Dark Days at Saddle Creek. Shelley Peterson

her mouth shut and listened. She waited for Harold to continue.

      “He wasn’t cheap, either, but it seemed like a fair price. At least I thought so at the time. Dex doesn’t think he’s worth a nickel.” Harold snickered at himself. “They say a fool’s born every minute.”

      “So, does Dexter have another horse in mind for Sally?”

      “Yes,” Harold answered, sounding surprised that Hannah would guess. “A lovely gelding. And very well trained. Now this one is expensive!” Harold’s laugh was forced.

      There was a pause. Bird strained to hear.

      Hannah’s next question was cautious. “When Dexter told you that Tall Sox had no value, did you decide to put him down rather than sell him?”

      “No! Why do you ask?”

      Hannah paused again.

      “Did Sally say that?” asked Harold.

      “Yes.”

      “I’m afraid my daughter has a vivid imagination. I hadn’t even considered putting him down.”

      Hannah spoke thoughtfully. “I see.”

      “Dexter did say that it would be best to cut my losses and move on,” said Harold. “That seems sensible to me. He’ll send Tall Sox to a sale barn for as little cost to me as possible, and then we’ll try out the more suitable horse.”

      The oldest trick in the book, thought Bird. Horse dealers will often try to convince a buyer that they are the only ones to trust — especially when the buyer doesn’t know anything about horses. This way Dexter would get commissions selling and buying — selling Sox and buying a new horse for Sally — and perhaps inflate the commission to boot. But first he had to convince them that Sox wasn’t good enough.

      “Let me show you something.” Hannah rose from the stool, and Harold did the same.

      Bird heard their footsteps echo on the concrete hall floor. She peeked around the tack room door as Hannah led Harold to Tall Sox’s stall.

      “See for yourself.” Hannah put a halter on the horse’s head, walked him out, and clipped on the cross ties in the aisle. Sox was gentle and responsive.

      Bird thought it was time to become part of the action, and joined them. “Mr. Johns? I’m Bird. I went with Sally last night to get Tall Sox.”

      “It’s very nice to meet you, Bird,” said Harold heartily. “I’ve seen you ride Sundancer. He’s quite the horse! I’d love to find one of those for Sally.”

      Bird bit her tongue. Sally could no more handle a horse like Sunny than drive her mother’s car.

      Hannah directed Harold’s attention back to Tall Sox. “Look at this. What do you think?”

      Harold took a look at the oozing sore on the gelding’s back. “I’ve never seen this before!” he exclaimed.

      “Dexter should have treated it,” Hannah said sadly. “And Tall Sox should not have been subjected to the pressure of a saddle on his back until it was healed.”

      “The question is how he got it in the first place,” said Bird. “It sure would’ve made him buck.”

      Harold stood still. “I hear you. Let’s just say that it’s opened up some questions.”

      As Harold had predicted, Dexter Pill arrived in his truck and tagalong horse trailer. He came to a halt at the barn door and got out. He was tanned and fit, with a shock of short blond hair. His eyes were blue, and he was always showing his perfect teeth in a perpetual smile.

      Another man sat in the passenger side of the truck. It was Ed Cage, one of Dexter’s grooms. Bird had seen him around the shows. He was as dark as Dexter was fair, and just as good-looking. All the girls were in love with him. Bird recalled that he was married, but that didn’t prevent him from being a flirt.

      Hannah put her hand on Bird’s shoulder. “Be careful what you say. Just listen.”

      Bird nodded. “You forget. I’m the master of silence.”

      Hannah smiled, and they held eye contact for a second. Bird was indeed the master of silence. It wasn’t long ago that she hadn’t spoken at all. She had a condition called “elective mutism,” which caused her to lapse into periods where she could not utter a word aloud. She was never sure when these periods would occur, or why. Bird made a silent wish that she would never suffer another bout.

      Dexter worked hard to control his feelings as he entered the barn, but Bird felt his irritation hit her like a wave.

      “Harold! Good that you’re here!” Dexter grinned boyishly and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Bird understood how people considered him charming. With his easy laugh and his rancher’s down-to-earth manner, he quickly gained people’s trust. He had a reputation of getting ribbons for riders, too, which was good for business. “So,” he chuckled. “Sally’s being dramatic again. No worries! Let’s get Tall Sox back to Moreland’s and call it a day.” He indicated the waiting horse trailer.

      “Dexter,” said Harold. “Come over and take a look at this.” He showed Dexter the sore. “We were just talking about how it could’ve happened.”

      Dexter clacked his tongue as he examined it. He opened his eyes wide. “What have you done to this horse, Hannah?”

      Hannah stared at Dexter in shock. “What are you suggesting?”

      “Hannah didn’t do it!” Bird shouted. “It was like that last night in your barn, before he ever got here. I saw it!”

      Dexter’s face brightened. “You admit you were there?” He smiled broadly. “You admit to trespassing and horse theft?” He laughed and pointed his finger at Bird. “Gotcha! Just kidding!”

      Hannah shot her niece a knowing glance and Bird cringed. That’s why Hannah had wanted her just to listen.

      Harold Johns spoke. “Let’s slow this all down. I need to have a talk with Sally and find out what she wants to do with the horse. I bought him for her, after all. He’s Sally’s horse.”

      Bird sensed that Harold’s emotions were stronger than he was showing.

      “Let’s be serious, here. She’s a kid, Harold,” said Dexter. He stepped closer to Harold and spoke confidentially. “I know better than she does about what she needs in a horse. And we had a plan, which I was putting into action. With your approval, I might add.”

      “I understand, and I’m sorry, but things have changed.” Dexter frowned. “You leave me in a bad situation.”

      “I’ll be fair to you financially.” Harold stood firm. “I always honour my debts.”

      “Okay. I get that you want to give Tall Sox another chance. Let’s get him home and talk this over.” Dexter began to unclip the horse.

      Harold stopped him. “I want to keep Tall Sox here. At least for now.”

      “Here?” Dexter threw out his arms and looked around. “Moreland’s is a far superior facility, and you’re paid up for the month. With me as Sally’s coach, not Hannah.” He shot her a disparaging look.

      “It’s my decision to make, and I’ve made it. Tall Sox stays at Saddle Creek. If I change my mind, Dexter, I’ll certainly be in touch.”

      “And what about that other gelding? The owner’s turned down several offers!”

      “She can take any offer she wants, and she knows it.” Harold continued to speak calmly, but his tone was increasingly firm. “I never promised to buy that gelding.”

      “You’ve made the wrong decision for Sally. You’ll see.” Without another word, Dexter stalked out of the barn. Ed Cage stood beside the truck. As soon as his boss appeared, they both got in, shut the doors at the