STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery) Read Online Free Page B

and she brushed it aside as merely wishful thinking.

 
     
     
CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    “This has to be the most boring job in the world,” Emily said, peering over Judith’s shoulder into the makeup tent. “Has this line even moved since I left?”
    “This is normal.” Judith sipped her coffee, barely looking up from her e-reader. “We’re getting paid now, so relax. But thanks for the great coffee.”
    Emily drained her cup and glanced around, searching for a sympathetic face. About thirty people lined up behind them, but each one seemed stoically resigned, either reading, texting or moving like the walking dead. Not a single person appeared ruffled.
    At least this wait provided time to brush up on her horse knowledge. Nothing to it. A simple call to Jenna would do the trick. She tossed her cup into a nearby garbage can and pulled out her phone. Scrolled down to her sister’s name then paused. Her finger wavered over the keys. Jenna still hadn’t answered her earlier text and was obviously busy cramming.
    It might be quicker to check the Internet for the proper way to lead a horse. Not that Emily was a total newbie. She’d participated in many 4-H activities and Wally, the Center’s manager, had constantly lectured her on safe handling.
    The movie people might even want Wally’s reference. Heck, she’d better warn him. On movie site of Reckless, she texted. May need reference. OK?
    Wally answered within a minute. Yes. Will confirm A1 tour guide. Have fun .
    Not a tour guide, she clicked. Horse handler . She crossed her fingers and waited.
    His next text was very short: lol .
    She grimaced. Not much help there. Wally considered her a lowly tour guide; it would be impossible to change his mind. Jenna, however, could do it with one phone call. Wally would walk over hot coals for Jenna.
    She scrolled back to her sister’s name but again hesitated. Asking Jenna to speak to Wally would definitely disrupt her studying. It would also drag Emily back full circle to begging for help.
    It might be better to call Wally’s receptionist and have her handle any calls. Frances was rather ornery. However, she’d padded Emily’s job description before in exchange for crossword puzzle help. Besides, the movie people might not check references, especially if she aced the skills test. And really, how hard was it to lead a horse?
    Reassured, she scrolled the Internet and pulled up a horse site. ‘Lead from the left,’ it said. ‘Hand six inches below the halter ring. Turn the animal away from you.’
    Okay, she already knew that. And she always got along well with horses…normal ones, anyway.
    She tapped Judith on the arm. “Can you tell me if Reckless was a normal horse? Besides being able to run freakishly fast?”
    Judith impatiently lifted her gaze from the e-reader. “You’re too young to remember his races, but I can’t believe you didn’t do any research. I’m not sure what you mean by normal, but Reckless was a terror in the starting gate. He didn’t even run in the Derby. His groom disappeared and for a while he was unmanageable.”
    “Unmanageable.” Emily gulped. “What exactly does that mean?”
    “He reared. Charged. Bolted. I believe he was pining for his groom. He never made it to any of the three-year-old classics. All his races were won as a four-year-old. That’s why this movie is so intriguing. People will finally hear the entire story.”
    “They should have paid the groom more money,” Emily said. “I don’t blame him for quitting.” A rearing horse was scary. She’d been clipped once on the shoulder and had a healthy respect for flailing hooves.
    Judith’s mouth tightened. “The groom was female, not male. And she left two weeks before the Derby. Just disappeared.”
    Emily shrugged and returned to the search function of her phone. ‘How to handle a rearing horse,’ she typed.
    The screen changed, offering a wealth of equine information, tips and opinions. There were plenty of