O'Brien's Lady Read Online Free

Coming home had not been easy.
    Pinebrook was a place she wanted to tuck away somewhere, hoping the years of loneliness here could be somehow forgotten. Sometimes she had actually hated the Thoroughbreds that took so much of her father's time. Why should she want to work with them now? If she were free to sell or dispose of the property, she could leave in a few weeks. But, Michael's half ownership in the business would now make that impossible.
    As Sonny splashed cool water on her face and brushed her straight white teeth, she wondered what Michael had planned for her today. Undoubtedly, it would be something difficult. What he didn't know was that she was ready for him. She would do everything he asked, and do it well.
    She smiled with satisfaction as she tried to visualize Michael's reaction. He would be expecting her to give up and she wouldn't. In fact, he might be in for the surprise of his life.
    When Sonny came downstairs, she was wearing jeans, a white pullover and her blond hair was tied back with a rubber band. She had been fortunate to find a pair of old boots still in her closet. A lot of things had changed in the years she'd been away, but shoe size was not one of them.
    "Top o' the mornin'," Katy greeted Sonny as she came into the large blue and white country kitchen.
    The delicious aroma of fresh bacon and eggs filled her nostrils.
    "You're going to spoil me, Katy."
    "Good. You look like you could use a little love and care."
    Sonny swallowed a biteful of egg and washed it down with a gulp of hot coffee.
    "I feel terrible about the inheritance, Sonny."
    Katy watched her with eyes that had suddenly dulled against the natural glow of her face. "I know you must be confused about why your father did that."
    "I am. I never really wanted to take over here, but knowing that I must now share my decision with someone else if very painful.
    Sonny chewed thoughtfully on a strip of crisp bacon that she held between her fingers.
    "Whatever is meant to be, I always say. You must take it one day at a time."
    "Thanks, Katy for the encouragement, but one day is one too many for me right now. I feel like I'm suspended in time, not belonging in either place." Sonny shuddered at the thought.
    When Michael's knock sounded at the back door, it was exactly seven o'clock, the tight fit of his jeans against his muscular thighs irritated Sonny and the red and black checked shirt opened low enough to expose bits of dark hair on his brown chest. How dare he flaunt himself like this!
    "Ready to go?" Michael's eyes danced with merriment and he reached for a strip of bacon that was draining on a piece of paper toweling.
    "I've been ready for a long time," Sonny answered as she carried her plate to the sink.
    "Michael, don't you over work her today," Katy advised.
    He winked at Katy and then bowed graciously. "After you, Sonny."
    The air felt cool and fresh as was so typical of July in the Bay Area. Even though nearby San Francisco was often blanketed with morning fog, this area remained a lush, green wooded town filled with clear skies and clean air. It had been a long time since Sonny had walked down the path leading to the O'Brien cottage and the stable areas. She felt like she was intruding on someone else's property, certainly not her own.
    "What will I be doing today?" Sonny broke the silence with her question.
    "Working in the stables, cleaning…grooming. You shouldn't have bothered to fix yourself up so nice."
    "Why?"
    "Because after a couple of hours down here, you'll be tired and sweating."
    "I never sweat, Michael."
    "You will today." Michael tugged at her pony tail and his eyes filled with the twinkle of a thousand stars on a summer's night.

CHAPTER 3

     
    Michael's black eyes shown brightly beneath the heavy fringe of dark lashes. The more Sonny objected to this partnership, the more he enjoyed it. He had managed, four years ago, to capture her for a long awaited kiss that he could still remember. But, her love for adventure