Gettin' Lucky (Love and Laughter) Read Online Free PDF Page B

lessons?”
    “Of course not, Daddy.”
    “Well, shouldn’t you be finishing it instead of cleaning out stalls? And honey, you really ought to put on a dress.”
    She rolled her eyes. “How am I supposed to concentrate, with Liz wallowing around in a stinky stall? And a dress—” she made a face “—I can’t help Jed if I’m wearing a dress. Come on, Daddy. Mabel says it’s okay if you say it’s okay. I told her you would because you’ve always been a huge supporter of animal rights—”
    “Go, but finish your lessons right after dinner, is that clear? And put on something nice when you’re done in the barn.”
    “Thanks, Daddy.” She gave him a quick kiss and bolted from the room. Her three-sizes-too-large boots slapped against the hardwood floor and Tyler couldn’t help smiling.
    “I was just getting ready to hang up,” the woman’s voice snapped the minute he said hello.
    “Sorry you had to wait, but I was in a meeting—”
    “That illustrates my point exactly, Tyler. Bernadette needs more attention. Do you know what she wants for a pet? Forget a nice French poodle or a cockapoo. She wants a lizard. Now, I don’t have anything against reptiles. I have nearly ten alligator handbags. But my granddaughter wanting to nurture a live reptile causes me a bit of concern. When Nan was twelve, she was looking forward to her coming out. She’d roll over in her grave if she knew what you were allowing her daughter—”
    “ Our daughter, Helen. Nan and I made Bernadette together, and she isn’t a Bell-Whitman. She’s a Grant.”
    “My Nan’s blood still runs through Bernadette’s veins. Now, Tyler, you really should consider sending her back to Houston. Smithston’s already agreed to let her start midsemester. They’ve got one of the best academic programs around and they offer dance lessons, etiquette, fashion coordination—everything Bernadette needs at her age.”
    “What makes you so sure she isn’t already learning everything she needs to right here?”
    Helen laughed. “Come now, Tyler. One top-notch governess in no way compares to an entire staff of highly qualified personnel, and Ulysses isn’t exactly the social seat.”
    “There are plenty of social activities here. The Hickory Festival is in two weeks. Competitors come from all over Texas for the pecan pie competition. Then there’s the beauty pageant.”
    Helen ignored him and plunged ahead, sugary sympathy disguising the ever-present steel in her voice. “You know Merle and I understand you’re not in Ulysses by choice. We know you had no way of foreseeing your father’s illness. But there’s no reason to force Bernadette to stay there and share in the misery. I’m sure once you take a look at Smithston’s fall schedule, you’ll see what Bernadette’s missing and change your mind. I’ll bring a copy this afternoon.”
    “ This afternoon? You mean tomorrow afternoon.”
    “Change of plans, dear. Merle’s business meeting in San Antonio has been moved to tomorrow morning at nine.” Before the news could sink in, she rushed on, “Merle and I are flying in. We’ll be there in a little over two hours. In fact, he’s waving me off the phone right now. Bye, dear. I can’t wait to meet that new Dalton governess you hired.”
    Two hours. He had all of two hours to find a governess. Otherwise, he’d have a hell of a fight on his hands. Not that Helen could do more than cause a stink, but what a stink, and Bennie would be caught right in the middle.
    He couldn’t allow that. No, he wanted Bennie happy. That meant keeping Helen happy and finding a governess. Fast.
    He glanced down at his stolen wallet, each bill accounted for, tucked safely away along with his credit cards. His Visa and American Express Gold Card were missing, but he knew Lucky hadn’t swiped them. The nanny had obviously pocketed those for frequent use, which was fine by him. He’d already reported the cards missing, and should she try to use them, she