The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances Read Online Free Page B

eyes widened in surprise.  He was expecting the boy to back down and apologize, not leave. "Whatever, ” he growled as he kicked the bucket in frustration.  He cursed as the bucket tipped over and spilled water all over the floor, turning the thick dust into mud.
    Sabrina stomped up the boardwalk to the stable.  She was muttering under her breath as she walked right past the smiling Mr. Swanson.
    "Finished already?" he called after her as she entered the barn.  Sabrina ignored him and went up to her favorite horse, Star.  She belonged to Mrs. Swanson but she'd never ridden her, at least not to Sabrina's knowledge.  She ran her hand over the mare's smooth nose as she whispered, “Hey girl, you appreciate me, don't you?" The horse neighed as if in response and Sabrina smiled. 
    She had always loved horses, and had been around them all her life.  They were such beautiful, graceful animals.  She continued rubbing down the horse with a brush using long soft strokes.  It always calmed her down, along with the horse. The nerve of that man!   Just because he's good looking and a Sheriff he thinks he can order people around. She started brushing faster. She could feel her face turning red.  Did I just say he was good looking? 
    You idiot! she scolded herself. You can't risk blowing your cover over some pretty face. Moreover, he is a Sheriff, for Pete’s sake!  If he found out who I really am he would turn me over to Warren in an instant. Life just isn't fair.  Especially for women. 
    The only acceptable jobs out there were cooking, whoring, or teaching. She wasn’t interested in teaching, and she could not cook. In addition, she had too much pride to become a painted dove. At least she had too much at the moment---who knew what the future would hold?
    She heard heavy footsteps approaching and heard someone talking to Mr. Swanson. Recognizing the voice she walked over and leaned against the rough wall so that she could hear without being seen.
    Mr. Swanson grinned widely as the younger man walked toward him.  He was covered in dust from head to toe. So much for his bath yesterday. 
    "Mornin' Sheriff."
    Brock nodded as he tried to think of what to say to the man.  He wanted Will to help him but he did not want to apologize to the boy.
    "Thank you for sending Will over this morning,” he finally blurted.
    Mr. Swanson chuckled, "You'll have to thank him.  It's his day off; he can do as he pleases."
    Brock looked at him in surprise. The boy volunteered to help him? He felt like an ass.
    Mr. Swanson continued as he heard Brock groan. "Boys a fine worker, though he can get a little cocky."
    "You can say that again,” Brock agreed.  After Will had left he’d tried to continue cleaning but had just managed to make it worse, if that was possible.  He had put more water on the floor to help clean up the mud before realizing that it just made more mud.  Now most of the floor was covered with it as well as the curtains, which he used in an attempt to soak up the excess water.
    "He's in the barn if you want to talk to him."
    Brock tilted his hat and headed inside.  Sabrina heard him coming and hurried back over to Star, who grunted at her, annoyed that she had stopped rubbing her halfway through.  She quickly started brushing Star's other flank as she felt Brock come up behind her.
    She ignored him as he coughed to announce his presence. Not getting a response, Brock felt his anger rising again but forced himself to calm down.  He probably could have hired one of the local ladies to clean it; well, at least he could have before the mud incident, but for some reason he wanted Will to help him.
    Maybe he felt sorry for the lad. Heck, at this point he'd be willing to pay whatever the boy asked. Brock walked up and put a hand on his shoulder. She turned around quickly and looked up.  "What do you want?" she spat out, not sure why she was so angry.
    "I was wondering if you would help me clean up my office."
    Sabrina