Sundancer (17 page)

DARK CLOUDS GATHERED IN the sky, and the day went from sunny to overcast in a matter of minutes. Rain threatened but stayed at bay as Hannah drove the Saddle Creek rig into their lane. The sedan had already arrived, and Eva, Stuart, and Julia were in the house. Paul was waiting at the barn to help unload. He stood on the driveway when the truck and trailer pulled in.

Paul spoke before Hannah had a chance to get out of the truck. “I'm sorry. You were right. I should've insisted on a contract. How can I help?”

“With the horse or the lawsuit?”

“Both.”

Abby and Bird unloaded Sunny from the rig, and took him into the barn to wash, feed, and bed him down. Hannah and Paul organized the truck, trailer, and tack. Paul directed Hannah as she backed the trailer into its spot. He unhitched it, and Hannah drove the truck to its parking place. They carried the saddle, bridle, blankets, and brushes into the barn and put them away.

As they worked, they talked. “Look, Paul, I know it's not your fault. But what do we do now? I can't afford a lawyer.”

“I hope it doesn't come to that. If it does, we'll fight back, and I'll foot the bill. I got us into this.” Paul looked earnestly at Hannah. “We've done nothing wrong, Hannah. I'll stake my reputation on that.”

“Still, it'll be hard to prove. It's your word against theirs and it's all hearsay. Nothing on paper. Will the stable manager back you up?”

“No. I called him on my cell just now. He says he doesn't remember a thing.”

Hannah got mad. “These people are just not honest!”

“I'll say it again, Hannah. I'm sorry I didn't get something signed. I took the horse in good faith.”

“I know. I'm not blaming you, believe me.”

“Look on the bright side. They might change their minds about wanting him, since Sundancer behaved so badly back there. He scared three men witless in less than a minute.”

“True. He is dangerous. So, maybe it's best if they take him back after all. It's plain lucky that nobody was hurt.”

“That we know of. We'll hear if a bone's broken or someone's bruised.”

“That could cause us some trouble, as Elvin Wainright said.” Paul and Hannah spoke in unison. “Big trouble.”

They chuckled half-heartedly.

Hannah paused thoughtfully, then said, “That whole thing was rather interesting, wasn't it?”

“What whole thing?”

“How Bird handed Sunny over to Elvin, but seemed to know what he was going to do. That he was going to come running back.”

“You're right. She even dropped the ramp.”

“And gestured to me to start the truck.”

“She and Sunny understand each other, Hannah. The horse wouldn't let Abby ride him, and she's the best rider around.”

“It's a little mysterious. I wonder if Bird is the only one who will ever understand him.”

“I certainly wouldn't get on his back.”

Hannah agreed. “We'd all be wise to leave him to Bird. There's something magic between them.”

“That's for sure,” said Paul. “But he's a wild card. What if he turns on Bird one day?”

Hannah looked at Paul. “Do you think I don't worry about that every time she gets on his back?”

ABBY CLEANED AND OILED the leather in the tack room while Bird hosed Sunny down in the wash stall.

I showed those men a thing or two, Bird girl.

You certainly did.

I won ribbons today. I feel good.

I'm proud of you Sunny. For winning. Not for scaring those men.

But I feel best about scaring those men. They hurt me. Before. How?

I don't want to talk about it, Bird girl. I thought the jumps were going to hurt me, too.

Why?

Because. It happened before. The jumps hurt me. Those men hurt me. I don't want to think about it any more.

Okay, Sunny. Tell me about it if you want to. I'd like to know.

After they were finished in the barn, Bird and Abby caught up with Hannah and Paul on the driveway. Together they joined the others in the house. The wind had kicked up and the rain would not be long in coming. A sudden gust of wind slammed the door forcefully behind them.

Eva and Stuart had made mushroom and cheese omelettes, toast, and salad. Julia had set the table. They'd made every effort to create a cheerful atmosphere in the kitchen, with the threatening storm outside. Everyone was hungry and tired and deep in their own thoughts, so there was silence as the food was consumed. The weather change and the events at the show had affected their mood.

Finally, Julia put down her fork and spoke. “Bird, I've never seen anything more beautiful than you riding Sunny today. Ever. In my whole life. One day, if I work at it hard enough, I want to ride like you.”

Bird stopped chewing. She looked at Julia and smiled. Bird felt full of gratitude for her little sister's words, and even more for the swelling of love emanating from her. No matter what happened now — and she sensed that something was about to — Bird felt she could deal with it.

13
THE GREAT ESCAPE

I need to use up my energy. I have an excess of adrenaline.

As they sat eating their steaming omelettes, there was a knock at the kitchen door. Bird's stomach tightened. She knew who it was, and trouble always came with him.

Eva was the closest, so she got up and answered the knock.

A smiling Kenneth Bradley stood at the door. Framing him, Bird saw black rain clouds in the sky, then a flash of lightning accompanied by a rumble of thunder. Pathetic fallacy, she thought. She'd learned about it in school. When inanimate objects reflect human emotions. In this case, she thought, the weather perfectly reflected her grandfather's soul.

“Daddy, what a nice surprise,” Eva enthused. “Come in!”

“I will, sugar pie. Are you having a late lunch after the horse show? I'm not disturbing you, am I?”

Hannah joined them at the door. “Not at all, Dad. Please join us. I'll whip up another omelette in a jiffy.”

“I've eaten, Hannah.” He patted his stomach. “Got to watch my weight. I've got a new girlfriend, you know. Much younger.” He winked at his daughters. “No. I'm here on business. Good news for you, Hannah. It'll make your day.”

They made room at the table, and Kenneth pulled up a chair.

Abby Malone blushed uncomfortably. Bird knew why. Abby had not seen Colonel Kenneth Bradley since that day in court, years earlier, when she'd testified against him. Bird understood why she could barely sit in the same room with him now.

Bird observed her grandfather from across the table. He was smiling broadly, looking friendly. Bird thought a giant great white shark might smile that way. Just before it ate you.

“I heard what happened at the horse show today.” Kenneth looked around importantly. The indecision and uneasiness that met his words satisfied him. Briefly, he rested his eyes on his granddaughter. “Congratulations, Bird. You did a fine job of riding Prince Redwood. Well done.” He reached out to shake her hand.

Bird stared at her plate and refused to react. He called him Prince Redwood, thought Bird. Guess where this is going.

Without missing a beat, Kenneth Bradley continued. “Prince Redwood surprised us all today. He's been a bit of a rascal, to be sure. His trainer always believed that some time off work would do him a world of good. He thinks he's ready now to return for some serious training.”

“You're talking about Elvin Wainright?” asked Hannah.

“Yes. His trainer.”

Paul asked, “Mr. Bradley, may I ask exactly how you are involved?”

Kenneth laughed heartily. “How sweet. You're speaking on my daughter's behalf. You want my credentials? I'm a director of Owens Enterprises.”

Everyone was stunned. This was news to them all.

“You're a director?” asked Hannah. “Of Owens Enterprises?”

“I'm on the board of the company. I'm also a horseman, as you well know, and thereby very involved in the operations of the stables. Elvin is a valued employee, and I trust his opinion. By the way, he told me the entire history of this horse.” He glanced dismissively at Paul.

“What story did he tell you?” Paul was not intimidated.

“The correct one, no doubt, but I'll humour you. You took the horse because you were under the false impression that nobody wanted him. No legal deal was drawn up at that time, and none has been drawn up since. No papers were signed over. In other words, in a court of law, you could not claim ownership.”

Paul shrugged. “Bluntly stated, Mr. Bradley. And true. But the fact is, I was given the horse outright. The staff loaded him on the Owens trailer and brought him here themselves.” Paul paused, watching Kenneth for his reaction, then continued. “I had verbal assurances from Elvin Wainright and the manager. Indeed, the entire stable was relieved when I took him off their hands. They wanted nothing to do with him.”

Kenneth was impassive. “Well, they do now, and they have the right.”

Paul held the older man's gaze.

“Let's be adults and agree to disagree, shall we? Because I come with very good news.” Bradley again smiled the shark smile. “Owens Enterprises wants to take the horse back to his rightful stable. We'll pay you for all your trouble, Hannah. Handsomely.”

Bird was worried. Hannah always needed money.

“We will
not
press charges for theft. We will
not
sue for injuries sustained today. We
will
pay you for boarding, training, and rehabilitation, with a little extra to sweeten the pot. What do you think?”

Paul was dubious. “What are you offering?”

“Ten thousand dollars.”

There was silence around the table. Hannah immediately thought of all the uses to which she could put the money. Bird read her thoughts and shook her head. This was going to be bad, she could feel it.

“Dad,” said Hannah, trying to be fair. “Sundancer, or Prince Redwood, is a difficult horse. More accurately, he's completely messed up. He's unpredictable and strong-willed. Nobody could make him do anything before he got here. Do you think that he'll stay well behaved when you take him back? He's the same horse as the one that Elvin and your manager wanted euthanized hardly a month ago.”

“Elvin changed his mind.”

“What if somebody gets hurt?”

“We'll take that chance.”

Hannah looked at Bird. She had tears on her cheeks and her fists were clenched. For a moment, everyone was silent. Then Abby spoke. “Mr. Bradley, you talk of forgetting the past. I hope you understand that doing so would be impossible for me.” Bird gasped as she picked up on Abby's memories — thrown into a dark, smelly shed at gunpoint, door locked. She shuddered.

“I'm not referring to our past, Miss Malone. I will never forget what happened between us.” He pursed his lips and squinted at her, the anger clear on his face. “You testified against me in court.”

Abby swallowed her own anger. “And I'm glad I did, but this has nothing to do with us. I just want to say that there is only one rider who can communicate with Sundancer. That rider is Alberta, your granddaughter. Without her unique ability to connect with horses, Sundancer's talent would not be realized.”

Kenneth smiled condescendingly. “I appreciate your sentiment, Abby, but don't try to tell me my business. I heard about what happened today. Just because you can't ride him doesn't mean that Bird is the only rider who can. Although it might make you feel better about your own limitations if that were true.”

Abby clammed up. With a brief nod in Hannah's direction, she rose from the table and left the house.

“I agree with Abby, Dad,” said Hannah, hoping that Abby was still close enough to hear. “One hundred percent. Bird and Sundancer have a relationship. The horse trusts her, and nobody else. If you take him back, he will be just as dangerous as he was before.”

Kenneth rolled his eyes. “What's it to you? He'll become our problem. I've hired Leon Parish. Tell me that he can't ride.”

Bird was surprised; in fact, everyone at the table looked a little shocked. Leon Parish was widely considered to be the best rider in Canada. He had recently come out of a drug rehabilitation program and was looking for work. There was no doubt about his talent.

“If you've got Leon, you're serious,” said Stuart.

“Dead serious. We'll keep his new name, Sundancer, since he's already shown with that on his passport. We feel confident that he'll be a contender at the Haverford Fair.”

Paul asked, “You won't show him under Prince Redwood, his registered name?”

“No. It's easier this way.”

Paul nodded. “Easier.”

“I've had enough of your insinuations, Dr. Daniels. If you have proof of any wrongdoing, show it. Otherwise, I don't want to hear it again.”

“Point taken. Hannah will have to think about this offer before she can give you an answer.”

“Can't you speak for yourself, Hannah?” asked Kenneth, ignoring Paul.

“Paul is my full partner in this venture, so he has a right to speak. And he's right. We need to think this over. There's a lot to consider, Dad, including Bird's feelings. She loves Sunny.”

Kenneth furrowed his brow. He glanced in Bird's direction and shook his head. “Sentimentality is a beautiful thing, Hannah, but don't let it get in the way of business. We're offering compensation for his training. Simple. We need not offer one cent, since no deal was made. If you don't accept, we'll take you to court and sue you.”

“You have such a way with words, Dad.”

“Don't be sarcastic, Hannah. Granted, life would be easier for all of us if we can cut a deal and avoid court. But don't stretch my patience. I will take this to court. Twenty thousand is my last offer, which is roughly the cost of lawyer fees.”

“Twenty?” Hannah repeated. She thought she'd misheard him.

“Twenty. Take it or leave it.”

Paul caught Hannah's eye. He raised his eyebrows and nodded slightly.

“Dad, Paul and I need a moment.” Hannah rose and signalled to Paul.

“One minute is all you get.” Kenneth's shark smile was gone, Bird noted. She felt powerless. Sundancer's future was being decided and she could only sit and wait.

Out in the hall, Hannah whispered, “But what about Bird?”

“You and I both know that Sundancer is a dangerous horse. He demonstrated that twice today. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to Bird. Time to cut our losses, Hannah, and make a deal.” Paul paused. “Also, your father's right. We could spend a lot of money on legal fees, but we have no proof of anything. If they take us to court, we don't have a prayer. We really have no choice.”

Hannah saw resolve in Paul's face. He made sense. She nodded and led the way back into the kitchen.

“Twenty-five,” said Hannah as she sat down. She could hardly believe she'd said it.

“Deal. You cut a tough bargain, Hannah. Chip off the old block.” Kenneth put out his hand. Hannah, ignoring a queasy sad feeling, shook it. Kenneth took his cellphone out of his jacket and punched in a number.

“Elvin? Kenneth. The deal's done for twenty-five.”

Bird listened in horror. She stared at Hannah and then at Paul. Neither would meet her gaze. She pushed out her chair and stiffly backed out of the kitchen, ignoring her little sister's voice calling her name. She could not stay inside, not now. She had to get to Sunny. Bird ran outside and jumped the fence. Under the darkening skies, she raced as fast as she could through the field, accompanied by a rumble of thunder.

Whoa there, Bird girl. Where's the fire?

Sunny! Hannah sold you! She sold you to the Tall Man and my grandfather.

You must be joking. No, I can see it is the truth.

It's the truth. What can I do?

You must tell them it is a terrible idea.

I can't talk, Sunny. You know that.

You
won't
talk, Bird girl. I know you are able.

I can't make the words come out!

You must. I will not go back. They hurt me there.

I know!
Bird sobbed, burying her face in Sunny's warm neck.

I won ribbons today. Why does Hannah want to get rid of me?

You also hurt people today, Sunny. You looked vicious.

I only hurt the people who hurt me. It's fair.

What about the coyote lady? You hurt her, too.

I didn't mean to. I got scared.

I know how you see it, Sunny. I'm telling you how humans see it.

Then tell the humans how I see it! You must!

I can't!

Sunny kicked up his heels and ran off into the field. Bird knew he was angry with her for letting this happen. Bird was angry at herself, too. Why couldn't she speak when she wanted? The words always got stuck in her throat and wouldn't come out. She clenched her fists and punched the air. She tried to scream. Only a low, throaty groan came out.

“I'm guessing that Hannah took the offer.” Abby's voice startled Bird, and she turned quickly, angrily wiping a tear from her cheek. “I know how hard it must be for you, Bird. You don't want to hear this, but it's probably for the best.” Abby reached out to touch her, but Bird backed away. “Sunny is a loaded gun. An accident waiting to happen. I know that. Deep inside you know it, too.”

Bird shook her head fiercely. Of all people, she'd thought that Abby would understand. She wanted to tell Abby that she was wrong. Sunny was not a loaded gun for her. They talked to each other. She wanted to tell her that selling him was a huge mistake. That those people had hurt him. That Sunny would hurt them, too. But nothing came out except a strangled little squeak. How could she make Abby understand? Bird groaned as the realization hit her: She couldn't. No one would ever understand. Once again, Abby reached out to comfort her. Bird shook her head. Don't touch me! Just go away. She closed her eyes and flailed her arms. Go away, go away, go away. Before she knew what was happening, her fist made contact with Abby's chest. Bird stopped moving and opened her eyes. What had she done?

Abby jumped back in surprise as Cody charged from the bushes. He knocked Bird over and held her down, growling in her face.

“Cody!” commanded Abby. “Get off!”

Cody, I didn't mean to hit her.

You swore you would never hurt my Abby. You swore the oath.

It was a mistake. I lost control.

“Cody, get off her, now!” Abby's voice seemed very far away.

Are you mad at her?

No. I'm mad at myself. I'm mad that I can't talk and tell Abby why Hannah should not let Sunny go to the Owens stables.

Then hit yourself, girl.

I will, if you let me up.

I will let you up if you will not hurt my Abby. Ever again.

I promise, Cody. I mean it.

Cody backed away and let Bird get up. He waited for her to punch herself, as she had promised. He was satisfied when she did, but still he watched her carefully and stayed by Abby's side. Abby gave him a pat.