The Manning Sisters by Debbie Macomber

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.”
    â€œBut, Taylor, that’s not fair!”
    â€œIn 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.”
    â€œYeah, 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.”
    â€œWomen are entitled to a career if they want one!”
    â€œOf 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.”
    â€œW-what about boyfriends? Did your dad find reasons to dislike them all?”
    â€œNo. 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.
    â€œYou’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.”
    â€œBut why run away now?”
    â€œI have my reasons.”
    Her words were so low that Taylor had to strain to hear. “Where will you go?”
    â€œI 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.
    â€œI…was hoping to surprise her.”
    â€œYou mean show up on her doorstep so she can’t say no?”
    â€œSomething 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.
    â€œHello.”
    â€œTaylor, 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.”
    â€œShe’s here.”
    â€œWe had another one of our fights and—” He stopped abruptly. “She’s there? In town? With you?”
    â€œThat’s what I just