Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) by Pettersen Bev

Author:Pettersen, Bev [Pettersen, Bev]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Westerhall
Published: 2012-03-03T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Jessica finished dressing, bubbling with anticipation as she tugged on her boots. Keeneland Day! She didn’t know anything about the place, other than it was a quality racetrack in Kentucky, but there was bound to be lots of good food. And a hotel with a big tub and a real bed.

She grabbed her water bottle and took another gulp, hoping to soothe her ragged throat. Mark had thoughtfully arranged for her supper last night, but the pizza he’d ordered had been horrible. It had smelled delicious though, and she’d been hungry. However, she hated anchovies and thought he knew that.

Unfortunately, fish juice had leaked all over the cheese. Plus, she hadn’t found the jalapenos until it was too late—but by then her stomach was screaming for food, and she couldn’t resist.

Big mistake. She hadn’t put the leftovers outside for the boy, figuring he’d pull better food from the dumpster. The salt must have made her eyes swell, because her face felt tight and puffy. She grabbed her shampoo—she’d left her conditioner in Buddy’s grooming kit—and rushed to the bathroom for her morning shower.

She glanced in the cracked mirror, saw her swollen face and yelped. Her eye was bluish black and scary, the ugliest shiner she’d ever seen, uglier than the bruised boxers on television. Groaning, she jerked away from the mirror and into the shower, trying not to cry as water sluiced over her face. She looked so ugly, so battered, so utterly repulsive.

She yanked her clothes on, hair still dripping, and bolted to Mark’s office. Irritation darkened his face when the door burst open, but she was gratified when his expression turned to horror.

“See. I knew it,” she wailed “I can’t go to Keeneland like this.”

He just stared, his upper lip twitching.

“Don’t you dare laugh.” She crossed the room and smacked his shoulder. “I’m going to miss out seeing all those beautiful horses. The hotel. And my grandfather. All because of that crazy horse you made me ride.” Her words trailed off to a miserable choke.

“Hey.” He rose from the chair. “It’s not that bad.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could crawl into a hole, but he tilted her chin and gently traced her face. “We’ll put a little poultice here and draw out the swelling. Doc just dropped off some new stuff. And if that doesn’t work, sunglasses.” His voice tapered off. “Really big sunglasses.”

She choked on a hysterical sob.

“Makeup too,” he added quickly. “A lot can be accomplished with makeup.”

“I don’t know.” She opened her eyes and groaned. “Finally seeing Gramps and pretending I’m doing well when I look so…ugly.”

“You’ll never be ugly, and you’re doing very well. I’ve told him that many times.”

“Do you talk to him much? I know he’s really busy.” She hated the wistful note that crept into her voice. She’d always been good at pretending indifference when her mom sent her away, but sympathy flashed in Mark’s face and she knew he wasn’t as easily fooled.

Rap, rap. They both turned and looked at the door as Carlos stuck his head in.

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