The Manning Sisters by Debbie Macomber Page B

offense. “You told him I was here? How could you, Taylor? I thought you were my friend. I trusted you….”
    â€œI am your friend. I care about you and can’t let you ruin your life because you’ve had a spat with your brother.”
    â€œIt’s more than that.”
    â€œI know. Trust me, I know,” Taylor said gently, resisting the urge to pull Mandy into her arms. “What I’d like to suggest is that when your brother arrives you stay in the kitchen, and I’ll keep him in the living room and try to talk some sense into him.”
    â€œHe won’t listen,” Mandy cried. Tears ran unrestrained down her cheeks, and she clenched her fists at her sides. “It would be best if I just left now.”
    The sound of Russ’s truck screeching to a stop outside the house was a welcome relief, at least to Taylor. “Give me ten minutes alone with him,” she said.
    â€œAll right,” Mandy reluctantly agreed. “But that’s all the time I’ve got.” She made it sound as if she had a plane to catch.
    Taylor was at the front door before Russ could even knock. What she saw didn’t give her any hope that this matter could easily be put to rest. His fury was all too evident; his face was red and his steps were quick and abrupt as he let himself in the house. Taylor practically had to throw herself in front of the kitchen door to keep him in the living room.
    â€œWhere is she?”
    â€œBefore you talk to Mandy, you and I need to discuss something.”
    â€œNot now,” he said, looking past her. “I’ve never raised a hand to that girl, but I’ll tell you she’s tempting fate. Running away? That’s a laugh. And just where does she intend to go?”
    â€œRuss, would you stop shouting and listen to me.” Taylor used her best schoolteacher voice and placed her hands threateningly on her hips as if to suggest one more cross word and she’d report him to the principal.
    â€œI have somewhere to go, so you needn’t worry,” Mandy yelled from the kitchen.
    â€œSit down,” Taylor said, pointing at her sofa. “We’ve got a problem here that isn’t going to be settled by you hollering threats at your sister.”
    â€œThey’re a lot more than threats.” Russ continued pacing the floor, occasionally removing his hat long enough to angrily plow his fingers through his hair.
    â€œMandy didn’t come to me about the length of the drill-team uniform—”
    â€œIt’s a damn good thing because I’m not changing my mind. No sister of mine is going to parade around a field in that skimpy little outfit.” His frown informed Taylor that he didn’t appreciate her interference in what he considered a family affair.
    â€œI’m leaving!” Mandy shouted from the other room.
    â€œOver my dead body,” Russ retaliated. “I’ll drag you back to the ranch if I have to.”
    â€œThen I’ll run away tomorrow. You can’t force me to live with you.”
    â€œShe’s right, you know,” Taylor whispered.
    Russ shot her a look hot enough to boil water.
    â€œListen to what she’s really saying,” Taylor pleaded.
    Russ advanced a step toward the other room. Taylor’s hand on his arm stopped him. He glanced down at her and blinked as though he’d almost forgotten that she was there. “This is between me and my sister,” he growled.
    â€œListen to her,” Taylor repeated, more forcefully this time. “Hear the doubt and pain in her voice. She doesn’t want to leave any more than you want her to go.”
    â€œThen why…?”
    â€œBecause she’s convinced you don’t love her and you don’t want her living with you anymore.”
    Russ removed his hat and slapped it against the coffee table. “Of all the foolish…” Suddenly he seemed at a loss for words. “That’s the