Sundancer. Shelley Peterson

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СКАЧАТЬ said Hannah, “today was a big leap forward. Today, Bird spoke for the first time since she was six. Only one word, but she spoke.”

      “And what word was that?”

      “She said ‘Sundancer’ when she got on the gelding in the round pen.”

      Abby’s eyes widened. “Good name. Why did you name him that?”

      Hannah looked at Bird, waiting to see if she might offer an explanation. When none came, Hannah just shrugged, “I haven’t given it much thought. I guess because his coat is brightly coloured, like sunshine, and he skitters and dances in his movement. Good reasons.”

      Abby nodded. “True. But when you told me she’d named him Sundancer, I thought of something different.”

      “What?”

      Abby paused, then said, “He totally reminds me of Dancer.” Hannah nodded. “Absolutely, he does. Same manner, same colour. Nobody knows Dancer better than you, Abby. Well, besides Hilary.”

      Abby Malone smiled. Abby and the great equine athlete Dancer had won the Grand Invitational a few years back. They’d made local history. Owned and ridden in his prime by Hilary James, the stallion was regarded by many as one of the finest horses in Canada. He still lived at Hogscroft, the nearby farm owned by Hilary James’ family.

      “Earlier, you said that you heard Sundancer was here,” said

      Hannah. “What do you know about him?”

      “Well, he was bred at Owens Enterprises. His sire is California Dreamin’,” said Abby, “And the mare is Princess Narnia, one of Owens’ finest. From a thoroughbred jumping line of the U.S. Equestrian Team.”

      Bird wasn’t surprised. She’d ridden Sundancer. She knew how special he was.

      Hannah, however, seemed more than a little surprised. “How do you know this?”

      “A good friend of mine used to be a groom at the Owens stables.”

      Hannah whistled. “That breeding makes this gelding extremely valuable. Why’d they let him out of their sight?”

      Bird stared at Hannah. After this morning’s episode, the answer to that question should have been obvious.

      “He was a problem right from the start. He reacted extremely badly to training; even putting a halter on him was a big deal. I

      was told that they worked for two months to get a saddle on his back.”

      Bird nodded. She believed it. Sundancer had a naturally suspicious nature. Even under perfect conditions, he would’ve been a difficult horse to train.

      Abby continued. “He went through trainer after trainer. They all gave up. Finally, after trainer number nine was smashed into the kickboards and almost killed, your vet was called in to destroy him.”

      “Paul Daniels.”

      “Yes. He filled me in yesterday when he was treating Moonie’s ulcerated eye. My regular vet is on a training course, and Dr. Daniels was on call,” Abby explained. “He convinced the manager to give the horse one last chance. That last chance was you. When you took him in, Hannah, you saved him.”

      Hannah considered this new information. “Most times the decision to euthanize a horse is a good one. It’s not taken lightly, especially with an animal as well bred as Sundancer. There must have been solid reasons for each of these trainers to give up on him. No one likes to admit defeat.”

      No kidding, thought Bird, remembering her humiliating first encounter with the horse.

      “You’re right. Especially pros. His reputation is pretty bad.” “He’s stubborn and proud. I know that from our session this morning. He doesn’t like to be dominated.”

      “And he’s ultra-sensitive. Apparently he’s been like that right from the start. He would’ve done well in the wild.”

      “That’s an idea. I’ll let him go free.” Hannah chuckled, then said, “Paul doesn’t usually rescue horses. I wonder what possessed him this time.”

      Abby shrugged. “The horse is gorgeous, young, and healthy.”

      Hannah wondered, “Who owns him now? Paul? Me? I don’t have any kind of deal. I need to speak with Paul and get this straight. Now that I know his origins, I want things to be crystal clear.”

      “I don’t blame you.”

      Hannah pushed back her chair. She grabbed a paper bag and began loading it with leftovers from the table. “How are Pete and Laura Pierson these days?” she asked, changing the subject. The Piersons were almost surrogate parents to Abby. They lived close by, and were a fixture in the community.

      “Fabulous,” answered Abby with a wide smile. “As interesting and welcoming and wonderful as ever. I see them all the time.”

      “They must be getting on in years.”

      “I suppose, but I want to be just like them when I’m old.” Hannah glanced at Bird, making sure she was finished with her

      breakfast. “Kimberly hasn’t had anything to eat. Bird, do you mind running out with this egg sandwich and banana? She’ll be at the barn.”

      Bird rose to leave, sorry that the visit with Abby was drawing to a close.

      “Well, time for me to get going,” said Abby, rising from her chair. “Chores, job, you know. Thanks so much for breakfast.”

      “Thanks for all the information. Come by any time.” “I’d love to see how Sundancer’s doing.”

      Hannah smiled at the young woman. “Wonderful. Maybe you could help? I mean, if we decide we can do anything with him.”

      Abby wrote her phone number on a piece of paper. “I’d love to. Call me whenever you want. I don’t leave for school for a few weeks.”

      “By the way, where’s Cody?” asked Hannah.

      “Somewhere close and hidden. You never know where he is, but you’ll see him follow me when I leave.” Abby smiled at Bird. “Goodbye, Bird. See you soon, I hope.”

      Bird looked out the window as a shadowy four-legged figure slid from tree to tree, following Abby Malone on her bike. She watched until they were out of sight and then ran for the barn, Kimberly’s breakfast clutched in her hands.

      “BIRD PUSHED ME FIRST!” exclaimed Melanie.

      “And she ran into me like a bulldozer!” stated Peter.

      “She just went crazy,” explained Jo. “It’s amazing that she didn’t hurt anyone.”

      “I told them not to bug her about Phoenix,” said Kimberly smugly. “I told them about her tantrum last night at dinner.”

      Hannah sighed and rubbed her temples. Ten minutes ago she’d been in the kitchen, cleaning up after breakfast. Now this. СКАЧАТЬ