My back ached, but my labors were far from over. The sun had yet to set, and I had determined to keep going until there was no more light to see by. I rested the pitchfork against the wall and gave my arms a spirited wiggle to work the stiffness out of my joints. It had been far too long since I had done this. I knew what to do, of course, to muck out horse stalls, but after more than ten years off the ranch, I was rustier than I had expected when it came to withstanding the rigors of manual labor. Already, I could feel the soft skin of my hands beginning to blister against the repeated chafing of the pitchfork handle.
“You’re so very determined. I would admire it if it weren’t for the fact that you’re so easily taken advantage of.”
I glanced at the stable exit where Circe stood, lingeri
