Immortal Mine Read Online Free PDF

he could have chosen to go his own way,
but loneliness doesn’t just affect me.
    “You said horses . The Irish is coming
as well?” I clarify as I dry the plate and place it back in the
cabinet. I haven’t seen the new stallion yet. I look forward to the
distraction of breaking him.
    “Yes, he is. They weren’t supposed to be
here for another week, but if we don’t take possession today, we
lose the Irish.”
    “You say there’s somewhere here in town to
keep them?” I ask, placing the newly cleaned glass into its
place.
    “I asked around and was told the only place
in town that stables for rent is the Parker farm.”
    “Shane?”
    “Mm-hm?”
    “Sorry about the ribs.”
     
     

Chapter 5

Niahm
     
    “What was with you today?”
    I plop into the recliner, tucking the phone
between my cheek and shoulder, absently rubbing Bob’s head resting
on my knee.
    “What do you mean?” I ask, knowing Stacy
will never buy my feigned innocence for one minute.
    “C’mon, Vee. You were like a triple W”—by
which I know she means the Wicked Witch of the West—“with Sam
today. What did he do to you to make you hate him so much?”
    I sigh, without a good answer for her.
    “Nothing, Stace. I really don’t know why
I—hold on, I’ve got a call on the other line.” I push the
call-waiting button on the phone, grateful for the reprieve.
“Hello?”
    “Oh,” a surprised voice answers, rich and
deep. “I’m not sure I have the right—I’m looking for the Parker
Stables?”
    “You’ve got them,” I answer.
    “Oh, great. I’m new in town—”
    “Let me guess—Mr. Coleman?”
    “Shane,” he corrects, and I can hear the
smile in his voice. “It’s not really hard to guess who I am when I
tell you I’m new in town.”
    “Let me put it this way, Mr. Col—Shane, I’m
seventeen and there hasn’t been anyone move into town for my whole
lifetime.”
    “Well, that’s quite some time, isn’t it?”
His voice rings with irony. Strange. “Is your father in? I’d like
to speak to him about stabling my horses.”
    “No, sorry. He’s out of town. I can help
you, though. How many horses?”
    “Uh… two.” He seems hesitant to deal with
me.
    “That’s fine. I have four empty stalls right
now. One-fifty a month for both. That includes usage of the wash
bay and the arena either for exercising them yourselves, or for
letting them loose in. I’ll feed and water them daily, but you’ll
have to muck the stall yourself.” I use my best business woman
voice. It works. When he answers, his tone turns businesslike, the
hesitation gone from his voice.
    “That will be fine. My nephew and I will
make sure one or the other is there daily.”
    My stomach drops. Shoot! I forgot just whose
uncle I was speaking to. I should have kept my wits about me and
told him the stable was full.
    “How soon will you be bringing them by?” I
force myself to ask, hoping he doesn’t notice my sudden
hesitancy.
    “Actually, they arrived unexpectedly today,
a week early. Can I bring them now?”
    Relived by his use of the word “I,” I relax.
At least I won’t have to deal with the arrogant Sam today.
    “Sure. I’ll give you directions.”
    When I’m finished, the phone buzzes,
reminding me that Stacy is waiting.
    “You’ll never believe what—” I cut myself
off. If I tell her Shane Coleman is coming to my house, she’ll rush
over, making a fool of herself over him. I don’t want to contribute
to her going down that particular path.
    “What?” she demands impatiently when I’m
silent.
    “You’ll… you’ll never believe… what Bob
did,” I spout with sudden inspiration. “He got into—”
    “No, please!” Stacy wails into the phone.
“Not another Bob story. I swear you love that mutt more than you
love anyone else.”
    I laugh at her completely predictable
response. “Not more than you, lovey.”
    “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” she grumbles,
somewhat appeased.
    “Gotta go, Stace. The chickens don’t