“Is that when he issued the ultimatum?”
“H-how’d you know?”
“I know Russ, or at least someone a whole lot like him. The way I figure it, he suggested that either you lower the hem or you quit the drill team, and then he stalked out of the house.”
Mandy blinked, then took a deep swallow of the soda. “That’s exactly what happened.”
“You’ve gotten into plenty of arguments with your brother before without deciding to run away. Why now?”
Mandy’s green eyes clouded with tears as she lifted one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “Because.”
“That doesn’t tell me much.” Taylor stood and reached for a box of tissues, setting it on the table.
“He doesn’t want me around.”
“That isn’t true,” Taylor said. “We were talking about you making the drill team just the other day, and Russ was so proud. He loves you, Mandy. I’m sure of it.”
“I’m not. At least not anymore. He’s so stubborn.”
“Opinionated?”
“That, too, and…” She hesitated, searching for another word.
“Unreasonable?”
Mandy slowly raised her eyes to Taylor. “I didn’t realize you knew Russ so well.”
“I told you before that my father and I had trouble getting along when I was your age, didn’t I?”
Mandy nodded and jerked a tissue from the box, as though admitting that she needed one was a sign of weakness.
“Sometimes I swear my father and your brother were cut from the same cloth. It would be easier to change the course of the Columbia River than to get them to alter their opinions.” Raising her feet onto the edge of the chair, Taylor looped her arms around her bent knees. “The family money was limited and my parents couldn’t afford to pay for all five of us to go to college. So he decided that educating the boys was more important. He assumed they’d be supporting families, while Christy and I would end up with husbands.”
“But you went to college.”
“Indeed I did, but I paid for every cent of it myself. It took me eight years to complete my education. I worked summers in Alaska when I could, in addition to nights and weekends during the school year. Once I was a senior, I was able to get on as a dorm mother, and that took care of my room and board.”
“But, Taylor, that’s not fair!”
“In my father’s eyes it was. Granted, if Christy and I had been the only two, I’m sure he would have gladly paid for our education, but Dad was financially strapped paying for the boys.”
“Yeah, but your brothers will probably end up getting married, too.”
Mandy’s logic was closely aligned with Taylor’s own. “Yes, but as my father said, they won’t be having babies, and it’s unlikely they’ll have to delay whatever career they choose in order to raise a family.”
“Women are entitled to a career if they want one!”
“Of course. But it wasn’t only college that my father and I argued over. It started with the usual things, like clothes and makeup and friends, but later we found ourselves at odds over just about everything else.”
“W-what about boyfriends? Did your dad find reasons to dislike them all?”
“No. Just one.” Now Taylor lowered her eyes. From the moment her father had met Mark, he hadn’t liked the up-and-coming financial planner. When Taylor had questioned him about his instant dislike, Eric Manning had given her the most nonsensical reply. Her father had claimed Mark was too smooth. Too smooth! He’d made Mark sound like a used car salesman. Her father had refused to look past the friendly smile and the easy laugh to the talented man beneath. Mark had tried hard to win him over; Taylor gave him credit for that. The more effort he’d put forth, the more she’d loved him. Taylor and her father had argued constantly over Mark.
Then one day she’d learned that everything her father had guessed about Mark was true. She’d gone to him and broken into bitter tears. For the first time he hadn’t said I told you so. Instead, he’d held her in his arms and gently patted her head while she wept. She’d heard later from her brothers that their father had wanted to confront Mark and tell him what a bastard he was. It had taken some fast talking on their parts to convince him it was best to leave the situation alone.
“You’ve had arguments with Russ before,” Taylor said again, tearing herself away from the memories of a painful past.
Mandy plucked out another tissue, noisily blew her nose and nodded. “Lots of times, especially lately. He’s always finding things to gripe at me about.”
“But why run away now?”
“I have my reasons.”
Her words were so low that Taylor had to strain to hear. “Where will you go?”
“I have an aunt in New Jersey…. I’m not exactly sure where. She was my mother’s half sister, and she sent me a birthday present once before my mom died. I think she might let me live with her.”
Taylor didn’t bother to point out the numerous holes in Mandy’s plan. “Wouldn’t it be a good idea to contact her first?” she asked.
“I…was hoping to surprise her.”
“You mean show up on her doorstep so she can’t say no?”
“Something like that,” Mandy admitted.
The phone rang, and standing, Taylor walked over to answer it. Apparently Mandy thought this was a good time to use the bathroom and left the kitchen.
“Hello.”
“Taylor, this is Russ. I don’t suppose you’ve heard from Mandy, have you?” He sounded impatient and more than a little worried. “I’m at my wit’s end with that girl. I’ve called practically everyone in town. I’ve got enough to do without playing hide-and-seek with her.”
“She’s here.”
“We had another one of our fights and—” He stopped abruptly. “She’s there? In town? With you?”
“That’s what I just said.”
“How’d she get there?”
“I assume she either walked or hitchhiked.”
“Into town?” He groaned. “Listen, keep her there. I’ll be at your place in ten minutes. You can warn her right now, she may be on restriction for the rest of her natural life.”
“Russ, there seems to be a lack of communication here.”
“You’re damn right there is. She can’t go running to you every time she needs someone to champion her cause. And while I’m on the subject, I refuse to listen to your arguments regarding this skirt issue. I’m not going to have any sister of mine running around half-naked.”
“Mandy didn’t ask me to champion her cause,” Taylor said, having trouble holding back her own quick temper. “She came to tell me she was running away.”
Russ’s response was a short, harsh laugh. “We’ll see about that,” he said, and slammed down the receiver.
Stifling a groan herself, Taylor hung up.
“I should be leaving,” Mandy said when she returned to the kitchen.
“What about clothes?”
“I packed a bag and hid it in the bushes outside. I wasn’t going to tell you I was running away at first. I only came to thank you for being my friend. I…I think Russ likes you and I hope that you two…well, you know.” She smiled bravely, but tears rolled down her face and she smeared them across her cheeks with the back of her hand.
“Money?” Taylor tried next, thinking fast. She had to stall Russ’s sister until he arrived, although in his present frame of mind, she wasn’t sure he’d help matters any.
“I have enough.”
“How much is enough?”
“A couple of hundred dollars. I was saving it for a new saddle, but after I saw the dress you made for the dance I was going to buy a sewing machine. Now I’ll need it to get to New Jersey.”
“But, Mandy, that won’t even pay for a bus ticket.”
“I’ll…think of something.”
“I’ve got some cash,” Taylor said, reaching for her purse. “It’s a shame you’re leaving. I was asked to be a chaperone when the drill team goes to Reno next mont
h. I was looking forward to seeing you perform.”
“You were?” Mandy brightened somewhat. “It’s going to be fun. We’ve been practicing early every morning for this competition, and by next month we should be really good. The larger high schools almost always win, but all the girls who go have such a good time.” Some of the excitement left her, and her shoulders sagged. She forced a smile. “At least in Reno you’ll be able to use your American Express.”
“And order pizza. I would kill for a good pepperoni pizza on a Friday night.”
“The bowling alley makes a decent one. You should try it sometime.”
“I suppose I will,” Taylor said, rummaging through her wallet. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind? Mandy, sweetheart, it’s a cold, cruel world out there. If you like, you can call your aunt from here and feel her out before you leave Cougar Point.”
“I guess maybe I should,” Mandy murmured, not looking certain about anything. She hesitated, then turned huge appealing eyes on Taylor. “I was wondering…do you think maybe I could live with you? No, don’t answer that,” she said quickly. Regretfully. “Russ would never allow it, and, well, it wouldn’t work. Forget I asked.”
“I’d love it if you did, but, honey, that isn’t any solution.”
Mandy tucked her chin against her collarbone. “I’ll leave in a few minutes, okay?”
“Mandy.” Taylor stopped her. She couldn’t continue this pretense. “That was Russ on the phone a few minutes ago. He’s on his way to talk to you.”
The pale green eyes widened with offense. “You told him I was here? How could you, Taylor? I thought you were my friend. I trusted you….”
“I am your friend. I care about you and can’t let you ruin your life because you’ve had a spat with your brother.”
“It’s more than that.”
“I know. Trust me, I know,” Taylor said gently, resisting the urge to pull Mandy into her arms. “What I’d like to suggest is that when your brother arrives you stay in the kitchen, and I’ll keep him in the living room and try to talk some sense into him.”
“He won’t listen,” Mandy cried. Tears ran unrestrained down her cheeks, and she clenched her fists at her sides. “It would be best if I just left now.”
The sound of Russ’s truck screeching to a stop outside the house was a welcome relief, at least to Taylor. “Give me ten minutes alone with him,” she said.
“All right,” Mandy reluctantly agreed. “But that’s all the time I’ve got.” She made it sound as if she had a plane to catch.
Taylor was at the front door before Russ could even knock. What she saw didn’t give her any hope that this matter could easily be put to rest. His fury was all too evident; his face was red and his steps were quick and abrupt as he let himself in the house. Taylor practically had to throw herself in front of the kitchen door to keep him in the living room.
“Where is she?”
“Before you talk to Mandy, you and I need to discuss something.”
“Not now,” he said, looking past her. “I’ve never raised a hand to that girl, but I’ll tell you she’s tempting fate. Running away? That’s a laugh. And just where does she intend to go?”
“Russ, would you stop shouting and listen to me.” Taylor used her best schoolteacher voice and placed her hands threateningly on her hips as if to suggest one more cross word and she’d report him to the principal.
“I have somewhere to go, so you needn’t worry,” Mandy yelled from the kitchen.
“Sit down,” Taylor said, pointing at her sofa. “We’ve got a problem here that isn’t going to be settled by you hollering threats at your sister.”
“They’re a lot more than threats.” Russ continued pacing the floor, occasionally removing his hat long enough to angrily plow his fingers through his hair.
“Mandy didn’t come to me about the length of the drill-team uniform—”
“It’s a damn good thing because I’m not changing my mind. No sister of mine is going to parade around a field in that skimpy little outfit.” His frown informed Taylor that he didn’t appreciate her interference in what he considered a family affair.
“I’m leaving!” Mandy shouted from the other room.
“Over my dead body,” Russ retaliated. “I’ll drag you back to the ranch if I have to.”
“Then I’ll run away tomorrow. You can’t force me to live with you.”
“She’s right, you know,” Taylor whispered.
Russ shot her a look hot enough to boil water.
“Listen to what she’s really saying,” Taylor pleaded.
Russ advanced a step toward the other room. Taylor’s hand on his arm stopped him. He glanced down at her and blinked as though he’d almost forgotten that she was there. “This is between me and my sister,” he growled.
“Listen to her,” Taylor repeated, more forcefully this time. “Hear the doubt and pain in her voice. She doesn’t want to leave any more than you want her to go.”
“Then why…?”
“Because she’s convinced you don’t love her and you don’t want her living with you anymore.”
Russ removed his hat and slapped it against the coffee table. “Of all the foolish…” Suddenly he seemed at a loss for words. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Mandy,” Taylor called, “come out here and sit down.” She gestured toward Russ, motioning for him to do the same. “The only way I can see that’ll do any good is for the two of you to clear the air. You need to talk face-to-face instead of hurling insults at each other.”
Mandy hesitantly moved into the living room. She sank slowly into a chair and picked up a women’s magazine sitting on the arm, absently flipping through the pages.
Russ sat on the other side of the room, looking nonchalant and relaxed. He propped his ankle on one knee and spread his arms across the back of the davenport as if they were discussing the abrupt change in weather rather than the future of his only sister and their relationship.
“Mandy, why do you want to move in with your aunt?” Taylor asked.
“Because my pigheaded brother is so unreasonable.”
“You’ve gotten along with him up until now.”
“No, I haven’t.” Her voice grew smaller and smaller. “Besides, I’m just in the way.”
“Russ,” Taylor said, twisting around to confront him, “is Mandy in the way?”
“Hell, no, I need her.”
“Sure, to cook your meals and wash your clothes. You can hire someone to do that. I bet Mary Lu Randall would do it for free. She’s had a crush on you forever.”
“You’re all the family I’ve got,” Russ countered gruffly.
“I’m nothing but a problem,” Mandy said, rubbing the tears from her eyes. “You think I don’t notice, but I do. There isn’t a single thing you like about me anymore. You’re always complaining. If it isn’t my hair, it’s my clothes or I’m wearing too much makeup or spending too much time with my friends.”
Russ dropped his leg and leaned forward, hands clasped. He studied Mandy, then started to frown. “I’m just trying to do the best job I can to make sure you turn into a responsible adult.”
Mandy looked away. Unable to stand still, Taylor crossed the room, sat on the arm of the chair and placed her own on Mandy’s thin shoulders.
“I love you, Amanda,” Russ said starkly. “Maybe sometimes I don’t show it the way I should, but I do. You’re as much a part of my life as the Lazy P. I need you, and not to do the cooking and laundry, either.”
Mandy sniffled in an effort not to cry, and Taylor reached inside her pocket for a fresh tissue, handing it to the girl.
“I…didn’t realize this drill team thing was so important to you,” Russ went on. “I suppose Taylor’s going to tell me I should’ve been more sensitive.” Russ paused, shaking his head. “When I saw you all dressed up like that, it made me realize how grown-up you’re getting, and I guess I didn’t want to face the fact you’re going
to be a beautiful young woman soon. It kind of scares me. Before long, the boys are going to be swarming around the ranch like ants.”
“I-if you really want me to quit the drill team, I will,” Mandy offered in a thin, raspy voice.
“No, you can stay on the team. If the other parents are willing to let their daughters prance around a playing field in those little outfits, then I’ll just have to get used to the idea.” Russ stood up and walked across the room, standing in front of his sister. “Friends?”
Mandy nodded, fresh tears streaking her face. She jumped up and moved into Russ’s arms, hugging him tight. “I didn’t really want to live with Aunt Joyce in New Jersey.”
“That’s good because the last I heard she retired someplace in Mexico.”
“She did? How come you never told me?”
“Maybe because I was afraid you’d think it was an exotic, fun place to be and decide you’d rather live with her. I meant what I said about loving you, Mandy. You’re going to have to be more patient with me, I guess, but I promise I’ll try harder.”
“I…will, too.”
Russ slowly shut his eyes as he hugged his sister close.
Taylor felt her own eyes fill with tears. She hadn’t expected Russ to be so open about his feelings for Mandy. When he’d first arrived, she’d been convinced everything was going to go from bad to worse. Russ was so proud and so furious, but once he’d stopped to listen to his sister and heard her fears, he’d set the anger aside and revealed a deep, vulnerable part of himself that Taylor had never even suspected was there.
“Say, how about if I treat my two best girls to dinner?” Russ suggested.
“Yeah,” Mandy responded. “Pizza?”
“Anything you want,” he said, smiling down on his sister. He raised his eyes to Taylor, and they softened perceptibly.
“I…can’t,” she said, declining the invitation. “Anyway, this should be a time for the two of you to talk. I’d just be in the way.”
“No, you wouldn’t. We’d never have been able to do this without you,” Mandy insisted. “I really want you to come.”
“Another time,” Taylor promised. “You two go and have fun.”
Russ squeezed Mandy’s shoulders. “I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. If Taylor wants to turn down an offer for the best pizza in town, there’s only one thing we can do—let her suffer.”