Mystery at Saddle Creek Read Online Free

“And I need to ride Sunny. Besides, the man’s probably lying low. Hiding. He knows the police are everywhere. He wouldn’t dare make a move tonight.”
    Hannah and Paul looked at each other. Paul raised an eyebrow and motioned to the jumping ring outside the house. “There’s mocha fudge ice cream in the freezer.”
    Hannah looked Bird in the eye. “I don’t like this one bit, but if you must, Bird, practice in the paddock where we can see you. Do you hear me? And be back inside within the hour.”
    Bird grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the table and pulled on her boots. “Thanks.”
    Before Hannah could change her mind, Bird ran out to Sunny’s paddock.
    Come on, horse. Time to rock and roll!
    Give a horse a chance to think!
    We’ve got to hurry before Hannah changes her mind. There’s a bad man on the loose.
    Just one? We can take him.
    That’s what I told her. Here’s an apple.
    That’s my girl.
    We have to stay in the ring.
    Come on!
    Hannah said.
    Can we warm up on the trails? Please? It’s so boring in the ring!
    Bird thought about it. She ran a brush over Sunny and threw on the tack. She glanced at the house. Through the kitchen window, she could see Hannah making ice cream cones for the girls.
    Quickly Bird mounted, and soon they were trotting down the path toward the back. She knew she was disregarding Hannah’s instructions, but it was such a nice time of day! She loved the trails on summer evenings, after the hot sun had cooled. The perfect time to ride was after seven-thirty and before the sun set at nine. She’d just warm up on the trails, like Sunny had suggested, then work in the ring.
    The smell of fresh-cut hay and thyme wafted on the warm breeze. Bird had been desperate to get outdoors after the policemen’s visit, and she could think of nothing better than breathing in fresh air while sitting on the back of her horse.
    â€œAh,” Bird said aloud. “This is the life.” The trail led to the back of the farm, then down the Escarpment. She eyed the cool forest below with yearning. Decision time, Bird thought. Obey Hannah or go down the ridge.
    Hannah didn’t have to know.
    Bird and Sunny carefully descended the winding, rocky path. The shade of the forest embraced them. Sunlight played through the leaves, and little creatures scurried for cover. Bird relaxed. The ride was having a therapeutic effect on her—it was washing away the stresses of the day. She was sure they’d made the right decision.
    Suddenly, a man stepped out of the bushes and waved frantically. Bird and Sundancer were caught completely by surprise. Sunny reared up on his hind legs in fright and spun. Bird managed to stay on by a hair. She turned her head and looked hard at the man who’d materialized out of thin air. He seemed ... wild. He was around twenty, with matted dark hair and scrubby facial hair. He was naked except for a pair of old gym shorts and ripped sneakers. But it was his eyes that really caught her attention. They were full of worry and need.
    Easy, Sunny. He wants to tell me something.
    Sunny reared again and took off at a gallop.
I don’t care. We’re going home.
    Whoa! I want to know what he wants. Whoa!
    Don’t pull that “whoa” crap. My heart is racing so fast I can’t see.
    All the more reason to stop running!
    Bird, he’s chasing us! Hold on to your hat!
    There was nothing Bird could do but hang on. Sunny was in full flight, teeth clamped tight on the bit to avoid her efforts at control. He was covering the ground faster than he ever had before. Trees, bushes, the trail—everything was a blur. He stopped only when they reached the Saddle Creek barn. His sides were heaving and he was covered in sweat.
    Bird slid down from the saddle, out of breath. She glared at him.
    You could have killed us both!
    That man could have killed us both!
    He only wanted to talk to