Sundancer Read Online Free

didn’t look around. She knew it was Paul Daniels by the feel in the air. His aura, perhaps. Whatever it was, it was good — safe and intelligent.
    She also sensed that his son, Alec, might be sitting in the car. She glanced over quickly to sneak a peek. Yes. There he was. So far, he hadn’t moved to come out. That was good. Bird always got agitated when he was around. It wasn’t Alec’s fault. It was just that Bird had always had a bit of an interest in him. He was his own person and had his own thoughts, unlike the other boys in her class who ganged up to make fun of her. Bird thought he was cute, although that wasn’t the common view. He wasn’t the most popular guy at school, and he got into trouble for asking too many questions, but Bird liked him just the same.
    â€œGood looking horse, isn’t he? Have you named him yet?”
    Paul knew that Bird never spoke, but he always tried. Bird appreciated his efforts to treat her like a normal human being. It was more than most people could manage.
    â€œI was glad when your aunt said she’d take him in. Didn’t know where else to try. Didn’t even have a second choice. I thought of Abby Malone because she’s so good with problem horses, but she’s going off to school in New York next month, and good for her. She’s worked hard for it.” Bird could hear the smile on the vet’s face.
    â€œIs he settling in?” Paul sat on the fence beside Bird. Not too close. Just the right distance. “Sure looks it. Horses like it here. They settle in faster here than anywhere else I know.”
    They sat in silence for a while, both engrossed in the new horse.
    â€œI don’t know why I saved him, Bird. I’ve never done this before.”
    Bird found herself looking at the man beside her. Dr. Paul Daniels had a quiet, leathered, handsome face and a relaxed, lanky body. He was old. Probably as old as Hannah. Over forty at least. Most of all, though, he was a person she could trust, if she ever needed to trust someone.
    Paul turned to meet her eye, and Bird could see acceptance in the vet’s face. She didn’t look away. She met the man’s gaze and held it until they both turned back toward the field at the same time.
    Sundancer suddenly lifted his head in a fluid motion and stared at the driveway. Hector began to bark. A silver sedan stopped at the kitchen door and a nice-looking man in a golf shirt and khakis got out. He slammed the car door shut and walked to the house, combing his fingers through his short greying hair, oblivious to the man and the girl on the fence.
    As he was about to knock, Paul called out, “Hi there, Stu. Come to see Hannah?”
    Stuart Gilmore, the elementary school principal, spun around. “Paul! Didn’t see you there.” He walked toward the fence with a warm smile on his face. “Hello, Bird. I came to speak to your aunt about school this fall. She called yesterday and left a message.”
    His demeanor was more energetic than the vet’s. He moved with a slight self-consciousness and some other tension that she couldn’t quite define. Ah, yes, she thought, suppressing a grin. He was here with bad news about school. Good.
    â€œIs Hannah here?” Stuart spoke to the vet, not to Bird.
    â€œDon’t know,” answered Paul. “Her truck’s gone. She’s likely off to a horse show with some of her students. Right, Bird?”
    Bird nodded.
    Stuart looked at his watch. “I was hoping to catch her. I guess I’ll have to call in later tonight.”
    The rush of confused emotions emanating from Paul Daniels was so strong that Bird almost fell off the fence. Jealousy. Hmm.
    â€œI was thinking of stopping by the fairgrounds.” The vet climbed off the fence and stood to his full height. “I’ll tell Hannah that you were by.”
    Well, well. The vet liked Hannah and saw the principal as competition. Interesting.