Sundancer (14 page)

IN THE BARN, ABBY helped Bird untack and rub down Sunny. “Bird, I'm impressed. You ride him unbelievably well.”

Bird blushed. This was high praise, coming from her jumping hero.

“I love the way he listens to you. And trusts you. It's so rare to see. I'm glad I dropped by.”

Bird nodded happily and continued to groom the handsome horse. Sunny enjoyed all the attention. Abby pulled a mint from her pocket and offered it to him. The deep-brown eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“It's a treat, Sunny. I'm not trying to poison you.”

Bird took the mint from Abby, then placed it on the palm of her hand. Sunny scooped it up with his lips, then licked her hand.

“Hmm,” said Abby. “He gives his trust carefully.” Bird nodded as she stroked his neck.

“Do you want to compete with him, Bird? You'd be quite a team.”

Do you want to go to a horse show, Sunny?

Maybe I can. But some days are not good for me.

I know, Sunny.

Bird's eyes registered caution. She shrugged.

“It'd be fun. There's a show this week less than an hour from here.”

Hannah overheard the last comment from the tackroom, where she was cleaning the bridle. “You're talking about going to a show?”

“Yes. There's one at Rockhill this Friday.”

Hannah looked at Bird. “After what we saw this morning, Bird, I think we should give it a try. What do you think?”

Bird stood awkwardly. How can I tell them?

She reached into her pocket and retrieved a coin. She threw it up in the air. It landed heads.

“Bird, are you saying it's a flip of the coin? That you don't care?” asked Abby.

Bird shook her head.

“Do you mean maybe yes maybe no? That you're not sure?” asked Hannah.

Bird sighed. Maybe this was as close as they'll get, she thought. She nodded.

Abby had an idea. “What if I take him in the ring first, to let him see the jumps and get used to the atmosphere of the showgrounds? Then, if you want to, you ride him next?”

Bird looked uncertain.

Good idea. Then if I'm having a bad day, she'll be the one I toss. Say yes, Bird girl.

If you're sure, Sunny. Maybe this is too soon.

If I'm okay that day, it's not too soon. I can do anything. I'm a winner.

“Abby, that's very good of you,” said Hannah. “It might be just the thing to give Bird confidence.”

Abby smiled at Bird. “Bird, are you on?”

Bird looked at her new friend. Abby Malone, who'd won trophies and awards and countless ribbons, wanted to help her. She'd just have to hope that Sunny would be having a good day.

She grinned at Abby and stuck out her hand. They shook.

“Great! I'll stop in tomorrow with information, and I'll take Sundancer around the course, just so he knows the feel of me.” She smiled at Bird. “Okay?”

“O … kay.” Bird surprised herself by speaking aloud. She hadn't meant to. She covered her mouth with her hands and began to giggle. Together, they burst out laughing.

“See you tomorrow, then, bright and early.” Abby waved goodbye and left. Hannah waved back and headed to the house.

Bird walked Sunny out to his field after she'd brushed and fussed over him a little more. She opened the gate and walked him in, then unclasped his halter and let him go.

We're going to a show, Sunny. If it was today, you'd win all the ribbons, wouldn't you?

Yep.

Do you think you'll feel the same on Friday?

Depends.

Tell me how to help you, Sunny. Tell me how to get rid of your fears and demons, once and for all.

If I knew, I wouldn't have them.

The big handsome horse trotted off. Bird watched him from the fenceline and enjoyed the way the sun burnished his sleek coat, and how his muscles rippled as he moved. She would be so proud to canter into the ring on this horse.

Sundancer lay down in the grass and rolled. He gave himself a good scratching, rubbing his coat into the ground. He hopped up and shook his whole body vigorously. Bird watched the grass and dirt fall off him.

Abby and Cody were gone, and Lavinia's car was pulling out of their lane with Kimberly. Another car drove in. Silver sedan. Mr. Gilmore, thought Bird. Shopping trip.

She ran to the house, noticing that Lavinia had stopped her car to chat with Stuart. Lavinia was pointing at Sunny in the field. Bird knew that she was telling Stuart that Sundancer would soon be her daughter's horse. She slammed the kitchen door by mistake.

“Bird! Jump in the shower,” called Hannah from the top of the stairs. “Stuart's driving in. He's early!”

“I'm not nearly ready!” wailed Eva.

“I am,” said Julia. “I'll offer him a coffee or something, okay?”

“Good girl!” yelled Eva. “Keep him busy.”

Bird passed Julia on the stairs. Julia was running down to answer the door, Bird was running up to get ready.

“Don't worry, Julia,” said Hannah. “I'm coming down. You get back up and finish getting dressed. You'd think the Prince of Wales was here!”

“I heard that,” smiled Stuart. “I'm honoured, I'm sure.” He bowed.

“Come on in, Stuart,” said Hannah, laughing. “I'm making coffee. Have one?”

“Sure. I know I'm early, but I finished my work a little sooner than I anticipated and I was in the neighbourhood and I —”

“Have always had a crush on Eva,” said Hannah wickedly.

Stuart twisted his mouth. “Yes. How did you know?”

“You're not exactly subtle, Stuart.”

He looked at Hannah, startled. “What do you mean?”

“Every time I mention her name, you light up like a light bulb. There's nothing wrong with it, Stuart. Don't look at me like that. I think it's cute.”

“Cute? That's manly.”

Hannah laughed.

Eva walked into the kitchen looking like she was ready for the tea party in
Alice in Wonderland
. Her pink and white polka-dot dress was tied in the back with a big bow that matched the one in her teased up hair. Her high pink strapless heels clicked on the kitchen linoleum in time to the swishing of her crinolined skirt.

“I'm ready,” she sang. “How do I look?” Eva twirled around.

Stuart shared a look with Hannah. “Lovely, but perhaps you should bring along some more sensible shoes.” Eva was taken aback. “Sensible?”

“We'll be walking around stores, Eva. The kids'll be trying things on. In those five inch heels you'll be tripping all over the place, your feet will hurt, and you'll start whining to go home.”

“I will not,” she pouted. “I always shop in high heels.”

“Just bring some flat shoes in case, Eva.” said Stuart. “I'll wait.”

“Well you'll be waiting a long time. I'm not going.”

“Suit yourself, Eva. Hannah and I will be fine with the girls.”

“You wouldn't leave me here!” retorted Eva.

“Where else?”

Eva glared at Stuart with her hands on her hips. “You're just trying to be bossy. Well, you can't boss me.”

“No problem.”

With a huge exasperated sigh, Eva flounced out of the kitchen. Her heels clattered loudly up the stairs, and her bedroom door slammed hard.

Bird came running down the stairs, scrubbed and ready and eager.

“Okay, everyone,” said Hannah. “Jump in the car.”

Hannah started the car and began to back out of her spot. Suddenly Eva came storming out the door.

“Wait, wait! I've got flat shoes on!” She did, indeed, have on flat shoes, but the outfit was twice as revealing. Pink capris pants, skin tight, with a little white halter top that didn't begin to cover her. “I couldn't wear flats with that dress, so I had to change.”

Bird and Julia exchanged glances. Could their mother be more embarrassing?

Stuart got out of the car and spoke quietly to Eva. “I'm not taking you around town dressed like that,” he said in a kind tone.

“I want to feel proud of you. Put a shirt over that top, and we'll go.”

Eva wavered. “All right, Stuart.” She turned on her heel and stalked into the house, calling over her shoulder, “You win. This time.”

Hannah was grinning when Stuart got back in the car. “The taming of the shrew, Stuart?”

“Someone's got to do it.”

Julia was puzzled. “What does that mean, the taming of the shoe?”

Stuart laughed. “The Taming of the Shrew. It's a famous play by William Shakespeare. A beautiful, willful woman becomes a terror because nobody wants to stand up to her bad temper. She scares everyone, so she eventually isolates herself until she meets a man who cares enough about her to expect her to behave civilly.”

“I get it,” said Julia. “You're doing Mom a favour by bossing her around?”

Hannah, Stuart, and Bird laughed. “What's so funny?” asked Julia, chagrined.

Stuart answered, “Just the way you put it, Julia. Actually, you're dead on. We're not laughing at you at all.”

Eva returned with a crisp white cotton blouse tied at her waist. Finally, thought Bird. She looks like a grown-up.

Eva stared at Stuart, hands on hips. “Well?”

Stuart smiled. “Will you do me the honour of sitting next to me?” With a grin and a flounce, Eva sat in the car next to Stuart.

Bird wondered what the next few hours would bring. She looked into the back seat and felt a small tug of happiness in her heart. Stuart sat with Eva on one side and Julia on the other, a relaxed arm around both. They all wore contented smiles. Better still, Julia had lost the wan look that she arrived with. Instead, she had rosy cheeks and her old outgoing demeanor. Eva seemed more contented, less frenetic. This was all good, Bird thought. She sincerely hoped it would last.

Julia stretched her arm forward to include Bird in the group. Bird put her hand over Julia's and squeezed. Hannah, in the driver's seat, winked at Bird. Bird knew what Hannah was thinking. She was hoping the same thing.

LATE IN THE AFTERNOON when the group arrived back at Saddle Creek, the trunk was full. There were school clothes and fun clothes for both Bird and Julia, and boxes of new clothing for Eva. With much chatter and laughter, they unloaded the car. Bird and Julia rushed upstairs to try on their new things. Julia didn't buy anything that was even remotely pink.

The day had been a great success. After window shopping and checking out the stores, they'd sat down to lunch at the Tea Room in Erin and talked over what everyone wanted to buy. They'd had fun compiling lists and adding and subtracting shoes, accessories, and clothing pieces. After lunch, with their whittled-down lists in hand, they purchased their items. Everyone remained in good spirits, in part due to their frequent coffee and soda stops all day.

Now it was after six, and Hannah began to throw together a dinner of leftovers with a big salad from the garden.

Someone knocked at the kitchen door.

Hannah was surprised. She wasn't expecting anyone. Wiping her hands on the dish towel, she opened the door.

“Paul!”

“I'm sorry I'm late. I had an emergency to look after. A horse up the road needed stitches.”

“Late?”

“For dinner. Eva called this afternoon and invited me.” Paul saw the surprise on Hannah's face. “Just a minute here. Didn't you know she called?”

“No, but I'm very glad she did. It's only leftovers, Paul, but you're always welcome.”

“Are you sure?”

Hannah smiled. ”I'm very sure.”

Paul couldn't miss her sincerity. He smiled back.

Good old Eva, Hannah thought. I asked for her help and I'm getting it.

BIRD WOKE UP next morning still glowing with the new, nice feeling of belonging. She was wearing the nightgown she'd picked out on the shopping trip. It was pale green, with soft white lace ruffles. Bird loved it. She stretched lazily. She looked over at the futon and saw that Julia was sound asleep.

Quietly, Bird got out of bed and peeked outside to see what kind of day it was. From her bedroom window, Bird saw Abby's bike parked at the fenceline. Then her eyes picked up a blurry movement behind a tree. Cody. Without another thought, she gathered up her riding clothes, pulled them on, and raced outside.

Abby was grooming Sunny in the field. She turned and waved when she spotted the younger girl. “Hey Bird, great day!”

Sunny left Abby and trotted over to Bird. He greeted her with a nicker.

I'm feeling good, girl! Let's go!

Can Abby ride you today?

Why not? If she bugs me, I'll toss her.

Please behave. She wants to see how talented you are.

I'll amaze her.

The horse nodded his head up and down. Bird patted his neck and together they returned to Abby.

“I thought I'd hop on his back today, Bird. To get a feel of him before the show.”

Bird nodded with assurance. Perfect. She wanted to see Sunny jump. She'd only ridden him, never watched him.

Bird got Sunny's old bridle from the pail and slipped it over his ears. Abby had brought her own saddle, and she placed it over the saddle pad and tightened the girth.

Bird had an uncanny feeling that something was watching her. She turned to look. She saw nothing. She turned again. There. Cody.

Girl. I'll do you no harm.

I know. I'm not afraid.

Will you be my friend?

Yes, Cody. I want to be your friend. I'm honoured.

Bird felt a warmth in her heart. Cody had not spoken to her before.

Now she addressed her horse.
Behave yourself for Abby, Sunny.

I intend to be perfectly brilliant. She will know what an outstanding performer I am. She will never have ridden a more handsome and athletic horse.

You're so vain.

Just truthful.

Sunny made his prediction come true. No horse could have responded more quickly or with more sensitivity. No horse could have jumped cleaner or turned faster. Sunny pivoted on a dime when asked. He sprang like a deer from every angle.

Bird sat on the fence beside the paddock and watched with pride. He looked fabulous.

Abby trotted Sundancer over to the fence where Bird was perched. “Do you have any idea what you've got here, Bird? This horse is a genius! He could go all the way. He's amazing!”

I told you so, Bird girl.
Sunny tossed his head and pranced.

Indeed you did! Well done, Sunny.

“He's ready for the Rockhill show, Bird. Heck, he's ready for a Grand Prix! Today, I'll take his picture and go to the Canadian Equestrian Federation offices to get his passport so he can compete. I'll be back early Friday morning. I can hardly wait!”