Read Online The Last Chance Ranch by Ruth Wind, Barbara Samuel - Free Book Online Page A

athletes and others who had to stay at school for one reason or another. One boy who did show up made Tanya considerably less happy, particularly since Desmary wasn’t here. At fifteen, Edwin Salazar was not the oldest boy at the ranch, but he was the biggest, both in terms of size and height. He had a brilliantly handsome face and shiny ebony hair combed straight back from his forehead. His eyes were beautiful and mean. A three-inch scar marred his cheek.
    He also knew he made Tanya nervous. Coming into the kitchen today, he met her gaze with that almost invisible, insolent smirk. “Hey, teach.”
    “Hi, boys,” she said, wiping her hands on a towel. The timer dinged and she bent to look at the chilies in the oven. In the bald light of the oven bulb, they swelled and shivered, and she had to smile. How had she avoided noticing their breathing before this?
    Behind her, the boys snickered at something Edwin said. She realized she was bent over in a rather provocative position. But just how else would she get the chilies out of the oven? A tight knot of fear tied itself in her chest. This was the kind of dilemma Victor had made impossible. He would become insanely jealous if a man looked at her—and woe be to Tanya if she had encouraged him. But bending over? In a work environment?
    She breathed in the strong scent of chilies for a moment. Edwin, speaking in Spanish, made a filthy comment about her. A spark of old anger, ignited by the wind of self-respect, burst into flame. Very, very slowly, she straightened. And turned.
    In prison she had learned the best way to deal with the inevitable bullies and bosses was to meet them head-on. The more you ducked, the more they singled you out. You had to stand up to bullies—and that’s all Edwin was, a big bully who’d never been taught any manners.
    Narrowing her eyes, she simply stared at him for a moment. His little friend, standing alongside, snickered, and Edwin lifted his chin. He didn’t speak.
    Tanya said, “Bad language is against the rules here. Did you think it didn’t count in Spanish?”
    “How was I supposed to know you understood it?”
    “Maybe you should assume people can always understand you.”
    Again the little friend snickered. Tanya cocked her head at him. “Disrespectfulness is also against the rules. Go. Tell the dorm master you have to have another chore today.”
    The smallest flash of triumph crossed Edwin’s face. He started toward the door. “Not you, Edwin,” she said. “Your friend. What’s your name?”
    The youth lifted his chin. “Mike.”
    “Mike, you’re dismissed.”
    “Why? ‘What did I—”
    He didn’t argue anymore, but she could tell he was angry. So be it.
    The other boys hung back, pretending to get started on the dishes, but she could see them watching how she would handle this big, mean boy.
    She didn’t know. She didn’t want to make a mistake, ruin whatever chance he had to make his life better here. But especially in light of the harshly sexual aspect his comments took, she couldn’t let him think he was getting away with something, either.
    The beautiful mean eyes glittered. Fear touched her and just the faintest wisp of memory… Victor making that panting animal sound in his throat when he was going to beat her severely.
    The memory lent her insight. She reacted strongly to this boy because he reminded her in some way of Victor. Fair enough—as long as she knew it, she could make decisions with clarity.
    She willed herself not to cross her arms. He stood still as a sword, returning her gaze implacably. “C’mon, teach,” he said. “What do you want me to do?”
    Trust your instincts, a little voice told her. If she sent him away, he’d get what he wanted—out of KP. If she didn’t, she’d have to deal with him here for more than two hours.
    In a split second, she chose. “Wash your hands. You can peel chilies. Another word and you’ll be in the kitchen every day for the rest of your stay