Immortal Storm Read Online Free PDF Page A

Latif did not trust Michael enough to let him get within arm’s reach, but he did keep his ears pricked in attention. The horse was clearly listening to his human master. It seemed as though Michael was herding the great animal around the ring. Despite the cold weather, Latif had worked up a sweat from his raw adrenaline and bursts of nervous energy.
    Watching the stallion move took Dori’s breath away. His muscles rippled beneath the shiny black coat. His hooves beat a staccato rhythm into the ground as he pranced around the ring. He threw his head in the air and the wind carried his whinny across the farm. With tail lifted, he dug into the ground and leapt into a gallop. As he moved around Michael he tucked his head, resembling a finely carved chess piece. The animal was magnificent.
    Michael raised his arms slowly, splayed out to either side. He bent his knees and continued to follow the horse’s movement. Slowly, Latif began to calm himself and his gate broke into a controlled canter. As the horse continued to slow, Michael lowered his arms slightly. The pattern continued until Latif was walking around, as if he was being guided by the power of Michael’s voice alone. Michael stood casually in the center of the ring while the horse made large circles around him.
    Dori didn’t realize she had been holding her breath until she exhaled and said, “I can’t believe it!” That was when two sets of eyes turned to meet hers. She stared out the window at a man and the beast he tamed. It was impossible that either of them had heard her, but neither one looked away. The longer they stared at each other, the more intrigued she became. She couldn’t pull her stare from Michael’s eyes. Finally, Latif dropped his head and began walking toward the gate. Michael closed his eyes with a slight nod. She could see a smile creep onto his face before he turned to put Latif back in his stall.
    She returned to her chair and let her mind wander while staring out at the pastures. After a few minutes, she saw Michael making his way toward the main house. Dori’s heart jumped into her throat. She stood awkwardly, grasping at her crutches and hobbling toward the bathroom. She didn’t want Michael to see her wearing the atrocious green robe. Glancing into the mirror,iv the mi she smoothed back some disobedient hair and tried to straighten the shirt she was wearing. Michael’s knock on the door left her rushing.
    “Coming!” she called and gave herself one more glance before turning out the light and tottering toward the door. She opened it and flushed instantly, embarrassed by her haggard appearance.
    “May I come in?”
    “Um, sure. What’s going on?”
    “I saw you watching Latif and I thought it might do you good to get outside and spend some time with the horses. What do you say?”
    “I don’t think my crutches were made for gravel. I think I should just stay inside.” She was surprised by how disappointed she felt as she turned him down.
    “Dori, look at me.” She looked up and was struck again by his handsome features. “I think a change of scenery would be good. You can’t get better if you stay cooped up all the time. Come on, I will make sure you don’t get hurt.”
    She continued to look at him for a minute then found herself reaching for her coat without realizing what she was doing. She was soon outside and attempting to make her way around to the nearest pasture. Her crutches kept slipping on the loose gravel and eventually Michael suggested she leave them and instead lean on him for support. Her stomach was full of butterflies, but she complied with a smile.
    Michael’s arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. It took quite a while, but they eventually made it to the fence and called the horses over. In the midst of petting warm muzzles and getting her fingers tangled in handfuls of mane, Dori forgot about her pain for a moment. She managed to forget the nip of the November air and the slow ache in