Dark Days at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  “Daddy!” cried Sally, running into his arms. “I’m having so … much … fun!”

  Bird decided to stay where she was.

  “I’m glad you are, Peaches!”

  “The kids here are so nice, and we actually went for a ride outside! On the trails! It was so-o fun!”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “What took you so long? I called hours ago.”

  “Dexter said Tall Sox was still there, so I went golfing.”

  “Golfing?” Sally pouted. “You thought I made it up?”

  “I thought you were pulling a joke on me, like last time.” He sounded kind, but serious.

  Sally dropped her voice. “It wasn’t like last time at all! Bird and I brought him here in the middle of the night because Wanda told me that Dexter was sending him away today. It was real this time.”

  “I know that now, Peaches.” Harold spoke to his daughter gently. “Dexter left a dozen messages while I was golfing. A guy came to transport Tall Sox and he wasn’t there. Nobody noticed him missing until then.”

  “That’s because I fixed up the stall to look like it was supposed to be empty. It worked!” She sounded happier now. “Wait ’til I tell Bird!”

  In the tack room, Bird smiled. She’d congratulate Sally later, but now she wanted to listen undetected. Often you learned more that way. Like that Sally played jokes on people. Bird was glad she hadn’t known last night — she wouldn’t have gone to Moreland’s with her.

  Hannah approached them from the arena, where she’d been sweeping the kick boards. “Mr. Johns? I’m Hannah Bradley, the owner of Saddle Creek Farm. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Sally, can you keep yourself busy for a few minutes?”

  “Sure!” Off she ran to the wash stall, where Charlie stood waiting for his shower to be continued.

  Harold Johns watched her go. “I haven’t seen her so happy for a long time.” Bird heard the scrape of a barn stool as he sat down, and another scrape when Hannah sat down on the other.

  “She’s a lovely girl,” said Hannah warmly. “She’s helpful, and fits in well with the others.”

  “Really?” Harold sounded surprised. “She’s had a hard time since Cindy and I split up. Maybe she’s finally finding her feet.”

  Hannah got down to business. “We need to talk about your horse, Mr. Johns.”

  “Go ahead. And please call me Harold.” He sat still and listened. “I’ve put my reputation at risk here, and I need to know what you want done. We don’t have a lot of time. As soon as Dexter figures out where Tall Sox is, he’ll come right over.”

  “Dexter already knows he’s here. I told him when I called him back. But, please tell me, how have you put your reputation at risk?”

  “By having Tall Sox in my barn without your instruction. And being party, albeit after the fact, to a horse being removed from Moreland Farm without permission. Dexter is within his rights to be very angry, as are you.”

  “I see.”

  “So,” continued Hannah, “before the proverbial manure hits the fan, I need to know what you wish to do.”

  “What are my choices?”

  “Keep Tall Sox here or send him back.”

  “I’ve already decided not to keep him at all,” answered Harold. “I authorized Dexter to get rid of him, and that’s what I intend to do.”

  Hannah softly replied, “That, of course, is your choice to make.” Harold sniffed. “I made a mistake buying him. I liked him a lot, and thought he looked great, but what do I know? I should’ve let Dexter choose the right horse for Sally in the first place.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, as soon as Tall Sox got to Moreland Farm he started to buck! Dex said he must’ve been drugged when I bought him. He told me it happens all the time. That’s why people should trust the pros to buy for them. They don’t get fooled.”

  Hannah didn’t say anything.

  Bird pictured the wound on Sox’s back and almost interrupted, but she clamped her mouth shut and listened. She waited for Harold to continue.

  “He wasn’t cheap, either, but it seemed like a fair price. At least I thought so at the time. Dex doesn’t think he’s worth a nickel.” Harold snickered at himself. “They say a fool’s born every minute.”

  “So, does Dexter have another horse in mind for Sally?”

  “Yes,” Harold answered, sounding surprised that Hannah would guess. “A lovely gelding. And very well trained. Now this one is expensive!” Harold’s laugh was forced.

  There was a pause. Bird strained to hear.

  Hannah’s next question was cautious. “When Dexter told you that Tall Sox had no value, did you decide to put him down rather than sell him?”

  “No! Why do you ask?”

  Hannah paused again.

  “Did Sally say that?” asked Harold.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m afraid my daughter has a vivid imagination. I hadn’t even considered putting him down.”

  Hannah spoke thoughtfully. “I see.”

  “Dexter did say that it would be best to cut my losses and move on,” said Harold. “That seems sensible to me. He’ll send Tall Sox to a sale barn for as little cost to me as possible, and then we’ll try out the more suitable horse.”

  The oldest trick in the book, thought Bird. Horse dealers will often try to convince a buyer that they are the only ones to trust — especially when the buyer doesn’t know anything about horses. This way Dexter would get commissions selling and buying — selling Sox and buying a new horse for Sally — and perhaps inflate the commission to boot. But first he had to convince them that Sox wasn’t good enough.

  “Let me show you something.” Hannah rose from the stool, and Harold did the same.

  Bird heard their footsteps echo on the concrete hall floor. She peeked around the tack room door as Hannah led Harold to Tall Sox’s stall.

  “See for yourself.” Hannah put a halter on the horse’s head, walked him out, and clipped on the cross ties in the aisle. Sox was gentle and responsive.

  Bird thought it was time to become part of the action, and joined them. “Mr. Johns? I’m Bird. I went with Sally last night to get Tall Sox.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Bird,” said Harold heartily. “I’ve seen you ride Sundancer. He’s quite the horse! I’d love to find one of those for Sally.”

  Bird bit her tongue. Sally could no more handle a horse like Sunny than drive her mother’s car.

  Hannah directed Harold’s attention back to Tall Sox. “Look at this. What do you think?”

  Harold took a look at the oozing sore on the gelding’s back. “I’ve never seen this before!” he exclaimed.

  “Dexter should have treated it,” Hannah said sadly. “And Tall Sox should not have been subjected to the pressure of a saddle on his back until it was healed.”

  “The question is how he got it in the first place,” said Bird. “It sure would’ve made him buck.”

  Harold stood still. “I hear you. Let’s just say that it’s opened up some questions.”

  As Harold had predicted, Dexter Pill arrived in his truck and tagalong horse trailer. He came to a halt at the barn door and got out. He was tanned and fit, with a shock of short blond hair. His eyes were blue, and he was always showing his perfect teeth in a perpetual smile.

  Another man sat in the passenger side of the truck. It was Ed Cage, one of Dexter’s grooms. Bird had seen him around the shows. He was as dark as Dexter was fair, and just as good-looking. All the girls were in love with him. Bird recalled that he was married, but that didn’t prevent him from being a flirt.

  Hannah put her hand on Bird’s shoulder. “Be careful what you say. Just listen.”

  Bird nodded. “You forget. I’m the master of silence.”

  Hannah smiled, and they held eye contact for a second. Bird was indeed the master of silence. It wasn’t long ago that she hadn’t spoken at all. She had a condition called “elective mutism,” which caused her t
o lapse into periods where she could not utter a word aloud. She was never sure when these periods would occur, or why. Bird made a silent wish that she would never suffer another bout.

  Dexter worked hard to control his feelings as he entered the barn, but Bird felt his irritation hit her like a wave.

  “Harold! Good that you’re here!” Dexter grinned boyishly and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Bird understood how people considered him charming. With his easy laugh and his rancher’s down-to-earth manner, he quickly gained people’s trust. He had a reputation of getting ribbons for riders, too, which was good for business. “So,” he chuckled. “Sally’s being dramatic again. No worries! Let’s get Tall Sox back to Moreland’s and call it a day.” He indicated the waiting horse trailer.

  “Dexter,” said Harold. “Come over and take a look at this.” He showed Dexter the sore. “We were just talking about how it could’ve happened.”

  Dexter clacked his tongue as he examined it. He opened his eyes wide. “What have you done to this horse, Hannah?”

  Hannah stared at Dexter in shock. “What are you suggesting?”

  “Hannah didn’t do it!” Bird shouted. “It was like that last night in your barn, before he ever got here. I saw it!”

  Dexter’s face brightened. “You admit you were there?” He smiled broadly. “You admit to trespassing and horse theft?” He laughed and pointed his finger at Bird. “Gotcha! Just kidding!”

  Hannah shot her niece a knowing glance and Bird cringed. That’s why Hannah had wanted her just to listen.

  Harold Johns spoke. “Let’s slow this all down. I need to have a talk with Sally and find out what she wants to do with the horse. I bought him for her, after all. He’s Sally’s horse.”

  Bird sensed that Harold’s emotions were stronger than he was showing.

  “Let’s be serious, here. She’s a kid, Harold,” said Dexter. He stepped closer to Harold and spoke confidentially. “I know better than she does about what she needs in a horse. And we had a plan, which I was putting into action. With your approval, I might add.”

  “I understand, and I’m sorry, but things have changed.” Dexter frowned. “You leave me in a bad situation.”

  “I’ll be fair to you financially.” Harold stood firm. “I always honour my debts.”

  “Okay. I get that you want to give Tall Sox another chance. Let’s get him home and talk this over.” Dexter began to unclip the horse.

  Harold stopped him. “I want to keep Tall Sox here. At least for now.”

  “Here?” Dexter threw out his arms and looked around. “Moreland’s is a far superior facility, and you’re paid up for the month. With me as Sally’s coach, not Hannah.” He shot her a disparaging look.

  “It’s my decision to make, and I’ve made it. Tall Sox stays at Saddle Creek. If I change my mind, Dexter, I’ll certainly be in touch.”

  “And what about that other gelding? The owner’s turned down several offers!”

  “She can take any offer she wants, and she knows it.” Harold continued to speak calmly, but his tone was increasingly firm. “I never promised to buy that gelding.”

  “You’ve made the wrong decision for Sally. You’ll see.” Without another word, Dexter stalked out of the barn. Ed Cage stood beside the truck. As soon as his boss appeared, they both got in, shut the doors at the same instant, and drove away.

  Bird felt the atmosphere clear with their departure, but she doubted it was the last of them.

  Hannah and Harold let out their breath at the same time.

  Harold spoke first. “I’m sorry you had to hear all that. And I’m sorry to have put you in this position. Thank you for stepping up.”

  “I had nothing to do with it. It was Bird and Sally who brought him here.”

  “But you didn’t send him back.”

  Hannah considered this. “I might have, if not for the sore on his back. It made me wonder.”

  “That’s what made my mind up — when Dexter tried to put the blame on you. Even a novice like me can see that the sore didn’t happen last night.”

  Hannah nodded. “May we treat it? Paul, Dr. Daniels, has already looked at it, and he tells me the horse needs antibiotics and regular cleansing.”

  “Absolutely. You have a new boarder. If you’ll take us.”

  Hannah smiled. “Of course.”

  “I’ll start paying board today. Lessons, too. Sally likes it here.”

  “I really, really do!” Sally had finished bathing Charlie and came running to join them. “I’m so happy!”

  “We really like Sally,” enthused Bird. “And Tall Sox, too.”

  “I’m glad, Bird.” Harold Johns smiled at her as the three of them walked out of the barn.

  “See you tomorrow?” called Sally.

  “See you tomorrow,” answered Bird. “Oh, Sally? Can I show you where to put your tack?”

  “Sure!”

  Bird showed Sally into the tack room and closed the door behind them.

  “I actually wanted to ask you something in private,” she said.

  Sally looked wary. “What?”

  “Why did you tell me that your father was going to put Tall Sox to sleep?”

  “He was!”

  “The truth?”

  Sally looked at the floor and mumbled, “Okay, I didn’t know exactly. But I knew he was going somewhere. I don’t trust Dexter, and nobody was telling me anything.”

  Bird decided to accept that. “Fair enough. But from now on be honest with me, okay?”

  Sally smiled sheepishly, and nodded agreement. The girls walked out to join the adults.

  Sally waved goodbye as she and her father drove away. Bird watched from the barn door and waved back, hoping that Sally could keep her promise.

  Can I stay here? asked Tall Sox. Did I make a good first impression?

  Looks like it, answered Bird. But I have to keep your sore cleaned out. You’re not going to like it, and it has to be done.

  If you’re gentle.

  And you have to eat all your food, even with the medicine stirred in.

  I will.

  Good. When it heals enough, I’ll get on you and find out how much you’ve been taught.

  I can run fast, and I know how to jump, but I’m not ready to go into competition.

  Would you like to?

  Yes!

  And will you be nice to Sally?

  Yes, if I can stay here.

  Deal.

  Bird laughed in surprise as Sox leapt joyfully in his stall, playfully shook his ears, and bumped Bird gently with his soft nose. Whatever happened next, Bird knew she’d made this horse very happy.

  4

  HANNAH TELLS BIRD ABOUT HER FATHER

  The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.

  — Black Elk, Oglala Sioux holy man

  Bird put Tall Sox outside with a barrel of fresh water and headed to the farmhouse for a late lunch. The others were already eating sandwiches outside under the big maple.

  On the way down the lane, she walked past Sundancer’s field.

  Sunny threw his head up. You’re paying a little too much attention to the new guy.

  Jealous, Sunny? Don’t be! You’re my best friend.

  All the horses want you to ride them.

  Bird climbed the fence and sat on the top rail. Sunny came over to get his ears scratched.

  It was fun at the show yesterday, wasn’t it? Bird messaged.

  Yes. That jump in the first corner was tricky.

  The vertical? Yeah. We might’ve come in too fast.

  No, we didn’t. It wasn’t measured out right.

  In a class like that, the distances would be accurate.

  It wasn’t right.

  You know these things, Sunny. Bird grinned at her stubborn horse.

  Sox is going to be a good horse, Bird.

  Why do you say that?

  He might even be a friend.

  Really?
This surprised Bird. Sunny liked Charlie, but was bossy with most of the others. Even Moonlight Sonata, whom he liked, was in danger of the occasional shot from his rear hoof.

  Yes, really. He’s smart.

  High praise from Sundancer. We’ll see.

  Bird jumped down from the fence and continued to the house. Hannah was on the phone when she came through the kitchen door. As Bird made a peanut butter sandwich, she couldn’t help but overhear.

  “I hope he feels better soon, Laura. Do you need me to drive him? … How about groceries?” Hannah wore a slight frown on her face. “What do you think it is? … Hmm … Well, let me know what I can do … Okay, keep in touch … Bye.”

  “What’s wrong with Mr. Pierson?” asked Bird, as Hannah replaced the phone on the wall.

  “Oh, he’ll likely be fine. He woke up feeling nauseous. It’s probably the flu, but Mrs. Pierson worries about his heart, now that he’s getting older.”

  “Getting older? He’s close to ninety!”

  “Bird! You’ll be that age one day, if you’re lucky, and sooner than you think.”

  “I’m just saying that Mr. Pierson is old, not getting old. I love Mr. and Mrs. Pierson!”

  Hannah nodded. “I hear you. But understand that to say a person is old is to say they’re getting close to death. It’s a hard concept to accept.”

  “I never thought about it like that.”

  “That’s because you’re still young. Anyway, I’m sure Mr. Pierson will be fine. He’s quite healthy.”

  Bird bit into a crunchy apple. She liked apples with her peanut butter sandwiches. “Can I stay here tonight? Or do I have to go, you know, back home.” She tried to sound casual.

  Hannah raised an eyebrow. “This sounds like a loaded question.”

  “No! Well, not really. I’d like to stay here, of course — I always do. And with Tall Sox here, and the show next Friday, I could be useful for the week.” She took another bite and avoided Hannah’s questioning gaze.

  “Sit down, Bird. Do we need to talk?”

  “Why? It’s a simple question!”

  Hannah put her elbows on the table and looked at Bird thoughtfully. “Just sit down for a minute, will you?”

  Bird sat, her back rigid.

  “Are you having trouble with your mother again?”