Page 65 of Adam's Rising

He guessed Lala didn’t know that Claire was allowed to stroll in at five a.m., and saddle up her horse.

Lala hopped off the fence but quickly leaned back, one leg bent, her boot hooked on the bottom rail. She wore tight green corduroys and a red-and-white plaid shirt. Her hair was braided in her traditional Lala style, and she wore more makeup than he’d ever seen on one girl.

Like he’d told Claire, she was pretty. Thomas had said that she was hotter than a branding iron.

Adam didn’t see that. All he saw was trouble.

“Hi, Lala,” Adam said dully as he approached. Might as well get the pleasantries out of the way. “You here to ride?” He knew she wasn’t, and that frustrated him. It wasn’t fair to own a horse if you weren’t going to take care of it — physically and mentally.

She pushed away from the fence, rocking her hips back and forth. “Not today. I just wanted to come by and ask if you wanted to hang out.”

“Don’t have time.” Adam stepped past her, moving into the ring where she couldn’t follow.

He made a play of checking on the horses that were waiting to return to their stalls.

“Hey!”

He really didn’t want to be rude, but Thomas hadn’t seen Lala in nearly two years, so why did she think they were still an item?

Or had he? Maybe Thomas had seen her at night, after he and Peter went to bed. Lala had asked why he hadn’t called, she didn’t say how long it had been.

Still, she was dating Roger. And while Roger didn’t seem like Lala’s type, he was a nice guy.

Adam begrudgingly turned. “Yeah?”

Lala stuck out her already-plump bottom lip. “I don’t understand. What did I do?”

Adam sighed. “Look, Lala. I’m sorry. I’m trying not to be rude, but I have a lot of work to do.”

“But… I… I thought…”

He walked back to the gate. At least she didn’t seem as upset as she was on Saturday. He considered what Clara Mae and Claire had said. Both women had made it clear that Lala was accustomed to getting her way. So, what happened if she didn’t? Was she dangerous?

Adam stepped through the gate and sat on the step they used when riders needed a boost. “You’re dating Roger. He’s a friend of mine.”

Lala stomped toward him. “I only started dating Roger because you said you were leaving!” She leaned against the gate. “But now you’re here.”

Craaaaaaap. When had Thomas told her he was leaving?

Lala took advantage of his shock and moved in front of him, instantly straddling him.

Adam moved to get up, but she locked both hands on the railing, effectively pinning him. Yeah, he could’ve shoved her off, but then she’d probably twist an ankle — or worse — and that would only make things messier.

Not wanting to be so close to her, he closed his eyes. “Lala, I’m working. Please get off me. You’re gonna get me fired.”

She huffed. “You won’t get fired. My daddy’ll buy the damn ranch if I ask him.”

Buy the ranch?What did that even mean?

“Look at me!” she whined. “I don’t want Roger. I want you. You were my first —”

He felt her breath on his face and knew what was coming next. He moved to push her back, but it was too late. When he opened his eyes, Claire and Peter were already running toward them.

17

Claire didn’t know whether to yell at Adam for claiming she was the only one, or yank Lala off his lap by her braid. But more than anything, she knew what she had to do — protect Adam and Peter. Even if it meant sacrificing her heart.

Instead of howling like a fool, she let out an exaggerated huff. “See, Peter! I told you he was okay. That guy never saw him coming.”

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