Cattleman's Choice Read Free Page A

It was going to be another long day. The man had insisted on seeing Carson personally, but after last night, it was going to be heavy going. Mandelyn didn’t particularly relish the thought.
    Patty met her at the vacant house Mandelyn wanted to show her. The small, dark-eyed woman had light brown hair and a broad, sweet face. She and Mandelyn had been on the verge of friendship when Patty went away to college, and they still met occasionally when the younger woman was home on vacation.
    â€œWell, what do you think?” Mandelyn answered her. “Isn’t it a great location, just off the town square? And I can help you get a great interest rate if you want to finance it over a twenty-year period.”
    â€œI’m speechless.” Patty grinned warmly. “It’s exactly what I wanted. I’ve got space for an operating room here, and enough acreage out back to put in fences for runs. This gigantic living room will make a perfect waiting room. Yes, I like it. I like the price, too.”
    â€œI just happen to have all the paperwork right here,” Mandelyn laughed, producing an envelope from her large purse. “Then you can meet with James over at the bank and convince him you need the loan.”
    â€œJames and I went to school together,” Patty told her. “That won’t be any problem at all. I’ve saved up a hefty down payment, and I’m a good credit risk. Just ask all my classmates who loaned me money!”
    â€œI believe you.” Mandelyn smiled as she watched Patty sign the preliminary agreement. “This is a sunny office. I can see you making your fortune right here.”
    â€œI hope you’re right.” Patty stood up, folding her arms over the tan sweater she was wearing with casual jeans. “Wow! All mine.”
    â€œYours and the bank’s, at least,” came the dry reply.
    â€œYou’re a jewel, Mandy,” Patty told her. She glanced curiously at Mandelyn’s lip. “I heard you were riding around with Jake in the early morning hours.”
    â€œSmall towns,” Mandelyn said gruffly. “Yes, I was. Carson had the local bar in an uproar again.”
    Patty laughed. “Just like old times,” she said, and looked oddly relieved. “Carson’s a bearcat, isn’t he? I’m on my way out there next, on a large animal call. He’s got a sick bull.”
    â€œDon’t get too close, he might make a grab for you,” Mandelyn teased.
    â€œMe? Not Carson, he’s too polite.”
    â€œThat’s rich!” Mandelyn laughed bitterly. “He’s a savage. Something right out of ancient history.”
    â€œHe’s always been polite to me,” Patty said. “Strange, isn’t it, that he’s never married?”
    Mandelyn felt her blood boil. “It doesn’t seem strange to me. He’s too uncivilized to get a woman. He’d have to kidnap one and point a gun at her to get a wife!”
    â€œI thought he was your friend,” Patty said.
    â€œHe was,” Mandelyn said coldly. She turned. “Well, I’ve got a developer coming round in about an hour. I’d better go and have my lunch. I’m glad you liked the office.”
    â€œMe too,” Patty said, laughing. “Say, do you really think Carson would be all that bad in bed?” she added curiously. “He’s awfully sexy.”
    Mandelyn couldn’t meet her friend’s eyes. “If you say so. I’ll give you a call later about the details of the agreement, okay?” she said with a forced smile.
    â€œSure,” Patty said. “Thanks again.”
    â€œMy pleasure.”
    Mandelyn had a salad at the local cafe, but she didn’t enjoy it. Her thoughts kept returning to Carson and to Patty’s disturbing remarks about him. Afterward, she went back to her office where the developer was pacing back and forth, waiting for her. She made a sly wink at Angie, her new