“
Brian,really." Keeley continued to mix the blister for the knee spavin. "You've had a really long day. I can handle this."
"Sure you can.You can handle this, morons like Tarmack, washed-up jockeys and everything else that comes along before breakfast.Nobody's saying different."
Since the statement wasn't delivered in what could be mistaken for a complimentary tone, Keeley turned to frown at him. "What's wrong with you?"
"There's not a bloody thing wrong with me.But you could use some work.Do you have to do everything yourself, every flaming step and stage of it? Can't you just take help when help's offered and shut the hell up?"
She did shut the hell up, for ten shocked seconds. "I simply assumed that you'd be tired after your trip."
"I'll let you know when I'm tired."
"The gelding here doesn't seem to be the only one with something nasty in his system."
"Well,it's you in my system, princess, and it feels a bit nasty at the moment."
Hurt came first, a quick short-armed jab. Pride sprang in to defend. "I'll be happy to purge you, just like I'll purge this horse tomorrow."
"If I thought it would work," he muttered, "I'd purge myself.
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