The Manning Sisters Read Free

wife—someone like Betty who’ll cater to his whims and pamper him and let him have his way.”
    That left her out. The thought startled her. She would no more consider marrying a rancher than she’d entertain the idea of riding a horse. As far as she was concerned, cows smelled, hay made her sneeze, and the sight of a horse sent her scurrying in the opposite direction.
    â€œI’m sure if Russ said anything offensive…”
    â€œHe didn’t,” Taylor was quick to assure the other woman. But not because he didn’t want to, judging by the look in his eyes. If ever there was a man who longed to put her in her place, it was this formidable rancher. Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case might be, it would take a lot more than one cowpoke to do it.
    Mary Beth and Taylor said goodbye at the corner, and Taylor went to the grocery store. With a limited budget and a distinct lack of imagination when it came to cooking, she headed for the frozen food section.
    Without much enthusiasm she tossed a frozen entrée into her grocery cart. The local supermarket didn’t carry a large selection, and it was either the salisbury steak or the country fried chicken.
    â€œWas that really necessary?” a gruff male voice asked from behind her.
    â€œThe country fried chicken?” she asked, turning to face the very man she and Mary Beth had been discussing.
    â€œI’m not talking about your pathetic choice for dinner. I’m referring to my sister. She’s going through a rebellious stage, and I don’t appreciate your taking her side on an issue. We can settle our differences without any help from you.”
    Taylor was about to argue when she noticed the teenager coming down the aisle.
    â€œOh, hi,” Mandy greeted her, brightening. She hurried to Taylor and her brother. “You’re not eating that for dinner, are you?” the girl asked, eyeing the frozen meal in Taylor’s cart. A horrified look spread across her face.
    â€œIt seemed the least amount of trouble,” Taylor admitted. She’d spent a full day unpacking and cleaning, and even a frozen dinner was more appealing than being forced to cook for herself. As far as she could see, there wasn’t a single fast-food place in town. The nearest McDonald’s was a hundred miles from Cougar Point.
    â€œI’ve got a big pot of stew simmering at home,” Mandy said eagerly. “Why don’t you come over and have dinner with Russ and me? We’d love to have you, wouldn’t we, Russ?”
    Her brother’s hesitation was just long enough to convey his message.
    â€œIt’s the neighborly thing to do,” Mandy prompted.
    â€œYou’re welcome to come, if you want,” Russ said finally, and Taylor had the impression it took a great deal of resolve to echo his sister’s invitation.
    There wasn’t any question that Taylor should refuse. But something perverse in her, something obstinate and a bit foolish, wouldn’t allow her to do so. Perhaps it was because she recognized the same mulish streak in him that she knew so well in her father. Whatever the reason, Taylor decided she was going to enjoy this dinner. “Why, thank you. I’d be honored.”
    â€œGreat.” Mandy beamed. “We live about ten miles east of town.”
    â€œEast?” Taylor repeated, turning in a full circle in an effort to orient herself. She wasn’t sure which way was east, at least not from where she was standing in the grocery store.
    â€œTake the main road and go left at the stand of sycamore trees,” Mandy continued. “That’s just past Cole Creek, only don’t look for any water because it’s dried out at this time of year.”
    Further directions only served to confuse Taylor. She wasn’t even all that confident she could tell a sycamore from an oak. And how was she supposed to identify a dried-out creek bed? Usually Taylor was given