The Stable Boy Read Online Free PDF Page B

the small of my back. He reached for another cutting board.
    “Excuse me,” he said with a smile.
    “I’m sorry,” I said. “I should have asked if you needed one.”
    “It’s okay. It is like you said. You have gotten used to do things by yourself.”
    “Yes, I have. It is going to take some getting used to having someone else in the house with me, again.”
    “I can be noisier if you need me to be,” he laughed.
    “That’s okay,” I laughed. “I prefer your church mouse quietness.”
    “What are you trying to say?”
    “Nothing,” I said with my own smile.
    “Uh-huh, I see how you are.”
    “What?
    Grabbing the Mandolin he went to the other counter to begin slicing the cucumbers for part of the canning process while he left some of them whole. I diced up my vegetables and placed them in a large storage bowl. Adding the pasta to the water, I stirred it, bumping into Josh as he was preparing his pickling liquid.
    “Hey, watch were you are going there young lady.”
    “Oops, sorry, your quietness threw me for a loop,” I laughed.
    “That’ s it. There will be no sleeping for you tonight. I’m going to make as much noise as I can. I’m going to keep you up all night. Running up and down the stairs, banging on your bedroom door, I’ll even put the TV up loud.”
    “You already kept me up last night. I barely slept.”
    “Seriously? I am sorry. I told you I could have slept in the barn. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable with me here.”
    “I’ m not now. I am feeling more comfortable every minute we spend together.”
    “Great, that makes me happy, because I do not plan on leaving.”
    I turned my head away from him and smiled. I didn’t want him to leave. “Good,” I said.
    It was his turn to smile. He leaned over and kissed my cheek. It startled me. “What was that for?”
    “You deserve it. Your husband would be proud that you kept the farm running without him and very little help.”
    My eyes stung with tears. “Thank you,” I said, leaning over to kiss his cheek, but he turned and my lips landed on his soft, full lips. I pulled away quickly. “I’m so sorry,” I said, the heat escalating in my face.
    He smiled. “It’s okay. I t was an accident. I didn’t know you were leaning over. No worries, there is no need to apologize.”
    “I’ll be r ight back,” I said and ran up the stairs. Closing the door to my bedroom, I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. I could not believe that took place. I was so embarrassed. How was I going to go back down there? I just kissed someone who is virtually a stranger and twelve years my junior. My husband would never approve. Poor John. He was probably rolling over in his grave. Tears began to roll down my face. I just committed the ultimate crime in a marriage. I kissed someone else. I have no idea how long I sat there, but there was a sudden knock on my door.
    “Hey, I think your pasta is done,” he called through the door.
    “Okay, thanks, I’ll be down in a minute.”
    “Are you okay?” he asked as he turned the doorknob.
    “Yes, I am fine,” I said as the door opened up. “Just a little embarrassed that is all.”
    “No, there is something more to it,” he said studying my tear stained face.
    “No, it’s just me. I am being silly.”
    “I’ll get my things and leave. I do not want you to be upset.”
    “No, Josh, please don’t do that. I really need your help around here and prefer that someone who knows what they are doing to work the farm. As you can see, I do not have a clue, especially the equipment.”
    “I’ll stay, but I am moving into the barn.”
    “I cannot let you do that. My conscience will eat away at me.”
    “Okay, then I will only come in for meals and have minimal conversation.”
    “I told you, this has nothing to do with you. It’s my own personal things that are making me this way.”
    “I don’t want to see you cry. It breaks my heart. A beautiful woman should never have