Rough in the Saddle by Jenika Snow Read Free Book Online

smiled, flashing straight white teeth. The girl’s hair was
long, red in color, and brushed along her hips. Her light grey eyes were big,
and the sprinkling of freckles along her nose and cheeks made her look younger
than she probably was. Brooklyn was probably a few years younger than Pearl,
but she had this aura that was friendly and warm. Pearl took Brooklyn’s offered
hand.
    “I’m
Pearl Connor, Shirley’s granddaughter.” Pearl took her hand back and held onto
the paper tighter. There was a moment of silence that passed, and it was a
little awkward.
    “I’m
really sorry to hear about your grandma. She was a wonderful lady. She always
brought over cookies on Saturday morning.” Brooklyn smiled, and there was the
distinct look of tears in the other woman’s eyes.
    “Thank
you. She was a really great woman and lived a full life.”
    Brooklyn
smiled and nodded. “She was tough, too.”
    Pearl
chuckled. “That she was.” Another moment of silence passed.
    “Anyway,
I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m not sure how long you’re staying in Granite,
but I’m right next door if you need anything.” The dog started barking again,
its long, slender body going wild. “And don’t worry about Hot Dog. He is always
like this, but it’s harmless. He has a chronic case of ADHD, especially with
new people he sees.”
    Pearl
smiled and walked closer to Brooklyn and Hot Dog. She petted the dog, got a gob
of dog spit all over her hand, but started laughing. “He doesn’t stop, does
he?”
    Brooklyn
snorted and shook her head. “He’s like this all the time. It’s like having a
three year old running around, yet Hot Dog is old as hell.” She smiled and set
the dog down, but kept him on a short leash. The dog was trying to get closer
to Pearl, choking in the process as he couldn’t move anymore from his spot, but
wouldn’t stop. Pearl laughed harder.
    “You
better get him on a walk before he passes out.” Pearl looked from the dog to
Brooklyn, and then started chuckling.
    Brooklyn
started to turn, but turned and looked at Pearl. “Maybe you’d like to go out
for coffee or something, when you’re more settled? There isn’t a lot to do in
Granite, but it’s quiet and safe.”
    Pearl
smiled. “I’d like that, thank you. I have to find a job first or I won’t be
able to stay here.” She tried to make light of the situation, but it was rather
depressing.
    “You
have any medical training?”
    Pearl
shook her head. “No, I was in advertising before I got laid off.”
    “I’m
sorry to hear that,” Brooklyn said. “I know there is an opening in Dr. Haristole’s office, but it’s for a medical assistant. I’ll
keep my eyes and ears open for anything.”
    “Thanks
again,” Pearl said, lifted her hand in a wave, and watched as Brooklyn took Hot
Dog in the opposite direction for a walk. She headed inside and sat at the
kitchen table. The chipped Formica counter was light green and smooth, with
little pieces of gold flecks in it. It was straight out of the seventies, but
brought a smile to Pearl’s face because it reminded her of her grandmother.
    She
spread the paper across the table, grabbed a red Sharpie, and started searching
the classifieds. There was a whole lot of nothing in this town. She did see the
position for the medical assistant, a position for a waitress at the one and
only diner in Granite, and … that was it. She was about to give up looking at
the paper when a small ad at the bottom caught her attention.
    Wanted:
Reliable and able-bodied person willing to cook two meals a day, and clean
three houses on Sterling Farms three days a week. Pay negotiable, hours set. For more information call 555-345-5464, or come
apply in person at 1276 Silverstone road.
    She
really didn’t want to have to cook or clean for anyone, but it was a job, the
only job she was qualified for aside from the waitress in this town. She
circled both ads with the Sharpie, grabbed her cell and proceeded to call