Nelson's Brand. Diana Palmer

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СКАЧАТЬ “But they won’t run a ranch.”

      “Or organize a barbecue,” Marie said, smiling. “Good luck with the books.”

      He groaned. “I’ll have us in the poorhouse in another few months. If Gene was more approachable, I’d ask him to switch duties with me.”

      “Could you do that?”

      “No reason why not,” he said. “But he hasn’t been in a listening mood.”

      “Don’t give up. There’s always tomorrow.”

      He laughed. “Tell him.” He left her sitting there, still looking thoughtful.

      Chapter Two

      “Are you sure this looks all right on me?” Allison asked worriedly as she stared into the mirror at the low neckline of the strapless sundress Winnie had loaned her for the barbecue. They’d spent a lazy day at home, and now it was almost time to leave for the Nelsons’ Triple N Ranch.

      “Will you stop fussing? You look fine,” Winnie assured her. “You’ve been out of touch with fashion for a while. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly proper. Even for Pryor, Wyoming,” she added with a mischievous grin.

      Allison sighed at her reflection in the fulllength mirror. The young woman staring back at her looked like a stranger. Her long, dark hair was loose and wavy, framing her lovely oval face to its best advantage. She’d used mascara to emphasize her hazel eyes and she’d applied foundation and lipstick much more liberally than usual. Too, the off-the-shoulder sundress with its form-fitting bodice certainly did make her appear sophisticated. Its daring green, white and black pattern was exotic and somehow suited her tall, full-figured body. The strappy white sandals Winnie had loaned her completed the outfit.

      Winnie modeled dresses for a local department store, so she was able to buy clothes at a considerable discount. She knew all sorts of beauty secrets, ways of making the most of her assets and downplaying the minor flaws of face and figure. She’d used them to advantage on her houseguest. Allison hardly recognized herself.

      “I always knew you’d be a knockout if you were dressed and made up properly.” Winnie nodded, approving her handiwork. “I’m glad you finally gave in and let me do my thing. You’ll have the bachelors flitting around you like bees around clover. Dwight has a friend who’d be perfect for you, if he just shows up. He’ll be bowled over.”

      “That’ll be the day.” Allison laughed softly, but she was secretly hoping that one particular bachelor named Gene might give her at least a second glance. She didn’t know what kind of problems he had, but knowing that he’d been hurt, too, gave her a fellow feeling for him. It wasn’t good to be alone when you were in pain.

      “You’re a late bloomer. Trust me.” Winnie dragged her out of the bedroom and down the hall to the living room, where her mother was waiting. “Mom, look what I did to Allie,” she called.

      Mrs. Manley, a tall, graying woman, smiled as she turned to greet the two young women. “My, what a change,” she said. “You look lovely, Allie. I wish your parents could see you.”

      Allie sobered. “Yes. So do I, Mrs. Manley.”

      “Forgive me,” the older woman said. “Your mother and I were best friends for thirty years. But as hard as it is for me, I know it must be ten times harder for you.”

      “Life goes on,” Allie said. She sighed, spreading her long, elegant fingers over the full skirt of the dress. “Isn’t this a dream? I don’t know how to thank you and Winnie for letting me stay with you. I really had nowhere else to go.”

      “I’m sure you have plenty of friends besides us, even if they are spread around the world a bit,” Winnie chided. She hugged Allison. “But I’m still your best one. Remember when we were in seventh grade together back in Bisbee and we had to climb the mountain every day after school to get to our houses?”

      “I miss Arizona sometimes,” Allison said absently.

      “I don’t,” Mrs. Manley said, shaking her head. “I used to have nightmares about falling into the Lavender Pit.” She shuddered delicately. “It suited me when Winnie’s father changed jobs and we moved here. Of course, if I’d known he was going to have to travel all over the world, I might have had second thoughts. He’s gone almost all the time lately.”

      “He’ll retire next year,” Winnie reminded her.

      “Yes, so he will.” Mrs. Manley smiled and changed the subject. “You two had better get going, or you’ll be late. The barbecue’s at the Nelsons’?”

      “Yes. Dwight invited us.” Winnie grinned. “I’ll have to make sure he doesn’t toss me into the corral with those wild horses and ride off with Allie.”

      “Small chance when you’re engaged.” Allison grinned.

      Winnie drove them to the Nelson place in her small Japanese car, a sporty model that suited her. Allison could drive, but she didn’t have a current license. Where she’d been for the past two years, she hadn’t needed one.

      “Before we get there,” Winnie said with a worried glance at Allison, “remember what I said and don’t get too close to Gene. I don’t think he’d let you get near him anyway—he’s pretty standoffish around shy little innocents. But I wasn’t kidding when I told you he was a dangerous customer. Even his brother and sister walk wide around him lately.”

      “He can’t be that bad,” Allison said gently and smiled.

      “Don’t you believe it.” Winnie wasn’t convinced. She scowled. “You watch yourself.”

      “All right. I will,” she promised, but she had her fingers crossed beside her. “Is he by chance a jilted man, embittered by the faithlessness of some jaded woman, or was he treated horribly by his mother?” she added dryly.

      “Gene doesn’t get jilted by women, and his mother was a saint, according to Dwight,” Winnie recalled. “A really wonderful woman who was loved by the whole community. She died about ten years ago. His father was a small-time rancher with a big heart. They were happily married. His…father died about six months ago.”

      Allison wondered at the hesitation in Winnie’s voice when she talked about the late Mr. Nelson. “Do you know what’s wrong with Gene, then?” she persisted.

      “Yes. But I can’t tell you,” was the quiet reply. “It’s not really any of my business, and Dwight’s already been asked too many questions by the whole community. I don’t mean to sound rude, and I trust you with my life,” Winnie added, “but it’s Gene’s business.”

      “I understand.”

      “No, you don’t, but Dwight may tell you one day. Or Marie.”

      “Is Marie like Gene or Dwight?”

      “In coloring, she’s like Dwight, blond and blue-eyed. Gene’s…different. More hardheaded. Fiery.”

      “I gathered that. Doesn’t he ever smile?”

      “Sometimes,” Winnie said. “Usually when he’s about to hit somebody. He isn’t an СКАЧАТЬ