Burning Pastures

By Paul Davis

Linsay Long goes undercover at a horse ranch to find out who really set a fire that killed some horses, but she's not ready for the feelings she has for the ranch owner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781326435622

Paul Davis

Dr. Davis directs a group of scientists who have defined molecular mechanisms for many non-genomic, plasma membrane-initiated actions of thyroid hormone, including actions on plasma membrane ion transporters, intracellular protein trafficking, phosphorylation of nuclear hormone receptors and of p53 and on transcription of specific genes. He has 5 patents issued and 25 US and international applications pending. Dr. Davis is a US Faculty Head in Endocrinology of the Faculty of 1000 Medicine and a member of the Endocrine Society, American Thyroid Association, American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, American Diabetes Association, American Association for Cancer Research and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Book preview

10

The clock changed from 7:59 to 8:00 a.m. The radio blared out an oldies love song, and the phone rang. Lindsay Long moaned and rolled over, slapping the snooze bar as she did, and reached for the phone, Hello.

Good Mornin‘ to you, Lass. Aren’t you up yet? a distinctly Irish voice asked.

Good morning, Pop. Yes, I’m up. Lindsay squinted at the clock and mumbled to herself, I’m just not a morning person.

Have you got a job yet? He asked.

I’m going for an interview today. A little later, she said as she rolled over and got out of bed. She pulled the curtain to the side and looked out the window. It was raining, and she could see the trees starting to bend over from the force of the wind. It looked like Florida was in for another big thunderstorm.

She shivered, another storm was about to brew and she planned to be the cause of it. This was the day she would show Mr. Freeman a thing or two about the O’Reily family.

How is Aunt Minnie? She asked hoping her father would let the other questions go for the time being.

She’s just fine. Where are you going to interview for the job?

She could avoid questions as easy as he could, Pop, I’d love to talk to you for a while, but I need to get ready. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything for sure. I promise. Talk to you later and I love you and Aunt Minnie. Bye.

I love you too, but . . . Lindsay hung up.

Lindsay got out of her small car, and struggled with the new umbrella she had bought a few days ago, trying to get it to open. The rain had almost stopped and she finally gave it up. It was then that she heard a rustling behind her and turned in time to spot a small yellow tail disappearing into the bushes. It was a kitten. She called to it softly, Here kitty, kitty. It stuck it’s head out and Lindsay could see that it was soaked to the skin. It mewled a quiet ‘meow.’ Lindsay threw the umbrella back into the car and went after the kitten. She pulled the bush apart to see where it had gone. She called again, Here kitty, kitty, kitty. She was in time to see the tail going around the left side of the house. A brightening of the sky and a clap of thunder signaled the release of more rain. It began to get harder as she followed the kitten. Another bush blocked her way and she pushed through it, determined to get the kitten, even though cold fingers of rain pelted her. She broke through the bush onto a patio. She bent down and called again, Here kitty, kitty.

Pierce Freeman watched the woman from the window of his office. The girl was tall and slim, her short blond curls clung to her head and dripped with water. The white blouse she wore became more and more transparent with every drop, not leaving much to the imagination. He lost sight of her as she rounded the corner of the house. What on earth could she be doing, tramping around through his bushes like that in the rain?

Going to the back door, he glimpsed the kitten and heard the young lady calling, Here kitty, here kitty. He stepped out and picked up the kitten.

This what you’re looking for? he asked.

Lindsay stood up straight, the water dripping down her face and turned to see a man standing behind her. He was holding a struggling, soggy calico kitten. Her startled gaze took in the man’s looks in an instant. He was tall, towering over her five foot six frame. He had short dark hair and eyes the color of jade. The taut muscles of his arms made the shirt appear too tight.

Well? He asked and held out the kitten. She took it and held it against her soaked body, soothing it.

Uh . . . .Yes, I saw it. As I was getting out of my car. I thought she needed to get out of the rain.

Speaking of which, I think we all need to get out of this rain. I don’t care about getting drenched myself. By the way, did you know you are trespassing on the Rocking F Ranch? he asked, raising his dark eyebrows at her. He stepped to the back door of the house and she followed. There was just enough room for the two of them under the awning of the back porch. Lindsay could feel the heat from him she was standing so close.

Yes, I know where I am, thank you. I have an appointment with Mr. Freeman about the job, Lindsay said with a hint of irritation, her Irish temper flaring.

Oh, okay then. Go on in. Mr. Freeman’s office is right down the hall on the right. I’ll call Mrs. Freeman to get you a towel. Just tell her why you’re here, he said and reeled to go, then turned back and added, You know he was wanting a man for the job? His eyes glinted as he watched the play of emotions while she got her thoughts together.

I know that, but I think he’s being sexist about it. A woman can do anything a man can do. Her chin tilted up a notch, and she dared him to say anything else.

Well, you’ll have to take that up with him. I have work to do. Nice meeting you. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, Mrs. Freeman! You have a young lady at the back door, He glanced at Lindsay, and yelled again, and she needs a towel! He stepped