Free The Tempestuous Debutante: Book 4 in the Cotillion Ball Series (Crimson Romance) by Becky Lower

came easier if your hands weren’t so cold you couldn’t bend your fingers. And, as soon as the spring-fed lake thawed out, he could turn the horses loose in the pasture to get their fill of water rather than trek it bucket by bucket from the trough to each horse. The tack room had a little wood stove in it, and was quite warm today. He whistled a familiar Irish tune, “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye,” as he worked.
    He lifted his head from the bridle he was cleaning when the crunch of wheels over gravel signaled a carriage pulling up outside the stable. He was not expecting anyone today. He hurried to the stable doors, where he spied the Fitzpatricks’ now-familiar carriage. He grinned as Colleen and Jasmine alighted and tied the reins to the fence post.
    “’Tis an unexpected pleasure to see the likes of you ladies today.” He led them into the stable. “Come into the tack room where ’tis warm.”
    Colleen found a corner of the room where she could sit with her knitting. Parr picked up a can of leather polish and a rag and began to work again. Jasmine flitted from one piece of apparatus to another, running her fingers over them, before she sat by his side and observed him while he worked the sweet-smelling polish into the leather, making it supple once again.
    “So, what brings you two lovely ladies here today?” Parr asked. “Not that I’m complaining about the company or anything.”
    “I need your help, Parr. I’ve decided to do what you suggested, and go into competition with Philippe. After all, he has only one boot design he can make, but I have come up with several other good ideas.”
    Parr’s grin nearly split his face. “Sin-e! That’s that, then.” He clapped his hands together. “That’s the spirit. Take the bloody bastard on, I say. So, what help can I be giving ye?”
    “Well, I have a few ideas of my own, but what other things should I consider in a boot?”
    Parr stopped his work, and waved the rag around the room. “Take your lead from this room, I’d say. Use buckles, rivets, leather trim, different colors of leather. The sole and heel are the most important parts, so you can get really carried away on the rest of the boot.” Parr stared into Jasmine’s deep brown eyes, which were snapping in excitement.
    “Ooh, you’re right. There’s so much I can do with the styles … ” Her voice tapered off and she stared at the floor. Her hand went to her stomach.
    “What is it, cailín?”
    “Can I do this, Parr? After all, I’m just a woman.”
    He took her hands in his own. Her eyes rose to meet his. “You’re not just a woman. You are an incredible woman. For the love of God, women are the ones who have babies, who keep their families together, who work day and night to provide for their babogs until they’re full grown and who keep the home fires burning. You are much stronger than we men are. I know ya can do this.”
    Jasmine’s eyes had locked onto his during his speech. He was pleased to see the sparkle of excitement return to them.
    “You’re right. I can do this. Just you watch me.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Parr, for believing in me.”
    He walked the ladies back to their carriage and helped them into it. As it pulled away, Parr put his hand to his cheek.
She kissed me!
Oh, he’d been kissed by women, and had experienced much more than a chaste peck on the cheek. But he’d never experienced sparks from a kiss before. His cheek was still warm to the touch. ’Twas a pity, though, that was all he would ever get from her.
She thinks you’re just a stable boy, someone to flirt with, be friends with, but never one to take seriously.
With a sigh, he returned to his tasks. But his thoughts stayed with Jasmine all afternoon.
    • • •
    Jasmine strode into Blake Morgan’s shop with Colleen by her side. He was busy with a customer, but nodded to them. They browsed the store as they waited their turn to talk to him. Jasmine picked up a