The boy stood up on wobbly legs. A woman hugged him and brushed him off. Likely his mother.
“Holy,” said Liz. “Th ... that was awful.”
“Scary,” agreed Julia. “That could’ve been any one of us.”
Not unless you twist our necks like that. Sunny sniffed. That boy wants to be an alligator wrestler, not a rider.
The next pony trotted in. The girl was stiff with anxiety, and when she started her course she kept her reins tight and her pace slow. It was obvious that she didn’t want to crash and burn. Bird guessed that her trainer had forced her to go in. Three jumps came down and she had time faults, but she was in one piece when it was over. Her body slumped with relief as she walked her irritated pony out.
It was time for the last rider. Liz and Julia held hands and squeezed them tight. They could be first and second; it all depended on this round.
Bird recognized the plucky white pony. Joey! He must be in his late twenties, Bird guessed. He’d been owned by the Thompsons, then Guy and Bunny, then sold to the Merrills. It was hard to imagine how many kids he’d taught to ride. She watched with interest as he began his round.
The blonde girl sat beautifully. It was either Emily or Jacqueline, Bird wasn’t sure. They both rode with confidence, almost like they’d been born in the saddle. No surprise. The Merrills, Bird thought, were born in the saddle. The family went back generations in the horse industry—thoroughbred racing, show jumping and fox hunting.
This girl and Joey were a good team, and everybody knew it. This was the competition. Liz and Julia held their breath.
Before they began the course, Sunny made a prediction. Sabrina’s time was too fast for Joey, but if he goes clean, and if he keeps his pace, he’ll be second.
Bird had to agree.
They were right. There were no jumps knocked down, and no time faults.
“I think you and T ... Timmy went faster, Julia,” said Liz, hopefully.
“We’ll know soon enough.” Julia was still smiling. “I’m happy with third! I’m happy with any ribbon of any colour! Timmy’s the one who won it, anyway.”
She’s got that right.
At least she knows it, Sunny.
I’ll give her that.
From down at the ring, Hannah waved to the girls. They knew what that meant. Bird and Kimberly got the younger girls dusted and back up on their ponies. They all came down the hill together. Beside the ring, they waited expectantly for the results to be read.
Seconds later, although it felt like hours, the announcer turned on the microphone. “Please come into the ring, mounted, in this order. Five forty-three. Three sixty-two. Five forty-four. Four seventy-one ...” The announcer continued the list up to eighth place, but the Saddle Creek girls had stopped listening after the first three. Liz and Sabrina were first, and Julia and Timmy were third. Joey and his blonde Merrill rider were second.
Even though it was frowned upon, the girls let out a whoop when they trotted in to get their ribbons.
“What’s all the jumping and hooting about?” asked a familiar voice.
Bird spun around. It was Pete Pierson, grinning from ear to ear as he leaned on his cane. Beside him was Laura, dressed in a blue sundress with a matching hat.
“Bird, dear!” she called. “When are you riding? You haven’t gone yet, have you?”
Bird shook her head no, and pointed to Hannah.
“Give me one minute!” Hannah called out. “Let’s get these girls properly applauded first. They did a super job!”
And applaud they did. The Saddle Creek supporters were proud and appreciative. They cheered for their friends as they completed their victory gallop around the ring, led by Sabrina and Liz. Hannah met the girls, cheeks flushed with pride, as they exited the ring. “Well done, Liz! Great ride! Good for you, Julia! I’ve got pictures for your mothers!”
While Hannah congratulated the girls, Bird praised the ponies. Hurray, Sabrina, Queen of Speed! Timmy, my friend, well done! You did everything right.
Hannah and Kimberly led the ponies and riders up to the trailer, leaving Bird with Pete and Laura. Hannah called to them over her shoulder, “Bird’s class begins one hour from now, and she’s up second, just after Kimberly rides Moonlight Sonata.”
“Moonlight Sonata?” bellowed Pete.
“The same! It’s a long story.” Hannah continued up the hill. “I’ll tell you later, I promise.”
“Bird, dear,” said Laura. “What’s the story about Moonie?”
Bird knew why they were so interested. Years before, Abby Malone and Pete had trained Moonie to win the Caledon Steeplechase. Moonie had been quite a handful until Pete’s regular workouts and Abby’s devotion and unwavering belief had transformed the mare. Pete had even bought Moonie himself to keep her from being sold before the race. He had a right to know what was happening now.
Bird shook her head and pointed to her throat.
“Oh, my,” Laura clucked. “You’ve lost your speech again?”
Bird nodded.
Pete looked thoughtful. “No wonder.”
“What do you mean by that, Pete?” Laura asked.
“Stress, I’d imagine.” He put his large hand on Bird’s head. “The events of late are taking their toll on everybody. But you, Bird, are more sensitive than most.”
Laura was still puzzled. “But Bird spoke perfectly well after the meeting at the General Store!”
“Yes, but things hadn’t heated up then, had they?” He looked at Bird closely. “Your hair will grow back quickly. But the memory of the barn fire will stay with you for a long time.” He turned to his wife. “The fire, Laura. I’d put my money on that event being the trigger.”
Bird stared at Pete, shocked by the obviousness of his theory. Of course he was right! She hadn’t been able to speak a word since the fire, but it wasn’t because of smoke damage to her throat. It was the stress. Her body was making decisions for her! How strange — and annoying! No wonder Alec was looking around for a normal girl.
All at once Bird felt incredibly angry. She would not let this continue! She would speak, and she would speak when and where she wanted, not just whenever her weird condition allowed her to. Bird opened her mouth and willed her voice to co-operate. Nothing came out, not even the new-found pig noise. Tears sprang into her eyes.
“Now, Pete, you’ve upset her.” Laura threw her arms around Bird, gathering her into a warm hug.
Bird shook her head wildly. The truth had upset her, not Pete. She nodded at him and tried to smile. She wanted him to know that she was grateful.
The redheaded groom passed by just then, still walking the pony that the boy had rolled. “Hey, Bird,” she called, her voice heavy with derision. “How’s Uncle Tanbark?”
Bird didn’t even try to control herself. She twisted herself out of Laura’s arms and lunged at the groom. She grabbed her shirt, shaking with rage.
The pony backed up, startled and afraid. Don’t hurt us! Please!
Bird stopped short, and stared at the pony. She saw herself through the animal’s eyes, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. She must look like a maniac. She fell on her knees, sobbing, as the redhead hurried away.
Pete knelt beside Bird. “Listen to me. Never, ever, let the small-minded people in this world win. Rise above them. Take the high road. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Bird nodded. She knew he was right, but it was so hard to do.
“Soon enough we’ll know the truth about who’s to blame for the murder and the barn fire. You know and I know that it has nothing to do with you, so don’t let them bring you down.” Pete slowly rose to his feet with Laura’s help, his jaw set.
Bird tried to take courage from his strength and wisdom. Small-minded people were everywhere. If she let them, they’d erode her confidence until she became one of them herself. She stood up.
She stuck out her hand, and Pete took it. They shook on it.
“Good.” Pete smiled at her proudly. “When you get your
speech back I want to know the whole story about how Kimberly got to ride Moonie, but now, Laura and I are going to get a bite to eat and find a good spot on the bleachers. We’ll be right there when you ride. We’re cheering for you, Bird, in every possible way.”
As Bird watched them gather their things, she struggled to control a barrage of emotions. Love for Pete and Laura; shame at her attack on the groom; nerves about her imminent ride; a conviction that she would speak again; and, above all, a commitment to herself to rise above gossip and speculation—including the gossip about Alec. She replayed Pete’s words. She would assume that small-minded people had started that rumour, and she would not let them win. Her eyes misted over as she watched the Piersons proceed to the stands, arm in arm.
18
SHOW TIME
Tan pretended to sleep. His body was still sore, but his brain was working just fine. In fact, he was in overdrive. His father was still sitting there, watching over him. Tan peeked out of a corner of an eye. Yes. Still watching him. Tan couldn’t stay here. He was so agitated that his chest felt like exploding. He was a prisoner in this place, and he knew it wasn’t safe to stay. His chance would come. It would. And when it did, he would take it.
AN HOUR LATER, Kimberly and Moonlight Sonata stood beside Bird and Sundancer at the in-gate. Kimberly was up first, followed by Bird. To Bird, Kimberly looked pale and limp as she reviewed the course. She reached out and squeezed her friend’s arm. Kimberly turned to Bird and stared, then went back to studying the order of the jumps. There was a blankness in her eyes. Bird recognized the look—she was zoning out. Kimberly’s worst fear had always been that she’d forget the course. It was perhaps one of the most common fears for riders, and Bird could never figure that out. To her mind, the actual fact of riding a jumper over large hurdles should be far more worrisome.
Hannah walked up and stood beside Moonie. “Ready, Kimberly?” she asked with an encouraging smile. The class had been announced a few minutes before, and Kimberly’s number and name had been called twice. People were getting impatient.
Kimberly nodded, but didn’t move.
What should I do? Moonie asked Bird.
She’ll be fine once you begin, so just trot in and start.
She hasn’t asked me to.
She’s in a daze. Trot in, circle in a canter and start your approach to the first jump. Do you know where that is?
The one just past the starting gate.
Right. The white picket gate. She’ll be with you by then. Don’t worry.
What if she’s still in her daze?
Then go to the next one, the hedge, or come back here.
Moonie shook her mane and trotted in. Bird looked at Kimberly; she was still on auto-pilot.
I hope you know what you’re doing, Bird. Sunny clearly didn’t like the advice she’d given to Moonie.
I don’t.
You just sent Moonie out there with a rag doll on her back and you admit you don’t know what you’re doing? Even a horse knows it’s bad.
Let’s just hope she wakes up.
Moonie began her circle at a canter and passed the start-gate as she headed toward the first jump. Kimberly was riding like a robot, but nobody else would know it, thought Bird. Kim’s muscle memory was allowing her to move with the horse. With no help at all from Kim, they cleared the gate nicely.
Where do I go now? Moonie was nervous. She cantered slowly, waiting for instructions.
To the hedge! The hedge!
Moonie cantered to the hedge and leaped it easily. Now where?
Follow the fenceline and jump the three in a row.
Moonie’s ears went back and her tail swished.
Jump the triple with someone sleeping on her back? Sunny snorted.
Sunny was right — it wouldn’t be safe for horse or rider. Bird sighed. Just come on back, Moonie.
Let me see if I can get her attention. Moonie slowed her pace and did a little buck. Then another.
Suddenly, Kimberly’s eyes focused. She sat up and tightened her legs. She was back. Bird relaxed.
Moonie and Kimberly judged the triple perfectly and landed on the correct lead. They increased their speed as they went for the water jump. Clear. A tight turn to the vertical.
Moonie’s good, Bird. Kimberly’s okay, but Moonie’s better than I thought. Maybe we shouldn’t have helped her. They could win.
We’ll have to be better than them, that’s all.
We’ll have to be faster.
Sunny and Bird watched as the pair jumped easily around the course. They got their leads, saved time around corners and worked together beautifully. For Bird, it was a pleasure to watch, but Sunny grew more upset with every completed jump.
Sunny, please! Settle down. You’re using up all your energy jiggling.
I have lots of energy left. It was better when I thought I was superior. She’s so small, that mare, and I didn’t know about her form.
Bird patted his neck. You’re my champion, Sunny. Forget about Moonie’s round. I want us to go in there and have a good time.
A good time? I want us to WIN!
Moonie and Kimberly trotted out, with Kimberly all smiles. “That was awesome! I don’t even remember going in!”
No manure.
Behave!
It’s our turn, Bird. Hang on tight.
Sunny! You are NOT going to do a Sabrina!
To win, I must. Moonie’s time was excellent and they had a clear round. Not so much as a toe in the water jump.
Make you a deal. Let’s start slow and work up to it if it feels right, okay?
Wimp.
Sundancer and Bird trotted into the ring, both aware that all eyes were on them, and not for the usual reasons, either. Today, their popularity had nothing to do with their skill and everything to do with the strange case that had gripped the community. They were the freak show, Bird mused — the extra entertainment.
While Bird wanted to keep below the radar, Sunny pranced like an Austrian Lipizzaner. He held his head low with his neck arched, and moved with a slow, huge, muscular gait.
No need to show off, Sunny.
Look at their faces! They think I’m awesome!
Let’s impress the crowd with your careful jumping.
Another time.
Bird moved him into a canter and they passed the starter. They lined up the first jump, the white picket fence adorned with brightly coloured flowers on both sides and along the ground line. They were airborne when Sunny decided to put on the speed. Bird sensed her loss of control immediately. On the landing, he threw his head and grabbed the bit between his teeth.
Not fair!
Get used to it.
They raced to the hedge. It was wide and tall and made of brambles. Sunny shot over it, landed and was off at a gallop. Around the ring to the left they tore, gathering speed as they rounded the corner. Now they faced the triple: three identical jumps in a row, spaced out with a two-stride and then a three. From where Bird sat, it looked like a mess of red and white bars.
We’re going way too fast!
Let me go, Bird, and I’ll do this in a one-stride then a two.
You’ve got to be kidding!
The faster a horse goes, the more ground he covers with fewer strides. Bird knew it was possible, but she’d never attempted it before, and she certainly didn’t want to try now. But there was no way to stop Sunny. He jumped the first of the jumps, landed, took one stride and jumped the second. He landed, took two strides, then jumped the third. Sunny made it through.
Who’s kidding now, Bird? Whaddaya say? Wanna go faster?
No!
Too bad.
As impossible as it seemed, Sunny galloped even faster as they turned toward the water jump. There was a low yellow and green vertical in front of a pool of water twelve feet wide. They shot over it like a cannon. They were going so fast now that they couldn’t turn left where they should have, and had to go the long way around another jump to the fifth hurdle, a purple vert
ical. Approaching it from a slight angle increased the risk of knocking down a pole, but now they had no choice.
Over they went. Clear. Sunny had his right lead and pulled Bird to the triple bar along the fence to the right. Bird’s heart was pounding and her mouth was dry with fear. There were so many ways that this could end in disaster. She stopped trying to control him and merely concentrated on staying on.
I think I hate you, she messaged.
You’ll get over it. We need to win!
Sunny continued his reckless race toward the blue in-and-out, then took the multi-coloured optical illusion without reducing his speed.
Things changed as they turned the corner. Sunny looked at all the various angled jumps, and blanked. With Bird no longer steering, he’d lost his bearings.
Where are we, Bird? What jump is next?
It’s a little late to ask for my help.
Which one is next? There are too many choices!
Will you behave and slow down? Probably not.
Sunny slowed his pace dramatically to buy some time.
Then I won’t tell you.
Even in his hyper state, Sunny sensed that Bird was serious. He cantered a few strides on the spot. Okay, I’ll listen.
It’s the vertical again.
But we’ve already jumped it.
We jump it again. Let me steer you.
They were over the vertical before Sunny had time to argue. He grabbed the bit again and went left toward the triple bar, which had followed the vertical last time through.
No, Sunny! We make a sharp right. Let me steer!
But that’s the hedge. We already jumped it.
From the other side. Turn! Bird yanked right with all her strength.
Okay, already! Now what?
Left to the white picket again, backwards.
Okay!
Now, straight through the gate.
We’re through the gate and we’re done!
No kidding, we’re done. I never want to ride you again!
What?
As Bird and Sundancer trotted out of the ring, Hannah’s worried face came into view. “What happened out there? Are you all right?”
Mystery at Saddle Creek Page 13
