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Saddle Club, who had fallen a little behind. “It’s only half a mile long. I figured that might be enough for some of the walkers. I end all the trails at the barn, too, to make things easier on everyone. Ready for Trail Number Two?”
    Each trail was a little different, and they were progressively longer; Trail Number Six lasted nearly three miles and included two shallow stream crossings. Colonel Devine had graded the crossings and added sand to keep them smooth. “What about the walkers here?” Emily asked, as Spot splashed across. “Will they have to get their feet wet?”
    “We’ll tell them to wear waterproof boots forNumber Six,” Colonel Devine replied. “Foot-bridges would just wash out in the spring floods. A crossing is easier for us to maintain.”
    Since they stayed at a quiet walk, riding the six trails took up the entire afternoon. Back at the barn, Colonel Devine had one final question for Emily. “Mr. Brightstar and I have been talking, and we could fence in Trail Number One,” he said. “If we ran a rail fence down both sides—”
    “No,” Emily cut in firmly. She leaned against Spot, gathering her strength before sliding his heavy saddle off. “No fences.”
    “But I thought—”
    “No fences,” Emily persisted. “Not here.”
    Colonel Devine grinned. “All right, then.”
    Mr. Brightstar came up to speak to Colonel Devine, and John followed and offered to take care of the horse. Colonel Devine agreed, and the two men went off, talking urgently.
    “There’s a problem with the water pump in the calf pasture,” John explained to Emily. He turned toward her just in time to see her nearly drop Spot’s saddle in the aisle. He grabbed it quickly. “Whoa, Emily! What’s wrong?”
    Emily started to lose her balance. She caught herself and sat down on the hay bale that was still in the aisle. “I guess I’m tired,” she said. “My legs aren’t cooperating, and I’m even having trouble straightening my arms.”
    John bent forward. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Lisa!” He motioned her over. Lisa and the rest of The Saddle Club came quickly.
    “What’s wrong?” Lisa asked.
    “I’m just tired,” Emily said. “I always have a little more trouble when I’m tired. Please, it’s no big deal, I promise. Only, would one of you mind putting Spot’s saddle away for me? I can handle everything else.”
    “Sure.” Stevie took the saddle from John and swung it onto her hip. “These things are a lot heavier than English saddles, anyway.”
    “Is there anything else we can do?” Carole asked. Lisa went back to Chocolate’s side, but Carole stayed near Emily, just in case. Emily did look tired, and the tiredness seemed to be making the muscles in her arms and legs more tense than usual.
    “No,” Emily said. “I’m fine, I promise. A hot bath is all I need. And dinner. I’m starving.”
    “Me too. Whenever we ride this much, we always get this hungry. Colonel Devine said we were having chicken and noodles.”
    “Great!” Emily stood and started to brush Spot off. Carole returned to Berry. John finished taking care of Colonel Devine’s horse and put Spot out in the pasture for Emily. Just as they finished tidying the barn, the supper bell rang.
    On the way to the ranch house, Emily walked much more slowly than usual. Her friends kept pace with her. Lisa tried not to show how anxious she felt. What if all that riding had done Emily some harm?
    “Lisa,” Emily said, as if she could read her thoughts, “if you don’t stop hovering over me I’m going to hit you with my crutch. Think about it. You guys have seen me this tired before—it’s when I usually resort to using my wheelchair.” She tripped and fell but got up quickly.
    “I could get your wheelchair,” Stevie volunteered. “It would only take a second.”
    Emily continued forward. “For a two-minute walk to the ranch house? Please, don’t be silly.” She fell again. “Okay,” she said as she stood back