Hannah sounded comforting but firm. “Eva! You have a good husband who loves you. And two daughters who need you. Don’t throw it all away.”
Holy smoke.
BIRD HEARD FOOTSTEPS. CLIFF. Bird guessed he’d returned and seen her note. She pulled herself together, and wiped her wet face. She needed time to process what her mother had told Hannah, but she’d have to do that later.
Quietly, Bird crept out of the garden and intercepted Cliff before he got to the walk. She motioned for him to stay silent, and led him away from the house.
Now she pulled out her pad and pen. Why not take Sox 2 Piersons’ 2nite?
Cliff thought about it. “I thought we wanted to catch Dexter red-handed.”
Film anyway? Set camera on the fence?
“How sure are we that Dexter is coming tonight?”
Not @ all.
“So we should leave Sox at Merry Fields? Or bring him here every day and back there at night?”
No plan after 2nite.
Cliff scratched his head. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt for one night, if it would make you feel better. Will Sox be okay alone in the barn at Merry Fields?”
Bird nodded. He would if she explained it to him.
“Okay. You do that, and I’ll try to work something out with the camera. I think I know how to do it.” Cliff looked determined as he walked up to his workshop in the barn.
“Psst! Bird!”
Bird looked up at the second-storey window. Julia was trying to get her attention again. Bird put a finger to her lips and cupped her ears as she pointed to the house.
“That’s what I’ve been doing all this time. Eavesdropping,” Julia whispered. “All that’s happening now is that Mom’s bawling her eyes out.”
Bird put out her hand in a stop position.
“You want me to stay here?”
Bird nodded.
“Are you going somewhere?”
Bird nodded again.
“I’m coming with you! I can’t stay here!” Julia’s head disappeared from the window.
It was getting dark now. Bird sighed. She had no choice — Julia would have to tag along.
Seconds later, the younger girl scooted out the front door. Bird motioned for her to follow.
Bird picked up Sox’s halter and a lead shank, which was hanging on the fence at the gate, and walked out into the big field with Julia right behind her.
“What are we doing, Bird?”
Bird kept walking. She couldn’t talk and she didn’t feel like writing it all down. Julia would just have to figure it out as they went.
Sunny’s head shot up from the grass as they approached. What’s up?
Sox is in danger. He has to go to the Piersons’ barn for the night.
Sunny nickered. Sox and Charlie looked up.
Sunny, watch out for any people in your field tonight. Give them a good scare.
My pleasure. Someone was here not long ago.
I saw him.
I saw you see him.
Do you know him, Sunny?
No.
Thanks. Be safe.
Just let them try anything!
Bird rubbed her trusted horse on his forehead, and continued into the field. She calmly put the halter over Sox’s head and patted his neck. Dexter came looking for you today.
Sox began to shake.
Sox rested his head on Bird’s chest. Yes.
Bird thought the back trails would be fastest, and if Dexter was coming by the road with a horse trailer, she didn’t want to run into him. Julia and Bird walked together to the far gate of the front field. Bird unlatched it, and closed it behind her after they were out.
Can you carry both Julia and me? Bird asked Sox.
I’ve never done that before. It might spook me.
Can you try? We can’t walk as fast as you. If it’s weird, we’ll get off.
Okay.
Bird saw a log just off the path. She clipped the lead rope onto one side of Sox’s halter, looped it over his neck, and tied the end to the other side, making reins. She pointed to his back and looked at Julia.
“You want me to ride him?”
Bird nodded as she led Sox to the log.
“And that’s supposed to be the mounting block?” Julia stepped up, smiling. “This is fun.”
Bird helped her up on the horse’s back, then jumped on in front of Julia, who grabbed her waist. Bird held the rope and asked Sox to go forward.
How’s this?
Not so bad.
They headed along the top of the ridge, overlooking Saddle Creek. The path would take them behind several farms, and up to the road that would lead them to the Merry Fields gate. The night was very dark, and Sox was careful about where he put his feet.
All at once, Sox jumped sideways. Julia shrieked and held Bird tighter. Bird patted the horse’s neck. It’s okay.
It’s not okay! It’s a coyote!
Bird looked at the bushes, but saw nothing. Is that you, Cody?
Yes. I’m coming with you. Danger lurks.
Thanks, my friend.
It’s my duty.
Bird tried to soothe the frightened horse. Sox? It’s a coyote, but a friendly one.
If you say so.
They continued on along the trail. Minutes passed without incident, then Sox threw his head up in alarm. Julia shrieked again.
Easy, boy. What’s wrong?
Something’s coming fast.
This way?
Yes! Sox began to prance.
“Let me off!” squeaked Julia. “He’s going to buck!”
Easy, Sox.
Now Bird could hear it. Hooves thundered closer and closer. Sox was close to panicked; there was no way he was going to listen.
“Please, Bird!”
Bird helped Julia down, and then slid off herself. Sox shook with fright. Bird led him off the path, and they stood in the bushes, waiting for the approaching animal.
Hello? messaged Bird. Hello? It’s Bird.
The sound of hooves suddenly stopped.
Bird! It’s Glad! I ran for my life!
Come slowly, Glad. I’m on the path ahead of you, with Sox and another human. A girl.
They stepped back onto the path and met Glad face to face. The two horses sniffed nostrils, recognizing each other from when they stabled together at Moreland Farm.
Bird patted Glad’s neck. The animal was trembling and dripping with sweat. Good boy! Come with us. We’re going to a safe place.
The Indian told me to go to Saddle Creek.
Frank had told Bird earlier that he would send Glad to her if he was in danger. Things had changed. Now, Saddle Creek might not be safe.
The Indian said not to stop.
It will be fine.
Okay.
Bird helped Julia back up onto Sox’s back, and then hopped up on Glad.
“What happened, Bird?” Julia asked as they resumed their journey. “It was all so fast! We had one horse, now we have two. Good thing I came with you! But where are we going? What are we doing?”
In the dark, Bird couldn’t even try to mime an answer.
“I hope you get your speech back fast. I hate talking to air!”
Bird hoped so, too.
TWO GIRLS, TWO HORSES, and a coyote arrived at Merry Fields a few minutes later. There were no lights on at the house or the barn. The entire farm appeared cloaked in black. It did not look hospitable.
“What are we doing here, Bird?” asked Julia in a tiny voice. “This place is giving me the creeps!”
Bird heard her sister’s frightened tone. She patted her arm to reassure her.
“Something touched me!” Julia shrieked.
Bird sighed. It was impossible to communicate in the dark.
“Seriously, Bird! Something touched me! I want to go home!”
Sox messaged Bird. I hope we’re here. I don’t want to carry this girl anymore. She’s noisy.
We’re here. She’ll get off in a minute.
Bird rode Glad toward the barn, and Sox followed along. As soon as they got there, the girls slid to the ground. Bird knew the layout of the barn from previous visits, and led the horses in.
“Can we turn on the lights?” asked Julia. “It’s so creepy here!”
Bird shook her head.
“I don’t know why we can’t! It’s not like anybody’s here.”
Bird shook her head again, harder this time. They must minimize any risk of detection. Someone driving by might see a light, and Bird didn’t want to take a chance on it being the wrong person.
When Sox and Glad had settled into the stalls, Julia helped Bird get hay down from the loft and pump buckets of water from behind the barn.
Sox? Glad? We’re going now. Do you need anything?
No.
No.
Okay. I’ll be back first thing in the morning to feed you and give you water.
I’m happy I’m safe.
So am I.
Good. See you both tomorrow.
Bird and Julia left the barn and began to walk toward home down the lane.
Bird girl.
Yes, Cody?
I’ll come back and check on them a few times tonight.
Thanks. That would be great.
My duty.
Bird took a deep breath of fresh night air and exhaled slowly. Mission accomplished. Was it possible that things were going to be okay, that Tall Sox and Glad were finally safe? For the first time all day, Bird started to relax — until a pair of headlights almost blinded her.
15
THE PLOT THICKENS
When all the trees have been cut down,
When all the animals have been hunted,
When all the waters are polluted,
When all the air is unsafe to breathe,
Only then will you discover you can’t eat money.
— Cree prophecy
Bird and Julia jumped into a hedge and watched as an ambulance stopped at the farmhouse.
“Bird! What should we do! Are we in trouble?”
Bird put her finger to her lips.
The driver got out, walked around to the back of the vehicle, and opened the double doors. Another man got out of the passenger side and went around to help slide out a gurney with a person on it. Bird assumed it was Pete.
Laura Pierson stepped carefully out of the back. She picked her way up the walk to the kitchen door and unlocked it. Soon, lights came on, cheering up the whole place.
“That’s way better!” sighed Julia.
The two men wheeled the gurney to the house and lifted it up the steps and into the kitchen. Minutes passed before they came outside, loaded the empty gurney in the back, got in the ambulance, and drove away.
“Now what?” whispered Julia.
Bird took her arm and together they walked up to the farmhouse door.
“You can’t just walk up and knock, Bird! It’s dark out. You’ll scare them!” Julia dragged her heels.
Bird let go of her arm and strode ahead.
“You can’t leave me alone!”
Bird turned and stared at her.
“Okay, I’m coming.”
Bird climbed the stairs and looked into the window of the kitchen door. The kettle was on, and Laura was bustling around. Bird knocked.
At the sound of rapping, the older woman stopped and looked around. She hurried to the door and opened it.
“Bird, dear, it’s you! I thought the men must have forgotten something. Come in!”
Bird stepped in, followed closely by Julia.
“And Julia, too! My, my! Come in, both of you.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Pierson.” Julia was suddenly very shy.
“Can I get you something?”
Bird could see that Mrs. Pierson was very tired. Her hair was all messy, and the lines on her face were deeper than normal. Bird shook her head no, then pulled out her paper and pen.
She wrote, How is Mr. P?
“The doctors think he’ll be calmer at home. He’s not a very good patient, I’m afraid.” Mrs. Pierson’s hand nervously touched her neck. “It was luckily quite a minor attack, and didn’t damage his heart too much. He won’t be bedridden, thank goodness, and should be able to move around the house as long as he doesn’t overdo it.” She giggled. “Which he probably will! Anyway, they’ve told me how I can look after him properly, and nurses will come three times a day to help.”
Bird could see that she was unsure of how this would work out, and wrote, Nobody can take care of him better than you.
“I appreciate that, dear.” She smiled briefly and sighed. “Now, why are you two here so late?”
There’s a problem @ Saddle Creek Farm & we brought 2 horses. Okay if they stay here 2night? Bird scribbled.
Laura’s eyes widened. “Is everything all right, dear?” She turned to Julia. “You can speak. Tell me what’s going on.”
Julia looked at Bird and wrinkled up her face. “I actually have no idea. I didn’t want to stay with my mother tonight, so Bird took me with her. I really didn’t know what we’d be doing.”
Laura spoke to Bird. “Is everybody safe?”
Bird nodded, and quickly wrote, People R safe. Worried about 2 horses.
Laura put her hands on her hips. “I don’t want to disturb Pete. He needs his rest. So I’ll try to think what he’d do.” Laura inhaled deeply as she thought this over. “He’d tell you to leave the horses here. Then he’d solve the problem. But I can’t do that because I’m not him and I don’t know about horses.”
Thank you! Bird wrote. I’ll B here in the morning.
“Would you like a ride home?” Laura asked.
Julia’s face brightened, but Laura was tired and Bird knew that it would be an imposition. She pinched her sister’s arm. The younger girl quickly said, “No, but thanks. We’re very happy to walk.” She gave Bird a dirty look.
The phone rang. Laura was standing right beside it, and answered it at the first ring. “Hello? … Oh, yes, dear! Both of them are in my kitchen! … Come right over!”
Bird guessed that it was Hannah who’d called. She knew she was in a lot of trouble.
“Stuart will be here in no time to pick you up. That saves you the walk!”
Stuart? Bird had not expected this. The last time she’d seen him he was leaving Eva for good.
Thanks, Mrs. P. Bird wrote. We’ll wait outside & let U get back 2 Mr. P. Hello 2 him 4 us. C U tomorrow.
“I love deciphering your notes! What fun!” Laura said brightly. “Goodbye, girls. It was lovely seeing you. I’ll tell Pete all about it. He’ll have some good ideas.”
Bird and Julia left the house and walked together to the road. “What’s going on, Bird?” said Julia.
Bird shrugged.
“Can you at least tell me later?”
Bird nodded. That would have to do for now, because Stuart’s car was pulling into the lane.
Stuart called out the window. “Hello, girls! Jump in!” He sounded cheerful. That was strange, and Bird was also curious about why he was picking them up.
Julia got in the front and Bird in the back.
“How did you know we were here?” asked Julia.
“Process of elimination. Hannah called me, very upset, when she realized that you weren’t upstairs where she thought you were, and Bird was nowhere to be found. I rushed right over. I was happy to have an excuse to go back, really. In spite of what I said back there, I love your mother very much and don’t want to leave her.” His voice sounded thick with emotion.
Julia reached back and squeezed Bird’s arm. “I’m so glad. And Bird is, too.”
“Thanks, Julia. And Bird. We’ll work things out, whatever the problems.”
Bird was surprised at how glad she was to hear that.
Stuart continued, “Anyway, Cliff came over and told Hannah you were coming here. We called here a few times, but Mrs. Pierson only answered now.”
“They were at the hospital. They just got back.”
“Are we in big trouble?” Julia asked.
“I don’t think so. You’ll see what’s been happening while you were away.”
Bird sat up straight. What was this? She tapped Stuart’s shoulder.
“No, really, Bird. It’s best you see for yourself.”
The ride back to the farm was short, but every second seemed like an eternity to Bird. Finally, she saw the gates to Saddle Creek Farm.
A small, tagalong horse trailer and sports utility vehicle were parked off the road at the lane. Stuart turned his car and drove up to the house.
Two police cars were at the house, lights flashing. Uniformed officers stood by the cars.
“It looks like a TV show!” exclaimed Julia.
Bird’s eyes scanned the field for the horses, but the lights were too bright at the house, and she could see nothing but blackness out there. She looked at all the people gathered at the house and picked out Hannah, Paul, Eva, and Cliff. Police Chief Mack Jones stood with the officers.
Bird searched the crowd for Frank, but she couldn’t see him.
As soon as Stuart’s car stopped, she jumped out of the back seat, hopped over the fence, and dashed into Sunny’s field. Before anything else, she needed to be sure her horses were all right. She stumbled in the dark, and then stood still. She listened carefully.
A man moaned raspingly, “Help me! Help me!”
Sunny? Where are you?
Here.
Where?
Keep coming and you’ll walk right into me.
And Charlie?
He’s safe.
Bird walked slowly. As her eyes grew accustomed to the dark, she began to see forms and shapes in front of her. Nothing made any sense.
What’s happening, Sunny? Who’s there with you?
Frank messaged her. I’m with him. Cody told me you brought Glad and Sox to Pete’s.
Now she could see what was directly in front of her. A man lay flat on the ground. Sunny held him down with his front foot. Frank stood beside them, and Charlie stood beside Frank. But what was on the black horse’s head? Charlie had on some kind of dark hood with straps hanging down.
What’s up with Charlie? demanded Bird.
This man put on the hood to confuse him, so he’d get on his trailer.
Bird! messaged Charlie. Get this off my head!
Dark Days at Saddle Creek Page 16
