Page 25 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"How are you, son? Did you get enough sleep last night?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Bed not too hard for you, is it?"

A soft flush colored Miko's pale cheeks. "No, sir."

"Good, good," Monty replied. "If you need anything, just ask Jos. He'll get it for you."

Miko didn't say anything, but he did nod his head again.

"Come on." Monty started walking. "Let's go eat. The boys need to get out on the range."

Miko started walking with Monty leaving me standing there by myself.

It was not a good feeling.

I wasn't sure what was going on with Miko, but something had changed since last night. At least, if felt as if something had changed, but what did I know? This could be his normal personality.

I sincerely hoped it was not.

I preferred the happy young man that had been so excited at the prospect of having a horse to this quiet, timid, and distance person.

I followed after Miko and Monty. When we reached the dining room, I pulled out the chair between my seat and Monty's. Miko shot me an undecipherable look and then sat down.

I carefully scooted his chair in for him before taking my seat. "Miko?"

At least he glanced at me.

"I'd like to introduce you to some of the ranch hands. Not all of them are here right now, but you can meet the others later."

Miko nodded so I carefully went around the table and introduced him to all the ranch hands that were currently there. By the time I was done, Mrs. Gibbons had put all of the food on the table and joined us.

"Do you know what you want?" I asked. "If you have any questions about any of the food, just let me know."

Miko nodded again. "Thank you."

I hated that polite tone.

"May I have some eggs?" he asked.

I saw the frown Monty gave Miko out of the corner of my eye as I grabbed the platter of eggs and served some up for Miko. I knew he had heard it to. Miko was once again asking permission for things.

I hated it.

He was also picking at his food, pushing it around on his plate and barely taking more than a few bites. He wasn't getting enough nutrients to feed a bird.

I speared a couple of sausage links with my fork and transferred them to Miko's plate. He paused for a moment, his fork hanging in midair, and then continued eating. He carefullycut the sausage links into bite sized pieces, ate them all in quick succession, and then went back to his eggs.

I still had the feeling that something was wrong, but damned if I could figure it out.

Chapter Eight

~ Miko ~

The food tasted like sawdust in my mouth, but I didn't dare refuse it. Jos has specifically put the sausage links on my plate when I had just asked for eggs, which told me all I needed to know.

I didn't dare refuse to eat what he had given me no matter how hard it was to gag it down. I knew this rule without question. It had been drilled into me every second of every day for my entire life.

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