Read Online Big Book Of Lesbian Horse Stories by Alisa Surkis - Free Book Online Page B

point, Peg could admire Pat’s tanned, muscular forearms and glossy black hair. When the bandage was off, Pat glanced up at Peg, with a swift smile. “The dressing has to be changed every day,” he explained. “Garbo has a strained tendon, and the best thing for her is a nice hot pack of Epsom salts.” While he worked, he continued talking. “Mrs. Huntley wants to show her when she’s well. She’s too fine an animal to be just an old saddle horse, teaching little kids how to ride. Mrs. Huntley thinks that by showing her, we could pull in some new business. We’re going to try her out on the jumps when she’s well.”
    Together they prepared the new dressing, and soon they were talking away as if they’d known each other forever. Peg told Pat how she’d been coming to the stables since she was six years old, and how much she loved horses. It turned out they’d both read many of the same books— King of the Wind , and even A Girl and Her Horse .
    â€œHow funny that you’ve read that!” Peg exclaimed. “Most boys won’t read something if they think it’s a ‘girl’s book.’ ”
    Pat blushed, and said, “My—my sister had a copy, and I happened to read it when I was sick . . .”
    Sensing he was embarrassed, Peg changed the subject. “You’re so lucky to have this job here! I’d love to have a job like this, but my mother would never let me. She says, ‘There’s a reason the term is stable boy .’ ”
    â€œI know,” Pat said. “Most places around here wouldn’t even think of hiring a stable girl. ”
    â€œThat’s awful!” said Peg indignantly. “When I have my own stables, I’m going to hire nobody but girls!” She couldn’t help resenting Pat his privileged position, just a little bit.
    â€œI know how you feel,” said Pat somberly. “I’m just taking advantage of an outmoded system of discrimination. But I have to.” He paused a second and looked at Peg intently with his level gray eyes. “You see . . . we really need the money at home. My Dad died a couple years back, and my mom works as a cleaning lady . . .”
    â€œI—I see,” said Peg a little awkwardly, not used to such a frank discussion of finances.
    â€œI haven’t told her yet that I’m working here. She wouldn’t like the idea of me being a stable . . . boy. She thinks I’m baby-sitting.”
    â€œBaby-sitting!” Peg said, surprised.
    â€œSure,” Pat replied, clearing his throat. “Lots of boys baby-sit in Havertown.”
    Havertown! That was where Della, the Gardner family maid, lived. Peg realized how little she knew about the world outside of Chatham. She was stirred to admiration as she thought of Pat and the hardships he faced. The concerns of the other girls at the country club, her own worries about popularity, and the Fall Frolic suddenly seemed trivial. In a flash, she made up her mind that she would stop trying to fit in. She’d rather be like Pat, making her own way in the world, than the most popular girl at Chatham Day!
    When they had finished, Peg was reluctant to part from Pat. It was so pleasant talking to someone who cared for horses as much as she did. She lingered a little as Pat put the brushes in the empty bucket. “It was fun helping,” she said. “Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow?”
    Pat grinned at her. “I’m here every afternoon.” Then, as if he regretted his friendliness, he snatched up the bucket and hurried out the door.
    It had grown late while Peg helped Pat, and now she had time for only a quick canter on Merrylegs. Afterward she hurriedly stabled the pony, with frequent glances at her watch. Mother and Carol already disapproved of her visits to the stables—it would never do to be tardy to dinner!
    Peg was perspiring from her furious pedaling when she