The Rancher's Twin Troubles by Laura Marie Altom Read Free Book Online

happened?”
    â€œWell…” Hands on her hips, Betsy sported a huge smile. “First, she—”
    â€œCan it, squirt.” Dallas could feel a headache coming on. “Go clean your room.”
    â€œNo.” Arms folded, chin raised, Betsy retorted, “If Bonnie gets to sleep, I don’t wanna work.”
    Teeth clenched, Dallas silently counted to five. What was going on around here? He’d never had the slightest problem with either of his girls—especially not Betsy—now, she was also giving him lip?
    â€œBetsy,” his mother warned. “Do as your father asked. Your dirty clothes need to be in the hamper.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” Chin to her chest, Betsy pouted on her way toward the stairs.
    â€œHoney,” his mother said, her tone characteristic of a nice, long speech, “you know I don’t usually interfere with your personal business, but—”
    Dallas snorted. “With all due respect, save it. After the day I’ve had, I’m seriously not in the mood.” Taking his keys and wallet from the entry-hall table, he asked, “Need anything from the store? I’m going to town.”
    â€œWhy? You just came from the girls’ school. I don’t understand why you’d now be driving all the way back, when—”
    â€œDogs on a biscuit, Mama, could you just this once leave me alone?”
    Shaking her head, she snapped, “I’ll leave you alone when you agree to get your head out of your behind.”
    Â 
    â€œK ITTY, GIMME A BREAK . Thanks to the Trouble Twins, I’m only twenty minutes late.” Judging by her cat’sfrantic meows, he’d had a long, hard day lounging on his window seat in the sun.
    Josie set her purse, keys and mail on the kitchen table, abandoning her plan to glance through a Victoria’s Secret sale catalog. After taking a can of Filet Mignon Surprise from the cabinet, she popped off the top and spooned it onto a saucer. Kitty not only liked fine food, but eating it on fine bone china.
    â€œYou do know you’re spoiled rotten,” Josie noted as she set the cat’s dinner on the floor. Considering how she catered to her “baby,” was it fair for her to think of Dallas as being such an awful parent?
    Had Emma lived, would I be any better?
    Sighing, she took an oatmeal scotchie from the cookie jar, then lost herself in making imaginary purchases.
    Fifteen minutes later, her phone rang. One glance at the caller ID and her stomach lurched. “Hello?”
    â€œJosie, this is Dallas. Hope you don’t mind me calling after hours, but your number was in the book, so I figured—”
    â€œIt’s fine,” she assured him, kneeling to pick up the cat’s empty dish. “Is something wrong with the girls?”
    â€œNot exactly. More like me.”
    â€œOh?” Dish in the sink, she wasn’t sure what else to say. “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”
    â€œYeah, well…” He cleared his throat. “What I was hoping is that if you aren’t too busy, you could meet me at Lucky’s for a quick coffee. I’d only need a few minutes of your time. This wouldn’t be like a date—just me picking your brain for kid management ideas.”
    A smile played across her lips. How the great Dallas Buckhorn had fallen after considering himself World’s Finest Father. “You’re welcome to more than a few minutes. Maybe even sixty.”
    â€œReally?” His tone grew brighter. “That’d be great. How soon can you be here?”
    â€œYou mean you want me to meet you now?” Not that she had anything special on tap for her Friday night other than a load of laundry.
    â€œThat was kind of my plan—that is, if you’re amenable.”
    â€œSure,” she said, telling herself her pulse had become erratic from pacing rather than thoughts of sharing an intimate