Dark Days at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  She needed to know what was going on. And besides, she couldn’t avoid the man forever, especially if he was going to be hanging around the horse show world. Swallowing her pride, she rode Sunny over to the trailer and dismounted.

  “Okay. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I said what I said.” Bird ran up the stirrups, undid Sunny’s girth, and removed his saddle. Better to face things head on, she thought. She slipped off the bridle and snapped on a halter so Sunny could graze. “What’s happening?”

  Hannah and the man stood up. They glanced at each other, then back to Bird. Hannah spoke. “I’d like to make an introduction, if I may. Bird, meet Sergeant Frank Skelton of the RCMP. Sergeant, this is Alberta Simms.”

  Bird felt her face redden again. Frank Skelton. Fred Sweetree. Same initials. Different people.

  Frank and Bird shook hands. Bird said, “I’m pleased to meet you, Sergeant Skelton. I mean, officially.”

  Frank smiled. “I’m pleased to meet you, too. Officially.”

  Bird looked quizzically at Frank. “Why is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at a horse show? Are you doing the Musical Ride?”

  “I’m here on assignment,” said Frank. “We’ve been trying to get to the bottom of a string of, shall we say, ‘incidents.’ I’m here undercover.”

  “Incidents? What incidents?”

  “I can’t be more specific at the moment,” he said. He and Hannah shared a look.

  “And undercover?” Bird persisted. “Working as a groom?”

  “Yes.”

  “And, by coincidence, you know all about horses?”

  “That’s no coincidence. My competence with horses is exactly why I was chosen for this duty.”

  Bird considered this information. “If you’re undercover, why have you told us?”

  Frank Skelton smiled again. “Because I need help, and you could be a great asset. I’ve been watching you carefully. If you agree to help, I’ll fill you in.”

  Bird thought for a minute, then said, “I’d like to help.”

  “Thank you.”

  “But first, I need you to answer some questions for me.”

  “That’s only fair. Please understand that I might not be able to answer fully.”

  Bird got another folding chair from the tack room of the trailer, opened it, and sat down. Hannah and Frank sat as well. When they were all settled, Bird asked, “Why exactly are you here?”

  “I was chosen because I’m familiar with the area. I was here many years ago, when I was undercover on a different assignment.” Frank cast his eyes over toward Dexter’s stabling. “Look, I’m on a break, so I need to keep an eye over there. I don’t want them to see me talking to you.”

  “Go on,” prompted Bird. “There’s more to your story.”

  “There’s more to everybody’s story. What do you need to know?”

  “Maybe why you and Aunt Hannah were so uncomfortable when you met.”

  The sergeant sat back. “When I was here last, I met a lot of people. I wasn’t sure if Hannah was one of them. If she was, I might have had a different identity, which might have been awkward.”

  It sounded somewhat plausible to Bird. “And Aunt Hannah? Why were you uncomfortable?”

  “To be totally honest, at first glance Sergeant Skelton reminded me of your father. Until I remembered that it’d be impossible.”

  Bird took a quick breath. That made perfect sense, and she felt a whole lot better about her faux pas. She turned back to Frank. “What were you doing here, back then?”

  Frank shook his head. “Sorry, I can’t say.”

  “Okay. I have one more question. For now, at least,” said Bird. “You and I are both able to communicate … non-verbally … with people and animals. You are from a First Nation. So was my father. Is this a skill that all of us have?”

  Frank smiled from ear to ear. He had a very handsome face for someone his age, thought Bird, especially when he smiled like that. “No, Bird. Not all of us have that skill, no matter how romantic the idea. It’s quite special.”

  Bird said, “Why can you and I do it, then?”

  “I believe that all people have the ability, but few people allow it to blossom. Maybe the people who are the closest to nature are most likely to develop it. Plains Cree and Sioux in the West have nurtured their bonds with animals, horses in particular, but even among those people, this skill is quite rare. I consider myself extremely blessed.”

  “I do, too,” said Bird quietly. “Although I’ve often wondered why I can do it. It makes me feel very different from everybody else. But in a good way.”

  “Me, too,” Frank nodded. “And I don’t know if you know this, but in much of ancient First Nations mythology, people and animals spoke easily to each other all the time.”

  “No, I didn’t know that. I don’t know much about First Nations, and I want to know more.”

  “If you want to learn, you will. Just like you learned to speak to animals.”

  “So did you. That’s why I thought you were my father.” She looked directly at him. “Do you understand?”

  “I understand.” Frank Skelton rose from his chair. When he looked down at Bird, his eyes twinkled. “Now, I must get back to work. I’ll come to your farm tomorrow morning and explain what I need from you. I don’t have to be at Moreland’s until noon.”

  Hannah stood as well. “We’ll see you tomorrow. If we’re not at the house, we’ll be at the barn.”

  Frank waved farewell. “I look forward to working with you both.” He stopped, and turned to Bird. “Your special skills will come in very handy.”

  “I hope so,” said Bird.

  “Do you think you’ll enjoy undercover work?” asked Frank with a friendly smile.

  Bird smiled back. “Please understand that I might not be able to answer fully.”

  Hannah and Frank laughed. Bird laughed with them. If he wanted her to be a detective, a detective she would be.

  THE SHOW WAS OVER, and it was time to pack up the Saddle Creek rig and go home. Cliff, Julia, and Sally had already gone with Sabrina and Tall Sox. That left three horses and their riders, plus Hannah.

  “After you check the tack, fill the hay nets, Bird,” called Hannah as she grabbed the pitchfork. “Liz, make sure all the brushes, boots, soap, and everything else is put away.” She picked up manure from the trailer with the pitchfork and put it in the bin. “And Kimberly? Offer the horses a drink before you empty out the water buckets.”

  The girls continued with their chores, and were soon seated in the truck and set to go. The horses munched their hay, the trailer ramp was up, the drop windows were latched, and the air vents were wide open.

  Kimberly and Moonie had gotten a first place ribbon, and Liz and Pastor had placed fourth. Bird and Sunny had been eliminated, but they were all in good spirits.

  Hannah started up the engine. “It was a good day, kids. You all did us proud.”

  “Except for me,” said Bird. “But I know it wasn’t our fault.”

  “No kidding! I can’t believe somebody shot Sunny with a BB gun! Why didn’t you get another chance?” asked Kimberly.

  “You sh … should’ve,” agreed Liz.

  “I guess I could’ve lodged a complaint,” answered Bird, “but there were no marks and no way to prove anything. It looked like he just spooked and took off.”

  “He might have done that in the old days, but he hasn’t misbehaved in quite a while,” mused Hannah. “If it happens again, I’d guess that the judges would call an inquiry themselves.”

  “I should hope so!” exclaimed Kimberly. “I’m so mad that somebody got away with doing that!”

  Bird sat quietly. Dexter was not going to get away with this — not if she had anything to say about it. She thought about Frank Skelton, and wondered what she was going to be asked to do.

  IT WAS FOUR O’CLOCK when they drove up the lane to Saddle Creek Farm. Cliff came out of the barn to give them a hand unloading.

  “Hi, Cliff!” called Bird
. “Where’s Julia?”

  “Eva picked her up just a few minutes ago.”

  “And Sally?” asked Hannah.

  “Gone, too,” answered Cliff. “Her father picked her up an hour ago.”

  “Good.” Hannah got down from the driver’s seat. “Thanks for driving to the show today. Julia couldn’t have come, otherwise.”

  Cliff dropped the ramp. “I was happy to see what you folks get up to. And you should’ve heard Eva swearing until I said I’d take the pony for Julia!”

  Bird rolled her eyes. “Why do I feel like whatever Eva does is my fault?” She fetched three lead shanks, and each girl led her horse off the trailer.

  “Because it usually is,” grinned Cliff, punching her arm lightly. Bird pretended to fall over.

  The horses were soon tucked into their freshly bedded stalls. They would eat their dinner of oats and sweet feed, rest for a few hours, and then be put out in their fields for the night.

  Just as the saddles and bridles had been cleaned and put away, Liz’s mother, Patty, pulled up in her car.

  “Mom!” called Liz. “W … we got fourth!”

  “Congratulations, sweetie!” she answered. “Kimberly? Can I give you a ride? Your mother asked me to get you. She’s got a date tonight.”

  Kimberly winked at Bird. “So she’s busy trying to work a miracle?”

  Bird and Liz laughed. Hannah interrupted. “Careful, girls. You’ll be our age some day, too!”

  “I hope not,” said Kimberly. She struck a pose with one hand on her chest, her head thrown back, and her other hand flung across her forehead. “I want to die young, very tragically. Men will come from miles away to cry over my beautiful body and wasted future.”

  “M … me, too!” cried Liz, slapping both hands to her throat.

  “Get in, my tragic beauties.” Hannah laughed as she opened the back door of Patty’s car.

  Liz and Kimberly jumped in and waved as they drove down the lane to the road. Bird and Hannah walked to the house.

  “It’s fun, isn’t it?” said Bird. “To do what we do? Have a barn full of good horses, and go to shows with nice people.”

  Hannah nodded. “I wouldn’t want any other job.” She put her hand on Bird’s shoulder as they walked.

  “I’ve been thinking about Tanbark,” said Bird. Tanbark Wedger was Hannah’s half-brother. “When can we visit him again?”

  “Funny you should mention him. Alison Wedger called just this morning.”

  Bird was all ears. “How’s he doing?” Tan had been troubled and homeless for years, but since late June, he’d been getting treatment for bipolar disorder at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, or CAMH, in Toronto.

  “Much, much better,” smiled Hannah. “They’ve got his medication right. Alison said he’s got his sense of humour back, and he’s reading again.”

  “When’ll he be able to get out of CAMH?” asked Bird.

  “She doesn’t know.” Hannah smiled a little sadly. “I’m glad she called. She especially wanted to thank you, again, for all your help.”

  Two months ago, Tan had showed up in Caledon at the same time as a woman was brutally murdered. Because Tan was new, homeless, and considered strange, people in the community suspected that he had done it. Bird had helped prove his innocence.

  “Can we going to visit him tonight?” Bird wanted to know. It meant a lot to Tan to have visitors.

  Hannah looked at her watch. “It’s already close to five. Visiting hours will be over soon.”

  “If we call now, can we see if they’ll make an exception?”

  “Aren’t you tired? And hungry?”

  “Yes, but every day gets so crowded up that we never get to see him. I know how much it means to him.”

  “I’ll talk to Paul first, and see if he has plans, then I’ll call. If we can’t drive down tonight, we’ll go tomorrow.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  When they got to the farmhouse, the message light was blinking. There were four messages. Hannah pressed PLAY and they listened.

  The first one was from Laura Pierson. “Hello, Hannah dear. Pete is home now, and he’s feeling much better. He had a piece of your delicious pie and told me to call. He said he wasn’t sure, but he thinks he’s gone to heaven!”

  Hannah and Bird were warmed by Laura’s cheerful voice. Bird said, “We should go visit them, too.” Hannah nodded.

  The second message began. Julia’s voice spoke in a whisper. “Hey, Bird. Hi, Aunt Hannah. Mom doesn’t know I’m calling. I’m sorry we had to go early. Mom’s all upset. Can I come to Saddle Creek tomorrow? Please? Mom says I can’t.”

  “Oh my goodness,” said Hannah. Bird wondered if her little sister should come over that night — Julia sounded worried and lonely.

  The third message was from Paul. “Hi, beautiful. I’m in surgery and can’t get away. It’s a tough one. Have dinner without me. Don’t wait up. Love you.”

  Hannah’s face registered disappointment.

  “Look on the bright side,” said Bird. “We can visit Tan.”

  The fourth message blared in their ears. “Pick up! If you’re there, pick up! Julia’s upstairs. She’s crying and driving me nuts! She’s so difficult! What have you been filling her head with? She refuses to talk! Call me!”

  Bird and Hannah slumped into chairs at the same time. Eva had that effect.

  “When Mom met Stuart, she seemed so … changed,” said Bird. “Has something happened?”

  Hannah shook her head. “I have no idea.”

  “Should you call her?” Bird asked. “Before she calls again? Maybe we should go get Julia. She’d be so much happier here.”

  “It’s very tricky when Eva’s in this mood,” answered Hannah. “I’ll suggest that Julia come for the night, to give your mom a break. She did say Julia was driving her nuts.”

  Bird nodded. “That might work.”

  “Go have a shower while I return these calls, and I’ll scramble some eggs for us.”

  “And call about visiting Tan?”

  “Let’s see about Julia first.”

  “She can come with us.”

  Hannah smiled and rubbed Bird’s cropped head. “You are persistent. I’ll give you that.”

  “A good quality for an undercover agent, don’t you think?”

  BY THE TIME BIRD had cleaned up and changed, Hannah had not only done the same but had also produced a large bag of packed dinner, and was writing a note. “Grab a jacket, Bird. It might be cool by the time we come home.”

  “Are we visiting Tanbark?”

  “First, we’re picking up Julia.”

  “Hooray!”

  “And we’ll eat as we drive to CAMH. Tomorrow, we’ll go visit Pete and Laura.”

  “Wow! You’re a great organizer.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Don’t forget, Frank Skelton is coming over tomorrow morning, too.”

  “I know.” Hannah nodded as she read over her note. “I don’t want Paul to worry if he gets home before us.” She glared at Bird, half seriously. “Something you should consider every once in a while!”

  “Point taken,” Bird said. “Do we have anything for Tan?”

  “You bet. There’s a separate bag inside filled with everything he loves to eat.”

  Can I come? Can I come?

  Bird looked under the table. There lay Lucky, looking up at her with pleading brown eyes and thumping tail. She reached down and patted his silky brown fur. We need you to guard the farm. We’ll be gone a long time.

  Then you’d better let me out.

  Good dog. Bird opened the screened door for Lucky, and watched as he trotted out and sniffed the air. “Oh, I have a letter to mail. Can we stop at a mailbox?”

  “You wrote a letter? To Alec, by any chance?” Hannah teased.

  Bird rolled her eyes and tried to look cool. “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

  “Okay, sweetie. Now, let’s go. Julia’s waiting and time’s a-w
asting!”

  10

  TWO WOLVES

  Everything on the earth has a purpose,

  every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission.

  This is the Indian theory of existence.

  — Mourning Dove, Salish, 1888–1936

  The next morning, Bird and Julia were down in the kitchen early. They’d got home from CAMH around 9:30 the night before, and had both slept well. Now they cheerfully ate cereal and toast at the table. Hannah and Paul weren’t up yet.

  “What’s up with Mom?” asked Bird. “Why’s she being so weird again?”

  “Good question. I sure don’t know.” Julia chewed her toast thoughtfully. “She’s worse when you’re around. That’s for sure.”

  “I know. I really get her mad. But she’s so touchy! She explodes about nothing. Just like before she met Stuart.” Bird spread more peanut butter on her toast. “Are they okay? You know, their marriage?”

  “Stuart’s crazy about her, but I think he’s just as confused as we are. He used to be able to cheer her up with a hug and a joke. Not anymore. Even when he brings home presents.”

  “Does it make him sad? Or upset?” Bird asked.

  Julia shrugged. “I don’t know. He keeps trying.”

  “All I know is that it’s going to be no fun living with her if she stays like this.”

  Julia nodded. “Maybe she’s crazy, too. Like our grandfather and Tanbark.”

  Bird stared at her little sister. Maybe she was on to something. Mood swings, depression, lack of control. “Hannah says it’s all on a spectrum.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Like a colour wheel. Shades of intensity. Some people are more affected, others are less.”

  “So if Tanbark is bright red, Mom might be pink?”

  “Yeah,” said Bird. “Like that. They are half-siblings.”

  “Both children of Grampa, and he’s cuckoo.” Julia made a twirling sign around her right ear.

  “Totally,” said Bird thoughtfully. “But I thought Tanbark seemed a whole lot better. Way less jumpy and weird. I’m glad we visited him.”

  “Me, too. He was glad to see us.” Julia took another spoonful of cereal and spoke with her mouth full. “He loved the food we brought.”