Christmas at Saddle Creek by Shelley Peterson

Author:Shelley Peterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2017-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

6

Night Check

Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright …

It was time to do night check. Bird and Alec walked together out to the barn, holding hands. Bird carried her bag of Christmas horse treats in the other.

They would fill the water buckets and give the horses their hay to munch on during the night. It was an essential evening duty. Very rarely would they find a problem, but if a horse had colic, which was a terrible stomach ache, or had become cast in the stall, which meant that he was stuck and couldn’t get up, immediate action must be taken. Or if a horse hadn’t finished his dinner, or hadn’t drunk any water, they’d make a plan to take turns watching him. When all the horses were acting normally, their human custodians could sleep soundly at night.

Cody followed them. Bird thought he looked better than the night before, but he was still stiff and weak.

Bird girl. There’s a special present for you in the barn.

Really? From you, Cody?

No. Not this time. You’ll see. The coyote disappeared again, into the darkness. My present to you will come later.

I don’t need a present, Bird messaged. But he was gone.

“Your poor mother,” said Alec. “She was very brave to do what she did tonight. I have a new respect for her.”

“So do I. It took me totally by surprise. I hope you don’t mind.”

“What? Why would I mind?”

“I don’t know. To be put in the middle of the strangest thing that’s ever happened in my very strange family? Or maybe I wonder if you mind that I have such a strange family.”

Alec stopped walking. He turned Bird to face him and said, “I felt privileged to be included.” He touched her cheek. “I’ll always be there for you, you know.”

“I know. But I have … problems with her, problems that I’m not sure I can get past. She’s been really tough on me. You know that.” Bird looked at him earnestly. “I couldn’t say it in there when everybody was so compassionate and caring, but even though I know I should, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get past all her crazy crap. I want to, Alec, but I’m not as nice as you think I am.”

Alec smiled. “Yes you are. You’re very nice.”

“I’m not really. Can I suddenly trust her not to ridicule me? Can I let my defences down and risk getting slammed?” Bird wiped her cheek and nose with her sleeve.

“Not in one day! It’s totally understandable after what she’s put you through. One day at a time, Bird. You can start just by talking to her.”

Bird shook her head. “That’s the problem, Alec. My mother and I don’t do that. We never talk!” Now her tears flowed. “We never did!”

Alec pulled her into his embrace and waited until Bird’s shoulders relaxed and her sobbing ebbed. He whispered, “You can do this, Bird. I’ll help in whatever way I can.”

Bird sniffed back her emotion. “Thank you.

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