AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks for that,” I said, tilting my face up to Bones.
He grasped the back of my neck and kissed me soundly. “You don’t have to thank me.” He made a face. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you smell like horse shit.”
I sniggered. “You don’t smell much better.”
He removed his leather cut and hung it up in the front closet before sitting on the stairs to take off his boots. “Guess that means we gotta shower.”
“Guess it does,” I agreed.
“Seriously, though, Duchess,” his gaze found mine, “thanks for sharing that with me.”
“You’re welcome,” I murmured.
I’d taken Bones to the stable where Dad and I had ridden together. I hadn’t been there since he’d died, but today, with all the worries and concerns swirling in my head, it was the only place I could think of running to.
Bones and I hadn’t actually ridden any of the horses, but we’d spent time brushing and feeding them.
“Next time, I’ll get up on a stallion,” I stated.
“Trading one stallion for another?” he quipped.
“The horse would give me less trouble.” I flashed a grin.
“Don’t tell Stanton you took me to the stables. He’s going think I’ll want to take tennis lessons soon.”
“Not tennis,” I said. “But what do you think of golf?”
“No way in hell.”
“You can drink scotch and smoke cigars.”
“And become an unofficial member of the Rat Pack.”
“You know about the Rat Pack?” I asked in surprise.
“There was a Rat Pack movie marathon on one of those classic movie channels. Frank Sinatra is one dapper mother fucker.” He grinned.
“Hmm. You’re pretty dapper too. Come on, let’s shower off the stables.”
As we headed up the stairs, my phone rang. I frowned. “I have to take this.”
“Who is it?”
“My private attorney,” I said.
Bones nodded.
“James,” I greeted. “How’s everything going?”
“Fantastic,” he said. “I’ve been doing exactly as you instructed. I’ve been buying up shares of the company all morning. I’ve gotta say, you really put your money where your mouth is. Limit prices twenty-five percent over ask was genius. Every share is coming straight back to you. In fact, selling has slowed down and the price is beginning to stabilize. I’ve seen some interesting things in the past but overpaying to buy back more of the company even though they’re not preferred shares is a new one. Anyway, congratulations, you now own another six percent of Spencer Pharmaceuticals.”
My stepfather’s funeral was quiet. Unfortunately, a reporter had discovered the location. Bones confronted him, and the reporter snapped a few pictures and then jumped into a waiting car and left.
By the night of my mother’s party, my mood was in the toilet, and I had no desire to put on a pretty dress and smile.
“We should’ve canceled the party,” I said to Bones as I looked out the window of the limousine.
He took my hand and laced his fingers through mine. “But then you wouldn’t have gotten to see me in my tux again. You look gorgeous, by the way.”
