SUNDAY
Tyrell had a summer job at Les Schwab Tire Center in Sisters, so most of the chores were left to Danny. Which was fine with him, because the only thing that seemed to help keep his mind off Banjo was work.
He tossed hay and alfalfa into the horse feeders, mucked out the stalls, spread new wood chips, and headed out to the pasture with a wheelbarrow full of manure that he unloaded near a stubborn old stump they’d been trying to dig out, attacking it with picks and shovels.
Dad was at the gate resetting a hinge. “Been thinking,” he called over to Danny. “How ’bout you, me, and Tyrell haul the horses on down to Harney County one day this week? I can take some time off. We can ride up Steens Mountain and see if we can’t get your mind off that dog.”
Danny set the wheelbarrow down. “Uh, well…this Saturday’s the rodeo, and I’ve got to…you know. Get ready. Practice.”
The last thing he wanted to do was spend hours in a truck talking about Banjo. “Besides, Tyrell works weekdays.”
Dad paused, looking at Danny. “I’m sorry you had to do what you did to your dog. Real sorry.” Then, softly, “I know it wasn’t easy.”
Danny stared at his boots. What could he say? He nodded and moved on, the wheelbarrow wobbling over the uneven ground.
He probably could have told his mom the truth about Banjo. She’d have understood. Maybe. He’d thought again of calling her but couldn’t do it.
He wanted to tell the truth. But the truth would only make it worse. It would expose how he’d lied and deceived his dad, the sheriff, and Mr. Brodie. And the whole world would know that he’d abandoned his dog. Worse, the truth would get Banjo locked up.
No, he couldn’t say anything. At least out in the wild, Banjo had a chance.
Maybe.
Danny looked over at the stump. He’d start on that next. Hack on it until his hands bled. There wasn’t enough work in the world to make him stop thinking about Banjo.