The Trouble With Cowboys Read Online Free Page A

Chuckwagon.”
    “Yeah, well, I know how to handle a woman who plays hard to get.”
    “Trouble is, pal”—Wade tossed him a sideways grin—“don’t think she’s playing.”
    Dylan watched Wade walk away, for once at a loss for words. Because deep down he knew his friend was right.

Dear Ready to Surrender,
         The old saying is true. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.
    4
    A nnie left her bedroom and made her way down the narrow hall. The tired wood floors creaked under her feet. The house might be old and small, but it was hers. When she reached the living room, the morning light flooded through their picture window, coloring the walls with sunshine.
    She wished she hadn’t checked her e-mail before church. She didn’t need another distraction today. Midge had sent her only one reader question to use for the first column, and Annie had no answers.
    She turned into the small kitchen where Ryder was slurping Cheerios at the table. He was still in his Batman pajamas, a striped towel-cape tied at his throat. His dark hair stood at attention on the left side.
    She ruffled it. “Morning, Bed Head. Where’s Mommy?”
    “I dunno.”
    Annie headed into the living room and saw her sister’s reclining form on the couch.
    “You’re going to be late,” she said, though it was obvious Sierra was skipping church.
    “Not going. I’m extra tired.”
    This made three weeks in a row. “Late night?”
    “Way too late. I met up with some of Wade Ryan’s old friends from his rodeo days—they’re passing through for that rodeo in Bozeman. You should’ve come—it was a single woman’s palooza last night. We had a blast.”
    She wondered how much all that fun had cost. “It was too late for Ryder to be out. Besides, you know how I feel about cowboys.”
    “Wouldn’t kill you to have fun once in a while, you know.”
    “And it wouldn’t kill you to come to church now and again.”
    “I know, I know.” Sierra pulled the quilt over her shoulders. “I’ll go next week.”
    Annie checked her watch. It was too late to get Ryder ready. She had to be out the door in three minutes. “Have you applied anywhere?”
    “Not yet, but I will.”
    Annie smothered a complaint. “Tomorrow?”
    Sierra sighed. “Yes, Annie.”
    “I need some help on my first ‘Dear Annie’ letter. Will you be home this afternoon?”
    “Sounds like fun.”
    Annie slid on her boots, said good-bye, and left, her heart heavy despite the beautiful sunrise cresting over the Absaroka Range. She didn’t understand Sierra’s sudden lack of interest inchurch. She knew it was symptomatic of a faltering spiritual walk, but what had caused it? She missed the days when Sierra had been full of godly passion, when she’d taken a stand with her high school friends, when she’d begged to go on mission trips.
    If anything, Sierra should be seeking God’s help now. She should be feeling anxious with no job in sight. But no, worry was Annie’s territory. Sierra would smother the negative emotions with fun, fun, and more fun.
    Annie got in her truck and turned the key, looking heavenward. “I’m trying, Gramps, but it’s harder than I ever figured. Way harder.”

    “I don’t see the problem.” Sierra handed Annie the paper and forked her last bite of salad. “Tell her to give the guy the boot.”
    Outside the patio door Ryder let out a squeal as he descended the slide.
    Annie stared at her sister. “It’s not that simple.”
    “Sure it is. He cheated on her.”
    “They have a child.”
    “Well, they’re not married yet. If she leaves him now, it’ll save her the trouble of divorcing him later.”
    “You know God hates divorce.”
    “He also gives permission in the case of adultery. And if she marries him, that’s what’ll happen.”
    Sierra had a point. Still . . .
    “Just because we have permission doesn’t mean we should .” They were getting off subject. Annie shook her head. “You have to consider