Temptations of Pleasure Island Read Online Free Page B

got to be more to life than just having fun!”
    The two lay there quietly for a while longer. Then Josh added, “I’d like to do something just … simple.”
    “That’s what I’d like to do. But Dave and Abbey, they’re really into this kind of life.”
    “I know. Wash says the people here are frantic. They never slow down.”
    “Where’s Reb anyway?”
    “Have you forgotten? He’s working with that stallion Lightning.”
    “Oh, I did forget! He’s in that big race this afternoon. Wearing the princess’s colors.”
    “I think he’s long gone over her.”
    “I don’t know about that, but I’m sure she really likes him. I don’t think she’s ever met anybody like him before.”
    “How do you mean?”
    “Oh, you know. She’s the princess, so everybody is half afraid of her. Even the boys that like her act that way.”
    “I guess so. I know I was always afraid of pretty girls.” He grinned and poked her with his toe. “Like you.”
    “You didn’t show it when we first met! You were awful!”
    “I still am.” He grinned and prodded her with his toe again. “There. See how awful I am?”
    “Keep your old toes to yourself!” Sarah sat up and put on her sunglasses. “But you know how Reb is. He just comes right out with whatever is on his mind. He treats the princess just like she was any other girl.”
    “That could get your head chopped off in some places.”
    “She likes it, though. She’s never been treated like a real girl before. Always like somebody on a pedestal.”
    “Well, Reb likes the horse racing, but he’s not much for the princess’s parties.”
    “I know. And it drives Princess Cosima crazy. She wants him to go to every one, and he just won’t do it. I think it’s the first time she’s ever told somebody to do something and they wouldn’t do it.”
    “It’s good for her. Might give her some humility.” Then Josh said, “I’ve got to get out of this sun. I’m starting to cook.”
    “I’m ready to go,” Sarah agreed.
    After they went into the dressing rooms and changed back into their street clothes, Sarah said, “My bow needs some work done on it, Josh.”
    “Nothing Jake can fix?”
    “Oh, if I could get him to stay still long enough he could fix it. But Prince Derek told me about a family named Fletcher. They live over on the edge of town where the working people are. Derek said he’s great with any kind of weapons. I’m going over and have him take a look at it.”
    “Mind if I come along?”
    “Not a bit. Let’s go.”
    They picked up Sarah’s bow and, a half hour later, arrived at a shop that had the name
Fletcher
over the door. The sign had an arrow stuck into it, as if to emphasize the profession of the owner.
    “I guess this is the place,” Sarah said. “This part of town isn’t quite as fancy as the palace area, is it?”
    Obviously they had reached the part of town where the poor people lived. The houses were small and jammed next to each other. The children who played in the street were not dressed in fine clothing as children were in other parts of Pleasure Island. A pair of them now, a boy and a girl no more than three, sat studying them as they approached. They were sitting in a mud puddle and apparently had been giving each other mud baths.
    “Hey, I’d like to try that!” Josh said. “Come on, Sarah. Let’s give it a whirl!”
    “Take your grubby hands off me, Josh Adams! If you want to sit in the mud, go ahead!” However, Sarah was charmed by the children. “Aren’t they cute?”
    “You think every kid’s cute. They look like muddy kids to me.”
    Josh and Sarah walked into the shop.
    A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair was working at a bench. He got up at once and bowed. “Yes. May I serve you?”
    “I am Sarah Collingwood, and this is Josh Adams.”
    “My name is Jacob Fletcher.” He studied the bow in Sarah’s hand. “You, perhaps, need your weapon repaired?”
    “Yes. You see, a crack has started here, and I’m