She Waits by Kate Sweeney

had gone over and was brushing one of the horses. "No, usually if I know she's going out, I do it."
    "And did you yesterday?"
    He glanced up. "No."
    "Where were you?" I asked.
    "I have Thursdays off, but Miss Hannah called me to come and get the horse." He continued brushing the mare.
    "Don't you find it odd how an expert horsewoman like Miss Winfield can fall off a horse so easily?" I asked, leaning against the ledge.
    "Strange things happen all the time Miss," he said. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help."
    "I am too. Bedford, where do you live?"
    He motioned outside and said, "I live in an apartment above the garage. It's small but comfortable. It suits me."
    "Well, last night was disturbing to say the least. I don't suppose you heard or saw anything?" I asked.
    "No, Miss. When I heard the sirens, I came down but you were already inside with the police. Like I said, I spoke with them. Then I came around and found you and the ladies. I am sorry, I didn't come out sooner."
    "Well, if you didn't hear anything how could you know? Funny you didn't hear the noise when we crashed through the French doors, though." I kept my eyes on him.
    He frowned as he continued with his task. "You sure you're all right, Miss?"
    "I'm not the issue here, Bedford. I would think you'd be worried about Maggie."
    "I do worry, Miss," he said. He sounded sincere, but something didn't ring true.
    "What do you think is happening?"
    He looked at me over the ledge, and said plainly, "I don't know what's going on Miss. I just take care of the horses and the property."
    "But surely, you've been here forever, you have to have some opinion. Let's take this for example. What is your opinion of this?" I held out only the watch I'd found. It was still in the burlap.
    He came out of the stall and looked down at my hand. His eyes widened. He looked up and, with the brush in his hand, he looked right at me. He had a threatening look on his face. He took two steps toward me and pointed the brush in my direction.
    "It's a watch, Miss. Now, if you're asking if I know whose watch it is, I don't know. I learned long ago not to ask questions or go nosin' around. You might do well to do the same."
    I was a little frightened, but mostly angry. "That sounds a tad like a threat, Bedford," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "A moment ago you said you cared about Maggie. Well, I care for her as well." I amazed myself at how easy that came out. "Something is happening around here, Bedford. Maggie and Hannah have asked for my help. I'm not sure what I can do, but I'm going to try."
    He looked out of the open stall door and into the woods. "This is an old family, Miss..."
    "With old secrets?" I prodded. He shot an angry look my way.
    "Don't talk of things ya know nothing about."
    "Who can talk of such things then, Bedford?" I felt as though I was getting somewhere with him.
    He put the brushes away and turned to me. "Everyone has secrets, Miss. I'm sure even you."
    We were having a good old-fashioned staring contest when I felt a presence behind me in the doorway.
    I turned to see a woman, maybe in her late fifties. She was tall, slender and had salt-and-pepper hair she had pulled back into a tight bun, which looked a little too tight. What I noticed most of all, though, were her eyes. They were almost black. She was wearing riding clothes and had her gloves and riding crop in one hand. I had no idea how long she had been there or what she had overheard.
    Chance barked at her, and then bravely hid behind me and growled.
    "I don't believe I know you." She extended her hand. "My name is Sarah Winfield, I'm Maggie's aunt."
    I took her hand. She had a good grip. If Hannah was the aunt everybody loved, this woman struck me as the aunt no one wanted to kiss.
    "It's nice to meet you. Kate Ryan," I said.
    She turned from me and glared at Bedford, who appeared as if he wanted no part of this conversation. "I was out riding and I think the poor creature has something stuck in his shoe.