Wind Spirit [Ella Clah 10] (42 page)

“I’ll remember that the first time he dumps me on the trail,” Ella said, watching the animal prance. Then she turned around and whispered something in Dawn’s ear.

Dawn started laughing.

Ella turned to Rose, who was starting to look a little bit confused. “Don’t you dare pretend not to know what’s going
on, Mother. I should make you feed and water him, arranging for all this without telling me.”

Rose’s mouth fell open. “But I had absolutely nothing to do with this, Daughter. Honestly.” Rose looked back and forth from Clifford to Ella, trying to figure out what was going on.

“Mother!” Ella tried to look angry, but finally couldn’t help but laugh.

Clifford started to snicker, then looked over at Ella and winked. “You got her, Sister. But this is what, the very first time?”

“What do you mean,
got
me?” Rose frowned at Ella.

“Mom bought Chieftain all by herself,
Shimasání
. She wanted to surprise you,” Dawn chimed in. “Don’t be mad.”

Rose sighed, then smiled grudgingly. “Okay, maybe I deserved that, just a little, for sometimes pushing you too hard to do things my way. But, Daughter, don’t ever try to trick me again, or you’ll have to start cooking for yourself.”

“Ugh. Will you cook for
me, Shimasání
?” Dawn asked.

Rose laughed. “It’s good to know I’m needed.”

Dawn turned back to Ella. “
Shimá
, will you let me ride Chieftain double with you?”

Ella shook her head. “Not until I’ve ridden him in the arena many times and we’ve connected with each other. First, he has to learn to trust me and I’ve got to trust him as well. That’ll take time.”

Dawn pouted. “
Everything
takes time!”

“Yes, it does,” Ella replied, laughing. Ella led the horse around, studying his gait.

“Let’s show him to Wind!” Dawn said.

“No, we can’t put them together yet. Horses and ponies don’t always get along and we don’t want them trying to bite or kick each other. For now, one will be in the stall while the other is in the corral. Eventually, we’ll build a second stall,” Ella said.

“For the next few hours keep Wind tethered near your daughter’s window and put Chieftain in the corral. He needs a chance to work off some of his energy,” Clifford suggested.

Ella took Chieftain into the corral and unhooked the rope from his halter, letting the big gelding trot free. He stopped at the far end and looked back at her, his ear flicking in her direction.

Ella smiled. “We’ll become friends at your speed, Chieftain,” she said, then closed the gate.

“You picked out a fine horse—with your brother’s help,” Loretta said as Ella joined them.

“He really is beautiful,” Ella said with a nod. “Thank you both for your help bringing him here,” Ella said, then lowering her voice, added, “And for helping me teach Mom a small lesson.”

As the others went inside to have breakfast, Clifford hung back with Ella. “If you need any help working with him, just call.”

“Count on it,” Ella said with a smile, then turned to watch the animal trotting along the corral fence.

“I have a gift for you—in the way of good news, that is.”

Ella looked at him curiously.

“I heard from the
hataalii
we’ve all been searching for. He’s finished with his other business and will be here today. The Sing can begin this afternoon.”

Ella nodded slowly. “It’s a good time.”

As Clifford went inside the house, Ella remained standing near the corral watching Chieftain. Order had been restored and the case was now closed. Smart had spray-painted Justine’s door. Unfortunately, there was still nothing to tie him to the holes in the water barrels at the Joes’. They’d probably never know for sure, now that he was dead, how many acts of vandalism he was responsible for.

As a cool breeze swept over her, Ella allowed herself a
moment to enjoy the peace. Experience and instinct told her that it wouldn’t last long.

She had enemies in the police department—ones who were hoping to convince her fellow officers that she was a skinwalker. Soon, if it hadn’t happened already, they’d find allies like Garnenez who’d help them try to destroy her.

It had taken some time for her to get a handle on the professor and see through his act but she now knew him for what he was. The owl fetish he’d carried, similar to the one she’d found in the mine the day she’d nearly died, had given him away. The professor was a skinwalker—only they would have ventured inside a place contaminated by evil.

It was clear that she’d have her work cut out for her during the coming months, but for now she’d restore her own inner balance and harmony by joining her family. It was time to walk in beauty.