Wild Fire Read Online Free Page B

softly on the door. When there was no response, she peeked in. Ryan lay curled up on his cot, covered to the chin with a heavy wool blanket. His tangled hair, still damp from the shower, clung to the pillowcase. His face looked pale but peaceful, and she was careful not to shine the light in his eyes.
    â€œNeeds a haircut, doesn’t he?”
    Dad’s hand on her shoulder was gentle, and she answered with a nod. “I’ll try and talk him into it tomorrow,” she whispered, “if I can get him to sit still for two minutes.”
    Her father grinned and rubbed a hand across his brow into his own head of thick, brown hair. “Do you suppose you could fit me in too? I meant to get over to the barbershop before we came, but . . .” His shrug told her he’d forgotten .
    He’d been forgetting a lot of things since Mom had died, like when it was time to get groceries, or take the cat to the vet, or send Aunt Peg a birthday card. Kara had just naturally taken over those chores, as well as the cooking and cleaning, and caring for Ryan.
    If Mom were here, she would have cut their hair a month ago. Kara turned her head so Dad couldn’t see the angry tears that had sprung into her eyes. When she looked up he was walking away.
    â€œI’m going to lock up out front,” he called over his shoulder. “You’d better get to bed; Colin and Greg will have the string of horses here by mid-morning, and Mark is flying the new cook in around noon. I need you to show her the ropes.”
    Show her the ropes? Kara groaned. They hadn’t done anything in the kitchen yet except brew a pot of coffee. She’d have to spend the morning taking inventory and making lists, when what she really wanted to do was help Colin and Greg get the horses settled.
    She hurried across the big, wood-paneled dining room and through the cluttered kitchen. The shower room was just a few feet from the back door.
    She stepped under the lukewarm spray, and once again her thoughts turned to Colin. Until April, Colin had been a fishing guide in Alaska. But he does seem to know a lot about horses . He was outgoing and friendly. The guests would take to him right away.
    And then there was the new cook Dad had hired. Who was she? Would she be friendly or bossy? All Kara knew wasthat her name was Anne Lightfoot and she came from the Indian reservation in Idaho.
    The generator turned off just as Kara finished drying her hair. She pulled on the warm flannel shirt over her pajamas and hurried across the narrow strip of dirt. She locked the back door and headed toward her room.
    Moonlight flooded through the dining room windows, illuminating the front deck. A movement caught her eye, and she stepped closer to the window.
    Dad stood with his back to her, his hands clutching the railing, his head bowed. Was he praying or crying? She hesitated. Should she go out there? She shook her head in answer to her own question. There was no way she could comfort him. No one could.
    When will it stop? When will the pain go away? She wanted to shout and stomp her feet. Instead she hurried to her room, crawled between the cool sheets, and pulled the covers up over her head.

W HEN THE ALARM WENT OFF at 6:45, Kara groaned. It seemed like she had just closed her eyes. She stuffed her head underneath her pillow to block the light streaming through the uncurtained window .
    Get used to it, girl. When the guests start arriving, you’ll be up at 5:00 . She forced herself to fling off the covers. “Yikes, it’s cold!” She reached for the warmups from Aunt Peg. She’d almost left them at home—who needed a sweat suit in summer, right? Right. It’s still 40 degrees out there .
    Breakfast was Pop-Tarts, warmed over the fire Dad had lit in the huge fireplace, and lukewarm apple juice. Then Dad promised Ryan he could help with the corral if he’d sit still for a haircut later. After they left, Kara began taking