Jockey Girl. Shelley Peterson

her that when in doubt, keep quiet. She wasn’t sure how much talking she wanted to do.

      Mary seemed to sense what she was thinking and added, “In time. We have lots of time to talk after we get settled in.”

      Remarkably soon, all the settling in was done. Kazzam backed off the trailer, looked around, snorted a couple of times, then relaxed as he was led to a grassy paddock beside the other horses. At first, they squealed and pranced and pawed over the fence, but after a while things became calm.

      Magpie and Aunt Mary’s dogs got along right away. She had two labs, a black one named Simon and a yellow one named Garfunkel. The three dogs discovered interesting things to smell and ran around getting to know each other.

      Aunt Mary showed Evie into the little yellow house. Evie quickly decided it was just the right size. The kitchen, living area, and dining area were all one room, and Aunt Mary’s messy pine desk stood over in a corner.

      “Now, I desperately need a coffee. Let’s see what I can put together for a snack,” said Mary. “But let me get my messages first. The bathroom’s right over there if you want to wash up.” She pressed the message button and scribbled down a couple of things on a pad while Evie went to use the little washroom.

      It was pretty, with ivy-patterned wallpaper in green and white. She refreshed herself as best she could. When she came out, face and hands clean, the table was set for two. Evie was surprised at how quickly Aunt Mary had assembled a tall glass of milk, a plate of cookies, sliced apples, and grapes, along with her steaming coffee.

      “This looks delicious.” Evie was suddenly very hungry.

      Mary’s eyes sparkled. “I’m glad you like it. Turns out it’s all that’s on the menu.”

      Evie chuckled as she sat down and helped herself.

      “So, I called the Humane Society and Animal Control. No dog of Magpie’s description is reported missing at the moment, glad to say.”

      “Thanks, Aunt Mary. I sure hope I can keep her. I’ve never had my own dog and I love her already.” Evie wiped her mouth on the paper napkin and paused. “Can I ask you something?”

      Aunt Mary nodded. “Of course you can. Ask me anything.”

      “Why haven’t we met before, ever, when we live so close to each other?”

      Mary smiled at Evie a little sadly. “That’s a long story. I’m happy to share it with you, but the short answer is because I’m on your mother’s side of the family. The Parson side.”

      “I haven’t met any Parsons before. So, you’re my mother’s aunt?”

      “Yes. My brother, Ted Parson, was your mother’s father, and her mother was Alicia.”

      “I have grandparents?”

      “Well, they died, so you don’t actually have them anymore.”

      “And the Gibb side doesn’t speak to the Parson side?”

      Mary’s eyes saddened. “When your mother and father got married, your father decided that the Parsons didn’t exist. That decision didn’t sit well with us, and we continued to try to connect. When Angela had to leave Maple Mills, he decided that she didn’t exist, either.”

      Evie felt tears pop into her eyes. “My mother had to leave Maple Mills? Why?”

      Aunt Mary sat deeper in her chair. “She could no longer be cared for properly. She needed professional help.”

      Professional help? Was her aunt saying her mother had a serious disability? Or a mental illness? Evie wasn’t sure how much she could take in all at once. She wanted to find her mother, to move in with her to get away from Grayson Gibb. She didn’t want to hear that she was really ill.