The Manning Sisters by Debbie Macomber Page A

said.”
    â€œHow’d she get there?”
    â€œI assume she either walked or hitchhiked.”
    â€œInto 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.”
    â€œRuss, there seems to be a lack of communication here.”
    â€œYou’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.”
    â€œMandy 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.
    â€œI should be leaving,” Mandy said when she returned to the kitchen.
    â€œWhat about clothes?”
    â€œI 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.
    â€œMoney?” 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.
    â€œI have enough.”
    â€œHow much is enough?”
    â€œA 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.”
    â€œBut, Mandy, that won’t even pay for a bus ticket.”
    â€œI’ll…think of something.”
    â€œI’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 month. I was looking forward to seeing you perform.”
    â€œYou 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.”
    â€œAnd order pizza. I would kill for a good pepperoni pizza on a Friday night.”
    â€œThe bowling alley makes a decent one. You should try it sometime.”
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œI’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?”
    â€œMandy.” 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