Argosy Junction Read Online Free

half across the plate before taking a bite.
    “Hey, push one of those biscuits over would you? I’d like one when you’re done. I saved some hash for you.”
    They split the rest of the meal in silence. He slid a pancake off his plate and onto her empty hash plate. The entire meal would have been ludicrous if it hadn’t been so enjoyable. The restaurant patrons watched the scene in amazement, disgust, and confusion. By the time Matt paid for their meal and escorted Lane to her car, the town buzzed with the news that Lane Argosy had dined in the Homestead Café.
    Lane started to pull into Gideon’s, but Matt stopped her. “Uh-uh. You owe me one thorough explanation. That was the strangest restaurant experience of my life.”
    Why she accepted his terms, Lane didn’t know. Perhaps it was the earnest and sympathetic tone to his voice and expression. Maybe it was appreciation for the way he treated her like a lady rather than a simpleton. Most likely, however, it was the dawning realization that this was someone she could share the entire story with and not have to worry about condemnation.
    “Want to see a working sheep ranch?”
    Matt’s infectious grin was an answer in itself. She turned onto the long winding dirt road that led to the even longer driveway to their house, nestled at the base of the mountain. The ride was silent, comfortable, and yet part of her felt foolish. How she would explain to her family why she’d brought a perfect stranger to their home, she didn’t know.
    A border collie raced to meet the Jeep, giving Lane little time to warn Matt. “Here she comes!”
    Matt looked around and saw the dog. Horror-struck, he braced for impact with the dog. She could almost hear his screaming thoughts; they were written plainly on his face. You’ll kill that dog!
    Seconds later, Boozer sat on his lap, licking his face and panting. Maybe now Matt knew what she’d meant. “Boozer likes to jump in. She’s only missed once.”
    The Border collie nuzzled his shirt and panted happily, as Matt scratched behind her ears. “I thought you were going to hit her! I couldn’t understand why you didn’t slow down.”
    “She’s been doing that since she was a pup. Here we are. Argosy Ranch at your service.”
    A tall, lean man leaned against one of the stout support beams of the long porch.” Is that one of your cowboys or sheep boys or whatever you call them?”
    “We call them hands—as in the Amish saying about many hands and lighter work. That’s my brother, Tad. I should warn you; they won’t understand me bringing home a strange man.”
    “Well I’m not from around here, but I wouldn’t call me strange…”
    She whacked him with her baseball cap and climbed from the Jeep. “Hey Tad, come meet the Shakespearean Shepherd.”
    Nonplussed, Matt shut the door of the vehicle behind him and strode, albeit somewhat gingerly, to the porch, hand extended. “I’m Matt. Pleased to meet you. Lane offered to let me see a sheep ranch in action, and who could turn that down?”
    Tad stood silently for a moment before taking Matt’s hand.” Welcome.” He turned to Lane, a wry look on his face and said, “Funny one to be sharing the inner workings of a sheep ranch.”
    Lane bopped her brother with the hat on her way inside. What else is a sister to do when her brother gets in a dig under the watchful eye of an interesting man? Matt shrugged at Tad and followed Lane’s beckon. “Seems like I’m supposed to follow.”
    “She’s probably going to introduce you to Mom and Patience and find out where Dad is. If you want to rile her a bit, tell her you would assume that a sheep rancher might be in the barn with any injured lambs instead of galivantin’ about town.”
    Matt started to apologize and explain, but something in Tad’s eyes told him that this was another dig at Lane, and an expected one. “Will do.”
    Martha Argosy dried her hands on a faded apron as she turned to meet him.” I’m sorry; my hands