Hill Country Courtship. Laurie Kingery

always been a joke between them that Maude had a true redhead’s temperament, just as Juana had said.

      “It will,” Maude agreed. “You’ll see—I’ll learn to hold my tongue and keep my temper. I’ll give Mrs. MacLaren no reason to complain of me, no matter how shrewishly she behaves.”

      “Hmm,” Ella said, noncommittally. Maude bristled.

      “What’s that supposed to mean?”

      “Nothing of consequence,” Ella said, mischief twinkling in her eyes. She focused her attention down on little Hannah. “You’ll like it at the ranch, won’t you, sweetheart? Yes, you will! You’ll have lots of fun! Because watching your mama learn to hold her tongue and keep her temper should be quite a show, indeed.”