by Olivia Swift
“You set me off, Sam.”
Sam counted down from three and clicked the timer. Branston was himself, almost part of the horse and they all watched him circle the tree almost on a standstill and start again. He came back and Sam clicked off.
“Right, Chloe,” Sam said. “Three two one go.”
“She’s so competitive,” Shelby said.
“I can tell,” Branston answered. “She’s a young, female version of what I was at the same age.”
Magda laughed and agreed.
The girl raced back and halted in front of them. Sam clicked off and grinned.
“You beat him by one second, Chloe.” The rest of them broke into applause and the girl smiled and raised her hand in the air. She took off away from them, dropped off one side of the saddle, kicked her foot off the ground, and righted herself before turning and coming back.
“Wow,” Rula said. “Go on, Branston. You can’t let that challenge go.”
He did what Chloe had done and then swung under the horse’s neck like a bareback Indian rider and came up the other side.
“I’ll not try that,” Chloe grinned. “Are you entered in the rodeo?” He said that he was.
They all set off around the lake. The others took turns at riding on ahead and the two horses that had been racing walked along sedately.
“What is your stallion called?” Chloe asked.
“Jet. Not very original I know.”
“He’s wonderful,” the girl said seriously.
The lake was beautiful, and the trees grew more plentiful further around as they spread away toward the lower slopes of the mountains in the distance. They stopped at the far end to let the horses have a drink again and look at the view.
“I would like to paint some of this. Can I take a few photos?” Shelby asked and Branston waved a hand to say it was all available. The rest found some rocks to sit on and take it all in as he photographed. Branston talked rodeo and training with his rival for best rider. She stood up and said that Merlin could follow her like a dog would.
She lifted the reins and hooked them on the saddle.
“Walk,” she said to the pony. He put his nose on her shoulder and walked quietly at the same pace as his mistress. When she stopped, he stopped and when she turned, he turned. They came back and she dropped the reins on the ground. Merlin stood still in one place.
“I’ve never tried that before,” Branston admitted and turned to Shelby. “Your great-grandfather must have been a great horseman as well?”
“From what we can tell, he loved horses and was an excellent rider. I think she’s the next generation.”
“We have one or two old photos,” Chloe said. “Mom could find them.”
“Do they show any buildings?” Sam asked.
Magda saw where he was going. “You think maybe Rula’s barn might be in them?”
Rula said that would be fantastic and explained that she was restoring an old barn and it might well have been part of the ranch where her great-great-grandfather had bred horses.
“Oh, we’ll find them as soon as we get home,” Chloe said. “One day, I will breed horses again like he did.”
They started the return ride to the ranch.
“I had forgotten how I loved the wide-open spaces,” Magda said. “If I bought a horse could I pay you to keep it here for me?” she asked her cousin.
“No problem, my favorite cousin. The one you are on is available as it happens. She’s too lively for most of the visitors.”
“I like her,” Magda said. She clicked to the horse and Jessie responded easily. The others watched her go. When she came back, Chloe asked if she could try out the mare and slipped down from Merlin.
“You can try Merlin,” she offered to Magda. “He’s a good boy.” Magda looked at Branston who nodded slightly. Magda trusted her cousin completely with horses. She found a rock and climbed on board. She watched as Chloe, with expertise of someone much older, raced out Jessie, tried her in a series of turns and trotted back.
“She’s a lovely ride. Try Merlin.”
Magda felt the rise and fall of the Arab and sank into his movement. He was an easy horse to ride because he reacted to every move. She used her knees and made him go around in a figure of eight and then let him ride out away from the group and back again. The pony halted as asked and stood quietly.
“You have one in a million there, Chloe. I’m jealous. Thank you.” They swapped horses back again and Chloe said that Jessie was lively but listened to the rider.
“Grumpy ones don’t stay here,” Branston said. “We cannot risk the guests.”
They rode back to the ranch saying how enjoyable it had been. Everyone helped rub down the horses and turn them out into the corral. Merlin went in his trailer like an angel and Chloe ran to find her mom to ask about the photographs.
7
Little Samantha was being cuddled by Chloe’s mom. Merle offered everyone drinks. Mikey asked if they had enjoyed themselves and Chloe started asking her mom about old photos. Mikey had already talked about the barn and Diana understood what her daughter was asking.
“We’ll find them tonight, photograph them and send to your cell phones.”
The group sat around and talked about owning horses. Branston told his wife that Magda wanted to buy Jessie and to keep her at the ranch to ride.
“No problem,” Merle said. “I’ll leave the price to Branston. Horses are his side of the business.”
“I’m guessing,” Sam said, “that if Magda wants to go riding, I’m going to be babysitter.”
“If you want to ride, you can make me babysitter anytime and borrow a horse,” Merle offered. “I love having Samantha.”
They talked about the rodeo and then agreed to meet at the stable on Monday evening. Shelby said it was fine with him and of course, Chloe wanted to know why they were going to the old barn. Shelby looked at his sister because he had already talked to her about seances. Diana sighed.
“This daughter of mine is far too clever to try and fool. You might as well just explain it. It’s to do with horses, so she will persist in asking anyway.”
They had Chloe’s complete attention by that time and Shelby took over explaining that he had met Magda and the others through the art gallery.
“Uncle Shelby’s horse drawings are the best,” she said to Magda.
“Haven’t seen those yet.”
Rula told her that she thought for a split second that she saw a cowboy on the stairs and then Shelby had dreamed the same man and painted him.
“Your great great-granddad bred horses in that area,” Diana told her. “Magda and Rula think that if Shelby goes with them, maybe the cowboy will come and join them.”
Chloe’s eyes were round as saucers, and she looked around them all.
“A ghost?” she queried, and Magda nodded.
“Merle here can sense things like that.”
“I don’t think the ghost was my great-grandfather,” Shelby told her, “because we have some photos of him.”
“But it might be Cody Jones?” Chloe was quick to pick up the alternative. “The great horse rider that everyone admired.” She turned to the others. “He was a showman, you know. He put on fantastic displays and could do it all bareback.”
“He must have been like a rock star of his time,” Magda said. “I wonder why they never kept on breeding.”
Diana said that the family was never sure of that either.
“They just thought that they spent too much money and it all had to be sold.” She stood up and said they should be off. “We’ll look for those photos tonight.”
Chloe looked at Branston.
“I don’t suppose I could come along with Uncle Shelby?”
“Whatever your mom says, Chloe. It’s fine by me and I guess with the others.”
“I don’t fight it,” Diana sighed. “She will just nag till I give in.” The woman smiled and hugged her daughter around the shoulders as she said it. “But your uncl
e will have to drive. My cab driving can be given a night off.”
“You don’t mind Uncle Shelby, do you?” she asked knowing full well that she had won.
“Come on, let’s get Merlin home,” Shelby said and the three of them said their goodbyes.
Mikey gave them the address on a piece of paper.
The rest of them came back inside and accepted another drink. Magda changed the baby, then Merle took her in her arms and gave her a warm bottle of milk.
“You look like such a precious picture like that,” Rula told her. “I think Samantha has made us all broody.”
“Just think what a creche1 the café would have to have if we all had babies,” Magda laughed.
“The work always comes back to me,” Sam sighed.
Magda threw a cushion at him.
“The most doting father in the world. That girl will have you wrapped around her finger all of her life,” Magda told him.
“It will be an early start tomorrow with the crafters arriving to set up their stalls,” Mikey said. It was a signal to go home and they all thanked Merle and Branston for a lovely afternoon.
“That youngster will be a superb rider. Well, she’s already better than most adults,” Branston said. “It’s great to see someone so enthusiastic.”
“Merlin was so responsive to any movement at all. He’s a real treasure for her,” Magda said as she carried the baby things out to the car.
“We were so lucky you and I, to have a grandfather who bothered to teach us to understand the horse as well as ride it.”
“Good memories, Branston,” Magda replied.
“He would be glad you are riding again. If he was standing here, he would tell me to give you Jessie. She’s yours, Magda.”
“No. I cannot take her,” Magda said. “Let me pay something and then I’ll know she’s mine.”
“Okay, twenty dollars and I’ll give you a proper bill of sale.”
“Deal,” she said and kissed his cheek. “Thanks.”
Crystal was waiting in the kitchen and staring at the front door when the family arrived home.
“She’s absolutely fine, Crystal. I will put the baby in the playpen while we make her something to eat.” Magda did that as Sam carried in the baby stuff that had to go everywhere that Samantha went. He walked through to the extension room and saw a magazine on the floor. Automatically, he looked to see what was on the page. They had accepted that Crystal always had something bothering her when she pushed at books and pictures.
The picture was an advertisement for the rodeo and promised a great day out for the whole family. He told Magda as she fed the little one and she shook her head.
“We know about the rodeo and horses and children, Crystal. Thank you.” The cat said nothing but watched as Samantha was fed and put down for a little rest in her crib. Then she appeared satisfied and went to twine herself on the spiral staircase. The other three had gone out into their covered patio but Crystal had a vantage point to keep her eye on things.
“Branston says twenty dollars for Jessie,” Magda smiled. “He says grandad would want him to give her to me as a gift.”
“We will pay properly for her keep,” Sam answered. “You do look good on a horse, Mags.” She came and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt him pull her close in return and leaned against his chest.
“I do have the best man in the whole world,” she said.
“Who will make you one of your own hot chocolates,” he said and went to the kitchen.
As she was sitting back with the drink, her phone pinged. Photos started to arrive one by one. Obviously, Diana was sending them to everyone because Sam’s phone did the same. Together they looked at the faded pictures.
“There is one of Cody Jones,” Magda said excitedly. “I’m sure that’s the same man that Shelby painted.”
Diana sent a message saying that she would bring in the actual photos to the café because there were details it was easier to see when the picture was in front of you. Magda sent them all on to Katie, Declan, and Bart and told them the séance was tomorrow night if they could make it.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Katie texted back.
The photos showed a ranch house with a couple on the steps and there were snatches of barns and corrals with the people standing stiff and frozen as they had their photograph taken. There was one shot of a man on a horse and it had been caught in mid stride.
“Probably got that shot by accident,” Sam said, “but that is probably Cody Jones.” He went and found a magnifying glass, but the detail was blurred.
“I’ll take that glass with me tomorrow,” Magda said and took Samantha away for her bath. She gave all of her attention and love to the little one but saw Crystal watching from the doorway.
“I love you as well, Crystal,” she said and wrapped Samantha in a warm towel. She sat on the floor with the baby on her lap and held out a hand for the Birman. Crystal hesitated but came and leaned against Magda.
“What a lucky girl I am to have this baby, her dad, and you wonderful cats,” Magda told the cat. “Let’s get her ready for bed.” Crystal watched as Samantha was dried and made to smile as she lay on the changing table. With the baby settled in her crib, Sam came to look over the side at his daughter. Her eyes closed and they tiptoed away with Crystal alongside.
“We’re in the good books,” Magda whispered with a smile.
She opened her tablet to see the photos on a larger screen and then put it down to switch on the television. Crystal walked over to the tablet and with one swipe knocked it onto the floor.
“Now you go and spoil the peace and quiet,” Magda grumbled. “I hope that it’s not cracked.” She picked it up and the picture that came to life was Cody Jones on horseback.
“She showed us Cody Jones. I wonder if he will turn up tomorrow night. Maybe the cat is ahead of us as usual.”
“I wonder if having Shelby and Chloe there will make a difference,” Sam pondered aloud.
“It has to really,” Magda added. “Family ties must mean something.”
“But they are not his family. They’re his friend and partner’s family,” Sam pointed out. Magda said that they must have been close to run a breeding business together.
“I hope Shelby will let us see his private horse drawings. Chloe was obviously impressed with them.”
There was a bang as Crystal knocked the tablet back onto the floor. Magda shouted at her and she ran back to the spiral staircase. Magda looked at the screen and handed it to Sam. The picture was just a group of wooden buildings and some horses in a corral.
1 Crèche or creche (from latin cripia "crib, cradle") may refer to: Childcare center, an organization of adults who take care of children in place of their parents. Preschool or nursery school.
8
The next day started off with a rush, as they knew it would. Some exhibitors were always wanting a very early start and they were waiting as Mikey opened up the gallery. Rula had the café open by the time Magda arrived. Katie and Rita joined in and some of the exhibitors came through for coffee before they made a start.
Magda went to help Mikey and Katie sort out any queries and to chat with the folks setting things up. Most of them she already knew, and Magda was looking forward to seeing their products. By the time she had gone around, she had spotted some handmade moisturizer and a bath soak to buy, helped hold the covering for a table as someone fastened it in place and also made sure they knew how to access electricity if they needed display lights.
Mikey was hauling out extra tables and chairs as needed. The noise of the stallholders built up as everyone arrived. Most of them had previously met at other venues. There was one woman with Native American items that Magda had not met before, so she went to say hello.
“Are you finding everything you need?” she asked as she introduced herself. The woman smiled and said that she was a little nervous.
“I haven’t done anything like this before.” She said her name was Ava. Magda
told her just to ask any of the others if she was uncertain.
“They all help each other out and look after your stall if you need to go to the restroom or for something to eat. “Charis,” she called to the woman two tables away. “This is Ava and it’s her first time at this.” Charis was a bubbly forty-year-old with bright ginger curls and a personality to match. She came over to meet Ava. Magda left them to it and then stepped back. There was a gorgeous horse blanket in a Native American design that she knew she would come back and buy for Jessie.
The café was busy for a Monday morning especially since Bart had done a bit of advertising in the paper. It seemed to have worked as people were interested to see what was on offer, finished off with a beverage, and often a truffle. The regulars always liked to chat and Magda and Rula saw it as part of the service. The time flew by and they all had taken turns to make sure Samantha was fine. Late in the morning, Diana arrived. She came at the same time as Bart who was late after covering a breaking story. He said he was starving so Rula made him a couple of tacos and a coffee.
Diana handed over the photos and was introduced to Bart.
“These the real photos from all that time ago?” he asked and stuffed the last of the taco into his mouth.
“Bring them around here to our table,” Magda said, and they moved into the screened off baby room.
“Can I pick her up?” Diana asked and Magda nodded.
“Feel free,” she said. “I want to see these pictures.” They picked them up one by one. Magda found the magnifying glass to better see them. She looked at the one of the man on the horse but it was still a blurred image. She looked again and found the one with several buildings that Crystal had pushed onto the floor. Over time, Magda had learned to take notice of her unusual cat. She held it out to Diana.
“Is this where they bred the horses?”
