Mystery at Saddle Creek (14 page)

Bird didn't put the buckets down until she reached the trailer. Is that what people really thought, that somehow Hannah had something to do with the murder? And what exactly had been in the news about her grandfather? She should've asked Cliff this morning.

Why so glum, Bird?

Nothing, Sunny. Just gossip.

When do we get out there? I'm raring to go.

Hannah will be back soon, and she'll tell us.

Bird sat on the mounting block and waited for Hannah to return, trying to push all thoughts of the overheard conversation out of her mind. To make herself feel better, she willed herself to think of Alec. Bird missed him, and she longed to tell him about all the things that were happening in the neighbourhood. Alec, with his calm reason, would be sure to have good ideas and thoughtful words. He was more than a boyfriend, he was a true friend.

She wished she could call him, but the few phones at the camp were reserved for emergencies and cell reception was awful. Not that it mattered. In her current speechless state, Bird could hardly hold a conversation.

She wondered again about why she couldn't speak. Maybe it was the fire and the smoke. She certainly wanted to talk. It wasn't like before, when she'd chosen to stop talking because no one was listening. Now she wanted to speak! She had so many things to say! Maybe she just needed to practice, to get her vocal chords loosened up again.

Bird tried to make a noise, any noise. She took a breath and let it out slowly. She took another breath and tried to hum as she expelled the air. Nothing. She broke off a blade of grass and blew through it. That made a noise. Someone had once told her that vocal chords were similar to a blade of grass. It was the air moving across them that made the noise. She tried to hum again. A squeak! Bird grinned. It was a start.

Bird caught sight of Hannah and the girls walking toward the trailer. Their drooping shoulders told her that they'd heard the gossip, too.

Hannah tried to smile. “We're the talk of the show.”

Julia, always looking on the bright side, said, “At least we got good service in the office. Robyn looked after us right away and told us to ignore it all. I like Robyn.”

Kim agreed. “Me, too. The radio played the news the whole time. Every ten minutes we heard
again
that Kenneth Bradley, disgraced horseman, is sitting with his illegitimate, crispy son in Orangeville Hospital under guard. It's very dramatic.” She shook her head and sat beside Bird on the mounting block.

Bird didn't like hearing this—her grandfather always meant bad news. She hoped Tan was all right, and squeezed over to make room.

Liz was despondent. “Maybe I should g ... go home,” she said. “We didn't go to my grandparents' because Phil can't leave t ... town, but now M ... mom thinks maybe we should go without him. I'm not sure I'd remember my c ... course anyway, I'm so upset.”

Hannah hugged the girl. “Honey, you'll be fine. Your mom told me you're leaving tomorrow. Today, forget the silly stuff and just have fun.”

“Yeah,” said Julia. “So what if you forget your course?”

“I do it all the time,” chuckled Kimberly. “I think I'll win the class if I get it right.”

Liz began to smile.

Bird tried her noise again. It came out as a breathy squeal, more like a pig than a person, but she was so happy about it that everybody broke out laughing.

What do you think you're doing, Bird?

Cheering people up. It's working, too.

I have no idea why that horrible noise would cheer anybody up. Let's get out of here and win some ribbons!

Hannah had the same idea. “We've got lots of time, but let's get tacked up and go to the practice ring. Kimberly, you've never ridden Moonie, so you should get to know her.” Hannah grinned at them all. “Our only goal today is to have a great time. Enjoy your horse. Enjoy your ride. If we pick up a ribbon, all the better, but our best reward is to ride for the sheer pleasure of riding.”

Julia repeated slowly, “Ride for the sheer pleasure of riding. I like it! That's what I'm going to do!”

Liz linked her arm with Julia. “Me, too. That's what I'm going to do, t ... too. Ride for the sheer p ... pleasure of riding!”

Kim joined in. “Me, too! And Bird!”

Bird squeaked as loud as she could, and everybody convulsed with laughter. For the moment, at least, the gloom was pushed back out of sight.

Liz was showing first. She was in a small pony jumper class and Sabrina, the chestnut Welsh Mountain pony, was ready and keen.

Bird put the finishing touches on Sabrina's braided mane and combed out her flaxen tail.

You look divine.

I always do.

But you don't always let kids, especially girls, finish the course.

I do so!

I'm not trying to insult you, but you know what I'm talking about.

Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. Sometimes I like to have a little fun.

>Did you know that the winner of this class gets their picture in all the horse magazines?

The winner, as in the kid? Or the winner, as in the pony?

Both together. You'd look beautiful in those magazines, you have to admit it.

You're trying to bribe me, aren't you?

Just a little.

I was going to be excellent today, anyway. Fast but safe. This girl tries hard and she respects me. She's not bad at all for a girl.

Bird patted Sabrina's neck. What a great pony, she thought. And a stern teacher. Sabrina had taught many kids how to ride. She never allowed sloppy treatment, and she demanded complete concentration. Or else. For some reason that Bird had never figured out, Sabrina preferred boy riders to girls.

Bird gave her a kiss on the nose.
Thanks, Sabrina. Not too fast, okay? Take care of Liz. She needs it today.

I already told you: fast but safe.

Liz was ready to get on, with her helmet snapped up and her number tied around her waist. She was getting more and more nervous as the time grew near, literally twitching as she sat on Sabrina's back. Hannah walked beside Sabrina as they made their way down to the ring, and repeated their new mantra, over and over. “Ride for the sheer pleasure of riding, Liz. Honestly, nothing else matters.”

“B ... but everybody thinks we're horrible! They think M ... Mom's boyfriend is guilty — and Cliff, and Pierre, and Tanbark — and we're all somehow p ... part of it!”

Hannah stopped walking and the pony came to a stop. “Listen to me, Liz,” Hannah said, her voice serious. “They're wrong. Time will prove it. Believe in your friends, and believe in yourself. Keep your chin up and stop listening to gossip. I mean it.”

Liz nodded. “You're right.They d ... don't know what they're talking about.”

“Gossips never do. Now, let's review the course.”

17

 

MORE GOSSIP

Tan wiggled his fingers, then his toes. Moving each part of his body, one by one, he assured himself that everything worked. The drugs were good to relieve pain, but they dimmed his mind. He was weaning himself off them. He needed to be totally alert for what was ahead.

His father had stepped out of the room for a moment. The nurse came in. He was ready for her. He accepted the pill she put in his mouth, and pretended to swallow. She smiled the fake smile she used to make Tan think she was pleased with him. As soon as she turned, he pushed it out of his mouth with his tongue and let it drop beside the bed. The nurse turned back to him with a thermometer in her hand. Tan opened his mouth obediently.

JULIA AND KIMBERLY were ringside with Hannah, supporting Liz as she trotted into the ring, while Bird stayed with the horses. She stood with Sunny in the trailer. They had a good view of Liz and Sabrina from his open window, and Bird watched as they broke into a canter and began the course.

Sunny missed nothing.
Very nice. But look. Her body bulged around the corner. Liz was pulling her to the wrong jump.

It's a jumper class, Sunny. That bulge doesn't count.

Her resistance added to the time. Every second matters.

Wow, that in-and-out was perfect!
Bird's eyes got round as Sabrina picked up speed.
Is she ever moving now! She's burning up the ground.

If Liz could let her reins go a little, Sabrina could do her job better.

I know, but that's really hard. When a person thinks their horse is going too fast, we pull the reins to slow you down.

But we fight the reins and go faster!

Holy! She chipped in and flew over that oxer!

She's going to have excellent time, Bird, if she goes clean.

Only a few more jumps. Watch those little legs fly!

There's the water jump. Perfect! Nothing bothers her.

She's a brave pony, Sunny. Is she going too fast?

I hope Liz can hang on.

She's racing to the last line.

She can do it, Bird. Yeah!

That's it! That's the course! They did it!

Timmy and Moonie joined Bird and Sunny in their celebration. The horses stamped their feet in applause and Bird made her new noise. The show had begun well for Saddle Creek.

Kimberly and Julia raced up to the trailer. “We need Timmy!” Kimberly called, out of breath from her dash. “Did you see Liz go, Bird?”

“I'll never beat that time!” Julia wailed. “Timmy's not nearly as fast, but I love him anyway!”

Bird helped her sister get Timmy down the ramp. She gave him a once-over with a towel to shine him up, then held his bridle while she got on.

Timmy, my friend, are you ready?

Yes, of course. I've done this forever.

Don't try to beat Sabrina's time. Julia hasn't ridden much lately.

I'm not crazy. Sabrina herself couldn't beat that time.

“Thanks, Bird. Wish me luck.” Julia looked pale.

Bird squeezed her boot and grinned. She gave her a thumbs-up and patted Timmy on the rump. She watched her little sister and Timmy trot down to the ring to join Hannah.

“What's going on with your voice, Bird?” asked Kimberly.

Bird was startled. She'd forgotten that Kimberly was still in the trailer.

“You talked all year! You talked a week ago when we made plans to show together. Is it the stupid thing about Alec and Pamela?”

Bird felt like all the air had been let out of her body. Alec and Pamela? What stupid thing? At camp? A vision of Pamela's cute face and curvy body came to her mind, and Bird felt dizzy.

“You didn't hear, did you? Ohmygosh. Nobody believes it, Bird! I promise! I didn't mean to upset you!” Kimberly was totally dismayed. “And just before you're about to go in the ring. I'm so so sorry! It's just stupid gossip! There's nothing in it! I hate that I even repeated it! Please forget that I said it! You're my very, very best friend. You know that, right?”

Kimberly tried to give Bird a hug, but Bird was limp. She knew her friend hadn't wished to upset her, but she felt ill thinking about Alec with someone else. Especially Pamela Parker. It couldn't be true.

“Bird? Please, Bird? I'm so sorry I said that. It just popped out. And, really, it doesn't matter to me if you can talk or not. We understand each other just fine. I just wondered why you're not talking, that's all!”

Bird looked at her friend. Kim was desperate for Bird's forgiveness. She answered the question by touching her throat, then putting her palms up in a gesture that meant
I don't know.

“Can you forgive me? For saying anything about ... you know?”

Bird nodded and forced a smile. It wasn't Kimberly's fault that people talked nonsense.Because that's what it was.Nonsense. Stupid gossip. Must be. Had to be ... didn't it? Or could it be true?

“Forget I said it, Bird. Anyway, it's not true! Pamela doesn't hold a candle to you. Anyway, Julia and Timmy just started! Let's watch!” Kimberly put a comforting arm around Bird's shoulders as they left the trailer. They sat side by side on the mounting block to watch, and Bird willed herself to concentrate on the ring.

“Great beginning!” exclaimed Kim. “She's got her head on straight, you can tell from here. Julia means business.”

Watch Timmy, Bird,
telegraphed Sunny. He's got it down.
He gives her confidence by making her kick him on. It's the oldest trick in the book.

Good for him,
answered Bird.
That was a good corner. Julia's doing just what Hannah told her: eyes looking where she's going, heels down.

That helps, Bird. But Timmy wants to be second. Clean but not crazy fast.

“Julia's riding great. She's giving Liz a run for her money.” Kimberly was excited at the contest.

Timmy could've run out on that jump, Bird,
Sunny noted.
But he didn't.

“Julia lost her reins! Oh, good, she's got them. That was close.” Kim let out her breath. “Lucky Timmy didn't catch on or he would've avoided the jump.”

Sunny snorted.
What a crock! Of course Timmy knew she lost her reins! Does she think we're stupid?

Bird laughed her squeaking laugh. It was so much fun listening to her two companions that her thoughts about Alec, for the moment, at least, were pushed aside.

“She took the in-and-out like a pro! They're doing great!” Kimberly was wriggling with excitement.

Timmy's bringing her home! He's on a roll and he's not going to make any mistakes.

“She did it!” Kimberly and Bird jumped up from the block and danced around. “She did it! Hooray!”

He did it!
Sunny and Moonie thumped their hooves and whinnied.
He did it!

Julia proudly trotted Timmy up to the trailer. “That was so much fun! The class is almost over!” she shouted. “Hannah says that Liz has the best time so far and she went clean, and so far I'm second. We went clean but not as fast.” Julia was talking fast and her face was flushed. “Only three more ponies to go!”

Kimberly jumped up from the mounting block. “Right! Stay aboard, Julia! You've gotta be ready to go back in there to get a ribbon.”

Bird kept an eye on the competition in the ring. A young boy was desperately trying to beat Liz and Sabrina's time. It would not end well, Bird predicted.

Sunny observed the same thing. He's
headed for a dust bath.

No sooner was the thought out of Sunny's head than the boy made too tight a turn and yanked his pony's neck right around. The pony wasn't on the correct lead and couldn't keep his balance. He fell on his knees. The boy was pitched forward and flipped over onto his back.

The crowd gasped. The girls watched as the ambulance rolled up to the ring. Paramedics jumped out and ran to the boy, while show staff kept people back.

The dejected pony limped away, led by a young woman. Bird took another look. It was the redheaded groom from the showers. Bird hoped the pony would be okay. He'd tried his best for that boy.

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.