Bet You'll Marry Me by Darlene Panzera Read Free Book Online Page B

them.
    â€œBeef Wellington,” she answered slyly, knowing the meal would take hours to prepare, “with herbed carrots, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and gravy.”
    Billie’s eyes grew wide. “I’ll try my best.”
    Jenny laughed as soon as Billie was out of earshot. The Chandlers could try all day, but it wasn’t going to get them what they wanted.
    She imagined herself getting what she wanted. What a wonderful, beautiful day it would be when she strolled into the Bets and Burgers Café on July thirteenth. Maybe she’d add a little swagger to her walk, like Irene Johnson.
    She’d be unmarried of course, and have the biggest, brightest smile on her face—brighter than the sun. Pete would be forced to humbly declare her the winner of the bet and place the glorious, debt-defying ten-thousand-dollar check into her eager outstretched hands.
    She might be the only one cheering, but she’d cheer all the way to the bank. She’d cheer when Stewart Davenport tore up the foreclosure papers. And she’d cheer when she got back home with . . . well, with Harry, for one, and . . . the horses.
    Jenny frowned. There had to be other people she could invite to her celebration party.
    T HE LATE-EVENING HEAT bore down on the ranch with wicked intentions, leaving everyone in desperate need of a cold shower and a really good meal.
    Jenny approached the picnic tables, and when Chandler turned toward her, she hesitated in midstep. Chandler’s direct gaze electrified every nerve in her body. How could she ignore him when he looked at her like that?
    Self-conscious, she turned her attention to her lanky red-bearded cousin who sat beside Wayne Freeman.
    â€œPatrick, what brings you here?”
    Her cousin smirked. “I heard you got someone to replace Wayne’s feeble attempts in the kitchen and thought I’d come for a good dinner.”
    â€œYou don’t like the way I cook?” Wayne asked, a wide unaffected smile spreading across his face.
    â€œHate to break it to ya,” Patrick told him, “but there’s a reason your restaurant failed.”
    â€œYes, there is,” Wayne agreed, “but it wasn’t because of the taste of the food.”
    â€œYou’re a chef?” Nick asked.
    â€œWas. Past tense.” Wayne shifted his jaw and looked him square in the eye. “But I’m sure your sister is a much better cook than I am.”
    Jenny watched Nick glance toward Billie, his expression tense. Did he doubt his sister’s ability?
    Patrick poked her arm. “Where’s Harry?”
    â€œHe went to bed early. We had to round up the cows from the entire hillside and we’re all exhausted.”
    â€œMe too.” Patrick’s smile faded. “The real reason I came tonight is to say goodbye. I sold my ranch to Stewart Davenport.”
    â€œNo! ” Jenny shook her head, her stomach contracted into a tight ball. “Patrick, how could you?”
    â€œI don’t have the money to keep my ranch, not in this economy.”
    â€œYou don’t have to go,” Jenny protested. “You can stay here with us and be our new ranch manager.”
    She glanced at Chandler and he gave her a dark look. But wouldn’t Harry prefer family over a stranger for the position? Patrick could be the answer to her problems.
    â€œI’m sorry, Jenny, but I’m done ranching. Besides, you’ve taken in enough homeless cowboys.” His gaze swept over Nick, Wayne, Frank, and young Josh, who sat quietly at the end of the table. “No offense, guys.”
    â€œNone taken. If it weren’t for Windy Meadows . . .” Wayne shook his head. “Where will you go?”
    â€œI thought I’d head down to California for a while, lie on the beach, maybe give surfing a try.”
    â€œYou’re leaving?” A tight knot formed in Jenny’s chest.
    â€œFirst thing tomorrow.”
    â€œBut