Read Untamed for Free Online

faulted him for.” Knowing her control was slipping, Jo whirled, running across the grass until she merged with the darkness.

Chapter Three
    The morning was surprisingly warm. There were no trees to block the sun, and the smell of the earth was strong. The circus had moved north in the early hours. All the usual scents merged into the aroma of circus: canvas, leather, sweating horses, greasepaint and powder, coffee and oilcloth. The trailers and trucks sat in the accustomed spots, forming the “back yard” that would always take the same formation each time the circus made a stop along the thousands of miles it traveled. The flag over the cookhouse tent signaled that lunch was being served. The Big Top stood waiting for the matinee.
    Rose hurried along the midway toward the animal cages. Her dark hair was pinned neatly in a bun at the back of her neck. Her big brown eyes darted about searchingly, while her mouth sat softly in a pout. She was wrapped in a terry cloth robe and wore tennis shoes over her tights. When she saw Jo standing in front of Ari’s cage, she waved and broke into a half-run. Watching her, Jo shifted her attention from Ari. Rose was always a diversion, and Jo felt in need of one.
    â€œJo!” She waved again as if Jo had not seen her the first time, then came to a breathless halt. “Jo, I only have a few minutes. Hello, Ari,” she added out of politeness. “I was looking for Jamie.”
    â€œYes, I gathered.” Jo smiled, knowing Rose had set her heart on capturing Topo’s alter ego. And if he had any sense, she thought, he’d let himself be caught instead of pining over Carmen. Silly, she decided, dismissing all affairs of the heart. Lions were easier to understand. “I haven’t seen him all morning, Rose. Maybe he’s rehearsing.”
    â€œDrooling over Carmen, more likely,” Rose muttered, sending a sulky glare in the direction of the Gribalti trailer. “He makes a fool of himself.”
    â€œThat’s what he’s paid for,” Jo reminded her, but Rose did not respond to the humor. Jo sighed. She had a true affection for Rose. She was bright and fun and without pretensions. “Rose,” she said, keeping her voice both light and kind. “Don’t give up on him. He’s a little slow, you know,” she explained. “He’s just a bit dazzled by Carmen right now. It’ll pass.”
    â€œI don’t know why I bother,” she grumbled, but Jo saw the dark mood was already passing. Rose was a creature of quick passions that flared and soon died. “He’s not so very handsome, you know.”
    â€œNo,” Jo agreed. “But he has a cute nose.”
    â€œLucky for him I like red,” Rose returned and grinned. “Ah, now we’re speaking of handsome,” she murmured as her eyes drifted from Jo. “Who is this?”
    At the question, Jo glanced over her shoulder. The humor fled from her eyes. “That’s the owner,” she said colorlessly.
    â€œKeane Prescott? No one told me he was so handsome. Or so tall,” she added, admiring him openly as he crossed the back yard. Jo noted that Rose always became more Mexican around men. “Such shoulders. Lucky for Jamie I’m a one-man woman.”
    â€œLucky for you your mama can’t hear you,” Jo muttered, earning an elbow in the ribs.
    â€œBut he comes here,
amiga,
and he looks at you. La, la, my papa would have Jamie to the altar
pronto
if he looked at me that way.”
    â€œYou’re an idiot,” Jo snapped, annoyed.
    â€œAh, Jo,” Rose said with mock despair. “I am a romantic.”
    Jo was helpless against the smile that tugged at her lips. Her eyes were laughing when she glanced up and met Keane’s. Hastily, she struggled to dampen their brilliance, turning her mouth into a sober line.
    â€œGood morning, Jovilette.” He spoke her name too easily, she thought, as if he