Dark Days at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  Right you are. I won’t move. This grass is delicious.

  Bird took the pie and walked up to the kitchen door. She peered through the glass. There was no cheerful fire burning in the hearth, no fresh flowers, and no home cooking. The house seemed empty and forlorn.

  She knocked on the door. Nobody came.

  She glanced at Hannah’s pie. Leaving it outside wasn’t an option. The ants, raccoons, and squirrels would get at it within minutes.

  She tried the door. To her surprise, it opened. Bird called out, “Hello? Mrs. Pierson? Mr. Pierson? Is anybody home?”

  There was no answer, so Bird put the pie in the refrigerator and found some paper and a pencil to write a note. They’d find the pie when they returned.

  A wheezy, whining noise coming from the hall stopped her in her tracks. She put down the pencil and strained to listen. The noise came again. It was faint, but something or someone was definitely in the hall.

  Bird gathered her courage and crept to the hall door. She put her ear to the space between the door and the frame. She heard it again, this time more clearly. It was a rasping sound, like tortured breathing. Fear gripped her. Should she run? No. She had to know what was going on.

  Hands shaking, Bird opened the door a crack to take a look, having no idea what she might see.

  Pete! Bird gasped involuntarily. Lying on the floor! He was hunched over in an awkward position with his head jammed against the wall.

  Bird rushed to him. “Mr. Pierson! Are you all right?”

  Pete opened an eye, and then closed it.

  Bird pulled his legs with all her strength to straighten his body, and carefully moved his head to relieve the stress on his neck.

  “What happened?” Bird whispered. Pete didn’t react. “Where’s Mrs. Pierson?” His skin was yellowish grey and his mouth hung open. Bird felt panic rise in her chest. This was all wrong.

  Suddenly, Pete’s breath rushed noisily from his open mouth. Bird jerked back in fright. He coughed hoarsely. He opened one eye again, then shut it, as he had done before. There was no sign that he had seen her at all.

  Bird shot to her feet. Mr. Pierson needed help. She’d call 9-1-1, then Hannah. She ran to the kitchen and picked up the phone. There was no dial tone. She replaced the receiver and wondered what to do.

  Lucky began to bark wildly. Bird looked outside as the Piersons’ truck stopped with a screech of the brakes beside the house. Bird ran outside.

  “Mrs. Pierson! Mr. Pierson needs a doctor!”

  Laura got out of the passenger side, and Dr. Collins stepped quickly down from the behind the wheel. He grabbed his bag and ran past Bird into the house.

  “Bird, dear!” said Laura. “Pete had a spell. The storm knocked out the phone and I had to drive over to get the doctor. I hope you didn’t worry.”

  Not worry? Bird’s eyes grew round. She’d just seen a very old man gasping for air on the ground! “I brought over a pie from Aunt Hannah,” was all she could think to say. “I put it in the fridge.”

  “Thank you, dear. How very thoughtful.” Her eyes glanced to the house and back to Bird. “Can you visit another day? I must join the doctor now, and help my darling Pete.”

  “Yes! Of course!” Bird backed away from the house. “Call if there’s anything that we can do.” Then she remembered. “Is somebody coming to fix your phone?”

  “They’re on their way. Don’t you worry.”

  “Aunt Hannah and Paul will help. Just call. Me, too!”

  “I will, dear, I will. Thank your aunt for the pie.” With that, Laura rushed into the house and closed the door.

  Bird stood on the walk and gathered her thoughts. She hated to leave Pete in the condition he was in. And to leave Laura to handle it alone. But Dr. Collins was there, Bird reasoned, and he would call an ambulance on his cell if needed. There was nothing she could do. It was so upsetting!

  Sunny, come. We have to go.

  So soon?

  Yes. Bird took the bridle from the branch where she’d hung it and slipped it over the horse’s nose. Mr. Pierson is sick. Really sick. We have to go home.

  I like him, Sunny messaged. He’s a good man.

  That’s what Cody calls him. The Good Man.

  Bird silently rode Sunny home. Lucky followed along, but it was a very different ride from the one to the Piersons’ farm. All the joy had left Bird’s heart. For the second time in one day, she felt that the wind had been knocked out of her.

  When they got back to Saddle Creek, Bird let Sunny out in his field, and she and Lucky entered the kitchen. No one was there.

  “Hi, Bird,” called Hannah, from the next room. “Did they like the pie?”

  “Mrs. Pierson said thank you,” answered Bird hollowly.

  Hannah’s head appeared in the doorway. “What’s wrong? How’s Pete?”

  “Oh, Aunt Hannah,” said Bird. The words came pouring out. “He’s awful! Nobody was there so I put the pie in the fridge. Mr. Pierson was on the floor and he could hardly breathe and it was horrible. Mrs. Pierson came with the doctor and then we left.” Bird flopped into a chair with glazed eyes.

  “I’m sorry you had to see that,” said Hannah as she brushed the hair from her niece’s face. “It must have been upsetting.”

  “Yes, but more upsetting for Mr. Pierson! He was all scrunched up and he couldn’t see or hear me.”

  Hannah looked at the phone. “I wonder if I should give them a call. See if there’s anything we can do.”

  “Their phone is out. It’ll be fixed soon. I told Mrs. Pierson to call us if she wants us.”

  Hannah pursed her lips. “I hope she will.”

  Paul joined them, and Hannah filled him in. Paul shook his head. “He’s a wonderful man. I hope they can fix him up as good as new.”

  Bird hoped so, too, but the memory of his unhealthy colour and unresponsive behaviour gave her doubt.

  IT TOOK BIRD A long time to get to sleep that night. She couldn’t get comfortable. She tossed and turned and flipped and flopped, unable to get the sight of Pete out of her mind. When she wasn’t worrying about him, she was thinking about her father — what Hannah had told her, and how he’d died before they could meet. Finally though, when she slept, she slept deeply.

  When the morning sun came through her window, Bird sat up in bed and stretched. It was Monday. She would help Cliff with the chores, and maybe Sally would come over to see Tall Sox. There was another show on Friday, and again on Saturday. Maybe they could bring Sox over to see what a horse show looked like. It would get him used to the activity and confusion of the show grounds without the stress of competing in the ring. She’d talk to Hannah about that.

  Bird made a wish for Pete, and then jumped out of bed.

  When she entered the kitchen, Hannah and Paul were sitting together having coffee.

  “Good morning, folks,” Bird said as she got a cereal bowl from the cupboard. “Another day in paradise.”

  “Morning, Bird,” said Paul. “Mrs. Pierson called.”

  Bird spun to face them. “And?”

  “Mr. Pierson was taken to Headwaters Hospital last night. He’s feeling better, but not great. He doesn’t want to be there, that’s for sure.”

  “I don’t blame him,” said Bird with feeling. “I hate hospitals.” Hannah spoke up. “Apparently, they got the dosage wrong on his new medication, and he had a nasty reaction.”

  “Not good,” said Bird. “Are we going to visit him?”

  “Soon,” answered Hannah. “He’s not ready for visitors yet. Mrs. Pierson said she’d let us know.”

  Bird got the milk from the fridge and cereal from the shelf. “I’m glad he’s at the hospital, even though he hates it.” She sliced bananas on top and sat down with a spoon. “He sure looked bad yesterday. In fact, I thought he was going to die right there on the floor.” She shuddered at the thought.

  Paul looked thoughtful for a moment. “Death is normal, Bird. All living things must die. It’s the way it is.”


  “Death is the price we pay for living,” Hannah added. “We make that deal the minute we’re born.”

  “Yeah,” said Bird. “I know, but I can’t really believe it. I mean really believe it.”

  Paul chuckled softly. “Like everybody else in the world. It’s different when it’s somebody we love, or yourself that’s dying.”

  “We don’t need to worry about Pete dying just yet. More coffee, Paul?” offered Hannah.

  “Just half, thanks.” Paul was not ready to drop the subject. “I deal with life and death daily, Bird. Being a vet puts you in touch with it in a very tangible way. Helping my clients through is a big part of my job.”

  “That can’t be the nicest part,” said Bird.

  “No, but it’s a reality. If I didn’t accept it, I couldn’t do my job.” Paul sipped his coffee.

  “Sorry, folks, but I’ve got to get out to the barn,” interrupted Hannah. “Lessons await.”

  Paul glanced at the kitchen clock. “I’ve got to get going, too.”

  “Is Sally coming today?” Bird asked Hannah.

  “I think so. And her father wants us to take on Peasblossom. That’ll be a problem for Dexter.”

  “I don’t care,” Bird sputtered through a mouthful of granola. “That’s his problem. Nobody would leave him if he treated his horses better!”

  “And was more fair to his clients.” Hannah gave Bird a napkin to wipe the milk from her chin as she hurried out the door to begin her day.

  “That’s part of life, too,” Paul told Bird. He rose and pushed back his chair. “Helping people out when things go wrong. And trying to fix things when we can, like helping Sally.” He rubbed the top of her head with affection.

  Bird was pleased with his approval. She knew Paul was right. And there were always so many things that seemed to be going wrong.

  “Oh, Bird?” Paul turned to her as he opened the kitchen door. “Go easy on your aunt. Her father is going in front of a judge today.”

  Great. On top of everything else — Mr. Pierson’s health, Eva’s strangeness, sorting out Sox and Dexter — there was the ongoing saga of Kenneth Bradley, her grandfather. Another thing that needed fixing. He’d been arrested and charged with a number of things, including insurance fraud, obstruction of justice, and a pile of others that Bird didn’t want to think about. She zipped up her chaps and squared her shoulders. No sense dwelling on it. There were horses to ride and chores to do.

  On her way up to the barn, she climbed Sunny’s fence and gave him a carrot.

  Are we riding today? he asked.

  Only if you want to. You deserve a day off to relax.

  I’ll take it.

  Bird rubbed his forehead and kissed his nose. You’re awesome.

  You’re not so bad yourself.

  Is it okay if Tall Sox lives with you and Charlie?

  Yup.

  As Bird walked through the field, she gave Charlie a carrot, too. Thank you, Bird! He munched it happily and continued to graze. When she got to the other side, she climbed into the small paddock with Tall Sox.

  Hi there, Sox! she messaged.

  Bird! He trotted up and took the carrot she had in her open hand.

  Have you decided who you want to go outside with?

  Charlie and Sunny have a very big field with lots of grass.

  You know that Sunny sometimes kicks.

  He told me. I’ll be careful.

  Okay, then.

  While they were discussing the field arrangements, Bird took a good look at the gelding’s back. It was healing. Already the inflammation was reduced, and he didn’t wince when Bird pushed on it.

  What if I pop on your back without a saddle, Sox? The sore was located behind where she would sit bareback.

  It’s worth a try, so long as it doesn’t hurt.

  If it hurts, I’ll get off.

  Bird ran up to the barn and returned with a bridle. After making a few adjustments for size, she slipped the snaffle bit into his mouth and the headpiece over his ears. She used the fence as a mounting block and got on.

  Okay so far? she asked.

  Okay.

  Tall Sox and Bird walked around the paddock, then picked up a trot. Bird was pleasantly surprised. The horse had very smooth and powerful action. After a few laps, Bird asked for a canter. Tall Sox easily moved into an athletic lope, covering ground without effort.

  Very nice, Sox!

  Thanks, Bird.

  Sally Johns and her father, Harold, drove up the lane and stopped at the paddock. Sally jumped out and ran to the fence.

  “Hi, Bird! He looks so, so good!”

  Harold joined her. “Wonder of wonders. He’s not bucking.”

  Bird slowed Tall Sox and met them at the gate. “That was all about the sore on his back. He’s a really good horse. You did great buying him. He’ll have a spectacular jump — he uses his body well.”

  Harold smiled broadly. “So he’s not useless after all?”

  “Not at all.” Bird slid to the ground. “Sally, do you want to get up? You won’t irritate his sore. It’s further back.”

  Sally looked at her father, who nodded approval, then ran to the car to get her helmet.

  “Turns out that Tall Sox was going to a man in Montreal.”

  “Really? What did Dexter tell you?”

  Harold laughed. “Not a thing. We heard through the groom network at Moreland’s.”

  “But you didn’t know about it?” asked Bird.

  “Not a thing. I thought he was going to a sales barn. I was to pay board and training fees until he was sold.”

  “Did the man come to ride him?” Bird asked.

  “Apparently.”

  Holy, Bird thought. Dexter was pulling a real fast one. “So let me get this straight. Dexter was going to bill you to transport and stable Tall Sox at a fictional barn until he was ‘sold,’ which might have taken many months, and all along he already had him sold for real?”

  “I don’t know.” Harold shrugged. “Maybe he was planning on telling me.”

  Sally had returned wearing her helmet and chaps. “Dexter wants us to buy the other gelding he has for sale, but I love Tall Sox now!”

  Bird was curious. “Who owns the other horse?”

  “Kelsey Woodall,” answered Sally. “She bought him from Dexter for Candace.”

  “He’s too much horse for Candace,” stated Harold proudly. “Dexter thinks he’ll be just the right amount of challenge for Sally.”

  Bird listened with skepticism. If Candace Woodall was having trouble with the horse, Sally would too. But what did Dexter care? He would still get a commission for selling them a new horse.

  Sally puffed with pride. “Even Wanda says so. And Ed Cage, too. I think she’s got a thing for him.” Sally giggled.

  Bird rolled her eyes. Ed was totally a flirt. She gave Sally a leg up. “Grab his mane.”

  Harold watched his daughter and her horse. “Sally and Tall Sox look good together. He’s a good-looking animal,” he said.

  Sally sat up proudly. They began to walk in a large circle around the paddock. “He feels so-o comfortable!” she called. “Dex never let me ride him, not even once!”

  “Have fun, sweetheart! Gotta run.” Harold left for work, promising to pick Sally up later that afternoon.

  When Hannah saw Sally riding Tall Sox, she came down from the barn. “Let’s get your lessons started!” she said. Soon, Sally and her horse were having fun trotting through poles.

  Bird watched Hannah teach Sally in the paddock, feeling quite happy about how horse and rider were getting along. Sally giggled and shrieked as she slipped and slid without a saddle, but Tall Sox kept shifting his weight to help her stay on. It was a very good match, Bird thought with satisfaction. This was one time that getting involved had worked out well.

  When the lesson was over, Hannah joined Bird and leaned against the fence. Bird told Hannah what Harold had said about Dexter’s plan, as Sally stretched her aching legs and cooled out he
r horse by leading him around.

  “You’re kidding!” exclaimed Hannah. “That must be why Kelsey urged Sally to put Tall Sox down! She wants the Johnses to buy her horse.”

  Bird wasn’t so sure. “It was Sally who talked about Sox being put down. Kelsey just went along with it.”

  “Well, it sure got you on board.”

  “True. But Kelsey probably only believed what Dexter told her — you know, that Sox bucked and was mean and everything. Would she have known about the deal to sell him?”

  “Maybe not. But she’d be happy to unload a problem horse that she bought for a lot of money.” Hannah shook her head. “Shoot me if I ever get like that!”

  “You mean a horse trader like Dexter Pill? Fat chance!”

  They were interrupted by a horse van turning in the driveway.

  “Must be Peasblossom,” said Hannah. She walked through the gate and waved to the van driver. “Come on up!” she called.

  The driver saw her and continued to the barn. Bird watched the brown, black, and white paint pony unload. He sniffed the air with his perky nose.

  “Peasblossom!” yelled Sally. “I’m so glad he’s here!”

  Bird took Sox’s reins so Sally could run up to the barn to join her pony. Bird led him out of the small paddock and opened the gate to Sunny and Charlie’s big front field.

  Thanks for your good work, Bird messaged as she took off the bridle.

  Thanks for helping.

  Bird looked over at Sunny and Charlie as they grazed across the field. Don’t crowd them, okay, Sox? Remember, this is their field. Be humble at first. A guest. Just until they get used to you, and then they’ll forget you were ever the new guy.

  Good advice. They’re going to be my best friends!

  The other horses looked up as Sox walked into the field. Together they trotted toward him with flattened ears and threatening postures.

  Bird knew it was a game of “who’s the boss,” and horses are big and strong and can really hurt each other. They’d been beside each other overnight, and had gotten used to each other over the fence. Now they needed to accept the new fact of shared grazing territory.

  Sox stopped and put his head down. He avoided direct eye contact and let the others approach. Sunny sniffed him and pushed him hard with his nose. Sox didn’t rise to the challenge.