After a while, Shannon helped Suzanne carry Abbie to the car as Lori hopped behind on her crutches. John and Jim said goodbye, promising to get together soon. Jodi stood rocking the small helmeted boy who was asleep in her arms. It was an end to a wonderful summer evening. A bit of a scare but, all in all, it actually finished peacefully.
Before the car drove away, Lori rolled down her window.
“See you tomorrow, Shannon. I can’t wait for you meet my best friend!”
“Huh?” asked Shannon.
“Best friend?” whispered her parents, looking at one other.
“Remember, silly?” Lori shouted. “We’re going to see my horse, Jasmine!”
Chapter 60
Milla, her head buried in a book, sat on the lawn chair trying to ignore her surroundings. This was supposed to be her day at Carrie’s house but there had been a change in plans and here she sat wishing she were anywhere but Foot’s back yard. “Are you sure you don’t want to play with me?” Fern asked as she held out a naked plastic doll.
“No,” Milla grunted, eying the piles of fluff and ribbon that made up the doll’s wardrobe.
“Okay,” Fern sighed, “but you don’t know what you’re missing. These dolls are all going to a fancy party and they need help choosing their gowns.”
“Uh huh,” Milla mumbled.
Mrs. Adams poked her head out the back door. “Fern, have you brushed your teeth and flossed yet?”
“Yes, of course, Momma. I always do it right after breakfast.”
“Did you gargle, too? I thought I heard coughing last night and I don’t want germs floating around this house.”
Milla sunk further into her book, far away from the minty mouthwash bottle Mrs. Adams was waving.
“Oh, Momma,” Fern whined. “It wasn’t me, it was Ully coughing.”
“Well, you need to come gargle right now while I’ll check on Ulysses. My goodness, he’s late getting up. Maybe the poor dear is sick.”
Fern slowly put down her dolls and disappeared through the back door. Milla closed her eyes and let out the breath she had been holding. I’m always so tense here, she thought. This place makes me nuts. I can’t wait for Mrs. Preston to get here. Her father arranged at the last minute for Sue Preston to pick up Milla after she had finished grocery shopping. Mrs. Adams didn’t seem too happy about the arrangements when Milla had told her.
“Why do you need to go that woman’s house when my home is right here in your own neighborhood?”
Because! Milla had wanted to shout—because she doesn’t have a loud-mouthed, creepy kid named Foot living there! Milla’s thoughts wandered back to her conversation with Mrs. Burke a few days ago. Mrs. Burke was right—it really wasn’t fair to blame her because Milla’s dad refused to adopt Hope. It really stung when Mrs. Burke said she wouldn’t hold up the adoption, even when Milla begged her for more time to talk her dad into it. Didn’t anyone understand that she had found Hope that terrible day and therefore she should be the one who gets to raise her? Adults could be so thick sometimes. Her dad wouldn’t even let her have a dog or a cat, so what chance did she have of getting a horse? Tears began to prick her eyes and she sniffed them away just as Mrs. Adams came in to water her plants.
“Did I hear you sniffling, Milla? I have something that will help you fight those nasty cold germs. Come on, let’s go blow your nose.” Milla sat with her head in her book and ignored Mrs. Adams. This woman is so loony, she thought. She actually thinks she’s gonna hold a tissue while I blow into it!
“Milla,” Mrs. Adams repeated. “Did you hear me? We need to take care of this right away.”
“I’m fine,” Milla said, wishing her grandmother were there to defend her. What would Grandma say to this lady? She would probably just smile and ignore her. Milla smiled at Mrs. Adams, put her book into her backpack, and started to walk away. “See you later, Mrs. Adams, I’m going to go out front now. Mrs. Preston should be here in a few minutes.”
Mrs. Adams opened her mouth to say something and then closed it. Milla waved over her shoulder and continued walking until she was out of sight. Mrs. Adams walked over to the lawn chair Milla had been sitting on and quickly sprayed disinfectant on the vinyl covering.
Sue Preston pointed to a small shed. “Here is where I keep all of the tools to clean the stalls, and over there is the tack room. You know what a tack room is, right?”
“Yeah,” said Milla, “that’s where you keep the blankets, bridles, and saddles.”
“That’s right. The brushes and grooming supplies are over there in that large trunk. So, now that you know the routine, do you think you can help me out around here?”
“Yeah, sure, I think I can, but do I get to ride your horses, too?” Milla asked as she admired the beautiful saddles that were neatly seated on cedar racks in the tack room.
“In time you will be able to ride, but only when I’m nearby and only after all of your stable work is done. Do we have a deal?”
“Deal!” Milla beamed. Wow, I really am going to get to ride. Wait ’til Carrie hears about this, she thought.
Milla’s first day working at the barn seemed to slip by and she was surprised when her father’s jeep pulled into the driveway. Devon walked up to the paddock and held his hand out to the buckskin that was eyeing him from across the corral. The horse smelled the air and flicked his ears, trying to decide whether to stay next to his friend, a little sorrel named Penny, or go meet the man making clucking noises.
“That’s 7-Up, Dad. Isn’t he a beauty? We call him 7 for short,” said Milla as she dried her hands on a towel.
“Yeah, I love buckskins,” he said as the horse ventured a little closer. “7-Up, huh? What’s up, boy—do you like soda pop?”
“Mrs. Preston said she named him that because his coat was really pale at birth. He’s pretty shy but he and I are becoming friends.”
“Hey, you two, how about staying for dinner?” Mrs. Preston hollered from the back door.
“Thanks, Sue, but we’re going to head out,” Devon replied.
“Aw, Dad, can’t we stay?” Milla pleaded.
“Geez, Mil, you usually never want me to accept a dinner invite. You must love it here,” he said, opening the door to the jeep.
“She’s not like other people, Dad. She reminds me of Grandma and she’s fun. Can’t we stay, pleee-ease?”
Mrs. Preston smiled as she watched them from her kitchen window. That girl’s as stubborn as her father, she thought, running water over the dusty potatoes she had gathered to peel. She saw Milla do a little whooping dance and Sue smiled, adding a few more potatoes to the pot.
After dinner Milla cleared the dishes while Devon and Sue discussed the recent BLM round-up. “I’m not holding you responsible, Devon. I’m just saying the use of helicopters in the round-ups is absurd and it’s causing too many deaths. I, for one, think that’s unacceptable.”
“This argument isn’t a new one, Sue, but as I’ve told you and anyone who will stop to actually listen, the government follows laws handed down by Washington. People need to take it up with the policy makers. I work as an agent following the laws that have been put in place. I’m also not even a part of the round-ups. Heck, I’m just the guy who has to feed and house them after they’re all taken off the range. I think I do a pretty good job and I’m sick of people calling us horse killers. They don’t have a clue what goes into handling so many horses. Helicopters or men on horseback—I don’t have any say in how it’s decided. I just try my hardest to take care of a lot of horses and burros.”
“Okay, okay. Enough shop talk. I’m sorry if I upset you. I hear you and I guess we’re on the same side. I just don’t like it when animals are harmed to save the government a few dollars.
Devon nodded and relaxed. “Agreed. Enough talk of work. That was an excellent dinner, Sue. Thanks so much. You’re really a fantastic cook, almost as good as my mom.”
“Well, thanks, Devon. That’s a huge compliment.” She turned to Milla. “So
, would anyone care for dessert?” She wasn’t used to cooking for guests and it felt nice sharing a meal.
“Nah, I’m full,” Milla replied.
“Me, too, “ Devon echoed as he pushed away from the table.
“You haven’t even seen it yet,” Sue said as she reached for a manila envelope.
“Is that what I think it is?” Devon asked as she placed it into his hands.
“Yep, it’s the document we sent away for a few months ago,” Sue said, winking at Milla.
He laid the contents of the envelope on the table as Milla leaned in a little closer. It was a death certificate for a man named Ian McLeary. “Father’s name: Stephen McLeary. Mother’s name: Mildred Spencer. Oh, my goodness, we are related!” Devon shouted.
“How?” Milla asked as she jumped out of her seat.
“Look, look! Ian McLeary is the man my dad and his siblings were living with in that old census we found,” Devon said in awe. “This is his death certificate telling us his parents’ names. See? It says his mother was Mildred Spencer.”
“But who is Mildred Spencer, Dad? I still don’t get it.”
“We’re not 100% sure yet, Milla, but we think it may be your great-grandfather’s sister.”
Devon turned to Sue. “So what’s next—do we go chasing after Mildred?”
“Yep, I can only hope it leads us to your grandfather,” Sue smiled. “Pretty good dessert, huh?”
“I’m speechless,” Devon replied, shaking his head in wonder.
“It came in the mail today and I haven’t had time to do any checking up on Mildred yet. It looks to me that my relatives are connected with yours, although I’m not exactly sure how.”
Devon turned to his daughter and patted her on the head. Milla was right, he thought—everything feels so comfortable here. It felt like he was just chatting with family. Could Sue Preston really be related to them? What if they found out that it was all just a coincidence—would it really matter? Was he getting his hopes up just like his dad? Maybe, yet now that he had seen this new clue, he wanted Sue to be in his family. He was itching to find out who Mildred Spencer was; the puzzle was starting to come together. He reached for his hat.
Sue walked them to the door. “Milla, how was working around the barn today? Did the workload scare you off? I really need your help and I’m hoping you like it here.”
Milla held out her red hands to show them her blisters. She stood stretching her back and managed to stifle a yawn.
Sue gave her a hug. “Better put some ointment on those sores. Next time you need to wear gloves, honey.”
Milla sniffed her sleeve and crinkling her nose. “I love it here, Mrs. Preston, but I think if I’m not careful I’m going to start smelling like my dad.”
“Hey, I don’t stink,” Devon said as he brushed the dust off his jeans and shook out his hat. “Ask 7-Up out there—he loves my smell.”
“Geez, it’s bad enough everyone tells me I look like you, but smell like you? NO THANKS, DAD!”
Sue turned to Devon. “Well, what do you say—do you think it would be okay if Milla dropped the Mrs. Preston and called me Aunt Sue?” Milla looked up at her father with a look that made his heart melt.
“Absolutely. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us,” he said, giving Sue a little hug.
“I didn’t do anything, Devon, but I swear, I think your mother is guiding us through this. I really do.”
“Then you and my daughter have a lot in common because Milla feels the same way,” he replied, scruffing up his daughter’s hair.
“By the way, Devon,” Sue said. “Don’t forget about my three empty stalls. I really need to find some boarders. 7-Up and Penny are eating me out of house and home and I can use the extra income.”
“I’ll post your flyer up at the BLM office and ask around. Someone’s always looking for a place to keep their horse,” Devon replied. Milla grew quiet as she listened to her father chatting away with this woman who had been a close friend of her grandmother’s. Aunt Sue, she wants me to call her—Aunt Sue, Milla thought. I wonder if Grandma really is guiding us through all of this or if it’s all a big coincidence? She sure shows up in my thoughts a lot and now she even paints with me in my dreams.
Devon and Sue looked over at Milla, who was staring out at the sunset. The pinks and purples created a patchwork of shadows along the Calico Mountains. “Ready to go, Mil? It’s getting late.”
“In a sec, Dad, just give me a few…ahh, there it is,” she said as she pointed off in the distance.
“What?” Devon asked. “What are you looking at?”
“The stitches,” Sue and Milla said in unison.
Milla turned in surprise to Aunt Sue. “You know about them, too?”
“Of course. Your grandmother and I know all about the magic of the Calico Mountains, but not everyone can see their stitches.”
“I think you’re all nuts,” Devon laughed as he waved goodbye to Sue and nudged his daughter toward the jeep. Milla smiled and as she glanced back she saw two women waving goodbye from the back porch. How can she…is that? No, it can’t be. She stopped and looked closer as the flickering lights of sunset dipped behind the Calico Mountains and her Aunt Sue, covered in purple shadows, blew her a kiss.
Chapter 61
Sunday, August 17th:
Daddy said Aunt Lucy’s doctors think her baby might be born soon. He said it’s too early and the family is worried. I’m going to send her one of my paintings I made in camp. I love my dad but sometimes he acts so weird. Yesterday before we hung up he sounded pretty upset. I guess I shouldn’t have told him about my plans to get a horse, but I thought he would be happy for me. He said something about money again. I told him Mom said I should tell him to talk to her about that stuff. I wish I just ignored him because that made it worse. He said he’s coming to see me in December. I hope I can talk Mom into adopting Cricket. I wish Shannon were coming sooner. I’m glad she’s feeling better and I hope her friend’s parents let her keep her horse, Jasmine. Parents can be so dumb sometimes. I had a dream that I was in my room back in New Jersey but when I went outside I was in Nevada looking at new homes with Milla. We were riding bikes and then Shannon rode by on a horse. It felt so real. I can’t wait for Shannon to meet Milla. My hair is getting longer. Mommy and I are moving soon but I like it here.
“So what do you think?” asked Brenda, eyeing her daughter as she walked around the little home.
“Are you sure about this, Mom? I mean, what’s wrong with staying at the bungalow? Sam said it would be okay,” Carrie said as she peeked into an empty closet.
“I’ll meet you two outside,” the realtor said.
“Don’t you want a place that’s all our own?” Brenda asked, putting her purse down on the counter.
“Yeah, kinda,” said Carrie, flicking a light switch up and down. “Uh oh, look—the electricity is broken, Mom.”
“No, they just don’t have it turned on yet. What do you mean…kinda? Don’t you want a place where Flannel has her own yard and we don’t have any B&B guests wandering around?”
“I like it there,” Carrie replied. “If you want to move here, it’s okay and all, but I just want to make sure this is what you want, Mom.” Brenda threw up her hands and went to find the realtor. Carrie walked around the freshly painted rooms and hallways. The sounds of her steps echoed off the empty walls as she walked back to look out the rear windows. Yes, it had a nice large yard where she and Flannel could play, but was this the home for them?
The real estate agent had a smile that looked frozen to his face as he drove away. Brenda decided it was time for a heart-to-heart talk with her daughter so she drove around until she found a quiet little bench beside an empty park.
“It’s not like I don’t understand, Mom. It’s just that you want me to agree with you all the time. I’m me and you’re you. I don’t think like you—you’re a mom, for goodness sakes,” Carrie said, chewing on a nail.
“Pleas
e stop biting your nails. I’m trying to figure out what’s best for both of us, Carrie, and you need to be straight with me.”
“Straight with you? You mean like tell you exactly what I really think?” Carrie asked, raising her voice.
“Yes, we need to make an important decision here, so be honest with me.” Brenda patted her daughter on the shoulder. Carrie pulled back and stood up.
“Now you want to know how I feel? What about New Jersey? You didn’t care how I felt then? You just decided for both of us. I never see Daddy and he’s always grumpy when he calls. I finally feel like I’m actually starting to fit in here and you want to move again? This is so unreal, Mom!”
“I’m trying to make this go smoothly, Carrie. I’m letting you help choose where we live. I don’t see the problem.” Brenda crossed her arms.
“Unbelievable…unbelievable!” Carrie shouted. “You sit here pretending to actually care about what I want or what I think. I want my father, okay? I want my parents to stop fighting and cancel the stupid divorce and I want us to all live together!” she cried, fighting back tears.
“Sorry, Carrie, but that is never going to happen, so we need to figure out what’s best for the two of us. Yes, Daddy will visit but we won’t ever be living together again. That part is in the past now,” Brenda said as she wiped away tears and dug in her purse for tissues.
“Well, I’ve wanted to talk to you about stuff too, Mom, okay? But whenever I do the timing is never right. I know that you want to get a new place and all and to tell you the truth I was hoping we could find a place with a barn.”
Calico Horses and the Patchwork Trail Page 30