Stabled (The Stables Trilogy #1) by Penny Lam Read Free Book Online Page A

missed the classes, the learning? She couldn’t tell him the real reason, couldn’t tell him about Tony or that awful night or--
     
    “Work starts early around here. I expect everyone to do their share.” J.B. led her to the door.
     
    As she stood in it, he hovered close, his mismatched, impenetrable stare locked on her. “Don’t forget the rules, Maple. You have more than enough work each day in your stable.”
     
    He paused, lips parted like there was something else, but nothing came. Just a nod and the door shutting softly in her face.
     

 
    Chapter Five
     
    It was after two A.M. and Maple couldn’t sleep. Everything hummed; her mind, full of questions. Her body, full of desires she hadn’t anticipated ever facing again. The lingering, persistent memories of Tony’s cruel smile and harsh hand.
     
    Her new room was taking getting used to, as well. Shadows fell differently than those in her old room at her parents’. There weren’t any of the reassuring creaks and groans of the farmstead. Everything here was cold and dark at night, and above all, it was silent . The silence was what unnerved her. It left too much room for imagination.
     
    Eager to fall asleep, but knowing it wasn’t coming yet, Maple decided to go for a walk outside. She thought she’d go look at the stable on her own, smell the horses and hear their comforting snorts. The walk might clear her mind enough to grab a precious few hours of sleep before she started her new life the next day.
     
    She pulled on the jeans she’d left crumpled on the floor and then her boots. Stepping into the hall, she tread as lightly as she could. Fortunately these were work boots she’d had for years, broken in and butter soft. Her footsteps barely registered.
     
    It was so clear and starry out that she didn’t need a flashlight. The moon lit the way, shadows thrown from the low shrubs and long, spiked grass.
     
    Maple opened the stable doors slowly, not wanting to disturb the horses. She could hear their soft breaths. Padding by each stall, she looked at each one, so distinct in markings and temperament. It was a pleasant surprise to come to Bonnie’s stall and see the older horse awake. Maple slipped in and stroked Bonnie’s graying muzzle.
     
    “Hey girl,” she whispered. “Can’t sleep, either?” The large black eyes met hers, almost impossible to see in the dark. The horse let Maple pet her, occasionally nuzzling her back. Bonnie was already the highlight of the job, Maple thought. Loving and quiet, eager for Maple’s hugs and soft words of comfort.
     
    Slowly, Bonnie began to sag, and Maple let her lie down in the stall. She pulled a blanket over the older horse to keep away the early morning chill. “Sleep well, sweet girl.”
     
    Just before she left, she looked in on Bane. The huge horse was sleeping. He looked magnificent. Peaceful. All monsters look peaceful in their sleep.
     
    As soon as she thought it, Maple knew she was wrong. Bane wasn’t a monster. He was just wild. It crushed her to know he stayed cooped up in this little stall. Vowing to ask about Bane again, she whispered a ‘goodnight’ to him, too.
     
    Outside, she started to feel sleep tugging at the corners of her mind. It had been calming to get fresh air. To move about the ranch, unnoticed and thoughtful, taking in this place that was now her home. Maple knew it was time to go back to bed, but a light caught her eye.
     
    The other stable.
     
    Lights were on inside. She crept up, all the while hearing J.B.’s husky voice telling her off-limits .
     
    I won’t go inside. I’m just going to peek in. Peeking can’t be off-limits.
     
    But the pounding in her heart told her that trying to look inside was just as off-limits to J.B. as trying to enter. She stole closer.
     
    As she got to a window, there was a rustling at the door. Her pulse raced and she darted around the corner of the stable, dropping to her belly in the dirt and grass. The light on the ground