Free The Rancher Takes a Bride by Brenda Minton

and homey over the phone, like any grandmother might. She sounded like a woman who baked cookies and made casseroles. But she wasn’t that woman, had never been that woman.
    She randomly jumped from one fad diet to the next. The latest was the “only fruits and vegetables that had dropped from the plant” diet. In Oregon’s opinion, it seemed extreme. Not that she had anything against vegans or vegetarians, she just didn’t like her mother’s extravagances. Including her newest get-rich-quick scheme, some antiaging product she was selling out of her trunk as she traveled across the country. Eugenia knew how to reinvent herself.
    â€œLilly is fine. She’s in less pain and getting used to the crutches,” Oregon answered as she continued to peer out the window.
    â€œI’m so glad. I thought I’d stop in next week and see the two of you.”
    â€œOh.” What else could she say? It would be rude to tell her not to visit. But it was tempting. After all, her last visit to town had included attempting to halt an Easter concert in the park. Oregon wasn’t sure if her mother really opposed a Christian concert or if she just got a kick from causing problems.
    â€œYou don’t want me to visit? I thought you were all about forgiveness. The concert debacle was a year ago.”
    â€œI know it was, Mom. And I do forgive.” It was the lifetime of instability that she had a hard time letting go of. It was the half-dozen stepfathers, all of whom she was required to call Daddy. It was the blank her mother had left on her birth certificate and Eugenia’s refusal to reveal her father’s identity.
    â€œOf course you do. And I know Lilly will love what I’m bringing her.”
    â€œMom, what are you bringing?”
    â€œOh, don’t get all upset. It’s small and won’t cause you any trouble.”
    â€œDon’t.”
    â€œI’m your mother. I get to decide what I will and won’t do.”
    Right, of course. That’s the way Oregon had lived her life—at her mother’s whim. The moves, the new husbands, the new religions and diets, it had all been up to her mother. Oregon had been dragged along like a puppy on a leash.
    â€œI’ll be there in a few days,” Eugenia said. “Gotta go, sweetie. I’ve got an appointment.”
    â€œSure. Have a wonderful Sunday, Mom.”
    â€œYou know I will. I have vitamins to deliver.”
    Oregon groaned as she ended the call. The last thing she wanted or needed was her mother invading. The back door opened. Duke ducked his head as he stepped inside. He gave her a cautious look.
    â€œI thought I should see if the cereal is still crunchy and the coffee still hot. And Lilly said, from the bits of conversation that we heard, that it must be her grandmother calling to brighten your day.”
    â€œYes, Eugenia Barker will be here sometime next week.”
    â€œWell, good. Martin’s Crossing has gotten a little boring.” He grinned as he said it, picking up the thermos and two cups.
    â€œI like boring,” she said. “Boring is calm. It doesn’t take a person by surprise. Boring doesn’t include my mother, which makes it more attractive.”
    â€œBoring isn’t a challenge,” he teased. “You bring the cereal bowls.”
    â€œI’m going to pour them out and start over.”
    â€œStarting over isn’t always such a bad idea,” Duke said as he walked away.
    Oregon closed her eyes and stood for a long moment, thinking about what he’d said. She could attach so many meanings to his one sentence. Starting over with him. Starting over on her relationship with her mother.
    Starting over in Martin’s Crossing.
    * * *
    Duke had avoided church for a long time. He’d avoided God and the thoughts of God that plagued him at night. He’d avoided prayer. Not because he didn’t believe, but because he couldn’t get