Serendipity Ranch Read Online Free PDF

it.”
    “Ah, her portfolio. I warned her that someone would bust her one day. How did you know about the designers?”
    “Sara is obsessed with architecture, so I’ve exposed her to everything I could. You start to learn about things when you’re inundated by them. I really don't like the color of that bruise. Miss Mitchell? To me, please.”
    “I’m NOT a border collie, Mr. Riley.” Serena snapped, coming anyway. Drew hid a smile, amused by her unknowing obedience.
    “Habit, sorry. I want to take a look at that bruise. You broke a bunch of capillaries, and it’s going to harden up on you.”
    “I’ll be fine—what do you think you’re doing?” Serena asked, smacking his hand as he gently pressed the blackening area on the back of her thigh.
    “Don’t smack me, young lady. I’m tending to you. Obviously, someone needs to,” Preston rumbled, pressing the edges of the bruise to increase circulation. Serena smacked him again, and without thinking, he popped her firmly on the rump in return. Serena yelped, staring at him in disbelief.
    “Now that we have that settled, keep still. You can use this on yourself as well as the horse. Keep it refrigerated.”
    Drew grinned as he watched Serena struggle not to smack the vet again as he methodically massaged the medication into the injured area and then proceeded to wrap her upper thigh with an Ace bandage. Serena’s face reddened as his knuckles brushed the crotch of her shorts, sending tingles down her legs. He looked up at her.
    “Keep this elevated tonight and apply ice-packs every 15 minutes to avoid additional swelling. You’ll be feeling it tomorrow, so if you can’t come over, it’s okay.”
    “I’ll be just fine, Mr. Riley. Remove your hands from me.”
    “You’re not much for gratitude, are you? You mentioned a firm hand, Drew. She certainly needs one, right across her rear end.”
    Drew laughed, nodding. “I know. I’ve been sorely tempted a number of times. Oh, chill out, Serena. We’re just joking with you.”
    One look at Preston Riley’s face told the woman that he was not being the least bit flippant. She swallowed nervously. She would have to watch her back with this man.
    She lifted her chin to look boldly look into his eyes. “Thank you for coming and taking care of Casba. Please excuse me, but I’m busy and will have to ignore you until some other time.” With that statement, she turned to limp painfully back to the small house.
    “Oh yes, she definitely needs a firm hand. Applied directly to that cute little rump,” he muttered. Drew simply nodded in agreement.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    “Shit,” Serena groaned, trying to walk on her bruised leg. She clutched the doorway, lifting the offending limb off the ground, “Drew! I need help!”
    “What’s wrong?” her cousin asked, scrubbing his wet hair with a towel.
    “I can’t walk. Son of a bitch.”
    Drew shook his head and easily lifted her into his arms and carried her to the living room couch, where he carefully set her down. “Guess Doc Riley was right, huh? You should have listened and kept this leg up last night. You’re lucky you didn’t break your butt bone.”
    “Oh, shut your yap. Preston Riley doesn’t know diddly-squat.” Serena shifted uncomfortably towards her left, trying to take pressure from the back of her right thigh.
    “He knew enough to get you to stop smacking him. I’d bet your bottom dollar that he wouldn’t put up with your little fits for two seconds. Maybe we can get him over here more often to keep you out of my hair.”
    “Will you shut up already? This hurts, and I’m not in the mood. You need to take me to the worksite today. There is no way I can drive.”
    “Preston said to take the day off if it hurt this bad.”
    “I just started this job. There is no way in hell I’m taking the day off. Besides, I need to set up a construction schedule and go over some things with Sara before she has to leave.”
    “Where does she