you?â
He smiled for the first time, showing a mouth filled with large white teeth. âYes, maâam.â
âHow old are you, Mark?â
âTwenty-two.â
âDo you have a high school diploma?â
âYes, maâam. I dropped out at sixteen, but I went back and finished up last year. My dad said if I passed the test to get into a college he would pay for me to go.â
âWhat do you want to be?â
He dropped his head again. âIâm not sure. I know I donât want to muck out stables for the rest of my life.â
âGood for you.â Kelly paused. âIâll help you.â
Mark leaned forward and grasped her hands. âThank you, Miss Kelly.â
She winced as he increased the pressure on her fingers. âYou can let go of my hand now.â He released her hand, mumbling an apology. âIf Iâm going to tutor you, then it will have to be in the evenings.â
He bobbed his head. âYes, maâam.â
âDo you have any SAT practice books?â
âNo, maâam,â he said quickly. âIf you want I can pick up some.â
âNo, Mark. Iâll buy them. I have an account with a company in Richmond that specializes in educational materials and equipment. Iâll call and have the books sent to me at the school.â
âBut Iâll still pay for it.â
Shaking her head, Kelly said in a quiet voice, âSave your money, Mark. Iâm certain Blackstone Farms will not be forced to file for bankruptcy because I charged a few review manuals to their account. As soon as they arrive Iâll get in touch with you so we can arrange a schedule that will be conducive to both of us. Do you live here on the farm?â
âYes, maâam.â
Kelly stood up, Mark rising with her. âIâll meet you in the dining hall, and weâll talk.â
He closed his eyes, inhaled, and then let out his breath slowly. When he opened his eyes they were glistening with moisture. âIâd like to ask another favor, Miss Kelly.â
She arched an eyebrow. âAsk.â
He managed a sheepish grin. âI donât want anyone to know youâre tutoring me.â
Nodding, Kelly said, âIt will remain our secret.â
âThank you, Miss Kelly.â
âThank me after you get an acceptance letter from a college.â
âThank you,â he repeated before he turned on his heels and walked quickly out of the building.
Kelly felt a warm glow flow through her. She had come to Blackstone Farms to teach the preschool children of its employees, but there was nothing in her contract that precluded her extending her teaching skills to the farmâs employees.
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All of the children arrived by eight oâclock. They babbled excitedly about going swimming. Kelly had promised them the day before that if the morning temperature rose above seventy degrees, they could go swimming before lunch.
Sheldon motioned to Kelly. âIâll be bringing Sean for the next few days. Ryan had to take a mare to Richmond late last night for surgery.â
âWhat happened?â
âHe had to repair a bone spavin.â Sheldon noted Kellyâs puzzled expression, reminding himself she hadnât lived on the horse farm long enough to become familiar with equine terminology. âThatâs when there is an indefinite hind-lameness that shortens a horseâs stride.â
âWill she be all right?â
âRyan says her chances of recovery are at least ninety percent.â
âRyan told me that all of the children ride.â Sheldon nodded. âBut do they know exactly what everyone who works at the farm does?â
Sheldonâs silver-colored eyes narrowed as he angled his head. âI donât know.â
Kelly lifted her dimpled chin and smiled up at Sheldon, unaware of how attractive she was. âIâd like to set up a field trip. Iâd like to take