Homecoming Ranch by Julia London

Author:Julia London
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Contemporary romance, Fiction
ISBN: 9781611099577
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2013-08-12T21:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

This time, when Madeline’s clown car puttered into the drive at the ranch, she was ready for the dogs—she’d picked up dog biscuits at Walmart.

She emerged cautiously, the open bag in her hand, biscuits ready to be handed out. She was mildly disappointed that only one of the dogs bothered to come out from under the porch. As the dog approached, she was quick to hold up a biscuit. That proved to be a mistake, however, because the moment she held it up, the other three leapt to their feet and rushed out from under the porch, straight for her.

“Stop!” she cried out. “Stop, stop!” Madeline tossed biscuits at them, which they were incredibly adroit at catching, their tails swishing furiously behind them. They crowded in closer, wanting more, and a twinge of panic sprouted in her chest. “Stop!” she shouted again.

“SIT!” she heard Libby bellow, and from the corner of her eye, saw her striding from the garage, carrying a box, and all four dogs sat instantly. “Garage!” she commanded as she marched forward. With a wistful look and sniff in the direction of Madeline’s box of biscuits, the dogs reluctantly slunk away, trotting off down into the meadow, their noses to the ground.

Madeline sagged against her car. “I don’t know how you do that.”

“Haven’t you ever had a dog?” Libby asked, taking the box of biscuits from Madeline.

“No. We moved too much when I was a kid.”

“Oh, really? Was your mom in the Armed Services?”

Madeline laughed. “No. She was flaky.”

Libby blinked. She handed the box of biscuits back to Madeline. “Well, for starters, you don’t offer biscuits unless they follow your command. Otherwise, it’s a free-for-all.” She suddenly smiled. “Look at you,” she said. “Cute dress.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you going to try hiking?” she asked, leaning back to have a look at Madeline’s boots.

“Maybe, yeah,” Madeline said. She hadn’t thought of it before this moment, but she’d seen some well-worn trails leading into the forest and thought, why not? “First, I was hoping we might talk,” she said.

She noticed Libby’s slight hesitation, but she said, “Sure! I found a coffeemaker yesterday. Want some?”

“Yes, thanks,” Madeline said. She grabbed her handbag and followed Libby inside.

The kitchen was starting to look inhabited. In addition to the coffeemaker, there was also a toaster. A green-checkered dish towel had been draped over the oven’s door handle, and some fresh flowers were in the little window above the sink.

“I’ll make a fresh pot,” Libby said, and began to bustle around the kitchen as if she’d been bustling around it for years instead of days, pouring out old grounds and taking a can of fresh coffee from the fridge.

Madeline looked around, wondering if she should do something or sit and wait to be served. What was the protocol between new sisters? She stood there, clutching her handbag. “I hope you won’t mind a little company,” she said, trying to sound light. “Turns out, I need a place to stay this week. The Grizzly Lodge is booked.”

Libby gave her a sidelong glance.

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