Wind Spirit: An Ella Clah Novel (Ella Clah Novels)

by Aimée Thurlo

  Ella picked up the shotgun and stepped around the dying man. Verifying that Benally was alive, she contacted Justine on the radio. “The hostage is secure. Come on in.”

  TWENTY-TWO

  Ella woke up early Saturday morning when Wind, her daughter’s pony, began whinnying loudly for his breakfast. Ella hid her head beneath the pillow, but it didn’t work. The animal’s cry could have been heard for miles. Ella had only been back home for four days, but in that time she’d come to accept the fact that her days of sleeping past daybreak would be gone for years.

  She’d just tossed the covers back when Dawn and Rose came through the door. “Shimá, there’s a present from Auntie!” Dawn said. “Come look!” she yelled, then dashed out of the room.

  “Come on, Daughter, get up. Your sister-in-law was kind enough to bring you a gift. The least you can do is go take a look.”

  Ella looked at her mother through narrowed eyes. “My sister-in-law brought me a present? Does it have thorns? Is it ticking?”

  Rose started to laugh but then shook her head. “Come on, get up and try to be gracious. She’s probably sorry she caused you so much trouble. Apparently she and her brother bought you a gift to make peace. I hope you’ll like it.”

  Ella heard the pony outside still whinnying excitedly. “Why doesn’t someone feed the little guy?” she said with a groan.

  “Wind was fed a half hour ago.”

  “Then why is he still carrying on?” Ella pulled on her jeans and looked at her mother, who seemed inordinately pleased with herself. Suddenly she understood. “There’s another horse out there, isn’t there? You got them to buy me a horse?”

  “No, I did not! I’m just as surprised as you. But he’s a beautiful animal.”

  Ella groaned. “Mom, I was looking for one, really. You shouldn’t have done it without me.”

  “I didn’t do this, I promise. But don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. After the Hollywood people withdrew their offer because the stations no longer wanted original TV movies, your hope of getting extra cash vanished. So count your blessings. Now hurry up and get dressed. I’ll wait for you outside.”

  Ella pulled a sweatshirt over her head, slipped into her jeans and boots, then went out the back door, still brushing her hair away from her face. Seeing her brother holding on to the beautiful, tall, black gelding, Ella smiled. The animal eyed her curiously as she approached, his ears standing up straight.

  “Here’s Chieftain,” her brother said. Hearing his name, the animal tossed his head, but Clifford kept a firm hold on the lead rope. “He’s spirited, but has a gentle soul.”

  “I’ll remember that the first time he dumps me on the trail,” Ella said, watching the animal prance. Then she turned around and whispered something in Dawn’s ear.

  Dawn started laughing.

  Ella turned to Rose, who was starting to look a little bit confused. “Don’t you dare pretend not to know what’s going on, Mother. I should make you feed and water him, arranging for all this without telling me.”

  Rose’s mouth fell open. “But I had absolutely nothing to do with this, Daughter. Honestly.” Rose looked back and forth from Clifford to Ella, trying to figure out what was going on.

  “Mother!” Ella tried to look angry, but finally couldn’t help but laugh.

  Clifford started to snicker, then looked over at Ella and winked. “You got her, Sister. But this is what, the very first time?”

  “What do you mean, got me?” Rose frowned at Ella.

  “Mom bought Chieftain all by herself, Shimasání. She wanted to surprise you,” Dawn chimed in. “Don’t be mad.”

  Rose sighed, then smiled grudgingly. “Okay, maybe I deserved that, just a little, for sometimes pushing you too hard to do things my way. But, Daughter, don’t ever try to trick me again, or you’ll have to start cooking for yourself.”

  “Ugh. Will you cook for me, Shimasání?” Dawn asked.

  Rose laughed. “It’s good to know I’m needed.”

  Dawn turned back to Ella. “Shimá, will you let me ride Chieftain double with you?”

  Ella shook her head. “Not until I’ve ridden him in the arena many times and we’ve connected with each other. First, he has to learn to trust me and I’ve got to trust him as well. That’ll take time.”

  Dawn pouted. “Everything takes time!”

  “Yes, it does,” Ella replied, laughing. Ella led the horse around, studying his gait.

  “Let’s show him to Wind!” Dawn said.

  “No, we can’t put them together yet. Horses and ponies don’t always get along and we don’t want them trying to bite or kick each other. For now, one will be in the stall while the other is in the corral. Eventually, we’ll build a second stall,” Ella said.

  “For the next few hours keep Wind tethered near your daughter’s window and put Chieftain in the corral. He needs a chance to work off some of his energy,” Clifford suggested.

  Ella took Chieftain into the corral and unhooked the rope from his halter, letting the big gelding trot free. He stopped at the far end and looked back at her, his ear flicking in her direction.

  Ella smiled. “We’ll become friends at your speed, Chieftain,” she said, then closed the gate.

  “You picked out a fine horse—with your brother’s help,” Loretta said as Ella joined them.

  “He really is beautiful,” Ella said with a nod. “Thank you both for your help bringing him here,” Ella said, then lowering her voice, added, “And for helping me teach Mom a small lesson.”

  As the others went inside to have breakfast, Clifford hung back with Ella. “If you need any help working with him, just call.”

  “Count on it,” Ella said with a smile, then turned to watch the animal trotting along the corral fence.

  “I have a gift for you—in the way of good news, that is.”

  Ella looked at him curiously.

  “I heard from the hataalii we’ve all been searching for. He’s finished with his other business and will be here today. The Sing can begin this afternoon.”

  Ella nodded slowly. “It’s a good time.”

  As Clifford went inside the house, Ella remained standing near the corral watching Chieftain. Order had been restored and the case was now closed. Smart had spray-painted Justine’s door. Unfortunately, there was still nothing to tie him to the holes in the water barrels at the Joes’. They’d probably never know for sure, now that he was dead, how many acts of vandalism he was responsible for.

  As a cool breeze swept over her, Ella allowed herself a moment to enjoy the peace. Experience and instinct told her that it wouldn’t last long.

  She had enemies in the police department—ones who were hoping to convince her fellow officers that she was a skinwalker. Soon, if it hadn’t happened already, they’d find allies like Garnenez who’d help them try to destroy her.

  It had taken some time for her to get a handle on the professor and see through his act but she now knew him for what he was. The owl fetish he’d carried, similar to the one she’d found in the mine the day she’d nearly died, had given him away. The professor was a skinwalker—only they would have ventured inside a place contaminated by evil.

  It was clear that she’d have her work cut out for her during the coming months, but for now she’d restore her own inner balance and harmony by joining her family. It was time to walk in beauty.