Palomino by Danielle Steel Read Free Book Online Page B

yourself comfortable. And then, as she did, the older woman smiled at her again. Welcome home.
    For the second time that evening Sam's eyes filled with tears and she reached a long graceful hand toward Caroline. They held hands for a moment, as Sam held the bony fingers tight.
    Thank you for Jetting me come here.
    Don't say that. Caroline let go and handed her the hot chocolate. I'm glad that you called me. I've always loved you.' She hesitated for a moment, glancing into the fire and then back at Sam, Just as much as I loved Barb. And then she sighed softly. Losing her was like losing a daughter. It's hard to believe it's been almost ten years. Sam nodded silently, and then Caroline smiled at her. I'm glad to know that I didn't lose you too. I've loved your letters, but for the last few years I've been wondering if you'd ever come back.
    I wanted to, but' I've been busy.
    Do you want to tell me about all that, or are you too tired? It had been a five-hour flight, and then a three-hour drive. By California time it was only eight thirty, but by Sam's time, in New York, it was eleven thirty at night. But she wasn't even tired, she was just exhilarated to see her old friend.
    I'm not too tired ' I just don't know where to start.
    Then start with the hot chocolate. Then the sandwiches. Then talk. The two women exchanged another smile, and then Sam couldn't resist reaching out to her again, and Caroline gave her a warm hug. Do you know how good it is to have you back here?
    Only half as good as it is to be back. She took a big bite out of a sandwich and then sat back against the couch with a broad grin. Bill says you have a new Thoroughbred. Is he a beauty?
    Oh, God, Sam, he sure is! And then she laughed again. Better even than my green boots. She looked down with amusement and then back at Sam with a sparkle in her eye. He's a stallion and so full of fire that even I can hardly ride him. Bill is terrified I'll kill myself riding him, but when I saw him, I really couldn't resist. The son of one of the other ranchers near here bought him in Kentucky, and then needed some quick money so he sold him to me. It's almost a sin to ride him just for pleasure, but I can't help it. I just have to. I don't give a damn if I'm an arthritic old woman, or what kind of fool anyone thinks me, he is the one horse in my lifetime I want to ride till I die. Sam flinched again at the mention of death and old age. In that sense both she and Bill had changed since the last time. But after all, they were both in their sixties now, maybe it was indeed a preoccupation that was normal for their age. Nonetheless it was impossible to think of either of them as old people, they were too handsome, too active, too powerful, too busy. And yet, it was obviously an image of themselves that they both now had. What's his name?
    Caroline laughed out loud and then stood up and walked toward the fire, holding out her hands for warmth. Black Beauty, of course. She turned toward Samantha, her exquisite features delicately lit by the fire until she looked almost like a carefully etched cameo, or a porcelain figure.
    Has anyone told you lately how beautiful you are, Aunt Caro? It was the name Barbara had used for her, and this time there were tears in Caroline's eyes.
    Bless you, Sam. You're as blind as ever.
    The hell I am. She grinned and nibbled at the rest of her sandwich before taking a sip of the hot chocolate that Caroline had poured from a Thermos jug. She was the same gracious hostess she always had been in the days when Samantha had first visited the ranch and all the way back to her legendary parties in Hollywood in 1933. So. Sam's face sobered slowly. I guess you want to know about John. I don't suppose there's much more than what I told you the other night on the phone. He had an affair, he got her pregnant, he left me, they got married, and now they await the birth of their first child.
    You say it so succinctly. Then after a moment, Do you hate him?
    Sometimes.