Mystery at Saddle Creek (17 page)

21

 

TAN'S ESCAPE

Tan gave himself a pep talk. He was smarter, faster and more creative than anybody else. Nobody would catch him because nobody was as clever. That didn't mean he would take chances. No, he would be very careful and make no mistakes. This was his chance to get out; he might not get another.

HANNAH HAD PACKED UP the trailer by the time Bird returned from the tent. Normally, they would have stayed to watch the Grand Prix class with all the elite show jumpers, but today everyone was tired. Their classes were over and they wanted to go home. Liz had already left with her mother and Philip.

“Where have you been?” asked Hannah, over her shoulder.

Bird looked at her blankly. Did Hannah really expect an answer?

Kimberly gave her a squeeze. “Let's get this out of the way. You know you're a way better rider than me. I just got lucky today.” Bird smiled warmly at her friend.

Julia looked at Bird. “You missed the meeting.” Her brow was crumpled in confusion. “Some men went to the front of the room and said Philip Butler was guilty and bad. It was awful.”

Bird hugged her little sister. She knew exactly how Julia felt.

“Oh,Bird,” said Hannah. “I left a bucket and sponge down at the showers. Can you go down and get them for me?”

Bird nodded and walked down the hill. The redheaded groom was there bathing a horse, but Bird ignored her. She spotted the bucket and sponge, but something else caught her eye.

To her left, in the practice ring, a pony was being disciplined by an angry girl. The girl yanked hard on his nose with a chain, then did it again. The pony backed up and tossed his head while the girl yelled at him. Bird guessed that her pony had bucked her off or kicked someone. But then the girl screamed, “You're useless! I wanted a ribbon!”

Bird was aghast. Nobody should take their frustrations out on a pony! It was pointless, anyway, because when a horse is frightened or alarmed or nervous, he can't think straight. It makes him unable to do anything right.

Bird paused. Something was bothering her. It was Sunny. She was furious with him, and he didn't seem to understand why. He just didn't get it. Wow. She needed to think this out. She watched the girl with her pony, and asked herself some tough questions.

Fact: they rode terribly today.

Why? Because they hadn't practiced enough, and Sunny wouldn't listen. He ran off and almost killed her!

And why did he do that? Because he wanted to win so much that he raced to beat Moonie's time.

But why did he want to win that badly? Bird stood still and thought about it rationally for the first time. Because that's what they always tried to do. To win. Together.

And that's why he did the jump-off without her. He wanted to win, because he thought Bird wanted it.

Bird put it all together. She was doing to Sunny what that girl was doing to her pony. She was punishing him for not being able to understand. He was a horse, after all. Not a human. Even though she treated him like one.

In short, she expected him to reason like a human, and he couldn't.

She looked back to the girl and her pony. She watched as a man took the pony from her. The girl stomped off, still visibly upset, but the pony relaxed as soon as she was gone.

Bird walked quickly past the showers and back up the hill. She had something to say to Sundancer.

“Bird? Did you get the pail and sponge?” Hannah peered around the door of the tack room. “We're ready to go.”

Oops. Bird raced back down and grabbed the pail and sponge. Their bottle of Mane ‘n Tail was there, so she whisked it up, too.

Redhead was still there. “Say hello to Uncle Tanbark,” she said.

Bird smiled at her, nodded her head and indicated that she would do just that. The groom raised her eyebrows and twisted her lip, looking somewhat disappointed. Then Bird realized something — she wasn't faking it. She had let her anger go.

This time Bird returned with the pail, sponge and soap. Hannah put them away and wiped her hands. “We're ready to roll!”

Bird put her hand on Hannah's arm. She raised her index finger, asking for one minute more.

“Okay, but one minute only, Bird. I want to get Moonie back to Fiona on the way home, and it's too hot for the horses. They all want to get back out to their fields.”

Bird nodded. Hannah was right, of course, but Bird couldn't put this off one minute longer. She ducked under the bar and stood up beside the chestnut gelding.

I'm sorry I was so upset with you, Sunny.

I don't care.

Bird looked at him. His head hung listlessly, like a broken-down old school horse.
Sunny, listen, please. I didn't see what was happening with us and you didn't know what was wrong.

I let you down, Bird. We didn't win.

We would've been first or second in a field of forty-five horses, Sunny! That's pretty decent.

I didn't win.

Bird patted his neck. He recoiled from her touch.
Listen, Sunny. I've been too hung up on winning and other stuff. I'll make it better, I promise.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Bird smiled.
You don't have to. You're a horse. I'm the one who has to know. All you need to know is that I'm sorry.

Sunny was trying to think. It's very difficult for an animal to think, Bird knew. They react to information, and can't reason the way people can. They are rarely able to make sense of things, and it frustrates them to try.

Don't worry, Sunny. Before we go back into the ring, we're going to practice a lot. And before I get on your back, I'll let go of all my worries.

Sunny took a look at her.
I'll believe it when I see it. Now I want to eat and rest.

Bird laughed her squeak and rubbed behind his left ear where he liked it.
Thanks.
She climbed out of the trailer and into the truck.

“Ready to go, everybody?” asked Hannah wearily.

The girls in the back seat nodded. Paul had gone off to help an older mare give birth to a foal, and the Piersons had left immediately after the meeting. All who remained were Bird, Kimberly and Julia.

“It was a good day, for the most part,” said Hannah, trying to lift their spirits. “Well done.”

Julia piped up, “I'll look after Sabrina when we get back. I told Liz I would.” Her brow furrowed. “She's got other things on her mind right now.”

Bird gave Julia a squeeze. She loved her younger sister's kind heart.

“So,” said Hannah, “we'll swing by the Malone's on our way home.”

Kimberly sighed. “I don't want Moonie to go. Can I ride her again, maybe, Hannah?”

“Let's talk things over with Fiona. Once we sort out the deal she made with Dexter Pill, we'll have a better idea.”

“But Moonie really likes me. I can tell!” exclaimed Kimberly. “Doesn't that count for anything?”

Hannah smiled sadly. “In this business, it doesn't. If horses could choose their riders, I know Moonlight Sonata would say, ‘I choose that nice little girl right there.' And you'd live happily ever after. Let's just see what happens.”

Julia said, “I know who'd buy Pastor from you.”

Kimberly looked at her. “Who?”

“Is he for sale?” Julia rubbed her hands together like a horse trader.

“Depends who's asking,” responded Kimberly, equally slyly.

“Liz Brown, that's who. She's been in love with Pastor forever. And Sabrina scared the riding pants off her today.” Julia whistled and rolled her eyes.

Kimberly thought for a moment. “I never knew she loved Pastor.”

“He's certainly lovable,” said Hannah.

“And reliable and handsome and perfectly trained,” Julia added.

Kimberly tilted her head. “I want to think a little before making any decisions.”

“Very wise,” nodded Hannah. “And we don't have any idea if Moonie is for sale, anyway.”

The Malone farm came into view as they turned up the gravel side road.

“I'm closing my eyes,” said Kimberly dramatically. “I don't want to watch Moonie go!”

“Do whatever you like,” answered Hannah, “but we're here. I'll see where Fiona wants us to put the mare.” She jumped down from the truck and knocked on Fiona's front door. Nobody came. Hannah knocked again, louder.

From the back seat, Bird saw movement through the living room window. She looked closely but couldn't make anything out through the glare of the glass. She slipped down from the truck and crept nearer. Standing on her tiptoes under the window, she looked in. Somebody was lying on the couch.

The person was partially covered with a throw blanket, head under a cushion. At the sound of another of Hannah's knocks, an arm flew up and removed the cushion. It was a dishevelled Fiona Malone. She blinked in confusion, muttered something, then slammed the cushion down over her head again. She burrowed deeper into the couch.

On the floor beside the couch was an empty bottle. Bird felt a thud of misery in her gut. She had heard that Fiona was an alcoholic, but everybody said she wasn't drinking anymore.

Hannah had come up beside Bird. She looked in the window. “Well, I guess we bring Moonie home with us after all. Poor Fiona.”

Poor Abby, thought Bird, to have lived with this.

It had been a long, hot day, but now that the horses were bathed, fed and out grazing in the cool evening breeze, everyone was mellow and content. Hannah, Paul and the three girls sat around the kitchen table, drinking tall glasses of iced lemonade and eating tuna melts and tomato salad with vinaigrette. The windows and door were wide open, and the sheer curtains flapped lazily at the screens.

“Mom said she was on her way two hours ago,”said Kimberly. “Why can't she just tell me she'll be late so I don't keep expecting her?”

Bird took a drink of lemonade. Lavinia Davis was selfish and demanding. Everyone at Saddle Creek had long ago learned to ignore what she said and accept what she did. Their only concern was for Kimberly, whom they treated like family.

“I want to talk to her about Moonlight Sonata,” Kimberly continued. “She was really proud that I won first. I hate to say this, but she was delirious that I beat out Bird and Sunny!”

Bird almost spit out her drink with a laugh.

Hannah smiled kindly. “She'll show up, sweetie. She always does.”

“Today or tomorrow,” Kimberly added with a sigh. “Or the next day. Anyway, all I can think about is I might never ride Moonie again.”

“I'll talk to Fiona tomorrow, Kim.”

“It's six o'clock.” Paul reached over and turned on the radio. “I wonder if the news will mention the meeting.”

“Good evening. In our top story tonight, Tanbark Wedger, the son of businessman Kenneth Bradley, has gone missing. Hurt in the barn fire in Caledon, he is now being sought by police and medical officials.”

Bird stopped chewing.

“What did it say?” asked Julia.

“Shh!” Hannah turned up the volume.

“Sometime around three this afternoon, Mr. Wedger disappeared from Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville. His father, Kenneth Bradley, has put out a reward of ten thousand dollars for any information that leads to his son's safe return. If you see Mr. Wedger, please do not approach him. He has a mental disorder that causes him to be highly unpredictable when confused. Call 1-800-444-TIPS if you think you see him, and again, DO NOT approach him.”

Poor Tanbark, thought Bird. People will think he's a maniac.

“In related news, the group calling itself Justice for the Innocent held a rally at the Palston Horse Show today at two o'clock. An estimated one hundred signatures were gathered on a petition to drop charges regarding the barn fire that injured Tanbark Wedger, and is threatening the life of Pierre Hall. Police were standing by, but it was a peaceful gathering.”

“How can they say that?” Julia demanded. “It wasn't peaceful at all! Philip Butler was embarrassed and everybody was yelling!”

Paul explained. “What they mean is that no punches were thrown.”

“Then why didn't they say that?” Julia was upset.

“The bigger problem is that Tanbark ran away from the hospital,” said Hannah quietly. “He shouldn't be without medical attention.”

“He's burned and in pain,” said Paul. “I don't know where he'll go.”

Bird thought she knew. Right now Tanbark was probably working his way back to Saddle Creek Farm. Where else would he go? He would be stealthy about it, staying away from people and drinking out of creeks and ponds. He'd find cover in the daylight, and travel at night. She guessed that in a day or two he'd be peeking in their windows and causing Lucky and Sunny concern.

“He doesn't like to wear anything but his shorts,” said Julia. “They could follow his clothes trail.”

“Good idea,” said Kimberly. “Let's see. There's his hospital gown. Then his slippers. If he dropped them all in different places the trail would dry up before he'd crossed the parking lot.”

Julia grimaced at her. “At least I had an idea. What's yours?”

“Come on, girls,” said Hannah. “Clear the table. The pie is ready.”

“Pie!” chirped Julia. “Nothing in the world is as delicious as Aunt Hannah's rhubarb and cream cheese pie.”

“Is there enough for me?” asked a woman's voice as the door slapped open.

Lucky shot out from under the table and started barking.

“Keep that animal away from me!”

Lucky scooted back under the table with his tail tucked between his legs. Bird understood why. This woman had that effect on every creature.

“Mom!” exclaimed Kimberly. “You scared us! Why didn't you knock?”

Lavinia looked askance at her daughter. “It's a screen door. Who knocks on a screen door?”

“You're always welcome, Lavinia,” said Hannah. “And of course there's enough pie. More than enough.”

Paul pulled an extra chair to the table. “Have a seat,” he said as he swept his arm down like a waiter.

Lavinia sat between Kimberly and Paul. “Thank you, Paul. Do you have coffee, Hannah? Decaf no-fat latte?”

Hannah was bent over the oven taking out the pie. She stopped midway. “Decaf ... no-fat ... latte?”

“Yes. With artificial sweetener. Half a packet, well stirred. I hate it when all the sweetness comes at the bottom, don't you, Paul?” She almost batted her eyelashes.

Hannah raised her eyebrows at Paul and resisted the impulse to laugh. “I can make a decaffeinated cup of coffee with hot skim milk, but I don't have any artificial sweetener.”

“No problem — I carry my own. There's a new product I like, and I refuse to use anything else.” She reached into her purse and brandished a small package of stevia.

Kimberly sank her head to the table but not before she rolled her eyes at Bird and Julia.

“Now,” said Lavinia. “I want to hear all about this Moonshine Regatta.”

Everybody laughed. The mangling of the mare's name gave them all an excuse to get the giggles out of their systems. They couldn't stop for a couple of minutes, because every time the laughter got under control, somebody would start up again.

Lavinia raised her arms dramatically. “I'm not finding anything funny. Tell me what you're laughing about. This minute.”

Paul was able to speak first. “It's the mare's name. It's not Moonshine Regatta.” He began to laugh again but pretended that he needed to clear his throat. “Excuse me, please.”

“It's Moonlight Sonata, Mom,” said Kimberly. “Like Beethoven wrote.”

“You were laughing at me.” Lavinia pouted and crossed her arms.

Bird knew this could get ugly. Lavinia hated anybody laughing at her.

Hannah came to the rescue. “It's a brilliant name, Lavinia. Moonshine Regatta. I'd name a horse that in a flash.”

Paul backed her up. “It makes me think of a sailing boat race in Prohibition days. The moon shining on water. Very evocative.”

Kimberly mouthed, “They're sucking up,” and the girls giggled again.

“That's true,” sighed Lavinia poetically. “It is a beautiful name. So, what is her actual name again?”

“Moon ... light So ... na ... ta, Mom,” Kimberly groaned. “Moonlight Sonata.”

Lavinia waved her fingers in the air. “Okay, already. So tell me, Hannah. Kimberly said she won. First. Over Bird and Sundancer.”

Hannah nodded as she scooped vanilla ice cream into a big bowl and set it on the table beside the pie. “She certainly did, Lavinia. Kimberly and Moonie—”

“You cannot call her Moonie,” Lavinia interrupted. “That's horrible.”

Kimberly looked at her mother directly. “It's a ‘stable name,' Mom. And only the greatest horses have one.”

“In that case, it's all right. You were saying, Hannah?”

“Kimberly and Moonie were an instant team. They were right in sync from the beginning.” Hannah started passing out plates of pie and ice cream.

“To be totally honest, Mom,” Kimberly interrupted, “Moonie jumped two jumps without my help. I was paralyzed with fear and only shook out of it when she bucked.”

Lavinia gasped. “She bucked? Is that good?”

“Yes! A little wake-up buck. It was good that she did it, too, or things would've ended very differently.”

“You mean you wouldn't have won?”

“Right.We wouldn't have won.” Kimberly and Bird exchanged a look. Lavinia cared more about winning than her daughter's safety.

“Well, I want to sell Pastor ASAP and buy Moonie. I don't want two horses on the payroll. Hannah, make that happen, will you?”

“Mom!” exclaimed Kimberly.

“What? Pastor's won third, once. He's never even come close to winning a first. Moonie did today, first time out.”

“It's about more than winning, Mom! Pastor's a great horse and I love him.” Kim crossed her arms defensively.

“Get over it, Kimberly. I pay good money here, and I pay for firsts. Now, I really don't need pie, so let's get going.” Lavinia stood up and smoothed her blouse over her flat belly. “Kimberly? We have to go.”

Hannah had seen this coming. It had happened before. She handed Kimberly a big piece of rhubarb pie and ice cream, securely protected in a used plastic yogurt container. “Enjoy your dessert Kimberly.” She tousled Kimberly's auburn curls and handed her a fork. “Bring it back tomorrow. Again, congratulations on a really good day.”

Kimberly's eyes shone with gratitude, not just for the pie, but for Hannah's praise and understanding.

Bird stood and hugged her best friend goodbye.

“See you tomorrow, Bird?” Kimberly asked. Bird nodded and grinned, licking her lips and glancing at the pie plate. There'd be leftovers to finish off.

Lavinia opened the screen door. “Let's go, Kimberly! Hannah? You heard me about Moonbeam Sonata. Make it happen.”

The kitchen door slammed shut. Stifling snickers at the face Kimberly made behind Lavinia's back, they watched as mother and daughter got in a shiny new white BMW coupe and roared down the drive.