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

ponies—” she winked “—by the end of the first quarter, most of my little munchkins could probablytell a substitute what they should be covering at any given time.”
    For the life of him, Dallas failed to see what all that had to do with him. “As far as routines—tooth brushing and bath and bedtimes and stuff—that’s all Nanny Stella’s domain.”
    â€œWho makes sure they do their homework?”
    â€œUsed to be Nanny Stella. Now…” He shrugged. “And chores?”
    Starting to get the picture, Dallas reddened.
    â€œEnforcing table manners?”
    â€œMy mom, but if the girls are way out of line in playing with their food, I’ll growl in their direction.”
    Josie frowned.
    â€œWhat? Dad always ran a tight ship when it came to mealtimes.”
    â€œUh-huh. So let’s see, pretty much the only interaction you have with the girls is at mealtime?”
    â€œNot at all. We fish and go toy shopping and watch movies. They’re all the time out in the barn with me, and a few days each week we pack a picnic and take off on trail rides.”
    â€œAll of that sounds amazing but, Dallas, during any of that fun, do you ever get to be a disciplinarian?”
    Luckily, he was spared answering Josie’s latest question by the arrival of the pie and her tea.
    The bell over the door jingled as a family of five came in for early supper. With yellow walls, faded linoleum floors and mismatched booths, the diner might have been lacking in decor, but the food was stick-to-your ribs good. A couple soon entered, followed by anotherfamily. Why, Dallas couldn’t say, but it made him feel good to see the empty diner filling. There was safety in numbers, and even though he’d asked Josie for help, he felt under attack. Which was ridiculous. His girls loved him and for now, that was enough.
    â€œThat was delicious,” Josie said, patting her napkin to her lips. “I can’t remember the last time I had pie.”
    â€œMom makes it at least once a month.”
    Pouring herself a second cup of tea, she asked, “Do you ever get tired of living with your mom?”
    â€œSurprisingly not. We get on each other’s nerves, but since she lost Dad and I lost Bobbie Jo, we’ve leaned on each other.”
    â€œMakes sense,” she said, swirling honey into her mug.
    â€œHow about you? After your husband died, who’d you turn to for support?”
    Turning introspective, she said, “Mostly friends. My parents retired to Maine.”
    He whistled. “That’s a long haul.”
    â€œNo kidding.”
    â€œWhat moved them up there?”
    She looked away. “Long story.”
    â€œI have time.” He finished the last of his meringue.
    â€œWish I did.” She grimaced while pushing herself out of the booth. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I have an appointment.”
    He checked his watch. “It’s nearly seven.”
    She flashed a hesitant smile, and not that he was by any means an expert when it came to decipheringwomen, but damned if she didn’t look ready to cry. “I really should go.”
    An apology rode the tip of his tongue, but seeing how she already had one foot out the diner’s door, it wouldn’t do him a hell of a lot of good. Which led him to the conclusion that he’d have had a more productive evening staying in the barn to oil his saddle.
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    H ALFWAY HOME, J OSIE SWIPED tears from her cheeks, feeling weak and silly. It’d been four years. Why had such a casual question concerning her parents caused a meltdown?
    Maybe because with all of Dallas’s talk about family, she knew she was a fraud? Oh, sure, when it came to deciphering the mind of a kindergartener, she was a pro, but when it came to her own damaged psyche, all bets were off.
    In the house, Kitty hopped down from his window seat to rub against Josie’s calves. She set her purse