Crazy Horse Pals: Mackenzie's Gold

By David Layman

In HORSE CRAZY PALS/MACKENZIE'S GOLD, the young girls have met Megan Fox's cousin, Delilah Davies, who is of mixed race, her father African-American and her mother, Caucasian. And, Megan Fox has already been accepted as a HORSE CRAZY PAL even though she has proven to be, at times, not quite up to Mackenzie's standards she considers appropriate to be a HORSE CRAZY PAL member. As the girls have grown a year older, the girls discover that they are changing somewhat and have developed various other interests. Because of their exposure to Delilah, a young girl who is a kind of child prodigy, already an accomplished athlete and student who has been promoted two grades ahead of others of her age, the HORSE CRAZY PALS have suddenly realized that maybe there is more to life than what they have focused on around their little village of Wigins, South Carolina.

As the girls find themselves having a relaxing day at Jacksonville Beach, Mackenzie locates a sunken chest. As the story unfolds, the girls have to make a number of decisions for themselves,and those decisions become somewhat more complex and difficult than their decisions as HORSE CRAZY PALS back in their hometown. Each girl offers their own brand of advice and counseling as to just what they feel about how Mackenzie should proceed ahead with her new-found discovery. And, Mackenzie is accustomed to issuing orders and being the boss in charge. Now, she is faced with some daunting decisions about her new-found discovery as well as making a new attempt to forge ahead like Delilah and prove to herself and to her peers that she is certainly Delilah's equal.

HORSE CRAZY PALS/MACKENZIE'S GOLD exposes real life issues that many of our young children could potentially face, such as their futures, their likes and dislikes and how they might stack up against their peers. Interspersed in the story, the reader can escape to fantasy as they might envision themselves at the beach, enjoying a relaxing, wonderful day only to find that their day has been turned upside down as they have uncovered a possible buried treasure. The story combines reality, such as how the Horse Crazy Pals deal with Delilah's being of mixed race, part Afro-American and part Caucasian. Some of the story is light and funny, some more serious and thought-provoking with a kind of fantasy tale in the mix. It is a story that captures the excitement, comedy and real-life drama, the second of the HORSE CRAZY PALS series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Layman
• Release date: Apr 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476499024

David Layman

David Layman, born in Sandusky, Ohio, attended and earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree in history from Kent State University, Kent Ohio. After finishing his Ph.D courses, he chose to write novels and also completed two children's stories. His most current novel, DIRECT CONFLICT, focuses on the Vietnam War, the concentration of his academic studies. He is currently writing the sequel, and has written several other literary works.When David is not writing, he travels, engages in long-distance running, both on the beach and in the mountains. As a former Army Paratrooper and combat medic, David has taken an interest in veteran affairs and works with the Wounded Warrior project in Jacksonville, Florida. His newest endeavor is to master surfing, then to travel to Hawaii to surf the Bonzai Pipeline.David is currently working on the sequel to DIRECT CONFLICT, titled DIRECT CONTACT. Check back with us frequently for the release date.

Book preview

HORSE CRAZY PALS:

MACKENZIE’S GOLD

David Layman

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 David Layman

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CHAPTER 1

Come on girl, let’s go! Mackenzie yelled out to her horse, Starlight. Mackenzie was racing the other girls to see who could get to the lake first. Of course, in no time, Mackenzie and Starlight were in the lead.

It was a beautiful June morning and the girls were enjoying their week-end, having finished their last day of school the day before.

Cynthia was not too far behind Mackenzie on her horse, Cobalt. Abigail the other friend, who rode Buttercup, was last. Cynthia yelled out, Come on Cobalt, we can’t let Mackenzie and Starlight win again, can we?

Cobalt whinnied as if he agreed, and Cynthia yelled, Then, let’s move it, as Cynthia urged him forward.

Mackenzie turned and yelled back at Cynthia, No way, you can’t ever catch up to me!

Cynthia looked much more determined, Oh yes I will. You watch us go past you!

Abby and Buttercup were dragging up the rear. She kept yanking at the reins every time Buttercup started to slow down. Abby knew Buttercup wanted to stop and graze in all the inviting meadows. Finally, Abby popped and yelled, Buttercup, stop that right now! You won’t ever get us anywhere at this rate. Stop!

Abby yanked hard on the reins and Buttercup seemed to be kind of spooked and she took off at top speed. Before long, Buttercup just randomly ran right past Starlight and Cobalt. Mackenzie and Cynthia were so surprised they nearly fell off their horses.

When Mackenzie and Cynthia reached the lake, they dismounted and allowed their horses a breather and a cool-down. They saw Abby standing next to Buttercup, allowing her a drink from the lake. Abby eased Buttercup back, "Easy there girl, not too much right away. You might get sick drinking too much water right off after your hard-fought race.

Abby heard her friends coming and Mackenzie slowed as she drew closer, Okay, Abby, what’d you do?

Abby still really didn’t know how she’d won; in fact it was the very first race she and Buttercup had ever won. I just made it happen. See, before I just let you guys win all the races. But, for once, I decided I would show you who the real winner is!

Mackenzie said, Yeah, well you won’t win next time. See, I eased up on Starlight at the end. Then, you pulled that trick on me. Cynthia and I were so surprised we almost fell off our horses!

That got Abby’s attention. Well, you didn’t fall off, did you?

Mackenzie frowned, No Abby, I told you we almost fell off, okay?"

Well, that’s better than falling off, isn’t it? Abby said, shrugging.

Mackenzie hissed, obviously frustrated, Abby, please, it is much too early to have to listen to you being a duuuh! I cannot take much more. Besides, didn’t you make a promise that you would think a little bit more from now on?

Abby sighed deeply, Yes mother, I did!

Mackenzie moved past Abby and continued to walk Starlight, Then please do so!

Abby whimpered, looking to Cynthia for help. She said, Mackenzie, why are you always being so mean and short with me like that?’

Mackenzie made light of Abby’s insecurity, Hello, because maybe you are just a little bit dense.

Abby got all huffy now. Well, so sorry! I will just stay completely out of your way from now on. You can just go ahead and be mean to somebody else!

Abby mounted Buttercup and she rode off on a tired Buttercup! Cynthia pulled Cobalt back from the lake, That’s enough, boy.

She turned quickly to Mackenzie and said, Wow, I never knew that Abby could get that mad at you!

Mackenzie watched as Abby galloped away. She shook her head, Neither did I!

Cynthia mounted Cobalt, Come on, Mackenzie, we better catch up before Buttercup gets way too tired.

Mackenzie mounted Starlight, Okay, yeah, poor Buttercup must be way tired by now!

Cynthia and Mackenzie caught up with Abby and Buttercup. Abby sniffed, still so mad, her tone unhappy, mocking, What do you want now, Mackenzie? I know, I know, I am such a dummy, I never do anything right. Just go ahead and say it, anything. I know it will be so mean and nasty. Just go on, go right on ahead.

Cynthia patted Cobalt’s neck. She wanted to referee between her two very best friends, Abby, we don’t think you’re stupid.

Abby frowned, her tone full of self-pity. She started o cry. Mackenzie does, she always tells me things like that.

Cynthia pulled Cobalt up to next to Buttercup. She grabbed the reins and commanded, Okay, everyone stop this right now. I mean it. You two are always doing this!

Mackenzie rode on past Starlight. Cynthia yelled out, Mackenzie, are you crazy? I said stop. Do you need me to spell it out for you or something? S-T-O-P. I am not kidding!"

Mackenzie pulled up on Starlight’s reins. Whoa boy, hold it.

Cynthia’s face was beet red. She yelled louder, very upset, Mackenzie, are you dense or something? I assume you know what the word stop means. Or, do I have to put the reins on you and say, ‘Whoa’!

Abby quickly stopped her crying. Now, she giggled, Wow Cynthia, you have some nerve!

Mackenzie shifted in her saddle, looking back, I thought you meant that I should stop being so mean to Abby, not stop as in stop Starlight, okay? Have a heart attack, Cyn!

Cynthia shouted out, even louder, even madder, I am so ready for the booby hatch! You two are driving me right in there, too. Why couldn’t I have two normal, boring friends, anyways?

Just then, Megan rode up on Midnight. She yawned, stretching, her arms over her head, Hey, you guys, what is all the yelling about?

Cynthia’s face was still beet red. She