Chapter One

Twelve year old Allie Davids watched Lulu Coly, her best friend, riding Sand, her buckskin mare, around the ring. All of the other riders used lesson, but because of the fee to use a lesson horse, Lulu brought her own. Lesson horses were for people who didn't own a horse.

Lucky Lulu had gotten Sand for her eighth birthday and loved her ever since. Lulu lived on a small farm about 5 minutes from town, unlike Allie who lived in town about 15 minutes from Lulu's. She often biked there.

Allie's older brother, Jeff, and her older sister, Kelly, both liked horses, but not enough to back up Allie's begging for one. They liked dogs and cats more, besides they where away at collage.

While Lulu trotted around the ring Allie daydreamed. She had been begging for a horse of her own or at least to ride at the lessons but her parents always said the same thing, " It's too expensive," or ," It's too dangerous."

They said owning a horse was too much work for a 12-yr-old girl. They said it would make her grades suffer even worse then they already are. They even tried telling her that a horse wasn't worth all the work and money she would have to put into it. They said she would grow tired of it after she relized how much work there was in owning a horse. Of course she always protested to this but they didn't listen. She knew she would always take care of it and never grow tired of it. She would love to watch it galloping across the field mane flowing and tossing its head...

"Allie Davids!"

"Oh! I'm sorry, I was just thinking," she stammered.

"I said, watch me take that jump," Lulu told her.

She turned the bend and had a clear fifty-foot run at the two-foot jump. Lulu and Sand were one, racing toward the jump. When they came to it they sailed over it as though nothing were there. She came trotting over with a broad smile on her face.

" Wow, you look so good going over jumps," Allie praised.

"Well, I had enough for one day," Lulu said as she dismounted Sand and led her over to the barn, " you can go wait for your mom if you want."

" No, I'll help you with Sand, She won't be here for a few more minutes."

As they walked to the barn they met a shaggy gray dog with very friendly eyes. He was kept around the stable to keep every body company.

After they untacked, fed and groomed Sand, Pamela, Allie's mom pulled in with the car.

On the way home home they girls talked vigourusly. Allie was sad to see Lulu's house so soon. While Pamela drove back to their place Allie was still thinking about Lulu and Sand. When she parked outside the garage, she turned and smiled at Allie but Allie just looked away with far from a smile on her face.

"Allie, I know how badly you want a horse, but it is just too expensive, you see. Hey, cheer up! Maybe we'll win the lottery.

Maybe pigs will fly, too, Allie thought back.

That night after supper the phone rang. Allie had her hand onit but her mom snatched it away. Before Allie could blink Pamela was in the other room with the phone. She went to her room to listento some music. After the second song Pamela came in with a grin on her face. Allie shut off the speakers and hid her face in a book.

"Allie, I have some very good news!," she almost shouted," I will be getting a different job with a bigger pay."

Allie wasn't really listening until she heard what her mom said next.

" If you heard me, because I know your not listening, I am getting a differnet job so maybe you can now have a horse!"