A Feast of Fun [1 ed.] 9781680790320, 9781624021633

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

t s a e A F un of F

By Lisa Mullarkey :ôôĩĞģ̧ģÉÄLj¾ņLjn§ĩô§Lj3̧û¿Ā

A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

t s a e A F un of F

by Lisa Mullarkey Illustrated by Paula Franco

An Imprint of Magic Wagon abdopublishing.com

A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

To Maha Hadi: Thanks for your patience, support, wisdom and time! —LM To Mark and Hannah, for your hard work and support. —PF abdopublishing.com Published by Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439. Copyright © 2017 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Calico™ is a trademark and logo of Magic Wagon. Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota. 052016 092016

Written by Lisa Mullarkey Cover illustration by Paula Franco Edited by Tamara L. Britton, Megan M. Gunderson & Bridget O’Brien Designed by Christina Doffing Art Directed by Candice Keimig

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Mullarkey, Lisa, author. | Franco, Paula, illustrator. | Mullarkey, Lisa. Storm Cliff Stables. Title: A feast of fun / by Lisa Mullarkey ; illustrated by Paula Franco. Description: Minneapolis, MN : Magic Wagon, [2017] | Series: Storm Cliff Stables | Summary: Khadija is missing her family who are in Pakistan, but when Aunt Jane announces that she is marrying her long time boyfriend, Clyde, Khadija assumes the role of wedding planner--but counselor Layla is behaving strangely and Khadija is convinced that she is planning to sabotage the wedding. Identifiers: LCCN 2016002431 (print) | LCCN 2016002630 (ebook) | ISBN 9781624021633 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781680790429 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Riding schools--Juvenile fiction. | Horses--Juvenile fiction. | Weddings-Juvenile fiction. | Friendship--Juvenile fiction. | CYAC: Mystery and detective stories. | Horses--Fiction. | Weddings--Fiction. | Friendship--Fiction. | Camps--Fiction. | Muslims-Fiction. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction. Classification: LCC PZ7.M91148 Fe 2016 (print) | LCC PZ7.M91148 (ebook) | DDC 813.6--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016002431

A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

s t n e t f Con

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nn

Big A

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17

emen ounc ne g Plan

in Wedd e h 28 T s t ter 2 p e a r h c C Se crets, e S 38 3 r te ids Chap a m e ors 48 The H 4 rs r e e t p w a o h l f C un sing S s i M 60 e se i r 5 Th e t m p o a Ch mpr ke Co a C 69 6 ter ngs i Chap h T ing Hear 78 7 r e t ce Chap n a D al Speci A 89 8 r e t rs e Chap w s n es & A u l C 9 100 ter n! Chap u F f o st A Fea ter 10 Chap

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Chapte

ig B e h T cement n u o n n A “What do you think Aunt Jane’s big announcement is?” asked Ryleigh as she skipped along the pebble path that led to the stables. She pointed her flashlight toward the stable’s doors. “Maybe she’s planning an overnight trip for us.” Aunt Jane is the owner of Storm Cliff Stables. It’s a camp for girls who are crazy about horses. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Everyone calls her Aunt Jane. She says if horses talked, they’d call her Aunt Jane, too. Ainsley shook her head and flashed her beam at Ryleigh. “We went on an overnight trail ride last week. Why would she schedule another one so soon?” Cassidy crossed her fingers. “What do you think, Khadija?”

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I tucked a piece of hair under my hijab. “She made the announcement to all campers. Most of them aren’t allowed on overnighters yet. But it must be something special because the horses are invited.” Cassidy’s shoulders drooped. “Bummer. I’d love to camp out under the stars.” Cassidy is a new camper. “Don’t be disappointed,” I said. “You’ll get to one day.” But I doubted Aunt Jane would let Cassidy go with us. She just started riding. I still wondered Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

why a twelve-year-old who had never ridden a horse before would sign up for horse camp. I bit down on my cheek and thought of my ammi’s words. Worry only about yourself, Khadija. We stepped into the stable and pushed through the crowd of girls. Most of them were finishing grooming their horses for the campfire. The smell of leather and hay filled the air and

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tickled my twitchy nose. Saddles and bridles lined the walls waiting for morning lessons. I walked toward the back and ducked into Silver Moon’s stall. “Hiya, girl,” I said as I rubbed her nose. Then I got a good look and whiff of the stall. It was a mess. “You were out in the paddock most of the day. I mucked out this place two times already. Why so messy?” Ainsley peeked through the grilles in the wall. “You and Silver Moon are perfect for each other. You’re both slobs.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy flared her nostrils. “Be nice!” Ainsley shrugged. “Just keeping it real, Cas. Khadija does have the messiest bunk. It’s a fact.” “Do you think that’s true, Silver Moon?” I rubbed my cheek against hers. “Are we slobs?” She bobbed her neck up and down. “She agrees with me,” said Ainsley. “Score one for me!”

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We all laughed. Ainsley, Cassidy, Ryleigh, and I are bunk mates. Although this is Cassidy’s first summer here, the rest of us have bunked together for four years. We call ourselves the Three Horseketeers because we’re BFFs. I’ve been riding Silver Moon for the last three years. She’s a flea-bitten gray Thoroughbred mare. Her light gray body is covered with little specks of black dots. I ran my hand along her belly and started to connect the dots with my finger. “Are you ready to make s’mores tonight?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy’s eyes grew wide. “Seriously? Horses like s’mores?” I giggled as I adjusted my hijab. “No! Just joking.” Cassidy pointed to my head scarf. “Do you have to wear your hijab every day?” “I’m Muslim,” I said. “I was born in Pakistan. If there’s a chance that I’ll see a boy, then I cover

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up. Some girls don’t want to wear one but I do. It’s my choice. I’ve been wearing one since fifth grade.” Cassidy frowned. “But this is a camp for girls. No boys allowed.” Ainsley knocked on Cassidy’s head. “Hello in there? Colby comes to some of our campfires, doesn’t he?” Colby is a reporter for the Storm Cliff Times. “And Dr. Samuels,” I reminded Cassidy. “And his son, Brent.” Ryleigh’s eyes lit up. “Clyde comes too. When Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

he’s in town.” Clyde Collins is Aunt Jane’s boyfriend. He’s away on business trips most of the time. “I love wearing my hijab,” I said. “It makes me feel proud to wear one with my nani, my ammi, and my cousins.” “Do you always match your scarf to your clothes?” asked Cassidy.

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“I try to. My nani sews them and surprises me with new designs and colors all the time. She’s the best grandmother!” I touched my scarf. “This purple one matches our camp shirts perfectly.” Cassidy agreed. “Yesterday, you wore a green one to breakfast. It matched your pajamas.” Sometimes we go to breakfast in the Pavilion in our pj’s. As long as we’re dressed by eight thirty, Aunt Jane doesn’t care. I fed Silver Moon a piece of apple and then pulled out a purple ribbon from my pocket. “I brought this so I could color coordinate with her, Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

too.” I quickly braided her mane and weaved the silky ribbon through it. When I looked over at Ainsley, she was brushing Minka. Minka is a black Percheron mare. Eighteen hands tall! She’s big and bossy. “Almost done,” said Ainsley. Ryleigh led Butterscotch, a palomino quarter horse stallion, out of his stall. He’s her favorite.

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“Let’s go. I’m dying to hear the news.” But Butterscotch had other ideas. When he saw Silver Moon, he whinnied softly as he dipped his head into the stall and nuzzled her. “True love,” I said. Ainsley attached a lead rope to Minka’s halter. “True love can wait. We’re late.” Cassidy stood with her hands shoved in her pockets. “Which horse are you taking?” asked Ainsley. Cassidy stiffened and shifted her weight from foot to foot. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“You could hang with us,” I said. “Silver Moon won’t mind.” Cassidy let out a long sigh. “Thanks.” She reached up and tucked a strand of my hair under my hijab. It was something my ammi would often do. My stomach fluttered. “I miss my ammi,” I blurted out. “My mom is so far away.”

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Ainsley and Ryleigh glanced at each other. “Call her,” said Cassidy. Ainsley rolled her eyes. “You’re not gonna whine about missing your parents now are you? We’re late!” My heart was heavy. “I’ve never whined about missing anyone before.” “Call them,” repeated Cassidy. “She can’t,” said Ryleigh. “They’re in Pakistan on a business trip.” “But

they’re

also

celebrating

Maha’s

wedding,” I said. “She’s my cousin.” I tied the Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

end of the ribbon together and swatted a fly away from Silver Moon’s ear. “My parents are doctors. They’re working most of the summer in a lab. They said it’s not a pleasure trip. But going to a wedding sounds like a pleasure, doesn’t it?” Everyone nodded. “I cried when they said I couldn’t go. My ammi told me to save my tears for the hungry and the

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poor. She said I’d be with my camp friends and horses and would have my own fun.” Cassidy rubbed her stomach. “I’m hungry. You can cry for me.” I rubbed my eyes and pretended to cry like a baby. “Wahhhhhhhhhhh! Wahhhhhhhhhhh! Wahhhhhhhhhhh!” We both giggled so much that Silver Moon snorted. Ryleigh chimed in. “I’m going to be poor. My boots are tight and I need new ones. You can cry for me, too.” So Ryleigh, Cassidy, and I rubbed our eyes and Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

wailed. “Wahhhhhhhhhhh! Wahhhhhhhhhhh! Wahhhhhhhhhhh!” We laughed even harder this time. Ainsley looked at her watch. “Puh-leaze! Stop squawking, crybabies.” Then she dropped Minka’s lead and pretended to cry, too! We laughed until we couldn’t breathe anymore!

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Butterscotch’s ears went flat. “Sorry, Butterscotch,” said Ryleigh. “We’ll try to cry quieter next time.” That made us all laugh crazy mad again! We were still laughing when we got to the campfire. Layla rushed over to us. She’s our counselor and Aunt Jane’s best friend. “I was just about to come and find you girls,” she said. “Aunt Jane’s ready to spill the beans.” “Do you know what the announcement is?” I asked. Layla raised her eyebrows. “Maybe. Or maybe Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

not . . .” I clapped. “I love surprises!” Layla lowered her eyes. “Me too. Most surprises.” Aunt Jane stood on a bench and whistled to get our attention. Clyde was standing off to the side by the bags of marshmallows. “Campers,”

she

said.

“I

have

two

announcements. The first one is that my niece,

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Anna Wainwright, is returning to Storm Cliff Stables on Saturday.” The girls clapped and chanted, “Anna, Anna, Anna!” Ainsley and Ryleigh chest bumped. “What’s the big deal about Anna?” asked Cassidy. “Anna is a very big deal,” I said. “She’s an Olympic gold medal winner! One of the top jumpers in the country.” Cassidy’s eyes grew as big as Anna’s Olympic medals. Then she joined in the cheering and Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

chanting, too. Aunt Jane held her hand up to quiet us down. “She’s coming for a special reason. Other than my sister in California, Anna’s the only family I have besides my camp family. But to me, family is family, which is why I want to share my news with everyone tonight.” She blew Clyde a kiss. “Clyde has finally convinced me to marry him.

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In just two days, there’s going to be a wedding at Storm Cliff Stables and you’re all invited.” Everyone rushed forward to hug Aunt Jane and Clyde. Ryleigh gave them both high fives. Ainsley asked if the horses were invited. Cassidy hummed, “Here Comes the Bride.” I didn’t cheer, give high fives, or hug anyone. I didn’t sing or ask questions. Instead, I ran back to my cabin with tears in

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my eyes.

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ing d d e The Wnner Pla In less than two minutes, Aunt Jane and the girls burst through the door. “What’s wrong?” asked Aunt Jane. “You bolted from the campfire. I’m worried.” I plopped on my bunk and pulled off my hijab. I grabbed a tissue and blew my nose. “Sorry.” Ainsley sat on the bottom of my bunk. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“You kind of sort of ruined Aunt Jane’s announcement . . . don’t ya think?” Aunt Jane tried to shoo Ainsley away. But Ainsley usually says what everyone else is thinking. “She’s right,” I said. “I’m sorry. I am happy for you and Clyde. Honest. I just miss my ammi and abba. And Maha. And my nani.”

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Aunt Jane scratched her head. “I don’t understand. You’ve never been homesick at camp before.” “Khadija missed a wedding,” said Ryleigh. “Not just any wedding,” I said. “Maha’s wedding. She’s like a big sister to me.” I pulled a padded envelope out from under my pillow and gave it to Aunt Jane. She pulled out a stack of photos. “Maha’s wedding?” I sniffled. “The pictures came today. When I looked at them, my heart hurt. It made me Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

realize how far away I am from my family.” I fiddled with the charm on my necklace. It’s a Pakistani flag. “They’re on the other side of the world.” Ryleigh peeked over Aunt Jane’s shoulder. “Is that Maha in the red dress?” I took the picture from Aunt Jane. “Isn’t she beautiful? Brides don’t always wear white in

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Pakistan. Red is the most popular color.” “I’m not wearing a white dress, either,” said Aunt Jane. “I don’t even own a white dress. My jeans and boots are about as fancy as I’ll get.” “Seriously?” said Ainsley. “Dirty jeans?” Aunt Jane crinkled her nose. “I’d wash them, of course.” “How about your red sundress?” I asked. “The one with the ruffles at the bottom. You’d match Maha!” Ryleigh giggled. “Clyde said you looked ‘mighty fine’ in that dress when you wore it last Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

year.” Aunt Jane’s face turned as red as her ruffle dress. “I’ll think about it.” She shuffled through more pictures and licked her lips. “Yum! Look at all the food!” My stomach growled just looking at the pictures. “We eat a lot at our weddings. Kabobs. Chicken curry. Pulao. That’s a yummy rice dish.

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And I love the desserts! Kheers, which is like rice pudding, is extra sweet. And halwas! My favorites are the jelly ones.” “Kabobs and chicken curry? Delicious!” said Aunt Jane. She patted her stomach. “Maybe we’ll have kabobs. I’m sure Piper has a recipe.” Chef Piper is the camp cook. “I can help make them,” I said. “I know the best spices to use.” “You got it,” said Aunt Jane. Ryleigh held up a photo. “Who are these girls?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“That was taken at the mehndi celebration. They’re my cousins. In Pakistan, girls make up special dances and perform them for the bride-to-be. It’s a fun tradition to celebrate an upcoming wedding. When I was in Pakistan for the last celebration, we practiced our dances night and day. To perform for the bride is an honor.”

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I showed them another picture. “Look closely at the henna on Maha’s hands and feet. Aren’t the designs beautiful? It was done at the celebration.” Aunt Jane’s face lit up. “Remember when you decorated our hands with henna last year? Your designs were so detailed.” Ainsley pointed to a henna cone on the desk. “Her nani sent her some henna last week. Maybe we can use it soon.”

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“Why is there a big drum?” asked Cassidy.

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“That’s a dholki drum. It’s always used when the woman is officially treated as a bride-to-be at the mehndi celebration.” I saw Cassidy looking at a picture from Mangni, Maha’s engagement party. “That picture was from a year ago. Mangni is a small ceremony. Relatives from both families come together to pray. Maha and Syed set the date of their wedding at Mangni.” I clapped my hands together at the memory. “It was such an exciting day! My first Mangni!” I dabbed my eyes. “I hope it’s not my last.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“What lovely traditions,” said Aunt Jane. “I can see why you’re proud of them.” “Nani says weddings are a feast of fun.” That’s when I remembered my favorite wedding tradition. “The most fun I ever had was when I stole the groom’s shoe at another wedding!” I shuffled through the pictures until I found Maha’s husband without his shoe. He was

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holding up money. “He must get his shoe back so he offers whoever stole it some money. It’s a game. I stole my uncle’s shoe once. He offered me 10,000 rupees, but everyone kept telling me to ask for more. So I did. I finally got over 30,000 rupees!” Ainsley slapped her cheeks. Ryleigh gasped. Cassidy’s eyes lit up. “You’re rich!” said Aunt Jane. “No,” I laughed. “That’s only three hundred dollars in American money.” “I wish I could go to a wedding in Pakistan,” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

said Ryleigh. Cassidy and Ainsley agreed. But Aunt Jane didn’t say anything. “Don’t you think the wedding looks like fun?” I asked. “The whole family gets involved.” She patted me on the back. “I have an idea. Why don’t we include some of your traditions in my wedding? I think a colorful Pakistani

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wedding is exactly what Storm Cliff Stables needs.” I was speechless. “How about it, Khadija?” said Aunt Jane. “Can you make it happen? In a day and a half?” I jumped out of bed. “Can I make it happen? Of course I can!” “We can’t do all of your customs and traditions, but you have my blessing to plan the wedding.” Ainsley shook Aunt Jane’s shoulders. “You’re leaving the planning up to a twelve-year-old Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

girl? Are you sure you wanna do that?” I pushed Ainsley down on the bed and sat on her. “Hey! Aunt Jane is a smart woman. She can make her own decisions.” Ainsley easily broke free. “Can I help too?” “You can all help,” said Aunt Jane. “But Khadija’s in charge.” “I’ll ask Layla to help,” I said.

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“No,” said Aunt Jane firmly. “I don’t want her involved.” My mouth dropped open. Aunt Jane cracked her knuckles. “It’s not that I wouldn’t want her to help but . . . you see . . .” “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Did you have a fight?” She laughed nervously. “Heavens no! Nothing like that. It’s just that Layla was engaged over the winter.” “Was?” asked Ainsley. “As in, she’s not engaged anymore?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“That’s right,” said Aunt Jane. “So she’s jealous?” said Cassidy. “No, no, no! Not at all,” said Aunt Jane. She bit her lip. “Girls, forget I said anything. She’s more than happy for me. I just know this must be a tough time for her. I’d rather not bother her with any of the details or planning.” “I feel terrible for Layla,” said Cassidy.

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“Me too,” I said. Aunt Jane groaned. “Girls, I shouldn’t have said anything. Please don’t say a word to her. It’s been a very private matter.” She narrowed her eyes. “Promise?” “Promise,” we all said at once. “Okay, then I have three requests,” said Aunt Jane. “Red velvet cake is my favorite. Clyde’s too. I’d like flowers for my hair. And I want to ride down the aisle on Sapphire.” “Easy breezy lemon squeezy,” I said, writing

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

down each request. “Anything else?”

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“I love the idea of you girls stealing Clyde’s shoe. How about we keep that our little secret?” I took the paper and wrote Steal Clyde’s Shoe. “It might be cute to have the Pony Girls steal it.” The Pony Girls are the youngest campers. They’re eight years old. “Clyde will laugh,” said Aunt Jane as she stood. “I have to get back to the campfire. You girls coming?” “I am,” said Ainsley. “Me too,” said Cassidy. Ryleigh grabbed a sweatshirt and walked Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

toward the door. “I can’t,” I said. “Sorry.” “What is it?” asked Ainsley. “Spill it.” “How can I go to a campfire when I have a beautiful wedding to plan?”

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Chapte

, s t e r c Se ets Secr The next morning at breakfast, the Pavilion buzzed with excitement. Everyone was talking about the wedding and Anna’s return. Aunt Jane walked by the tables. “Eat up, girls. You’re going to need energy for your lessons today.” When she came to our table, she pointed to Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

a stack of pancakes. “Eat.” Then she grabbed a slice of bacon. “Don’t waste food.” Cassidy plunged a spoon into a jar of peanut butter. “If you insist!” “I do insist,” said Aunt Jane. “It’s going to be hot out today. I can’t have anyone fainting from hunger and risk falling off a horse.” “Do you think I’ll get some private lessons

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from Anna?” asked Ainsley. She clicked her tongue. “I wonder if she ever rode Minka!” Ryleigh nibbled on a blueberry muffin. “She rides Sapphire when she’s here. You know that.” Sapphire is a chestnut Thoroughbred mare. One of the older campers, Avery, rides her all the time. “I know,” said Ainsley. “But has she ever ridden Minka?” I cleared my throat. “We have twenty-four hours to pull off this wedding,” I said again. “In Pakistan, the preparations last a whole year. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Sometimes longer.” They kept talking about Anna. Ainsley jumped up. “Hey! Do you think Anna will bring her medals? Maybe I can take a picture with them around my neck. Pretend they’re mine.” Ryleigh scrunched her nose. “Are you serious?” She smirked. “No one will believe you

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suddenly have Olympic gold medals.” Ainsley smirked and picked up a piece of toast. “You burnt me like toast, Ryleigh.” “Stop!” I snapped. “Stop talking about Anna. The reason she’s coming back to Storm Cliff Stables is for the wedding. That’s what we should be talking about.” Ryleigh poked her eggs with a fork. “You’re right. We need to focus on Aunt Jane and Clyde.” Ainsley made a puppy dog face. “Can’t you guys focus on Aunt Jane and Clyde? I have a shot at making the US Equestrian Team. Remember? Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I just can’t stop thinking about Anna and getting private lessons. Sorry.” Ryleigh stuck out her tongue. “I know, I know,” said Ainsley. “I should be thinking about the wedding but I can’t help it. It’s not every day that I have a chance to impress an Olympic gold medalist and ask her for some advice. Right?”

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I took a deep breath. “Fine. But for now can you concentrate on Aunt Jane?” I clinked my glass of juice three times with my spoon. “This meeting is called to order.” I took a small notebook out of my cinch bag. I pointed to the word Cake. “We need to make sure that Chef Piper has red velvet cake for Aunt Jane.” Cassidy pointed over my shoulder. “There she is. Ask.” Chef Piper was covering the muffin platter when we walked over. “Do you have red velvet cake for the wedding?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I asked. She nodded. “Sure do! Seven boxes. I checked last night. Would you girls like to help me make it later?” “All in favor, raise your hand,” I said. Everyone raised a hand. Cassidy raised both of hers. I crossed Red Velvet Cake off the list. “Perfect!”

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“That’s done,” said Ainsley. “Gotta go.” Cassidy and Ryleigh got up to go, too. “Where’s everyone going?” I asked. “Lessons. Where else?” said Ryleigh. “Let’s meet at the small barn in an hour. Okay?” But they shuffled out the door before I answered! So I sat there for a while and planned the wedding myself. Cake. Flower wreaths. Henna for mehndi celebration. The mehndi celebration! I sketched some flowers and hearts and made Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

swirls designs that I thought would look pretty on Aunt Jane’s hands. Then I felt a tap-tap-tap on my arm. It was Clyde. He tipped his hat to me. “Hello there pretty li’l lady. You’re just the gal I’m looking for.” He pulled a small tin can of Butterworth’s Butterscotches out of his pocket. He opened the

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lid, plucked one out, and threw it up into the air. He easily caught it in his mouth. “I know it’s still morning, but I just can’t resist my candies.” Clyde’s

family

owns

Butterworth’s

Butterscotches. He slipped the tin back into his pocket. “I hear you’re our wedding planner, Khadija.” I nodded. “Everything’s under control. Chef Piper has Aunt Jane’s favorite cake. We’re baking it today.” “That’s great,” he said. “It’ll be a lot more meaningful if you girls make it.” He adjusted his Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

hat. “What kind of frosting?” I pretended to zip my lips. “You’ll have to wait and see.” He rubbed his hands together. “Ahhh! Good! You keep secrets!” He quickly glanced to the left and then to the right. “I need your help. Top secret help.” He leaned in. “Can you keep a big secret?”

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His butterscotch breath tickled my nose. “I’m really good at keeping them.” His eyes twinkled. “I want to surprise Janie and fly her sister in for the wedding.” “From California?” I asked. He nodded. “It’s her only family besides Anna. It wouldn’t feel proper if I knew Janie’s sister wasn’t able to travel because of money problems. I want to tell her that I’m reserving a plane ticket for her.” “That’s sweet of you,” I said. “But how can I Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

help you?” “I need Aunt Jane’s address book,” he said. It wasn’t just her address book. She calls it her Everything Book. It’s falling apart and has pages sticking out of it. She carries it everywhere. “The one with the picture of the sunflowers on the front?” He high-fived me. “That’s the one. Sunflowers

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are her favorite flowers. That book rarely leaves her hands unless she’s mucking out stalls. Think you can snoop around her cabin and find it? Maybe look up Maggie’s phone number? I know she keeps it on that fancy desk of hers.” He lowered his voice. “I’d get it myself, but it might look strange if someone saw me sneaking around the cabins.” I wrote Sunflowers: Her Favorite Flowers on my to-do list. “Consider it done.” Clyde looked relieved. I saw Aunt Jane talking to some Pony Girls on Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the other side of the Pavilion. Her book wasn’t with her. “If you can keep Aunt Jane busy for the next few minutes, I’ll sneak into her cabin now and give it to you after lunch.” I glanced at the clock. “We have a meeting down at the small barn in a little bit. Deal?” He stood and bowed. “Deal.”

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So while Clyde kept her busy, I went down to my cabin and poked my head around the corner. When I was sure the coast was clear, I headed straight to Aunt Jane’s cabin. Suddenly I saw Layla on the path. I ducked behind a storage shed. It seemed like forever before I was brave enough to poke my head out again. That’s when I saw her crouch down and glance around. Then she quickly creeped to Aunt Jane’s door, pulled it open, and slipped

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inside, shutting it quickly behind her.

A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Why would Layla sneak into Aunt Jane’s cabin? A minute later, Layla come out of the cabin. But she didn’t use the door! She tossed something out of the window before she climbed up on the sill, Then she jumped down to the porch. When she landed on the ground, Layla tucked whatever it was under her shirt and disappeared around back. While I wasn’t sure exactly what was going

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

on, I knew one thing for sure. Layla was a thief!

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r4

Chapte

The aids m e s r o H As I headed to the small barn a little while later, I couldn’t stop thinking about Layla. Why was she snooping around and stealing from Aunt Jane? Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me! I pushed Layla out of my mind and concentrated on the meeting. Cassidy, Ryleigh, and Ainsley were waiting Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

by the chicken coop. “You’re late,” said Ainsley. I looked up at the clock. “You’re early.” Should I tell them? I thought of my ammi. Mind your own business. Then a soft neighing made me forget all about Layla. At least for a few minutes.

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“Look out in the pasture,” said Ryleigh. “It’s Maverick, Clementine, and Maisy . . . the real Three Horseketeers.” All three horses had been abused by their previous owners. Aunt Jane adopted them last summer. “They look like they’re having their own meeting,” I said as I walked over to the paddock. “Hiya, friends! Are you excited about Aunt Jane’s wedding?” They whinnied at the same time! “That’s a definite yes,” said Ainsley. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

The horses stood facing each other and gently bobbed their heads up and down. Clementine’s tail swooshed back and forth. “A fly must be bothering her,” said Ryleigh. With a few more swooshes, the fly was gone. “I’ve met Maverick before,” said Cassidy. “He has one ear and is blind in one eye. Right?” “The one and only,” I said.

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

“Did Aunt Jane actually rescue him?” “Mr. Nevans rescued all of them,” I said. “He runs the Horse Rescue Center down at Ridge Rock,” said Ainsley. “It’s Aunt Jane’s land but she lets him use it. She met Mr. Nevans and adopted them last year.” Clementine was the closest to us. I reached over the fence and stroked her neck. “Hey Clementine. How are you feeling today?” “How old is she?” asked Cassidy. “Eight,” said Ryleigh. “She likes the smaller barn much better than the stables. Fewer people. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Less noise.” “Can I pet her?” said Cassidy. “Sure,” said Ainsley. “Maisy looks healthy,” said Cassidy. “She looks healthy now, but Mr. Nevans said that her skin was covered with fungus,” I said. “She had parasites all over her body.” “Bugs?” gasped Cassidy. “That’s awful!”

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Maverick took off running. “I think he’s showing off for Maisy and Clementine,” I said. “Maybe he’s in love with both of them,” said Cassidy. Another idea popped into my head. “What if we have Maverick, Clementine, and Maisy be a part of the wedding? They can be Aunt Jane’s horsemaids!” Everyone loved the idea! And two minutes later when all the other campers arrived, we told them about the horsemaids. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

They loved the idea, too! I waved my notebook in the air. “I have lots of other ideas,” I said. “There’s a lot to do but not much time.” I stood on a milking stool. “I’m calling this meeting to order.” The girls gathered around me. “We’re making the cake today, and Aunt Jane is talking to Chef Piper about the menu.” I ran

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my finger down the list. “We need decorations.” Esha, an older camper, pointed to Jaelyn. “She’s the best artist here.” Jaelyn blushed. “Want me to make some Just Married signs? There’s plenty of paper and paint in storage. We can hang them on the stable and the barn, and in the arena.” “And the Pavilion,” I said. I pulled a horse blanket out of a bag. “Aunt Jane wants to ride in on Sapphire. Wouldn’t it be cute to paint the blanket and have Sapphire wear it? It’s lightweight. She’d only wear it for the ceremony.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Jaelyn’s eyes lit up. “I could paint some flowers on it and have Here Comes the Bride on both sides. Then we’ll drape it over Sapphire.” Cassidy hummed “Here Comes the Bride.” Little Lexi Lewis swung her head around. “You should sing for Aunt Jane. You have a pretty voice.” She turned to Isabel. “I still think she sounds a lot like CeCe Monroe.”

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Cassidy twitched. “CeCe Monroe is a movie star. I’m just a regular kid.” She glanced at Ryleigh. “Right?” “Right,” said Ryleigh. “I know you hate to sing but . . . maybe just this once. For Aunt Jane?” Cassidy sighed. “Okay. Just this once.” She thought for a minute. “How about I change the words to ‘You Are My Sunshine’? I’ve heard her sing it before.” I wrote down Cassidy: Sing at Wedding. “We need to make flower arrangements for the tables,” I said. “And Aunt Jane wants a flower Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

wreath in her hair.” “Sapphire could have matchin’ flowers in her mane,” said Esha. “Maybe even her tail.” “We can make wreaths for the horsemaids, too,” said Ryleigh. “I’ll be in charge of that. There are thousands of daisies around here.” Lots of other girls raised their hands to help her. We were getting a lot planned!

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I looked over my notes. “Clyde says Aunt Jane loves sunflowers. They would look pretty if we put them in vases on tables and made a garland for the fence. But we don’t have any and I don’t know where to get them. Any ideas?” Esha waved her hand in the air. “You know that path we’re not supposed to go on? The one with the poison ivy? There’s a patch of sunflowers not too far in on the left. But don’t ask me how I know that.” She scratched her arms and legs. Everyone laughed. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“I’ll get them,” I said. “I know how to identify poison ivy.” So I wrote my name next to Sunflowers. “Can I braid Sapphire’s hair and use Twinkle Toes Glitter on her hooves?” said Esha. “Perfect!” said Avery. “Sapphire always looks great when she gets fancied up.” “What can we do?” asked Lexi.

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“Yeah,” said Isabel, another Pony Girl. “We want to help.” So I explained to them how all of the Pony Girls were going to steal Clyde’s shoe. “He’s going to give you money to get his shoe back. When he offers you money the first time, you’ll say, ‘More money please. That’s not enough.’ It’s a game. He’ll laugh and give you more money.” Lexi and Isabel rubbed their hands together. “Do we get to keep the money?” asked Lexi. “We can all buy ice cream at the Green Canteen!” Everyone liked that idea, but I had a better Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

one. A much better one. “How about we donate the money to Mr. Nevans at the Horse Rescue Center at Ridge Rock?” Lexi and Isabel didn’t like the idea. “Can’t we keep half of it?” asked Lexi. “Do the horses need all the money? That’s when I told them about Mr. Nevans. “Maverick, Clementine, and Maisy wouldn’t be

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here today if Mr. Nevans didn’t save them. The more money Mr. Nevans has, the more horses he can save.” Lexi shrugged. “Who needs ice cream?” “Not me,” said Isabel. “Great!” I said. “Then it’s settled. Aunt Jane will be happy.” For the next hour, I taught everyone some dances for the mehndi celebration. When we finished, I asked if anyone wanted to pick sunflowers. “We’re so close to the path.” Ainsley

volunteered

and

pointed

out

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everything she saw in the woods. “Look at the caterpillar on the tree,” she said. “Look at the deer behind that rock. Look at that spider web!” But I didn’t notice the caterpillar, the deer, or the spider web. The only thing I noticed were the two eyes staring back at me.

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r5

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g n i s s i M e h T flowers Sun I screamed and covered my eyes. “Did you see those eyes? Someone’s behind that bush.” “Where?” said Ainsley. I slowly peeled back my fingers one by one. “By those bushes over there.” “I think you’re seeing things,” said Ainsley. She walked over to the rocks. “Do you need Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

glasses? There’s no one here.” I thought about Layla coming out of Aunt Jane’s window. Now the eyes behind the bushes? I wasn’t seeing things! “I know what I saw,” I said quietly. I sat on a rock. “Can I tell you something? About Layla?” I didn’t wait for an answer. “She was sneaking around Aunt Jane’s cabin. I saw her take

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something from there. She’s a thief.” Ainsley covered her mouth. “Khadija! Stop lying. Layla wouldn’t do anything like that.” “That’s what I thought! But I saw her go into the cabin and come out . . . through the window.” Ainsley chewed on her lip. “You must need glasses!” “I’m telling the truth. Layla threw something out the window and then put it under her shirt. I know what I saw.” Ainsley stuck her nose up in the air. “You know what?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“You think I’m crazy,” I said. She jumped off of the rock and walked toward the patch. “Totally.” I followed a few steps behind her until she stopped suddenly. “You know who else is seeing things?” said Ainsley. “Esha. Because there’s only five sunflowers in this whole patch.”

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It was true. “Where are the hundreds of flowers she was talking about?” I asked. “We can’t do anything with five sunflowers.” I kicked a stone. No sunflowers for Aunt Jane! When we went to the Pavilion for lunch, we saw Esha. “Guess what,” I said. Esha picked at her salad. “What?” “There were five sunflowers in that patch,” I said. “Only five! Why did you say there was a whole field full of them?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Because there are,” she said. “Or at least there were. Maybe the birds ate them.” “Stem and all?” I said. “No way. Birds peck at the seeds. They don’t eat the whole flower.” “Just use the flowers from one of the gardens,” said Esha. “There’s a zillion of them.” “But sunflowers are her favorite flowers,” I said.

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I tugged at Layla’s sleeve when she walked by. “Layla, did you know there were a lot of sunflowers over by . . .” But I didn’t finish. Esha gave me the evil eye and pretended to scratch her arm. Layla’s nostrils flared. “Don’t even tell me you went through the gate and broke the rules, Khadija. Aunt Jane would pitch a fit. I have a good mind to tell her.” Why was she so angry? Aunt Jane was heading toward us. I held my breath. Please don’t tell. “Have you seen my Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Everything Book?” she said. “I can’t seem to find it anywhere.” She scanned the tables. “I’ve checked everywhere, but I’m positive I last saw it in my cabin this morning.” Layla glared at me but she didn’t mention the sunflowers! She didn’t even answer Aunt Jane! She just looked at the clock on the wall and walked away. Fast!

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“I haven’t seen it,” I said. But maybe Layla did? Maybe that’s what she threw out the window! Clyde walked up and gave Aunt Jane a peck on the cheek. “Have you seen Layla?” he said. “I wanted to ask her . . .” Aunt Jane frowned. “Layla is out of sorts. Let her be. I’m sure she’s been thinking about her broken engagement.” Broken engagement or not, I had to warn Aunt Jane about her. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Layla has been acting weird,” I said. “She . . .” Aunt Jane put her arms over her chest. “Khadija, I just said that Layla is out of sorts. Let her be. Understand?” “Understood,” I said. Then I whispered, “I haven’t seen your book.” I wasn’t exactly lying, but I didn’t feel like I was being completely truthful either. I

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changed the subject. “What time is the mehndi celebration tonight? I’m so excited!” Aunt Jane looked at the clock. “I told Piper to push dinner back until seven thirty. We’ll have the celebration here in the Pavilion in place of dinner and the campfire. Is that too late?” “No! There’s so much to do that I need every minute of planning time I can get.” “Can’t wait,” said Aunt Jane. “I’m sure every camper is going to want one of your beautiful henna designs.” Clyde patted my back. “I just got back from Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

town. Janie asked me to pick up more henna. I gave it to Layla not ten minutes ago.” “Perfect! Maybe we’ll have enough for all the girls,” I said. “We need time to dance for you, too. And eat!” Then she looked worried. “With so much to do, I really wish I knew where my book was.” I didn’t like to see Aunt Jane looking so

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worried. “Maybe Layla has it,” I blurted out. “Ask again.” “Why would Layla have it?” asked Aunt Jane. “I just asked her a few minutes ago.” “Yeah. Why would I have it?” said a voice from behind me. I swung around to see Layla glaring at me. Again. She was back! With Ainsley. “I haven’t seen it, Khadija,” she said. “Don’t be causing any trouble.” Trouble! Me? Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ainsley poked me in the shoulder and laughed. “Hey, troublemaker!” But I wasn’t laughing. Aunt Jane fluttered around the room and continued looking for it while Layla stared at me for a minute. “Stay off the path by the small barn,” she said. “There’s a lot of poison ivy there. That’s why Aunt Jane says it’s off limits.”

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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I crossed my fingers behind my back. “I wasn’t on the path.” Layla smirked. “If you say so.” Was Layla the one staring back at us? “Aunt Jane doesn’t like it when camp rules are broken,” she said. “They’re in place for your own safety.” I didn’t know what to say so I blurted out the first thing I could think of. “Are you coming to the mehndi celebration tonight?” She shrugged. “No one told me about it.” She looked in Aunt Jane’s direction. “Seems like no Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

one’s telling me much of anything these days.” She walked away with a sour face. “She’s so cranky,” I said to Ainsley. “She should be happy Aunt Jane’s getting married.” Ainsley knocked on my head. “Hello in there. Did you forget that she was supposed to get married soon? She’s upset. Give her a break.” Then she giggled. “Besides, we were on the path!”

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Clyde overheard. “Girls, Layla’s right. Don’t break camp rules even if it’s for the wedding. Got it?” We nodded. Then I told him that I wasn’t able to go into the cabin. “Sorry.” He frowned. “When Janie said she couldn’t find the book, I assumed you had it. Looks like I better look up Maggie’s info online. If I don’t get in touch with her soon, it’ll be too late.” After he walked away, Ainsley pulled me close to her. “Don’t tell Aunt Jane about Layla sneaking around her cabin. I know you, Khadija. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

You probably think she stole Aunt Jane’s book.” “I do,” I said. “Why can’t I tell her?” “Because it sounds like you’re making up lies,” she said. “Like you want some attention.” “Attention?” I clenched my fists and waved them in the air. “You make me so angry sometimes, Ainsley. I don’t lie. I don’t want or need attention.” Then I took a deep breath. “Just

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forget about it. We have a cake to bake.” We walked back to the kitchen. Cassidy and Ryleigh were already there. “Bad news,” said Ryleigh. “No red velvet cake,” said Cassidy. “Ha, ha,” I said. “Funny.” But they weren’t laughing. Chef Piper rushed out of the storage room. “I have strawberry, chocolate, and a few boxes of lemon.” “Where are the red velvet mixes?” I asked. Chef Piper shrugged. “That’s what I want to Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

know. I’m positive I had seven boxes of red velvet mix last night. But when I went to get them, there was just an empty space on the shelf. I don’t understand what could have happened to them.” “Could you have misplaced the cake boxes?” I asked. She laughed nervously. “No, no, no.” She

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snapped her fingers and tapped her foot. “I don’t think so anyway.” She pointed to the small shelf by the phone. “The boxes were on there.” Then she whipped around and pointed to the shelf under the window. “Or maybe they were there?” “Great!” I whispered. “Esha lost a whole patch of flowers. Aunt Jane lost her Everything Book. Chef Piper lost the cake mixes.” I was about to lose something too.

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My temper!

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r Chapte

6

Cakemise o r p Com “What do you girls want to make?” said Chef Piper. “We could have a three-layer cake. Each layer would have to be a different flavor.” “But it’s not red velvet,” I said. “Aunt Jane will like any kind of cake,” said Cassidy. “As long as we baked it.” She pulled a square pan out of a drawer. “Let’s Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

make it in this. We could write their names on top, or at least their initials.” “Or we could put these candy horseshoes on top,” said Chef Piper. Ryleigh frowned. “I wanted to decorate with fancy icing tricks.” “How about candy hearts?” said Ainsley. “It is a wedding, you know. Love is in the air.”

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“The horseshoes are cute,” I said. “I think Aunt Jane and Clyde would like them, but on a round cake.” Ainsley stomped her foot. “Are you saying they wouldn’t like my hearts?” “Or my icing?” asked Ryleigh. “Or a square-shaped cake?” said Cassidy. “Stop bickering, girls,” said Chef Piper. “I think Aunt Jane would love all your cake ideas. But we have too many ideas and not enough cakes. That’s a problem.” “A big problem,” said Ainsley. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

That’s when I spied the cupcake tins. “What if we make cupcakes instead? Then we could have some with fancy icing tricks, some with their names on top, some with hearts, and some with horseshoes.” I held my breath and crossed my fingers. “Smart thinking,” said Chef Piper. “I should have thought of that,” said Cassidy.

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Ainsley patted me on the back. “Gotta hand it to ya. You’re a pretty good wedding planner.” My ammi and nani would be proud! We spent the next two hours making the cupcakes and decorating them. When we were almost done, Layla bounced into the kitchen. “Yum! Cupcakes!” she said as she tried to grab one. “I’m starving.” Ainsley pushed her hand away. “You can’t have one yet. They’re for Aunt Jane’s wedding.”

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“All of them?” asked Layla. “We don’t need

A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

that many, especially with the . . .” But she didn’t finish her sentence. Instead, she dipped her finger into the bowl of icing and swiped a lick. “Tasty! Aunt Jane will love them.” My mouth suddenly felt like a volcano waiting to explode. I just had to get to the bottom of the missing book. “Layla, are you sure you haven’t seen Aunt Jane’s Everything Book? Is there a chance . . .” Ainsley kicked me under the table.

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Layla wagged her finger in front of my face.

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“Stop it already, Khadija. Why do you keep bringing up that book? Drop it. Understand?” She stormed away. “I think I saw steam coming out of her head,” said Cassidy. “She was pretty annoyed that you asked her.” “Exactly,” I said. “Why would she be so upset if she didn’t have the book?” Ainsley rolled her eyes. “Let it go.” “It’s not a big deal,” said Ryleigh. “It is to Aunt Jane,” I said. “She wants it back.” “She’s probably found it by now,” said Ainsley. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Then she narrowed her eyes. “Move on.” “Fine,” I said. “I’ll move right on over to the small barn. I’m making friendship bracelets for Aunt Jane.” “We’ll come help you,” said Cassidy. When we got to the barn, Bree, another older camper, was there. “Want to help us make bracelets for Aunt

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Jane?” I asked. “In Pakistan, the bride-to-be wears lots and lots of bangles.” “I would love to help,” she said. “But I’m officially working.” Bree is a year older than us. After being thrown from a horse, she refused to go back on one. Instead, she helps take care of the animals. “Aunt Jane won’t mind,” I said. Cassidy agreed. “It would for her wedding.” Bree twisted her hair around her finger. “I wish I could but I can’t. Aunt Jane pays me to work with the animals. I would feel funny Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

making crafts when I’m getting paid.” So while Bree fed the chickens, cleaned Freckles’s pen, and groomed the miniature horses, we made all sorts of bracelets. When we were almost done, Bree checked them out. That’s when we told her how Maverick, Maisy, and Clementine were going to be horsemaids.

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“They’re going to actually be in the wedding?” she asked. “No one told me that.” “You missed the meeting,” I said. “We’re going to make sure we fancy them up. They’ll have flowers, too.” Bree got excited. “What about bracelets?” “What about them?” said Ainsley. “Can they wear bracelets?” asked Bree. “If they can, then I can make their bracelets now. That would be considered taking care of the animals, right?” “Right,” I said. “What a great idea!” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

So Bree made each horse five bracelets for their legs. Then she made one for each of us and we all made one for her. “Should I put them on the horses now?” she asked. “We can do it together.” We carefully tied the bracelets just above the left front hooves of each horse. They looked bright and cheery.

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“They’re so colorful,” I said. “As colorful as a Pakistani wedding. Maybe it will become a new Pakistani wedding tradition!” When we finished, we put the craft supplies away. Ainsley and Ryleigh had lessons and bolted. But Cassidy and I stayed to help Bree groom Maverick. Bree scraped stones from Maverick’s hooves with the hoof-pick. Cassidy brushed his coat. I untangled the knots in his tail with my fingers. Then I brushed a few strands at a time. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“You have to look perfect for the wedding, Maverick,” I said. He nickered. In no time, Maverick sparkled from head to hoof. Just as we were leaving, Layla rushed into the barn scratching her arm and legs. “I need help, Bree. Do you have any . . .” When

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she saw me, she stopped scratching and talking. She pursed her lips and waved. We waved back. “Do you have poison ivy?” I asked. But Layla didn’t answer my question. Instead, she pumped her thumb through the air and barked, “Aren’t you late for your lessons? Aunt Jane’s been waiting for everyone today. Get going.” Before we even had a chance to move, she snapped, “NOW!” We took off running and didn’t stop until we Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

reached the stables. “Wonder why Layla’s so grumpy,” said Cassidy. “Just because her arm’s itchy? Maybe she has a bug bite.” But I knew it wasn’t a bug bite. Layla had a bad case of poison ivy from visiting the sunflower patch!

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r Chapte

7

g n i r a He ngs Thi Instead of going into the stable, we walked behind it. There were picnic tables and umbrellas set up for the helpers. Ainsley and Ryleigh were sitting at one table that had boxes of paint bottles on it. “It looks like an art store,” I said. It was true. There was paper, poster board, Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

markers, paint, crayons, paper cutters, stamps, glitter, glue sticks, stickers, and gel pens spread over three tables. “What are you making back here?” I asked. “It’s not on the list.” “Everything’s under control,” said Ainsley. “Ryleigh and I are going to make a photo booth.” She looked at Cassidy. “You can help, too.”

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Cassidy slid onto the bench and made Ainsley scoot over. “We already asked Clyde to lend us hats and boots,” said Ryleigh. “Jaelyn said she can draw some props for us.” She held up a stick. “We’ll attach some of the paper props to them. It’ll be a fun surprise for the wedding, don’t you think?” “That’s a great idea!” I said. “Get some of the Giddy-Up Stick Horses from the Green Canteen. People can pose on them. Maybe Aunt Jane and Clyde will pretend to ride off into the sunset with one.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Then I thought about the garlands and flowers we needed. “Did Esha and Avery make the wreaths for the horses yet? The wedding’s tomorrow and we still have a lot to do for tonight.” “Not really,” said Ainsley. “We did so much already. There are at least fifty people working on this wedding.” She drew a Just Married sign

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on a piece of paper. “If the girls said they’d make them, I wouldn’t worry about it. They’ll do it.” She was right. I tried not to worry about it, but I couldn’t help it. I rubbed my eyes. “You look exhausted,” said Ryleigh. “Why don’t you take a break?” I yawned and stretched my arms above my head. I was tired. And thinking about Layla made me grumpy. “I can’t take a break, but it is time for my prayers. After I pray, I’ll go help Chef Piper set Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

up for the mehndi celebration tonight.” I walked slowly back to my cabin to say prayers. As a Muslim, it was important to say prayers five times a day while facing Mecca in the northeast. Mecca is in Saudi Arabia. Aunt Jane had helped me figure out which direction northeast was in my cabin. I was looking forward to the peaceful feeling I’d soon have.

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I took off my hijab and replaced it with a fresh one. Then I pulled the prayer mat out from under my bed. I placed it in the middle of the room and faced Ainsley’s bunk. My prayers didn’t take long. When I finished, I tucked my prayer mat away and sat by the window to get some air. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the peace and quiet. But the peace and quiet didn’t last long. I heard talking outside. I poked my head out the window and peeked to the right. No one. I looked to the left and saw Layla and Clyde. They Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

were coming closer to my cabin. I tucked my head back in the window and slouched down in my chair. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone. Especially Layla. But they stopped at the cabin next door. I could hear everything they said to each other. “If it doesn’t work out, Clyde, it doesn’t work out,” said Layla. “Really, what can you do

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

about it? You just made the decision to ask her yesterday. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” If what doesn’t work out? The wedding? Layla continued talking. “Plans change, you know. I really think Jane will understand once you tell her the whole story. It’s no big deal.” No big deal? Calling off a wedding is no big deal? “Jane would get over it,” said Layla. “Trust me. She’d just be thankful you thought of it.” “I just hate to hurt Janie,” said Clyde. He Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sighed. “I won’t hurt her. I love her too much. I’m going to make it happen.” Yeah, Clyde. You tell her! Then they walked away. My heart raced. I felt dizzy. Layla was trying to convince Clyde to cancel the wedding! I had to stay calm.

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I thought about what Layla had said. How could Aunt Jane just get over it? And how could she be thankful Clyde had thought of it? Layla was a terrible friend! And clearly a very jealous person. How could Aunt Jane understand, even once Clyde told her the whole story? If Layla were a real friend, wouldn’t she know that Aunt Jane would be devastated if Clyde called off the wedding? I had to tell the others about Layla’s plan. But they laughed when I told them. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“First you were seeing things,” said Ainsley. “Now you’re hearing things?” My cheeks burned. “Ha, ha, Ainsley. Very funny.” “I’m not trying to be funny,” she said. “I’m just telling it like it is.” “You’re asking for trouble,” said Cassidy. “You can’t go around making up stories.”

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I huffed and puffed. “Making up stories? I know what I heard. What I told you is exactly what they said to each other. Exactly.” Ryleigh curled her lips. “If that’s what was said, it does sound like Layla wasn’t too worried about Aunt Jane.” Finally, someone believed me! “But,” said Ryleigh. “I don’t think you heard everything or . . . anything at all.” “So you think I’m lying too?” “Not lying,” said Ainsley. “Maybe just letting your imagination run wild.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy tried to calm me down. “No matter what was said, the wedding is still on. Right?” I nodded. “Then it’s all good,” said Cassidy. “But Layla is trying to ruin everything,” I said. “She’s acting crazy.” But I could tell that the three of them thought that I was the crazy one.

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“Forget about it,” said Ainsley. I’d forget about it. For now. But as soon as the wedding was over, I was going to have to tell

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Aunt Jane what I heard. Would she believe me?

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l a i c e A Sp nce Da I pushed Layla out of my mind and focused on decorating the Pavilion. .

Chef Piper and I turned it into a fancy ballroom! Balloons with curly ribbons floated up to the ceiling. The tables were arranged into a U shape so we could create a dance floor. Candles and small vases of flowers were on each Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

one. Jaelyn’s art hung around the room along with dozens of strands of twinkly lights. “Festive!” said Chef Piper. “We need lots of room for dancing,” I said. “In Pakistan, we dance and sing all night long at the mehndi celebration.” I turned on the music I’d brought. Pulsating Bollywood music blasted through the air. Some

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of the girls danced in small groups around the room. Everyone started to arrive. Chef Piper placed large bowls down on the buffet table. “The kabobs and chicken curry will be served for the wedding. But I managed to make lots of rice dishes for the mehndi celebration. I found a recipe online for pulao. It was on a site that claimed to have the most delicious Pakistani recipes.” “Then it must be my nani’s recipe because her dishes always win awards.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ainsley put her hands on her hips. “You don’t really think Chef Piper found your nani’s recipe on the Internet, do you?” I giggled. “Ainsley, I know you like to keep it real, but for tonight, I want to pretend it’s my nani’s famous recipe.” I leaned over to take a whiff. “It smells almost as good as hers!” Before long, Aunt Jane walked in wearing a

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green and yellow outfit. The pants were green with tiny yellow flowers and her long shirt was bright yellow with little green flowers. The shirt came down to her knees. “Aunt Jane! Your outfit is perfect! You look like just like Maha looked at her mehndi celebration!” Ainsley puffed out her cheeks. “Aren’t those your silk pajamas?” “Yep! But I thought they looked a lot like the women in the pictures we saw.” I giggled. “They’re perfect. Now you look like Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

someone who’s getting married tomorrow!” Cassidy slipped the bracelets on Aunt Jane’s wrist. “We made them for you. It’s another tradition from Pakistan.” Aunt Jane admired them. I turned up the music and announced, “Let the celebration begin!” I led Aunt Jane to a special table that I had

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draped in yellow scarves and white flowers. The scarves were from our horseback games. “Sit, Aunt Jane. Let us sing and dance for you. Today you are officially recognized as a bride-tobe. Our songs and dances will fill up your heart with even more love.” We started to clap to the beat of the music. “We should have a dholki, but I couldn’t find any drums. Not even in the storage room. Lexi and Isabel wanted to use pots and spoons, but we’ll clap instead.” “Where are the Pony Girls?” asked Aunt Jane. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

But she got her answer a second later. They ran out from behind the milk machines and performed their dance. Then some of the other cabins performed dances. It didn’t take long before everyone joined the dance party and dragged Aunt Jane to the floor. After we danced for another twenty minutes, I made a special announcement. “Mehndi is

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a celebration filled with dancing. As a special treat, one of the girls has prepared a unique dance for you. But you must come outside in order to see it.” Aunt Jane raised her eyebrows. “Ahhhh! Something interesting is about to happen! I can just sense it.” In no time, we were outside waiting. It was quiet for a minute until we heard the clipclopping of a horse. Avery came prancing in on Mozart, a black Hanoverian gelding. They stopped in front of Aunt Jane. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

When the music started, so did their dance routine . . . on horseback! Mozart gracefully bowed and pranced along the fence. “It looks like that horse is dancing,” said Cassidy. “Like she’s gliding across the ground. How does she do that?” “First of all, Mozart is a he, not a she. They’re

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teammates. Avery is the only camper that’s good enough to compete in dressage. It’s an Olympic event.” “So dressage is dancing?” asked Cassidy. “It looks like dancing, doesn’t it?” I said. “The horse and rider have to work together for a long time before they can do most of the moves. The movements have to be exact. The horse and the rider get scores from the judges.” Mozart turned in a circle by moving his hooves in tiny quick beats over and over again. “That’s called a pirouette,” I said. “It’s really Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

hard to do.” “Look at them now,” said Jaelyn. “They’re performing one of the hardest moves. Mozart is hanging his leading leg with every stride at the canter. Avery makes it look easy.” Then they did a series of figure eights. “Avery looks like she belongs in the Olympics,” said Cassidy. “She looks so formal.”

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“Her outfit is required in competition,” I said. She wore a tailcoat and top hat with high boots pulled on over her tan trousers. “She competes a few times over the summer so she needs to bring it with her.” Cassidy had even more questions. “Why isn’t she riding Sapphire?” “Most dressage horses are warmbloods like Mozart. They’re elegant, strong, and very trainable. Aunt Jane says that’s really important in dressage. They have to be athletic and have strong backs and legs, too. Sapphire jumps. She Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

doesn’t have the patience to train for this.” “Aunt Jane knows so much about horses,” said Cassidy. Avery and Mozart’s routine lasted a few more minutes. When they finished, Aunt Jane stood and yelled, “Bravo!” Then she fed Mozart a piece of apple. “Now it’s time to eat,” I said. “While you eat,

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I’ll start applying the henna. First to Aunt Jane and then to anyone else who wants it. Ainsley and Ryleigh are helping, too.” I passed out the cones of henna to them. I took Aunt Jane’s hands in mine. I tilted the cone and gently squeezed it. I made small flowers on her palms. Then I made a half of a heart and a J on her left palm and half of a heart and a C on her other palm. “Clyde is here in your palm,” I said. “And

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

in this palm, I put a J for Jane. When you put

A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

them together, you have one heart, and C and J together.” Aunt Jane brought her palms together to form a perfectly shaped heart. “Simply lovely,” she said. “Clyde will be touched.” Then I drew designs which looked like the lace from my nani’s tablecloth. When I finished both sides of her hands, I told her to let it dry. “The henna will flake off soon and leave behind the beautiful design. Try not to wash your hands tonight. The longer you Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

wait, the more beautiful the color will become.” Aunt Jane held up her hands. “They’re stunning. But how will I eat? If I hold a fork, I’ll mess up the designs, won’t I?” “In Pakistan, the girls feed the bride-to-be! It’s another fun tradition. But I promise you that it will dry soon. When it does, you can feed yourself again.”

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Ainsley and Ryleigh skipped over to us with empty cones. Ainsley looked surprised. “It took you all this time to apply henna to one person?” said Ainsley. “Ryleigh and I are almost finished with everyone else.” “Aunt Jane isn’t just one person,” I said. “She’s the bride-to-be! The most important person here.” Ryleigh handed me the empty cones. “We still need to apply henna to Lexi and Isabel. They’re the only two Pony Girls who don’t have any yet. They’re getting cranky. What should we do?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Aunt Jane saved the day! “Clyde picked up extra today, remember? He gave it to Layla.” She looked around. “I haven’t seen Layla. Have you girls?” She lowered her eyes. “I suppose it’s too much for her to handle right now.” She sighed. “Ainsley, go look for Layla. Maybe she’s in the kitchen helping Piper.” Then she turned to Ryleigh and me. “Go to

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Layla’s cabin and get the extra cones. They’re in a brown shopping bag. We don’t want to leave Lexi and Isabel out of the fun.” “We sure don’t,” I said. “Because it is a feast of fun. Just like Nani said.” And as the wedding planner, I knew it was

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

my job to make sure that everyone had fun.

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& s e u Cl ers Answ Ryleigh and I ran over to Layla’s cabin and knocked three times fast. Even though we knew no one was inside, it felt weird to just walk right in with no warning. When no one answered, we pushed open the door and stepped inside. Layla’s cabin was bigger than ours. There Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

was a small sofa in the corner and a coffee table in front of it. Picture frames were scattered around the room. There was a photo of a little girl in a pumpkin patch. “This must be her niece,” I said. “She’s cute!” I waved another frame in the air. “Take a look at this one. It’s a picture of her with Aunt Jane.

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Layla has medals around her neck.” Ryleigh came over to look. “Four medals! Good for her.” That’s when I spotted a picture of Layla and a man I had never seen before. They were standing in a pile of leaves. He held her close. “This must be the guy she was going to marry.” We stared at it for a minute. “It makes my heart sad,” I said. “No wonder Layla has been so cranky lately. I think I’d be even crankier if my plans to get married changed.” Ryleigh’s eyes watered. “I feel horrible. In Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

fact, I don’t feel right being here.” I grabbed the henna and headed toward the door with Ryleigh when she stopped. “Think she’ll mind if I use her bathroom?” I glanced at my watch. “No. She won’t mind. Just hurry up.” Ryleigh walked into the bathroom but came right back out. “Oh, you’re wrong, Khadija. Layla

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would mind if I used her bathroom. In fact, if she finds out I went in there, I think she’d be super mad.” “She wouldn’t care,” I said. “Trust me.” Ryleigh raised her eyebrows. “Trust me. She’d be furious.” She motioned for me to go inside. “You’re going to want to see this.” I tiptoed into the bathroom and gasped. I stood there for a minute with my hands covering my mouth. I didn’t know what to say. What to think. The bathroom was filled with sunflowers! Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Hundreds and hundreds of sunflowers! There were buckets of them in the shower, buckets on the counters, and there was even a bucket on top of the toilet. I couldn’t use the bathroom if I tried! “Why are all these sunflowers in here?” asked Ryleigh. “Where did they come from?” “The path,” I said. “These are the flowers Esha

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

told us about. But when Ainsley and I went to get them, they were gone.” Then I told her about the eyes that were staring back at me through the bushes. “That must have been creepy,” said Ryleigh. “It was. But Ainsley thought I was just seeing things. Now I know it had to be Layla behind those bushes. She got to the sunflowers before we did.” “Are you mad?” asked Ryleigh. “It’s actually pretty funny,” I said. “As long as these are for the wedding, then it’s all good.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Unless . . .” said Ryleigh. “You don’t think Layla took these flowers just so Aunt Jane couldn’t have them? Because she’s jealous?” “No! Layla would never do that!” I said. “These must be for the wedding tomorrow.” But I wasn’t so sure. “We need to leave,” I said. “Now. Aunt Jane’s going to wonder why we were gone for so long.”

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As we turned to leave, I tripped on a green trash bag by the coffee table. The bag of henna flew out of my hand and I landed flat on the floor. That’s when I saw them. Seven empty boxes of red velvet cake mix under Layla’s bed! I pulled one out and tossed it on the bed. “Look! The missing cake mixes!” Ryleigh grabbed my hands and pulled me up. “Chef Piper didn’t misplace these boxes of cake,” I said. “Layla stole them!” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Stole them?” said a quiet voice from the door. It was Layla! “Do you really think I stole boxes of cake mix?” said Layla. Her hands were on her hips. “Do you honestly think I took all the sunflowers just so Aunt Jane couldn’t have them for her wedding?”

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I was too scared to move. Too scared to say anything. Ryleigh grabbed my hand and squeezed it. Layla walked over to the coffee table and slowly rearranged the frames. She picked up the one of her and the man. “Yes, this is the guy I was going to marry,” said Layla. “In case you were wondering.” She sat down on the sofa. “I know Aunt Jane told you girls that we broke off our engagement this winter.” We nodded. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Sorry,” I said. “Aunt Jane told us you’ve been feeling really sad.” “Not sad enough to try and ruin Aunt Jane’s wedding,” said Layla. “I’m thrilled she’s marrying Clyde. I really am!” She patted the sofa. We sat next to her. “I’ve known about those sunflowers for the past few summers. Aunt Jane would go to

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the patch once a week or so and pick some to brighten up our cabins. As soon as I knew she was getting married tomorrow, I knew I wanted to pick some.” “Some? You have more than some,” I said. “You have hundreds.” “When I was bringing the last batch out of the patch, you and Ainsley arrived,” said Layla. “So I ducked behind the bushes.” So it was her! “So they were your eyes,” I said. “Yep,” she said. “But I managed to leave before Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

you knew for sure I was there. I just wanted to keep the flowers a surprise until tomorrow. For Aunt Jane. I want to put them along the fence and on all the tables.” She laughed. “I guess great minds think alike. You girls had the same idea. But then I got poison ivy.” I knew it! “Why did you take the cake mixes?”

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“I assumed Aunt Jane was ordering a cake. So I didn’t think my taking those boxes would cause any fuss. I made the cake after everyone went to bed last night as a gift for her. “She’s been so worried about me that I thought she’d try to talk me out of doing anything for the wedding. So I just decided to keep it private for now. The cake is over in the fridge at the Green Canteen for safekeeping. And now we’ll have cupcakes, too. She’ll love both.” She pulled out a small drawer on the side of the table. “Before you go snooping around Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

anymore and find it, I might as well show you this.” She held up a book. Aunt Jane’s Everything Book! “I was pretty sure you took it,” I said. “I saw you crawling out of the window. You threw something on the ground. It was the book, wasn’t it?”

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“You saw me?” she asked. “I had no idea. But Clyde knows. I told him. I didn’t know he and I had the same idea . . . to get Maggie here for the wedding.” “Is she coming?” asked Ryleigh. Layla grinned. “Her plane lands at one o’clock in the afternoon. She won’t make it to the wedding but will make a grand entrance during the reception.” “Aunt Jane will be so excited,” I said. “She will be,” said Layla. “And it almost didn’t happen. Clyde had a hard time getting in Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

touch with her. I told him there wasn’t much he could do if it didn’t work out. He only made the decision to ask her yesterday, right? Aunt Jane would understand.” That sounded an awful lot like the conversation I heard at the window earlier! And the more she talked about it, the more I realized that I had goofed up.

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Ainsley was right! I did let my imagination get the best of me. “So you’re not sad at all?” asked Ryleigh. She grabbed a tissue. “Oh, I didn’t say that! I’m sad for me, happy for her.” She dabbed her eyes. “I know she was trying to keep me away from the wedding planning to protect me. But if I had been involved, none of these crazy mix-ups would have happened.” I stood and picked up the bag of henna. “We better get back. We need to put henna on Lexi and Isabel.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Layla waved her hands in the air. “Don’t forget about my hands. I want in on the action, too. It looked like everyone was having fun.” “They are having fun!” I said. “A feast of fun!” And a feast of fun was exactly what Layla’s heart needed now.

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r Chapte

10

t s a e A F un ! of F I didn’t wake up until nine o’clock the next morning. Everyone overslept! “We had too much fun last night,” said Cassidy as she stretched and yawned. I jumped out of bed. There was still a lot to do to get ready! We checked on the horses and they were Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

already groomed. Esha and Bree had taken care of that. Jaelyn, Cassidy, Ryleigh, and I hung the garland along the fence while Ainsley made sure that the vases of sunflowers were on the tables in the arena. By quarter to eleven, we were ready! Layla helped Aunt Jane get dressed, apply make-up,

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and curl her hair. At exactly eleven o’clock, she walked out of her cabin in her red ruffle sundress. She wore a wreath of white daisies on her head with a satin ribbon cascading down her back. She spun around in a circle on the heel of her cowboy boot. “How do I look?” she asked. “Beautiful,” I said. “Like a bride,” said Ryleigh. “Which is much better than looking like a groom,” said Ainsley. Cassidy gave her a thumbs-up. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Aunt Jane noticed Sapphire hitched to a post. “Well, look at you Sapphire! You’re just as gussied up as I am!” Sapphire nickered and bobbed her head toward Aunt Jane. She scratched Sapphire’s neck and offered her a mint. “You don’t think I’d forget to pack some treats for you now, do you?” She inspected

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the blanket on Sapphire. “This is beautiful. So creative! Did Jaelyn make it?” “Yep,” said Cassidy. “But it was Khadija’s idea.” I reached up and placed a crown of daisies on Sapphire’s head. “You’re twins.” Aunt Jane held out her boot. “Maybe I should put some Twinkle Toes Hoof Glitter on my boots?” Cassidy shook the jar. “Just say the word, Aunt Jane!” Then Aunt Jane noticed Sapphire’s tail. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“What a beautiful braid!” She leaned in to get a closer look. “Just how did you get those flowers to stay on her tail? I’ve never seen anything so pretty.” Ainsley pretended to wipe sweat off her forehead. “It wasn’t easy but we figured you were worth it.” “Anna’s just arrived,” I said. “She’s waiting

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with Clyde up front. And a mystery guest will be making an appearance at the reception.” Her eyes lit up. “A mystery guest! This certainly is an exciting day.” “It’s time to go,” I said. “Everyone’s at the arena waiting for you.” She mounted Sapphire, who seemed to be standing extra proud. “I think she knows that today is a special day,” I said. Sapphire let out a perfectly timed neigh! When we got to the arena, I spied Clyde Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

talking to Anna up near the pastor. Clyde looked handsome in his jeans and boots, bolo tie, and cowboy hat. Aunt Jane touched her heart when she saw the decorated arena. “The flowers! Sunflowers! There are so many! They’re beautiful.” I patted Layla on the back. “Good job!”

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“Each table has sunflowers, too,” I said. “And do you see those bowls on each table? Guess what we filled them with? We knew Clyde couldn’t survive the day without them.” Aunt Jane shook her head. “Butterscotches! You really thought of everything.” The music started to play. Sapphire carried Aunt Jane down the aisle while Cassidy started to sing: Clyde’s her sunshine, her only Sunshine. He makes her happy, when skies are gray. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

He’ll always love her, at Storm Cliff Stables. Their hearts join together today! Janie’s his sunshine, his only sunshine. She makes him happy, when skies are gray. She’ll always love him, and his candy, As a couple, they’re so dandy.

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We quickly took our seats behind Layla and Dr. Samuels. When Sapphire reached the pastor, Anna reached for Aunt Jane’s hand and helped her dismount. After a long hug, Anna took Sapphire’s lead rope and led her to where Maverick, Clementine, and Maisy stood patiently waiting. Maisy and Clementine had matching daisy headbands and hoof glitter. Maverick had a bow tie! Their bracelets were positioned perfectly so everyone could see them. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Aunt Jane laughed. “Ah! My horsemaids!” Everyone laughed. The ceremony was short. After saying their vows and saying “I do,” they kissed. Three times! At exactly two o’clock, Maggie arrived. I thought Aunt Jane was going to faint! Maggie sat at the head table with Anna, Aunt Jane, and Clyde.

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There was a lot of dancing and a lot of eating. And when Aunt Jane thought no one was looking, she and Clyde smooched a few times. “Gross,” said Lexi. “Disgusting,” said Isabel. “True love,” I said. Everyone fussed over Aunt Jane and Clyde except Ainsley. She spent the whole time talking to Anna. She even took a selfie with her! Aunt Jane and Clyde loved the photo booth! They used every prop we made for them. Cassidy, Ryleigh, and I did too! Our favorite Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

props were the stick horses and Clyde’s cowboy hats. Cassidy even put on a pair of his boots! When it was time to make some speeches, Layla brought two chairs forward for Clyde and Aunt Jane to sit on. Layla and Anna were speaking when, suddenly, the Pony Girls swarmed around Clyde and pulled his boot right off of his foot. They ran away with it and circled around the

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arena while waving the boot in the air. Clyde scratched his head and looked confused, which made everyone roar with laughter. Lexi took the boot from Isabel and skipped back to Clyde. “Want your boot back?” she asked. Clyde wiggled his toes. “My tootsies are getting cold. Yes, please!” “One hundred dollars!” I yelled. “For one hundred dollars it can be yours.” All the Pony Girls held out their hands. Clyde stood and took out his money clip. He Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

unfolded a bill and gave it to Lexi. She held it up for all of us to see. “One hundred dollars!” Everyone cheered. Lexi shook her head. “That’s not enough. More money, please!” Aunt Jane clapped her hands and stomped her boots on the ground. When Clyde went to

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hand the Pony Girls another hundred dollar bill, Aunt Jane grabbed an extra bill out of his clip and gave it to Lexi, too. Lexi waved them around. “Three hundred dollars isn’t enough,” I said. “Not if you want your shoe back!” Clyde laughed. “Not enough? How about five hundred dollars? Would you take that?” “Yes!” shouted all of the Pony Girls. “No way,” shouted Ainsley. “Give them more!” Then they played monkey in the middle. Clyde was the monkey! “I think this is another new tradition that my Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Pakistani relatives must try,” I said. “It makes stealing the shoe even funnier!” By the time it was over, the Pony Girls got $1500! “You’re rich,” said Aunt Jane. “No, we’re not,” said Lexi. “Mr. Nevans is! We’re donating the money to him so he can rescue more horses.”

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That’s when Aunt Jane lost it! Tears poured down her face. “What a beautiful gift!” Clyde grabbed his boot out of Lexi’s hands. “Thanks li’l lady. I appreciate you taking such good care of my boot.” When he slipped it on, everyone cheered again. The rest of the party was spent singing and dancing. Not only did we dance to Bollywood music, we played Aunt Jane’s and Clyde’s favorite songs from America. Who knew that Aunt Jane and Clyde were into disco dancing? They were Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

so good that Jaelyn quickly made crowns out of paper. “For our disco queen and our disco king,” I said as I crowned them. Finally, it was time to cut the cake and for Aunt Jane and Clyde to make their speeches. The cupcakes sat next to the seven-tiered red velvet cake.

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“Two choices?” asked Aunt Jane. Layla put her arm around me. “Long story. But both of them are made with lots of love.” Aunt Jane and Clyde held the cake knife together and began slicing the cake. As we ate it, Aunt Jane spoke. “I never imagined I’d find such a good man who I’d love so much that I wanted to marry. My heart was already full of love from my family here at Storm Cliff Stables. I didn’t know it had room to include anyone else but . . . surprise! It did! I am now honored to call Clyde my husband.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Everyone hooted and hollered. “If you’re honored to call him your husband then we would be honored if we could call him something, too,” I said. Clyde grabbed Aunt Jane’s hand. “And what would that be, pretty li’l lady?” I stepped closer to him. “Uncle Clyde.” Clyde tipped his hat to me and then waved it

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in the air. “Yeehaw! I thought you’d never ask!” The music started up again. I taught Uncle Clyde some Bollywood moves and he taught us how to do the Hustle, the Bump, and the YMCA. We did so much dancing that I had to sit down and take a break. Aunt Jane sat with me. “Thanks to you, Khadija, our wedding turned out lovely.” She studied her hands. “From my mehndi party to this moment, it’s been perfect. I learned so much from you and your traditions.” I hugged her. “And I learned a lot from you. Family isn’t Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

just who you’re related to. It’s who you spend your time with and who you love to be around. I miss my family. I wish I could have been with them in Pakistan, but I’m thankful to be with my family here. You. Uncle Clyde. Layla. The girls. And Silver Moon and the horses. My Storm Cliff Stables family. Where every day is a feast of fun!”

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

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A Feast of Fun, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

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Welco Welcome come back to Storm Cliff Stables! Ainsley, Ainsl ley, Cassidy, Khadija, and Ryleigh—the Ryleig gh—the Four Horseketeers— can’t w wait to start their summer at horse camp. Khadija Hadi is sad to ho be missing a family wedding in Pakistan, so she brings some of her family’s marriage traditions to Aunt Jane’s wedding at Storm Cliff. The campers are excited to learn about Khadija’s culture, so why would someone keep interfering with their plans? And who could it be?

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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