Hill, Kate by Rediscovering Thor (Ellora's Cave)

Author:Rediscovering Thor (Ellora's Cave) [Cave), Rediscovering Thor (Ellora's]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-01-07T07:26:43+00:00

Chapter Ten

The next morning Eadred stood in the field behind Pete's barn working the stallion on the lunge rein. Eadred paid careful attention to the animal's paces, noting there were times when the horse seemed to enjoy his education. Like an obstinate child, the stallion had really wanted guidance, but needed to be handled as an individual.

He noticed Pete approaching, two skinny boys at his side, their eyes cast down, their tanned skinned stained with red paint. Eadred bit back a smile. There was no doubt about who these boys were.

Eadred slowed the horse and grasped his halter, stroking the sleek neck as the animal snorted with agitation. The stallion trusted Eadred but didn't appreciate the company of strangers.

Pete and the boys stopped a safe distance from the horse.

"We've got ourselves some extra hands for the next month, Eadred.î Pete's expression remained somber, but his eyes betrayed his amusement. ìThis is Tommy and Chris. They'd like to make up for busting into the barn a few nights ago."

"Is that so?î Eadred's gaze fixed on the children. They looked up, staring at the size of his battle-scarred biceps.

"Yeah,î said Tommy, a round-faced blond.

"Sir,î Chris, a freckled redhead, added quickly. ìOur parents made us come."

"What you did was dangerous."

"We just wanted to see the horse,î Tommy explained.

"Some of the kids at school say he's a killer or something,î Chris said, ìbut I think he's pretty cool."

"I hear this word ëcoolí often,î Eadred said, ìbut I do not think it means what the dictionary says."

"Where are you from?î Tommy asked Eadred. ìYou talk different."

"I'm from Denmark."

Chris's green eyes sparkled with mischief as he noted Eadred's long hair, thick beard, and powerful frame. ìAre you like a wrestler?"

"No."

"Think you'll be all set with these boys while I go into town?î Pete asked Eadred.

"Of course."

Pete left them alone. As soon as the pickup truck rolled down the road, Tommy and Chris headed back toward the house.

"Stop.î Eadred commanded. The boys froze in their tracks. ìThe stalls need to be cleaned."

Tommy turned, one eyebrow raised. ìThe old man's gone."

"You were sent here to work."

Tommy extended his middle finger in what Eadred had learned was an obscene gesture. Chris laughed.

Nodding, Eadred tied the horse to the fence as the boys loped toward their bicycles. In five long strides, Eadred caught up to them, grasping each by their belt loops on the backs of their jeans and toted them to the barn.

"Hey!î Tommy shouted. ìI'm going to tell the police!"

"I didn't mean to break in!î Chris squealed, on the verge of tears. ìI'll clean the horse shit. Put me down!"

In the barn, Eadred released the boys and shoved them toward the stalls. ìClean."

"Or else what?î Tommy's voice cracked in spite of his attempt at defiance.

Eadred took a step toward them. The boys reached for shovels.

"We really have to clean this?î Tommy's nose wrinkled. ìIt stinks."

"You were the ones who were so interested in horses,î Eadred told them. ìSee what it's like to take care of one."

He left the muttering boys to their work and returned to the stallion to finish his training.

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