City Girl Read Free Page B

you arrested the dog every day over something. You practiced holding your toy gun on Mother and Katy so much, the two of them still don’t flinch at the sight of a weapon.”
    Both Slater and Cash had a good laugh at Dakota’s expense, and he couldn’t help smiling as well. The threesome fell quiet for a moment, and after several seconds, Cash realized his brothers were exchanging a glance. Cash was about to ask what was going on when Dakota gave some instructions to Slater.
    â€œAll right, Slate, you go first.”
    Slater nodded and looked to his oldest brother.
    â€œYou have to get married, Cash.”
    â€œIs that right?” Cash asked calmly. He didn’t know whether he should be laughing or his mouth should be hanging open at this unannounced change in topics.
    â€œYes. Marriage is wonderful, and now that Dak is taking the plunge, it’s your turn.”
    â€œTo any lady in particular?” Cash asked congenially.
    Slater turned back to Dakota.
    â€œGo ahead, Dak, you’ve been in his church. Who could he marry?”
    With this, Cash started to laugh.
    â€œBe serious now, Cash,” Slater scolded him. “You have to let Dak think.”
    â€œYou two are crazy. Do you know that?”
    â€œNever mind now,” Slater directed, starting to smile too. “Let Dakota think.”
    â€œThere was that one woman,” the black-haired brother said thoughtfully. “She was sort of tall with blonde hair, I think. Is she available?”
    Cash shook his head in amazement.
    â€œMaybe Libby and I need to go home by way of Kinkade, so we can find someone for you,” Slater said so matter-of-factly that Cash began to laugh again.
    â€œLet me ask you one thing, Cash.” Dakota’s serious face was almost comical. “Have you been looking?”
    â€œNot specifically, no.”
    â€œShe’s not suddenly going to drop into your lap,” the middle brother chided.
    â€œShe did for both of you,” Cash stated mildly.
    This silenced the younger Rawlingses. They looked at Cash and then at each other in surprise. The waiter came to their table before anyone else could comment further, and all three men realized they hadn’t even glanced at the menus. The waiter stood by while they looked over the choices. It didn’t take long, and after they’d given their orders and the man had gone on his way, Cash spoke in a voice tinged with laughter.
    â€œShall we start this evening over again, gentlemen, or does someone want to tell me what that was all about?”
    â€œWe honestly want you to get married, Cash,” Slater admitted, his smile lopsided. “It’s nothing more than that.”
    Cash gave a moment’s thought to this and then asked, “Is there something in my life that makes you think I’m not trying?”
    Both men shook their heads no.
    â€œThen I don’t know what else I can do. I certainly talk to the Lord about it, but in truth, there is no one at my home church, and I don’t want a mail-order bride. You both found love, and I have to be honest and tell you I’m looking for the same thing.”
    Forgetting where he was for a moment, Dakota sat back in his chair, the front legs lifting from the floor. His dark gaze was intent on his brother.
    â€œDarvi did drop into my lap, didn’t she? I hadn’t really thought about it like that.”
    â€œYes,” Cash agreed, “and Slater dropped into Libby’s. It doesn’t always happen that way, but since there aren’t any single women my age at church right now...” Cash shrugged as he let the sentence hang.
    â€œWell, I still think you should,” Dakota said, his brow drawn down in a stubborn way.
    â€œIf you find someone for me, I’ll listen to you.”
    â€œDarvi’s cousin is a believer, and she’s pretty too,” Slater said.
    â€œWho’s that?” Dakota was all ears.
    â€œI can’t