The Rancher's Twin Troubles by Laura Marie Altom Page B

calluses were pumiced. “It was a rough weekend. Everything I did brought back painful memories of Emma.”
    â€œYou should’ve called me.” Natalie lightly rubbed Josie’s forearm.
    â€œI know, but I should be over it, you know? I don’t mean forgetting my daughter, but at least being able to cope.”
    â€œWhat do you think brought this on?”
    â€œNo thinking involved. I can pinpoint the exact second it started. You know the disaster Friday turned out to be with the Trouble Twins, right?”
    â€œYes…” Nat grimaced.
    â€œWell, out of the blue Friday night, Dallas called. Wanted me to meet him at the diner for coffee.”
    â€œDallas Buckhorn? As in the most gorgeous man on the planet?” her friend interjected.
    Josie laughed. “He’s not that good-looking. And, anyway, would you just let me finish my story?”
    â€œFor the record—yes, he is that gorgeous. Though his brother Cash inches him out for the world title by a fraction, but please, do continue.”
    Loving her friend for making her laugh, Josie hit the high points of what’d happened, closing with, “All of his parenting questions made me think about Emma’s silly tantrums and then about Hugh, and when Dallas asked why my parents were so far away in Maine, I lost it.” Hands over her face, Josie forced a few deep breaths. “I hardly know the man. The last thing I wanted to share with him was how devastating it is to me that my own parents—people I thought were in my corner—moved half a continent away to avoid me.”
    â€œThat’s so not true. Your mom’s geographically closerto your brother and his wife and kids. They begged you to go.”
    Meeting her friend’s gaze, Josie’s mind flashed on her daughter’s grave in the Weed Gulch cemetery. “You and I both know I’m not going anywhere.”
    â€œJosie…”
    â€œDon’t start on me.”
    â€œI’m not. Promise. I only wish you’d—”
    â€œWhat cullah? ” her nail technician asked.
    Josie handed her a bottle of OPI’s Candy Apple Red. To her friend, she said, “Did I mention Dallas asked me to go with him and his girls to the fair?”
    â€œNo, but I’m liking the sound of that. Getting right back on the dating horse. Good girl.”
    â€œIt’s hardly a date. The man needs my help and for my sanity, I need Bonnie and Betsy to chill.”
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    â€œI WANT THAT GORILLA NOW!” Betsy punctuated her demand with a scream loud enough to make several passersby cover their ears while still others looked on not sure whether to call police.
    â€œShe really wants that gorilla, Dad.” Bonnie, looking like a pint-size forty-year-old, calmly met his gaze.
    â€œI’ll try again,” Dallas mumbled in front of a carnie’s milk bottle game. “But I’m pretty sure these things are weighted.”
    â€œDaddy, I want it!” Betsy screamed.
    Josie cleared her throat. “Not to butt into your business, but this would be a perfect time to drag Betsy away from here, explaining why she can’t always have her way.”
    â€œYou think?” Eyebrows raised, the man honestly appeared stunned by her suggestion. “She really wants it.”
    â€œI’d love a new Lexus, but that doesn’t mean I’m getting one any time soon.” Kneeling in front of the child, Josie took hold of her flailing hands. “Betsy, hon, I know the gorilla is pretty cool, but we’re going to go look at some real animals. I heard there’s a baby giraffe in the petting zoo.”
    â€œGorillas are waaay better.” Bonnie shoved a wad of cotton candy into her mouth.
    â€œI—” sniffle “—still—” sniffle “—want—” sniffle “—him.”
    â€œListen up, princess.” Dallas hefted the girl into his arms. “Miss Josie is right.