Wyoming Tough by Diana Palmer Read Free Book Online

crew before this,” Mavie muttered. “The brothers knew it…I told them so. Now here they come wanting me to cook for visiting politicians from Washington and figure out how to put priceless china and delicatecrystal and silver utensils in some sort of recognizable pattern on an antique linen tablecloth!”
    â€œIt’s all right,” Morie said. “I’ll help.”
    She blinked. “You will? They won’t like it.” She nodded toward the distant living room.
    â€œThey won’t know,” she promised.
    The housekeeper shifted nervously. “Okay. Thanks. That Bruner woman’s always in here complaining about how I cook,” she added sourly.
    â€œThat’s all right, she’s always complaining about how I dress.”
    The other woman’s eyes actually twinkled. Nothing made friends like a common enemy. “She thinks I’m not capable of catering a party. She wants to hire one of her society friends and let Mallory pay her a fortune to do it.”
    â€œWe’ll show her,” Morie said.
    There was a chuckle. “Okay. I’m game. What’s next?”
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    M ORIE SPENT A VERY ENJOYABLE hour of her free time laying out a menu for Mavie and diagramming the placement of the silver and crystal on the tablecloth. She advised buying and using a transparent plastic cover over the antique tablecloth to preserve it from spills of red wine, which, the housekeeper groaned, the brothers preferred.
    â€œThey’ll never let me do that.” She sighed.
    â€œWell, I suppose not,” Morie replied, trying to imagine her mother, that superhostess, putting plastic on her own priceless imported linen. “And I suppose we can find a dry cleaner who can get out stains if they’re fresh.”
    â€œI don’t guess I can wear sweats to serve at table,” Mavie groaned.
    â€œYou could hire a caterer” came the suggestion.
    â€œNearest caterer I know of is in Jackson, ninety miles away,” the housekeeper said. “Think they’ll spring to fly him and his staff down here?”
    Morie chuckled. No, not in the current economic environment. “Guess not.”
    â€œThen we’ll have to manage.” She frowned. “I do have one passable dress. I guess it will still fit. And I can get a couple of the cowboys’ wives to come and help. But I don’t know how to serve anything.”
    â€œI do,” Morie said gently. “I’ll coach you and the wives who help.”
    Mavie cocked her head. Her blue eyes narrowed. “You’re not quite what you seem, are you?”
    Morie tried to look innocent. “I just cooked for a big ranch,” she replied.
    The housekeeper pursed her lips. “Okay. If you say so.”
    Morie grinned. “I do. So, let’s talk about entrées!”
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    M ALLORY CAME IN WHILE Morie was sipping a cup of coffee with Mavie after their preparations.
    Morie looked up, disturbed, when Mallory stared at her pointedly.
    â€œIt’s my afternoon off,” she blurted.
    His thick eyebrows lifted. “Did I say anything?”
    â€œYou were thinking it,” she shot back.
    â€œHard worker and reads minds.” Mallory nodded. “Nice combination.”
    â€œShe gave me some tips on canapés for that high-society party you’re making me cook for,” Mavie grumbled, glaring at him. “Never cooked for any darn politicians. I don’t like politicians.” She frowned. “I wonder what hemlock looks like…?”
    â€œYou stop that,” Mallory said at once. “We’re feeding them so we can push some agendas their way. We need a sympathetic ear in Washington for the cattlemen’s lobby.”
    â€œThey should keep buffalo in the park where they belong instead of letting them wander onto private land and infect cattle with brucellosis,” Morie muttered. “And people who don’t live here shouldn’t make