The Rancher's Prospect Read Online Free PDF Page B

Tara said politely. “I take it Alaina, the one having the baby, is your daughter?”
    â€œYes, I’m so blessed. Five children and three of them married now.”
    Josh leaned forward, interested by Tara’s discomfort in talking to his mom. It seemed strange since she hadn’t quailed under his bad temper, but you never knew.
    His mother glanced at him and back at Tara. “I gather you met my son before this morning...?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Josh interjected, hoping to head off any revelations Tara might make. “We ran into each other when I went to the clinic for my hand.”
    â€œYes,” Tara agreed smoothly. “He thought I was Lauren, but I don’t have a medical background. I do accounting and records management for an international company based out of London.”
    His mother seemed oddly disappointed. “Then you won’t be staying in Schuyler?”
    â€œNot permanently. I’m a freelance contractor and my latest contract just ended. An extended visit seemed the best way to get better acquainted with my sister.”
    â€œIsn’t it wonderful?” Lauren said in a soft, enthusiastic voice. “Tara says she can take a few months off before she goes back to work. Of course, then she’ll be heading off to Berlin or Singapore or some other faraway spot.”
    â€œBut you’ll be here until then?” Sarah pressed Tara.
    â€œAs far as I know.”
    Josh restrained a groan, suddenly realizing why his mother was so curious. Now that he was back in Montana, she’d decided it was time he got married. She’d had mixed feelings about him falling in love when he worked in Texas...since a wife from the Lone Star state might expect him to remain there instead of come home.
    But Josh had no interest in marriage, not until he got things in order at the Boxing N. Then... maybe . Great-Uncle Mitch had never married and seemed quite happy. Meanwhile, Josh enjoyed dating, but it had nothing to do with looking for a life partner.
    â€œDo you enjoy horseback riding?” Sarah asked Tara.
    â€œVery much, though I haven’t gone for a couple of years. Mostly I was able to ride while living in England. I also got a couple of chances when visiting the Australian outback.”
    England? Australia? And most recently she’d lived in France? Boy, was his mother barking up the wrong tree. When and if he ever wanted a long-term relationship, it wouldn’t be with someone whose lifestyle took her all over the world. Someone like that would never stay long in Montana.
    A rancher needed a wife who loved ranching alongside him. Josh had already seen how hard a marriage could be without a shared passion. Grandma Evelyn had come from San Francisco and never completely adjusted to ranch life. Actually, Josh wasn’t sure what had held Walt and Evelyn together. It must have been a case of knowing they could have married more wisely but were making the best of things. His grandfather’s priority had been the Boxing N above everything else, and Grandma Evelyn had loved art, music and flower gardens.
    He glanced at his grandfather, who’d briefly fallen asleep earlier but was awake and blinking groggily. If only Walt would try to make the best of things now , but he wanted things his way and only his way. Ironically, Grandpa never would have put up with that behavior when he was a young man; stories of the battles between Walt and his father were epic. Of course, those battles might have started his stubborn refusal to see anyone else’s point of view.
    â€œYou’re welcome to go riding at our ranch whenever you want,” his mother told Tara. “Lauren, too, of course.”
    â€œYou’ll have to excuse me,” Josh said, hoping to head off his mother from suggesting that he give Tara and her sister a personal tour of the McGregor spread. “I’m going to the cafeteria for some better coffee than this