The Cinderella List by Judy Baer

Author:Judy Baer
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2010-12-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Your scheme was brilliant,” Randall said, approaching Marlo as she cleared away the last debris in the luncheon.

“Sir?” Had she heard correctly?

“Once my clients knew their children were being both entertained and schooled about Hammond Stables, they completely relaxed. They came here planning to invest in one or two horses and are now planning to buy at least four.”

“I’m glad.” She scuffed her toe in the hard-packed earth. “I admit that I was nervous. I’m relieved the kids didn’t think it was an absolute bore.”

“You think you’re glad? In my mind, your idea was a calamity in the making, but my son had faith in you, and it paid off.” He stuck out his hand to shake Marlo’s. “Thank you.” Without another word, he walked off.

“By the look on your face, I’m afraid to think what my father might have said to you.” Jake sauntered over, hands in his pocket, sun glinting off his dark hair, that ever-ready smile on his face.

“He thanked and insulted me in the same breath. He called me brilliant and a calamity. I don’t know if I should be celebrating or moping.”

“Not the latter.” Jake looked both sympathetic and amused. “It’s best to take Dad with a grain of salt. He’s not a very happy man sometimes. He drives himself. I learned a long time ago to relax and go with the flow. I’m a lover not a fighter.”

To her surprise, he put his arm around her and nudged her toward the barn. “Come on. I have something to show you.”

She didn’t try to shrug his arm away. It felt warm, protective and even safe, she realized as she luxuriated in the embrace. For a moment at least, Marlo relished the heavy drape of his arm across her shoulders. Then she began to stew over the attraction she felt toward this man.

He was affectionate toward everyone, Marlo thought. Why, she’d seen him even put his arm around his father when the man was acting like a prickly pear. He simply doesn’t realize how charming and loveable he is because it’s his natural state, she reminded herself. If Lucy were here he’d do the same thing to her. She couldn’t blow this brief touch out of proportion. She had to be careful. Her heart wanted to go places that her mind would not allow.

By the time they’d reached the barn, Marlo had talked herself out of believing that Jake’s casual embrace meant anything at all. “What’s in here?”

“Something I want you to see. We have a mare in labor, and her foal should be born soon. Come.” He entwined his fingers in hers and led her to an oversize stall at the back of the barn, where a corpulent black mare with a white blaze and four white feet stood. Her legs were slightly splayed and her breathing audible.

Two men were in the stall with her, one on each side. “Any minute now,” one of them murmured. “Apparently, she’s not going to lie down. Here it comes….

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