“Where’s Shadow Dancer?” I asked.
“I don’t know, honey. They took the horses over to the corral by the mares’ barn.”
The main barn housed the geldings who were used to work the ranch and the younger colts in training. The mares were kept in a separate barn and a third barn housed the two stallions.
“I’ve got to find Shadow Dancer.” I cried running toward the mares’ barn.
“Maryann, you be careful.” Bess yelled.
Rick grabbed my arm.
“Wait up.”
“I can’t.” I shook him off. “I need to find Shadow.”
A quick check of the corral confirmed what my sinking heart suspected. Shadow Dancer wasn’t among the group of horses huddled in the far corner, as far away from the activity as they could get.
I ran back to the other end of the main barn. No flames were visible there, just clouds of smoke.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Rick grabbed my arm.
I’d forgotten about him.
“To find Shadow.”
“You can’t go in there. It’s too dangerous.” He held me back.
“Let go. I’ve got to find him!”
Determined to save the Appaloosa I loved, I shook him off and slipped through the door into the burning barn.
I couldn’t see anything, smoke stung my eyes and hurt my lungs. Feeling along the wall, I located a stall door. The left side of my face was hot. The fire roared ahead of me. A horse shifted nervously and began to whinny in distress. I couldn’t tell which horse it was in all the smoke. I heard an animal moving around in the stall near me. Then he screamed in fear.
I felt for the lead rope that hung by each stall. I unlatched the Dutch door and pulled. It wouldn’t budge. Coughing, I frantically searched around the latch with my fingers to determine why it wouldn’t open. Then I realized it was wired closed.
Why would someone wire it shut? It made no sense. Desperate, I pulled and twisted the wire. The fire roared closer.
“What are you doing?” Rick screamed.
“I can’t get the stall door open. It’s wired shut. We’ve got to get him out.”
“Is it Shadow?”
“I don’t know. I can’t tell in all this smoke.”
“Let me try,” he said.
Rick pulled hard. The stall door suddenly crashed open hitting the other side of the wall.
I reached up feeling the horse’s chest and finding the halter. I clipped the lead rope to it and pulled. The horse stood like a statue refusing to move.
Rick grabbed the lead rope from me and pulled. He had no luck, either.
Then I remembered something I’d read or seen in a movie. Tearing the scarf from around my neck, I covered the horse’s eyes.
“Maryann, hurry,” yelled Rick. “The fire’s getting closer.”
I could feel the heat burning even through my skin.
With his eyes covered, the animal finally stepped out of the stall.
Rick grabbed the lead rope with one hand and my arm with the other.
The smoke had gotten worse and I couldn’t stop coughing. Rick dragged me.
Suddenly we were out in the fresh air.
When I could see, I realized it was Freeman standing beside me, the scarf still over his eyes. I reached up and pulled it off.
Someone took the lead rope from my hands.
“What the heck are you kids doing?” A big fireman grabbed Rick’s arm, his face streaked with soot.
“Dad.”
“You know better than to go into a burning building. What’s the matter with you? You could have both been killed.”
“It’s my fault,” I said. “I heard a horse inside.”
He turned to me. “I don’t care what you heard. You’re just damned lucky you didn’t pass out in there from all the smoke.”
His eyes flashed and his arms gestured. “You two get away from here. It’s not safe. Go over by the house. We soaked the roof so it should be okay.”
“Did they get all the horses out?” I could only think of Shadow Dancer.
He shrugged my question off. “I’m tryin’ to contain this fire. I don’t know about the horses. They were bringing them out when we got here. That’s all I know.”
Someone called to Rick’s father.
“Now you two move,” he yelled and disappeared among the firefighters.
I wanted to check for Shadow Dancer in the corral again. I couldn’t get there with all the fireman running around and the hoses littering the yard.
Rick and I went over by the house to stand with Aunt Bess and Russ. We watched the fire, mesmerized.
The firemen were losing the battle to save the main barn. Now engulfed in flames, the beams, outlined in crimson, glowed like some bizarre Halloween decoration. Rick and I had been in there a very short time ago. I started to shake and Rick put his arm around me. With a whoosh, the barn collapsed in a swirl of timber, flames and embers. The fireman trained their hoses on what was left. The air around us stunk of burnt wood and smoke.
“I can’t watch,” said Aunt Bess, turning away. “I’m going in to make coffee.”
“I’ll help you,” said Russ, taking her arm, they walked toward the house.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the smoldering ashes.
“Where did all these people come from?” I asked, looking around at an army of helpers.
“Neighbors,” said Rick. “Everyone pitches in when there’s trouble.”
“Come on, let’s go in.” He took my hand and pulled me toward the house.
“I’ve got to find Shadow Dancer,” I protested. My energy was gone and I stumbled. If Rick didn’t have his arm around me, I’d have fallen.
“I’m getting you inside,” he said.
Too tired to argue, I let him pull me along.
The kitchen felt cozy and safe. I inhaled the smell of coffee.
I didn’t know if I shivered from being cold or not finding Shadow Dancer. Rick took off my coat and hung it up. He sat me on the couch. Grabbing an afghan from the back of the sofa, he wrapped it around me.
“What’s wrong?” fussed Aunt Bess.
“She’s done in,” said Rick. “She won’t quit.”
I wanted to say something. It just took too much energy.
“Let me get her a cup of coffee,” she replied. “I know how she likes it.”
A moment later he handed me a mug. “Here drink this.”
I had trouble talking or thinking. I was numb. My horse was missing and I didn’t have the energy to look for him. I was too exhausted for tears.
“Drink it,” Rick urged.
I took a sip. It was hot though not enough to burn my lips. Over the rim of the mug I smiled because it had milk and sugar — just the way I liked it.
With shaking hands, I drank the warm liquid. Then I handed him the empty mug almost dropping it before he took it.
“Thanks,” I said leaning back, letting my eyes close and giving in to the weariness.
Rick bent over and kissed my forehead.
“We’ll find him,” he murmured
That was the last thing I remembered.
Chapter 30
Saturday, July 22, 1961
The next morning the light coming through the window woke me. I opened my eyes and realized I still on the couch next to Rick. He turned as soon as I moved and smiled.
“Where’s Shadow Dancer?” I said the first thing that came into my head.
“Maybe he got lost in the confusion,” Rick said. “You said he could jump pretty high. Maybe he got out of the corral.”
“Maybe.”
I didn’t know what to believe. My horse was gone and I didn’t want anything to happen to him.
Standing up, I stretched. Then groaned when my stiff and sore muscles protested.
Outside the kitchen window fire trucks were still in the yard and men were directing water onto the remains of the barn. They needed to make sure no hot spots flared back in
to life. Last night seemed like a long time ago.
Aunt Bess poured coffee for the fireman and all the people who had come to help. I took a deep breath of the fragrant scent of corn bread, she had just taken out of the oven. When it cooled she cut pieces and put them on a big platter. Feeling hungry, I reached for a slice and got one for Rick.
Rick’s father stood in a yellow slicker streaked with dirt. He looked exhausted and used both hands to hold his coffee.
“Morning, son.”
“Hi Dad. Is the fire all out?” he asked, taking a bite of the corn bread.
“Yeah, finally,” he said, draining his cup. Aunt Bess came by and refilled it without being asked.
“Good to see you, Doug,” said Russ. “Appreciate your help. How bad is the damage?”
“Bess. Russ.” He took his fireman’s hat off and wiped his forehead with his sleeve, leaving a gray smudge behind. This tall, broad man filled the room. His clothes reeked of smoke and ash — the smell of defeat.
“Could have been a lot worse. We saved the other buildings from catching — and the house. And we got your horses out.”
“Thank the good Lord for that,” she said.
“I can’t find Shadow Dancer, Aunt Bess. I’ve looked everywhere.”
She patted my hand distractedly. “We’ll find him.”
Rick’s father cleared his throat. “Got to be honest with you folks. It looks like a very suspicious fire to me. I’m not ruling out arson.”
He took a deep breath. “You know anyone who’d want to burn down your barn?”
In the silence that followed, Russ met my eyes then looked away.
He knows who did it. So did I.
“Arson?” Aunt Bess shuddered. “I can’t believe it.”
“I just report them as I see them.” Doug Ferguson stretched and straightened. “It’s been a long night. If it was arson, we’ll get to the bottom of it. It’s amazing what they can tell about a fire these days.”
“Grady Gibbons set the fire,” I blurted out.
My aunt whirled around. “What?”
“Grady Gibbons burned our barn down. You know he did, Russ.”
Russ didn’t say anything.
I hurried to explain, everyone watching like I was the key witness in court.
“I went into the burning barn because I heard a horse scream. I couldn’t get the stall door open.”
I paused for effect. “It was wired shut. Don’t you see? Freeman’s stall door was wired shut. Grady set the fire, and he wanted Freeman to die in it.” Now I couldn’t stop my tears. “If I hadn’t gotten him out, he’d be dead.”
Doug Ferguson interrupted. “I don’t see what…”
Russ cut him off. “Freeman belonged to Grady. He was beating the animal when Maryann tried to stop him. Then he turned the whip on her.”
There was a gasp from everyone in the room.
I had to make them understand. “When Russ fired him, he wouldn’t let Grady take his horse. He gave Grady money right then for Freeman. Don’t you see? This was Grady’s sick vengeance. He wanted to kill the horse when he burned the barn. Now Shadow’s missing,” I cried. “And if anything happens to him I’ll just die.”
Rick moved to put his arms around me. “We’ll find him,” he whispered in my ear. “I promise you. We’ll find him.”
“That Grady Gibbons is unhinged,” hissed Aunt Bess. “He beat his horse, he whipped my niece, he shot Russ, he ran Rick off the road.” Her voice rose. “And now he’s burned my barn down? What in heaven’s name is he going to do next?” Her voice broke with anger.
Russ put his arm around her. “Sheriff is looking for him.”
“Well it’s not enough,” said my aunt. “We need to find him before he tries to kill someone one else.”
“Now that the Sheriff has Maryann’s sketch of him, he should have better luck catching him.”
“If I see him again on this ranch,” said Aunt Bess. “I’ll shoot him myself. I swear I will.”
Russ smiled and remained silent.
“What are we going to do with the horses now that the barn’s gone?” I asked. “We can’t leave them all out in the corral.”
Aunt Bess looked weary. “I don’t know, Maryann. We’ll figure something out.”
“We can take two of your horses,” offered Rick. “We’ve got extra stalls at our place.” He looked over at his father. “Okay, Dad?”
Mr. Ferguson smiled. “Sure. That’s fine, son.”
This was Wyoming. A lot of people kept a couple of horses to ride. Rick’s response set off offers of temporary stalls from other people as well.
“I better make a list,” said Russ. He returned with pen and paper. Then he wrote down names, phone numbers, and which horse was going where. Some people volunteered to take two horses. Fifteen minutes later we had temporary homes for all of them.
“That’s incredible,” I said to Rick
“No, that’s Wyoming,” he replied.
Aunt Bess looked a little overwhelmed. “Thank you, everybody.” She shook her head. “I’m at a loss for words. You put out my fire. Now you’re putting up my horses. I don’t know what to say.” She looked close to tears.
Murmurs of ‘glad to help’ and ‘no trouble’ came from everyone. These people cared, I realized and it made me want to weep at their kindness. Finally, everyone began to leave.
Rick’s father moved toward the door.
“Doug, can I talk to you for a minute?” asked Aunt Bess.
He hesitated.
She turned to us. “Maryann, you and Rick better come along, too.”
Surprised, Rick and I followed her into the living room as everyone else left.
“This won’t take long,” my aunt began. “I just want to say…”
She stopped and cleared her throat. “I just want you to know how much I appreciate your help last night.”
“I’m a fireman, Bess. My job is putting out fires, no matter where they are.”
“It’s more than that, Doug.” She straightened and squared her shoulders. “It’s been fifteen years since you’ve stood in this room and we all know why.”
Rick took my hand and squeezed it. His touch warmed my cold hands. I stared at our reflection in the sliding glass door.
“I just want to say…” She stopped. “I’d be pleased if you’re consider me your friend.” She held out her hand.
No one moved.
For a minute, I didn’t know what Mr. Ferguson would do.
Then he stepped forward and gathered her into a great big bear hug.
“Oh Bess, you were always my friend. I’m so sorry about Jacob.” His voice broke. “I wish…I wish I could undo the past. He was my best friend. I loved him, too.”
As if a plug had been pulled, my aunt began to sob. Rick’s dad held her while she cried. Later she moved away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Russ handed her his handkerchief. She smiled.
There were tears in Doug Ferguson’s eyes.
The whole room felt lighter.
* * *
“I checked the other side of the fence by the mares’ barn,” said Rick. “And there were hoof prints. Looks like a horse definitely jumped the fence.”
“Do you think it was Shadow?” I asked.
“Who else would it be?”
“Then let’s go look for him.”
“Maryann, it’s too dangerous with Grady Gibbons running around,” said Rick. “Your aunt isn’t gonna let you go riding up in the mountains looking for a horse right now.”
“Then I’ll go by myself.” I turned away, disappointed.
He held my arm. “Okay, when do we ride out?”
I turned around and smiled. “At first light tomorrow before everyone’s up.”
“Okay,” he said. “Meet me in the mares’ barn before dawn.
That’s what I loved about Rick. He didn’t waste time trying to talk me out of finding Shadow Dancer.
Even though we couldn’t find him now, I kn
ew Shadow Dancer was alive. Because if anything had happened to him, I’d feel it somewhere deep inside me.
Chapter 31
Sunday, July 23, 1961
We rode out before dawn and missed church.
Finding Shadow is more important. Though I still felt guilty missing the service. It would also be obvious to everyone where Rick and I had gone. There would be hell to pay. I didn’t care. I had to find my horse.
We searched until supper with no sign of Shadow up in the mountains.
When we got back, Russ waited for us in the barn.
“Where in Sam Hill have you two been?”
“Looking for Shadow,” I said and dismounted beside Rick.
“Are you out of your mind? Grady Gibbons is running around shooting people and you take off in the middle of this to look for a horse?” By now he was yelling. It took me by surprise since I’d never seen him lose his temper before.
He turned to Rick. “And what’s wrong with you, boy, letting her go off on a wild goose chase?”
“She was determined to go,” said Rick. “Figured it was safer me going along than her riding out by herself.” He sounded respectful, but didn’t back down from the angry man.
“Yeah,” scoffed Russ.
“I had to look for Shadow.” I tried to explain.
“No you didn’t,” he said. “If anything happened to you, how do you think Bess would feel?”
“Nothing happened. I’m okay.”
“Maryann, you don’t have the brains God gave a goose. Put your horses away and think about how you’re gonna explain your ‘adventure’ to Bess. I’ll see you in the house.”
Stiff with anger, he walked away.
“What are you going to tell you aunt?” asked Rick, uneasily.
“The truth,” I replied, and hoped that would be enough.
Monday, July 24, 1961
“What’s the matter?” Aunt Bess regarded me across the table.
“I forgot,” I said, staring at my cereal bowl. We were alone in the dining room. Russ started his chores hours ago. I slept late and just couldn’t get going. Everything I did felt like a big effort.
“Forgot what?”
Maryann's Appaloosa Page 15