Temptation Read Free Page B

all for today.” She scanned the six young faces under their black riding hats. “You’re doing very well.”
    â€œWhen can we gallop, Miss Carlbough?”
    â€œAfter you learn to trot.” She patted one of the horses’ flanks. Wouldn’t it be lovely, she thought, to gallop off into the hills, riding so fast even memories couldn’t follow? Foolish, Eden told herself; she gave her attention back to the girls. “Dismount, then cool down your horses. Remember, they depend on you.” The breeze tossed her bangs, and she brushed at them absently. “Remember to put all the tack in its proper place for the next class.”
    This caused the groans she expected. Riding and playing with the horses was one thing, tidying up afterward was another. Eden considered exerting discipline without causing resentment another accomplishment. Over the past week, she’d learned to link the girls’ faces and names. The eleven and twelve-year-olds in her group had an enthusiasm that kept her on her toes. She’d already separated in her mind the two or three she instructed who had the kind of horse fever she recognized from her own adolescence. It was rewarding, after an hour on her feet in the sun, to answer the rapid-fire questions. Ultimately, one by one, she nudged them toward the stables.
    â€œEden!” Turning, she spotted Candy hustling toward her. Even from a distance, Eden recognized concern.
    â€œWhat’s happened?”
    â€œWe’re missing three kids.”
    â€œWhat?” Panic came first, and quickly. Years of training had her pulling it back. “What do you mean, missing?”
    â€œI mean they’re nowhere in camp. Roberta Snow, Linda Hopkins and Marcie Jamison.” Candy dragged a hand through her hair, a habitual gesture of tension. “Barbara was lining up her group for rowing, and they didn’t show. We’ve looked everywhere.”
    â€œWe can’t panic,” Eden said, as much to warn herself as Candy. “Roberta Snow? Isn’t she the little brunette who stuck a lizard down one of the other girls’ shirts? And the one who set off the morning bell at 3:00 a.m.?”
    â€œYes, that’s her.” Candy set her teeth. “The little darling. Judge Harper Snow’s granddaughter. If she’s skinned her knee, we’ll probably face a lawsuit.” With a shake of her head, Candy switched to an undertone. “The last anyone saw of her this morning, she was walking east.” She pointed a finger, paint-spattered from her early art class. “No one noticed the other girls, but my bet is that they’re with her. Darling Roberta is an inveterate leader.”
    â€œIf she’s walking that way, wouldn’t she run into that apple orchard?”
    â€œYeah.” Candy shut her eyes. “Oh, yeah. I’m going to have six girls up to their wrists in modeling clay in ten minutes, or I’d go off myself. Eden, I’m almost sure they headed for the orchard. One of the other girls admitted she heard Roberta planning to sneak over there for a few samples. We don’t want any trouble with the owner. He’s letting us use his lake only because I begged, shamelessly. He wasn’t thrilled about having a girls’ summer camp for a neighbor.”
    â€œWell, he has one,” Eden pointed out. “So we’ll all have to deal with it. I’m the one most easily spared around here, so I’ll go after them.”
    â€œI was hoping you’d say that. Seriously, Eden, if they’ve snuck into that orchard, which I’d bet my last dime they have, we could be in for it. The man made no bones about how he feels about his land and his privacy.”
    â€œThree little girls are hardly going to do any damage to a bunch of apple trees.” Eden began to walk, with Candy scurrying to keep pace.
    â€œHe’s Chase Elliot. You know, Elliot Apples? Juice, cider, sauce, jelly,