Free Mystery at Saddle Creek by Shelley Peterson Page B

duty.
    Bird’s stinging tears reappeared.
Thank you, Cody. For the rest of my life I’ll be grateful. But you’re burnt. Are you hurt?
    No. It’s only fur. But the man is not good.
    What man?
    The one with little covering.
    The wild man?
    Yes.
    He’s not a good man?
    He is a good man, but troubled. He is not good now. He is in pain from the fire.
    He was in the fire?
    Yes. He helped get out the animals. Then he saw you. He could not get you away from the fire. He fell down.
    He tried to save me?
    Yes.
    You dragged him away, too?
    Yes.
    Where is he now?
    Gone back to his den.
    Oh, Cody! He needs help with his burns.
    He will not get help. He is like an animal. He’s as wary of humans as my fellows.
    Can you show me where he lives?
    Later. Now, humans approach.
Suddenly, Cody was gone.
    Bird’s head ached and her eyes stung. Who was this man? And where had Pierre been while all this was happening?
    â€œBird!” She recognized Hannah’s voice before she could see her. “Oh, honey! We couldn’t find you anywhere! We thought you were still in the ...” Hannah dropped down on the ground beside Bird, laughing and crying with relief and holding her tightly. Bird’s arm felt the warm tears from her aunt’s eyes.
    Bird heard another familiar voice. “Medics! Over here!” Paul’s commanding presence was a comfort. “Stand back! Make room!”
    Bird closed her eyes and darkness fell again.

9
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    RESCUE
    Tan was in agony. His skin was raw. His throat felt like a hot poker had been rammed down it, and he could barely see. He’d dragged himself over rough earth and stones to his tent, then passed out. Now awake, he wished for nothing more than to pass out again. He couldn’t remember ever being so alone in his life. He wanted his mother.
    But wait. He remembered something odd. The coyote — dragging him out of the barn onto the grass. Had that really happened? Could that be true? Tan touched his arm and flinched. He couldn’t tell if the pain was from burns or bites. The coyote hated him! He wouldn’t have saved his life—unless he saved him so he could get him later. Or maybe he was trying to eat him. Tan drifted off before he could figure it out.
    BIRD DREAMED THAT she was upstairs in bed, and that Hannah and Paul were in the kitchen below, talking.
    In the dream, Hannah said, “Sundancer won’t calm down. There he goes again, Paul. Back and forth, back and forth along the fence.” She sounded far, far away.
    â€œIt’s almost as if he’s worried about Bird.” Paul’s voice gurgled. Was he under water?
    â€œI’d love to tell him that she’ll be fine. And thank heavens, she will.”
    â€œIt was a close call. She’s lucky that she got out of the barn before it fell in.” Paul’s voice grew louder, then fainter.
    â€œShe has minor burns, but you’re right, she’s lucky. We’re all lucky.”
    Bird dreamed that Lucky, lying on the kitchen floor, sat up at the sound of his name.
    Then, Paul was saying, “When she wakes up I’ll ask her what she meant about the wild man.”
    â€œI think she said he helped get the horses out.”
    â€œI couldn’t make much sense of what she was saying.”
    â€œMe neither. Anyway, it can wait. We’ll let her sleep as long as she can.”Hannah clucked sadly.“Would you look at that horse tossing his head and hopping around. He’s quite upset.”
    Bird began to wonder what kind of dream she was having. It sounded like a real conversation. Now, Sunny entered her hazy consciousness. His energy was intense.
    Bird! It’s me. Sundancer. The horse? Remember? Come on! Answer me! I know you’re in there. I saw them carry you in. News flash: your hair’s gone. It wasn’t as nice as mine, anyway. Bird! Can you hear me? I’m worried! If you don’t answer me right now I’ll jump over