They stopped outside Belle’s stall. “Poor Belle,” Carole said, patting the mare’s soft nose. “We should groom her, since Stevie can’t.” They took Belle out of her stall and brushed her until her coat gleamed. Lisa carefully combed her mane and tail. When they were finished, Carole put the grooming bucket away. Lisa took a piece of paper out of her pocket. It was a sign reading PLEASE TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY HORSE WHILE I’M GROUNDED. Stevie had handed it to Lisa that morning. Carole came back just as Lisa was taping the sign to the front of Belle’s stall. “I told Max about Stevie,” she said. “He said he’d make sure Belle got turned out regularly. I told him we’d handle the grooming.” “I think we should keep the sign up anyway,” Lisa said. “That way Red will know, too. I haven’t seen him yet today.” Red O’Malley was Pine Hollow’s stable hand. Carole nodded glumly. “Well,” she said with a sigh, “should we go on a trail ride?” “I guess so,”
