Lauraine Snelling Read Online Free Page A

She has a legal deed to this place. Because of that, she can live here if she wants to. She could probably go to the law and have the sheriff serve us a warrant or whatever the legal process is. Do you honestly want that to happen?” She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter, matching her son. “Besides all that, her father was your father’s very good friend, and mine as well. Do you expect me to turn his daughter away from our home?”
    Put like that, Ransom knew there was no need for further argument. “No, she would be welcome here.” But inside he wondered, if he had shown up at the Wild West Show, would Mr. Lockwood welcome him with such open hands? All on the basis of a very long-ago friendship?
    “Thank you. Now you might want to fill your brother in on our conversation before he comes storming in here.”
    “And asks her to marry him?”
    Mavis grinned and then chuckled. “Ransom Engstrom, you never cease to amaze me.”
    Ransom went out the back door, hoofing it to the barn, where Lucas was unsaddling his horse. “Mor wants me to make sure you understand that we are to welcome Miss Lockwood as a long-lost relative or friend.”
    “Whyever wouldn’t I?” He arched an eyebrow. “I take it something happened already today that I am not aware of?”
    “Don’t ask. There goes the warning bark. I’ll bring her horse down here and put him in the small pasture with ours.”
    “I could do that,” Lucas offered.
    “But I’ve already met her. You haven’t. Mor has cinnamon rolls waiting.”
    “Honored guest?” The two men headed back up to the house, Ransom splitting off to go to the front door.
    “Good morning again, Miss Lockwood. I’ll take your horse to the barn and let him out in the pasture, if you like.”
    The look she gave Ransom might have made him smile were he in a more hospitable mood.
    “Thank you.” She dismounted and dug a packet of papers from her saddlebag.
    “Go right on in. Mor knows you are here.”
    “Your dog announced it to the entire country.”
    “He’s good at that.” Ransom stroked her horse’s nose and led the pinto away.
    Cassie stood alone, her dreams and her father’s, her whole future wadded up and tucked under her arm. Now what? Other than the cold chill vibrating her breastbone?
    In spite of the young man’s instructions, Cassie raised her hand to the knocker, but the door opened before she could rap the metal E brand against the iron plate.
    “Come in, Cassie.” Mavis Engstrom held the door open wide, matching her smile.
    The chill abated, just a bit. “Thank you.” She stepped through the doorway, inhaling the fragrance that inundated her. “What smells so good?”
    “I baked cinnamon rolls this morning. Thought you might like a taste of home.”
    “The cook at the show baked cinnamon rolls sometimes, but they sure didn’t smell like yours.” She held her packet close to her side and looked around the room, delighting again in the welcome of it.
    “Did you bring the others?” the tall woman asked.
    “N-no. I thought perhaps we should talk about some things first.”
    “Well, you have a seat, and I’ll—” She turned to see Lucas come through the door carrying a tray with the food things.
    He smiled at Cassie and set the tray on the low table made of the same wood as the furniture. “Hello. I’m Lucas.”
    “Miss Lockwood, Mr. Engstrom,” Mavis said, putting the emphasis on manners.
    Cassie smiled and nodded. While the older brother seemed stern, the younger, with his short hair curling around his ears, had his mother’s engaging smile and easy way. “Pleased to meet all of you.”
    “My sister is in love with your horse.”
    Just then Ransom came from the kitchen. “Your horse handles easily.”
    “Wind Dancer is used to other people taking care of him. He and I grew up together—at least that’s what my father used to say. That’s probably why we can read each other’s minds.”
    “Please, sit down, all of us. Do you