Page 51 of My Queendom for a Horse

He shrugs. “If you insist.”

“I really do.” The rest of the drive home is rather entertaining, with Aleks asking me a dozen different questions about things he observed while we walked around.

“They really pull their pants down on purpose?” Aleks grimaces. “It’s some kind of style?”

“It’s not as common here as it is in other places,” I say. “But yes, some of the younger kids do. Their underwear becomes part of their fashion. It’s not that they can’t afford pants that fit.” That suggestion makes me laugh again just thinking about it.

I didn’t realize how many things he would learn just by being around people. “Maybe we should go out a little more often.”

He perks up at that. “Really? I agree. I think we should go out a lot. Every day, even. We could go out to dinner. We could do more shopping, and—”

“More shopping?” I roll my eyes. “I’m not a princess. I’m not made of money. I can’t go shopping very often, and certainly not like we did today. You need to take care of these clothes and make them last. Got it?”

He grins. “Understood.”

I’m about to turn down the long country road that leads us home when I notice it. My dad’s car, parked in front of the tiny clubhouse at the end of the drive.

It’s not a bar. It’s not a restaurant. It’s a small clubhouse, rented out to private parties. Like women’s knitting circles.

And gamblers.

My hands stiffen on the steering wheel, but I make a split second decision. I want to stop and march in there right now, but that’s not wise. I’ll drop Aleks at home and come back. That’s the smart thing to do. Nothing good will come of a confrontation with my dad in the middle of a hand of cards with a crazy Russian man in tow.

“What’s wrong?” The light and airy banter is gone. Somehow Aleks noticed my mood shift. It’s going to be really hard to get rid of him now.

“Nothing,” I say, forcing a smile. “Just thinking of where else we might go. Places that won’t cost me a fortune.” I glance his way. “Maybe a park. People-watching can teach you a lot.”

He shakes his head. “No way.”

“You don’t like to people watch?”

Aleks puts a hand on my arm. “Stop the car, Kris. Right now.”

“What?” I glance at him again. “Why would I do that?”

“Something’s wrong. You’re going to tell me what it is.” His voice is low and compelling.

I find myself pulling off on the shoulder and turning on my hazard lights.

Why did I listen to him? Am I going crazy?

“What happened?” He’s focused entirely on me, his eyes practically boring into me. “Something back there upset you, at that dark brick building.”

He pays far too close attention. “It’s nothing, really. Don’t worry about it.”

“You stopped the car. If it was nothing, if I was overreacting, you’d have laughed me off.”

I hate him.

“What is it?”

I sigh. “My dad has a gambling problem, and he swore he wouldn’t gamble any more, but that’s where he goes.”

“You saw his car?” He turns, as if he can somehow see back there in the dark. He spins back around to face me, clearly frustrated.

I nod.

“You stay here.” He opens the car door and starts off down the road.

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