Dark Days at Saddle Creek. Shelley Peterson

stood on the walk and gathered her thoughts. She hated to leave Pete in the condition he was in. And to leave Laura to handle it alone. But Dr. Collins was there, Bird reasoned, and he would call an ambulance on his cell if needed. There was nothing she could do. It was so upsetting!

       Sunny, come. We have to go.

       So soon?

      Yes. Bird took the bridle from the branch where she’d hung it and slipped it over the horse’s nose. Mr. Pierson is sick. Really sick. We have to go home.

      I like him, Sunny messaged. He’s a good man.

       That’s what Cody calls him. The Good Man.

      Bird silently rode Sunny home. Lucky followed along, but it was a very different ride from the one to the Piersons’ farm. All the joy had left Bird’s heart. For the second time in one day, she felt that the wind had been knocked out of her.

      When they got back to Saddle Creek, Bird let Sunny out in his field, and she and Lucky entered the kitchen. No one was there.

      “Hi, Bird,” called Hannah, from the next room. “Did they like the pie?”

      “Mrs. Pierson said thank you,” answered Bird hollowly.

      Hannah’s head appeared in the doorway. “What’s wrong? How’s Pete?”

      “Oh, Aunt Hannah,” said Bird. The words came pouring out. “He’s awful! Nobody was there so I put the pie in the fridge. Mr. Pierson was on the floor and he could hardly breathe and it was horrible. Mrs. Pierson came with the doctor and then we left.” Bird flopped into a chair with glazed eyes.

      “I’m sorry you had to see that,” said Hannah as she brushed the hair from her niece’s face. “It must have been upsetting.”

      “Yes, but more upsetting for Mr. Pierson! He was all scrunched up and he couldn’t see or hear me.”

      Hannah looked at the phone. “I wonder if I should give them a call. See if there’s anything we can do.”

      “Their phone is out. It’ll be fixed soon. I told Mrs. Pierson to call us if she wants us.”

      Hannah pursed her lips. “I hope she will.”

      Paul joined them, and Hannah filled him in. Paul shook his head. “He’s a wonderful man. I hope they can fix him up as good as new.”

      Bird hoped so, too, but the memory of his unhealthy colour and unresponsive behaviour gave her doubt.

      IT TOOK BIRD A long time to get to sleep that night. She couldn’t get comfortable. She tossed and turned and flipped and flopped, unable to get the sight of Pete out of her mind. When she wasn’t worrying about him, she was thinking about her father — what Hannah had told her, and how he’d died before they could meet. Finally though, when she slept, she slept deeply.

      When the morning sun came through her window, Bird sat up in bed and stretched. It was Monday. She would help Cliff with the chores, and maybe Sally would come over to see Tall Sox. There was another show on Friday, and again on Saturday. Maybe they could bring Sox over to see what a horse show looked like. It would get him used to the activity and confusion of the show grounds without the stress of competing in the ring. She’d talk to Hannah about that.

      Bird made a wish for Pete, and then jumped out of bed.

      When she entered the kitchen, Hannah and Paul were sitting together having coffee.

      “Good morning, folks,” Bird said as she got a cereal bowl from the cupboard. “Another day in paradise.”

      “Morning, Bird,” said Paul. “Mrs. Pierson called.”

      Bird spun to face them. “And?”

      “Mr. Pierson was taken to Headwaters Hospital last night. He’s feeling better, but not great. He doesn’t want to be there, that’s for sure.”

      “I don’t blame him,” said Bird with feeling. “I hate hospitals.” Hannah spoke up. “Apparently, they got the dosage wrong on his new medication, and he had a nasty reaction.”

      “Not good,” said Bird. “Are we going to visit him?”

      “Soon,” answered Hannah. “He’s not ready for visitors yet. Mrs. Pierson said she’d let us know.”

      Bird got the milk from the fridge and cereal from the shelf. “I’m glad he’s at the hospital, even though he hates it.” She sliced bananas on top and sat down with a spoon. “He sure looked bad yesterday. In fact, I thought he was going to die right there on the floor.” She shuddered at the thought.

      Paul looked thoughtful for a moment. “Death is normal, Bird. All living things must die. It’s the way it is.”

      “Death is the price we pay for living,” Hannah added. “We make that deal the minute we’re born.”

      “Yeah,” said Bird. “I know, but I can’t really believe it. I mean really believe it.”

      Paul chuckled softly. “Like everybody else in the world. It’s different when it’s somebody we love, or yourself that’s dying.”

      “We don’t need to worry about Pete dying just yet. More coffee, Paul?” offered Hannah.

      “Just half, thanks.” Paul was not ready to drop the subject. “I deal with life and death daily, Bird. Being a vet puts you in touch with it in a very tangible way. Helping my clients through is a big part of my job.”

      “That can’t be the nicest part,” said Bird.

      “No, but it’s a reality. If I didn’t accept it, I couldn’t do my job.” Paul sipped his coffee.

      “Sorry, folks, but I’ve got to get out to the barn,” interrupted Hannah. “Lessons await.”

      Paul glanced at the kitchen clock. “I’ve got to get going, too.”

      “Is Sally coming today?” Bird asked Hannah.

      “I think so. And her father wants us to take on Peasblossom. That’ll be a problem for Dexter.”

      “I don’t care,” Bird sputtered through a mouthful of granola. “That’s his problem. Nobody would leave him if he treated his horses better!”