Sundancer (11 page)

HANNA HAD BARELY SAT down in a chair with her book when Eva hollered through the window. “Hannah, why did you let Bird ride Sundancer? After her concussion? Are you insane?”

Hannah leaped to her feet. She ran to the door and opened it. Sure enough, Bird was trotting along the fenceline on Sundancer. Julia sat on the top rail, clapping her hands in appreciation.

The horse looked wonderful. His coat glistened in the softening rays of the evening sun. His legs strode out in perfect rhythm, strong and sound. His head was nicely tucked, his neck arched.

Sunny, Hannah and Mom are watching. And Randy, too. Mom's never seen me ride before and Hannah doesn't know we've been practicing. I don't want to mess up
.

I won't let you down, Bird girl. Just come along for the ride. I'll talk you through it
.

Bird asked him to move into a canter, and together they sailed.

He changed leads. She rode him in a small circle, then a large circle. They changed direction. Now they slowed to a trot. Shoulder-in, half-pass. They reduced speed until he was trotting on the spot. Bird sat straight and tight, giving him lots of leg.

No, Bird girl. Not like that. Put your toes slightly out, but don't dig my sides with your heels. Now, we'll canter shoulder in. Squeeze just behind the girth with your outside leg. Yes! And play with your inside rein. Good! See how my head wants to bend just so?

Hannah was mesmerized. Bird was doing advanced dressage! She must have been riding Sundancer all along, while she — Hannah the horse trainer — had been pussyfooting around in the arena! No wonder his muscles had developed so quickly. No wonder his tone was so good.

“See, Hannah! Bird's riding the wild horse.” Eva had caught up to Hannah, out of breath. Randy leaned against his car, bored by the prospect of yet another tantrum concerning Bird.

“She's doing remarkably well, too.” Hannah said.

“Stop her! She'll get killed.”

Hannah turned to face her sister. “Does she look like she's in any danger?”

Do you want to try something wonderful, Bird girl?

Sure, Sunny. What?

I've never tried it before. Just sit up and hang on
.

Eva opened her mouth with a response, but she changed her mind. Mouth still open, she watched Bird as she quietly sat. The big horse sprang up in the air and kicked out with his back legs. He landed, prepared himself, and did it again.

“Airs above the ground!” gasped Hannah. “I can't believe it!”

Sunny, where did you learn that?

I watched the dressage horses at my old stable
.

Very cool!

Thanks for staying off my mouth. It helps
.

Now they were skipping together. Two canter strides on the left lead, two canter strides on the right.

It was lovely. The horse was simply stunning, and Bird had never looked more beautiful. Her crazy hair peeked out from under her black hard hat and the paint streaks lit up her face. These two unique creatures were totally compatible.

“Your daughter's full of surprises,” Hannah said softly.

“She's a good rider, isn't she?”

Hannah nodded. “Wonderful. I have no idea how she learned those steps. I certainly didn't teach her. I don't know them myself. She's very special, Eva.”

Eva's head tilted to one side as she watched her daughter dismount. To Hannah, she looked lonely and lost. She seemed more like the little sister she remembered.

From across the field, Bird caught her mother's eye. This is me. Do you see me now? For the first time, Bird thought that the answer might be yes.

8
THE DINNER PARTY

I'm no different than I've always been. Nothing has changed.

Bird woke up early the next morning to a bright sunny sky. All was right with the world. She'd impressed her family with the dressage show last night, and she knew that Sundancer's life had been extended, at least for a while. Hannah had seen his considerable talent and his workmanlike attitude. She would have to understand that he was worth extra effort.

She chuckled to herself. This was going to be another good day; a day full of surprises. Tonight was the dinner party that Hannah had been preparing for, and Bird had been making preparations of her own.

She got out of bed and stretched all over. She looked at her little sister sleeping peacefully on the futon, cuddled up with pillows and blankets, hugging a stuffed pink monkey. There wasn't much time left in this visit. They'd have to make the most of every minute.

Bird quietly woke Julia. They got into their riding clothes, and after a quick breakfast the two sisters ran out to the barn, followed by the enthusiastic Hector. Bird had a soft package tucked under her arm.

To the girls' surprise, Kimberly was in the aisle, brushing Pastor. She hardly looked at them as they came bursting in.

“My mother had other plans,” she said without emotion, as she combed Pastor's mane. “So she dropped me off here. And I'm coming to the party. She arranged it with Hannah.”

Bird stood silently as Kimby spoke. The expression on her face was tight and sad. Bird wondered if Lavinia had arranged anything at all. More than likely, she'd simply dropped Kimby off and informed Hannah that she was staying.

Bird and Julia looked at each other. Julia wasn't fooled, either. Both girls surrounded Kimby and gave her a hug.

Kimberly began to cry. “She woke me up so early and she dumped me here and I don't have anything to wear tonight and I can't stand her boyfriend, he's so old and horrible.”

Julia wiped away a tear from Kimberly's cheek. “Trust me, we know how you feel. If you want weird boyfriends, check out some of our mother's.” Julia suddenly chuckled. “Bird, do you remember the guy with the false teeth?”

Bird rolled her eyes and grinned.

“Mom didn't know until I lost my front tooth and put it under my pillow. He came running in without any teeth and his hands full of money, yelling that the tooth fairy was real, that she'd visited him and now he was rich!” Julia squealed with laughter. “You should've seen Mom's face!”

Bird hooted, pleased that Kimby was laughing, too. Good old

Julia, she thought.

Now the three cheerfully saddled their horses and headed out for a nice long ride on the trails along the escarpment. They were determined to make the most of their day.

AS SOON AS THEY WERE back, Hannah put them to work. “We've got lots to do, girls,” she said. “Paul and Alec are joining us, too, so it will be a full house.”

Bird smiled to herself. Alec's coming. Kimberly noticed and winked at her. Bird blushed and looked away.

Hannah put the girls in charge of washing the windows, and soon the sun sparkled through unstreaked glass. Hector's bed was shaken out and washed. The wood floors, trim, and furniture were polished within an inch of their lives. Before long, the house was clean and tidy, ready for company.

There were twelve people coming for dinner, so Randy moved the kitchen table into the dining room and abutted it to their grandmother's big oak table. Eva and Hannah set it with the best of everything Hannah owned, and the girls arranged a centrepiece. Candles and ribbons and small dolls adorned colourful, fresh garden flowers.

When the preparations were complete, Eva and Randy set off to walk along the Bruce Trail, then for a drive around the countryside. Bird was happy to have them gone. Hannah was tense whenever Eva was around. She needed a break before the guests arrived, and Bird knew just the right thing.

Bird went out to the field and caught Sundancer when she knew Hannah was watching. She led him into the barn, brushed him, and tacked him up. When she placed her saddle on his back, Hannah appeared to remind her not to ride alone. Bird laughed.

“You got me, didn't you, Bird?” Hannah said smiling. “Well, I've got news for you. I wanted to start you on jumping lessons, anyway. If you're riding so well in secret, you'll be brilliant with help.”

Bird took the horse by the bridle and walked him into the arena. She casually led him to the mounting block and swung her leg over the saddle.

Today, I feel good, Bird girl. I'm happy you're riding me
.

That makes me happy, Sundancer
.

We'll be together as one
.

My brain and your legs
.

I have a brain, too, Bird girl
.

You think I can forget that?

“Warm him up, Bird. Today we're going to teach Sundancer about doing courses. Going over poles and through jump standards is the first step in teaching him to jump.”

While Bird trotted Sundancer in large and small circles, Hannah set down four trotting poles in the middle of the arena. She put jump standards beside the poles to get the horse used to going through them when it came time to actually jump.

“Okay, Bird, keep that nice steady pace and trot him over these poles. Look straight ahead, not at the poles. He's the one who has to figure out where to put his feet, not you. You set the pace and direct him right through the middle. He'll do the rest.”

Bird trotted Sundancer in an even trot, and came around the corner.

“Look in the direction you're turning, Bird.”

Bird looked over the poles. Sundancer turned perfectly and trotted over the poles.

“Perfect, Bird. Perfect. Okay, come through again.”

Bird trotted around the ring, again turning toward the poles. Again, she did it perfectly.

“Great! Now, Bird, trot him around and come over the poles from the opposite direction.”

This is getting boring, Bird girl
.

Relax. Hannah thinks she's teaching us. Make her happy
.

Harrumph
.

Bird executed the poles perfectly.

“Honey, you're fabulous. You keep trotting. I'm going to put some poles down over here.” Hannah laid four poles on the ground with standards on either side, heading sideways to the other poles. “Come on through, Bird.”

Bird trotted over the poles, eyes up, steady pace.

“Good! Now continue around and go over the other poles coming toward me, then turn left and do these again.”

Bird did exactly as she was told.

Time to jump, Bird, before I explode
.

We will, we will. Just be patient a little longer
.

“Bird, you're listening carefully, and riding beautifully. Your hands are light and your legs are tight. Walk him for a minute or so, and I'm going to set up another set of poles.”

Not more poles!

Patience, Sunny
.

Hannah created a course of four sets of trotting poles, and explained how she wanted Bird to do them.

After Bird trotted through the course, Hannah asked her to go in the opposite direction, and then mixed it up again. Bird and Sundancer completed every possible combination of trotting poles. “Bird, I'm impressed. Walk him around until he's completely cool, and we'll call it a day.”

Hold on. Surely we're not finished, Bird girl? I want to do some jumping!

Right you are
.

Bird made an arc with one arm and jumped over it with her opposite hand. Then she smiled hopefully at Hannah.

“You want to jump?”

Bird nodded eagerly. “Today?”

Bird nodded harder.

Hannah looked at her watch. She considered this request. “Why not? We may be rushing things a little, but let's go.”

Bird grinned. Little did she know.

With two poles, Hannah made a low X jump between one set of standards, and rolled the other two poles to either side, for ground lines. “Trot at the same speed you were going before, Bird, and canter away when you land. Everything's the same. Look over the jump at the arena wall, not at the jump.”

Baby stuff
.

Just do it and stop complaining
.

Bird did exactly as she was told. She trotted straight at the X, looking ahead, not down. Sundancer lifted his legs over the jump. Bird went with him, cantering away upon landing.

“Way to go, Bird!” came a voice.

“Hooray, hooray!” came a higher one. Bird's eyes searched the arena. Sundancer was unpreturbed. He knew people were there all along.

“Three cheers for Bird!” This was a man's voice. “Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!” There were several voices, chiming together, and Hannah and Bird finally located the spectators, huddled in the hayloft: Eva, Randy, Julia, and Kimberly.

“Put up another one!” called Kimberly.

“Yeah! Put up another one!” agreed Julia.

Yeah! I'll show them what I can do!

Bird smiled broadly. She looked at Hannah expectantly.

“Only if you all come down and sit in the seats where we can see you,” said Hannah.

“Okay, we'll come down,” called Eva. “But admit it, Hannah. You wouldn't have let us watch if we'd asked.”

“You're right.”

They settled on the benches behind the kickboards. Hannah had one more request. “Even though you're not hidden anymore, please keep just as quiet. Bird doesn't need distractions. Although he looks like a pussycat, Sundancer has injured and frightened nine professional horse trainers. Ten if you count me. Bird is making it look easy.”

Everyone quietly nodded their assent.

Hannah set up an X at the far end, and asked Bird to trot to the first X, canter away to the far X, land in a canter for three strides, then slow to a trot, then stop.

Piece of cake, Bird girl
.

Bird did precisely as she was told. The audience clapped. Sundancer turned to look at them, then bowed his head to the ground, bending his knees into a curtsey.

“Holy!” cried Kimberly. “He bows! Like Dancer used to, remember?”

Bird was amazed. Everyone knew how the famous Dancer bowed after great performances, but until this minute, she had no idea that Sundancer did.

Show-off!

Why not, Bird girl? They're here for a show
.

“I guess we don't applaud unless we want him to bow,” said Hannah. Julia started clapping as loud as she could, and Kimberly joined in. Sundancer dropped his head, bent his knees, and bowed again.

“Cool!” exclaimed Kimberly. “I don't believe it!”

“Believe it,” answered Hannah with raised eyebrows. “We don't want him to dump Bird by mistake.”

Hannah set up the remaining two sets of trotting poles into Xs, and explained to Bird how she wanted them ridden. Once again, Bird executed Hannah's instructions perfectly. It seemed that Sundancer could do no wrong.

“We're finished, Bird. Well done! Now, cool him out.” Hannah looked at the group of expectant onlookers and said, “Applaud!”

Eva, Randy, Julia, and Kimberly clapped their hands and cheered. Again, Sundancer bowed. Bird patted his neck, then reached down and hugged him.

Thanks, Sunny. You made me look good
.

Are you kidding? This was way too easy. Give me something worth jumping
.

We will soon, Sunny, don't worry. I want to jump big, too
.

“Bird, you were fabulous,” called Eva.

“You're just like your mother,” added Randy. “A real horse nut.” For a moment Bird was confused. She looked at Eva, who registered nothing. Then she remembered. She wasn't supposed to be Eva's daughter. She was supposed to be Hannah's. She looked at Randy and managed a weak smile. It wasn't his fault. He was trying to pay her a compliment.

I'm not like my mother at all. And I don't want to be
. Bird turned away from the little group of spectators and patted Sundancer's neck.
One day we'll show her. We'll show them all. Just you and me, Sunny. Watch out, world
.

You betcha, Bird girl
.

She knew this animal had big talent. How high he could jump was anyone's guess, but Bird expected that he could do the four-foot amateurs easily, and probably higher. Bird imagined being on his back as he cleared the big jumps with ease, imagined Eva watching from the stands, proud to call Bird her daughter.

Bird walked Sunny around the arena, cooling him out. The audience had disappeared. Why should I care what she thinks? wondered Bird. Why do I care about her at all? I'm glad that I live here, with the horses, with Sunny, with Hannah. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It'd be nice to have Julia live here with me, though. She's my sister and I love her. Bird shook her head. Enough. She wasn't going to let Eva ruin one more minute of her day.

Bird slid off and began to run up her stirrups.

Bird, let me show you something
.

What?

How high I can jump
.

Now?

Why not? It'll cheer you up
.

Bird listened closely as Sundancer told her what to do. She put the first X up a foot higher and changed the second X into a three-foot vertical. The third X became a three-and-a-half-foot oxer, and she hiked the final X up to four feet.

If you have trouble on the first, I won't send you to the second
.

Don't insult me, Bird girl. Bring it on!

Bird climbed back up into the saddle, and trotted Sunny toward the first X. It was effortless. They cantered on to the three-foot vertical. With no hesitation at all, Sunny lifted himself over it. Bird looked at the three-foot-six oxer and steered him at it. Sunny sat back and leapt with inches to spare. Now Bird turned the corner and cantered toward the four-foot X. She kept the pace exactly the same, relaxing Sunny and staying focused. Over they went, as smooth as silk. Just for fun, Sunny let out a kick, and Bird laughed out loud with joy. She leaned over and gave his neck a pat.

What did I tell you, girl? This is small stuff
.

Four feet is nothing for you. The sky's the limit!

It cheered you up. Admit it
.

You betcha, Sunny. Nothing like jumping to chase away the blues!

Hannah stood at the arena gate in shock. Bird saw her, and stopped the horse.

“That was fantastic, Bird. I mean, I'm speechless.” Bird smiled.

“Fantastic,” Hannah repeated. “Tomorrow we'll jump some more, but honestly, Bird, it's not safe for you to jump alone. Especially jumps this size.” Hannah smiled and shook her head in disbelief. “I'm amazed. I don't know what to say. We'll come back tomorrow, but now I need you to clean up for dinner. Gran and George are here and Gramps is on his way with his new girlfriend.”

Bird nodded and slid to the ground.

“And Bird?” Bird turned. “Look at me. You must not jump Sundancer unless I'm here with you. Agreed?”

Bird nodded again. She had her fingers crossed, just in case.