Mystery of the Midnight Rider (Nancy Drew Diaries #3)(35)

Dr. Evans gasped. "Oh, Payton ...”



“So that’s what you were doing when we came into the tack room earlier,” George said. "You weren’t cleaning dirt off your saddle with that knife. You were using it to slice through your girth.”

Payton nodded. "You guys almost caught me.”

Mr. Evans looked grim. “I wish you’d come to us about all of this, Payton.”

"I’m sorry, Daddy,” Payton whispered. She looked around at all of us, her gaze finally settling on Dana. "I’m really, really sorry. For everything.”

Dana looked uncertain. "Payton...

“Will you take Midnight back to the barn for me?” Payton asked her trainer. “Please? I left some carrots for him in my tack trunk.” She stroked the horse’s face one more time. "No more Chocomintos for you, buddy.”

Mr. Evans turned to face me. "Thank you for stopping her, young lady,” he said. “I—we—really appreciate it. If she’d gone through with her crazy plan... His voice trailed off as he glanced at his daughter with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. “Well, thanks. Now if you’ll all excuse us, I think it’s time we had a serious family talk.”





******





"Are you sure you’re not in the mood for brunch?” I poked my head into my father’s home office. “I could call and see if they have a table for us at that little cafe on River Street. You love that place.”

Dad glanced up from his computer. “Sorry, Nancy,” he said. "I already told you, I’ve got to get through these briefs before tomorrow.”

I frowned, feeling restless. That often happened after I wrapped up a tough case. Not that this one felt very wrapped up. Sure, I’d figured out who was behind all the mischief. But what was going to happen with Payton’s riding career now? That remained a mystery.

“Well, maybe I’ll just go out for a run, then,” I said, turning away.

"Wait,” Dad said. I spun around, hoping my father had changed his mind about brunch. But he was frowning slightly. "Actually, would you mind tossing a load into the washer? I’m all out of clean socks, and since it’s Hannah’s day off today...

I sighed loudly. It was a beautiful day, and I wasn’t in the mood for laundry. Still, Dad rarely asked me to pitch in with extra housework, since our housekeeper, Hannah Gruen, took care of most of it. So I didn’t feel right saying no.

“Sure,” I said. “I’ll go take care of it right now.”

I trudged upstairs to grab the hamper. The doorbell rang when I was halfway back down the stairs.

“I’ll get it!” I shouted in the general direction of Dad’s office. Hurrying over to the front door, I swung it open. “Payton!” I blurted out in surprise.

Payton smiled at me. “Hi, Nancy,” she said. “Hope you don’t mind me stopping by without calling first.”

"No, not at all.” I stepped aside. "Would you like to come in?” "Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a ride.” Pay-ton waved a hand at the car parked by the curb. "My parents are letting me use their rental car, and I could use a change of scenery. And someone to talk to.”

"Sure. Let me grab my purse.”



Soon we were on the road. I wasn’t sure where Payton was heading, and I didn’t ask. It didn’t really matter.



“So I wanted to say thanks,” Payton said as she eased the car to a stop at a traffic light. "I mean, at first I was kind of mad at you for stopping me. But it was the right thing to do.” She shot me a look. “I guess I went a little crazy.”

“I understand,” I said. "And you’re welcome.”

She drove across the intersection as the light turned green. "Anyway, my mom calls what I did a ‘cry for help.’ I think that means she thinks I wanted to get caught.” She shook her head. "I just couldn’t think of another way to get my parents’ attention—to convince them to let me slow down. They don’t believe in giving up on anything they start.”

"The Evans Edge,” I murmured.

She nodded. "Right. That edge can be sharp, I guess. Anyway, they’re paying attention now. I think they’re starting to understand how I feel. Or at least trying.”

"So they’re going to let you give up showing?”

"If that’s what I want.” Payton hesitated. “I’m not sure if I want to give it up for good. I mean, I used to love it.”

She glanced out the side window. We were heading out of town by now, passing by larger properties and small farms. Horses were grazing in some of the fields we were passing.

"Giving up showing doesn’t mean giving up horses, does it?” I asked.

“That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking,” Payton said. "I think I’m going to take a break from competition and try just riding for fun for a while. See if I can remember what I used to love about it.”

She hit the turn signal. There was no intersection in sight—just an unmarked gravel driveway.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

"You’ll see.” She smiled as she spun the wheel to turn into the driveway.