“Oh, yeah? You’re probably right. I can still hear her: Devon, you know how special she is. Don’t ever forget that.” He looked over at Milla, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed. She was so much like his late wife, Valorie, with her unstoppable determination. Oh, how he missed her. He walked over and tugged Milla’s hands and pulled her into a hug. Who could tell when she would be ready for a horse of her own? He thought of his mother’s words, “She’s special, just like you. Treat her with respect.”
“How about if I ask your Aunt Sue to keep an eye on you? Can we both agree that we’ll let her decide the time? I want this to work, Mil. If you’re not able to do this I’ll just end up with another horse I’ll have to find a home for.”
“You mean she’ll be able to tell if I’m ready by watching me work with 7-Up and Penny?”
“Yeah, she’ll know before anyone else does. I’ll have to ask her if she wants to be a part of this decision and all, but if she agrees, do we have a deal?”
Milla thought about Aunt Sue and how much she reminded her of Grandma. She thought of how she helped her with her artwork, the way she communicated with horses with her gentle touch. Hope would probably go to another kid and move far away. She felt a lump in her throat as she thought about the day she would go to camp and Hope would no longer be waiting for her. Could she love another horse? What good was making a deal if Hope was not a part of the plan?
“Dad, is there a way we can adopt Hope now and I can work at Aunt Sue’s and prove I can do this?” she asked.
“No, I can’t see us adopting Hope right now,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“I’m not sure I want a different horse, Dad. If I work at Aunt Sue’s and do a good job, the only horse I really want will be gone.”
Devon looked down at his little girl. She’s probably going to grow up to be a lawyer, he thought. This girl is always trying to work out a deal. “You know we’re goin’ around in circles here, kid. I already said no, you’re not ready. In the meantime, Anne Burke has to find homes for those foals, so the deal I put out there is the best I can offer.”
“But you have lots of horses that stay for months at the BLM. Mrs. Burke told me that technically Hope is a BLM horse since you brought her in.”
“Yeah, but…”
“But what? Mrs. Burke taught us that all of the horses that came in from the BLM aren’t the property of the Rescue Center and that you had to approve all adoptions.”
Oh geez, Devon thought, what are they teaching our kids at that camp? “Well, even though that’s true, Mil, I still put that little foal in Anne’s care and she’s doing her best to find it a new home.”
“Yes, I get it, Dad, but actually Hope’s still BLM property.”
“You really have this all figured out, don’t you?” he said, pulling away. “I said no, Milla, and no means no.”
Milla bit her lip. He could save Hope and she knew it. But how? He was walking away and soon his mind would be on to other things and when he said no about something he never budged. “Dad, wait,” she said, walking over to him. “Don’t go, plee-ease.”
“I can’t sit here talking about horses all night, Milla. I’m tired and when I come home I don’t want to even think about them. I’m sorry but that’s just the way it is.”
Milla stood there not knowing what to say. It wasn’t often that her dad hugged her and it felt great, but she really needed him to understand. Tomorrow would be another dreaded day at Foot’s house and then camp. Maybe tomorrow would be her last day with Hope. How could she pretend it didn’t matter and just change the subject?
“You want to watch TV?” he asked.
Chapter 65
Carrie waited at their usual meeting spot by the picnic tables. Candy and Roxie were grazing nearby and off in the distance Eclipse and Dusky were swishing their tails. Where is Milla? she thought. I want to tell her about my mission. She saw some teachers coming out of Mrs. Burke’s office and watched them stop to greet the foals that ran over to them. I wonder where those little guys will end up? she wondered. Cookie, Suzie, and Cricket were racing around the paddock, kicking up their heels. Two smaller foals that had just been brought in were in a nearby pen. Carrie looked all around the property searching for the one horse she knew would be leaving soon. But she didn’t see the little golden palomino anywhere.
“Is Hope gone?” she said aloud. Candy and Roxie stopped and raised their heads. When they realized Carrie had no intention of offering them a treat they went back to grazing. She heard the familiar sound of the camp’s van as it wound its way down the long driveway. The burros ran to greet it and Eclipse and Dusky slowly began walking toward the gate. Behind the van came a few cars driven by parents. This is how it must look to the animals each morning, she thought—like a circus train carrying people to camp.
Carrie waved to her friends and waited for Milla. Kris and April walked over and sat down. “So did you hear the news?” Kris asked.
“No, what?” asked Carrie, looking past his shoulder at Milla, who had stopped to talk to Mac.
“One of those horse groups is working with Mrs. Burke. They’re taking some of the foals to rodeos and horse shows to help with adoptions.”
“Great,” Carrie said. “Which one?”
“My mom told me it’s the Save Our Mustangs group. She’s friends with some of the members.”
“Great? Did you say great?” April said in disgust. “I can’t believe you think it’s great, Carrie. Some of us are trying to adopt those little foals. We don’t think it’s so great and I bet your friend, Milla, doesn’t either.”
Milla walked over and set her backpack on the table. “Think what’s great?” Carrie wasn’t sure what to say. She hadn’t told Milla about her mission yet. She knew Milla wouldn’t be happy about the Save Our Mustangs group taking the foals away.
“Tell her,” April said. “Tell your friend Milla here how you think it’s great that Mrs. Burke is letting people take our foals out of the camp.” Milla opened her mouth to speak and then closed it. She picked up her backpack and started walking toward the foals that were standing in a huddle.
“Chill out, April. Geez,” Kris said. “These foals won’t live here forever. Weren’t you listening on our first day of camp? That’s why we’re here. We help to prepare the orphaned foals so that they can be adopted. Wild horses and tame horses aren’t the same.”
Well, yes they are, thought Carrie, thinking of the message the horse spirit had told her, but she said nothing. She felt horrible as she watched Milla walk from pen to pen looking for Hope.
“Yeah, I get that, Kris, but some of us are trying to adopt them and we should be allowed to have first pick. Now some stupid people will cart them off and they’ll all go to strangers. It’s not fair!” April said in a huff.
“Well, go ahead and adopt them then,” Kris said. “Go on, what’s stopping you? Did Mrs. Burke say you can’t adopt them?” April said nothing and looked away. Kris continued, “That’s what I thought, April. You’re not able to adopt one so you don’t want anyone else to have them.”
Carrie broke her silence. “I felt the same way, too, April. I tried and tried but my mom said we can’t afford it. I’m not happy about Cricket going to a new home, so I’m trying to think of a way we can help them. I’m starting to really understand what Mrs. Burke is teaching us.”
April was aghast. “You wanted Cricket, too? That’s the horse I wanted.”
Kris began to laugh. “Oh my gosh, don’t you see? Every kid wants to adopt them, April. There’s around seventy kids in this camp and less then ten foals over there.”
Milla came running to Carrie and yanked her sleeve, pulling her to her feet. “Come on, we gotta find her. I think she’s gone!” Milla raced toward Hope’s pen, scattering a cloud of dust behind her. Carrie tried to keep up with her friend. Oh no, she thought, not yet—Hope has to be around here somewhere. She wished she could just stop and tell her about the mission, but now wasn’t the time; Milla was way
too upset.
“Whoa, whoa. Slow down, girls,” Jed hollered as he unloaded a truckful of hay. He placed the bale he was carrying onto the ground and shook himself off.
“We’re looking for Hope,” Milla said.
Jed stomped his feet trying to shake off the strands of hay clinging to his pants. “You two know better than to run around horses like a bunch of wild animals. I don’t know where Hope is, but you’re going to be late for class, so head on up to camp now, okay?” Some of the foals walked over to the girls and stuck their heads out, hoping for attention.
Carrie looked around. “Mouse isn’t here, either.”
Milla looked behind the barn. “Neither is Holly.” Carrie patted Cricket, wondering how she would feel when the little horse found a new home. She sighed and looked at her friend, who appeared lost.
Milla was shaking her head. “I tried so hard, Carrie. All I wanted was a chance to prove I could take care of her, but my dad is so stubborn.” Carrie walked beside her friend as they headed down the path. She wanted to tell Milla about the mission and how it had changed her outlook. Milla might not understand but Carrie needed her help with figuring it all out.
“Where do you think she is?” Milla asked. “I heard that Amber was adopting either her or Cookie and that little paint is still here. She stopped abruptly, causing Carrie to stumble. “Oh, no, do you think Amber took her?”
“I don’t know, Mil. I heard this morning that the Save Our Mustangs group is taking some of the horses to horse shows and rodeos. They’re working with Mrs. Burke to help find them homes.”
“Is that what April was talking about at the picnic table?”
“Yeah.” Carrie wanted to explain but Milla seemed lost in her thoughts. The bell rang just as they took their seats.
“Good morning,” Mrs. Preston smiled.
“Good morning,” the children mumbled in reply.
“Oh, my goodness, what kind of a greeting is this? You all look so miserable. Is it because school starts next week?” The class began murmuring and Mrs. Preston put a finger to her lips to quiet them. April raised her hand. “Yes, April?”
“Is it true that the foals are going to be leaving with the Save Our Mustangs group?” The murmuring became louder as some of the children stood and many cried, “Oh, no!”
Mrs. Preston closed her lesson plan. “Quiet down, class. Please take your seats. I know some of you are upset so how about we take a walk to that little clearing you like to go to during break time? I think it would be good to have a little chat. We can skip today’s lesson.”
The children seemed to relax a bit as Mrs. Preston said, “I’ll meet you over there in five minutes. You’ll want to bring your mats to sit on.” The children slowly gathered their mats and walked toward the edge of the property that faced the Calico Mountains. Carrie chose a spot next to a tree and leaned against it. Milla seemed to be walking in a daze. Some of the girls were sniffling and a few were in the bathroom crying. Mac and Tracey each walked beside Milla, sensing that she needed them. A short time later Mrs. Preston, Leah, Jed, and Mrs. Burke came and sat with the children. The class fidgeted; they had never met with all of the teachers before and it somehow felt alarming. The teachers waited for the children to quiet down and then Mrs. Burke spoke.
“Good morning, everyone. The summer session of camp closes this week and we know that every time it ends it’s difficult to say goodbye. Not only to your classmates but to the relationships formed with all of our animals, especially the foals.” The children began murmuring and some nudged each other. “You may not realize it but each one of you is now an Equine Ambassador. In other words, you can now speak for our horses. You represent to your family, friends, and your entire community someone who now understands the value and significance of our wild mustangs.” Some of the children rolled their eyes, while others sat up feeling proud.
“What’s an ambassid or ambassud or whatever?” Mac asked.
“An ambassador is someone who represents something. For example, the United States will send an ambassador to other countries to be a spokesman for America? Now do you see?”
Mac nodded as some of the older children whispered, “Oh, I knew that.”
“The purpose of our camp is not only to teach you how to care for the animals you have met here, but to respect them. Learning how they communicate with each other helps you to look around and see how other animals communicate. Now, when you’re around your pets at home, you’ll begin to see how they, too, interact in their own language.
Leah spoke next. “I have been training horses professionally for many years and some people pay me a lot of money to do this. I use exactly the same methods that I have taught each of you. Some of the adults thank me and go right back to treating their horses like big dumb animals. Others learn this horse language and are able to develop better relationships with all pets. You kids all know this language now and you can use it to teach others. Can you see how you can show others how to treat their animals better?”
“Will they pay us lots of money, too?” Kris asked, bringing laughter to the group.
“Maybe if you grow up and study how to become a trainer…who knows? Maybe by coming to this camp we have inspired you to follow what is in your heart. Maybe not horse trainers, but maybe by watching some of us you can see that we really love what we do and someday you will choose a job that suits your passions.”
It was Jed’s turn. He stood up and looked around at all of the children. The kids started giggling as he always acted like a comedian in class. “What? I haven’t even started?” The children laughed and some kicked each other playfully.
“Hey, I just wanted to say that every year we have this little talk with you guys. It’s cool that you came and made friends and learned how to paint and all but it’s also important to remember all that you’ve learned. We have had fun and when it’s time to say goodbye to these little guys it’s hard. Believe me, I know it…we know it.” He pointed to the other teachers. The class became silent and some of the students hung their heads. He continued, pointing to the long stretch of desert with the Calico Mountains in the background, “Look out there. Look carefully and you will see bands of wild mustangs. Can you see how they look as much a part of the natural landscape as the sage and the range of peaks?
The children turned and looked out across the desert; some stood to get a better view. Carrie felt Milla’s arm around her shoulder and smiled. Milla had tears in her eyes and Carrie swallowed hard trying not to cry herself.
Sue Preston walked to where Jed was standing and spoke. “Some of you have taken these horses into your heart and you feel that when they go to their new adoptive homes…well, it will hurt. We understand this and we so wish all of you could be the ones to raise them. Really we do, but we want you to think of them every time you look out on that range. Remember how they came to us. Some broken, ill and lost, and how you helped make them better. Perhaps you can’t adopt them but maybe just by being a part of this camp you can learn to help many more horses just like them. I was asked earlier if it were true that some of the horses would be going to rodeos and horse shows. Yes, this is true.” The children began moaning and some shook their heads. Milla buried her head into Carrie’s shoulder. Carrie wanted to speak up but she wasn’t sure how she would be received so she patted Milla and stayed silent.
Mrs. Burke continued, “A long time ago when I was your age I wanted a horse, too, and every Christmas I asked my parents for one. I begged and begged them.” Some of the children looked at each other in surprise. Milla pulled away from Carrie and turned to listen. “And every year my dad would wrap up a little plastic horse or pony. He would smile and say, you asked for a horse and this is all we could afford. I didn’t think it was very funny and I never stopped wanting a horse. I learned how to ride and worked as a volunteer at a stable just so I could be near them. I was mucking out stalls and walking sweaty horses while my friends were watching TV or riding their bikes. And one day after
I was all grown, I had my own barn and I bought a horse. Look around you,” she said, sweeping her arms and looking side to side. “I built this place and now kids just like you come here every year to learn about horses.”
“Are you telling us we have to be grown up before we can have one of our own?” April asked.
“No, I’m not saying that, but perhaps if your parents can’t afford one now, maybe you can in the future.”
Brandon, one of the older boys, said, “It just doesn’t seem fair that we did all the work with the foals and now some other kids get to have them.”
“Yeah,” said the children as they began protesting loudly.
“Well, I agree it may not seem fair. You do all the cleaning and caring and work and some other family takes them home. When I was your age, every time I went to the stables and cared for the animals it was for some other kid’s horse.”
“But why?” Tracey asked. “How come the owner didn’t do the work?
“Because often it was a child who had grown tired of having a horse or pony. They treated it like an abandoned toy; they lost interest in it. Do you see?” The children nodded and looked at one another. “We know each of you comes to camp and becomes attached to the baby horses. Then they go to a new home and you feel bad. But what we want you to remember is this: because of the loving and respectful way you treated them, they now have a good chance of finding a home. Many of the little foals that you’ve helped care for would have died if we didn’t rescue them.”
The children suddenly became quiet and looked up with serious faces. “It’s true,” she said. “The people who bring them to us know that we will care for them around the clock to give them the best chance of survival. If a baby horse is left out on the range without the care of its mother or protection of its family, it will die, and many do.”
Milla looked away as she gulped back tears. Hope would have died had she not found her in time.
Calico Horses and the Patchwork Trail Page 33