Mystery at Saddle Creek (25 page)

30

 

TAN EXPLAINS

Back in the cave, Tan had slept well. He knew he couldn't stay there, though—his father would eventually find him with the dogs. But at least his sleep was much less fitful, now that he wasn't worried about the coyote. Cody. Tan grinned. His soulmate. The thought of Cody saving his life in the fire flashed in his brain. He owed him big time.

But he'd think about that later. Now, he had to worry about remaining free. Bird was protecting him — and that gave him comfort — but he had to remain alert if he was to stay alive.

AN HOUR AFTER MACK LEFT Saddle Creek, Kimberly, Liz, Bird and Julia were all tacked up and on their horses. Hannah put them through their paces. It felt good to be thinking about something other than murder or Tan.

Sunny was showing off for Moonie. He stretched out long and low at a trot with his head tucked nicely and his neck perfectly arched.

Nice, Sunny.

I'm not doing this for you.

It's still nice.

We're going to win this time.

Don't worry about winning. That's what got us in trouble last time.

You can pretend, Bird, but you don't fool me.

Bird laughed aloud.

“What's so funny?” asked Julia, trotting by on Sabrina.

“I'm just happy to be riding,” answered Bird.

“Me, too!” yelled Kimberly from across the ring. “I love Moonie! She's so light on her feet and collected. I feel like a good rider when I ride her. I hope Mom lets me buy her.”

I hope Kimby can become my person
, messaged Moonie.

Liz sighed.“I feel so safe on Pastor.He wants to do the r ...right thing all the time.”

Liz can ride me anytime
, Pastor told Bird.

Bird smiled. It was nice when horses and people agreed. It didn't happen nearly enough.

Hannah called out to Julia, “Do you want to take Sabrina to the show, or Timmy?”

“Can I decide later?”

“I need to know soon. Sabrina has a better chance of winning, if she behaves, but Timmy is more predictable and safer. It's up to you.”

“It's so hard to choose!” answered Julia. “Now that I have the choice, I'm not sure which one I want to take.”

Bird looked at Sabrina closely. She was an exceptionally pretty pony, with her flaxen mane and tail and chestnut coat. Her face was beautifully dished with a lovely white blaze, and her legs were delicate and long for a Welsh pony. The judges always loved her.

Sabrina, do you want to go to the show with Julia?

Yes, I do. She's just right for me, even though I prefer boy riders.

Why is that? I've always wanted to know.

Because of Keghan, Dillon, Evan and Michael. They're my boys. I taught them well and they treated me like a princess.

As you deserve!

That goes without saying.

Will you be nice to Julia?

Yes. And we'll win the best ribbons.

“Let me decide for you, Julia.” Bird rode up to them. “Take Sabrina. She'll do the job for you. And it's good to challenge yourself.”

“If you say so.” Julia grinned. “Timmy has been so wonderful for me. Now he can teach some other kid to ride.”

That's what I like to do best!
Timmy messaged from his stall.

“Okay, Sabrina it is.” Hannah clapped her hands. “Now, is everybody warmed up? Let's jump!”

She had set up a course of low jumps, including a water hazard. The kids had a great time counting their strides and finding the right spots from which to jump. Bird knew that Hannah was doing her best to make everyone forget the troubles of the past week. And she was succeeding.

One field over, Tan watched the girls' riding lesson from the cover of bushes. Cody watched Tan from another clump, deliberately positioning himself between the wild man and the people. He raised his head to signal Bird.

I see you, Cody. Any news?

The wild man is here. Look farther to the treeline.

I don't see him.

He feels uncertain.

Bird thought for a moment.
Keep an eye on him. I'll speak to him when I'm finished here.

Good.

Sunny threw his head up in frustration.
Leave it alone! It's over!

Sunny was wrong. It wasn't over. Bird felt sure that the mystery of Sandra Hall's murder had been solved, but Tan was still out there on his own, without medical attention or a place to call home. And Kenneth Bradley was eager to find him. For Tan, nothing was over. Bird wondered if it ever would be. She ran her fingers through Sunny's mane.
I have to do this.

You make me worry. I thought this was over and that you could settle down and ride the way you used to.

Don't worry, please, Sunny. I just need to speak to him.

The rest of the lesson went without a hitch. Hannah was pleased with the girls' work, and Bird soaked up the confidence and camaraderie around her with a deep sense of pleasure.

Paul arrived home for lunch. He'd been worming and giving shots to several barns full of horses. “I've got ice cream!” he called from the driveway. Bird smiled. Paul was trying to help them forget, too.

“Lunch break!” called Hannah. “You were all fabulous. Tomorrow, the horses will be perfect.”

“Aunt Hannah, is it okay if I come down in a few minutes?” asked Bird. “I'd like to get a few things done.”

Hannah rubbed her niece's burnt hair and smiled. “Sure thing. I promise we'll save some food for you.”

“Ice cream, too?”

“Ice cream, too.”

Bird listened to the chatter and jokes as everyone walked to the house in high spirits, leaving her in the barn. If Tan was watching, he'd know she was alone. He would come to her.

She soaped Sunny and walked him dry. She pulled his mane just a little to make braiding for the show easier. She organized and cleaned his show tack, and put a clean cooling blanket, saddle pads and leg wraps aside for quick packing.

As she worked, the excitement of the impending show built in her chest. Also, for the first time in her life, she was happy that her mother was coming home. Eva. Bird smiled. She'd called just once while they were away, to make sure the girls were fine. Hannah had not told her about all the chaos; she'd decided there was no point in ruining their honeymoon. Bird was happy for her mother. Finally, Eva had found what she was looking for in her life — though she hadn't even known what that was until it found her.

Maybe life's like that, Bird mused. Maybe it takes a lot of luck.

She'd been thinking about Alec, too. Why shouldn't he have a flirtation or two? They weren't married or anything, not even really going out. If the rumour was true, so be it! Let him go! He wasn't worth another minute of moping. There was always another train coming down the track, as Pete sometimes said. Or lots more fish in the sea. Bird squared her shoulders and began to hum a funny song from a musical her class had seen. “I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair ...”

A little later, Bird finished all her chores, and Tanbark still had not come. It was time to go find him.

Cody?

Here, Bird.

Can you take me to Tanbark?

Tanbark has come to you.

Bird spun around.

“Boo!” Tanbark was standing right behind her, eyes glistening a little too brightly. His body quivered with glee.

Bird was catching on — Tan was always either too sad or too happy. Too happy meant she needed to be very direct or he wouldn't pay attention.

“Don't do that!” Bird snapped. “You scared me!”

“So, what's the word, Bird? Do you like that rhyme?” He grinned.

“The word is that we're in big trouble with the police because, after all the trouble I went to finding you in that cave and bringing you home, you jumped out the window before they could even talk to you!”

“That's not my problem.”

Bird stared at him. Could he really be that selfish? “What is your problem?”

“The way I see it, my only problem is how to stay alive until my father's put in jail.”

Bird waited for him to continue.

“I saw what happened at the road that day. I saw who walked away. And I'm homeless, which equals insane.”

Bird nodded. He was making sense. “Go on.”

“Put it all together, Bird. I get locked up either way. Prison or the funny farm. Or far worse.”

Bird stared. “Let me understand. He wants you found,” she said slowly, “and if he can't discredit you, he'll possibly want to permanently silence you. Is that what you're saying?”

Tanbark shrugged. “Yeah, that's what I'm saying.”

“Do you think he'd really do that?”

Tanbark shrugged his shoulders. “I don't know. I'm staying out of sight, just in case.”

Now Bird understood why Tan had jumped out the window. It wasn't his need to be free, or even a fear of other people. He was literally afraid for his life.

“I'll help however I can,” said Bird. “And there's the recording. I gave it to the police.”

“Good. It will speak for me.”

“I'll bring you food and dry clothes. Cody will be our go-between.”

“Cody?”

“Yes. He'll be watching you. When you want food, come around the house and he'll let me know. Then I'll send him to you with something to eat. You never have to tell anybody where you're hiding, that way.”

Tan tilted his head. “And people think I'm crazy.”

31

 

THE PALSTON CLASSIC

Tan felt pretty good. Bird would look after him. She thought of every-thing — even his food. Simple! Whenever he was hungry, all he had to do was come around the house. Cody would see him, tell Bird to fetch food, and presto! This was the life!

THE NEXT MORNING, Bird awoke with a start. The horse show! Bird jumped out of bed. Today! She threw off her nightgown and nervously dressed in her still-new show clothes. She was glad she'd carefully laid them out the night before. She was in no condition to make decisions.

Outside Bird's window, Sunny calmly grazed. Aunt Hannah believed that a little dirt was far better than a jangled horse. Bird completely agreed. The horses liked their routines. They spent all their summer nights out in the fresh air, so why coop them up the night before a show, just to keep them clean?

Bird found Hannah and Julia downstairs in the kitchen.

“Morning!” Hannah chirped brightly. “Show time!”

Julia rolled her eyes. “She's been like this all morning.”

Bird grinned. She took the glass of orange juice that Hannah offered, drank it down and sighed with contentment. “Here's to a great day.”

“Paul's already at work. The Petersons' young draft cross got caught in wire overnight. He'll be fine. Just a few stitches.”

“He must have stood still until someone found him,” Bird said.

“Exactly. When he didn't run up with the others for breakfast, they went looking. There he was, quiet as can be, waiting for help.”

Bird was already wolfing down her scrambled eggs on toast. “Cool horse.” Most horses got so frightened that they would tear their leg to bits trying to get away from the wire. Especially when the others went running off.

“I'm taking Sabrina for sure, Hannah. Final decision.” Julia tapped the table decisively.

“That's good, because that's who's ready.” Hannah began clearing up. “Put your lab coats on over your show clothes, girls. And rubber boots to keep your riding boots clean. Let's get the show on the road.”

Within minutes, they were up in the barn. Cliff had the big rig gassed up and ready with hay nets and water. The tack trunks were stocked with coolers, leg wraps and extra equipment. “Just in case” was a serious part of their packing.

By then, Cliff had brought in the horses that were going. Sundancer, Moonlight Sonata, Pastor and Sabrina had eaten their oats and were ready for Bird and Julia to start grooming them.

A few minutes later, Lavinia showed up with Kimberly and Liz, whom she'd picked up on her way to Saddle Creek. “Gotta run!” she sang out. “Hair appointment! Should I bleach or colour? Big decisions today! See you later at the show, sweetie!” With a backwards wave, she was gone.

Kimberly completely ignored her mother. “What a beautiful day!”

“Easy for you to s ... say,” worried Liz. “I'm riding P ... Pastor. I've never showed a h ... horse before. P ... Ponies are closer to the ground if you fall off!”

“But ponies are far more likely to throw you,” Kimberly reassured her. “Tell her, Bird.”

“I'm not listening to this!” exclaimed Julia. “Sabrina isn't either. Are you, Sabrina?”

People say the stupidest things.
Sabrina was indeed listening.

Bird couldn't help but laugh.

With everybody working together as a team, the horses were soon ready. The girls walked them onto the trailer, and they were on their way.

They arrived at Palston early and got the parking spot they wanted. Bird climbed out of the truck, and surveyed the grounds. Everywhere she looked people were unloading horses, running for water, hauling feed nets, gulping down coffee—organizing themselves for the day ahead. Things were certainly getting busy.

Julia stepped out of the trailer. “Are you feeling ready?” Bird asked her sister.

“No! Yes ... well, almost. I'm nervous! Can you help with my hair?”

“I'd love to.” Bird patted her own dry, singed locks. “Unburnt hair will be nice to work with for a change.”

Minutes later, Hannah was back. “No lineups. It's so much better to be early.” She was pleased. “Bird, I've put you in the meter-thirty class, and Kimberly, you're staying in the meter. This way we can bring home all the firsts.”

Kimberly smiled. “Great. I like that class. Has my mother talked to you about us buying Moonie, Hannah?”

Hannah nodded. “She's waiting to see how you do today. Fiona Malone is ready to talk about it, and I talked to Abby, too. Abby needs the money for school, and wants what's best for Moonie. She knows that her mare wants to keep working, and she'd love to have Moonie at Saddle Creek.”

Kimberly nodded. “I guess that answers all my questions.” She rubbed Moonie's face. “Moonie, let's rock our class.”

Bird finished braiding Julia's hair and firmly placed the riding helmet on her head. “Gorgeous!” she pronounced. She helped her sister into the saddle and wiped off her boots.

“You have tons of time, Julia,” Hannah said. “Go stroll around and get used to everything.”

“When should I be back?”

Hannah checked her watch. “Your class is at nine, and you're the third one in. Be back in fifteen minutes and I'll put you over some warm-up jumps.”

Julia waved as she trotted away.

“Now,” said Hannah. “Let's get Pastor ready!”