Read Online Adirondack Audacity by L.R. Smolarek - Free Book Online Page A

shit.”
“Why don’t you just mind your own business, go mug
a camper, burn down the forest with that cigarette
hanging out of your pocket, start a gang war, rob a bank,
there are so many opportunities for your juvenile
delinquent behavior than here in this stall with me.”
“Why do you want to get rid of me? I could help you
clean this stall. Or… is there someone else you wanted to
help you?” He leans back against the stall door with a
smug smile on his face.
Ohhh….. He is such an infuriating little creep.
Except…he’s not little…..by any stretch of the
imagination. I can’t help but notice how his broad
shoulders fill the stall door….. and the sun streaming
through the window lights up the dust motes floating
around him like flecks of gold. And his eyes, dark
chocolate caramel, amber gold. Aggggh! He is so
annoying…
“I could be nice to you, if you gave me a chance.” He
cocks his head sideways, voice steamy, laden with hot
Latin undertones, and his eyes twinkle with mischief as
they travel over my sweaty, dirt streaked body. His
eyebrows dance up and down in a suggestive samba.
“Very….nice.”
He can’t be serious, I’m a mess. Then I glance down
and cringe, in the heat my shirt clings to my body like a
drowning man on a life raft, a button or two undone just
for extra effect. shit …
“I don’t need your help.” Pulling away the snug
garment in an attempt at modesty, I glare at him and
point at the cigarette sticking out of his shirt pocket.
“What are you doing smoking? If Morris catches you,
you’ll be fired. How stupid can you be?”
“I can take care of myself. I don’t need a mother, I
already have one. I have two packs for the entire summer
so I can’t exactly kill myself on forty-eight cigarettes.” Darn.
“Suit yourself. No skin off my back. Why don’t you
get lost, I have a job to finish.” I see his face wince at my
callous brush off. God, he has the most beautiful eyes,
dark, deep……and I feel myself falling into them.
Whoa….pull in the reins…what am I doing, he’s only
playing me.
Straightening my shirt, I give him a withering look
and assume a dignified pose, trying to forget I’m pushing
a wheelbarrow of horse poop. “I can do the job myself. I
like being around the horses and the……..exercise.” I
finish lamely.
Snorting, he gives me a speculative glance, “So why
are you dressed in new jeans judging by the tag hanging
off the back pocket, and your hair tied back with a pretty
ribbon? The horses aren’t going to notice.”
“Crap,” I curse, pulling off the offending tag.
Groaning inwardly, I look like an idiot sporting the name,
brand, price and size of my jeans.
“I can wear whatever I want. Why do you care?” I
turn my back on him, setting the rake against the wall
wishing him away by the sheer force of my will.
“Fine, have it your way,” his face moments ago,
teasing and laughing, closes to a hard edge devoid of
emotion. “I would hate to keep you from your precious
muck raking. I see how dedicated you are to the task.” He
spits out the words, thrusting the bucket of water into my
arms. “Here, you want to learn about horses, finish filling
the buckets and make sure each horse has a flake of hay.
Rule number one: Horses need water and food. You
know what comes out of them, now learn what goes in.”
He turns on his heel to stalk away when Scott’s head
appears in the doorframe.
“Euuuu,” I sputter repressing a stinging retort,
instantly changing moods and fixing a sappy-sweet smile
on my face for Scott.
“Well, little lady, haven’t you done a superb job. Hey
Vic, look at how hard she’s worked cleaning these stalls.
Ellen, you must be exhausted.” Scott kicks the shavings
with his boot, smiling up at me. Oh, there is hope yet. He
noticed me. Scott drawls “This stall looks more
comfortable than my mattress.” I glance over his
shoulder to give Vic a smug smile as if to say “Told you