Dante?

- Pretty much my whole life.

- Oh, wow.

That's a long time.

You're really lucky.

I think Buddy's picked up

something in his hoof.

- Well, is that bad?

- No, I'll just have to pry it out.

Hey, while you do that, can I go trot Checkers

around that bend and bring him back?

Yeah, okay.

Just don't go too far.

Okay.

Come on, Checkers.

Hi, Megan. Hi, Fiona.

Hi, Moondance.

I didn't know you rode.

- Yeah. I just started this summer.

- What kind of a horse is that?

This is Checkers.

He's a pinto.

I've never seen one at Devonshire.

- Because we don't ride that breed.

- Why not?

Because pintos can't jump.

Come on, Megan.

Let's get out of here.

- You know them?

- Yeah. They're friends from school.

Hmph. They don't seem very friendly.

No, I guess we're more like rivals.

Well, they shouldn't talk about things

they don't know anything about.

Why?

What don't they know?

- Checkers is a very good jumper.

- He is?

Excellent, as a matter of fact.

How do you think

he keeps getting out?

Wait! Well, Dante!

When were you planning on telling me this?

Dante! Wait for me.

Checkers, I don't know what I'm doing,

so I'm just gonna follow you.

Checkers, you were great.

- I can do better.

- Moondance!

Uh-oh.

- What are you doing?

- Oh-

You see- Oh, well, um...

Checkers and I were just testing out

his jumping capabilities.

Not like that you're not.

Come on.

But, it- it was just

our first attempt.

I'm sorry, Dante.

Look.

Just-Just don't- don't be mad at me.

- Why were you riding bare back?

- Well, I read that the western

saddle is too heavy for jumping.

Well, that's right.

But that's still no excuse.

I know it was stupid.

I'm sorry.

If you're gonna jump

that horse, do it right.

Here.

This is an English saddle.

- The girth's right there.

- Oh.

Hey, this is you!

- Yeah. So what?

- You never told me that you jumped.

- You never asked.

- Well, can you teach me?

- Nope.

- Why not?

'Cause that part of my life is over.

What do you mean by ''over'?

If you know how to jump,

then why not teach?

I mean, why do you live in this place all alone?

Where are all your customers?

That's enough!

What I do with my life

is none of your business.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to ask

so many personal questions.

You don't need to apologize.

They were good questions.

Deserve an answer.

You want to know why

I don't have any customers?

I made some...

bad choices in my life...

and... it's affected my reputation.

And once you've lost that,

it's... hard to get back.

I think everyone deserves

a second chance.

- You think so, huh?

- Yeah.

I mean, you're a cool dude

and have a lot to offer.

''Cool dude."

- I've never been called that before.

- Well, it's true.

And all you need is one spunky,

hardworking student who believes in you...

and... the word will get out.

And just where do you think...

I'm gonna find this spunky student?

Drop your weight in your heels.

You want to stay perfectly balanced.

Extend your arms.

Good.

Okay, take the reigns.

That's good.

Very good.

Anticipate his every move.

Good.

And-

Soft hands. Good.

Right leg. Good.

Good!

Uh-huh.

Keep your eye on the jump.

Soften your hands.

Sorry, Dante.

Good.

Here, Checkers.

Are you ready?

Come on!

All right!

I'm over here! Now I'm over here!

Wanna see this one?

Come on, Checkers!

Oh! Yeah!

Up! Up!

Whoo!

Mom, I'm home.

Mom?

We're pretty good eaters.

Moondance.

There you are.

Uh, gentlemen, this is my

not seriously late daughter, Moondance.

- Honey, this is Ben.

- So nice to meet you officially, Moondance.

And I think you already

know Ben's son, Josh.

Hey, Moondance.

- Hi.

- Nice crash helmet.

Oh. Right.

Um, I'm- I'm sorry, but would you

please e-excuse me for a moment?

Well, uh, we could all use

a little more iced tea. I'll be right back.

Moondance!

Moondance!

Moondance, wait up!

- I can not believe that you did this to me.

- Did what?

I told you Ben and his son were coming for dinner.

The least you could've done was been on time.

I think you owe me an apology.

I'm sorry I was late.

I completely forgot.

- Are you sure you didn't forget on purpose?

- No! I promise!

All right.

You're forgiven.

I can't believe he saw me like this.

I don't understand why

you're being so dramatic.

Because you never told me that

Mr. Button-down's son is Josh Wilson.

Now he's here in this house

and I look like this. Thank you!

First of all, his name is not Mr. Button-down.

It's Ben, and he's wearing a V-neck.

Well, whoop-di-la-da-do!

Well, if you're done, I'll take your plates.

That was a, um- a wonderful

and very innovative dinner.

I could've sworn

that egg plant was chicken.

Mom can make anything

taste like chicken.

Well, I'm glad you liked it, Ben.

Uh, um, yeah. Thanks.

That was- It was really good.

You're welcome.

Mom, let me help you

with the dishes.

- Oh, no, I'll get it.

- We'll be right back.

Okay.

I hope you have a fire extinguisher,

because I think I'm going down in flames.

It wasn't that bad, was it?

Yeah, you're right.

Ben, I'm sorry.

Nah, don't be. We all just have

to get to know each other.

Well, I found out that Josh

is definitely not an egg plant man.

But it's good for him to expand

his palate. You should try it sometime.

- Me?

- Uh... or maybe not.

Uh, y- your mom seems pretty cool.

She is.

I mean, besides her recent obsession

with tofu, she's awesome.

Yeah, I guess my dad

really likes her.

Where's your mom?

Uh, she took off to Miami

with her boyfriend.

Yeah. He's a jerk.

I'm really sorry.

It's okay.

This is weird, huh?

Definitely.

Hey, Moondance.

So, are you gonna go

watch the Bow River Classic?

Um, I'm not sure.

Are you?

- You're kidding, right?

- Fiona won the Classic last year.

And Megan came in fourth.

- Third!

- Sorry! Third.

Hey, I have an idea.

Since you like being around horses,

you could volunteer as one of our grooms.

Love it!

- You don't know how to tack up a horse, don't you?

- Of course she does.

Remember, Megan.

She rides that little Indian pony.

What's his name?

Crackers!

- It's Checkers.

- Whatever.

- And he's actually jumping now.

- Really?

In that case, why don't you

enter him in the competition?

Oh. Gotta run. Toodles.

- What's this?

- Checkers and I want to enter the competition.

Don't be ridiculous.

Checkers can't compete

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