Blue Ribbon Trail Ride

by Miralee Ferrell

  Colt grinned. “I liked the school-spirit one, with a lettermen’s jacket hanging on a bush, and they have to find a ‘letter.’ I think we should have hung the bucket of wooden letters farther away, though. I’m afraid it’s too easy.”

  Jake pushed his glasses up on his nose. “I still don’t see how they’re going to win prizes by finding the items from following the clues.” He held Mouse’s leash tighter as the dog started to pull away.

  Kate tipped her head toward the barn. “Let’s get saddled up. Jake, you and Mouse can keep an eye on things around the barn and the pastures, in case anyone has questions. The rest of us will ride out. To answer your question, we give every person who enters a set of clues to find different items. We hid twenty, but the first person in each age category to bring back ten items gets a prize. For example, with the golf balls, they’ll follow the clue, and when they find the bag, they’ll take only one ball. Each person has to bring back one of everything that the clues lead to. Then the second, third, and fourth persons in each category to bring back all the items get a prize too. The ones who come in first get their choice of the things donated before anyone else.”

  “Right.” Jake jerked on Mouse’s leash. “Maybe I should have Pete come with us. Mouse loves him and obeys him a lot better than me.”

  “Great idea.” Kate waved at her mother, who was talking to the last person who’d arrived late. “Hey, Mom. Can Pete hang out with Mouse and Jake around the barn and pasture?”

  “Sure, honey. That’s a great idea.” She knelt in front of Pete. “Want to go with Jake?”

  He shook his head. “Want to go with Mouse. Not Jake. Rufus too.” He reached out and took Rufus’s leash, then trotted toward Jake. “Come, Rufus. Let’s get Mouse.”

  Kate grinned. “I love how great he is with the dogs, and how it’s been helping him to talk more.”

  Jake laughed. “And I love how much better behaved Mouse is since he met Pete. Mom and Dad said I can keep him if he behaves better.”

  He, Pete, and the two dogs headed toward the large outdoor arena. “We’ll cut across and to the pasture. I saw a couple of people head out there.”

  “Good idea.” Colt waved, and he and the girls walked to the barn. “Time to mount up and hit the trail. It’s going to be interesting to see if everyone finds all the items we hid with the clues we gave them.”

  A horrible thought struck Kate, and she shivered. “What’s the chance someone stumbles across the big tree with the exposed roots and finds our box?” Her hands intertwined with nervous energy. “I’m not sure if that would be good or terrible, depending on who found it and whether they returned it.”

  Melissa narrowed her eyes. “I was thinking about that too, but I don’t believe the thief would have left it there. He would have come back and checked to see if we got it and taken it with him. I’m surprised we never heard from him again.”

  Tori frowned. “Maybe he decided he didn’t feel so bad about stealing it after all and kept it. And if so, there goes most of our money.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kate sat on Capri and watched the last riders turn in the items they’d found as they followed the clues on the hunt. Tori sat astride Starlight, while Melissa and Colt stood on the ground, holding the reins of their horses. Kate looked around. “Where’s Jake?”

  Colt jerked his head toward the house. “Pete refused to take a nap unless both Mouse and Rufus came along. Jake went to get them all settled so your mom could stay here and award the rest of the prizes.”

  Melissa grinned. “I wasn’t sure about Jake at first, but he’s a pretty good kid. Even with all his crazy movie analogies.”

  Tori giggled. “He makes me laugh.”

  Colt motioned them toward the barn. “Suppose we should put our horses up now? It feels like I’ve been riding all day, even though it’s only been two or three hours.”

  Kate nodded. “Probably a good idea. It’s pretty cool that one of the youngest riders found the most items in the little kids’ age group, huh? She sure seemed to love the tickets to ride Thomas the Train when it comes through town again. That was a great idea to check with them, Melissa.”

  The other girl shrugged. “I got to ride it when I was a kid, and I remember how excited I was. It’s awesome that it comes to Hood River in the summer.”

  Kate and Tori swung off their horses and walked behind Colt and Melissa toward the barn. They spent the next few minutes stripping off saddles and bridles and brushing their mounts. They put the horses in their stalls, then headed for the awards area outside.

  Kate flipped her braid over her shoulder. “I’m almost too tired to care about the rest of the prizes. I’m glad Mom’s taking care of it. Which ones do you think created the most excitement?”

  Tori hop-skipped beside Kate to keep up with her longer stride. “I saw a guy who was pretty pumped about a set of ski-lift tickets for Mount Hood Meadows, and a lady who got superexcited about a gift certificate at a beauty salon. I don’t think anyone was disappointed with the prizes they won.”

  Colt grabbed a piece of straw as he passed a bale and popped it between his lips. “I agree. All the hard work paid off. Or it would have, if the box hadn’t been stolen. I guess at this point, all we can do is keep praying that God talks to the person who took it and convinces him to bring it back. That’s what your dad told us to do, right?”

  Someone behind them cleared his throat.

  Kate slowed and looked over her shoulder. “Oh, hi, Mr. Creighton. Did your daughter win anything?”

  “I’m afraid not, but that’s all right. Her horse was a little lame, so I took them home early.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  Kate’s friends faced the man, and Colt took a step toward him. “Is there something we can do for you, sir? I’m surprised you came back if your daughter is finished for the day.”

  “Actually, there is something wrong, but I’d rather talk to all of you and Kate’s parents after everyone’s left, if you have time. I don’t want to intrude, though.” He took a step toward the half-dozen cars and trucks with trailers still in the parking area. “Maybe I should forget this and come back another time.”

  What’s wrong with him? Kate wondered. His face was pale, and he looked like he might hurl. Had his daughter’s horse been hurt on their property, and would he sue them? Her heart skipped a beat. “Whatever it is, Mr. Creighton, I think my parents will want to hear about it today and not wait. Would you like to go into the office until they finish?”

  He held up his hands, and if anything, his face got whiter. “No! Not there. I’ll just sit on a bale of straw in the shade, if that’s all right. Maybe you could let them know I’m here?”

  “Sure.” Kate tipped her head toward her friends. “Want to walk with me?”

  Melissa glanced at Mr. Creighton. “Should we go home? You only want to talk to Kate and her parents, right?”

  He shook his head. “No. All of you. Please. If you can stay, that is?”

  Melissa eyed Tori and Colt. They all gave a single nod. “Sure,” Melissa said. “We’ll hang out until Kate’s parents finish up.” She raised a brow at Kate. “We probably should get Jake.”

  Kate nodded, then smiled at Mr. Creighton. “There’s a table with chairs on the back patio of the house, if you’d like to wait there. I’ll bring out something cold to drink.”

  “I don’t want to be any bother. Please.”

  “It’s not a bother. Mom and Dad will be hot and tired by the time they finish with the last contestant, and we are too. Go ahead. We’ll catch up with you.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Kate, her friends, and her parents congregated on the back patio. Colt and Jake each took a dog leash and sank onto the grass not far from Pete.

  Pete patted the ground beside him. “Come on, Rufus. Mouse. Sit by me.” Both dogs obediently sank to their bellies, one on each side of Kat
e’s little brother, their jowls pulled back in happy canine grins.

  Kate reached out to touch Pete’s hair, then hesitated, not knowing if he’d jerk away as he so often did, or simply ignore her. She’d been asking God to make Pete better for so long. Maybe God sent Mouse to help bring him out of himself and into the world where his family lived. She lightly touched his hair.

  Pete shot a glance her direction but didn’t hold it. “Kate.” He pointed to the grass on the other side of Rufus. “Sit with Pete.”

  She almost laughed out loud with joy and sank onto the ground beside him. “Can Melissa and Tori sit here too?”

  He didn’t look up but nodded. “Melissa got M&M’s?” He stroked Mouse’s fur while he talked.

  Melissa giggled as she crossed her legs beneath her on the far side of Rufus and next to where Tori had sat. “Not today, buddy. I’ll try to remember to bring some next time, okay?”

  He reached for the leash that Colt held and stroked Rufus’s fur. “Good boy.”

  Kate’s dad cleared his throat. “Mr. Creighton, Kate tells us you wanted to talk to us. How can we help you? I hope your daughter didn’t have a bad experience during the ride or wasn’t upset that she didn’t win.”

  The other man shook his head. “Not at all. In fact, other than her horse coming up lame, she seemed to enjoy herself greatly. She was disappointed not to finish the ride, but I told her she’s young, and there’s always another day.” He fisted his hands in his lap. “I’m not sure how to say this, or where to begin.”

  Kate’s mom smiled. “I’ve found it’s best to start at the beginning. Would you care for some iced tea?”

  “No, thank you.” He drew in a shaky breath, then let it out slowly. “You’re right. I’ll start at the beginning and get right to the point. I stole your box.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Stunned silence met Mr. Creighton’s announcement, and Kate stifled a gasp. He’d stolen their box? But of all the people they’d investigated, he’d been the nicest and the one they least suspected. Besides, he owned a business and didn’t seem poor.

  Anger blossomed in Kate’s heart, and she stared at the man who’d hurt them all. “Why? It didn’t belong to you, and it contained the money for the kids who need to attend camp. You must have plenty of money, so why would you do that?” She glanced at her parents, wondering if they’d scold her for talking disrespectfully to an adult, but all they did was nod.

  Mr. Creighton turned his face away for a brief moment, his mouth pinched in a tight line. Then he swiveled back to meet Kate’s gaze. “I’m afraid I have a problem that I’ve never admitted or dealt with. I know that doesn’t excuse what I did, but it might help to explain. Ever since I’ve been little, I’ve been fascinated with antiques—especially ones with rich, beautiful colors. They draw me in, and I almost have an obsession to own them. The day I came to sign my daughter up for the scavenger hunt, I heard an older man grumbling about an antique box your mother owned but wouldn’t sell. I didn’t think a thing about it until I saw it for myself in the office. Then I had to have it.”

  Kate’s dad frowned. “So you simply took it when you knew how much that money meant to the kids, not to mention how much the box might mean to my wife?”

  Mr. Creighton winced but didn’t evade the question. “I knew your wife wouldn’t sell it, but I had no idea the money was inside. No one touched the box or opened it when I paid. Mrs. Ferris, I assume you must have placed the money in it after I left the office.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t remember, since there were so many people in and out that day, but it’s possible. I still don’t understand why you took it, or when.”

  “I knew it was an antique and possibly valuable, but that isn’t what drew me. It was the age, the beauty, the workmanship. As to when, I took my daughter home, then returned and waited. I watched the office until I knew no one was inside. I’d brought a large paper bag with me that contained a few grocery items. I slipped into the office, placed the box under a larger item, and then walked out the door to my car.” He hung his head. “And I’ve regretted it ever since.”

  Colt scowled. “So you’re the man who left us the clues, promising we’d find the box? We went to at least two trees with big roots and found nothing. Then we came to your store, and Kate even asked if you knew of any trees that fit that description, but you denied it. Why all the clues with no box, and why lie? That doesn’t make a bit of sense.”

  Mr. Creighton squirmed in his chair, but no one tried to make him feel more comfortable. “Yes, I left the clues. Believe it or not, I did put the box beneath the roots of a large fir tree, but you didn’t find the right one. After you came to the store and asked your question, I realized you hadn’t found it and probably wouldn’t. I knew someone else might find it, so I retrieved it.”

  Tori bit her lip and glanced at Kate, then back at Mr. Creighton. “But why didn’t you just tell us when we were there?”

  “Because I was a coward. I didn’t want you to know I’d done it. I was hoping you’d find the box from the clues and never figure out it was me.”

  Kate’s dad nodded. “What made you change your mind and come forward now?”

  Mr. Creighton hesitated, then looked from Kate to each of her friends. “These kids did. I overheard them talking about it. They have an incredible attitude. They were upset and disappointed, but not vindictive or hateful. It made me ashamed … more than I’ve ever been. I’ve always believed myself to be a good man—a decent person—but now I know I’ve been lying to myself all along.” He sucked in a long, slow breath. “In fact, I find it amazing that not one of you has asked about the box or the money since I told you I took it. Why haven’t you demanded it back or called the police? That’s what I’d have done if the shoe was on the other foot.”

  Kate’s mom smiled. “I’ll admit I’d love to have my great-grandmother’s box back, but right now I’m more concerned about you.”

  The man gave a hard start that jarred the chair. “Me? I don’t understand.”

  She glanced at Kate. “What have we been talking about lately, Kate? Do you want to explain?”

  Kate’s heart thumped in surprise, but she nodded. “The last couple of weeks, Mom, Dad, Pete, and I have been praying for you. Well, we didn’t know it was you, but we’ve been praying for whoever stole the box. Dad told us the person must be miserable inside to do something like that, and that we needed to pray that God would change him. I told the rest of my friends that we needed to pray, so they have been too. Maybe that’s one reason we weren’t acting hateful. It’s kind of hard to hate someone you’re praying for.”

  Mr. Creighton hung his head and moaned. “I don’t know what to say.” He lifted his head and stared at everyone. “Would you trust me to go to my car and come right back? I promise I won’t try to run.”

  Kate’s dad chuckled. “It wouldn’t matter if you did. It’s not like we don’t know where you live or work. But sure, go ahead.” He waved his hand in the direction of the car. “We’ll wait.”

  The man almost bolted from his chair and jogged toward the parking area. He returned in a minute or two, a sack clutched in his hands. He stood next to Kate’s mom, then slowly placed the sack in her lap. “I believe this is yours.” He continued to stand, as though too afraid of her reaction to sit again.

  She gazed at him, then smiled. “Thank you.”

  His eyes widened. “Aren’t you going to open it?”

  “I’m sure I know what it contains. But it might be nice for the kids to see that you’ve returned it.” She set the bag on the ground, then opened it.

  A soft gasp came from Kate as her mother withdrew the ornate box that had been in their family so many years. “But Mom, how about the money?”

  Mr. Creighton stood at attention. “I didn’t touch it. The box was locked. As I said earlier, I didn’t know it contained the money until I read the ar
ticle in the paper about the theft.” A red wave rose up his neck and into his cheeks. “I had no desire to break the lock on a treasure like this. And the money meant nothing to me. However, that’s when I realized what I’d done and how terribly selfish—and wrong—my actions had been. I’d destroyed the joy of children who hoped to attend camp, as well as hurt you children’s faith in others. I’m so sorry.”

  Kate looked at her parents. “What now?”

  Mr. Creighton raised a hand. “Please. There’s one other thing.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a wallet. He flipped it open, withdrew a check, and handed it to Kate’s dad. “I know this won’t make up for what I did, or change the fact that I’m a thief—and I don’t expect it to. But all the same, I’d like you to have this.”

  Kate’s father glanced down, then up at Mr. Creighton and frowned. “Why would you give me a check for a thousand dollars?”

  Mr. Creighton turned red again. “It’s not a bribe. You do what you think is right concerning the theft. That’s up to you. As far as the check, I was hoping you might use it with the rest of the money, to allow more children to attend camp. That’s all.”

  Kate’s dad gave a slow nod. “I see.” He looked at Kate’s mom. “Nan? Your thoughts?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “Mr. Creighton, do you and your daughter attend church anywhere?”

  He appeared taken aback. “Uh … no. We haven’t attended since my wife died seven years ago.” He dipped his head. “I guess I blamed God for her death … and I’ve been angry ever since.”

  Just like Melissa was when her dad left and things started falling apart, Kate thought. Before she met us and began to realize that God really does care. Kate sighed. And like I am sometimes when things don’t go the way I expect them to. Then I blame God or doubt Him.

  Kate’s mom tipped her head toward Mr. Creighton. “How would you and your daughter like to attend with us tomorrow, then come here for dinner afterward?”