Dark Days at Saddle Creek

by Shelley Peterson

  “Are you staying around at all?” asked Bird hopefully. She suddenly realized how much she would miss him. “You could help me train Amigo.”

  “Sorry, Bird, but I’m off tomorrow. Another job. But I’ll see you later at the hospital. I’m going to say my goodbyes to Pete Pierson.”

  Bird nodded and busied herself brushing off her breeches. Frank had become important to her. She didn’t trust herself to speak.

  Lucky and Boss began to bark as Hannah’s truck turned in the driveway. Lucky ran as fast as he could to greet Hannah. Bird watched the brown dog’s tail wag. He was so full of love that everything else seemed to matter less.

  Hannah got out of the driver’s side and met the exuberant dog with smiles and pats.

  Eva stepped out of the passenger side. She stood to her full height as she glared up the lane toward Bird and Frank. Without a word, she stalked off into the house, with Hannah hurrying behind her.

  “What’s her problem now?” asked Bird. The last thing she needed today was more drama from Eva. She felt a wave of anxiety from Frank. She shot him a questioning look.

  “I’ll leave by the barn lane,” muttered Frank. He didn’t wait to explain. He hopped in his car, started the engine, and drove past the barn. Bird knew that he’d have to bump along the ill-tended tractor path to the road. Why would he choose to do that with a new car?

  Wanda silently came up beside her. “Do you think Ed was using me?” Her eyelashes glistened with tears.

  For once, Bird wished she were mute. “Yes. I think he was,” she said simply. “But that doesn’t mean you’re stupid. It means he’s a jerk.”

  Wanda took in a breath. “Yeah.”

  “You asked.”

  “I’m driving Sally to the police station.”

  “Good to get it over with.”

  “No, I really want to go. I’ll tell them everything they want to know. I want Ed to get what he deserves!” Wanda stood tall and marched to her truck. “Sally!” she shouted. “Let’s get moving!”

  Sally came running from the barn and got in the truck. Wanda turned the rig around and then stopped. “Bird?” she called from the window. “Sorry for all the trouble I caused.”

  “Me too,” yelled Sally. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

  Bird smiled. “It’s all figured out now.”

  Bird waved to the girls as they drove down the lane. She thought back to all the grief Sally had caused since they’d met. No wonder Hannah hadn’t wanted to get involved.

  Bird stood alone at the top of the driveway, looking down the slope toward the farmhouse. It was quiet. Never trust a married man who wants to date you, Bird thought. That was Lesson One. Lesson Two was, always ask questions until things make sense. If Wanda had known Lesson One and Sally had known Lesson Two, none of this ever would have happened.

  Bran mash?

  Sunny! She’d forgotten all about him. Right away!

  Bird mixed together a big scoop of bran with warm water, and added a few chopped carrots, apple slices, and sweet feed with extra molasses dolloped in. She brought out a towel and a brush and went to the fence.

  Sunny! she called. You’ll like this. The big chestnut strolled over to the fence.

  This is more like how a champion gets treated.

  While Sunny gobbled up the pail of goodies, Bird curried him from top to bottom with the brush. Then she took the towel and gave him a complete body rub, giving particular attention to the tendons on his legs.

  You were unbelievably great today, Sunny.

  Believe it! There’s more where that came from.

  Bird laughed out loud. She gathered the saddle and bridle from the fence where she’d left them earlier in her hurry. She hung the wet saddle pad on the top rail, and put the tack in the barn to clean later. Aunt Hannah had promised a hospital visit to see Pete.

  22

  THE HOSPITAL VISIT

  When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.

  — White Elk, Oto

  The woman at the information booth gave them Pete’s room number, and Bird ran up the stairs while the others pressed the button for the elevator. She couldn’t wait.

  She stopped running when she got to his door, and took a good look at him from the hall.

  Pete Pierson lay quietly under a soft green blanket. Tubes ran from his nostrils and arms, and the life-saving machines hummed dully. His colour was grey. His skin looked like it would melt away. Oddly, Bird thought, he had no wrinkles. She thought of his laughing, smiling, lively face. Where had those wrinkles gone?

  Laura sat in a chair by his side, holding his hand. She spotted Bird at the door and signalled for her to come in. “He’s asleep now, but he wakes often,” she said in a low whisper. “He’s been asking about you. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Bird crept to the bed and stared down at Pete. “Is he going to be all right?”

  Laura smiled bravely. “I certainly hope so. He’s my dear, sweet Pete, and I love him so much. I can’t imagine life without him.”

  Bird couldn’t either.

  “Are the others coming?” Laura asked.

  “As soon as the elevator gets here.”

  Pete opened an eye and saw her. “Hello, my girl.”

  “Hello.” Bird felt a lurch of emotion. She had to fight to stem the tears.

  “Don’t cry. I have some … important things to tell you. Sit.” Bird did as he asked. She sat on the edge of his bed, careful not to disturb the tubes.

  There was a rap at the door. Hannah, Eva, Julia, Paul, and Stuart stood in the hall.

  “Laura, please … tell them to give us a … few minutes.”

  “I certainly will.” Laura rose. As she passed Bird, she put a hand on her shoulder. “Come to the door when you’re ready.”

  Bird nodded.

  Pete licked his lips. Bird brought his water glass to him and helped him drink with a straw. When he’d had a few sips, he spoke haltingly. “You rode like your father … out there today. Very few … have your gift. Use it well … for the good … of horses.”

  “Thank you. I will.”

  “You and I … have always been honest … with each other.”

  “Yes.”

  “But you asked me … about your father. I was sworn to secrecy … for very good reasons … and I was … not truthful. I cannot die … with that … on my head.”

  “You’re not going to die!”

  “No time … I need to tell you this.”

  Bird wanted to explain that there were years and years to talk about this, whatever it was. Pete could not die!

  “More … water. Please.”

  Bird held the straw to his lips until Pete had had enough. She could see the effort it took for him to speak.

  “Your father, Fred Sweetree … was an undercover agent … for the RCMP … when I met him. He was posing as a rodeo star … which he truly was … but he was there to gather … information about the … mafia’s drug and gun … racket.”

  Pete had her full attention. She listened carefully.

  “His cover was blown … on the last day of the … Calgary Stampede. His life was … in serious … jeopardy.” A new picture was forming in Bird’s head.

  “All the work … he’d done … was compromised. His fellow officers … had to be protected.” Pete’s mouth was dry.

  Bird held the cup for him as he sipped through the straw again. “He was called … back. He had to … break all ties with his former … associates. That was the deal … going in. He had no … choice. He was … given a new identity.”

  “A new identity?”

  “And his death was … faked.”

  “Faked? My father is alive?”

  “Yes, Bird.”

  “There was no plane crash.”

  “There was a crash … and two deaths. But … Fred wasn’t … on that plane.”

  Puzzle pieces were beginning to fit. Bird held he
r breath. She thought she knew what was coming next, but she needed to hear Pete confirm it. “Oh my god. Frank.” She had shivers. “Fred Sweetree became Frank Skelton.”

  “Yes.”

  “Frank’s my father.”

  “Yes.”

  Bird and Pete sat in silence.

  Many things tumbled around in Bird’s mind. She thought how much better her life would’ve been with him around. How many times she’d needed him and he wasn’t there. Her stomach hurt. Her head swam. She couldn’t think clearly.

  “You might need … some fresh air,” said Pete. “But please … come back.… There’s more.”

  Bird stood, nodding dumbly.

  “One thing … to think about. Would you have … forgiven your father … for not being around … if you’d heard this … before you’d gotten to know him?”

  It was too much. Bird ran out the door and down the hall, past her family with their surprised faces. She ran down the stairs two at a time and didn’t stop until she was under the big tree beside the parking lot.

  She flopped down on the grass and buried her face in her arms. Was this Lesson Three? Nobody is who you think they are?

  How was this different than Ed using Wanda to steal Sox? Frank, or Fred, or whoever he was, had used Bird to help him uncover Dexter’s racket. Would he have even wanted to know his daughter otherwise? And why had he never — not even once — made contact with her in all the years since she was born?

  Eva’s glare as she got out of the truck came into her mind. Now it made sense. She knew who Frank was. That’s why she’d screamed at the derby. She’d recognized him when he’d ridden Glad out of the ring.

  Bird’s thoughts continued to race. The first day that Bird and Frank had spoken, she’d asked him if he was her father. He hadn’t really answered. He’d asked her if she asked every man that question. He’d embarrassed her badly. She’d felt like such a fool that she’d run off. And what about Hannah? Did Hannah know who he was, too? Did Paul? Did everybody know except her?

  Bird clenched her fists. She felt like a complete outsider. The joke was on her.

  Tires rolled on the tarmac. A black Ford Escape stopped in the parking lot. Bird watched through the curtain of her dark hair as her father stepped out of the car and pressed the lock. She stiffened into a tight ball and made no noise.

  Fred walked toward the hospital door, but suddenly stopped. He slowly turned around and stared in her direction.

  I feel hatred coming from under the tree.

  It’s humiliation. Get your emotions straight.

  Fred began to walk toward her.

  Go away, Frank. Fred. Dad.

  Fred stopped. You know.

  Pete told me. Everybody knew … but me.

  I’m sorry.

  Ha.

  Can I explain?

  Explain what? That you ignore me my whole life, then pop in so I can help solve a problem, then pop back out?

  Is that what it looks like?

  If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck … I don’t know what to say.

  Then don’t.

  Fred turned again and headed toward the double doors. He had his hand on the bar when Bird messaged him again.

  And what about Eva? Do you think you’ve been fair to her? You left her alone and pregnant and she thought you were dead! You left her to raise your child! You wrecked her life!

  Fred stood still. A minute passed. I’m sorry. He quietly opened the door and entered the hospital.

  Bird sobbed into her arms. There was so much pain in her heart that she thought she’d probably die. She cried for the father she never had, for the times she’d needed him, and for the father she’d found but couldn’t have. She cried for her mother’s loss, for her own loss, for her confusion, and for her despair at not knowing what to do.

  In the end, she cried herself to sleep in the grass where she lay.

  Bird girl. Time passes. A wet nose sniffed her face.

  Bird lifted her head. Cody. Why are you here?

  I felt your pain. I came.

  Thank you.

  What is my duty?

  Oh, Cody, there’s nothing you can do.

  I’ll stay until your pain passes.

  Bird patted the soft fur around his ears. It’s about Frank. He’s my father and I didn’t know it.

  Is that a problem?

  He didn’t tell me!

  You received your gift from him. Take the good and leave the rest alone.

  Bird thought about what Cody said. Being able to speak to animals was indeed a great gift. But what about an entire childhood of not knowing her father? Shouldn’t he have shown up before now?

  But Cody, it’s different for humans. We expect something from our fathers … a relationship.

  But why?

  It was too hard to explain. Bird sat up. I need to talk to Pete. He’s very ill.

  I know that. His spirit hovers.

  Oh no.

  It will be soon.

  Bird inhaled a ragged breath.

  His spirit is pure. Fear not for him.

  Bird rose to go. She looked for Cody, but he was gone.

  HER FAMILY WAS GETTING off the elevator when Bird walked back into the lobby.

  “Bird!” said Hannah when she saw her. “Pete’s very tired, so we left. But Laura said that you should go up. He has something to tell you.”

  “Where’s Eva?”

  “She’s talking to Frank.”

  “Don’t you mean Fred?” Bird snapped.

  Hannah’s eyes clouded with concern. “I didn’t know either, Bird. Don’t judge until we have a chance to talk.”

  Bird pursed her lips. She wanted to scream.

  Stuart stopped her by saying, very quietly, “I understand how you feel, Bird.”

  Bird looked at his sad face. He’d been left out, too. How would all of this affect Stuart, she wondered? Eva had been madly in love with Fred, and now he was back. Did Stuart think she’d leave him for Fred? Bird’s hostility vanished. She sniffed and rubbed her nose on her arm. “I think you do.”

  Without another word, she ran up the stairs and down the hall to Pete’s room. She didn’t want to be too late.

  “Bird, dear,” whispered Laura. “He’s asleep again. Sit with me a few minutes.”

  Bird pulled up a chair. They sat in silence and listened to the steady rhythm of the machines.

  “Pete was a very wise man,” said Laura.

  Bird shot her a quick look. “Was?”

  Laura’s chin trembled slightly. “I think so.”

  Bird stared at him. His breathing was very shallow. “But I need him. I need to talk to him. I have a big problem, and I need to know what to do.”

  “There will always be a problem, Bird, and Pete can’t always be there to help.” She smiled kindly. “Just ask yourself what Pete would do, and you’ll have your answer.”

  “Hannah said he wanted to tell me something.”

  “We’ll wait for a while and see.”

  “I’ve been wondering. How did Pete know about Fred being an undercover officer?”

  Laura chuckled. “There’s a lot about Pete that people don’t know.”

  “I’m finding out there’s a lot that I don’t know, period.”

  “Not just you, Bird.”

  “But really, Mrs. Pierson. How did he know?”

  “Pete was helpful to the government during the war. He was called on by the RCMP many times after that. He met Fred, your father, during one of those times.”

  That made sense. “And so he had to tell the same story? When I asked about my father, he told me what he was supposed to?”

  Laura patted her arm. “Exactly. The world of intelligence and undercover police work is very complicated and dangerous. There are good reasons why secrets must be kept. But Pete felt terrible about it. I could see that.”

  “Did you know the truth about my father, Mrs. Pierson?”

  “I only knew that Pete was troubled.”

/>   Bird took a deep breath. Maybe Cody had it right. Take the good and leave the rest alone.

  Just then Pete opened his eyes. Bird and Laura sat forward. “Bird, my girl … I need to tell you this … All those years … your father kept in touch with me. He … wanted full … reports. He … loves you … more than you … can know. He’s so proud … of you.”

  Laura let him sip some water from the straw. She rested her head on his shoulder as he drank.

  “He came … to see you … ride … many times. It wasn’t smart … because he was … undercover … but he came … anyway.”

  “Why did he talk to me this time?”

  “He couldn’t wait … any longer.”

  “What about Eva?”

  “I don’t … know. Not my … problem.”

  Laura put her hand on Bird’s arm. “Pete is very tired, dear. I think it’s best that you go now.”

  Bird thought fast. There was so much more that she wanted to know! “Mr. Pierson, why does he have to go again? Couldn’t he stay here with me?”

  Pete tried to smile. “It will be … what it is supposed to be.… Be strong.… You are strong.”

  “Is that everything you wanted to tell me?”

  “Did you like … how I got Glad sold … and out of harm’s way?”

  Bird laughed. “It was genius. Alain will love him. And Dexter can’t complain about a thing!”

  Pete smiled feebly. “Good on him.”

  Laura stood up. “Bird, dear, thanks so much for coming. Now, Pete really needs his rest.”

  Bird stood, too. “Thank you so much for letting me talk to him, Mrs. Pierson.” She looked at Pete. She knew in her heart that this would be the last time she’d ever see him. “You are the best person I’ve ever met. I’ll miss you.”

  Pete said, “You’re … quite a girl. You … know that. Goodbye.… I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Her throat was constricted, and her heart felt full of lead. “Goodbye.”

  Bird left the room. She walked along the hall and down the stairs. She wandered through the lobby and out the front door. Somehow, she found Aunt Hannah’s truck. She got in beside Julia, who linked her arm with Bird’s. They drove home to Saddle Creek Farm. She didn’t remember how.