Page 14 of The Chef's Kiss
Here, I only had two stalls full of horse dung.
I’d changed out of Leyla’s clothes after all. As soon as Conrad told me what I had to do, I decided I’d rather mess up some of his. So, a pair of way-too-big jeans hung low on my waist, held in place by a tight leather belt. The t-shirt draped all the way past my butt. And I wore no shoes.
Conrad protested the last bit. Leyla was wearing her boots, but he had an extra pair I could have stuffed socks into the toe to make fit. Really, I think he was just trying to prove how much I needed my own things.
There were much worse events happening in my life. Not having clothes that fit was nothing.
Nausea persisted much of the day, but I managed not to throw up again and took small sips of water frequently.
Wiping my forehead on my sleeve, I planted the shovel in a fresh pile of hay and leaned on it. When Conrad said he wanted me to work, I pictured myself running with the wild horses, free as a bird. I wasn’t sure if anyone actually did that. Probably not. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what Conrad did with them.
He could have at least let me exercise Ace.
A scratching sound came from the other side of the stall door, and I looked up to see Red poking his head around it. The fiend hadn’t left me alone since I got here.
“No, you don’t.” I pointed one finger at him when I caught him eyeing the wheelbarrow.
His eyes were so innocent, but the soul behind them was that of a demon. He inched closer.
I lifted the shovel and brandished it at him. “Why are you so obsessed with me?” It came out louder than I intended, but there was no one around to hear. Could this day get any worse? It started with me ruining the beautiful shoes of a man I didn’t know, then went on to a Conrad lecture, and now saw me facing off with my enemy.
Could a fox be an enemy?
“Don’t look at me like that.” I narrowed my eyes. “I won’t like you just because you’re cute.” That had gotten me in too much trouble already.
Red continued forward, not scared of the shovel-wielding girl surrounded by horse poop. He wound through my legs, brushing up against me with apparent affection.
Apparentbecause I still didn’t trust him.
His paws scratched against my bare feet as he stepped on them, but still, I didn’t move. “I don’t have anything for you to steal.” There was less conviction in my voice this time.
I wasn’t ready for it.
I should have seen it coming.
Red jumped from behind me, slamming into the back of my legs. I stumbled, dropping the shovel, unable to keep my balance as I tumbled over Red. Right into the wheelbarrow.
It toppled when I struck it, and I hit the ground, the impact reverberating up my spine as all my hard work spread around me. I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. The only word that escaped my lips was, “Conrad!”
He must have been nearby because he sprinted into the barn. “Are you okay?”
I seethed as I pushed to my feet and brushed the soiled straw from my shoulders. “Keep that beast away from me.”
“Beast?” He gave Red a confused look. “He’s just a fox, Jorgie.”
Red crept over to Conrad and leaned against his leg, as if he was the one who needed protection. If he were human, I’d have sworn he snickered.
“He pushed me into the wheelbarrow.”
A laugh burst out of Conrad. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re wearing pants like a million sizes too big for you. You probably tripped on them.” He suppressed a smile as he looked me up and down.
I crossed my arms, determined not to let my brother see my stubbornness waver. “Where is Leyla? I like her better than you.”
A sickeningly soft smile curved his lips. Ugh. Gag. Conrad was supposed to be above the cheesy romantic crap. Where was my broody big brother?
“She had to be at the gallery this morning. Since someone took my boat, she caught the morning ferry.” Bysomeonehe meant me, and I didn’t feel bad.
“Hello?” A dark-haired girl walked into the barn like she owned it. I didn’t know who she was.
