Kate and Holly -- The Beginning — Maggie Dana

If you've ever wondered what Kate's and Holly's lives were like before they met at Timber Ridge, this short introduction spills all the details!

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Fourteen-year-old Kate McGregor has trouble making friends. In exchange for her riding lessons, she works at Sandpiper Stables where the other girls look down their noses at her as she mucks stalls, cleans tack, and grooms their European warmbloods.

For comfort, Kate turns to Black Magic, the barn's best horse. His favorite treat is watermelon rinds, which he slobbers all over her. But Kate doesn't care. She loves Magic's attention and pampers him. Together, they're already making a name for themselves at three-day events, and Kate's riding instructor predicts they will go far . . . until a tragic accident changes everything.

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Holly Chapman hides her sadness and loneliness behind a cheerful smile. She grooms as much of her horse, Magician, as she can reach from her wheelchair and watches another girl ride him -- winning the blue ribbons that Holly used to win.

Determined to keep up with the other kids, even if she can't walk, Holly takes risks. She gets her wheelchair stuck in the mud, stranded on stairs, and wedged into corners. Sometimes she falls out of it. Her mother advertises for a summer companion, but Holly doesn't want a watchdog.

She wants a best friend.