My Sunshine by Catherine Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t cursing at you. Out with it, Mom. Why isn’t Laura at the clinic, training?”
    â€œBecause she found out,” Mary wailed.
    Isaiah pinched the bridge of his nose. “Found out what, exactly?” he asked, even though he feared that he already knew.
    â€œThat it was a matchmaking scheme. Oh, Isaiah, we meant no harm. You have to know that. She would have been a great kennel keeper. I’m convinced of that. If something more had come from the two of you working together, we couldn’t see the harm.”
    â€œÂ â€˜ We’? Don’t tell me Dad was in on this.”
    â€œNo. No! You know how your father is. If you choose to stay single forever, he figures that’s your business.”
    Isaiah tossed Boomer another biscuit. “Maybe you should take a page out of his book. Define ‘ we, ’ Mother. Is Bethany involved?”
    â€œGoodness, no. Your sister is so busy with Little Sly, Chastity Ann, and the riding academy that I hardly ever talk to her anymore.”
    â€œMolly?” Isaiah pictured his brother Jake’s amber-haired wife conspiring with his mother over coffee.
    â€œMolly has morning sickness. I don’t get to talk to her very often anymore, either.”
    Isaiah couldn’t believe that Hank’s wife, Carly, was involved. She’d only just recently had eye surgery. That left only Natalie, Zeke’s wife, and she wasn’t the busybody type. “Who, then?”
    â€œEtta, my neighbor, Laura’s grandmother.”
    Isaiah let his head fall back against the seat and closed his eyes. “I’m running late for a farm call, Mom. Spit out the rest.”
    â€œLaura and Etta were talking early this morning. Somehow Etta let it slip to Laura that we’d hatched this plan to get the two of you together. Laura got really upset, hung up on her grandmother, and never showed up at the clinic.”
    â€œYou’re sure she isn’t there?”
    â€œI called to see. Val says she didn’t come in.”
    Isaiah released a weary breath. “Okay, let me get this straight. Laura came in for the interview yesterday, completely unaware that her interfering grandmother and my interfering mother were plotting to marry her off to her new boss. Now that she knows, she no longer wants the job and didn’t show up for training. Do I have it right so far?”
    â€œYes. That pretty much covers it.”
    â€œAnd you expect me to somehow clean up your mess?”
    â€œShe’s such a sweetheart, Isaiah, and she was so excited about the job. It just breaks my heart to think that everything is ruined for her now.”
    â€œHow the hell can I fix that?” Isaiah bumped the steering wheel with the heel of his hand. “If she doesn’t want the job, she doesn’t want the job.”
    â€œI was just thinking she might change her mind if you . . . well, you know . . . dropped by to talk with her.”
    â€œAnd say what, Mom? That she shouldn’t be upset or feel humiliated? That you and her grandmother are harmless busybodies, and we shouldn’t pay you any mind? I have it. Why don’t I tell her I’d never in this lifetime be interested in her, so it’s not really a problem?”
    â€œI don’t blame you for being angry.”
    â€œThat’s good, because I am angry, and justifiably so.” Isaiah envisioned Laura’s face again and clenched his teeth. “Laura really wanted the job, Mom. It was important to her. And you know what else?”
    â€œNo, what?” Mary asked thinly.
    â€œI think you’re absolutely right. She would have been a damned good kennel keeper. Now, because of you, she’s decided to pass on the opportunity. That’s a shame. It’s not just any vet who’ll hire her, you know.”
    â€œOh, Isaiah, I feel so awful.”
    â€œGood. You should. The next time you get an itch to interfere in my life,