Mystery at Saddle Creek by Shelley Peterson

the fence and kick in the door! One ... two ... three ... okay. You asked for it.
    A loud, long whinny cut through the fog. Sundancer. Suddenly, a deafening “thwack” reverberated through the house.
    Bird tensed, now fully awake. She heard people run outside. Hannah and Paul’s voices carried up clearly through Bird’s window.
    â€œSundancer!” scolded Hannah loudly. “What the heck are you up to?”
    There was a slight pause. Bird heard hooves trotting quickly across the gravel, then landing on grass with a soft thud.
    â€œDid that really happen?” asked Paul. “Did Sunny just kick in the front door, then jump back into his field?”
    Hannah answered, “I think so. But if you weren’t here with me, I’d think I was dreaming.”
    Bird carefully opened her eyes, confused about whose dream was whose. Her eyes were swollen and gooey, but she could see.
    Sunny?
    Bird!
    Finally! You got me in trouble with Hannah.
    What do you mean? I’m in bed.
    Forget it. You had me worried. Don’t do that again!
    Why is everything my fault?
    Can you come out? I want to get a good look at your hair.
    My hair?
    I guess you haven’t had a chance to admire yourself since the fire.
    Ohmygosh. I can feel it. It’s falling out all over my pillow!
    Just throw on the riding hat and you’re done.
    I think it’s still there at the back, but the front! Ohmygosh!
    Settle down.
    Right. It’s just hair. Sunny, we have to go look for the wild man.
    No.
    Yes! Cody told me he helped get the horses out. And me out, too! Cody said he was burned, that he needs help.
    He’s a freak.
    Maybe so, but he’s a good freak if he helped those horses.
    Good point.
    Will you help? I can’t do it alone.
    Okay, but this will end badly.
    Find Cody. He’ll know where the wild man is. I’ll be down stairs as fast as I can. Which isn’t too fast. I don’t feel that good.
    You’ll have a problem with the adults. They won’t let you out.
    You’re right. Can you work on a distraction?
    My pleasure. I’ll fake colic.
    Deadly stomach pain works for me.
    Bird found the softest old sweatsuit she had and put it on. Everything hurt. Her eyes, her throat, her skin, her muscles. Then she looked in the mirror. Her hair! Her thick, straight, dark hair. It had completely dried out and whole hunks at the front were missing. The hair that was left on her head was frizzled and yellowed. Bird gulped. Her eyes were swollen and red and she had no eyebrows. Pig eyes. She wondered how long Alec would be at camp. She hoped it would be a very, very long time.
    I deserve that award for acting, Bird.
    The Academy Award? I’m sure you do. What’s the plan?
    The adults are here saving my life. Sneak out the back and meet Cody behind the barn. He knows where the wild man is. I’ll give you a head start, then I’ll miraculously recover and follow your scent. They’ll think you’re still asleep.
    Brilliant.
    Not bad, if I say so myself.
    See you soon.
Bird went from the mirror to the window for a peek at Sunny’s performance.
Sunny, from up here it looks a little over the top. Colicking horses don’t do that.
    What?
    Spin their tails and heads at the same time.
    Well, what am I supposed to do?
    Just lie down and groan and look at your tummy over and over again.
    That’s boring.
    That’s how colic looks. Do you want them to send you to Guelph for a total evaluation?
    Right.
    Bird snuck out of the house and made it past the barn without detection. Things hadn’t improved since she’d left her room. Her head hurt, her eyes stung, her throat was raw, her muscles ached—but she was determined to find the wild man and get him help. She looked around for Cody as she advanced silently.
    A bush rustled.
Girl. Come with me.
    Cody!
Bird followed him down a thorny cliff. The further they went, the more Bird worried about Sundancer. Hannah and Paul