Crown Prince by Linda Snow McLoon

Crown Prince by Linda Snow McLoon

Author:Linda Snow McLoon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books
Published: 2012-03-24T16:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER 12

The Deal

TUESDAY MORNING DAWNED OVERCAST with a fine mist falling. Sarah knew she’d need the waterproof poncho she’d stashed in her closet, and she rummaged around to find it. It wasn’t raining hard, so with the poncho she’d stay pretty dry on the bike ride to the barn. She placed the envelope with the precious letter inside the zippered pocket on her sweatshirt.

Her father was up early, too, and having coffee in the kitchen when she came downstairs. She sat down with him while she ate her cereal. “How’s Abby doing at the Creamery?” she asked.

Her father laid down the newspaper. “Just fine for a beginner, and she’ll get better. She’s not happy she can’t wear flip-flops on the job, though.”

Sarah smiled. “I miss the ice cream, especially the chocolate chip.”

“Do you have that sales receipt with you?” her father asked after taking a sip of coffee. When she nodded, he said, “I don’t have to remind you how important it is to get it to a safe place. Be sure you give it to the DeWitts right away.”

“Thanks, Dad. Believe me, I will.”

A few minutes later Sarah had gathered her things for the day and was out the door. The soft, warm rain wasn’t unpleasant as she pedaled down the bicycle lane on Ridge Road. Her unprotected face and hands got a bit wet, but the poncho kept the rest of her—and the all-important letter—dry. She thought of the encounter ahead with Gus, when he showed her the routine for feeding grain. She was trying so hard to do a good job. Would he ever learn to appreciate it?

Sarah arrived a few minutes before seven and immediately saw the familiar figure with the red baseball cap at the end of the long aisle uncoiling the hose in preparation for filling the water buckets. Gus stopped what he was doing when he saw Sarah and looked at his watch. He’s checking to see if I’m on time, she thought. She took a deep breath and started up the aisle toward him.

Trying to sound positive and sincere, she spoke up as she got closer. “Good morning! I’m ready to help with the grain, if you want me to.”

Gus didn’t answer, but he put down the hose and with his chin motioned her toward the feed room. He pulled a key on a buffalo-head key ring from his pocket and unlocked the padlock on the extra wide door. Once inside, he flipped on the switch, and a large overhead light flooded the windowless space.

Sarah had never been in this part of the barn, and she was met with the pungent aroma of grain and molasses. A pull cart loaded with blue plastic pails sat in front of a blackboard that listed each horse’s grain ration. Each pail had a horse’s name in block letters taped on it and was filled with grain. Without saying a word, Gus grabbed the cart’s handle, and with Sarah following, started for the aisle. He stopped



Download



Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.