Dark Days at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  “You’re absolutely right,” Laura said.

  “Some of the best animal trainers I’ve known are Metis or full-blood.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Bird asked. Her head was swimming. She needed fresh air. Then she remembered. Bird looked at Laura. “My father was killed in a crash. How could he be a father to me when he was dead?”

  “He couldn’t, of course, dear,” said Laura hastily.

  Pete tried to stand up, but he was too weak and sank back in his chair.

  Bird couldn’t stop. “If he was alive, he would’ve found me and been a real father to me. He and I would’ve ridden together, trained horses together. We would’ve understood each other! I wouldn’t have felt like such an outcast my whole life!”

  Bird felt the tears running down her face. She looked at the Piersons and realized that her outburst had upset them both.

  “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I’m sorry!” Bird ran for the door and darted out. She needed to be alone.

  Once outside, she fled. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she had difficulty breathing. She stumbled along for a few minutes before she began to calm down. Finally, she stopped walking. She bent over, head down and hands on her knees.

  There was rustling beside her in the bushes. She listened.

  Bird girl. Fear not.

  Cody! Where did you come from?

  I sensed your unhappiness.

  Thank you, Cody. There’s nothing you can do.

  May I accompany you home?

  Bird saw his head appear through the leaves, then his whole body. She felt a great weight lift from her shoulders. Yes, Cody. I would like that very much.

  The small coyote and Bird walked together through the trails, taking a shortcut home. With each step, Bird felt better. Gossip never hurt you unless you let it, she reasoned. She should know that by now! She was proud of her father, and proud of herself. If Eva had a problem, it was Eva’s problem, not hers. Unless Bird let it be.

  She’d call the Piersons when she got home so they wouldn’t worry. They hadn’t meant to upset her. They had treated her like an adult, given her a history lesson, and told her things that were difficult to hear. She’d learned something about her father, and the conversation had also helped her understand her mother. Now she could begin to sort it out.

  She’d been so deep in thought that she was surprised to see Saddle Creek Farm appear in front of her.

  I go now.

  Goodbye, my coyote friend.

  Cody disappeared. Shoulders back and head held high, Bird marched into the farmhouse.

  Nobody was there. Not even Lucky. She looked at the clock. Aunt Hannah had said she’d pick her up at the Piersons’, so they must all have gone. The Piersons would tell them she’d walked home, but Bird wrote a note just in case, then ran upstairs to change into her riding clothes. Hannah would be pleased about the note, Bird thought with a smile.

  The first thing she wanted to do was to check on Tall Sox. After what Frank had told her, she was worried about their newest boarder.

  Bird pulled on her boots at the kitchen door and grabbed her hat from the peg. She headed outside.

  Three horses grazed side by side in the front pasture. Charlie, Sunny, and Sox. Bird relaxed.

  The handsome chestnut gelding lifted his head from the lush grass. Hello, stranger.

  Hey, Sunny.

  Are we riding today?

  For sure.

  Good. I’m a bit bored here.

  Bird watched the other horses grazing together a short distance away. Things seemed calm and normal. How are you getting along with Sox?

  He’s okay.

  Any problems?

  None. Charlie and I like him.

  Let me know if you see any strange people around.

  Problems?

  Maybe. I hope not.

  Whatever.

  I’ll get your saddle and bridle and be back in a minute.

  I’m not going anywhere.

  Bird grinned as she ran up to the barn. She loved her horse and his dry sense of humour.

  Cliff appeared at the barn door. “I thought everybody was gone. The car left a few minutes ago. In a hurry.”

  Bird opened her mouth to explain. Nothing came out. Not a sound.

  Cliff took in what had happened. “Just relax. Take your time and try again.”

  She took a deep breath, tried to relax, and made an effort to speak again. Not a peep. This was terrible! Bird covered her face with her hands.

  “Never mind, Bird,” said Cliff kindly. “You know how it is. You can talk and then you can’t. Don’t sweat it.” He patted her shoulder. “Your voice will come back again. It always does.”

  Bird appreciated his thoughtfulness, but really! Of course she’d sweat it! What was wrong with her? Why did this always happen to her? Was she crazy? Why did her vocal chords decide things without her?

  She took her saddle off the rack, chose a saddle pad and girth, and pulled down Sunny’s bridle from the hook where it hung. Trying to concentrate on anything but her speech, Bird raced down to the paddock where Sunny stood waiting.

  I can’t talk. Again! she messaged.

  So what? You can still talk to me.

  I can’t believe it!

  Sundancer bent his neck and nuzzled her. Let’s go for a ride down the Escarpment. It always makes you happy. Me, too.

  Within minutes, Sunny and Bird were trotting past the barn and down the trails leading to the back of the farm. Sunny was right, Bird thought. She always felt happy riding back there.

  Big solid rocks rose out of the ground randomly, and wildflowers sprang up in clumps of colour along the path. The air was filled with bird song, reminding Bird of the joyfulness of life. There was so much to be happy about.

  Tell me I’m right.

  You’re right, Sunny. I feel much better.

  They slowed when they approached the lip of the Escarpment, where the path sharply descended. Small stones tumbled, rocketing to the bottom, as Sunny’s hooves upended them. He became more careful of where he put each hoof, and kept them both safe as they made their way down into the cool, dark woods below.

  Bird remembered meeting Tanbark for the first time last June. They’d been in this same spot. He’d come out of the bushes waving his arms, and Sunny had been so frightened that he’d spun and run right up the cliff again.

  No Tanbark today, but Bird would never forget.

  The wild man came out of the woods right here, Sunny messaged.

  Bird patted his neck. I was thinking the same thing.

  We think alike.

  Bird smiled. They certainly did.

  Cody appeared beside them.

  Hey, Cody!

  A man is at your den. I know not who.

  Bird snapped out of her pleasant mood. Where is he?

  In the field where Sunny lives.

  Thanks. Sunny, we have to go back!

  We just got here! We’re having a nice ride!

  Go now! Bird urged the horse to turn and run back up the Escarpment. Sunny balked. The man might try to harm Sox.

  Is this what you meant by problems?

  Yes!

  Sunny turned on his hocks and spun. He gathered speed and galloped up the steep incline. Once they were on firm land at the top, he retraced his steps to the barn in record time.

  Bird could see a figure in the front field. A lone man. He was too far away to identify, but Bird suspected the worst. Charlie and Sox were running in anxious circles, heads and tails up.

  Sunny ran past the barn, down the lane, and jumped the rail fence into the field. Charlie and Sox halted, tails high in the air, and snorted. The man stood still in shock.

  Sunny skidded to a halt at the man’s feet.

  Bird stared right into the face of Dexter Pill.

  “Be careful there!” he shouted angrily.

  Bird tried to answer, but her voice refused to obey.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

>   Bird ignored the comment. She didn’t need her voice to deal with this. She urged Sunny on toward Sox and Charlie, who were calming down now that Bird was there.

  How long has that man been here? Bird asked Sox.

  Not long. We keep moving and he keeps coming. He’s trying to catch me.

  I move between him and Sox. Charlie added, He makes us nervous.

  Bird stroked their necks. Don’t worry, boys. He’ll go now.

  Charlie nickered. Good. He left something at the fence.

  Where?

  Sox looked over toward the barn. There. On the ground.

  Bird couldn’t see anything. She and Sunny trotted over to the spot that Sox indicated. Sure enough, there was a dark blue object in the weeds, barely visible. Bird slid down to the ground to take a look. It was a small, zippered cloth bag with a strap.

  “Hey! That’s mine!” Dexter ran toward them. “Get away from that!”

  Bird had no idea what was in the bag, but judging from Dexter’s urgency, she definitely needed to find out. She picked it up and crossed the strap over her shoulder, then used the fence to help her climb quickly up on Sunny. Together they galloped across the field, past the waving Dexter, and jumped out over the fence.

  Bird glanced at the house. Nobody was home yet. Bag thumping on her back, she raced up to the barn, hoping Cliff was still there.

  He was. “Bird! What the heck are you doing?” he called.

  Bird pointed down the driveway to the front field, where Dexter was scaling the fence at the road.

  “Who’s that?” he asked, before he remembered that Bird couldn’t speak. “I’d better go find out.” Cliff jumped into the Rhino, a little four-wheel-drive farm vehicle. His Jack Russell terrier, Boss, leapt in beside him. Off they went, sending clouds of dust into the air.

  Bird and Sunny ran along beside him, and got to the road just as Dexter sped away in his truck and trailer.

  “What was that all about?” Cliff asked.

  Bird shook her head.

  “I’ll tell Hannah when she gets home. Dexter has no reason to come over here like that.”

  Bird agreed by nodding her head vigorously.

  “Crazy man!” Cliff exclaimed. “What the heck was he doing in that field without telling us? He has a lot of explaining to do.” Cliff drove away with a brief wave to Bird as he sped past.

  Normally, Bird would have examined the blue bag with Cliff, but now that she was a secret agent, she wondered if she should give it to Frank. She was very curious, so maybe she would take a look herself, and then contact him. She walked Sunny over to the fence, removed his tack, and put him back out in his field.

  Is this another mystery, Bird?

  Might be.

  Are you going to get all distracted and stressed like last time?

  I hope not.

  Will you be able to ride me in shows and concentrate?

  I hope so.

  You’re distracted now, Bird!

  Look, Sunny. This is important. Horses’ lives are at risk.

  In that case, go for it.

  Bird patted Sunny’s neck and thought again how lucky she was to have a friend like him.

  Now, what was in the bag?

  12

  CLUES

  Tell me and I will listen. Show me and I will understand.

  Involve me and I will learn.

  — Chief Sitting Bull, Lakota

  Just as Bird was opening Dexter’s blue bag to take a peek inside, Sally and her father drove up the lane. She quickly hid it behind her back, and waved hello. The car slowed.

  “Bird!” called Sally. “I came to ride Tall Sox. Can you help me?”

  Bird nodded and smiled.

  Sally opened the car door. “Thanks, Dad.” She jumped out, smiling and eager.

  Harold Johns turned his car around, and waved as he went past. “Hi, Bird! Bye, Sally! Call me when you’re ready!”

  Bird needed to see what was in the bag. She motioned for Sally to go to the barn, and mimed leading a horse so Sally would understand to get Sox’s halter and lead shank.

  Sally asked, “Why can’t you talk?”

  Bird knew it would have been useless to try to explain, even if she’d been able to try. Luckily, Sally kept talking.

  “Wanda said sometimes you can’t talk. I didn’t think it was true. But it is, isn’t it?”

  Bird nodded unhappily.

  “Why can’t you come to the barn with me?”

  Bird pointed to the house.

  “Oh. Oh, okay.” Sally looked at Bird oddly, but started walking up the driveway. She turned around. “What’s behind your back?”

  Bird brought the bag around to show her. “Why were you hiding it?”

  Bird shrugged, trying to appear like it was no big deal.

  “So, why do you have to go to the house?”

  Bird crossed her legs and hopped.

  “Oh! Why didn’t you say so!” Sally turned and ran up to the barn.

  Bird sighed. She was new at this game. Obviously, she’d need to appear less secretive in the future, to avoid suspicion. Being a spy wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

  Bird unzipped the blue bag and looked inside. It was only a packed lunch! A bruised apple, a small carton of chocolate milk, a straw, some sugar cubes, and a squished chicken salad sandwich wrapped in cellophane. Dexter’s lunch. Great private detective she was turning out to be!

  Bird took the apple and sugar cubes out to give Sunny, and tossed the bag in the garbage. She started to leave, but had gone no more than a couple of steps when she stopped. Just a minute, she thought. Real detectives examine the evidence, no matter how trivial and commonplace it appears. She reached back into the garbage and plucked out the bag, replaced the cubes and apple, then searched around for someplace to store it. In the mudroom she found a white Styrofoam cooler. She got ice from the freezer and put the blue bag and the ice in the cooler. If Frank Skelton wanted to look at Dexter’s lunch, at least she’d be able to show him.

  Now she had to deal with Sally, who was happily striding down the lane with a halter and a lead shank.

  Bird joined her at the gate.

  “Tall Sox!” called Sally. “Tall Sox!”

  The bay gelding with the four tall white socks lifted his head. He looked over at the girls, and resumed his grazing.

  “Tall Sox!” Sally’s voice hardened. “Come here right now!”

  Bird motioned for Sally to walk out and get him.

  “Dexter always told us not to. He said the horses would trample us.”

  Bird looked at her quizzically.

  “I even saw it happen!”

  Bird believed it. There were probably a lot of horses who wanted to trample Dexter Pill.

  Bird opened the gate and walked into the field.

  “Don’t, Bird!”

  Bird looked at Sally and shook her head. She continued out into the field. Sox? Sally wants to ride you.

  I guessed as much.

  Can you walk over to us? Slowly?

  Can I finish this one little spot of grass?

  Sure.

  By the time the girls were halfway across the field, Tall Sox had stretched and was casually strolling over to them.

  “You see? He’s coming at us! He’s going to trample us!”

  Bird rolled her eyes at Sally and shook her head.

  Sox? Can you stop walking?

  Sox stopped. Why?

  Sally’s worried.

  Tall Sox halted. Bird approached the puzzled horse and patted his neck. Thanks, Sox. Sally needs to feel confident around you.

  Is it because I spooked at the show?

  Maybe. But she doesn’t know too much about horses yet. You’ll have to help her. She’ll learn.

  Bird took Sally’s hand and patted Sox’s neck with it. Sally inhaled nervously. “Now what?”

  Bird pointed to the halter.

  “I can’t do that, Bird. I don’t know how.”

  Bird held the halter the right w
ay and showed her where to put Sox’s nose. Sally was tentative, but she managed to slip it on and do up the clip.

  Bird grinned. She snapped on the lead shank, handed it to Sally, and gave her a thumbs-up.

  “That wasn’t so bad!” Sally beamed with pride. Bird walked away.

  “Where are you going?” Sally called. “What if he spooks and runs away?”

  Bird shook her head and kept walking. Walk slow, Sox, and stay close to her.

  “Look! He’s coming with me! Bird! I can do this!”

  Bird chuckled to herself. It always amazed her that kids like Sally, who’d been riding for years, had so few horsemanship skills. At the big show barns, the employees do all the work; the kids never learn to catch their horse, groom him, and tack him up, which is so important in establishing trust.

  As they got to the gate, Paul’s truck stopped beside them. Hannah and Julia were with him, and none of them were smiling. Bird could see right away that something was wrong.

  Hannah opened the door, and Lucky jumped out wagging his tail. He licked Bird’s hand, then caught a scent and was off.

  “There you are, Bird!” said Hannah. “I’m afraid we have some bad news.” She paused. “Pete’s at the hospital again.”

  At the hospital? Bird was stunned. She’d just seen the Piersons! She opened the palms of her hands in question.

  “Mrs. Pierson called and told us you’d left, upset. We drove over, hoping to see you along the way. When we got to the Piersons’, an ambulance was in the driveway. It looks like Pete had a minor heart attack.”

  Bird clutched her chest. A heart attack! She pictured Pete’s face when she’d said she was leaving. White and stricken, with his eyes wide open. He was so upset that his heart couldn’t take it! Bird felt terrible. She’d meant to call, too, when she got home, but hadn’t.

  Paul got out and came around the truck. “I can see you’re blaming yourself, Bird. Please don’t think it’s your fault. Mr. Pierson has been having a real problem with his heart lately. And it wasn’t a massive heart attack. It was more of a warning. They think he’ll be just fine.”

  Hannah got out, too. “I shouldn’t have dumped it all out like that, Bird.”

  Bird couldn’t move. How could she make this all right?