At the Premiere

By JoAnn S. Dawson

Mary, Jody and Willie embark on their greatest adventure yet when they transport Lady and Gypsy to New York City for the premiere of "The Cream of the Crop." New friendships are formed and disasters are averted as the girls are introduced to life in the big city. But nothing could prepare them for the wonderful surprise that comes at the end of their journey!

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456604837

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1.

Interesting News

Star! Will you just stand still while I tighten your girth? I don’t have any treats for you right now! Jody scolded. Although Star of Wonder, the ornery colt, was cross-tied in the aisle of Lucky Foot Stable he somehow had learned to twist his neck in such a way that his muzzle could just reach inside the pocket of Jody’s barn jacket. This was the position he held now, nuzzling and nipping at the fabric, searching for a sugar cube while Jody tried in vain to pull the billet straps tighter on the saddle.

I’ll hold him for you, Mary giggled, emerging from Gypsy’s stall with brush in hand. I’m almost done grooming Gypsy.

The girls had spent the better part of June, every day since school let out, working with Star. He stood fairly still for grooming and allowed Jody to pick his hooves with no trouble, and even accepted the saddle and bridle without protest. His only bad habit was his constant search for treats, and Mary and Jody both knew that this was their own fault.

I guess we’d better stop spoiling him altogether, Mary sighed, kissing Star on the very tip of his muzzle. You know what Willie said.

What did Willie say? Willie said, peering around the corner of the stable door. Willie, the elderly cowhand on the McMurray farm, always seemed to appear out of nowhere, usually when the girls were talking about things they didn’t want him to hear.

Oh! Willie…um…we were just saying how good Star has been lately and how we could probably start putting our weight on his back pretty soon, Mary fibbed. He’s going to be three years old on Christmas Eve, after all!

Star took just that opportunity to fling up his head, dislodging Mary’s hand from his halter. He snorted once and then nuzzled her jeans pocket, nipping and pulling at the denim.

Mmhmm, Willie replied, narrowing his eyes at the girls. I don’t s’pose you’ve been spoilin’ him with sugar, have you? As Willie spoke, he picked up the yellow box of sugar cubes from the top section of Jody’s tack box and peered inside at the nearly empty space. The girls glanced at each other and then looked shame-faced at their shoes.

Now, I told you before, if you want him to quit nippin’ and pushin’ and nuzzlin’ around your pockets, you got to stop givin’ him treats, Willie said sternly. If you want to make him into a biter, you’re on your way. Willie turned and scratched Star on the shoulder. But that’s not what I come to tell you.

Mary and Jody perked up their ears at this, almost forgetting they were being scolded. What, Willie? Jody asked. What did you come to tell us?

Willie continued scratching the special spot on Star’s shoulder until Star stretched out his neck and closed his eyes with pleasure. The girls knew better than to push Willie for an answer, so they stood watching him in expectant silence. Finally he turned to them and pulled on his ear lobe.

You remember the movie, I reckon? Willie said, looking up at the ceiling.

The movie? You mean the one they shot here at the farm, with me and Jody and Star and Gypsy? Of course we remember the movie, Willie. It was just last summer!

And that’s why we still have Star, Jody added gratefully. You paid for him with your own wrangler money, Willie.

Well, it seems that the movie’s all ready to be shown at the theaters, and there’s goin’ to be a premiere, Willie said.

Mary’s mouth flew open at this pronouncement. A premiere! she shouted, so loudly that Star’s eyes widened and he took a nervous step backward on the crossties.

Hush, now, you’re scarin’ Star half to death, Willie said gruffly, trying to stifle a grin.

But, Willie, Jody asked breathlessly, what do you mean? Is it going to be nearby? Can we go?

Will there be a red carpet? Will Brian McVey be there? Mary added, then blushed beet red at her own question. Brian McVey was the handsome young star of the movie, and Mary still remembered with dismay her embarrassing outburst the one time he had talked to her on the set.

Willie ignored that part of the question and turned to Jody. Well, it’s not too nearby… but it’s close enough.

The girls stared wide-eyed at Willie, trying to absorb this information. A real movie premiere, and they, Mary and Jody, might be going!

Now, don’t go off half-crazy. Put Star in his stall, and if you sit down and be quiet, I’ll tell you what’s what.

Jody quickly and silently took Star off the crossties and led him into his stall. Then both girls sat obediently on a bale of straw and leaned forward expectantly, remembering to be quiet. At that moment, Finnegan the cow-herding dog padded lazily through the door and looked from one face to another, as if he too awaited the upcoming report. Hearing nothing, he lay down and rested his head on Jody’s foot.

Well, it seems that your part, Willie began, you know, the scene where Miss Beaumont teaches you in your first ridin’ lesson?

The girls nodded.

That part stayed in the movie. Meanin’ they decided not to cut it out in the editing room.

What do you mean, Willie? You mean after filming that part all day long, they could actually have cut it out altogether? Mary asked incredulously, forgetting to be quiet.

Willie chuckled. Yes, that’s what I mean. It happens all the time. Why, I’ve seen them cut out scenes that took days and days to shoot.

The girls looked at each other in shock.

But the point is that it didn’t get cut out. So you two are in the movie.

Mary and Jody clapped their hands and whooped so loudly that Finnegan jumped up in fright and barked at some imaginary assailant.

Oh, sorry, Finney! Mary giggled, patting him reassuringly. Willie, does this mean that we get invited to the premiere because we’re in the movie?

Well, it doesn’t always mean that. But it seems the producers have a plan for you two, and they hope it will bring some extra attention to the movie.

Willie paused dramatically, grinning at the look on the girls’ faces before continuing. They want you girls to come to the premiere, but not just you.

Well, of course you would come too, Willie, exclaimed Jody. You were the head wrangler, after all.

I guess I am going. But that’s not what I meant.

Mary and Jody were about to die from the suspense, but they knew they couldn’t rush Willie, so Mary addressed her next question to the hapless dog. What does he mean, Finney? she asked beseechingly. Finnegan merely raised his paw for her to shake.

I mean, Willie finally replied, that they want you to bring your two old plugs along.

Once more the girls’ eyes flew open wide and they jumped from their bale in unison, knocking poor Finnegan back on his haunches. What!! they screamed together. Our old plugs?

You mean Lady and Gypsy? Mary screeched.

To the premiere? Jody gulped.

Now settle down, for gosh sakes, Willie shook his head and motioned for them to sit once more. If you’re goin’ to act crazy, I’ll call the movie people and call the whole thing off.

Oh, no, Willie. We won’t act crazy, I promise, Mary said breathlessly. But how can we take them? We don’t even have a horse trailer. And both ponies won’t fit in the back of your pickup truck.

And where will they stay when we get there? What will they have to do? Jody added, biting her fingernails.

If you both hush for a minute, I’ll tell you. Willie said patiently. The movie producers are takin’ care of all the transport, so we’ll have a truck and trailer to haul ‘em with. And they’re providin’ a place for us and the horses to stay.

Together? asked Jody. Will we be sleeping in the barn with them?

No, no, now don’t go jumpin’ to conclusions. I don’t know all the details on that yet. But I do know…

The girls leaned forward again, hanging on Willie’s every word as he scratched the side of his head and looked once more at the ceiling.

Do know what, Willie? Mary whispered.

I do know that they want you to walk down the red carpet with the ponies.

Another scream escaped the girls’ lips and Mary impulsively threw her arms around Willie’s neck.

Now, what’d I say? Quit yer foolishness, he said, disentangling himself from Mary’s grip. You got to calm down and act like you got good sense.

But, Willie! This is so exciting! Jody yelped. It’s about the most exciting thing I’ve ever heard! I can’t wait to tell my dad!

Don’t have to tell him. He already knows, ‘cause he’s invited too. And your mother, Mary.

The girls whooped again and burst into a fit of giggles. Suddenly Mary stopped and a puzzled look crossed her face. But, Willie, she said, we don’t know where the premiere is going to be. You said it’s not nearby, but close enough…?

Willie took off his hat and pulled on his ear lobe, then looked at both girls. "The premiere is