Read Online Paint the Wind by Pam Muñoz Ryan - Free Book Online Page B

for my guitar?”
    â€œGladly,” said Payton, giving Maya a mean smirk and nudging her chair as he walked by.
    â€œHurry back, Payton,” called Moose. He turned to Aunt Vi. “Who would you like me to bell and hobble tonight?”
    â€œNot Wilson,” said Aunt Vi. “But Seltzer and Catlin could use a night out.”
    â€œWhat’s bell and hobble?” asked Maya.
    â€œI let a couple of horses out each night to graze around the campsite,” said Aunt Vi. “I hobble them with a loose strap around their front legs so they can only take small steps. They can still get around pretty well but not too far. I put a cowbell on them, so we know where they are andbecause, to tell the truth, I like the sound. It’s sort of reassuring to hear those clinks and clangs at night”
    â€œWhat’s the story on Wilson? Why’s he separated from the rest?” asked Fig.
    â€œHe does this every summer when I first bring him out. I had him with the others for a few days, but when I try to take another horse through the gate, he is right there trying to edge through. Yesterday, he squeezed by and made it a mile before I caught him. I’ll keep him separated until he gets used to his new surroundings and I can trust him not to take off. If he were hobbled, he’d just keep going all night and there’s no telling where he’d be in the morning. Payton is going to have to keep that gate latched or Wilson might end up in California.”
    Payton returned, toting a black case and a songbook.
    From the moment Aunt Vi opened the case and pulled out the burnished guitar, everything about her changed. As she tuned it, she became subdued and dreamy-eyed. She strummed and hummed, warming up her voice, then flipped through the book until she decided on a page. “Here’s a song for Maya. It was Ellie’s favorite.” Her voice was round and smooth and she sang slowly, her words filled with melancholy.
    Down in the valley, the valley so low
    Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
    Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow
    Hang your head over, hear the wind blow .
    Roses love sunshine, violets love dew
    Angels in heaven know I love you
    Know I love you, dear, know I love you
    Angels in heaven, know I love you .
    Maya heard a sniffle from Moose. She stole a quick glance at him and saw that he had pulled out his handkerchief. She knew how he felt. During Aunt Vi’s song she had bitten her lip hard to keep her own longing for her mother at bay.
    Aunt Vi turned a few pages in the book and started another song. She crooned about lost loves and people dying and lonesome trails. The tunes fit the mood, with the smoldering embers in the campfire and the encompassing quiet and the enormous darkening sky.
    When she finished, even Payton seemed calmer. “Promise you’ll sing every night, Aunt Vi?”
    â€œI’ll do my best, Payton.” She looked at Maya. “Itinker with the strings every evening. But when I’m heart-heavy, I only strum and can’t bring myself to sing. There were a few years after your mother … when there was no singing.” Aunt Vi busied herself with putting away the guitar.
    Fig stood and stretched. Golly did the same. “It’s about that time … Moose and I will be leaving early, Maya, so I’ll see you in a few weeks. Have fun on Seltzer, your Equus caballus . Payton, I’m feeling a little scared-y. You’d better sleep in with me tonight.”
    Payton grinned and nodded.
    â€œGood night, everyone. C’mon, Golly.” Uncle Fig and his dog headed toward the river.
    Moose stirred out the embers. “Vi, I’ll take care of the horses.” As he passed Maya’s chair on his way to the corrals, he touched the top of her head and said,“I never thought it would happen … you being on the Sweetwater with us. And I sure hate to leave you so soon. But we’ll be back before you