Run Away Home Read Online Free Page B

they’re not as feisty without mares to protect or show off for,” Brynna said.
    â€œThat red boy’s a beauty,” Jake said, pointing at a bright bay stallion that was watching him with pricked ears.
    Kit nodded. “Have you finished roundups for a while?”
    Brynna made a hum of disapproval and her lips parted, but Kit rushed to explain.
    â€œI’m thinking, if I were to get a wild one, I’d want to imprint him as soon as I could.”
    It was only a small movement. Jake’s hands still hung at his sides, but when they tightened into fists, Sam wondered why.
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Brynna said. She tucked a loose tendril of hair back into her French braid. When she spoke again, it was in a halting, stop-start manner that was totally unlike her. “We have lots of horses here, too many, really….” Brynna shook her head. “I’d like to say we were finished with non-emergency gathers, but my associate…” She glanced toward the office. “Well, he has a different opinion.”Brynna’s sigh lasted a long time. “Just keep in touch, Kit. If we bring in more horses, I’d love you to have one of them.”
    â€œThat’d be a first for Three Ponies,” Jake said.
    â€œThen it’s about time,” Sam told him, and turned toward Kit. “Your timing couldn’t be better, since everyone’s so glad to see you. They’re not going to say no!”
    â€œDon’t know about that,” Kit said. “Comin’ home for the holidays is one thing; moving back with two new mouths to feed is something else.”
    Jake looked down for a second and Sam saw his fists clinch tighter. She could tell Jake wanted to ask Kit which it was. Was he home for a visit or was he moving back for good? Sam didn’t understand the tension between the brothers, but maybe part of it was not knowing what to expect.
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    It didn’t take Sam and Jake long to do the herding Brynna had asked for, and Sam left Jake walking around the corrals, checking out horses with Kit while she slung Ace’s reins around a hitching rail and walked toward Brynna’s office.
    It was quiet except for the hum of a computer.
    Sam slipped into the office unnoticed. The scent of dust and horses clung to her and she was about to walk back to Brynna’s office and slip into the restroom to wash up when she heard voices raised in an argument.
    At first Brynna’s words didn’t sink in, because her stepmother’s tone trembled on the brink of angry tears. That was totally out of character for Brynna at work.
    â€œâ€¦not my last day…”
    Of course it wasn’t, Sam thought. Brynna had extended her work time when she discovered Norman White was her replacement.
    â€œThat was an informal request.” Norman White’s voice was level, but there was a gloating quality to it that Sam knew she wasn’t imagining. “And of course you’re welcome to stay on, but my wage as your replacement kicks in today.”
    Gooseflesh spread down Sam’s arms. He was giving Brynna a choice. She could finish up today and leave, or continue to work, taking orders from him.
    What would be the point? One more paycheck wasn’t enough to keep Brynna working for a man who didn’t know what he was doing, was it?
    The silence stretched out until Sam wanted to burst into the other room, but she didn’t. When Brynna spoke again, her voice was calmer.
    â€œMy regional supervisor approved my leave and amended the start date,” Brynna pointed out.
    â€œI’m sure he did, but I’m just following regulations, and my most recent communications with Washington, D.C., say that I begin work as director of Willow Springs Wild Horse Center at one minute after midnight, tonight.”
    â€œNorman, I took my boss at his word,” Brynna said, and Sam heard her shuffling papers now, as if this conversation was merely