Read Online Wild About the Wrangler by Vicki Lewis Thompson - Free Book Online Page A

“This is something I assemble and then stick in the oven for a little while. We’ll have time to talk about you and Mac.”
    â€œYou know what? I’ve decided we don’t need to. I’ll be too zonked at six in the morning to worry about anything. My hormones will be AWOL at that ungodly hour.” She began tearing lettuce into a bowl. “I’d rather talk about the holdup on setting the date for the ceremony. As your official maid of honor, I have as much right to ask as anybody. What’s the problem?”
    Georgie turned, knife in hand, and waved it in her direction. “You’re in the pool, aren’t you?”
    â€œWho, me?” She tried to look innocent.
    â€œAnastasia Bickford, did you come over here just so you could get the inside scoop and win the money?”
    â€œActually, no, but it’s not a bad idea.”
    â€œAha! You
are
in the pool.”
    She shrugged. “It’s the most interesting thing happening at Sadie’s and I’m there a lot. I figured my guess is as good as anybody’s, maybe better. But I’m as baffled as they are. You’re a perfect match and you both know it. Why not get on with the knot-tying part?”
    Georgie stirred the veggies without looking at her. “We’ve been arguing about the venue.”
    â€œReally? You both like things casual. What’s to discuss?”
    â€œHe wants to get married in that little box canyon we discovered that’s the overnight stop for the trail rides. But I think Sadie’s would work better.”
    â€œBecause of Mom?”
    â€œTo be honest, if that was the only sticking point, I’d go along with Vince’s idea and let her figure out what she wanted to do. It would be beautiful out there. Much more significant than getting married in Sadie’s.”
    Anastasia’s chest tightened with love for her sister. “But you knew I couldn’t get to that canyon.”
    Georgie nodded. “Vince keeps saying we can just throw you on a gentle horse and you’ll be fine, but I know different.”
    â€œAnd you didn’t say why that wouldn’t work, not even to your dearly beloved.” She hadn’t expected that kind of loyalty, considering how close Georgie and Vince were, but it sure felt good.
    â€œIt’s not mine to tell.”
    â€œOh, Georgie.” She walked over to hug her sister. “You really are too easy on me.”
    â€œI was there that night. I know how it affected you. I couldn’t ask you to climb on a horse just so I could get married in the spot of Vince’s choosing. The place isn’t important, but the people who will be there are extremely important.”
    Anastasia took a deep breath. “Set the date, sis. I’ll be there.”

CHAPTER 5
    M ac was awake at five, a full two hours before sunrise. By five thirty he was drinking coffee and eating peanut butter toast he could barely taste. He hadn’t been this much on edge since the day he’d faced a justice of the peace with Sophie.
    He’d known deep down that decision hadn’t been a good one. Although he had similar jitters this morning, he couldn’t get a fix on whether he was doing the right thing or something totally insane. But he’d agreed to it, and once he said he’d do something, he by God did it.
    He didn’t have many rules to live by, but that was one of them. Normally he didn’t give his word without a lot of thought, but this time he’d allowed himself to make a snap decision. He hoped it wouldn’t come back to bite him.
    After Anastasia had left the stable yesterday he’d had a talk with Ed about what was going to take place. Some kind of payment schedule had seemed appropriate, but Ed wouldn’t hear of it. Georgie was one of his favorite people in the world, and if her little sister wanted to learn how to ride, Ed was glad to help. When he’d discovered Mac wasn’t