Read Online Paying Their Piper with Passion and Love [Loving in Silver 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Lynn Stark - Free Book Online Page A

Colt had, on her first day in town, guaranteed they made the best fries. She sat in her side of the booth, waiting eagerly for the waitress to bring their order. Every time she had them she felt a new surge of rebellion. It wasn’t just about fries, of course. It was about being able to make decisions and to act upon them. It was about what she wanted to eat, to where and how she wanted to travel, what she would wear, who her friends could be. There were a million other things she had lost so long ago she was almost overwhelmed by her ability to make choices and act upon them without criticism or complaint being aimed at her.
    Taking a crispy golden fry off the top of the plate she dipped it into her chocolate milkshake before biting off the dripping end of it. Colt watched her with amusement. Catching his expression, she said, “Don’t laugh, this one’s for you.”
    Leaning forward the handsome Dom took the dredged fry between strong white teeth, biting it off. He looked at her in surprise. “Hey, that’s actually rather good.”
    Piper nodded. “I love fries. Now, back to what kind of shop I could open.”
    “Well, we have three bookstores, two bakeries, a liquor store, a sex shop, and any number of the usual shops to be found in a small town. The mall has expanded the choices.” He paused as she felt her hope fade a little. “What this town really could use is someone to help with animals. It would be a combination shelter and adoption center. With your gift with animals, you’d be a natural.”
    “Isn’t there already a dog pound?” She hated the things, but knew they were a necessary evil in a world where not everyone was a responsible owner.
    “There is, but it’s miles from here. You could open something small, perhaps a place where you could help educate people on the value of spaying and neutering their pets, as well as the needs of more exotic pets like Sparkle. While she’s a lovely pig, pigs certainly aren’t the pet for everyone, just as certain breeds of dogs or cats aren’t. You could answer questions about the different breeds, help people make the right choice.”
    By the time Colt finished Piper was nearly bouncing in her seat with excitement. Perhaps not very adult, but she could see herself helping people learn about the animals they wanted for pets, as well as helping those who already had animals they might need some kind of help with. Though she had no formal training with animals, with the exception of close encounter with a bull, she was very good with them. She could enlist the aid of professionals for complicated issues.
    “I could do that,” Piper said, feeling as if she was glowing from the inside. “I knew I could count on you to help me figure it out.” She reached across the table to give his elegant hand a squeeze. “I really want to fit in here.”
    “Darling, you fit in just fine. Everyone who meets you loves you. You just haven’t been here very long. Once you have gotten settled in, it will feel as if you have been here forever.”
    “That reminds me. I should start looking for a house to rent. Do you have something small with a yard?”
    She knew he not only sold houses, but had rentals as well. She looked at him expectantly and saw a curious expression on his face. Before he answered, however, she heard an odd phrase which drew her attention.
    “I tell you, Sunshine ‘n’ Roses is gonna be a top bull this year! Merck thinks so, too.”
    Turning her head to look at two cowboys seated in a nearby booth, she wondered about the name. She continued to listen, even as a sense of disbelief filled her. How had she forgotten about Merck Rushton? The stock contractor was from Silver. Great, now she would have to worry about seeing him. It wasn’t something she was looking forward to. She had the feeling he would be more than willing to say “I told you so,” about her experience with the man who attacked her. There was no way he wouldn’t have heard about the