Molly just yawned, and gradually Maggie relaxed. She loved the feel of the horse under her. First she pretended she was herding cows. Then she was riding in the Kentucky Derby. Finally Maggie lay back on Molly's soft wide back and studied the clouds.
Suddenly Maggie heard barking. Molly heard it, too, and her front end shot up. A surprised Maggie slid right off the horse's rump. Then she was looking up at two back legs and a white tail.
Corky ran up barking, and Molly quickly swung around to get between the dog and Maggie.
"Corky, be quiet," Maggie ordered. She got up and went to Molly's head. "Good girl," she said. "You wanted to protect me, didn't you? I like that."
Molly nuzzled Maggie's pockets, but gave up when she didn't find a treat.
Chapter Six
The following day Tim and Jodi showed up. Tim was out of the car before Aunt Jane had turned the engine off.
"Hey Maggie," he said, "look what we have. Dad bought us model airplanes, and they really fly."
Maggie grinned and said, "Well, that's nothing. I can ride a horse that's as big as an elephant."
Tim's eyes opened wide. "What?" he said. "Show me this horse."