The Saddle Creek Series 5-Book Bundle. Shelley Peterson

a lot to remember, isn’t there?”

      “I’m so excited about tomorrow. I hope I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

      Hilary smiled. “I know how you feel, but even if you don’t get a wink it won’t matter. You’ll do beautifully, then sleep tomorrow night.”

      “You think so?”

      “I know so.” Hilary reached into her pocket. “I’ve got something for you to wear tomorrow. For good luck.” The young woman opened her hand.

      Abby’s jaw dropped. “Oh, no! I couldn’t wear that. What if I lose it?”

      “You won’t. I’ll pin it on you myself so if it falls off, it’s my fault.”

      Abby gazed at the antique fox-head pin with its ruby eyes. “You always wore that, didn’t you, when you showed?” she said in awe.

      “Every time. And it brought me luck. Every time.”

      When Abby cycled up her lane, she immediately saw her parents’ car sitting in the turnaround. They were home! She parked her bike against the wall and raced into the house.

      “Mom! Dad! Where are you?”

      “In here, Abby! The living room!”

      Abby turned down the hall and came to a halt. There were her parents, with Joy Featherstone, and Pete and Laura Pierson.

      “I don’t know who to hug first!” cried Abby. “I haven’t seen you for a long time,” she said to the Piersons.

      Laura laughed merrily. “Hug your parents first, dear. We can wait.”

      Pete put his arm around his wife and smiled in agreement.

      Abby embraced her parents at the same time. The three Malones held each other tight. “I missed you,” Abby said through the lump in her throat.

      “We missed you, too,” said Liam.

      “I love you, Abby,” Fiona whispered. “I hope you’ll forgive me. I know it’s been horrible for you.”

      Abby hugged her even tighter. “I’m just glad you’re home. We’ll talk later.”

      Fiona looked at her daughter. So mature. “We sure will.”

      Abby turned to Pete and Laura with open arms. “Now it’s your turn!” They all laughed and hugged.

      To join the fun, Joy made the three-way hug into a four-way hug. Fiona and Liam circled them, joking about the group hugs and touchy-feely sensitivity training at the spa.

      The doorbell rang. “Are there more people coming?” Abby asked her mother.

      “Answer the door and you’ll see,” she answered.

      Hilary, Sandy, Christine, and Rory stood on the porch.

      “Come in!” said a very surprised Abby. “Hilary, you didn’t tell me you were coming over!”

      “I was sworn to secrecy, and you don’t cross my grandmother. She organized a Welcome Home surprise party for your parents.”

      “You’d think I’d be let in on that,” said Abby, slightly confused.

      “You would have been,” piped up Joy, “if it wasn’t also a Good Luck Tomorrow party for you.”

      Abby was deeply moved. “Thank you,” was all she could say. She looked from face to face. Her mother, radiant and much younger-looking than when she’d left, dressed in a soft jade silk shirt with cream pants. Her father, handsome and charming, making everyone feel at home and comfortable. Laura Pierson, in a bright pink dress, the feisty, kindhearted, sweet old lady who loved a good laugh. Pete Pierson, who was always there for her through thick and thin. Hilary, her idol, who was allowing her to ride her magnificent stallion. Sandy, always sensible, humourous, and intelligent. Rory and Christine, both loyal friends and good people. Joy Featherstone, to whom Abby had grown truly close, with a moral compass pointing true north. These people were her support group, she realized. She felt extremely lucky to have them in her life.

      There was a knock on the door. Abby’s eyebrows raised.

      Joy winked at her and said, “There’s one more person coming to dinner, Abby. Open the door. Go ahead.”

      It was Sam. Abby looked back at Joy, whose face was crinkled up with sheer delight, and gave her the thumbs-up. “Thanks,” she mouthed across the noisy room. She opened the door and gave Sam a hug.

      “For you,” he said shyly, and handed her a small rectangular box.

      “Can I open it now?” Abby asked.

      “Sure. I hope they’re the right thing. They’re for good luck.”

      Abby ripped off the paper and lifted the lid, revealing a pair of black leather riding gloves. She gasped. “They’re fabulous!” She tried them on. “They fit like a glove!” She laughed and modelled the gloves for everyone.

      “Thanks, Sam. I’ll wear them tomorrow. I love them.”

      “Dinner is served!” called Joy from the dining room. “Come sit down. Your places are marked. Come, come, before dinner gets cold!”

      Through the kitchen door snuck Robert Wick, holding his forefinger to his lips. He kept out of sight behind Joy as she hustled around arranging dinner. Everyone had trouble not laughing aloud and spoiling the fun.

      “Throw another place on the table,” he finally shouted. “I’m not missing this party.”

      Joy spun around and faced him, grinning from ear to ear. “You said you were busy tonight! Who put you up to this, you old goat?” she cried.

      “Guilty!” admitted Rory, delighted with the game.

      “There’s enough to go around, isn’t there, Joy?”

      “Even if I go hungry myself, I’d never turn you away.” Joy wiped her hands on her apron and kissed him right on the lips.

      This caused a great uproar. Hoots and applause filled the room as Joy and Robert continued their embrace.

      The twelve dear friends sat down to a delicious, home-cooked meal. There was no shortage of conversation as plates were passed and appetites were sated. A happy glow filled every heart.

      An angry man observed the scene through the dining room window. This confirms it, seethed Samuel Owens. They’re all in it together. The Caseys, the Malones, the Jameses. And Robert Wick. They think they can appease me by throwing me a crumb. I’ll show them. I’ll show them all.

      Another pair of eyes, these ones steel grey, kept watch over the intruder. Prepared to fight tooth and nail to protect his loved ones, Cody bristled and snarled softly. One false move, and he’d be there.

      Owens slunk away as stealthily as is possible on crutches. Halfway down the lane, he whistled loudly. With the car’s headlights off, Walter, hunched down in the driver’s seat, rolled the Mercedes in neutral to meet him. Walter jumped out and silently opened the back door to usher in his boss.

      “Get out of here fast,” Owens barked to the cringing manservant. “This place makes me sick to my stomach.”

      Cody watched them go.

      15

      THE GRAND INVITATIONAL

      SUNDAY FINALLY DAWNED. As she’d expected, Abby hadn’t slept a wink. She’d spent the night practising every possible combination of jumps. She’d imagined every scary unexpected angle, and sorted out how to ride it. She’d used her leg aids, asked for leads, kept her pace. Again and again, she’d chastised herself for not sleeping, repositioning herself in her effort to slumber, removing blankets only to shiver and pull them on again. It had been a very