Fallen Angel by Melissa Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

boss.” James said.  “I was just offering to fill in as nanny for a night so Angel could get a decent night’s sleep. “
    “That sounds like a very good idea.” Luke said looking into her eyes.
    “Thanks but no thanks.” She said looking at both of them. Luke turned and looked at James.
    “I guess you have your answer.”
    “I guess so.” James said then smiled at Angelica. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
    “I will, thank you.” She said quietly.  James left the stall and subsequently left the barn.
    “You mind if I spend some time with the foal?” Luke asked looking into her eyes, she felt as if he were daring her to refuse.
    “Of course not, she is your horse.”  Angelica backed away from the foal and sat down on the straw nest she had made for the two of them.
    “She looks great, you have done a really great job with her.” He looked up from the foal and met her eyes and she felt herself flush with embarrassment from the praise. She prayed he was far enough away that he couldn’t see it.
    “It is probably about time to start socializing her with other horses.”
    “Alright, do you have a specific horse in mind or just other horses in general?” She watched him as he thought for a moment. He was stroking the foal’s back.
    “I think I might have one that would be good to start with.” Luke looked at where Angelica was sitting in the straw, she had her legs curled up under her and she was leaning against the wall. He couldn’t seem to figure her out. She was an enigma. He was usually a good judge of character and he had been nearly certain of hers. He thought she was a dainty princess, one of those women who never worked a day in their lives, who didn’t know how to sweat or get dirty. Despite what he was sure of, he couldn’t argue with what he had witnessed. Since the night the foal had been born she had spent every night in the barn. In the morning she would go in to change clothes and clean up and she was right back out in the barn again. He could see that she was exhausted even as he sat there he watched her lay over onto the blanket in the straw. But she hadn’t complained at all and she wouldn’t accept any help. He had to admit that he had been wrong about her.  As he watched her drift off to sleep he decided maybe he should get to know the real her.
     
    Angelica’s eyes opened slowly, it was light out, she could hear the sound of unfamiliar laughter. She sat up suddenly realizing that she hadn’t woken to feed the foal at all though the night. She spun around and saw Luke sitting on a low stool holding the bottle while the foal drank greedily. He was the one laughing, he was laughing at the way the foal was pulling at the nipple and pawing the ground. Angelica couldn’t help but smile.
    “What happened?” She rubbed her eyes and looked out the door trying to gauge what time it was, she could see it was still early. Luke shrugged.
    “You needed sleep.”
    “What, no I didn’t I’m supposed to be caring for Ice.”
    “Angie, relax she is fine. Believe it or not I have done this before.” Angelica stopped protesting and sighed. He was right she was fine.
    “You named her? I told you not to get attached.”  He said, but he didn’t really sound upset.
    “You named me.” She mumbled and to her surprise he laughed.
    “You’re the one who said you didn’t feel like an Angel. I could still call you Millie.” He smiled at her and she felt herself smile back.
    “No I like Angie.”
    “So Ice huh.” He looked at the foal.
    “Ice Princess.”  She said quietly. He swung his gaze back to hers.
    “That’s a pretty high class name for a cow pony.”
    “She can be high class and still be a cow pony.” Luke looked skeptical but Angelica’s gaze didn’t waver.
    “Alright.” He finally relented.  “When you’re ready we’ll go for a ride and let her stretch her legs.”  Angelica was suddenly excited at the prospect of a ride. She sprang to her feet