Whirlwind by Alison Hart Page B

sapiens
.”
    “Look who’s flinging out scientific words to impress.”
    “No need to impress someone who’s already doing a good job of screwing up.”
    Her mouth fell open. “That was a mean thing to say.”
    “You deserve it.”
    “All right. I do.” Jas flopped back next to him. “I had an attack of the Hughs. I’m sorry. I know that’s no excuse for snapping at you. But I keep expecting him to pop up, match in hand, and burn down the barn.” She frowned. “Why
isn’t
he skulking around trying to destroy us?”
    “How do you know he’s not?”
    “I don’t. That’s what’s so freaky.” She shuddered, suppressing the urge to glance over her shoulder.
    “Let’s hope he’s lying low, letting his lawyers do the dirty work,” Chase said.
    She rubbed her bare arms, which prickled with goose bumps as if it was a winter day. “No. He’s planning something. I can feel it.”Just then, Shadow came thundering over the hill. He slid to an ungainly halt in front of her. His nostrils flared and he puffed dramatically.
    Reaching up, Jas unsnapped the lead line. “Thanks for not killing yourself, dummy.” She gave him a quick pat before he wheeled and raced off again.
    As she stood there, she could feel Chase’s eyes on her. Self-conscious, she scraped the toe of her sneaker in the dirt. When she realized she was outlining a heart, she panicked and scuffed it out.
    Still he didn’t say anything. What was he thinking? Was he still mad? Jas wouldn’t blame him. She had no right to be mean to her friends. Make that
friend
, singular. Chase was her only real friend.
    That’s not true
. Miss Hahn, Dr. Danvers, Grandfather—all three had stuck by her through this mess. Still, they weren’t Chase.
    Jas glanced sideways at him. He was still watching her, his gaze intense. As if he could see into her heart. As if he knew how scared she was.
    “What?” she asked, wanting to sound tough, but it came out in a whisper. She cleared her throat, her pulse beating fast. His eyeswere crystal blue and his smile breathtaking.
No fair
, she wanted to tell him.
Stop making me like you
.
    Then he shrugged, his reply to her question. She swallowed hard, trying not to look away. But her insides were fluttering, and she flicked her gaze back to the horses.
    “I was just wondering,” he finally said. Straightening, he turned and lifted the gate latch.
    Wondering what? Wondering if I like you?
    “If I were James Bond”—he held open the gate for Jas—“and Hugh was Goldfinger, how would I take him out? Bomb his Mercedes? Poison his scotch?”
    She stopped in her tracks. Here she’d been resisting acting like a lovesick fool and he’d been channeling James Bond. “Only you’re
not.”
She punched him on the shoulder. “And Hugh is a real villain, not some movie actor. So come on. We’ve got a barn full of horses to turn out. And when we’re done with the horses, let’s take Hope back to her old home. I’m tired of seeing her moping around. We need to find her friend.”
    She strode brusquely toward the barn, all thoughts of romance gone.
Guys are so clueless
. But then she realized her step was lighter.
    Lucy came out of the barn, leading Flower. When they passed each other, she said, “Hey, Jas, who was the lady I saw you talking to? The one wearing Jimmy Choos?”
    Jas felt a prickle of apprehension. Why was Lucy interested in Ms. Baylor?
    “What’s a Jimmy Choo?” Chase asked.
    “She’s just some filthy-rich donor that Miss Hahn is courting,” Jas said quickly. “Come on, Chase, we’ve got to feed Rose before she busts down the fence.” Linking her arm through his, she pulled him into the barn.
    He stopped in front of the supply room. “What was that all about?”
    “About Lucy being too nosey.” Jas unbolted the door.
    “You can’t possibly think that Lucy …” He burst into guffaws. “Right—the Mata Hari of the cheerleaders.”
    Jas shot him an annoyed look. “I’m just being careful,