Mystery at Saddle Creek (12 page)

Hannah shook her head. “No.”

“Did you identify him as ‘the wild man'?”

“Yes. We referred to him as ‘the wild man,' but I never knew that the wild man was Tanbark. He stayed well away from us, and ran whenever anybody was around. I never got a good look at him. I'll admit, I wondered, though. Something nagged at me about him, and then this morning the penny dropped.”

“Do you know Tanbark well?” Officer Polito asked.

“Not at all. I met him once when he was about fifteen years old, and haven't seen him since.”

“And yet you were able to identify him correctly from the photo?”

Hannah nodded. “Yes. There's a clear family resemblance.”

“Is there anything more you can tell us about him?”

“Only that I've heard he has mental health issues.”

The meeting wrapped up quickly after that, and the officers rose to leave. After the cruiser disappeared down the driveway, Hannah turned to Bird. “You did very well, honey. I'm proud of you.”

Bird nodded her thanks,but she couldn't quite return Hannah's smile. The police were no closer to stopping this nonsense than they were before. Everything was a complete mess — a murder, a new relative and a horse show for which she was completely unprepared. Not to mention the fact that she couldn't speak. When would things get back to normal?

Reading Bird's look, Hannah put a hand on her niece's head. “Cheer up, sweetie. Put this all out of your mind for now. We've got a show tomorrow. Go get your clothes organized in case we need to clean them or sew on a button.”

14

 

NOT ENOUGH PRACTICE

Tan was healing. He knew it—he could feel it. He willed every cell to heal itself, and it was working. This was his full-time job right now. Perhaps when he wrote his book he would instruct people how to do it. He would make a fortune.

HEEDING HANNAH'S INSTRUCTIONS, Bird went upstairs and rummaged around for her show clothes. Her helmet still fit, but her boots were too tight to pull on, and she could barely squeeze into her pants, jacket and shirt. Just another thing that was all messed up. She had no time to practice, let alone go shopping! Maybe she should just cancel.

Dressed in her too-small riding clothes, and carrying her boots, Bird found her aunt in the kitchen.

Hannah burst out laughing at the sight. “You've been busy growing this year.”

Bird frowned. It wasn't funny.

“Well, as it happens, I saw this coming. Last week as I was passing Bahr's I noticed a huge sign in their window and stopped in for their big sale. Want to see what I bought?”

Bird watched as Hannah opened the broom closet and reached for a large bag. She pulled out a soft blue, short-sleeved riding shirt with matching rat-catcher collar, then a pair of beige breeches and a well-cut navy coat.

“Try them on! I've been dying to show you. I might have bought them a little roomy, but you've got more growing to do.”

Quickly, Bird slipped out of her old clothes and donned the new. They smelled like the saddle shop and felt just perfect. Bird hugged Hannah tightly and tried not to cry. She wanted to thank her, but her voice wasn't working. Bird ran to the phone where the pad and pens were, and scribbled
THANK YOU!!!
as large as she could.

“You're very welcome. They look great on you, and were a really good price.” Hannah was obviously pleased. “I love a good sale.”

Bird didn't want to be greedy or ungrateful, but there was still the problem of the boots. She looked at them, and tried to figure out how to raise the issue.

Hannah saw her look, and beat her to it. She went back to the broom closet. “Try these on. I think they'll be fine.” She handed her a used, but polished, pair of tall black riding boots.

Bird pulled them on over her breeches. They fit just right! Bird looked at Hannah in astonishment.

“They belong to Abby. Before she left for New York she dropped them off. For you. She said they're good luck.”

This was too much! Bird dissolved into tears. Abby had lent her these same boots long ago, the first time she'd shown Sunny. Then, they'd been too big for her, but now they fit. Abby Malone, who'd encouraged her and been her mentor and her hero, had actually taken the time to deliver these boots to Hannah. For her.

Hannah hugged her again. “There are a lot of people out there cheering for you, Bird. The Piersons called this morning while you were sleeping. They're coming tomorrow, too.”

Bird was overcome. The Piersons had helped her so much the previous year, when Sundancer's future was in jeopardy. What if she made a mess at the show? Her stomach flipped and she plopped down in a chair. She didn't want to disappoint anyone — not Hannah or Abby or the Piersons—but it seemed inevitable that she would. She was so unready!

“Come on, Bird,” said Hannah. “It'll be fine. Take these new clothes off and let's go to work.”

The steel in Hannah's voice worked wonders. Bird ran upstairs to change into her old things. She folded her new clothes neatly and placed them on top of her dresser, then reached for Abby's boots. She was about to put them safely away in her closet until the show, but then reconsidered. That her saddle and boots felt familiar was an essential part of her confidence heading into a show. Abby had lent her these boots, and Bird wanted to make her proud. She would practice in them.

Hannah and Bird set up a low course in the front paddock, with an in-and-out, an oxer, a water jump and the hedge. Hannah readied another standard to add to the in-and-out to make it a triple. They were ready. There was only one problem. No horse.

Sunny, where are you?

Hiding in the apple trees.

Come on! We have to practice for tomorrow. It's the show!

Show, schmoe. I don't feel like it.

Sunny, you're the one who wanted to do this, remember? To win? You carried the wild man up the Escarpment for this!

I changed my mind.

Why?

I just did. I don't have to give you a reason.

Yes, you do. You owe me that.

Why?

You just do.

Very mature, Bird.

Yeah. You're mature, too.

“Where is that horse? He was here a minute ago, grazing right there beside the fence with Charlie.”

Bird shrugged abruptly. She was mad. She wanted to chase him down and beat him up, prove who was boss — even knowing how counterproductive that would be. Even if she did catch him, in his present mood he'd be unrideable. She wanted to scream.

“What's wrong, Bird?” asked Hannah. “You look upset.”

Upset? thought Bird. Upset? They desperately needed to practice, and the wretched horse was deliberately hiding from her and ruining everything! Bird had thought they were past all this nonsense. She resisted the urge to stomp off toward the farmhouse. She needed to think. She had a bigger brain, so she should be smarter. Think! The beginnings of a smile crept across her mouth.

Bird climbed the fence.
Do you want to jump a little, Charlie horse?

Sure, Bird.

Let's get you tacked up.

“Bird?” questioned Hannah,looking at her watch. “What are you doing? We don't have time to work two horses. I have some beginners coming in half an hour.”

Bird shrugged. She had something to prove to Sunny. Charlie came to the fence and Bird hopped up on him bareback. She trotted him up to the barn and saddled him. Within five minutes they were ready to jump.

Sundancer had come out of hiding. He glared at them over the fence.
Why are you wasting your time with Charlie? he asked.

I'm not wasting my time. I'm going to the show tomorrow, with or without you.

Bird and Charlie picked up a nice easy canter and jumped around the course. Charlie was an old pro and caught his leads without effort. He brought his front knees up together and carefully tucked his hind legs over each jump. His tempo never varied.

“Wonderful, Bird!” shouted Hannah. “I haven't seen Charlie jump this well in years. Let me raise the jumps and then I want you to go again.” Hannah paused. “Why don't we take Charlie to the show tomorrow? Kimberly can ride him. Up in the barn just now, Cliff told me that Pastor's got an abscess in his hoof and is dead lame.”

I'm going to the show? asked Charlie.

If Hannah says so, then you're going. You did that great, Charlie!

Sundancer was mad.
Great? You want to see great?
He sat back on his hind end and leapt over the fence. Hannah, Bird and Charlie watched as the tall chestnut gelding began jumping on his own. He circled in an elegant canter then jumped around the course with a steady tempo, leaving every jump intact. He was perfect.

“Bravo, Sunny!” shouted Hannah. “I've never seen anything like it in my entire life!”

No kidding, thought Bird grumpily. Normal horses don't do crazy things like that.

“Good job! Bird, get Sundancer tacked up and jump him around, since you're showing him tomorrow.”

No way.

Sunny, what's wrong?

There's nothing wrong with me. You're the one with the problem.

Two cars drove up the driveway — Hannah's students. “I've got to go. Kimberly will have a good time with Charlie tomorrow. Get Sunny around the course, and I'll check back with you, okay?”

Bird nodded and watched her aunt stride up to the barn.

Charlie stood beside her.
Now can I go back to graze?

Sure, Charlie. Thanks. You were really fun to ride.

Thanks, Bird, but I might not want to go to the show. It's boring.

You decide.

She removed his tack and put him in his field next to the grass ring. What a lovely, uncomplicated horse, she thought.

Uncomplicated?
telegraphed Sunny.
Are you implying that I'm complicated? Just so you know, the reason I don't want you to ride me is that you're full of turmoil and stress.

Bird was taken aback. He was right. Totally right. She was stressed after the police interview. She was worried about Tanbark. She wondered if she would ever speak again. She feared making a fool of herself at the show. She was afraid of all the weird things happening around them.

I'm sorry, Sunny.

You can't just assume that I'll be fine if you're not fine.

I didn't think about it like that.

When a person can't drop their garbage, horses can't relax, and if horses are not relaxed, they can't think.

Well said, Sunny.

If you're upset, I'm more upset.

Bird sat on the ground with her saddle and bridle.
I need to put everything else out of my head.

Charlie is cool. He's able to work when you're stressed, but I can't. I have enough nerves of my own without yours, too.

I hear you, Sunny.
Bird put her head in her arms and closed her eyes. She breathed deeply. As she inhaled she thought, “In with the good,” and when she exhaled she thought, “Out with the bad.” By the third breath, her tension began to leave her.

Sundancer got closer and closer until he was standing over her. He bent his neck and reached down to nuzzle her burnt hair.
I'll be happy to let you ride me now, if you want.

Bird looked up into the horse's intelligent brown eyes.
I'd appreciate that, Sunny. I want to go into that ring tomorrow and clean up.

Me, too!

15

 

THE PALSTON HORSE SHOW

Tan was deeply unhappy. His mother was gone. He hadn't seen her leave and he didn't know where she was. In her place, his father was sitting beside his bed. The man troubled him. He made Tan extremely uncomfortable. Also, his bandages were too tight and the air was too still. Everything smelled like antiseptic. He had to get out. He had to leave this place or he'd smother. The sooner the better. Freedom was everything.

THE NEXT MORNING DAWNED with a clear blue sky. Songbirds chirped and tweeted heartily, and small animals scurried to and fro. Bird woke up feeling much better. She'd slept well. She was ready to take on the world. She jumped out of bed and ran downstairs, still in her pajamas. She hopped the split-rail fence into Sunny's field and gave him an apple.

You're in a good mood. You're jumping around.

I'm really excited about the show. Are you ready to bring home some major ribbons?

Do horses love apples? Yum, that was good.

Bird laughed aloud.
See you in a little while. I'm going to have breakfast and get dressed.

What about my breakfast?

There's Cliff now. He's bringing you a feast.

I should have known. He never forgets me.

Cliff saw Bird and waved. “Hi there, Smokey!” He'd taken to calling her that since the barn fire. “Did you listen to the news this morning?”

Bird shook her head. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

“There was an item about Tanbark Wedger. Uncle Tanbark, to you!”

Let it go, she told herself. Put everything except the show out of your mind.

“And you'll never believe this! A group, Justice for the Innocent, admitted to starting the fire. A CBC reporter got an email claiming responsibility. Sort of. I guess they lit a fire in a trash can under Pierre's window to scare him. They say they're shocked and appalled that it spread. Idiots!”

Idiots was right, but the news didn't surprise Bird. She shook her head in dismay to let Cliff know she'd heard, and set her jaw as she watched Sunny eat.

Cliff grinned at her. “Good luck today, Bird. You sure look ready to win!” He waved goodbye and continued to the next field with his buckets of feed.