All My Tomorrows Read Online Free PDF Page B

truck. "I'm sorry," she said.
    Jordan continued to sit silently, staring out the windshield.
    Maggie turned in her seat to face Jordan. "I said, I'm sorry. I misunderstood what you said. Forgive me?"
    Jordan tilted her head down and to the left so she was looking at Maggie out of the corner of her eye. "Only if you rehire me," she said, trying to hide a grin.
    "Done," Maggie replied.
    "And give me a raise," Jordan added.
    Maggie's anger immediately erupted again. "Why you…"
    Jordan grinned and leaned forward to face Maggie. She pointed her index finger at the angry redhead. "Got you," she teased.
    "Jesus Christ. You are exasperating."
    "Yeah, but I'll grow on you."
    "Like hell you will," Maggie replied, trying to fight a smile.
    Jordan and Maggie sat staring at each other for several long moments. Try as she might, Maggie was unable to erase the smile from her face. Finally, Jordan broke the standoff.
    "I think we're going to be late for the auction."
    Maggie's head snapped back. "Shit, you're right. Hold on. It's going to be a wild ride."
    * * *
    "Hi, Mom. How are you and Dad doing?"
    Maggie paced back and forth across the living room as she held her cell phone to her ear. "That's good. Is Daddy's cough getting any better? Great. I'm sure it's just a cold. If it's not gone in another week, promise me you'll take him to the doctor's and have it checked out. Okay? I'll talk to you in a few days then. Give Daddy a big hug for me. Okay, Mom. I love you both. Goodnight."
    Jan placed the book she was reading in her lap. "How are Mom and Dad?" she asked as Maggie sat on the couch with one leg curled under her.
    "They're doing okay. Dad still has a cough, but Mom says it's getting better."
    "That's good. Have they said any more about putting the farm in your name?"
    "Not really. I know Dad hired a lawyer to set things in motion, but it will take a few months before anything is finalized."
    "Still, your parents aren't getting any younger," Jan said.
    "Jan, I said Daddy is taking care of it. Now, I don't want to discuss this anymore."
    Jan raised her hands into the air. "Fine. Whatever you want."
    A tense silence fell between the women. Jan broke it. "So, how was the auction?"
    Maggie placed both feet on the floor. She leaned forward and rested her forearms on her thighs. "Things went great. We were able to secure about a half-dozen mustangs. It appears our Jordan knows her animals. Those horses came from quality stock."
    Jan cocked an eyebrow at Maggie. "Our Jordan?"
    Maggie sighed deeply. "Jan, why do you always have to nitpick everything I say? Look, I don't want a fight. I'm going to bed."
    "Suit yourself," Jan returned as Maggie stomped away.
    By the time Maggie reached their bedroom, she was furious. Why does she always have to have the last word? Sometimes I regret ever becoming involved with that woman.
    * * *
    The next morning, Jordan rose early and headed to the north pasture to mend fences. She worked in the hot sun all day, and by the time she returned to the house, she was in desperate need of a shower. She rode her horse into the barn and dismounted, then took the reins and led the animal into its stall. After feeding and watering the horse, Jordan meticulously brushed him until his coat was gleaming. As she turned to leave, she was startled by Maggie who was standing in the entrance to the stall.
    Jordan jumped. "Jesus! You scared me. How long have you been standing there?"
    Maggie leaned against the post with her arms crossed in front of her. She grinned sheepishly. "Oh, for about five minutes," she replied. "You really do a nice job with the animals, Jordan. You have a knack for it."
    Jordan took her hat off and dusted it as she spoke. "Well, like I said before, I had horses while growing up. Mustangs, in fact. They're beautiful animals."
    "Yes, they are. You've been in the north pasture all day, right?"
    "Yeah, mending fences. And now I need to shower. I'm kind of filthy and smelly."
    Maggie's gaze roamed up and