Song of the West Read Free

fences were in good repair.”
    â€œJake Tanner?” Samantha’s question was idle.
    â€œOh, that’s right, you haven’t met him yet. The northwest corner of the ranch borders his. Of course, the Lazy L would fit into one corner of his ranch. He owns half the county.”
    â€œAh, a land baron,” Samantha concluded.
    â€œA very apt description,” Sabrina agreed. “The Double T, his ranch, is the most impressive I’ve seen. He runs it like clockwork, super efficient. Dan says he’s not only an incredible rancher, but a very crafty businessman.”
    â€œSounds like a bore,” Samantha commented, wrinkling her nose. “Steel-gray hair around a leathered face, a handlebar mustache drooping over his mouth and a generous belly hanging over his belt . . .”
    Sabrina’s laughter rang out, high and sweet.
    â€œYou’re about as far off the mark as you can get. Jake Tanner is anything but a bore, and speaking from the safety of marital bliss, he’s a fascinating man to look at. And, being rich, successful and unattached, all the females under forty buzz around him like bees around honey.”
    â€œSounds like a good catch.” Samantha said dryly. “Mom would love him.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Sabrina agreed. “But Jake has eluded capture so far. Though from what Dan says, he does enjoy the chase.”
    â€œNow he sounds like a conceited bore.” Samantha tickled Shylock’s smooth belly.
    â€œYou can hardly blame him for taking what’s offered.” Sabrina defended the absent Jake Tanner with a vague movement of her shoulders. “I imagine he’ll settle down soon. Lesley Marshall—her father’s ranch borders the other side of the Double T—has her sights set on him. She’s a very determined woman, as well as being more than a little spoiled, and dreadfully rich.”
    â€œSounds like a perfect match.”
    â€œMmm, maybe,” Sabrina murmured. Her face creased in a small frown. “Lesley’s nice enough when it suits her, and it’s about time Jake had a wife and family. I’m fond of Jake. I’d like to see him set up with someone with more warmth.”
    â€œListen to the old married woman.” Samantha addressed a dozing and unconcerned Shylock. “A year of nuptial bliss, and she can’t stand to see anyone unattached.”
    â€œTrue. I’m going to start on you next.”
    â€œThanks for the warning.”
    â€œWyoming’s full of good-looking cowboys and handsome ranchers.” Sabrina continued to smile as her sister grimaced. “You could find a worse place to settle down.”
    â€œI have no objection to settling here, Bree. I’ve become quite attached to the wide open spaces. But—” she paused significantly “—cowboys and ranchers are not among my immediate plans for the future.” She rose from the floor in a fluid motion. “I’ve got to check on that roast. Here.” She handed her sister the novel that rested on the table. “Read your love stories, you incurable romantic.”
    â€œYou won’t be so cynical when you fall in love,” Sabrina predicted with the wisdom of experience.
    â€œSure.” Samantha’s grin was indulgent.
    â€œThere’ll be bells ringing and fireworks shooting and trumpets blaring.” She patted her sister’s hand and strolled from the room, calling over her shoulder. “Angels singing, flames leaping . . .”
    â€œJust you wait,” Sabrina shouted after her.
    ***
    Samantha busied herself preparing vegetables for the evening meal, clucking her tongue at her sister’s nonsense.
Love
, she sniffed derisively. Her only experience with that complex emotion had been fending off unwanted attentions from eager males. Not once had any man lit an answering spark in her. But whatever this love was, it worked for Bree. The younger