“Hey! Don’t tell me you’re scared!” Sasha smiled at Rosie, then leaned into her horse’s cheek and circled his head with her arms, as if he were nothing but a big stuffed animal.

“I’m not.” The lie didn’t sound as definite as Rosie wished it did. She turned away from Sasha. How could her roommate be so comfortable around these huge animals?

Rosie shook as Nugget blew out a long snort（响鼻）. After begging to come to two weeks of riding camp, Rosie’s cowgirl riding dreams had dried up like the red -brown dirt at her feet.

All winter Rosie had pictured herself galloping（骑马奔驰）on a horse down the country roads and fields in the camp brochure. Since she was little, whenever she and her parents headed out of town to where Chicago turned into country, Rosie would imagine she was outside the car, galloping on the back of a beautiful horse, hair long and windblown.

“You are so, scared,” Sasha said. “I can tell.” A strange smile grew on her face. “It’s in the eyes,” Sasha said in an odd, silly voice.

Rosie forced a smile and took a small step toward Nugget. “Hi,” she said softly, reaching out an arm.

Nugget gave start, and Rosie jumped back. Her throat closed up, and tears burned the corners of her eyes. “You’ll just scare her, doing that,” Sasha said. She walked over to Nugget and stroked her neck. “It’s OK, girl. Calm down, it’s OK.”

“Sasha, get back to your horse, please.” Callie, the riding instructor, came over, planting herself between Rosie and Sasha. “You afraid, Rosie?” she asked quietly.

“A little,” Rosie whispered to Callie.

“Watch out, Rosie!” Sasha said, and then laughed. “Don’t let Nugget get you!”

“Sasha! Mount up and quiet down,” Callie said.

Sasha reached up to her saddle（马鞍）with the reins（缰绳）in her left hand, and in one quick, smooth move, was up and settled.

“Ready to mount up?” Callie’s eyes questioned Rosie silently.

A cry escaped from Rosie’s throat. Her heart pounded wildly.

The Christmas Spirit Strikes Again

I always dreamed of making a big surprise of a lifetime. Thanks to a little determination, some luck, and a generous helping of Christmas Spirit, my dream became a reality.

My family is Canadian, although my sister moved down to Australia a few years ago to study. She was graduating just before Christmas, but due to my own scholarly schedule back home, I would be unable to make it down in time for her graduation. She was understandably disappointed, and I felt guilty that I wasn’t able to be there for her on this special occasions.

While I was talking to my professor the week before my sister’s graduation, she commented, “Well, if you want to go, just go ahead!" I couldn’t believe my luck! I nearly jumped for joy. “Just make sure you get permission from administrator (行政主管)，” she added. My heart sank. The administration at my school was infamous for denying any sort of time-off requests. I almost didn’t bother asking, because I knew it would be a waste of time. But something in me decided to try, just in case. Maybe it was the hope that the Christmas Spirit would somehow affects the administrator at this time of year. When I returned home to check the reply in my inbox, I steeled myself for disappointment. I held my breath, opened the e-mail, and started to read. And re-read, just to make sure I’d understood. Approval? I couldn’t believe my luck!

Immediately, I called the airline. Unexpectedly, even during the busy Christmas season, I was able to change my ticket to arrive the day before my sister’s graduation. With news this fantastic, I was bursting to tell my sister. But, fingers on the dial((拨号盘), I paused. Wouldn’t it be much more fantastic if I could surprise her? What a state of shock she would be in! Slowly a great idea came to my mind. I decided a much more dramatic arrival than just a ring of the doorbell. What if I couldn’t arrive in a box?

I started to plot.

I, hidden in the big box, heard the mailmen ringing my sister’s doorbell.

Jean’s dream was to be a great chef, so when she was 20, she travelled to France, which has the most famous cuisine in the world, to learn to cook. After twelve years, she was among the best.

Her father, Bob, was getting old, and she wanted to be near him. Jean accepted an offer from one of Washington’s top restaurants. The manager offered her a handsome salary, and 30% ownership of the restaurant. The next day, Jean went to sign the contract. As she got out of the car, she caught sight of a green sunshade. Instead of going to meet the manager, she crossed the street towards the old restaurant, Fargonetti’s. She pushed open the door and the memories came flooding back.

Jean’s mum died when she was just 11, and her father lost his job and was forced to freelance (从事自由职业). Money was very short. When Jean turned thirteen, Bob had made a reservation at Fargonetti’s, the capital’s best restaurant.

“I’m not hungry, baby girl. I had a huge breakfast,” Bob said. “This is all for you!” “Oh,” Jean cried. “Daddy was so silly! He’s been saving to come here for lunch for MONTHS and now he ruined his appetite with breakfast!” The waiter, Carl Bader, immediately realised what was going on and went to Mr Fargonetti, the restaurant owner, and told him about Jean and Bob.

An hour later, surprisingly, the waiter brought wonderful dishes and set them before the father and daughter. “Lunch is on the house with Mr Fargoneti’s compliments (致意),” Carl said. For Bob and Jean, it was a free but magical meal. They were on cloud nine when they walked out. “Jean,“ said Bob happily. “I feel our luck has changed!” And it did! The next day, one of Bob’s old friends called and offered him a job at a new magazine, and Jean believed Fargonetti’s had made it all happen. That was when she decided to become a chef!

Twenty years later, the old restaurant looked run-down and sad, but Jean recognised the waiter immediately. “Carl?” she asked delightedly.

The man looked surprised.

Jean was staring at Carl and a brilliant idea was taking shape in her mind.