Read Online Refracted (The Celadon Circle Book 2) by Nicole Storey - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Nicole Storey
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Archer was a sweet horse, a patient horse. He’d proven that these past few months when he fell into the care of two men who knew nothing about horses. The day they tried to saddle him with intent to ride was one he and Nathan both agreed to never breathe a word of. Through all their fumbling and half-assed attempts with buckles, bits, and bridles, Archer never moved, though Nathan swore he rolled his eyes several times.
“My sister is away…,” Quinn racked his brain for words. “…on business, for an undetermined length of time. My brother and I don’t ride and my uncle is busy with the cattle. We want to make sure Archer is taken care of until she gets back.” He bit his lip. They already agreed to take him but still, Quinn had to ask. “What if he doesn’t work well with the kids? I mean, I’m sure he will – Archer is a great horse. But, if by chance he doesn’t, will you still board him? Make sure he gets exercise and attention? We’d be willing to pay–”
The nice lady on the other end cut him off. “Don’t worry. If Archer is nervous around kids, we’ll work something out. You’re trying to do the right thing. Most wouldn’t give his well-being a second thought. As someone who loves horses, I can appreciate that.” Her voice, so soft and motherly, soothed and assured Quinn. “We’ll take care of Archer. He won’t go lacking for anything.”
Quinn was still staring at the empty drive when Casen slapped him on the back. “I think Archer’s gonna be just fine. Those people are real nice – Archer took right to ‘em – and just think of the kids he’ll help.”
Quinn smiled, feeling torn. He was glad Archer would get the love and care he needed but wondered if his place at the riding academy would become permanent. Maybe the decision to let him go stemmed from some hidden suspicion that his sister was never coming back.
He turned on his heel and headed for the house. No, he wouldn’t think like that. He might be a screw-up, he might be a smart ass, but he was not a quitter.
Uncle Case kept up with his fast pace. “I sent word to The Powers That Be – told ‘em to pawn their Circle assignments on someone else for a while. Told ‘em we’re gonna figure out this mess with Jordan, seeing as how they were too busy polishing halos and blowing trumpets to give a damn.”
Quinn paused on the top porch step and looked up at the cloudless sky. There wouldn’t be any snow today, but soon. “Think we’ll have any trouble?”
Casen shrugged. “Who knows? We could worry about it, if you like. We could worry about swarms of locusts and wine turning to blood, too. If it happens, we can’t do anything about it.” He jerked open the storm door before it could stick and motioned for Quinn to go inside. “Let’s focus on what we can do something about.”
<><><>
Nathan shuffled into the kitchen long after lunch. His hair stuck up on one side of his head like a rooster’s tail. His usually clean-shaven face was a day past a five o’ clock shadow and he needed a shower. But his eyes were clear.
Quinn watched his brother dump that morning’s coffee grounds into the trash and rinse the pot. Once Nathan had a fresh pot brewing he turned to Casen, who flipped through the mystery book Quinn found the night before.
“What did you give me?”
At least he didn’t sound upset, which proved his brother was thinking clearly. Nathan could usually see the reasoning (if there was any) behind decisions made by the family. Quinn generally ranted first and reviewed later.
Uncle Case turned another page and squinted at the print. “Ambien,” he answered without looking up.
Nathan plucked a pair of reading glasses from the counter and passed them to Quinn, who slid them across the table to Casen.
“One Ambien knocked me out for…how long was I asleep?”
“About seventeen hours,” Case said, staring at the book. “And I never said how many I slipped you.”
Nathan rolled his eyes
“My sister is away…,” Quinn racked his brain for words. “…on business, for an undetermined length of time. My brother and I don’t ride and my uncle is busy with the cattle. We want to make sure Archer is taken care of until she gets back.” He bit his lip. They already agreed to take him but still, Quinn had to ask. “What if he doesn’t work well with the kids? I mean, I’m sure he will – Archer is a great horse. But, if by chance he doesn’t, will you still board him? Make sure he gets exercise and attention? We’d be willing to pay–”
The nice lady on the other end cut him off. “Don’t worry. If Archer is nervous around kids, we’ll work something out. You’re trying to do the right thing. Most wouldn’t give his well-being a second thought. As someone who loves horses, I can appreciate that.” Her voice, so soft and motherly, soothed and assured Quinn. “We’ll take care of Archer. He won’t go lacking for anything.”
Quinn was still staring at the empty drive when Casen slapped him on the back. “I think Archer’s gonna be just fine. Those people are real nice – Archer took right to ‘em – and just think of the kids he’ll help.”
Quinn smiled, feeling torn. He was glad Archer would get the love and care he needed but wondered if his place at the riding academy would become permanent. Maybe the decision to let him go stemmed from some hidden suspicion that his sister was never coming back.
He turned on his heel and headed for the house. No, he wouldn’t think like that. He might be a screw-up, he might be a smart ass, but he was not a quitter.
Uncle Case kept up with his fast pace. “I sent word to The Powers That Be – told ‘em to pawn their Circle assignments on someone else for a while. Told ‘em we’re gonna figure out this mess with Jordan, seeing as how they were too busy polishing halos and blowing trumpets to give a damn.”
Quinn paused on the top porch step and looked up at the cloudless sky. There wouldn’t be any snow today, but soon. “Think we’ll have any trouble?”
Casen shrugged. “Who knows? We could worry about it, if you like. We could worry about swarms of locusts and wine turning to blood, too. If it happens, we can’t do anything about it.” He jerked open the storm door before it could stick and motioned for Quinn to go inside. “Let’s focus on what we can do something about.”
<><><>
Nathan shuffled into the kitchen long after lunch. His hair stuck up on one side of his head like a rooster’s tail. His usually clean-shaven face was a day past a five o’ clock shadow and he needed a shower. But his eyes were clear.
Quinn watched his brother dump that morning’s coffee grounds into the trash and rinse the pot. Once Nathan had a fresh pot brewing he turned to Casen, who flipped through the mystery book Quinn found the night before.
“What did you give me?”
At least he didn’t sound upset, which proved his brother was thinking clearly. Nathan could usually see the reasoning (if there was any) behind decisions made by the family. Quinn generally ranted first and reviewed later.
Uncle Case turned another page and squinted at the print. “Ambien,” he answered without looking up.
Nathan plucked a pair of reading glasses from the counter and passed them to Quinn, who slid them across the table to Casen.
“One Ambien knocked me out for…how long was I asleep?”
“About seventeen hours,” Case said, staring at the book. “And I never said how many I slipped you.”
Nathan rolled his eyes
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